Boasting a roster of ex-college stars, a newly-formed Navy supply Corps basketball team books forward with justifiable optimism to its initial encounter Saturday against Chelsea Naval Hospital. A nine-game schedule has been arranged for the squad, composed entirely of ensigns of Harvard's Midshipmen-Officers Unit.

Lieutenant J. E. Nettles, S. C., USN, coach of the new team, is not bothered by any dearth of talent, for he has five forwards well over 6 feet 2 inches who have college court experience. Dick Gilbert, who is expected to lead the attack, played in Madison Square Garden for a championship Duke University quintet. The tallest man on the squad, 6 foot 5 inch Bob Gottschling, was a starter for Manhattan College, while Jim Gallagher, an Irishman from Notre Dame, Bill Dearden from Ursinus, and Bill Bateman, a member of the 1943 Brown five, round out the crew of prospective high scorers.

Mainstays among the guards will be Bill Suflas, who did his playing for Ursinun and doubles as manager, and Ed Hoone, a former Gonzaga ace. Don Willard from North Carolina will also see action at guard.

An attractive schedule includes contests with fast service outfits and semipro clubs, while games are pending which nearby New England colleges. Highlights of the season will be two contests with Fort Devens and Boston Coast Guard, and games against Grenier Airfield and Tufts College.