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In Big Five Play

Cagers Open Against VMI

By Bill Nachman
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Roundballers Begin 1970-71 Campaign Tonight At Hampton's Coliseum Against VMI

McCandlish, Gerry, DeWitt, Rash, Parkhill And Company Hope To Get Into Winning Habit

Beginning a long hardcourt
campaign, the Virginia basketball
squad heads down to Hampton
tonight to begin their quest for a
second straight Big Five (State)
title. Opponents this evening will be
an cager VMI five, who are out to
avenge last season's humiliating
66-44 loss to the Cavaliers in Big
Five play.

Playing in a court that seems to
be to their liking, the local
roundballers will tangle with a
Keydet team headed by three
starters from last season's squad.
Jan Essenburg (a 14 point per game
man last season) and Jim Sufick
man the forward slots. In the pivot
will be either 6′5″ Tim Gundlagh or
Lyn Scibert. Jim Renfro, a star at
last year's tourney, and Rodney
Brewer set up the forward line and
pop away from the outside.

"We're looking for fresh meat,"
said Keydet mentor Mike Schuler,
"and we would certainly love to get
it off Virginia after they humbled
us so badly last season. My boys are
awaiting the fine facility (Hampton
Coliseum) and a good contest from
a strong ACC challenger."

Virginia sends four lettermen
into the 9 p.m. encounter. Only
sophomore Barry Parkhill, billed as
the best backcourt prospect for the
Cavaliers since All-American Buzzy
Wilkenson in the '50's, is the new
face in the lineup. Joining Parkhill
at guard will be fiery Tim Rash, an
exciting ball handler. Providing
muscles and points from the center
is Scott McCandlish, while Frank
DeWitt and Bill Gerry shoot and
rebound from their forward spots.
Gerry, the team captain, was third
in the ACC last season in
rebounding with an 11.1 raking of
the backboards.

Barry Parkhill Is Expected To Key Bill Gibson's Finest Cage Squad

Second-Year Sensation Hopes To Lead Cavs To Big Five Crown

William and Mary vies with
Richmond in tonight's early game,
while VPI draws a bye. Tech then
plays in the second game
Wednesday, with the winner
meeting the UVa-VMI victor in the
title event Thursday.