Finals - The local boys earned the right to district competition by defeating Rhodes 60-48 for the sectional tournament championship. The teams traded baskets much of the first half with Collins leading 20-19, Erwin F. scoring 12 of Collins 20 points. The Clippers' scoring pace quickly increased in the third quarter with Phil H.'s first field goals and Erwin F. continuing to score for personal scoring record of 26 points. Phil H. counted 15 points in the second half for a game total of 19. Collins hit 33% with second half shooting of 42% for 60 points. Rhodes shot 35% for a 48 total. Lineup: Jack Kilgore (55) (f) 7 pts; Erwin Frerichs (52) (f) 26 pts. (season and career high); Phil Holland (52) (c) 19 pts.; John Duesbury (52) (g) 5 pts.; Norman Baker (54) (g) 2 pts.; Larry Heintz (52) (f) 1 pts. The district tournament will be held at Nevada school field house with Collins playing Cambridge in the first round.
March 6, 1952 Basketball - The girls' basketball team attended the State Tournament last Thursday. Supt. Jackson, Coach Schrader, and Paul Smith provided transportation. They saw four games: West Des Moines over Pella Christian, Monona over Mallard, Guthrie Center over West Liberty and Reinbeck over Tingley. Reinbeck went on to win the state championship.
Dorothy Long won the sectional tournament free throw contest at Maxwell, making 21 of 25 and also won first place in the district tournament at Grinnell, making 18 of 25. She advanced to the state free throw contest in Des Moines. Dorothy's warm up shooting was excellent; however, her competitive shooting was unable to qualify her for the finals competition. This was the second consecutive year Collins has been represented in the state free throw tournament competition - sister Bonnie Long last year.
March 13, 1952 School Election: Voters turned out in force at the annual election with 251 ballots cast, which is the largest total reported for many years. The results, L. D. Holland retains his place as a board member and Grainger Buck becomes a new board member. There were five candidates: Grainger Buck, Harold Hale, L. D. Holland, S. T. Hyatt, and V. O. Partridge.
Boys District Basketball Tournament at the Nevada School field house. Collins gained the right to play in the finals by overcoming a difficult Cambridge team 56-43. In the Cambridge game, Collins took an early small lead and held a 28-20 halftime margin as Holland and Frerichs each scored 6 points in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Cambridge directed their defense to control Holland and Frerichs. This allowed Duesbury to drift under the basket to receive 3 passes from alert teammates for open lay-up shots for 6 points. Collins increased the 8-point halftime lead to 44-30 at third quarter break. Cambridge, always very competitive, changed tactics in the fourth quarter to full-court press defense and fast break offense. Collins' turnovers, Frerichs and Baker fouling out, Holland and Kilgore having 4 fouls, made the outlook shaky midway in the fourth quarter. Very shortly three key Cambridge players fouled out, and Collins regained control of the game for the 56-43 win. Lineup: Jack Kilgore (55) (f) 4 pts; Erwin Frerichs (52) (f) 15 pts.; Phil Holland (52) (c) 23 pts.; John Duesbury (52) (g) 9 pts.; Norman Baker (54) (g) 4 pts.; Larry Heintz (52) (c) 1 pt.; Carroll Smith (53) (g) 0 pts.