High Standard Set In Men’s Basketball

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31649, 8 April 1968, Page 15

High Standard Set In Men’s Basketball

Soaring temperatures in Cowles Stadium made conditions exceptionally difficult for players in the opening round of the Canterbury A grade men’s basketball competition on Saturday afternoon.

For many it was a struggle to keep moving after a few minutes on the court, and this was inevitably reflected in the play. There was much scrappy team work in the three A grade games played, but the over-all standard of play was encouragingly high. With the exception of Rex, which failed to find form against Burnham, the teams appeared to be much more evenly matched than in previous years and indications were that the competition could be extremely hard fought. Never before has there been more than two or three serious contenders for the championship in the grade; this season there could be five.

University A, runner-up in the championship last season, suffered an unexpected defeat in its match against Old Maroons, 32-23, and Y-Boys, fifth last season, beat Old Boys 29-27 in another minor upset. Both these games were stimulating affairs. The Y-Boys-Old Boys match was exceptionally close, the outcome only being decided with two free throws after full time.

Burnham gained the easiest of victories over Rex, 48-12. Y.M.C.A., winner of the grade last season, had a bye. Points are: Old Maroons 2, Y-Boys 2, Burnham 2, Rex 0, Old Boys 0, University A 0, Y.M.C.A. 0.

Strong Finish OLD MAROONS 32: K Fricker 12, A. Taylor 8, W. Smith 6, J. Edyvean 4, J. Riley 2. UNIVERSITY A 23: E. Retter 6, J. Stead 6, D. de Lisle 4, J. Culliford 4, J. Utley 3. The meeting between University A, runner-up in last season’s A grade championship, and Old Maroons, the equivalent of the 1967 University B team, was expected to be a close struggle, and although Old Maroons won fairly comfort-

ably in the end, the encounter was far from disappointing.

In the first half there was nothing between them. Old Maroons led 14-12 at half-time, but it could just have easily been the other way round. Old Maroons introduced a little more authority into its play in the second spell, and this was enough for ft to forge slowly but surely ahead. At the finish it was well in command, although the individual ability of the University A players suggested that they would become a much more serious force after a few games. The two 1967 New Zealand junior representatives, J. Utley and J. Culliford, were rather subdued, mainly because of the close attention they had from their markers. E. Retter, a former Hamilton representative, showed much promise in the University A team, and J. Stead, after a slow start, was a tower of strength in rebound play. P. Stigley was also effective in this department. K. Fricker, a former Otago representative, was probably the outstanding player in the game. He scored an invaluable 12 points for Old Maroons, and made few mistakes of any consequence. A. Taylor also played very soundly, and W. Smith was. as always, a constant threat on attack.

Upset Win Y-BOYS &: K. Williams 7, K. Baker 6, K. Ewings 5. D. Toeliner 4, N. Vincent 4, R. Dew 2. C. Morris 1.

OLD BOYS 27: A. Hounsell 12, M. Gleason 8. K. Milligan 2 K. Luxton 2, T. Guthrie 2. R. Skurr 1.

Three successful free throws at a vital stage of the game spelled the difference between victory and defeat for Y-Boys. They started as the underdogs, and for a time, especially In the middle stages, looked likely to be beaten. Old Boys appeared to have command of the match at halftime. Their play was more constructive, and Y-Boys were

obviously tiring badly. However, their 18-12 lead at the break was the nearest they got to winning. Y-Boys rallied well in the second spell. They made up the points difference in good time, and played much more confidently after a slight change in playing pattern. In the last quarter of the game anything could have happened. The lead changed several times and was level on other occasions. It seemed inevitable that one side would breakdown, but neither did. With time running out K. Williams sank one of his two free throws to level the scores at 27-all, and then right on time N. Vincent was fouled. He mude no mistake with his two free throws to give Y-Boys victory. Some of the Old Boys players lacked experience and should improve considerably with hard match play. A. Hounsell and M. Gleason were the key figures in the side, although neither had much protection or help. Y-Boys lost its two biggest men, K. Baker and K. Ewings, in the middle of the second half through vigorous guarding, but before they went they made their mark on the game. Williams sank some lovely jump shots to top score, and Vincent, D. Toellner and C. Morris all played an important part in the victory.

Easy Win BURNHAM 48: B. D. Watson 14. J. W. Pederson 12, P. W. Trass 8, G. 1. Costello 8, B. G. Rose 4, M. J. Horan 2. REX 12: J. McEvoy 4, C. Scott 4, D. Verey 3, G. Jones 1.

There was never any doubt about the outcome of the match between Burnham and Rex, the two bottom teams last season. Burnham was much too strong for the game to be anything but one-sided. It led 22-8 at half-time, and increased Its scoring rate even more in the second spell. On this showing Rex seemed even weaker than it was last season, and will have to improve considerably if it hopes to become reasonably competitive. It had no real combination, and the standard set by most of its players was below A grade.

B. D. Watson played very soundly for Burnham, and J. W. Pederson was also impressive. Several new players in the side acquitted themselves well, indicating that Burnham could improve on its second-to-last placing in 1967.

Lower Grades B Grade.—Wigrain 37. Y.M.C.A. 16; Y-Boys B 51, Christchurch B.H.S. A 18; H. 5.0.8. B 40, University C 28.

C Grade.—University D 32, YBoys C 23; Toe H 22, WigramPolice B 16; Stars A 24, N.A.C. A 16.

D Grade.—H.S.O.B. D 28, Christchurch B.H.S. B 21; University E 25, Stars 15; Mairehau B 32, N.A.C. 4.