Y.M.C.A. Outstanding In Men’s Basketball

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31363, 8 May 1967, Page 9

Y.M.C.A. Outstanding In Men’s Basketball

A very determined Y.M.C.A. team proved that it was far from a spent force when it beat the up-and-coming High School Old Boys side, 49-44, in the fifth round of the Canterbury men’s basketball A grade competition on Saturday.

The standard of play was exceptionally high; there was not a dull moment and neither side held the initiative for long over the other. Old Boys played its best game, and the manner in which it matched the opposition suggested that better things were in store. Y.M.C.A. was without its big American guard, M. Busch, who is in hospital with appendicitis, and this was expected to upset its pattern. However, the younger members of the side, especially D. Rattray and M. Clements, rose to the occasion magnificently. Old Boys was also without a key man—the centre, A. Hounsell, who was forced to sit on the bench because of injury. Here, too, the gap was covered magnificently. Contrary to expectations, YBoys had a fairly easy path to victory against Burnham, winning 34-22. Bumham opened the scoring, but from then YBoys dictated the game and did not seem likely to be seriously challenged.

could pass over this encounter. The teams were extremely well matched and played intelligent, open basketball. Throughout the first spell they matched basket with basket and the half-time score of 22-all was a clear indication that neither was getting the edge. It was just as close in the second spell, although Y.M.C.A. finished with a five-point lead. Had there been the slightest lapse on the part of Y.M.C.A. this margin could have been wiped out in seconds. Y.M.C.A.’s success was due in no small measure to the understanding between its more experienced men, Entwistle and Ross, and its younger players, Clements and Rattray. Entwistle played his usual sound game in the centre but Ross and Rattray were particularly impressive.

made serious claims for Inclus<ion in the A team with his fine showing. Y-Boys led 18-9 at half-time. Heavy Loss UNIVERSITY A 46: M. Askew 12, P. Stigley 12, D. de Lisle 10. R. Thomson 8, P. Riddell 4. REX 22: J. McEvoy 6, N. Saunders 4, J. Milne 4, G. Jones 4, M. Allison 2, B. Verey 2. An ineffective offensive pattern cost Rex any chance of avoiding a heavy loss. University A was wfrll below strength with several senior reserve players on the court. Even its coach, A. Forrester, spent a period In play. It took the students half the game to settle down but once they did there was only one team in it. Askew, whose days in Christchurch are numbered, played an outstanding game. In the first spell his positional play and shooting ability prevented Rex getting the break-through it badly needed. P. Stigley, at centre, was also an effective player. One University player who had a very bad day was the Japanese, H. Kawaguchi. He attempted the mos>t unlikely shots at times and would never accept a simple lay-up when it was on.

The lack of a solid driving force in the centre probably cost Old Boys the game, although in most aspects of play this position was completely filled. K. Milligan, Orchard and the young first-year senior, Luxton, all showed up well. Y-Boys Win Y-BOYS 34: K. Williams 11, W. Stoelhorst 6, D. Toeilner 6, R. Dew 6, K. Ewings 4, N. Vincent 1. BURNHAM 22: G. Costello 9, G. Keeflty 4, B. Watson 3, J. Sandford 2, B. Rose 2, A. Hornbrook 2.

For Rex, McEvoy moved very well and was unlucky not to have more points against his name. Although pressed very hard. Saunders filled his guard position admirably. His feeding from the mid-court was generally good. University A led 16-8 at halftime.

University A was without several oi Its top players because of the holidays and in the first half Rex kept its scoring to a minimum. Unfortunately, it could not beat off the students’ assault for ever and for the remainder of the game University A was well in command. The final score was 46-22 in University’s favour. Points after five rounds are: University A 10, Y.M.C.A. 6, University B 6, Y-Boys 4, Old Boys 2, Rex 1, Burnham 1. Close Game Y.M.C.A. 49: R. Entwistle 14, P. Rose 14, D. Rattray 12, M. Clements 5, G. Davie 4. OLD BOYS 44: K. Milligan 14, G. Orchard 13, K. Luxton 9, M. Gleason 4, R. Milligan 2, P. Bell 2. If there were a prize for the most entertaining match of the season the judges would have to look a long way before they

After the initial settling down period Burnham did not look like getting the upper hand. YBoys played unspectacular but controlled basketball and, apart from a bad patch towards the end of the game, scored freely. Burnham’s zone defence was at times ineffectual. In comparison, the man-to-man defence by Y-Boys was excellent. The high-scoring Burnham forward, Keelty, was kept down to four points by his opposite number, D. Pahl. This was the first time this season that Keelty had not scored 14 or more points. Of special interest was the form of Burnham’s three members of the Canterbury A squad, Costello, Keelty and Sandford. Costello rebounded well but the trio was generally inferior to its opposition. Williams, back in the midcourt position, was much more effective and Stoelhorst, at right forward for the first time, played his best game so far. Toeilner, a senior reserve player,

Lower Grades Saturday Senior Reserve. University C 27, Y.M.C.A. B 25; Taxes 32, H. 5.0.8. B 21; Christchurch B.H.S. 58, Wigram 19. Tuesday Senior Reserve.—Lincoln College A 27. Y.M.C.A. C 18; 1.8. M. A 30, Rangdora A 29: Orients A 21, Rex B 11; Y-Boys D 28, University F 16. Under 20.—Shirley B.H.S. 17, Madrehau 4; University E 33, Y.M.C.A. 2; St. Andrew’s College 17, Riccarton C 5; Riccarton D 22, Hagley 14. B Grade.—University D 36, YBoys D 22; Stars A 26, N.A.C. 8; Toe H 37, Wigram Police 31: Rex 37, Christchurch B.H.S. B 12. C Grade.—Riccarton A 29, Shirley H. 5.0.8. 26; Teachers’ 'College 26, Rangiora B 25; Burnside A 24, Deaf Boys A 17. D Grade.—l.B.M. B 30, Burnside B 12; Stars B 31, Riccarton B 23; Y-Boys C 20, Lincoln College B 8; Rangdora B 22, Deaf Boys B 11.