Canterbury excelled in basketball

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31775, 4 September 1968, Page 13

Canterbury excelled in basketball

praise could be too high for the manner in which the Canterbury men’s basketball representative team rose above its early season mediocrity to finish a well deserved third in the national tournament which was held in Masterton last week. It only lost one game, to the eventual winning side, Wellington, and it on>y lost this by one point. 53-52. after leading until the closing seconds.

It was generally conceded by those who saw the game, and even some of the Wellington players, that Canterbury was extremely unlucky to lose this vital match. Canterbury had the match virtually won but two loose passes in the dying seconds enabled G. Rapson to sink the two goals which gave the game to Wellington, amid wild scenes of confusion.

Because the tournament was played in sections, Canterbury had to be content with third place although it was obviously worthy of a place in the final. Wellington and Palmerston North, the two section winners, played off for the title and Canterbury and the Australian Rockhampton side plaved off for third. Tn this play-off, the Can-

terbury players showed that they could rise again, even after such a serious defeat, by winning, 55-37. Had Canterbury had just a little more luck against Wellington, it could well have won

the title. Even so, there could be no cause for regret. Its third placing was the highest achieved by the province since it won in 1955. Perhaps the only unsatisfactory aspect of the tournament was that Palmerston North and Canterbury did not meet However, this should be rectified next season. Tentative arrangements have already been made for Palmerston North to make a special visit to Christchurch.

Canterbury had by far the best defensive record in the tournament It had only 281 points scored against it in seven games. Palmerston North had 314 scored against it and Wellington 316. Offensively, Canterbury was not quite so impressive, scoring 437 points to Palmerston North’s 507 and Wellington’s 486. For the Canterbury coach (Mr G. D. Dempsey), the performance and determination of his players must have been most gratifying. One of the highest individual honours at stake went to the tall Canterbury player, P. Stigley. He won the Monk Cup for being the outstanding forward of the tournament. Every previous winner has either been a member of the New Zealand team or in the training squad. He is the first Canterbury player to win the cup and it is clear that if he continues in the game national honours could come his way next season.

His rebounding on both boards was most impressive and his defensive play outstanding. His attacking play was also good, although not in the same class as Rapson, A. Hounsell (Canterbury)

or B. Brady (Rockhampton). Nevertheless, on all-round play he was a very deserving winner.

J. Utley probably had the hardest time of anybody in the Canterbury team. He was the first string centre throughout and took a real pounding under the boards. His play was generally of an exceptionally high standard.

The top scorer was Hounsell with a brilliant 85 points. Previously the side's first-string centre, he fitted into the forward line so well that he was left there for all games. It seems likely that this will be his position from now on. J. Culliford was also in great form. He scored 82 points and was always a danger with his aggressive cutting. The team captain, P. Ross, retained his position in the first line-up but appeared to have lost a little of his old drive, energy and confidence. His defence, nevertheless, was without fault.

As the replacement centre, R. Millard proved to be of considerable value and the second-string mid court player, T. Guthrie, showed more ability than anybody else at bringing the ball up the court under extreme

pressure. He obviously has a bright future. K. Luxton and M. Clements did not achieve the first line-up but played soundly and improved as the tournament progressed.