Canterbury Should Do Well In Basketball

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31762, 20 August 1968, Page 15

Canterbury Should Do Well In Basketball

Canterbury’s chances of success in the 1968 New Zealand basketball tournament, which will begin in Gisborne today, look promising.

On the score of preparation, fitness, and stamina the team rates highly but the stumbling block could be in the interpretation of the new Obstruction rule. This rule was primarily designed to give greater scope to defenders and thus cut the high scoring rate, but it has certainly added to the burden of referees. At the South Island tournament in Timaru there were wide variations in rulings and it is unlikely that North Island referees will have reached any greater accord. In the light of recent successes, Canterbury should win both games today against South Canterbury and Wanganui. The former has provided the toughest competition for Canterbury among South Island teams and as the promoted second grade team should acquit itself well. Southland usually reaches top form at the New Zealand tournament and over the last few years has always finished near the champion. N.Z. Strength

The strongest North Island teams appear to be Rotorua and Auckland, both of which have had pre-tournament successes and are fielding a full complement of seasoned players. Hutt Valley has been building its stength over the last two years and -could offer a determined challenge to any of the leading teams, and Wellington won the Rosenbrook Trophy games with Manawatu and Wanganui. Canterbury can match all these teams in experience and physique. At the South Island

tournament the players demonstrated their ability to press the opposition until the final whistle and although there were deficiencies in the down-court movements, these were incidental.

In the final analysis, it will be accurate goal shooting that could give Canterbury supremacy. With J. Harnett, the New Zealand representative, in top form and the Technical star, S. Norman, as goal shoot, Canterbury would be hard to beat The well co-ordinated defence line led by M. Simeonidis will give solid backing and the versatile S. Langrope should provide an intelligent link for defence and goal.