Two strong challengers for Y.M.C.A.'s club championship

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33803, 27 March 1975, Page 17

Two strong challengers for Y.M.C.A.'s club championship

(By

ROD DEW)

The tall Y.M.C.A. line-up will be seeking its fourth successive victory in the Canterbury A grade men’s basketball club championship this season. However, if the preseason form of its chief rivals, High School Old Boys and Checkers, can be taken as a reliable guide, the path to further success will not be an easy one.

It is even possible that the competition, scheduled to begin in Cowles Stadium on April 12, could develop into a “four-horse race.” Mairehau, once again coached by Kerry Williams,

has been preparing in dedicated fashion and might provide a surprise or two. Nevertheless, the team to beat must be Y.M.C.A. Its coach, Jack Dempsey, is confident that his team can not only win the Canterbury title for the fourth time on end but also regain the national club championship it last held two seasons ago.

"It will be a good team and we will again play to our tall men," Mr Dempsey said.

Y.M.C.A. has had considerable success with a slow, deliberate style of play in recent seasons and there is no reason for a departure from this. It is by far the tallest team in

the competition. This advantage has been increased by the return from overseas of the 6ft 9in former New Zealand representative, Hugh Dimock. One other gain is the Australian guard, Brian Cottell, who will give the team some much needed impetus from mid-court.

Otherwise, the team will be much the same as it was last season. John Bosch (6ft 9in) will share the centre with Dimock and Roger Millard (6ft 7in) will spend more of his time in the forward line. The team is particularly well endowed with forwards, having Stewart Ferguson, who represented New Zealand earlier this year, and a national trialist, Bert Shipley, to call on. Both stand 6ft 4in tall.

The unspectacular but skilful American guard, Bob Manthie, will captain the side. As well as Cottell, he will have Paul Carpinter to share the mid-court duties with. Old Boys, who shared second place with Checkers last season, appear to have their most promising team for many years. There is a very solid core of experience in the two starting guards, Carl Dickel and Tim Guthrie. The team’s height situation has improved markedly with the gaining of a young player of great potential, Geoff Longley (6ft 7in), who appears capable of making

the step up from school competition without need for a lengthy period in which to adapt.

Another talented young player who will be making his A grade debut with Old Boys is Ed Manco. He will play a utility role, filling in as a forward or a guard when the occasion demands. Manco, an American living permanently in New

Zealand, played in the New Zealand colts team last season and clearly has a bright future. His younger brother, Allan, who is still attending Christchurch Boys’ High School, will also be making occasional appearances in the team. But his main commitment will be to his school team.

Yet another gain for the team is Noel Daniel,- a rugged forward who played for University last season. He will be teamed up with his younger brother, Wayne, who appears about to realise the tremendous potential he showed as a 'schoolboy. The other members of the team include Simon Guthrie and the former Canterbury representative centre, John Utley, who will be a late starter to the season because of an elbow injury.

Checkers, surprisingly ranked ahead of Old Boys for the national club championship, also look very strong. They will be leaning heavily on the New Zealand trialist, Robert Cooke, who is showing very good form in practices. After a period of indecision, the New Zealand representative, John Fairweather, has shelved plans to rest and will turn out for Checkers. This must substantially increase their chances of toppling Y.M.C.A.

Newcomers in the team are Paul Daigneault (from Mairehau), an American

guard, Rich Leddy, and lan Sherrin, who was captaincoach of the Waikato University team last season. Allan Bigwood (6ft sin) and Russell McCormack (6ft

3m) give the side its I rebounding strength. | Others include Dennis I Barry, Bert Knops and Pauli Trass, who all served the| team well last season. I Graham Davey is the coach. | Mairehau will probably] be the youngest team in the. A grade. Its coach, Mr Wil ! Hams, is gambling' that five of his school players will! be able to hold their own at this level and only four! members of last season’s) side have retained their places. The four remaining l are Mick Seaward, who is a former New Zealand junior representative. David Vincent, Pierre Daigneauk and Gordon Phillips. Sean O’Connell will be making his A grade debut, along with the five Mairehau High School players, Peter Howell, Carl Stent, i John Caldwell, Murray Bel-1 cher and Roger Stead.! Howell has been named as! captain. With such a line-up, the team will be forced to rely I heavily on speed and pres ) sure basketball. Its progress! will certainly be interesting.! The composition of the University team is not yeti apparent. Ben Searle seems) certain to be the chief play-1 maker with Allan Freeman) one of the few remaining! from last season’s some-! what unsuccessful line-up. ’ John Edyvean will be the coach and might also fill in as a player. The sixth and final placing! in the A grade has yet to be decided. Bumside, which I finished last in 1974, and Aranui will play off for this. Both appear to be very evenly matched. But Bumside which will be coached by Ray Entwistle, must be favoured to take the final place.