First Round: (Tuesday, February 27, 1923)
Game 1: Furman 40, Millsaps 21
Game 2: Centre 27, Clemson 23
Game 3: Vanderbilt 36, Louisiana State 10
Game 4: North Carolina 28, Mississippi College 21
Game 5: Chattanooga 43, Georgetown (KY) 27
Game 6: Alabama 44, Wofford 25
Game 7: Georgia 23, Tennessee 19
Game 8: Mercer 45, Auburn 24
Byes: Georgia Tech, Mississippi A.&M., Mississippi, Newberry, South Carolina, Sewanee, Virginia Tech
Second Round: (Wednesday, February 28, 1923)
Game 9: Mississippi A.&M. 47, Furman 21
Game 10: Alabama 49, South Carolina 24
Game 11: Mississippi 34, North Carolina 32
Game 12: Virginia Tech 26, Vanderbilt 23
Game 13: Georgia Tech 34, Centre 26
Game 14: Mercer 34, Newberry 22
Byes: Chattanooga, Georgia
Quarterfinals: (Thursday, March 1, 1923)
Game 15: Mercer 28, Alabama 23
Game 16: Chattanooga 38, Virginia Tech 23
Game 17: Mississippi A.&M. 33, Mississippi 25
Game 18: Georgia Tech 27, Georgia 22
Semifinals: (Friday, March 2 1923)
Consolation: (Saturday, March 3, 1923)
Game 21: Mercer 30, Georgia Tech 26
Finals: (Saturday, March 3, 1923)
Game 22: Mississippi A.&M. 31, Chattanooga 21
Another large field entered the tournament, with twenty-three participants. The first day saw eight games played, with an hour given for each game. The only break was to take an hour for dinner between 7 and 8 o'clock.
"Workmen have been busy since midnight Saturday in an effort to complete the court. This is the greatest expense attached to the tournament and girders large enough to support a large bridge are used as supports. The floor is being double braced so as to prevent the springiness which developed under the continuous pounding of the athletes' feet last year. The floor runs at right angles to the court used by teams of Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Athletic Club this season.
"Scoreboards will keep the crowds posted as the progress of the game and programs providing the names and numbers of the players on each teams will be given out.
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"Season tickets will be on sale at the Athletic club up until today at noon. The prices are $9 for dress circle and $13 for the boxes. Single seats will go on sale at noon at the Athletic club and Auditorium. The prices wil be 50 cents and $1 up until Thursday at 6 o'clock, after that time until Saturday night the prices will be advanced to $1 and $1.50. No pass-out checks will be given out, once a person enters the Auditorium and leaves he will be forced to secure another ticket to enter again." - ("Basket Tournament Starts Today at 1 O'Clock," by Henry Allen, Atlanta Constitution, February 27, 1923.)
Originally Sewanee was slated to be in the tournament and had drawn a first-round bye, however they withdrew just prior to the start of the tournament. This left the winner of the Georgetown (KY)-Chattanooga game on Tuesday to draw a second-round bye, with entry into Thursday's Quarterfinals.
The favorite was returning champion North Carolina, who had lost Sidney Perry and Billy Cunningham, but were returning the bulk of their championship team, in particular their All-American Cartwright Carmichael. In addition, Sam McDonald was added to the starting line-up.
Other teams considered to be contenders were Alabama, who had earlier beaten the highly regarded Atlanta Athletic Club, along with Georgia Tech.
With the way the drawings came out, there was great anticipation of a matchup in the Quarterfinals between historic rivals Georgia and Georgia Tech, along with a matchup between Auburn and Alabama.
Tuesday, February 27, 1923 - First Round
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Game 1: Furman 40, Millsaps 21
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"Centre played a spectacular game in beating Clemson. The Colonels resorted to long shots, flung high in the air, which either fell short or swished through the hoop. Jimmy Greene, a newcomer to Southern tournaments, took a place with the new found stars hereabouts.
His six field baskets played no small part in turning back the Aggies. And at foul shooting he was a wizard - he caged five out of eight." - ("Centre Stays In; Jimmy Greene Star," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, February 28, 1923.)
Game 3: Vanderbilt 36, Louisiana State 10
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"Either Vanderbilt was in rare form or L.S.U. has a good fighting team with no shooting ability.
Fans were treated to the most one-sided contest of opening day when these two clubs met, the Commodores scoring 13 points before the Louisianans had counted once, winning 36 to 10." - ("Vandy Shows Class in Beating L.S.U.," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, February 28, 1923.)
Game 4: North Carolina 28, Mississippi College 21
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Coach John King stands next to five of his players. Note they are standing on their outdoor basketball court. The school had no gymnasium at the time. (Photo courtesy of Mississippi College Library) |
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"Fans who glory in upset of the dope came very near attaining their seventh heaven Tuesday afternoon, when Mississippi College started off with an intention of trimming the fleet-footed North Carolina five, 1922 champions. However, the later managed to stem the attack and won out, 28 to 21.
But the Tarheel's victory was not won without the champions getting the scare of their lives. The half closed with Mississippi leading , 15 to 9." - ("N. Carolina Gets Real Battle," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, February 28, 1923.)
Game 5: Chattanooga 43, Georgetown (KY) 27
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Game 6: Alabama 44, Wofford 25
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"While his teammates were plucking thistles of defeat in their checkered journey Tuesday down the stone path to the Southern Intercollegiate basket-ball championship, one Mr. Lindsey , of Wofford, reached out and picked himself a rose of glory. Lindsey's feat of scoring 23 of Wofford's 25 points against the 44 of Alabama was one of the redeeming features of the contest. " - ("Alabama Tosses Wofford Out," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, February 28, 1923.)
Game 7: Georgia 23, Tennessee 19
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Front Row (l to r): Jake Butler, Robert Richardson Middle Row: George Clark, Captain Ed Gurr, Josh Watson Back Row: Joe Bennett, Ralph "Pokey" Williams (?), Coach Stegeman, unknown player |
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"Mercer outshot Auburn - that was all. Red Simmons, a husky football man, played through the entire game and stands as the hero of the evening program of the first round. Red did himself proud with six baskets and was a wonder at taking Auburn's missed shots off the backboards. George Harmon, his hand bandaged, was used only a short time." - "Mercer Outshoots Auburn, 45 to 24," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, February 28, 1923.)
Wednesday, February 28, 1923 - Second Round
Game 9: Mississippi A.&M. 47, Furman 21
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Captain M.G. Anderson, K.P. Gatchell, H.G. Perkins, B.E. Norris, D.O. Sikes | ||||
Game 10: Alabama 49, South Carolina 24
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"When Alabama meets Mercer - that's the battle fans are looking to. It will be McGauley vs. Harmon, the two pygmies of the tournament. Pat is no taller than a standing collar, and George probably is even shorter, but no two sharpshooters in the going can hold a candle to them." - ("'Shoot George!' Is Shrill Cry of Flapper Fan," by Guy Butler, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1923.)
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Game 11: Mississippi 34, North Carolina 32
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"The sole upset in the second round came when Mississippi College, considered by railbirds a rank outsider, erased the North Carolina champions from the slate in a thrilling game, 34 to 32. The score was tied at 23, 25 and at 32, when a field basket by the husky Montgomery in the last few seconds of play turned the trick." - ("U. of Miss., 34; N.C., 32." by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1923.)
Game 12: Virginia Tech 26, Vanderbilt 23
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Game 13: Georgia Tech 34, Centre 26
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"Four thousand people saw Georgia Tech defeat Centre College, 34 to 26, in the second round of the tournament Wednesday night.
Two thousand were yelling for Tech; two thousand screamed for Centre; it is a wonder the roof of the classic structure that ever and anon houses prize fights, grand operas, and automobile shows was not wafted clear to the Atlantic seaboard by the gale that blew from the throats of that basket ball crazy crowd." - ("Ga. Tech 34; Center 26," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1923.)
"Centre gave Tech a great struggle. This is one school that is conspicuous even in defeat; brilliant even when faced by adversity; always romantic and dashing.
It is hard to watch Centre without thinking of the Crusaders, or of William the Conqueror when he stumbled and fell upon landing on English soil, but silenced the shrieks of his army when he arose with a fist full of dirt.
They have been unsuccessful in two attempts against Tech." - ("Old Faculty Bans Forgotten as Jackets Prepare to Enter List with Bulldogs," by Charles Shonesy, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1923.)
Game 14: Mercer 34, Newberry 22
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Thursday, March 1, 1923 - Quarterfinals
Game 15: Mercer 28, Alabama 23
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Game 16: Chattanooga 38, Virginia Tech 23
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Game 17: Mississippi A.&M. 33, Mississippi 25
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"I am leaving NOW to get a place in the press box, which is so jammed with yelling college correspondents that old men who work for a living have the dickens of a time getting a place to park their ???. I am taking a bag of sandwiches and a thermos bottle full of coffee or something and will spend the afternoon and evening there. You better do the same." - ("BULLDOGS AND TECH CLASH" by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1923.)
"So it's Tech and Georgia tonight.
The biennial games between the 'Thou-Shalt Not' boys are getting to be all the rage. The learned gentlemen who have decreed. "They Shall Not Play" will sit back tonight and enjoy a mighty good basket ball game, providing, of course, they have the presence of mind to get down to the Auditorium by noon and secure a place to rest their dignified pedal extremities.
Tech and Georgia do not meet on the gridiron, nor on the baseball diamond, nor on the basket ball court - except when the Goddess of the Draw hurle them together after thrilling encounters with Bye." - ("Old Faculty Bans Forgotten as Jackets Prepare to Enter List with Bulldogs," by Charles Shonesy, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1923.)
Game 18: Georgia Tech 27, Georgia 22
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"Attendance records were erased in favor of new figures. The peak was reached Thursday night, when Tech and Georgia met in the third round. Seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty-two paid admissions was the check at the gate: counting players, coaches, officials and helpers on the house staff and the free list, at least 9,000 people witnessed the game." - ("Says Ed Danforth: They Gave Us a Fine Show Last Week," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 4, 1923.)
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"There must be something like a cup between Tech and Georgia which must be won three times. Twice since the faculty advisers put a large foot down on athletic relations between Tech and Georgia have athletic teams from these two institutions met. ON those two occasions the student bodies of both schools attended in full force of cap and lung power. Yet none has been killed and none wounded.
Twice the teams have met and not a player has taken a poke at another; not a student has shied a brick at another; twice they have convinced everybody except - well, whoever it is who severs athletics relations - that teams from the two schools can meet without mayhem.
Do they have to be convinced three times? " - ("How Long, Oh Cataline?," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 2, 1923.)
Friday, March 2, 1923 - Semifinals
"Salute "Red" Simmons, folks, a hardy soul if ever there was one. Red plays basket ball with Mercer. When Mercer and Chattanooga appeared on the floor Friday night, both clad in black uniforms, time was called while Mercer changed to orange jersies.
Seven of the boys modestly left the court and crawled up under the floor to put on their Sunday shirts.
But not "Red".
He peeled right there before four thousand people and put his'n on. He never batted an eye. He was unconscious of the act as a child of three years.
Red is my hoss from now on." - ("An Ear to the Ground," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 3, 1923.)
Game 19: Chattanooga 24, Mercer 19
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Game 20: Mississippi A.&M. 25, Georgia Tech 17
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Saturday, March 3, 1923 - Consolation
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"At the finish the contest resembled a miniature football game more than a manly exhibition of how the cage art should be played. The players on both sides were roughing it quite a bit, while "Consuello" Smith of Mercer, and Emory Jenks were ejected from the game because of personal fouls." - ("Mississippi Aggies Win Basketball Championship," by Henry Allen, Atlanta Constitution, March 4, 1923.)
Saturday, March 3, 1923 - Finals
Game 22: Mississippi A.&M. 31, Chattanooga 21
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"The Atlanta Athletic Club earned the honor of staging the most successful tournament in the history of this event. That disposes of the titles, the glory and the silverware. Against the superb defense of Gatchell, the Aggies' strapping back guard, the black-clad Chattanooga crew again and again hurled themselves only to be turned back. While the mighty Redd was smothered by Sikes, a re-hab student said to have lost a lung from gas in overseas service, Norris, a slim forward, kept his team in front with a deadly long distance fire and Perkins played the floor to feed the ball close in for sure shorts. . . . The pace set by the two teams was dazzling. Chattanooga used a very long pass from the backboard that kept the Aggies in high gear all night. That the champions held up under the straining gait is to their everlasting credit. NO more spectacular game was staged during the entire tournament." - ("Onslaught of Mississippians Routs Game Moccasins 31-21," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 4, 1923.) |
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First Team
K.P. Gatchell - Mississippi A.&M.
H.G. Perkins - Mississippi A.&M.
Bill Redd - Tennessee-Chattanooga
Baby Roane - Georgia Tech
Consuello Smith - Mercer
The tournament saw Georgia and Georgia Tech face each other, for the second time in three years, which once again broke a prohibition between the schools playing each other.
A day after Georgia was taken out of the tournament by their rival Georgia Tech, the Bulldog's Sam Richardson was driving his motorcycle Friday afternoon when he was struck by an automobile in Atlanta at the corner of Spring Street and North Avenue. The car was being driven at the time by the chauffeur of a well-known Atlanta real estate agent, A.F. Liebman. The chauffeur stopped immediately and carried Richardson to the nearby Davis-Fischer Hospital where x-rays were taken. It was determined that Richardson was not seriously hurt in the accident.
Although Chattanooga lost in the finals of the tournament, they still saw fit to claim themselves as S.I.A.A. champions after their victory over Mercer in the semi-finals.
This would be the final year that the Southern Conference and S.I.A.A. joined together for their post-season tournament.
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