By CHUCK SHERMAN

Even though Maine South won the varsity basketball game on January 31, they're not likely to forget the fight that West put up on the court or the spirit that circulated in the Maine West stands.

The final score showed Maine South on top by a score of 61-53 though the game was actually much closer than the score indicates. South jumped off to an early lead, but the Warriors fought back. When the teams left the court at the half, South led by only three points. In the first encounter earlier this year Maine South had an easy time of it. Now it was clear that the Warriors were much improved.

During the second half the Hawks could never gain a wide lead as West kept scrapping, and at one time in the third quarter led by one point. The game was decided in the final quarter as the Hawks used their size to overpower the smaller Warriors.

Probably the most impressive feature of the game was the tremendous school spirit showed by Maine West. Throughout the game the Warrior fans drowned out the Hawk rooters with their cheers. When asked what he thought of the spirit, Head Coach Gaston Freeman replied, "The spirit seemed to be organized, and there was a lot of it. It definitely helped the team; there's no question about it."

Much spirit generated at the game came from a large section of Maine West students who organized a car caravan of over 20 cars and traveled to Maine South in a large group. Over 80 boys, most of them juniors, met at the school and then proceeded to Maine South. Once at the game their effect was felt as they started many cheers and showed tremendous school spirit.