Bill Pierce’s prep almanac

The 1923-24 basketball season had been a good one for the North Central Indians and their coach, J. Wesley Taylor.

Although they lost the city series to the Lewis and Clark Tigers, who had represented Spokane in the state tournament, NC rebounded the week after state and won the Inland Empire Tournament by beating Vera 21-9 in the championship game.

The Indians were led by Fred Mitchell, Jack Graham and Melvin Sohns – all named to the city all-star team.

Less than a week after the win over Vera, Taylor received a wire inviting North Central to the National Interscholastic Basketball Tournament, to be held April 1-5, and sponsored by the University of Chicago.

The Spokane School Board approved the excursion, and Taylor figured he would need approximately $1,150 in donations for the trip. The alumna raised $1,326.92. On March 28 approximately 2,500 fans gave the nine members of the team a resounding send-off at the Great Northern Station.  Joining them on the train was state champion Walla Walla, another invitee.

North Central’s first game was against El Reno, Oklahoma. NC lost 18-17, ending its championship hopes and putting them into the consolation bracket.

The following day NC defeated the Chicago city champion, Lane Tech, 16-14. As the tournament continued, the Indians posted wins over two state champions, Superior, Wisconsin, 33-18, and Maitland, Missouri, 36-20.

In the semifinals they faced Elgin, Illinois. It was a close game, tied at 21 going into the final quarter. Elgin broke away for a 35-24 win. On the final day of the tournament, NC faced another state champion, Simpson High of Birmingham, Alabama, for third place in the consolation bracket. Trailing for most of the game, Mitchell, the captain, hit a half-court shot as time ran out to win the game 30-29.

Chicago University’s athletic director and football coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg, awarded a golden bronze shield for third place to the team and each player also received an individual medal. Stagg was the originator of the tournament, which ran from 1917-30 until opposition from state associations led to its demise.