Basketball Competition Begins Today

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29192, 30 April 1960, Page 5

Basketball Competition Begins Today

A LL grades in the Canterbury Basketball Association’s competition will start today. The senior competition should be the most interesting for many years. All teams in this section appear evenly matched and the standard of play should be the highest for some years. Six of the seven teams won their sections in the tournament recently in spite of heavy handicaps. Winners Last year's competition winner. Sacred Heart, began well this year by winning the annual tournament, and the South Island Catholic tournament. The Canterbury representative, M. Murray, will be teamed with P. Gallagher in goal. B. McAleer will again have the two young players, P. Lawson and N. Fahey, to support her in the centre. E. Back, a South Island representative, and A. Coleman, a Hawke’s Bay representative, who will be the defence, have shown fine form in the preliminary games. Sacred Heart owed much of its success last year to its team work and with Miss J. Murray again coaching the team should have a successful season. Kakatai has six of last year’s team. They are J. Dunlop, a New Zealand trialist, L. Price, E. Kirkwood, G Forward, and H. Price. J. King, a Canterbury representative two seasons ago, will be in defence with L. Walker, a promoted senior reserve player. M. Neiman, a hard-working defence, injured an ankle last Saturday and will be out for four weeks. The coach is Mr A. Robertson. Technical’s form last year was unreliable, but after its recent success in the handicap tournament, the indications are that the side will be strong and skilful. Two new players who should do well are K. French and L. Johns,

both of whom are accurate shooters. P. Edmonds, a New Zealand trialist, will be well supported by the Canterbury representative M. Fisher, and a young promoted player, J. Karaitiana. Other players of note are B. Rowe, a former Canterbury and South Island representative, G. Brown and J. Jackman. Miss H. Yates will be coach. West A has a good side, perhaps a little stronger than last year. C. McMaster, a New Zealand trialist, has been promoted from the B team. The centres, B. Gunn, R. Pozer, and K. Williams, all combine well and are most energetic attackers. Mrs J. Wright is the .coach. West B is a young team, but many of the players have good potential. D. Hattersley and L. Duff are good goal shooters and M. Clark, defence last year, should add impetus to the attack this season with M- Hopkins, a senior reserve representative, and I. Johnson. Mrs Wright will also coach the B team. Strong Teachers’ College will field its strongest team for some years. The side is very fit and includes V. Hosking, C. Clapham, A. Blair, a Canterbury representative, M. Curtis, and L. Cosgrove. A new arrival is J. Deaker, of Otago, who will bolster the students’ defence. The coach is Miss B. Stand. After its two grading matches the St. Nicholas side is much improved and has earned its place in the senior grade. Prominent players will be J. Cusdin, a Canterbury sub-association representative, A. Cotter, J. Blomquist, G. Johns and E. Woods. An improved defence is G. Lethaby. Mrs A. South will coach.