New faces likely in basketball squad

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31662, 24 April 1968, Page 15

New faces likely in basketball squad

TN recent years successive Canterbury men’s basketball selectors have had little trouble choosing their representative teams. Many of the top players have not been available and it was virtually automatic selection for those that were.

However, this season the situation has altered considerably. Most of the leading players are available and with the unexpected change in the balance of power the chief coach-selector, Mr G. D. Dempsey, may have to look further afield than University and Y.M.C.A. for the bulk of his players. The task that lies ahead for him is an unenviable one.

Mr Dempsey Intends to announce his training squad today after the third round of matches and it could be very different from that which the late Mr L. N. Saunders began with last season. Most of last season’s representative team will undoubtedly be named in the

squad but there is certain to be a large number of new names.

In the two A grade interclub rounds played so far only C. Morris (Y-Boys), M. Busch (Y.M.C.A.) and J. Culliford (University) have shown form which makes their selection certain. Morris, a New Zealand representative in 1966, produced the best individual performance of the season so far last Saturday. If he can maintain this form he should not have much trouble in regaining his place in the national sde.

Busch and Culliford were also outstanding in the last round but to a lesser extent. Busch, one of the best mid-court players in the country, has not yet realised his full scoring potential. When he does, he, too, could find himself wearing the silver fern. Other aspects of his play are outstanding. Culliford, a tireless worker, can be brilliant one day, mediocre the next. His play has been rather untidy so far this season but he has been head and shoulders above the rest of his team.

At least five players who did not play for Canterbury last season have done enough to earn themselves a place in the squad. They are P. Stigley (University), K. Flicker, E. Retter, J. Edyvean (Old Maroons) and R. Millard (Y.M.C.A.). Until now Stigley, a tall forward, has not been available and if he can regain last season’s form he could be a valuable player. Fricker played for Otago last season and already looks like making a name for himself in Christchurch. He appears to have great all-round ability and the aggressive nature needed to reach the top. Edyvean also comes from Dunedin and he, too, could develop into a useful representative player.

A former Hamilton representative, Retter, has been reasonably impressive in his two games in Christchurch. He lacks speed but has excellent ball control and a wide variety of shots. Millard is probably the player everybody will be watching. By far the tallest player in the province, he has had a meteoric rise. At the beginning of last season he was playing in the under 20 grade for St Andrew’s College, but by the finish he had graduated to the New Zealand colts team. He has now joined Y.M.C.A. and is already showing ability which must make him a serious threat to A. Hounsell (Old Boys), Canterbury’s first string centre last season. The meeting between these two fine centres in club matches on Saturday should be full of interest, although Hounsell, who was on the verge of New Zealand selection last season, should have too much experience for his younger opponent at this stage. P. Ross (Y.M.C.A.) played some fine games for Canterbury last season and can hardly be left out. The rest of the squad could be chosen from at least a dozen players who are all of relatively equal ability. Y-Boys, which looks like being one of the top clubs this season, could provide more than one, Old Boys should also be well represented and there is at least one player in the Burnham team worthy of a trial.

D. Rattray, M. Clements (Y.M.C.A.) and K. Luxton (Old Boys), who ail played for Canterbury last season, may find themselves struggling to retain their places and J. Utley (University), a member of the New Zealand colts team last season, will have to show more fire if he is to represent his province this season.