Barry added to b’ball squad

Press, 21 December 1977, Page 36

Barry added to b’ball squad

The determined Checkers; guard, Dennis Barry, has) been added to the squad for) the New Zealand men’s bas- ! ketball trials which begin in Auckland on January 15. Barry, one of the outstanding performers in the Canterbury team which finished runner-up in the last New Zealand championship, was among the original list of nominations but rejected by the national selectorcoach, Mr Steve McKean, of Auckland. Mr McKean, who has been criticised widely for the strong Auckland emphasis in) his squad, yesterday agreed that Barry should get his chance. However, another Canterbury nomination, Mike Seaward, has still not had his ability recognised. Seaward was named in the) New Zealand tournament team and yet now finds he is not considered good enough to be selected among the top 25 players in the

; country. It is a situation | which has disappointed the ) Canterbury coach, Mr Tim Guthrie. “Nobody can convince me that Mike is not among the top 25 players in the country. He deserves his chance. I am pretty unhappy about the situation but there is nothing much I can do about it,” he said. Mr Guthrie observed that five members of the Panmure side, which finished last in the national championship, were named for ) the trials. This was confirmed yesterday by the New Zealand Basketball Fed, eration’s administration officer, Mr Joe McLeod. With the inclusion of Barry, Canterbury now has 'four representatives in tha trials. The New Zealand team fot the world championship match against Australia will be announced on January 18.