- 1924 - |
Preliminary Round: (Thursday, February 28, 1924)
Game 1: Clemson 17, Florida 15
First Round: (Friday, February 29, 1924)
Game 2: Tulane 60, South Carolina 23
Game 3: Maryland 34, Virginia Military 19
Game 4: Alabama 44, Mississippi 42
Game 5: Vanderbilt 42, Clemson 13
Game 6: Mississippi A.&M. 35, Tennessee 18
Game 7: Auburn 35, Georgia Tech 29
Game 8: Georgia 36, Washington & Lee 24
Game 9: North Carolina 41, Kentucky 20
Quarterfinals: (Saturday, March 1, 1924)
Game 10: North Carolina 37, Vanderbilt 20
Game 11: Mississippi A.&M. 38, Tulane 30
Game 12: Georgia 29, Maryland 25
Game 13: Alabama 40, Auburn 19
Semifinals: (Monday, March 3, 1924)
Finals: (Tuesday, March 4, 1924)
Game 16: North Carolina 26, Alabama 18
The 1924 tournament saw a number of changes. Most notable was that the tournament was solely sponsored by the Southern Intercollegiate Conference. The S.I.A.A. chose to hold their own tournament in Macon, Ga, in the newly built Macon Sport Auditorium.
"While this is the third collegiate tourney for Atlanta, it is the first tourney for Conference teams with all others barred. The first tourney was an S.I.A.A. affair, and the others a combination of S.I.A.A. and Conference teams" - ("Mississippi-Alabama, Kentucky-N. Carolina Met Tonight," Atlanta Georgian, February 29, 1924.)
Another change concerned the rules. Previously, when foul shots were taken, one of the players was nominated to take all foul shots, regardless of who on their team was fouled. Starting in the 1923-24 season, the rule was changed so that the player who was fouled took the foul shots for himself.
Because 17 teams entered, they were scheduled to hold a game between Florida and Clemson at 6:00 on Thursday at the A.A.C court (located on Auburn Avenue). The court at the auditorium was not considered ready for use until the afternoon of February 28, which was the start time for the tournament. The design was said to be similar to the previous year, i.e. it "will be the maximum dimensions of a basketball court and will extend from the entrance of the auditorium to directly in front of the stage." (Atlanta Constitution, February 24, 1924)
The court was designed as in the previous year, with officials alongside one sideline and the media taking the other sideline. A grandstand was erected next to the lower end of the floor in order to accomodate participating players and coaches, so that they could observe the games.
Because of a Sousa concert held Wednesday evening in the City Auditorium, work on the construction of the floor would not begin until Wednesday night at midnight. This left 37 hours to complete the floor prior to the tournament beginning at 1 p.m. Friday afternoon. The estimated cost of the work was $3,500, higher than the previous year due to the night work.
As it turned out,the company (Gude) made great progress. They began work at 11:15 PM on Wednesday night and with the work of 50 carpenters, finished the project 12 hours later, announcing that the work was done except for painting of the lines on Thursday morning.
Below: E. Henican (Tulane), Lynn Bomar (Vanderbilt), Cartwright Carmichael (North Carolina), Perkins (Mississippi Aggies), Baby Roane (Georgia Tech) (Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924) |
Thursday, February 28, 1924 - Preliminary Game
Game 1: Clemson 17, Florida 15
"There is a suicidal pact Thursday night between Florida and Clemson which will serve as the grand eye-opener to the annual Southern Conference basketball tourney - the most magnificent circus of this sport ever arranged for the South.
This game will be played at the Atlanta Athletic Club. It was necessitated by the entrance of 17 teams - one over the mathematical ideal, and the field had to be cut." - ("Florida and Clemson Five Clash . .," by Charles Shonesy Atlanta Georgian, February 28, 1924.)
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"Tom Thorp, New York official who handled the Florida-Clemson preliminary with Stanley Sutton said after the game:
'I never saw better sportsmanship on a basketball floor than these boys show. If they all play that cleanly down here, it will be a great tournament.'" - ("An Ear to the Ground," by Ed Danforth Atlanta Georgian, February 29, 1924.)
"Dotterer, of Clemson, has an idea that he can make more free throws by standing to one side of the free throw circle than he can from the middle. To date he has made one out of seven throws. He couldn't do much worse if he would throw it with his back to the basket." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924.)
Friday, February 29, 1924 - First Round
"A.A. Doonan, who has charge of the tournament for the southern conference, stated the crowd Friday was the largest they had ever had at a tournament opening day." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924.)
Game 2: Tulane 60, South Carolina 23
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Game 3: Maryland 34, Virginia Military 19
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"Maryland surprised everybody, including herself, by defeating V.M.I., 34 to 19. It was their first quintet in several years, and credit should go largely to Supplee. He looked great in an otherwise mediocre game. He made seven field goals and a pair of foul shots for 13 points." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924.)
Game 4: Alabama 44, Mississippi 42
"The two toughest to pick, it seems are - now don't laugh! - Alabama and Ole Miss, and of course, Kentucky and North Carolina.
"You know OLE MISS SPLIT EVEN WITH THE AGGIES, which was equally as good as Alabama did with these rambunctious Farmers and Mechanics. Now laugh that off! That will be a GAME for you folks. At 3 p.m." - ("An Ear to the Ground," by Ed Danforth Atlanta Georgian, February 29, 1924.)
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"The most exciting game of the day Friday was that between Alabama and the University of Mississippi, in which the Crimson Tide emerged successfully by a hair-line margin. In the Johnson brothers Ole Miss presented two drastic scoring threats and until the last five minutes of the game Alabama looked like a beaten team. It was only the great spirit of the Tide that refused to surrender that brought victory. Destiny had decreed them for defeat, but they bucked destiny and won. It was a gallant fight by both teams - the only close and hair-raising struggle of the day." - ("Tech Supporters Stunned by Team's Elimination; Auburn Plays Great Game," by Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924.)
Game 5: Vanderbilt 42, Clemson 13
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"Reese and Bomar used to be famous for their forward pass work. They are still using it in basketball. Most of Bomar's passes to Reese are caught over the right shoulder with the recipient facing away from the passer." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924.)
Game 6: Mississippi A.& M. 35, Tennessee 18
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Game 7: Auburn 35, Georgia Tech 29
"Cla'ence ("Skinny"") Denicke, young and nimble, and a basketball player who delights the human eye, will perform for Georgia Tech and all concerned in the Conference basketball tourney which opens Friday at the Auditorium.
"Mr. Denicke has ironed out all his difficulties and has been granted a clean slate by the Tech faculty, just in time - the nick of time, as it were - to play for the Jackets in this tourney. Cla'ence is one of the greatest exponents of catch-as-catch-can, straight set, N.Y. commission dribbling in all the South. His nimble feet have beaten the funeral dirge over several basketball opponents of Tech." - ("Denicke Ruled Eligible For Tourney," by Charles Shonesy Atlanta Georgian, February 29, 1924.)
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"In the above list of survivors you will find no mention of Georgia Tech. The Jackets passed out of the picture Friday night by reason of a defeat at the hands of an inspired Auburn team. Tech, having beaten Auburn twice during the season anticipated but little trouble last night. And there was not that old spirit and dash in evidence that we have seen manifest by the Jackets in past engagements. In the second half Tech stepped at a faster gait, but the gods of battle put a curse on the basket, and although the home boys must have had a thousand shots they missed 95 per cent of them. The ball just wouldn't go in, so Tech went out." - ("Tech Supporters Stunned by Team's Elimination; Auburn Plays Great Game," by Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924.)
Game 8: Georgia 36, Washington & Lee 24
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Front Row (l to r): Henry Wilson, Nelson Lake, Eddie Cameron (Captain), Everett Burke, Edgar Lane Back Row: Coach Kenneth Hines, Edward Henderson, George Wilson, John Smith, Mgr. Page Wilson |
Game 9: North Carolina 41, Kentucky 20
"The two toughest to pick, it seems are - now don't laugh! - Alabama and Ole Miss, and of course, Kentucky and North Carolina. . . .
"North Carolina, undefeated, experienced, smooth as a set of gears running in oil, meets the undeniably clever Kentucky five, equally oily, but not so experienced. North Carolina holds a thin edge.
"The winner of this game is a fair guess for the ultimate winner." - ("An Ear to the Ground," by Ed Danforth Atlanta Georgian, February 29, 1924.)
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"Kentucky showed a four-man defense, the first of its particular sort revealed in the tournament. Their center, Milward, always was "in the hole" close to the basket, the other four playing the deck and they used a long pass to him - which North Carolina effectually smothered." - ("An Ear to the Ground," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 2, 1924.)
"The North Carolina-Kentucky game last night was touted to be a rip snorter and the fans were divided fifty-fifty on predictions as to the outcome. But the Tarheels completely outclassed the Kentuckians and doubled the score on them. Such masterly handling of the basketball, such smooth team work, such deadly shots, and such an all round combination of basketball talent have rarely been seen in these parts. Five individual stars of great ability with team work and team spirit in evidence, all the way make a drastic threat for championship laurels." - ("Tech Supporters Stunned by Team's Elimination; Auburn Plays Great Game," by Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924.)
Saturday, March 1, 1924 - Quarterfinals
"I never saw so many big boys playing basketball in my life," said Tom Thorp. "They don't grow that big in New York." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924.)
Here is the Vanderbilt quintet which Friday defeated Clemson College in its opening tournament game. Left to right, front row: Kirkes, guard; Bell, captain and forward; Gil Reese, guard; Foster, forward Second Row: Bomar, forward; Ryan, guard; Simpson, center; Porter, center; Srygley, guard. (Atlanta Journal, March 1, 1924) |
Game 10: North Carolina 37, Vanderbilt 20
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"Captain Greene, of the North Carolina team, has not appeared with the team this year. The reason is that he received a severe Charley-horse about a month ago in a game with Maryland, and he has been of little use on the floor since that time. Carmichael is acting captain." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 2, 1924.)
Game 11: Mississippi A.&M. 38, Tulane 30
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"A.&M.'s subs between the halves of the Mississippi-Tulane game entertained the crowd with samples of shooting from mid-court. It is understood from reliable information that a man cannot get on the Aggie squad unless he can make them from beyond the center." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 2, 1924.)
Game 12: Georgia 29, Maryland 25
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"If the Georgia-Maryland game had been a boxing match, Sutton might have been justified in calling it a draw. Georgia won the first half, and Maryland the second. The Bulldogs led at the half-way station, 20-6; Maryland dropped in 19 points to Georgia's nine during the last twenty minutes of play." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 2, 1924.)
Game 13: Alabama 40, Auburn 19
"So heated did the competition [between Alabama and Auburn] become that 17 years ago, the authorities decided that it should half until it could cool off. Wherewith, the competition, forbidden, simply simmered and boiled and threatened to explode and frequently did, instead of cooling off as planned.
. . .
"It so happens, though, that both schools are members of the S.C. and both schools have teams entered in the tournament and the vagaries of fate Friday decreed that Alabama should defeat Mississippi in a hair-raising contest and that Auburn should startle the basketball world by defeating Tech and then the inflexible schedule called for a meeting tonight between Alabama and Auburn.
"The game hadn't been certain for more than two minutes before the fact was carried on every telegraph wire leading into Alabama and two minutes thereafter the pilgrimage began.
"No such crowd, Al Doonan, impressario for the tournament declares, will ever see a basketball game in Atlanta as the crowd that will be there tonight, unless there should be another meeting in some future year between Georgia and Tech." - ("'Bama Basketeers To Clash Tonight with Auburn Team" by Fuzzy Woodruff, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1924.)
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"Referee Tom Thorp talked to Auburn and Alabama players before the game and urged them to play such a clean game that it would be clearly demonstrated that the two schools could meet in athletics without any trouble resulting. Not once did a player show anger toward his opponent. In fact they went out of their way to help each other up after a bad spill." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 2, 1924.)
"The Alabama-Auburn game did more than bring the two Alabama colleges together after 17 years of only observatory athletics. It caused the introduction to the Capstone of a system which should grow throughout the South.
A basket-by-basket detail of the Auburn-Alabama game germinated at the University immediately upon the arrival of the information that the two ancient enemies would meet. Quick action by the president of the student body, Publicity Field Manager Champ Pickens and other interested parties furnished the Capstone citizens with the play-by-play over long distance telephone Saturday night.
The play was a complete success. The first affair was given free by the Athletic Association. The Georgia and North Carolina games with Alabama were delivered over the wire also, the very nominal admission charge of 10 cents being made to defray expense. It is entirely possible to send almost a complete word picture of the game by this method after a few practice sessions.
More than 1,500 people crowded into the Alabama gym on each of the three nights." - ("Title Game is Phoned In Detail to Capstone," by Ben A. Green (Georgian Correspondant, University of Alabama), Atlanta Georgian, March 5, 1924.)
Monday, March 3, 1924 - Semifinals
Game 14: Alabama 37, Georgia 20
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"The writer is only one of many waiting impatiently for North Carolina to go into action Monday night. The main interest will be in seeing Forwards Carmichael and Cobb shoot 'em on that run down the side-lines. The first, even the second time that it happened Saturday it looked just merely cute, but before the game ended, it was found that it is a part of the North Carolina repertoire." - ("Tournament Tidbits," by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, March 2, 1924.)
Game 15: North Carolina 33, Mississippi A.&M. 23
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"The Aggies were hampered rather than helped by the gallant effort of Perkins to play in the first half. The long shot boy has played through this meeting with a bad ankle and an injury to his hand, and he had to retire after the half ended in the semi-finals. The Aggies did better after he left, hough that statement seems hard. His game effort was appreciated by the crowd." - ("Ear to the Ground," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 4, 1924.)
Tuesday, March 4, 1924 - Finals
Game 16: North Carolina 26, Alabama 18
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"Their victory was all the more sensational, because for the first time since the tournament started away back yonder in the dark ages of last week, North Carolina was harried and hurried, and pushed and prodded by a gang of determined giants in red uniforms. For the first time since the gumshoe, leather-flipping part opened, the Tarheel was laboring. For Alabama was determined, skillful, inspired, exalted by the tang of victory in the air.
. . .
"Tarheels? Bah! - tar, my foot! - there was no tar on those boys' heels - nothing but new, live rubber, wings, balloon tires, or something. North Carolina got away faster on the offense and covered a bit faster on defense. That was the story. Alabama was mighty near a championship , and yet not quite close enough to grab it." - ("North Carolina Wins Second Basketball Title in Stirring Finish Here," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 5, 1924.)
"While Carolina was crowded, they managed to stay within the rules, but Alabama was called so often on fouls that Hudson and McClintock were lost in rapid succession in the last half. Then when Carter was whistled down for the fourth time for a mistake, Alabama was left with only four men. Captain McGauley insisted on finishing with his four, but Captain Carmichael, of North Carolina, waived the rule and insisted on Carter's remaining in the game.
"This point developed a difference of opinion between Referee Sutton and Umpire Thorp; it IS a ticklish proposition. But good sportsmanship rode roughshod over the letter of the rules for once and Carter continued to play. The game was lost, anyhow, or so it seemed." - ("North Carolina Wins Second Basketball Title in Stirring Finish Here," by Ed Danforth, Atlanta Georgian, March 5, 1924.)
Front Row (l to r): Jack Cobb, Bill Dodderer, Captain Winton Greene, Cartwright Carmichael, "Monk" McDonald Back Row: Mayer Bretney Smith, Jimmy Poole, Donald Koonce, Billy Devin, Henry Lineberger |
1924 All-Tournament Team
After two years of having no official coach (which didn't stop the team from winning the tournament title in 1922), the 1923-24 North Carolina squad saw Norman Shepherd take the helm. And he was successful in bringing the team back into championship form.
The top scorers in the tournament were Jack Cobb with 59, followed by his teammate, Cartwrigth Carmichael, who tied with Alabama's Leonard "Slim" Carter with 42 points scored.
The Tar Heels ended the season with a perfect 26-0 record. At the time they rightly were able to call themselves as "Champions of the South". Decades later in 1943, they received national recognition when Bill Schroeder representing the Helms Foundation named the 1924 Tar Heels as the top college team in the nation for that season.
This was the earliest Southern team to receive such recognition. Up until that time the majority of the recognition for college basketball resided in the Northeast and the Midwest regions of the country.
Sidenote:
It is thought that this nickname first was introduced sometime around the 1924 tournament. In O.B. Keeler's article discussing the victory of UNC over Alabama in the tournament championship game, Keeler wrote:
"And all through the rush and hurry of that eventful first half, every Crimson athlete carried with him a white shadow; a shadow from which he could not step away.
"Carolina was on guard and it was man-to-man -- a white shadow moving like a ghost across the floor, by every Crimson player." - ("Smooth Carolina Quint Bowls Over Crimson in Final Dash to S.C. Title," by O.B. Keeler, Atlanta Journal, March 5, 1924.)
This may be the origin of the term, or perhaps not. In a February 2, 1952 newspaper article (Burlington (NC) News), former UNC student and editor of the Tar Heel student newspaper Luther Byrd claims that he originated the nickname after a game when the 1924 Tar Heels demolished an opponent '42 to 7'.
Checking UNC's schedule for that year, there was no 42-7 victory. However there was a 44-9 victory over N.C. State on February 18, 1924 which may have been the game he was referring to. I've been told by a UNC researcher, however, that the first time Byrd mentioned the nickname "White Phantoms" in the student newspaper was in a story in 1926 after UNC beat a Clemson team 50-20.
When Byrd was the athletic editor of the Yackety Yak yearbook in 1927, he does refer to the term "Flying Phantoms" when he writes: "Before that fans and sports-writers had hesitated to apply the old name of the 'Flying Phantoms' to them, but by that performance they demonstrated their new grown wings." When this 'old name' was in use is not specified by Byrd.
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The 1924 Atlanta tournament was considered successful in other ways:
"Receipts for the four days' play have been about $8,000 which will pay all expenses of the tournament, nearly all expenses of the 17 teams, with a pro-rata deficit of only abou $40.
Thus teams from as far North as Maryland and as far Southwest as New Orleans have journeyed to Atlanta and spent several days in competition or in learning basketball from the sidelines - all for about $40. No faculty athletic director could object to that expenses account." Atlanta Georgian, March 5, 1924.)
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