University of Virginia Library

Scott Boys Shine

Squires Pace ABA

By Bill Nachman
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Sporting the third best record in
professional basketball, the Virginia
Squires certainly are showing that
the Old Dominion can field a sports
team of high caliber.

Currently the proud owners of a
30-12 ledger (.714), the Squires are
firmly entrenched in the top spot
of the American Basketball
Association's Eastern Division,
four and one-half games ahead of
the highly-touted Kentucky
Colonels. Only Milwaukee and the
New York Knicks (NBA) have won
a better percentage of their games
so far.

27.3 Mark

Sparking a recent win skein of
17 victories in its last 19
encounters has been a superb effort
by the second team. Actually
Coach Al Bianchi (himself a pro
with the former Syracuse entry in
the NBA) commands two units of
excellent quality. Charlie Scott, a
rookie straight out of UNC, paces
the club with a 27.3 average, third
best in the ABA. At 6-6, Charlie
provides the squad with solid board
work, scoring, and play making.

Backcourt Help

Joining Scott out front is former
Olympic star Mike Barrett. Assists
come naturally to Mike, as can be
attested to when this writer saw him
whip off 13 during a Christmas
night victory over the Texas
Chaparrals. He's also a playmaker,
and occasionally will try for the
three-point goals (from outside 25
feet).

Manning the forward slots are
George Carter and Doug Moe.
Carter, tenth in the ABA with a
20.7 mark, provides defensive skills
underneath. Moe, acquired in a
pre-season deal with the Carolina
Cougars, is steady from the other
corner, going to the boards
especially well.

"Suicide Squad"

Holding down the pivot is 6-11
Jim Eakins. Hitting for points in
the clutch, Eakins earns his keep
mostly by sound defensive skills
and getting rebounds. He splits the
center time, though, with Ray
Scott, a former member of the
NBA's Baltimore Bullets. Scott
(6-9), hitting at a 13.7 clip, is the

pivotal point from which the
"Suicide Squad" (name dubbed the
second team) jells.

Calling the plays for the
members of the "Suicide Squad"
are guards Roland Taylor and Larry
Brown. Taylor, known to most
Squires' fans as "Fatty", is an
exciting dribbler with moves that
can easily scare defenders away
from his lithe 6-0, 175 lb. frame.
Joining Taylor in the backcourt for
the second unit is Larry Brown.
Hampered early in the season with
a groin injury, Brown has returned
to add offensive and defensive
balance to the "Suicides." Only
5-9, Brown is the ABA's smallest
player, and led the league in assists
last season when he was healthy.

Team Comedian

Neil Johnson and Mike Maloy
are reliable replacements at
forward. Johnson, a four-year
veteran of the NBA (New York and
Phoenix Suns), is the team's
comedian. Jocular though he is
does not mean the opposition is in
for any laughs, as Neil has steadily
shone on defense, has gone to the
boards well, and has chipped in key
baskets in several recent games. In
the other alley for the "Suicide
Squad" is newcomer Mike Maloy.
Straight from Davidson College (via
a brief stop with the Pittsburgh
Condors, who released him to the
Squires because he was
"overweight") Maloy is a strong
rebounder and also moves well
without the ball, which enables him
to spring free for layups underneath
the basket.

Bianchi Pleased

Coach Bianchi naturally is
pleased with the Squires' steady
progress thus far. He concedes that
the team doesn't have a superstar at
the pivot, but that by alternating
both Eakins and Scott the team is
able to field two able players who
can spell each other from time to
time. Also, the way that the squad
looks for the "open man" pleases
Mr. Bianchi. "Sometimes they
overdo it though," Bianchi said,
"since they'll pass off when
actually they should keep the ball
themselves and go up with a shot."

Tremendous Response

"We are optimistic about
attendance," said General Business
Manager Herbert Morewitz. "The
response was tremendous in
Richmond, while in Tidewater it's
on the upbeat. The Roanoke
support will be shown by several
February games there." The
regional franchise arrangement
provides the Squires with major
bases in Hampton (Coliseum,
10,000), Norfolk (Old Dominion
University, 5,200), Roanoke (Civic
Center, 10,010), and Richmond
(Arena, 6,000).

Christmas Party

Among the reasons that the
Squires have been drawing large
crowds so far are obviously their
winning ways. However,
promotions have also helped bolster
interest. Christmas night, for
example, the City of Hampton
collaborated with the Squires to
host a gala party. Each child was
given an ABA ball.

President Earl Foreman is
"pleased" with the early support in
the Old Dominion. "We thought
there was as much potential
support in Virginia as any where else
in the country. If we can get a man
for up front in the (college) draft,
we'll be all set."