N.Z. loses to team of Americans

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33966, 6 October 1975, Page 3

N.Z. loses to team of Americans

(N.Z. Press Association) i WELLINGTON. Blunted by the loss of the captain, John Macdonald, the New Zea-, land men’s basketball team lost 67-70 to the Schick American AllStars at the Walter Nash stadium, Taita, on Saturday night. The New Plymouth lawyer was a late withdrawal from the match, and, according to the national coach, Steve McKean, Macdonald is not available for New Zealand’s Oceania Olympic qualifying matches with Australia next month. Macdonald’s replacement was Doc Ward (North Shore). Though it led 38-32 at: half-time, New Zealand! never looked likely to gain I control against a team made

|up of Americans living here. 1 The Americans always looked to have something In; reserve, their greater skill I causing problems for the j straight-laced New Zealand approach. “Considering we didn’t) have much time together be- ■ Tore the match we did not' play too badly,” said McKean. However, McKean did .concede that he doubted whether New Zealand would beat the Australians in the i best of three matches in Tasmania and Melbourne. He was disappointed with his inability to pierce the All-Stars’ defence, which; prevented the team scoring' consistently. Scores:American All-Stars 70 (D. Orndorff 22, J. Sanders 14. [L Sanders 10, L. Durante 110), New Zealand 67 (J. (Fairweather 14, S. Hill 12 P Bevin 13, J. Whelan 10).