Winter Sports

Even while we talk of fall sports another group of athletes are in the wings waiting to make their bows. Winter sports are just a few days away, and here is a preview of what basketball and hockey may look like this year in Hanover.

After two weeks of practice, Coach Alvin "Doggie" Julian appraised his 1961-62 team in these words: "It has enthusiasm and the spirit is excellent. It may not be a great team, but it will hustle and it will bump off some good teams."

Gone from last year's team which finished with a 5-19 mark are three starters: captain and center George Rammings, forward Dan Barry, and guard Bobby West. As he prepares for the season's opener against Manhattan at Madison Square Garden, December 2, Doggie is relying on a nucleus of men who saw considerable action last year, plus several sophomores. At the present time the starting five looks like this: the forwards are Sam Barton (6-4), a junior, and Bill Shanahan (6-4), a senior and captain; at center Jim Bell (6-7½), a junior; and at the guards Barry Elson (6-2) and Steve Spahn (6-1), both juniors.

Pressing hard for a starting berth and still very much in the picture are Steve Swirsky (6-1), a junior forward from New Haven, Conn., and Bill Bahrenburg (6-6), a sophomore who is a candidate for the center position along with Frank Hanlon (6-5), another sophomore. Two other forward prospects are Bruce Campbell and Brad Geoffrey. Both are sophomores and both stand 6-2. Rounding out the top candidates are Walt Lillard (5-11) and Art Williams (5-11), two guards.

To offset the lack of depth and outstanding players, the Indians are coming up with a new offense which has been labeled by Doggie as the "rub-off system." He describes the innovation as a combination of offensive patterns used by Navy and Temple, plus a few variations of his own.

The Green will face its first real test when it meets nationally ranked LaSalle in the first round of the annual ECAC holiday tournament at Madison Square Garden. The second round foe will be either St. John's or Cincinnati. In the Ivy League Doggie sees Princeton and Penn as the teams to beat.

Hockey fans should be in for an interesting season as Coach Eddie Jeremiah predicts a stronger defense and a much improved goalie situation. The first line and even the second line should also provide the Green with needed offensive power.

At the present time the first line includes John Phelan at left wing, sophomore John Carpenter at center, and Dave Leighton on right wing. Behind the blue line Coach Jeremiah will have Captain Tom Cranna, an all-league prospect. The 180-pound senior is a polished performer who loves to body check. His teammate on defense will be Warren Loomis, who last year played on the second line.

Seven goalies turned out at the beginning of pre-season practice. One of the top candidates appears to be Kevin Lowther, who looked good in the final game last year against Princeton.

Coach Jeremiah may also have a certain amount of depth this year. The second line now stands with Frank McGrath on left wing, Dick Booma at center, and either Bob Tucker or Derek Buntain on the other wing.

Carpenter is the best of the sophomores to date, but another '64 with potential is Alex Varkas, a defenseman.

Next month we'll preview the other winter teams, which swing into action after Christmas vacation.