Finalists found in basketball

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33858, 2 June 1975, Page 14

Finalists found in basketball

(“The Press' 9 Special Service) tauranga. Out of the drama and excitement, Mount Wellington (Auckland) and Wellington Marist emerged as finalists in the Old Crow national men s club basketball championships yesterday. Mount Wellington, - with national coach Steve McKean shooting superbly, edged out Coca Cola (Auckland), <4-<3, It survived a simple but vital shot with seconds remaining. Although not using the talents of the New Zealand player. Stan Hill, to a great degree. Mount Wellington produced a greater team display.

Wellington Marist, lagging behind for most of the game, switched its fast break attack Into top gear in the final three minutes to beat Hang Ten (North Shore), 96-86. Marist looked lethargic for much of the game, unable to cope with the New Zealand Games representative. Lou Durante.

( But Durante injured an ankle and while he was off the Hang (Ten attack crumbled. Marist [led by the excellent rebounding land general court play of Paul Benin, shook off its lethargy and I broke away for a 10-point win. Y.M.C.A. FAILS

ft was a disappointing story (for the Canterbury side. Y.M.C.A. 1 From the sweet smell of victory | in 1973 to the playing off for last i place; such has been its plight ,in these championships. ' Y.M.C.A. bowed out of any i major part in the event by losing to Bar of Plent.v Real Estate. 173-65. It was the local side’s [first win in the tournament. ! Y.M.C.A. appeared totally dis- , interested and disorganised In 1 its defeat. It lacked any cohesion on offence, while the defence [often left ways for the opposition’s fast break or the tinI marked outside shot. : Onlv the New Zealand repre(sentative. Stewart Ferguson, and 'the captain. Bob Manthei. came (out of the game with anv credit. Y.M.C.A.s only high point came with a fine close win over Mount (Wellington. 69-65. on Saturday, [lt kept Hill very auiet while Mount Wellington was forced into playing individual offences. (The Christchurch side displayed 'much more determination, with ‘ Ferguson, the 6ft Bin Hugh Dimock, and the guard. Paul ; Carninter. showing out. “I’m extremely disappointed with our showing at the championships.” said the > .M.L.A. coach. Mr Jack Dempsey. We have not had a good season and have not found the balance of our sides of the previous years tn the absence of several leading players.” Results of Y.M.C.A. games

"yM.C.A. «9 'S. Ferguson 16, p. Carninter 13. H Dimock 10. $. Luxford 10, B. ®- Millard «) beat Mount Wellington i 65 (S. McKean 19, C. Malsh 16,

S Hill 11, D. Brown 8, C. Widdell 7, D. Jenks 4). „ Bay of Plenty Real Estate <3 (D. Joustra 20. L. Fougere 15, \V. French 8, R. Black 8, R, Sinister 5. A. Ward 5, L. Logan 6, W. Osborne 4. B. Munro 2) beat Y.M.C.A. 65 IS. Ferguson 21, S. Lukford 10, B. Cottell 10 R. Millard 8. J. Bosch 7. R. Manthei 5, H. Dimock 2. P. Carplnter 2). Other results: Coca Cola 91, Otago University 84: General Motors University 99, Hang Ten 96; Mount Wellington 82. Marist 61. •