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Page 12-Thursday, January 7, 1982-The Michigan Daily
Wolverines s or outh.
The Michigan Daily-Thursday, Janu
Team Profile
Frosh to
see plenty
of action
By LARRY FREED
Normally a college basketball
player's first year is spent sitting on the
bench learning from the upper-
classmen. But due to injuries and other
unforseen occurrences the Michigan
freshmen have been thrust onto the
court to learn first-hand.
"We usually have them (the fresh-
men) back-up, but this year they are
being pressed into action," coach Bill
Frieder said.
OF THE FOUR new members of the
Wolverine roster, only the much
heralded Eric Turner was supposed to
start. But with the departure of M. C.
Burton and injuries to centers Jon An-
tonides and Tim McCormick, the rest of
the newcomers (Leslie Rockymore,
Willis Carter and Greg Washington)
have seen considerable court-time in
their first season.
Turner, a consensus high school All-
American, was tabbed as one of the top
guard prospects in the nation after
leading his Flint Central team to a 28-0
record and a Class A championship.
Frieder has high aspirations for his 6-
3 point guard. "I think he has the poten-
tial to be the best guard in the Big Ten
some time," the second-year coach
noted.
TURNER ALSO SHARES his coach's
optimism. "I'm looking to run things,
control the offense and make sure
everyone keeps his head," Turner said. 1
"I'll be like a coach on the court."
After his first few games Turner has
lived up to much of his advance billing,
but still needs to refine his game.As
Frieder notes, "He's shown periods of 1
brilliance, but at other times his play
has been sloppy."
Among the other freshmen trying to
fight from under Turner's shadow is
Rockymore, who has started out strong
in the non-conference slate. The 6-4
guard averaged 28 points per outing on
67 percent shooting at Detroit South-
western. But Rockymore notched those
stats from the forward position, not the
backcourt position he will play in
college.
"IT'S (DEFENSE) coming along
each day," Rockymore explained. "I
had to make the transition from for-
ward, but with the help of Eric and the
coaches I'm doing well."
Besides switching positions,
Rockymore also is facing a new role
with the Wolverines-coming off the
bench.
"I expect to be coming off the bench
Freshmen Leslie Rockymore (Left)
and Eric Turner are two reasons
why Michigan has a solid foundation
for the future. Rockymore, who
averaged 28 points per outing at
Detroit Southwestern, has been a
surprise starter early inhthe season.
Turner, a consensus high school all-
American, has stepped right into the
other starting guard role as the
quarterback of the Wolverine
cagers. Detroiters Willis Carter and
Greg Washington are also supposed
to contribute to the team with the
other freshmen sensations.
Daily Photo by BRIAN MAS
to play sound defense, not just to
score," Rockymore continued.
THE DETROIT NATIVE also could
prove a valuable zone breaker with his
outside shooting ability. He illustrated
his strength in his first game where he
calmly sunk six straight long range
shots against the Razorbacks and their
boisterous crowd.
"After the first shot I was feeling
good," Rockymore said. "Eric and I
forgot about the game being on
television, and we weren't really ner-
vous."
The other two freshmen that Frieder
will be calling on to bolster his corps
are Washington and Carter.
Washington, who was tabbed by BLUE
CHIPS magazine as the top athlete in
the country last year, has been pressed
into service earlier than expected.
"IT'LL TAKE A while to get my shot
back," Washington said. "But once I
get it going, I hope to score more poin-
ts."
Frieder also hopes to get some
playing time out of Carter, who came
back from an injury to lead his team to
the state finals before succumbing to
Turner's Flint Central machine.
Carter came into Michigan lacking in
some Big Ten skills, but as Frieder
noted, "He's still behind defensively,
but he's steadily improving his shooting
and rebounding."
Whether or not the freshmen are
physically and mentally ready for the
Big Ten, they will nonetheless see ex-
tensive duty for Frieder and the lean
Wolverines.
THE INJURED BIG MEN
Tim McCormick 44
SOPHOMORE CENTER
6-11, 240-Clarkston HS, Clarkston, MI
Operations on both knees during the
summer may cause McCormick to miss
the entire season... came off the bench
to play in all 30 games last season,
leading the team in blocks (41),
averaging 5.2 points and 3.5 rebounds. .
. Michigan career high against Western
Michigan with 15 points last season ...
good foul shooter (78 per cent) . . .
Parade Magazine, Street and Smith,
and McDonald's All-American senior
year of high school . . . working on
rehabilitating knees daily . . . strong
academically . . . good shooter, more
comfortable facing the basket ... Born
3-10-62.
)on Ant
SOPHOMORE
7-2, 234-Sarnia
Ontario
A groin injury
sas game early
tonides out for
weeks . . . T
Wolverine to go
Frieder, 'we'll r
his return . . . s
last year.. . ra
improved player
good runner ..
All-Ontario and
years of high sch
.
,
'.7xi
/,
Joe lames 42
JUNIOR GUARD-FORWARD
6-5, 195-Rayen HS, Youngstown, OH
Very quick. . . good leaner. . . Hit
for 16 points against Eastern Michiga~
this season for a game and personal -,
career high.. . Started as a Freshman l
in three Big Ten games, but has played
behind a more experienced player
throughout Michigan career, which
kept him out of lineup . . . A possiblet
starter throughout 1981-82.. . Averaged
23.3 points and 15.6 rebounds a game as
a senior in high school. .. has a 40-inch
vertical leap. . . political science major
... only married member of the team. .
Born 2-19-60.
Willis Carter 1 5
SOPHOMORE GUARD
6-1, 175-South HS, Downers
Grove, IL
Played in 18 games including 7 con-
ference games last year-will see more
action as point guard opposite Turner,
Rockymore or James. . . In high school
coached by his dad, William
Pelekoudas.. . Averaged 15 points and
12 assists a game at Downers Grove
South, where he led team to state quar-
ter-finals . . . Valedictorian with 4.0 to
finish first of 750 seniors. . . very smart
ball handler and player who can quar-
terback the offense . . . also played
baseball in high school, where he hit
.335 in final season . . . undeclared
major in Literature, Science and Arts,
but would like to be either a lawyer or
stock broker . . Born-68-62.
Dan
Pelekoudas 3Z
1'
FRESHMAN FORWARD
6-8, 208-Murray Wright HS, Detroit
Average 20 points and 18 rebounds
per contest in high school ... Coached
by George Duncan ... Returned to line-
up from back injury to lead Murray
Wright to 12 straight wins before
bowing out to Eric Turner's Flint Cen-
tral team in the state finals ... For his
Greg
uvije Oidbigan Bat-IL
Tipoff 1982
Supplement Editor ...................................Mark Fischer
Associate Editors ................ Lorry Fried, John Kerr, Ron Pollock,
Bob Wojnowski.
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Sales Manager...................................Barb Forslund
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Kathryn Hendrick, Ann Sachar, Karen Silverstein, Nancy Thompson.
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$ b $ b $ 44# ## ta S *I a : £ 4f4 1 }#$ -$a # k * #,ir. $dE .# ..
THE
BROWN
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efforts made Detroit News and Free
Press honorable mention all-state
teams. . . also named to Adidas all-east
central team ... Enjoys music, movies
and boxing ... nicknamed "Stretch"...
will see action in the pivot position with
Ike Person . . . an education major in
the School of Education seeking a
career in business ... born 2-27-63.
Dave Hall 30
SOPHOMORE FORWARD
6-4, 202-Livonia Stevenson HS, Livonia
MI
Third-string quarterback on football
team . . . In addition to football and
basketball, he plans on participating in
track and field in the spring ... Was all-
state and all-league in both football and
basketball senior year in high school...
Appeared briefly in last year's Rose
Bowl . . . Was an AAU All-American
Junior Decathlete.,.,Goo4outside shot
... Will play forward or guard . . .Born
6-1-62.
Washington 34
FRESHMAN FORWARD
6-3, 210-Western HS, Detroit
Wide receiver on Michigan football
team ... Superb athlete, probably best
on hoop team. . . Blue Chip magazine's
High School Athlete of the Year last
year...All-state in both basketball and
football senior year at Detroit South-
western ... Size could provide some
much-needed rebounding strength ....
Versatile athlete who played guard,
.forward and center in High School ...
Born 11-30-62.
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1204 S. University
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