Clean sweep for U.S. side

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33904, 25 July 1975, Page 10

Clean sweep for U.S. side

Mercer Island, the representative team from the state of Washington, completed a clean sweep of the four “tests” against the New Zealand Colts at Cowles Stadium last evening, but the country’s top under-20 basketbailers continued their improvement. Mercer Island won, 75-63 — the smallest margin in its four victories and an indication that New Zealand was steadily coming to terms with its taller opponents. The scores in the earlier games were 75-45. 79-51, and 76-61. There were three distinct phases in which the young Americans took control of the game. In the opening minutes, they rushed to a 12-2 lead, an advantage which had some raucous spectators — Canterbury senior representatives who should have known better — suggesting that New Zealand should call

a time out with the game not four minutes old. Then, in th. vital seven or eight minutes before half-time. New Zealand was unable to take advantage of the 10 team feuls already on Mercer Island and which represented a rich source of points from fouls if New Zealand was able to organise it so. It could not, and from trailing only 28-29 at one stage, it slipped away to 31-41 at half-time. TOO MUCH Just as it had at the beginning of the game, Mercer Island slipped away at the start of the second half, and the lead of 71-52 was far too much tor New Zealand to haul back. Zspeeiallv early in th. second half, the big Mercer Island men, Jim Savage and Gary Nelson, were towering figures, and In a hectic Smin burst they were irresistible. But in genera! play-making they had te bow to their phlegmatic captain. Terry P*pp!e, and the smallest man on the court, Ron Radeliff. In the middle portions of the match, Redcliff split the New Zealand defence tune and again with his swift breaking, and his ball skills, particularly dribbling

out of tight spots, frequently 11 drew applause. !i HIGHEST SCORER New Zealand was best served i by Mick Tait, the highest seorer, and Paul Barrett, but aa a whole, it was a little fortunate to get within 12 points of th. Americans. In that bad middle period. New Zealand missed sweral vital rebounds and some of Its passing was appalling. Detailed scoring:— MERCS It ISLAND 7S: J. Savage 20, G. Nelson J 4, T. Pepple 11, P. McDougall 10, C. Norton 8, R. Radeliff S, D. Lashua 4, M Mattila 2. NSW ZEALAND COLTS 41: M- Tajt IS, R. Philp 14, P. Barrett to. S. Brown s. G. Longiev 6. T. Arthur 4, E. Maneo 3, C. Stent 3. K. MeGrattan !. Malrehau High Schoo] lost it. second game of the season—the other was during its Australian tour—and although it was hampered bv the loss of ihe rebound, ing abilities of Carl Stent, never looked likely to beat the Washington ig-year-olds It did extiemely well to hold the visiting side to 34-31 at halftime, but the three tallest in the Mercer Island team, M*rtv Mattila, Chris Klrsop, and Mark Staudaeher—an of them between

lift Sin .nd 6ft 7tn—denjlna'. ' the rebounds. Added to sound guarding, th! fiave Merer Island a reguU ead of 18 or 12 points, and r'<-> more until the tallest of then all, Mattila, was taken of! In the final five minutes of the second game he faced TALLEST PLAYER Matrehau's problems were com- • pounded by tu tallest player. Chris Manson, assigned to mark Ing Mattila, having four foul* against him with the wconr' half only three minutes old Brought back late In the gam« he immediately Incurred his fine! foul. However, in Ita captain, Pete' Howell. Malrehau had the high est individual scorer, and it was his efforts which kept his t.air. in with an outside chance. D.talled scoring'— MERCER ISLAND UNDER Ils 7S: D. Clausen 16, C. Klrsop IS, M. Mattila 18, M. Staudach.r 18, C. Norton S, R. Douglas 6, M. Jones 6, M. Jerue 4. MAIREHAU H.S. 41: P Row.ll 22, R. Stead 12, M. Beleh.r 8, C. • Manson 6. B. Walleroft 8. S. Paterson 8, J. Caldwell 2, 4. i Lowen L