BASKETBALL COLTS

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33887, 5 July 1975, Page 4

BASKETBALL COLTS

(By

ROD DEW)

The impressive strength of men's basketball at colt level in Canterbury is reflected in the selection of three — Carl Stent (Mairehau), Geoff Longley and Ed Manco (both High School Old Boys)—for the 18-strong New Zealand under-20 training squad. And there were others

who must have been very close to selection. These include Bert Knops (Checkers), Allan Manco Christchurch Boys’ High School), Simon Guthrie (Old Boys) and Peter Howell (Mairehau). Guthrie, a 6ft 3in forward, could count himself particularly unlucky after his consistently high standard at the recent South Island

colts’ tournament in Nelson. However, the three chosen all have a strong chance of winning selection for the New Zealand team to play four matches against the touring American junior college team (under-18) later this month. I Manco, a 6ft 2in utility player who is a superb ball stealer and a strong hustler, represented Naw Zealand under-20 last year while he was still at school and this time must be a key member of the side. Although only 18, he is one of the top A grade players in Christchurch and a member of the starting five in the senior Canterbury team. Longley, who has just turned 18, is 6ft 7in tall and extremely mobile for a player of his size. A product of Burnside High School, he has made tremendous progress this year and is already challenging the established tall men for their places in the senior representative side.

Stent is only 6ft 3in, which is not tall by modern standards for a centre, but he is one of the strongest young rebounders in the game, consistently out-jumping rivals with a height advantage of several inches. Stent is 17 and still attending Mairehau High School.

The New Zealand under-20 team will be announced by the coach (Mr Jack Sanders) on July 18 after three days of training in Auckland. The matches against the American team, chosen from schools in Washington, will be at Auckland (July 21), Rotorua (July 23), Dunedin (July 24) and Christchurch (July