The Maine West basketball cagers opened up their season during the Thanksgiving vacation with a pair of non‑conference games. The Warriors split the contests, winning 79‑48 but then dropping a close one, 77‑75.

Both games were away. The opener was played at Forest View on Wednesday, November 25. Maine West smashed the Forest View Falcons 79‑48. The 31‑point annihilation solidly avenged the pre‑season defeat to the Falcons last year.

However the Warriors found themselves on the other side of a 77‑75 score. This game was played at Arlington last Saturday, November 28. The loss was typical for the cagers, as a last effort fell short. Last year every loss that the cagers suffered was a close battle, with Maine West coming out on the wrong side by just a few points. This held true last Saturday against the Cardinals.

This year the Warriors' chances look especially good. There are six returning lettermen on the team this year. They are forwards Fred Horn '71, Bruce Kerr '71, Tom Kummer '71, and Dennis Willison '71, and guards Jim Hanselmann '71 and George Woodley '71. Since four of this group were part of the starting lineup last year, the team has plenty of experience.

The Warriors play 19 games this year, with 10 of them here in the spectator gymnasium. Four of the games are non‑conference. The cagers play each Central Suburban League opponent twice, once at home and once away. Also included in the schedule is a game here against newly‑opened Maine North just before Christmas. Last year Maine South's Hawks won the conference championship and were one of the top 16 teams in the state.

The spectator gymnasium opens its second season this weekend as Nile North and Palatine invade. The Vikings come in tonight for the home as well as the conference opener. Then Palatine is here Saturday night in a non‑conference affair.