BASKETBALL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22459, 21 July 1938, Page 4

BASKETBALL

CANTERBURY TEAM SELECTION REVIEWED (By SHOOT.) Twelve players have been selected to represent Canterbury at the Dominion tournament, to be held in Timaru from August 29 to September 3 inclusive. From the 12 players chosen a team of nine players and three emergencies will be selected at a later date. Following is the selector's review of the team: — The 1038 senior Canterbury basketball team in a particularly strong side, and includes 10 of last year's players, the newcomers being J. Felton and A. Fielding. The forwards show great promise of high scoring, each player being a first-rate goal-thrower, as well as excelling in field-work. J. Felton (St. Mary's), a former Auckland player, plays a reliable allround forward game, but shines particularly in field play. She is a speedy and tricky player, and shows excellent judgment In passing. R. McKendry (Dlgby's) has improved even on last year's play, when she represented Canterbury at Auckland. She first won senior representative honours in 1933, and in 1936 was included in the senior A representative team. Her field play has always been valuable, and now that she has added dependable shooting to her game, she should be one of brightest hopes. It was C. Swan's brilliant shooting ability which first attracted the selector's attention in 1938, and since then this player, who is the most prolific scorer for Dlgby's team, has been included- in the senior representative team. Thid year she Is playing a much improved game, as she has opened up her field play considerably. In tight corners she shows remarkable balance and with a tie-ball resulting, Is more than usually successful in gaming possession. This year, Q. .Wheatley (St. Mary's) is Canterbury's most outstanding forward. Included In the senior team from 1932 to 1935, she was forced to re< tire from the game in 1930 owing to s knee Injury. She returned in IMI and was included in the team which travelled to Auckland, and though she played well in the last tournament, hex present season's play surpasses anj performance in Jxer career. She cap. tamed the 1937 South Island team. The centres play « aoixad, ite*dj game, and all are quick to react t( the change in the trend of play. Tricks bias passing is employed most effec tively In this third, especially by th< three players who were included it the 1937 team. The inclusion of A. Fielding, of St Mary's, may have been more or leu of a surprise, but her sound team work in club matches Bas warrantee her inclusion. Also, she defends wit) such keen anticipation that she is «

very difficult partner to elude. She makes her first appearance in representative games this year. V. Flood's basketball record is unequalled. For the twelfth consecutive year she will represent Canterbury in senior basketball, being first chosen when only a primary pupil at the Sacred Heart Convent She has represented the South Island, and was captain of the 1937 Canterbury team. Miss Flood, who has been one of the mainstays of Dlgby's team for several years, may be described as the most spectacular player in the Canterbury team. She is capable of brilliant defence work, and her ability to catch seemingly impossible balls has long been a feature of her play. Improved Centre No better player could have been secured to fill the position of F. Southon, Canterbury's representative in the New Zealand team, than M. Scott, captain of St. Mary's. On this season's play she is the most improved player in the senior competition and probably the fittest. Placed as fourth centre in the 1938 team, she has obviously been determined to better her position, and by studying the technique of the game has developed her play accordingly. . . G Winter, captain of Dlgby's, joins the Canterbury representative team for the fifth year in succession, and is a holder of a South Island badge. As main centre, she deals with the.throwoff expeditiously and effectively, and on attack, opens up play from the defence with keen judgment. There is a perfect understanding with her teammate, V. Flood, and the pair, who have Slayed together for some years, exibit some skilful passing movements. The defence presents a solid block, and, apparently untiring, the players are on to the ball at every opportunity. T , M. Bradley, who gamed senior representative honours for the first time last year, while not particularly aggressive, gains results by good timing. She is a steady player and is maintaining her form of last year. M. Fancy (Technical) foils many forward passing movements, and can be relied on to send speedy passes to centre at the right moment. In possession, she handles well. She first won senior honours in 1935, and in the same year was included in the South Island team. This is her fourth year of senior representation. J. Millard (St. Mary's) is a tower of strength in defence and is easily the most outstanding player in that third. Her height is an undoubted advantage; but it is her anticipation and the intelligence shown in all phases of her play which attribute mainly to her success. She gained senior representative honours for the first time last year when she was made a memloer or the South Island team. K. Palmer's lack ot height is her greatest handicap, but the manner in which she overcomes this difficulty by timing her interceptions is laudable. She jumps remarkably well and her rapid passes into centre start many successful attacking movements. Personal contact is totally absent from her | game. j i Wellington's Tournament Team The Wellington senior representative team has been announced as follows: Forwards—J. Grainer, T. Weybourne, M. Jenkins, and E. Overton. Centres—M. Blake, V. Stone, E. Huddell, and J. Crewes. Defence—M. Wilson. J. Williams, M. Walker, and V. Connor. Only six of last year's representatives remain in the 1998 team, and it is thought that the absence of the four Wellington players who are included in the New Zealand team may weaken the side considerably. However, it is the Wellington selectors' opinion that excellent material is offering, and by the time of the tournament the Wel- ' lington side will be a strong one.