An experienced lineup of proven players make the 1985 Mary Washington College basketball outlook sunny. Goals of a third winning season in four years, a Capitol Conference championship, and postseason selection have become realistic possibilities behind Coach Tom Davies and four returning starters.
The one missing starter, center Frank Gilmore (Silver Spring, MD), keeps Davies' optimism in bounds but the seventh year coach is far from pessimistic. "We can't
replace Frank," Davies said of the Blue Tide team's four year leading scorer and rebounder, "but we have a good collection of scorers and rebounders. I expect us to do very well."
Heading this veteran group is Tony Farris (Springfield, VA). Farris "was our best all around player last year," Davies said. A fourth year starter for Division III MWC,
the 6-5 forward "defends well, is a solid rebounder, scores and shoots well," his coach analyzed. As a junior he averaged 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest,
both second high on MWC's 11-16 team. As a senior captain, he will team with another senior captain under the boards. Whit Baldwin (Richmond, VA), a 6-3 power player, "came on strong late last season with a bunch of double figure games, both in scoring and rebounding," Davies explained. Baldwin averaged 8.7 points and 6.2 rebounds after joining the starting lineup at midseason. His late season play keyed the team's three wins in their last four games and second place conference finish.
Buddy Hawley (Annandale, VA) averaged 11. 7 points per game a a freshman forward starter on MWC's last winning team, 1983's 15-11 squad. As a junior, after a season away from the courts, "Buddy is a definite offensive threat, an outstanding free throw shooter and driver, a tremendous rebounder for his (6-1) size," Davies believes.
Sophomore Anthony Reese (Richmond, VA) and junior Tim Jones (Richmond, VA) will handle the ball handling duties. Reese "could have a tremendous impact on any given game," his coach explained. At 5-10, "he can shoot, jump, and has blazing speed." Point guard Jones "is a very steady player who doesn't turn the ball over much and who can be a scoring threat," Davies commented. The two guards will anchor a team "that will go after people," Davies said, with a pressing defense and a running offense.
Backing up that group is a versatile array of newcomers and veterans. Sophomores Dave Bergh (Springfield, VA), "a flatout dead shooter," and "scrappy" Fran Bonner (Pittsburgh, PA), fill reserve forward roles. Junior Barry McCormick (Norristown, PAl backs up both wing and point guards. Freshmen Bob Smith (McLean, VA), Mark Blackwell (Fort Rucker, AL), and Mark Haley (Alexandria, VA) head Davies' "best incoming group I've ever had." Smith, at 6-5, was his district's scoring leader as a senior at McLean High School. As a MWC freshman, he is a versatile player who can play anywhere from point to post. Blackwell, also a 6-5 athlete, is
another "dead shooter". Haley, another 6-5 shot blocker, was an All Stater in Virginia's Catholic League.
Chip Suter (Baltimore, MD), a firt team All Baltimore County guard, and Robb Kneebone (New Providence, NJ), a first team all conference forward, are two more new players "who shoot it well and have a lot of potential to help us in the near future," according to their coach.