EAS Y WINS TO TOP BASKETBALL SIDES

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31761, 19 August 1968, Page 14

EAS Y WINS TO TOP BASKETBALL SIDES

Y.M.C.A. and Yboys both scored very comfortable wins in the A grade men’s basketball competition in Cowles Stadium on Saturday. They played fast, open basketball and, although they both allowed the defensive aspect of the game to become of secondary importance, there were some fine, flowing movements which compensated for the one-sided nature of the games. After losing Its last two games. Y-Boys came back well to completely overrun the bottom-placed Rex team, 69-30. Y.M.C.A. was not quite so convincing against Old Maroons but won easily enough, 50-32. The third A grade game was won by Old Boys by default. Burnham, away contesting the national services tournament, did not have enough depth to field a substitute side.

University, which had the bye, still holds the lead in the competition with 26 points.

Other progress totals are: YBoys 22, Old Boys (yet to have bye) 22, Y.M.C.A. 19, Old Maroons 11, Burnham 6, Rex 2. GOOD TEAMWORK Y.M.C.A. SO: D. Rattray 17, D. Symonds 12, R. Millard 7, B. Heppenstall 6, P. Ross 4, M. Clements 4. OLD MAROONS 32*. J. Riley 11, W. Smith 9, J. Edyvean 6, B. Strong 3, G. Nock 2, P. McCombs 1. Superior teamwork and better fundamental skills gave Y.M.C.A. a fairly easy win over Old Maroons. There were times when Old Maroons looked capable of changing the trend of the game, but some very weak passing spoiled their chances. Y.M.C.A. put on a light fullcourt press for much of the game, and this had Old Maroons in constant trouble. They found great difficulty in freeing themselves from their markets so they could take a pass, and on many occasions the ball was intercepted. From the opening tie-ball, Y.M.C.A. looked the better team and at half time it led 26-10. Its scoring rate remained virtually unchanged in the second spell, and it never looked like losing. D. Rattray scored some excellent baskets for Y.M.C.A. D. Symonds again put in some very hard work in the forward line, and was justly rewarded with 12 points. His covering and switching was without fault. His backing up was also outstanding. B. Heppenstall did not have many chances to score, but he, too, was a constant threat to the Old Maroons defence.

J. Riley, W. Smith, and J. Edyvean shared the honours in the Old Maroons team. Riley made the most of any opportunities offering, and Smith, although he threw a few bad passes from the base-line, atoned for this with some fine offensive play.

HIGH SCORING Y-BOYS 69: R. Dew 22, K. Williams 17, K. Baker 12, C. Morris 6, N. Vincent fl, K. Ewings fl.

REX 30: D. Verey 8, P. LundJackson 6, G. Jones 6, G, Daly 6, J. McEvoy 4.

Although Y-Boys started off with some very scrappy, un-co-ordinated basketball, they eventually settled down and forged ahead of their taller but slower opponents. In the first five minutes Y-Boys had dozens of opportunities to score, but most of them were wasted with extremely bad shooting. Nobody was worse than R. Dew, who missed three lay-ups in succession. Fortunately, he improved later in the game.

Once Y-Boys had built up a substantial lead they allowed their defence to slacken, and concentrated on scoring points. Unfortunately, even then Rex was unable to improve its scoring rate to any great extent, and never looked like offering any strong resistance. Y-Boys led 25-8 at half-time.

Rex’s main danger man, P. Lund-Jackson, was never allowed room to move. His marker, C. Morris, virtually put him out of the game with a brilliant defensive display. Morris also played his part on attack. He did not score a great many points, but was responsible for many of those scored by his team-mates. The manner in which he combined with K. Williams and Dew on the fast break was outstanding. Williams had a good shooting game, and there were indications that he was on the way back to regaining his outstanding early season form. He worked hard, and the 17 points he scored were well earned. K. Baker was a much more effective attacking player than usual. He also rebounded well. D. Verey top scored for Rex, and had to be watched carefully on the fast break. G. Jones set up play well. LOWER GRADES

A Reserve.—Rangiora A 22, T.B.M. A 16: University B 24, Orients A 23.

B Grade.—Y.M.C.A. 37. Y-Boys B 31; Cashmere H.S. 44, Christchurch B.H.S. A 40; University C beat Y.M.C.A. B, by default. B Reserve.—Rangiora B beat University F, by default; Taxes B beat University G. by default; Burnsco A 18, Rex C 16. C Grade. —University D 45, Burnham B 27; Old Boys C 33. N.A.C. A 31: Stars A 30, Wig-ram-Police 18: Toe H beat YBoys C. by default. C Reserve.—Rangiora D 20. Orients C 17; Burnsco B 28. YBoys D 24. D Grade.—Mairehau H.S. B 28. N.A.C. B 9: Stars B beat University E. by default. Under 20.—Mairehau H.S. beat Christ’s College, by default: Rangiora H.S. 25. Shirley B.H.S. B 7: St Andrew’s College B 25, Hagley H.S. 20: Shirley B.H.S. A 22, Y.M.C.A. D 18.