Matthews Edges Holworthy, 41-37, For Yard Basketball Championship

Extending their undefeated streak to nine games, a smooth-working National League Matthews South team whipped Holworthy, 41 to 37, last night to win the first-term Yard basketball championship. Holworthy, winner in an American League playoff, suffered its second defeat, in losing its first and last games of the season.

Larry Corser of Holworthy was high scorer for the evening with 21 points while Joe Oakley scored 15 for the victors. Matthews won mainly because it snared Holworthy's missed foul shots off its own backboard and because its five starters remained in the game while two Holworthy players fouled out with five minutes to play.

Early Lead

The winners jumped off to a quick lead when Pete Briggs scored on two straight one-hand push shots. Briggs made eight points subbing for the injured Jack Brophy who had started every previous game. Ron Peyton added two long shots to give Matthews a first quarter 14 to 10 lead.

Oakley countered on four field goals in the second period when Matthews doubled Holworthy's ten points before the American Leaguers could score. But Bob Hardy and Corser each dropped in two field goals to give Holowrthy a one-point lead for the first time in the game, only for it to fall behind at the half, 23 to 21, on Oakley's one-handed shot from far outside.

Close in Third

In the third quarter the lead changed hands repeatedly with Mike Porder making two fouls to put Holworthy ahead with six minutes to go. On Rick Breuer's foul with less than a minute left, Matthews led at the end of the period, 31 to 30.

Hardy and Skip Goodman fouled out for Holworthy early in the last quarter. Corser made three points in the last minute but Ed Suss' two foul shots clinched the game.

Next term the 18 Yard teams will be divided into leagues for strong and weak quintets on their shown ability of this term.