JOHN MCKERNAN SAYS:
Spirit Carries Patten To Heights At Boston
BOSTON, Mass., March 23-"One of the greatest performances, comparatively, in New England basketball history."That's the way veteran Boston Garden officials, sports writers and coaches characterized the amazing 35-32 triumph turned in by little Patten Academy against big Boston Latin. it was a clash between the Class B champions of Maine and Massachusetts, played as a preliminary to the final game of the New England tournament.It was a great performance for any number of reasons. But the big reason was the tremendous competitive spirit demonstrated by those youngsters from Northern Penobscot County when everything seemed to be against them.It was a terrific fight against odds that ordinarily would show a team under, subjecting them to humiliating defeat. That's what had been expected by basketball followers around the Garden. They couldn't figure Patten coming within 20 points of Latin.After all, Patten was a team picked from 27 boys, at the town's academy. It was a team that had played opposition considered beneath the stature of Latin's foes. And Latin's club represented the cream of athletic ability from a group 50 times as large as Patten's male enrollment.
Latin Almost Made "A" Tourney With Durfee
Only two nights before, a good Bangor team hadn't been able to perform up to its usual standard and had taken a 22- point defeat at the hands of Fall River's Durfee. The latter club had won the Eastern Massachusetts crown the week before. And do you know what? Latin, on the word of Coach Steve Patten, very nearly was picked to play in the tourney with Durfee instead of in the B competition.
Latin had suffered only one defeat. Its long list of victories included an almost unbelievable 48-0 triumph over Brandeis of Boston. The team apparently had a sound defense, as few of the Latin foes exceeded the low twenties in total score.
The game was played on the Garden court, with which Latin was familiar. But Patten, beyond a brief shooting drill, knew nothing about the floor and backboards and other little things that are important.
The crowd was immense, and you'd expect the Patten lads to tighten in front of 13,909 fans-the greatest throng ever to see a schoolboy basketball game in New England. The entire population of Patten could have been swallowed up in the mob and you'd have a tough task finding them.
BANGOR, MAINE, MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1947
Patten Arriving Here This Afternoon, 5:30 B. & A. Banquet At Hotel; Town Plans Midnight Welcome Patten's triumphant band of basketball Eagles, the toast of New England and the pride of Maine, will arrive in Bangor at 5:30 p. m. this afternoon, will be given a banquet by the Bangor and Aroostook railroad, and will head for home immediately where another roaring reception is in store for them.
BANQUET AT HOTEL
The doughty band of warriors who astounded not only big Boston Latin but the basketball experts as well by defeating the Latin club 35-32 in the Boston Garden, will be met at the train by officials of the railroad company. A special bus will carry them to the Penobscot hotel, where they'll be honored at a banquet starting at 6:30 o'clock.
The railroad officials have invited the team, cheerleaders, Principal- coach Willis Phair, and the Patten selectmen. Official representative of the town will be Freeman C. Bradford, chairman of the board of selectmen. He'll be accompanied by Vivian H. Grant and Joseph Harrington, who complete the board.
Another distinguished guest is expected to be Henry C. Rowe, 79- year-old Patten resident who has been treasurer of the academy for more than 40 years.
TOWN WELCOME
After the banquet, the team will board a special bus furnished by the railroad company and start the 90-mile trip for home. But the day won't be ended then. Close to 500 townspeople and residents of nearby areas plan to greet the lads on their arrival, with special lighting effects adorning the town square.
The entire town has been dec- orated for the occasion, with the five Patten academy colors-orange, black, blue, gold and white-the motif. Signs such as "Eagles Come Home To Your Nest" crowd each window.
The town plans to hold an official reception for the team early in April, when the 100th birthday of Patten academy also will be celebrated. It is hoped to have Gov. Horace A. Hildreth in attendance for the occasion.