Maine West's varsity bucket squad will host Barrington tonight at the Maine East fieldhouse. In previous years the Warriors have beaten Barrington once in two games. The varsity contest will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m., while the junior varsity match will start at 7 p.m.

The Warrior cagers will play 18 games this year, the maximum amount set by a state rule. Sixteen of these games will be conference matches. "This year's Interim conference will once again be very tough because all the teams are now in full maturity," according to head coach Gaston Freeman. "Willowbrook and Morton West will be rough contenders in two key games away from home. Our first conference game will be against Prospect, our rival neighbor."

Coach Freeman claims "Returning lettermen Barney Franzen, Rick DeKreek, and Al Waters form a good nucleus for the team. The biggest task will be to find a triggerman." Bill Dautel, John Gabbert, and Mike Schleicher are all trying for this position."

Trigger System

The trigger is part of a system introduced by Mr. Freeman in his first years at Maine. One player, known as the trigger, is stationed out in front of the free throw circle. He starts the play by passing off to one of the men on his left or right. These men play parallel with the free‑throw line and are known as pinchers. Two men play in close to the basket and are called tight men. Their job is to snare rebounds and play in for the close shots.

Freeman forecasted, "With other returning hopefuls Dave Aegerter and Ed Schwenke, we have a good squad and should go all the way." Last year's squad ended the season with a 15‑6 record and finished third in conference.

During his coaching career, Mr. Freeman has seven times come within one game of taking a team to the sweet sixteen. In his three years as head coach at Maine West, he has compiled a 36‑29 record. Mr. Freeman was head coach of Maine East's bucket squad for two years previous to coming to West. He has also been a teacher and head basketball coach at Streator and DePue High schools, both in Illinois.