Timaru basketbailers making progress

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33235, 26 May 1973, Page 4

Timaru basketbailers making progress

Even with six of its top men resting, the Canterbury men’s basketball team should be reasonably confident of victory over South Canterbury when the two teams meet for the first time for some years in Cowles Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

At the same time, the home side would be foolish to take its southern opponent too lightly. The South Canterbury line-up is stronger than it has ever been.

Last season it finished runner-up to Wanganui in the New Zealand minor association’s championship at Ashburton and

was, in some respects, unlucky not to win. It had earlier been granted firstclass status and had been accepted for the national invitation tournament, normally restricted to the top teams in the country. Unfortunately, South Canterbury was unable to take part in this contest because of financial considerations and elected instead to play in the minor associations’ event closer to home. Since last season, the team has lost Its captain. K. Mair. A former Hutt Valley guard and a New Zealand junior selector, he has now retired. But it is still strong enough to provide Canterbury’s second-

string players with a few problems.

One of the key figures behind the South Canterbury' revival in recent years has been the former Canterbury captain, P. Ross. He has acted in various capacities within the sport since being transferred to Timaru almost four years ago, but it is as a player-coach that he has probably made his greatest impact. He was familiar with the modern trends In the game and had the ability to pass on his knowledge to others. Although now’ in the veteran class, Ross is still playing basketball of a high standard and promises to be one of South Canterbury’s key men tomorrow. He will, no doubt, be keen to show the guards in the Canterbury team who replaced him that he has not lost his old touch.

Last season Ross passed the coaching of the team over to the former New Zealand trialist, R. Murdoch, who has carried on the good work. Originally from Otago, he is still among the top players in New Zealand and should make his presence felt on the court tomorrow. South Canterbury has a third player who has already made his name at provincial level, the centre, K. Murray. He represented Otago for several seasons before moving to Timaru and, although perhaps not as fit as he once was, is still a prolific scorer.