Caldwell sole basketball pick

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 34

Caldwell sole basketball pick

John Caldwell (Mairehau) is the only Canterbury player named in the New Zealand junior men’s basketball team of 12 which will make a South Island tour in July. This is a surprise, considering the considerable strength of junior basketball in Canterbury. John Hill (Jaks-High School Old Boys), considered a certainty before the trials, elected to . represent his province in the Canadian Goodwill Tournament at Blenheim in preference to the national junior trials at Hamilton last weekend.

As a result, the national selector (Mr Dave Norris) ignored his claims. It is a decision which could be strongly criticised because Hill, now 1.98 m (6ft 6in) tall, is already one of the finest centres in the country and he is only 19 years old. He is considered by many to be a strong candidate for the New Zealand senior team this season. Canterbury’s only other nomination,' Gareth Hare (Jaks-H.5.0.8.), a former

Nelson player now living in Christchurch, was also overlooked.

A very promising guard, Caldwell deserves his place. He has played a leading role in the successes of Mairehau school teams in recent years and is now making his mark at senior level. In addition to a South Island tour, the team will play a series of matches against a visiting American team, Mercer High School, also in July. The team is: P. Corlett, S. Smith, W. Meehl, G. Dunning, J. van Uden (Panmure); K. Bone, P. Campbell, B. Rutter (North Shore); S. Agnew (Hamilton); A. Manco (Hutt Valley), M. Paurini (Wanganui); J. Caldwell (Canterbury). Al Manco, who played all his basketball in Canterbury, before moving to Trentham this year on a police training course, is following in the footsteps of his brother, Ed, who captained the New Zealand junior side two seasons ago.