Basketball Players Lack Fitness

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29234, 18 June 1960, Page 5

Basketball Players Lack Fitness

r pHE need for greater fitness * and versatility of players in the seven-a-side game was very much apparent during the trials held in Wellington last week to aid the selection of the New Zealand women's outdoor basketball team to tour Australia. Although most players have adapted themselves well to the rules of their new game, versatility was not a strong point, and it is to be hoped that the team does not suffer too many injuries while on tour.

The national selectors chose to play the whole 34 players for the whole of the trials. As many were obviously not of the required standard from the first matches, especially in fitness, it might have been more profitable for the selectors to have concentrated upon the better players for the later matches.

Colleen McMasters (Canterbury) played very well throughout the trials as a goal shooter, and her accuracy was maintained until the end. Betty Stefferson (Manawatu) showed up as a goal attack, sound on shooting and lively in field play. These two with June Waititi (Auckland) as wing attack made a formidable combination. The latter plays with speed and timing which should be invaluable on the tour

Judy Dunlop (Canterbury) has probably been chosen on her ability to take any position in the goal area, though she is at her best as a goal shooter. It was in the goal area that C. Fahey (Southland) could possibly have deserved a further trial, and she could be classed as unfortunate

The choice of centre must have been an easy one for the selectors. as most trialists immediately put themselves out of the running through ill-timed or erratic passing. Pam Edmonds (Canterbury) who gained the centre position is a fit and versatile player who throws nothing away, and is very quick to capitalise on errors by the opposition

Marion Johnston (Wellington' played consistently well during the trials, and should justify her inclusion. Beryl Ashton (Waikato) will apparently be played in the wing defence position and. while not denying her abilities as an above-average player, there were many who would have preferred the inclusion of Jean Mcßae (Wellington) in this position

There appears to be a dearth of good defence players in New Zealand at present. Otago's two representatives, Lois Muir and Shirley Patrick, were the obvious choices for the goal defence and goal-keeper positions. Canterburys’ B. Rowe was unfortunate in sustaining a foot injury in the week before the trials, as she is an excellent player on defence. Margaret Elliott (Hawke's Bay), a defence player with possibilities. fills the other position in the touring side-