Central High Basketball… from Early 1920’s

Central High Cagers Win Over Bulldogs, Return to Eliminate Ponchatoula for Title

By CAL ABRAHAM

(Special to Morning Advocate)

Ponchatoula, La., Feb. 21, 1931 — Coach Heftey “Hank” Stovall’s Baton Rouge High School Bulldog cagers, after being shoved out of the championship running, here this morning in the semi-finals of the Southeast Louisiana District basketball tournament by Central High School, 25 to 24, were defeated in the consolation match for third place tonight at the hands of Walker High School quintet by the same score.

The Central cagers, from East Baton Rouge parish, jumped into a commanding position by eliminating the Bulldogs this morning, and tonight defeated the Ponchatoula High Green Wave for the championship, 24 to 13.  Keowen, towering Central center, and Carpenter, sharpshooting guard, played important roles in the Central club’s advancement throughout the tournament play.  Ponchatoula entered the finals by virtue of a 28 to 21 victory over the Walker High School hoopsters.

The morning’s game between the Baton Rouge Bulldogs and the Central outfit was close and hard fought throughout.  Outstanding by far was the brilliant work of Charlie Young, sparkling little Baton Rouge High School guard and center, who accomplished something that no other five in the tournament could.  He guarded the rangy Keowen, practically the entire offense of the Central quintet, with marked success, and the hard-working Bulldog guard troubled Keowen plenty.

Glynn, diminutive Central forward, was high point man with four field goals and one foul goal, which totaled nine points.  Charlie Young came next in the scoring with four field goals, netting eight points.  Len Toulusso, Bulldog forward, and Keowen, Central center, each scored two foul goals and two field goals.

Baton Rouge (24) Fg. Flg. Fc.

H. Young, f 1 1 1

Tolusso, f 2 2 1

Brown, c 0 0 2

C. Young, g-c 4 0 1

Trouard, g 1 1 0

Jeter, g 2 2 2

Lea, f 0 0 0 Totals 10 4 7

Central (25) Fg. Flg. Fc.

Rholars, f 1 0 2

Glynn, f 4 1 1

Keowen, c 2 2 3

Carpenter, g 2 1 2

McAdams, g 1 1 0

Robinson, g 0 0 0

Totals 10 5 8

PHOTO: CENTRAL HIGH DEMONS of 1935-1936. Can you help identify team members?  Here’s what we have so far: (1st row, left to right) coach Norman Day, Dalton Babin, Bill Denham, next two unidentified, and Mr. Cain; (2nd row) principal Henry Hopper, Randolph Power, Thurston Watts, Eugene Devall, unidentified, Allen Edwards (holding ball), Bob Shanks, unidentified, Frank Long, Morgan Fairchild, and unidentified.  If you can help, call Central City News at 261-5055 or email centralcitynews@hotmail.com.