LHS Basketball Team, 1922-3

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First Row -- Sherard Henry, Elwin Love (Captain), Claude Hayden.

Second Row -- Mr. Botkins (Coach), Ernest Wooldridge, Milton Kenney, Mr. Lansford (Assistant Coach).

Third Row -- Neil Bahr, Raymond Kimmet, Glen Kelsey.

BASKETBALL SEASON OF 1922-1923

Rensselaer gave Lowell a tussle, and, after trailing the entire game, Raymond Kimmet, Lowell's husky forward, put Lowell ahead by two free throws. Coming back the next night, and without the services of Captain Love, they scored a decisive win over Hammond. Then Rensselaer Valparaiso, Crown Point and East Chicago fell in rapid succession. Whiting proved too strong for Lowell on Whiting's floor. But there was little doubt in the minds of the Lowell fans that Lowell could have reversed the decision on a neutral floor. Valparaiso, one of the strong contenders of her section, fell before the team on February 16, which was Lowell's last game before the tourney.

Lowell's chief reason for success this season is because Coach Botkins has developed a team of all-stars. Love, who captained the team for two years, kept his head and could always be depended on for his field goals. Kimmet, the lanky forward, handled the ball with ease and precision and all were afraid to have him under the basket. Kenney, more than likely the fastest floor worker in the section, was a good shot and passer. Henry needs no introduction to the fans of his hard- fighting qualities. Woolridge was a man to remember; he always got the ball when he started for it and was noted for stopping the most plays of any one on the team. Neil Bahr was a hard-fighting fellow who was sure to score his points when given a chance. He was hurt early in the season and was sick, but finished the season good. Hayden was a fast little man and a natural guard, and in addition was one of the best floor workers on the team. Kelsey was a scoring ace at floor guard or forward. He played both with equal adeptness.

Coach Botkins has put the Lowell basketball team among the best in the state. Honorable mention was given the team by the Basketball World, Lake County Times, Indianapolis News and the Chicago Daily Journal.

Summary of the '22 and '23 Basketball Season

Lowell-Goodland

Lowell-Crown Point
The old jinx again. The Goddess of Luck hovering over Crown Point's basket did us up in fine shape. A fight from start to finish, but Lowell's short fast passing did not work on the small Crown Point floor. The game was slow because the new rules were used by each team in this game for the first time.
Score -- L.H.S., 12; C.P.H.S., 18.

Lowell-Brook
Another smashing victory for the Red men. For the first time in four years we defeated Brook High School on their own floor. Fine game. Lowell stages great come-back after Crown Point game. Perk and Kelsey starred. Some gait, gang. Keep it up. Kimmet shone with seven out of nine free throws. R. Lyons and his brother were stars for Brook.
Score -- L.H.S., 19; Brook, 12.

Lowell-Oolitic
A sad story for Lowell. With much luck against us and the gang fatigued after their long trip down state, the fast Oolitic team doubled the score on old L.H.S.

The first half showed snappy playing for both teams and the half ended with the score 8 to 5 in favor of Oolitic. Not so bad; but, oh, I hate to tell our tale of woe of the last twenty minutes. Not long after the whistle Henry, our back guard, was put out on personals. After this Bahr tore a finger and that put him out. So with our scoring and defensive machine sadly crippled we went down in sad, total and lasting defeat.
Score -- L.H.S., 15; Oolitic, 34.

Lowell-Lyons
On December 17 Lowell played a good game with Lyons on their downstate trip. The first half the score ended 14 to 7 in favor of Lyons.

In the second half Lowell showed more speed and with six minutes to go the score stood 14 to 15 in favor of Lowell. Lyons then substituted Grounds for floor guard and he won the game for Lyons with a field goal. Hayden showed best for Lowell.
Score -- L.H.S., 18; Lyons, 20

Lowell-Fair Oaks
Lowell High School won its third victory of the season when it met Fair Oaks on its home floor. Due to excellent guarding of Henry and Hayden, the visiting team was able to score but one field goal, the remainder of the points being made on free throws. Fair Oaks showed a much better aggregation than for the last two years; they are there with the speed and size. Kelsey played a star game, rolling in fifteen of the twenty- three points.
Score -- L.H.S., 23; Fair Oaks, 8.

Lowell-Whiting
The game started with Whiting counting in a free throw. Lowell soon made the first field goal by scoring on an out-of-bound play. Lowell led up to the last two minutes of the half, when Whiting's luck turned and they soon caught up with us, then passed us. The half ended, Whiting 11, Lowell 8. In the second half the game was very fast and rough. Whiting soon added six more points to their score. Kenney and Kimmet replaced Kelsey and Bahr. Kenney scored from the field. Then Kenney rolled again. Time out was called by Whiting. One minute was left when the game was again started. The game ended with neither team having scored.
Score -- L.H.S., 19; Whiting 21.

Lowell-Hammond
The game started late due to the fact that the referee did not arrive. A Hammond man was selected. A few minutes after the game started Hammond called time out due to Kenney's fast work under the basket. Soon after play was resumed Love dropped in one after a pretty pass, Kelsey to Love.

The second half the Hammond team came back strong and found Henry a good back guard. They couldn't get a short shot. Love sank in a long one from the field, Kelsey another. Hammond's score began to climb by way of free throws. Love come through and made three more field throws.
Score -- L.H.S., 27; Hammond, 15.

Lowell-Emerson
Emerson scored first with two free throws. Lowell came back and scored three. Emerson scored a field goal by Sackett. Kimmet sent a long one in from the field, making the score 5 to 4 in favor of Lowell. Emerson took time out. At the reopening of the game Kimmet scored again. Then Emerson counted two field goals. The first half ended: Emerson, 9; Lowell, 8.

The second half started fast. Henry was fouled for holding the jump and was forced to leave the game. After he left Emerson had easy sailing Sturtridge and Ruman starring.

The last five minutes of the game Lowell came to life and played well.
Score -- L.H.S., 15; Emerson, 28.

Lowell-Brook
Brook came up to Lowell determined to avenge their former defeat in the first of the season. They did. The game was fast and furious and altogether a very well played game. Henry played a consistent game, but the Brook aggregation broke through his guard for basket after basket. R. Lyons starred for Brook.
Score -- L.H.S., 8; Brook, 25.

Lowell-Momence
Lowell has now brought up her "rep" and "pep" by defeating Momence who was much praised as a strong Illinois team. The game was very one- sided, but it showed that Lowell can hit baskets. The average of baskets was 32 per cent. The first half ended with the score 32 to 11.

The second half was only a repetition of the first half with Momence even unable to get possession of the ball. So when Lowell had the ball it meant a basket and they put them in at the rate of one a minute.

In the last few minutes of play the regular five were taken off and a new five put in. Four were inexperienced men, but managed to sink in two baskets. When the whistle blew the score was 76-13. The stars of the evening were Perk and Kimmet; each chalked up 13 field goals, while Kimmet also made 4 fouls.

Lowell-Morocco
The following Friday Morocco came over to try their luck with the Red and Black team. The game started fast and rough and for the first four minutes neither team scored. A pass from Kimmet to Love under the basket netted our first basket. Kimmet soon came through with a side shot. Soon after Hayden marked up a field goal. Soon Henry, our back guard, took the ball away from the Morocco guard and passed to Kimmet for another marker. The first half ended with the score 28 to 5.

The second half was the same story. Lowell scored almost at will, while Morocco could not get through for a shot. The final score was 66-13. The Lowell team has shown wonderful averages for the last two games. The percentage of successful shots were: Love, 32 1/2' Kimmet, 35; Kenney, 27 1/2; Bahr, 100 per cent.

Lowell-East Chicago
In a fast game with a grand finish, Lowell defeated East Chicago to the tune of 32 to 13. The first half showed that the Lowell half was very good in passing and team work, but poor in shooting. Kimmet, Love and Kenney missed many easy shots, but the good guarding of Kelsey, Hayden and Henry held down the visitor's score. The score at the end of the first half was 11 to 5.

In the second half East Chicago showed some life and soon the score was 11-8. Then Hayden was put in the game and with his good playing turned the tide. Woolridge went back into the game after his ankle was taped and played excellent ball. Henry was wonderful at guarding. East Chicago only making one short shot. The final score was 32 to 13. Our third consecutive victory.

Lowell-Froebel (Gary)
Froebel came to Lowell the following Friday and was defeated, 24 to 10. Love scored first under the basket. Kimmet raised the score to 4 by two free throws. Gary marked up one point, off Kenney, holding. Smith, the Gary center, dribbled the length of the floor, was forced to pass by Henry. Henry stopped pass and snapped the ball to Love. Kenney reversed around back guard and Kimmet scored under the basket. Gary called time out. When game was resumed Lowell played just as fast. Gary got a little rough and Kimmet made six straight free throws. The half ended; Lowell, 17; Gary 5.

In the second half Lowell slumped. Gary kept the ball most of the time but could not get through for a shot. Henry was too fast, only one field being made by Gary during the half. Kelsey and Woolridge were good at floor guard. Smith's dribbling was first class. Lowell's fourth consecutive victory.

Lowell-Rensselaer
For the first time in four years Lowell defeated Rensselaer on her own floor. The game was slow all the way through which was probably due to the defensive playing of both teams. Lowell took the first tip, Kenney took a long shot and missed but followed up his shot and scored under the basket. Rensselaer evened up the score by two free throws off of Henry's holding. The score see-sawed back and forth the rest of the half. Near the end of the half Kimmet went in for Bahr. The half ended Rensselaer 15, Lowell 12.

In the second half Lowell played offensive and Rensselaer defensive. Lowell outplayed their opponents but they kept their score up by making free throws. Bahr entered the game for Capt. Love and played a good game. Capt. Love went in for Bahr with two and a half minutes to go. Lowell leading with one point. The team then played a stalling game and won. Score: Lowell 22, Rensselaer, 21. Fifth consecutive victory.

Lowell-Hammond
Lowell defeated Hammond 21-10 the following Saturday, making their sixth consecutive victory. Kimmet jumped center as Love was out due to an injured hand. Kimmet used his head and showed good team work in this position. Bahr showed up with good floor work but failed to connect with the hoop. Kenney guarded closely by Hammond tore through for shot after shot. Hayden and Woolridge were also very good at guarding. Henry was taken out of the fame the first half for a slip of the tongue. The fame was very rough, fouls being called freely on both sides. The Lowell five played a great guarding fame, Hammond failing to make even one field goal. Kimmet sank in 9 fouls out of 11. Hammond put in 10.

Lowell-Valparaiso
The Lowell High School team took another game when she took the large end of a 36 to 15 score from Valpo. The first half of the game was fast but Lowell couldn't connect with the basket, she just managed to keep ahead of Valpo. It ended 13-11 in Lowell's favor. The second half Lowell was far superior in basket shooting compared to that of the first. Love, who had missed many easy shots in the first half, came through with seven field goals. Kimmet worked the floor and gave Love many of his shots. Kelsey and Woolridge were good at their guarding. Kimmet as usual showed up good at the foul line, making 9 out of 11 tries. Seventh consecutive victory for Lowell.

Lowell-East Chicago
Out next victim was East Chicago. The score was 32-21 in favor of Lowell. Lowell out played Coach Smith's men in every stage of the fame and they were never in any danger of losing the game. Woolridge played a fine game at back guard, while Love, Kenney and Kimmet showed great floor work. Eighth consecutive victory for Lowell.

Lowell-Crown Point
The next Friday night Crown point came over to Lowell and got a thorough drubbing. Crown Point was not able to break through Lowell's defense. Kimmet, our big forward, out-scored the entire C.P. team, and he only played a short time due to sickness and an injured ankle. Capt. Love, the Lowell center, injured his hand early in the fame, so he did not shoot much, but all the same he counted five field goals out of twelve attempts. Kenney was a bit off in shooting, only making two, but his passing was good. Henry and Woolridge played great games at back guard.

Kubal played best for Crown Point and if this boy had had a chance he would have bee heard from.

The final score was 30-18 in favor of Lowell. Ninth consecutive victory for Lowell.

Lowell-Rensselaer
Victim No. 10 lined itself up in the form of Rensselear on February 9. Lowell showed Rensselaer that they were only fooling when they played down there. The game was fast and a bit rough; there was no doubt as to the outcome.

Kelsey starred with five field goals. Close behind him came "Doc" as star of the evening with two field goals, besides stopping all that came his way. Kimmet and Henry, also Bahr, who was on the sick list.
Score -- Lowell 32; Rensselaer, 8. Tenth consecutive victory for Lowell.

Lowell-Whiting
In the first of the game Lowell started with a whiz but could not kee[p going. Kimmet and Kenney missed easy shots, Henry let two baskets count by poor guarding. In the first half Lowell was completely upset and the half ended, Whiting 20, Lowell 11. The second half, Lowell found themselves, Henry showed real guarding and Love played a whale of a game, but Lowell could not overcome Whiting's lead and the game ended 30-20 in Whiting's favor. Lowell's first defeat since December 14.

Lowell-Valparaiso
In the last game before the tourney, Lowell defeated Valpo 26-16. Lowell started off like she really meant to play and scored six points before Valpo registered one. The good start meant nothing, however, and the team seemed satisfied just to keep[ ahead. This was done mainly by foul shooting off Kimmet and Kenney. The first half ended Lowell leading with two points.

The second half was an improvement over the first. The fellows moved faster and Lowell's guarding was better. Kimmet, by hard work, rolled in three in rapid succession. Then Love put in two and Kenney put in another one before the end of the game. Thirteenth game won in 14 starts.

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From the 1923 Lowell High School yearbook.

Last updated on May 7, 2009.

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LHS Basketball Team, 1922-3