THE SPORTING SCENE

With a starting team averaging over 6 ft., 3 in. and four men scoring in double figures, the freshman basketball team has won four games without a loss this season.

After easy wins over M.I.T., Tufts, and Dartmouth, the Yardlings rallied in the closing minutes to defeat Brown, 68-65, in their final game before the examination break.

The height and scoring statistics show why the Crimson has been able to win despite the absence of an outstanding star. Solid rebounding gives the team more shots at the basket than smaller opponents, while the presence of a number of good scorers in the line-up compensates for the lack of a consistently high scorer.

Perhaps the best player the Crimson has is Lenny Strauss, a 6 ft., 2 in. cornerman, who scored 29 points against Brown and is now averaging an even 20 per game for the season.

An all-stater at Clayton High in Missouri last year, Strauss scores most of his baskets on rebounds and short jump shot from about 10 feet. But since his limited height will probably keep him from scoring consistently under the basket in varsity competition, Strauss has developed an accurate jump shot from the left corner to go with his other shots.

Teaming with Strauss in the other corner is Bob Inman, 6 ft., 5 in. end from Chicago. Inman broke loose in the Brown game, leading a second half Yardling rally with long, left-handed jump shots from the right corner and finishing with 15 points. He also is a good rebounder, and could help the varsity in the future if he puts on a little weight.

The same holds true for Mike Crichton, the 6 ft., 8 in. center from Long Island. A good rebounder and feeder from his post position, Crichton could use some more poundage if he's going to be battling such men as Cornell's Bill Baugh and Columbia's Brick Brikmanis next year.

Two other promising front court men are 6 ft., 5 in. Ben Crabtree, an all-state selection in North Dakota last year, and 6 ft., 6 in. Frank Martin, a teammate of Jerry Lucas when he was playing for Middletown, Ohio, High School.

The starting backcourt pair is captain Sid Davis from Clinton, Tenn., and Barry Dym, an all-around athlete from Valley Stream, L.I.

Davis is the team's top ball-handler, and one of the leading scorers with his long jump shots from the right of the keyhole. Sid will also upon occasion exhibit some fancy behind-the-back dribbling and passing, a la Bob Cousy.

A 22 ft. broad jumper and a former all-county end, Dym is a 6 ft., 1 in. left-hander with a slashing drive and solid outside shots. He and Davis are supported by A1 Guzzetti and Jev Shelton in the guard position.