The 1939 Brookville Basketball Team
"Hardball in Hard Times"By Chad Eric Long It was 1939, the Great Depression was waning but it had deeply effected the people of the Brockville area. The people were anxious for a diversion and, as often happens in small towns, the local high school sports team provided a lift.
The Brookville High School Red Raiders were on the trail of a championship but first they had to hurdle their bitter cross-country rivals, the Punxsutawney Chucks. The year before, the Chucks had eliminated the hometown five and revenge was on the minds of the young players.
The local newspaper's sports writer provided those who could not attend the game a vivid account of the contest.
"Although Punxsutawney's early lead was a source of concern to the Brookville fans, the BHS team soon got its bearings and romped to an easy 24-12 win at Punxsutawney.
Sinking two free throws when fouled by Brookville's Tom Warner, Adams, Punxsy's forward, put the home team out in front of the game and it wasn't until the close of first quarter that Brookville finally forged ahead.
In contrast to the first quarter, when the score was tied three times at 2-2, 3-3 and 6-6, the second, third and fourth period found Brookville consistently padding its lead while Punxsy was held practically scoreless.
An interesting sidelight is the fact that it was Tom Warner who did all the scoring in the first quarter, counting three field goals and a foul to give Brookville a 7-5 lead at the end of the period.
In the second quarter, Fuller did all of the scoring on three field goals to give the Red Raiders a 13-6 lead at the half. He went on to cap the evening's scoring honors with two field goals for a total of 10 points.
Brookville won the game 24-12 and, at least for on night, everyone could forget about the Great Depression."
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