Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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S.C.. (Aess w~ The Sink Cemtei "Stop by and S . .9G.. / 4 . ~P~* *~.** p U -P 4' r * I. *.*\'% '~j*.~ ~'. / I. 7" / I* . C.h..... r of the University se our wido selestlos #ecok gifts" 4DUY Wid THE TL Ibeam Supj In the Car A ~SPORTING GI INC. Two Locations - Columbi Billy Truitt ERE. !AMS WAJW )ODS I & Charleatot. Truitt is superb shooter BY BILLY BAKER Of The Gamecock staff Billy Truitt- was virtually an unknown high school tasketba2. player midway through his senior season at Baker Victory High School in Lackawanna, N.Y. "Then something happened to change all that," Truitt said. "A lot of scouts came to see Chris Patton play my high school team," Truitt said. "Lefty Driesea was there and the gym was just full of scouts." "Patton was a real good for ward, and now he is at Maryland" Truitt said. "I scored somn I like 46 points, 12 rebounds and ten assists, and the next week after that game I received 150 lettrs in the mail from just about every school in the nation." "I wanted to come here because of Coach McGuire'srecord and the fact that we have enough talent to win the national championship, " he said. ."Bobby Cremins was honest with me. The only thing he promised me if I would come to South Carolina was sneakers on my feet and a basketball in my hand," said Truitt. "That's all I care about." Truitt averaged 28 points a game his senior season. He is a very fundamental player, who rarely dribbles behind his back. His strong point is his shooting ability and his speed. "Right now I would say that I need to work on my defense," said Truitt. "In high school I simply was not taught how to play defense because I was . very offensive minded. I was taught bow im portant it was to pull up and shoot a jumper."9 McGuire may get a headache. this season trying to ration playing time among his of reserves. Truitt is not the dri that Mihe Dunleavy or Jackie GiWoon is, but his shooting is exceptional. "Billy is improving everyday," McGuire said. "His shooting is better than average and he lstens to coaching." Truitt Is confident of the Gamecocks' ability to win the national championship this sa n. "If we play together like we are capable of playing then I don't see why we can't be champin this year," he maid. Dunleavy, USC's junior guard, has worke with Truitt a great deal en defense. "Mike Is a real good defensive player," said Tritt. ruitts's personal goals are to play a lot and "stay in school". "You have to study and go toclass so you will be able to play at all," he maid. Last season McGuire com. meinted at the USC Baskehbanl Awards Banquet that Bobby Crenins was absent due to being unowbound in Buffalo, N.Y.41S fact is that Cremins spent a grea deal 9f th* In Balfalo,'whieb has the eclest abpert to .a wem Ctemits hepeWgas des that Tritt cs ae off the bee and lead the Geaecochs whenever neessary.