Basketball

Thus far the Dartmouth varsity basketball team has an overall record of nine wins and four defeats, but two of these defeats have been in league contests (Yale and Cornell) and only one victory has been a league win (Columbia). In recent games the Indians have been displaying signs of a slump. Injuries may be partially responsible, but there is no denying that Dartmouth's shooting percentage has been generally weak and that the team has not been playing consistent basketball. Coach Doggie Julian is not ready to give up yet, and there are indications that the team will pull out of the doldrums and may yet make a bid for league honors.

Leading the Dartmouth scoring parade is the Indians' 6'7" center, Paul Wisdom, who has an average of 15.3 points per game in 13 contests. Wisdom's layup and hook shots have been a determining factor in many contests, but he is not as effective on rebounds as is his replacement, Dick Fairley. Ken Patterson, with a 12.6 average, is next in scoring, followed by Captain Pete Geithner (11.1) and Glenn Wilson (7.4). Wilson, Dartmouth's sharpshooting guard, broke his wrist before the Christmas vacation and was lost to the team for a month. Actually his shooting average is higher because he has played only a few minutes in some games. Gene Givens with a 5.9 shooting average and Toby Julian follow. The team shooting average is only 33%, although they have averaged better than 65 points per game. Wisdom, Patterson and John Parker have been the chief starters up front with Geithner and Wilson in the backcourt. Toby Julian and Larry Freier took the injured Wilson's place during the eight games that Wilson missed.

Since the last report Dartmouth has lost to Cornell 79-58 and Army 57-51, has defeated the University of New Hampshire 75-59 and Columbia 63-54, lost to Yale 60-58, and defeated Siena 60-44. In the New England College Basketball Tournament after Christmas the Indians defeated Middlebury 63-54 and Harvard 77-69 before losing to Connecticut 70-58 in the tourney finals.

It is difficult to estimate just how good or bad Dartmouth is this winter. There are no real standouts on the team unless you mention Captain Pete Geithner. Geithner isn't a terrific shot, but he hustles every minute of the time and is the play-maker for the entire team. Geithner came within a few votes of winning the "Most Valuable player" award at the New England Tournament, losing out to Art Quimby of Connecticut.

On one hand the Big Green had little trouble defeating Columbia 63-54, with Coach Julian clearing his bench early in the fourth period, and yet Dartmouth was soundly defeated by league-leading Cornell whom Columbia had forced into an overtime. The loss to a relatively weak Yale team was also an enigma. The Army game was a calculated risk, for the Indians met the Cadets one day before playing Cornell and Coach Julian tried to keep his first team under wraps for the league game the following evening. Army romped against the reserves and the first team couldn't pull the game out when they got back into action.

The loss of Glenn Wilson for a month was, of course, a serious blow. John Parker, regular forward, was also out for a couple of games, while the center spot is still somewhat of a problem with Paul Wisdom, Dick Fairley and lately Bill Sherman all seeing action at this all-important pivot spot. From here on out it's all league games with the exception of two contests with Holy Cross, and the Indians will have to improve their shooting and generally tighten up on the brand of ball they play if they are to make any showing in the Eastern League this winter.

The report is around that the Dartmouth freshman basketball team forced the varsity to go all out before they bowed by a six-point margin in a practice game, so, if not this year, at least there are strong hopes for next season.