FRESHMAN BASKETBALL

From the top floor of Matthews to the ground floor of Wigglesworth, Yardlings have reported to Coach Skip Stabley this year, and he has moulded one of the best first-year outfits over to wear the Crimson. To date they have won 12 out of the 13 contests they have played, and barring any ineligibilities occasioned by scholastic difficulties, they will enter every remaining game on their schedule as decided favorites.

Away book in December when they opened their hardwood campaign in M. I. T.'s Hanger gymnasium, it was apparent they were one of the most talented bunch of players that skip had over had to work with at Harvard. They have had their ups and downs this season, but fortunately most of their infrequent downs have been confined to afternoon practice sessions. They suffered their only defeat at the hands of a strong Boston University Cub quintet by a 41 to 35 score.

Forwards Aplenty

As far as forwards are concerned on the Freshmen team, it's really sing a song of six-pence, because the Yardlings are better fortified at that position than at any other. Joe Romano and Mike Rice form one forward duo, and Johnny Rigby teams with Will Webber on the other. These four men have divided the forward work almost exclusively among themselves.

For a time they worked in shifts with Ed Rothechild and Jack Penson sharing the pivot duties. Penson worked with the Rice-Romano combination, while Rothschild centered the Rigby-Webber due. Substitutions are absolutely necessary when the boys learn to play the fast breaking type of game which Coach Stahley likes. "Go" is the keyword for the team, and the indoor Athletic Building schoes every afternoon with Skip Stahley's booming voice.

Two Good Guards

When we come to the guard positions, there are a couple of lads who rate second to none on the squad as far as natural ability is concerned. Ed Buckley from the iron range country of Minnesota and All-American Elk Club boy Bud Finnegan are a pretty good answer to any coach's prayer. They have had little relief in the backcourt positions mainly because they have not needed it.

It takes more than just a few individual stars to make a good team, and the Crimson Cubs have more than it takes. They have real balance, and lots of capable reserves. Some of them would perhaps be regulars on the Freshman team in most any other year except this one. Center seems to be well taken care of with replacements; John Wolter and Gene Keith are capable pivot men.

Reserve Strength

Pete MacGowan and Dick Craig have seen action at the forwards, while Johnny Miller, Bill Haussermann, and John Flint are the reserve guards. As the season progresses, it is possible that more and more of the burden of play will fall upon some of these men. At any rate, it is the Varsity future of these Yardlings with Wes Fesler that is all-important. Any one of the men on the squad has a chance of making a definite contribution to Fesler's Varsity. The subs of this season may develop into the stars of next season, because many a Freshman reserve has risen beyond some of the regulars in his class in the Varsity spotlight.