Good start to basketball

Press, 15 September 1976, Page 6

Good start to basketball

Canterbury B made a splendid start yesterday In its quest for the New Zealand men’s second division basketball championship and. after the first two rounds of the round-robin tournament, it is the only unbeaten team.

Already the tournament, which is being played in Cowles Stadium, has produced its share of surprises, but the Canterbury B players have their province’s reputation to uphold—the A team won the national title—and there is every indication that they will emulate that performance. Canterbury B had an easy win in its first game against Marlborough. 75-49. The shooting by the Canterbury forwards was accurate, but their task was made simpler by a disorganised Marlborough defence, which was unable to stem the sustained Canterbury attacks.

Canterbury was opposed by South Auckland—a comfortable winner against Southland in the first round—in its second match last evening, and the local team was given a severe test

At half-time. South Auckland* was ahead. 36-33, and it deserved! to be many more points in front. But Canterbury was in front, 75-61, at full-time after a purposeful and convincing second half display An almost total neglect of hunting rebounds and far too many adventurous, long-range shots caused the demise of Canterbury in the first spell.

South Auckland had the tallest and most sturdy player in Paul Tuora. Nicknamed “Twinkletoes”—no doubt because he is anything but that—Tuora. and the swift breaking captain-coach, Rick Wood, were able to position themselves with ease inside Canterbury's circle and score just as freely.

Canterbury, nine goals down after 17 minutes, managed to reduce the deficit to three by half-time, and it was noticeable that the presence of Peter Howell and Allan Smith gave Canterbury much more stability.

South Auckland started strongly in the first five minutes of the second half and gained a commanding lead. 48-39. However, at that stage Wood left the court and in the next five minutes. Canterbury added 18 points and restricted Its opposition to six. Canterbury took the lead for the first time '53-52) when Howe!) sank two free throws, and between the tenth and thirteenth minute, a harassed South Auckland team was held scoreless as Canterbury surged to a 12-point lead. For th* final seven minutes,

Canterbury retained possession for as long as possible, playing solidly and not trying its foolish first-half shots.

Smith, who came on early in the first half as a substitution and remained on court throughout, was outstanding; he topscored with 13 points—the same number as the captain. Carl Dickel, and John Hill—but his baskets came when thev were most needed.

Howell, who was fouled off with four minutes remaining, contributed 12 and th* 6ft guard was more dangerous than most of the forwards on attack

Results were:—Buller 58, Porinia 54; South Canterbury 61. Hawera 55: South Auckland 55, Southland 42; Canterbury B 7',. Marlborough 49; Ponrua 76, South Canterbury 59; Haver* 62, Buller 59; Canterbury B 75, South Auckland 61.