First basketball century to Jaks

Press, 1 May 1978, Page 14

First basketball century to Jaks

Jaks-High School Old Boys became the first to achieve a century score in the Canterbury first division men’s basketball championship this season when they effortlessly accounted for University, 118-50, in the fifth round on Saturday.

However, this was not an unexpected outcome of the meeting between the top and bottom teams in the competition. Jaks, who reached their century with smin still to play, could obviously have done even better if they had not allowed their approach to become very casual.

Although Jaks stole the team scoring limelight. individual honours went to the New Zealand representative forward, John Fairweather (Checkers), who netted 44 points — the highest by any player this season. This helped Checkers to a very convincing win over Y.M.C.A., 79-57. In the other first division match, Mairehau comfortably beat Bumside, 72-51.

Jaks is the only unbeaten side in the competition, although it shares first place with Checkers, which have yet to have their bve. Points are: Jaks-H.5.0.8. 8, Checkers 8, Mairehau 6, Aranui 4. Burnside 2, Y.M.C.A. 2, University 0. The individual performance of Fairweather was undoubtedly the outstanding achievement of the afternoon. In the first half against Y.M.C.A., there was little to indicate what was to follow. He scored 10 points but also missed with others. But when plav resumed after half-time, he could do no wrong. Every shot that went up, went in. Fairweather literally shot a bemused Y.M.C.A. right out of the game. Until he struck this incredible shooting form, it was anybody’s game. Y.M.C.A., desperately needing a win, was actually ahead. 27-26 at half-time and the prospect of toppling last season’s champions looked good. The end to its hopes came rapidly. Checkers took the lead (30-29) within 2 min of play resuming and indulged in a scoring spree w’hich added a further 10 points before Y.M.C.A. could reply. It was virtually the end of the game. With lOmin still to play. Checkers were 20 points clear and in an unbeatable position.

The only Y.M.C.A. player to shine was the experienced former New Zealand centre, Hugh Dimock, w’ho made very good use of the rebounds he collected under the offensive basket. He scored 16 points. Grant Magon also played well but Tom Nuemann. normally the scoring strength of the side, was off his game. He scored only two. The match between Mairehau and Burnside promised to be a close encounter but it did not live up to this. Mairehau, playing with far greater pace and purpose, was quickly out to a 21-8 lead and by half-time was ahead, 37-22. It continued to dictate terms in the second spell and within 10 min of play resuming it w as 20 points clear. From that point it was just a case of cruising to the finish. It finally won, 72-51. The hard-driving Mike Seaward was again in good form for -Mai-

rehau. acoring 23 points. The Burnside defence tried hard to contain him and was only partially successful. Gordon Phillips, once again the guiding hand behind Mairehau, contributed a useful 12 points. Burnside was disappointing. It has the best players it has ever had but on Saturday they did not combine well and this brought about their downfall. In Clive Pope and Neil McCormack it has two excellent rebounders and they did their tasks well. Unfortunately, everything the team attempted was too rushed and, offensively. Pope and McCormack were often caught out of position because of this.

Jaks-High School Old Boys this season are probably as strong as a New Zealand representative side of only’ a few years ago and their big 68-point win over University was not unexpected. The difference in ability between the two teams was so great that this was a no-contest. Jaks led 46-19 at half-time and at one stage in the second spell scored 21 points without one being scored against them.

The man who has taken over the coaching of the University side, Murray Mackay, was not disheartened by it, nevertheless. “We will get there. You wait and see,” he said.

However, University will need some new players if it is to progress. Alan Webster, w ho scored 14, and the captain, Mike McLeod, were the only two to shine. McLeod did an excellent job in mid-court but had little support. The New Zealand representative, Stew'art Ferguson, took the scoring honours for Jaks with 24 points. A former New Zealand representative. Matt Ruscoe, scored 21 and yet another former national player, John Whelan, netted 19. John Hill and Dave Usmar had no trouble dominating the rebounds at both ends. Scoring details were:—

Checkers 79 (J. Fairweather 44, D. Burry 12, P. Ward 5, D. Ruha 4, P. Daigneault 4, G. Omann 4, C. Dickel 4, P. Randle 2) beat Y.M.C.A. 57 (11. Dimock 16, G. Magon 11, P. Kuipers 8, K. Jones 6, L. Dixon 4, P. Cook 4, A. Miller 4, T. Nuemann 2, M. Turner 2). Mairehau 72 (M. Seaward 23, G. Phillips 12, M. Stokes 9, B. Searle 6, M. Belcher 6, J. Caldwell 6. P. Kearney 4, J. Pickles 4, P. van Hout 2) beat Burnside

51 (N. McCormack 14, C. Pope 8, B. Cummack 8, R Lee 6, L. Paurini 4, B. Daniel 4, A. Robson 3, G. Bain 2, J. London 2). Jaks-H.5.0.8. 118 (S. Ferguson 24, M. Ruscoe 21. J. Whelan 19, J. Wright 14. J. Hill 14. D. Usmar 12, M. Searle 8, T. Guthrie 6) beat University 50 (A. Webster 14, M. McLeod 10, P. Stevenson 6, S. Hay 6. S. Eves 6, R. Parkinson 2, A. Guillen 2). Lower grade results.— Men Second division.—Christchurch B.H.S. A 68, Burnside B 51; Teachers College A 65. Y.M.C.A. B 46. YMCA C 52, Mairehau U.S. 40; Taxes 34. Hagley 33; JaksH. 5.0.8. B 83. Riccarton B 27; Jaks-H.5.0.8. C 45. Dodgers 43; Burnside H.S. 78, University B 37. Third division. —Deaf Boys B 38, East Shirley 8; Deaf Boys A 20, Lincoln A 19: Seekers 54, Hagley 10; Wanderers 24, Checkers F 8; Linwood H.S. 38, N.A.C. 30; Wigram 23. Lincoln B 19. Fourth division.—Checkers D 23. Y.M.C.A. E 12; Burnside C 31, Mairehau H.S. B 16; Y.M.C.A. D 24, Christchurch B.H.S. B 22; Teachers’ College B 48, Christchurch B.H.S. C 12. Fifth division. —Hillmorton 0.8. 28. Rangiora 20; Orients 27, Rebels A 11: Hillmorton 25, 1.8. M. 6; Media All Stars 32, Mairehau 8; Toe II 33. Rebels B 26; Riccarton 26, C.T.M. 24. Women Second division.—Sockburn 33, United B 30; Burnside A 55, Mairehau H.S. B 30: University B 47. Aranui H.S. 24; Teachers College A 70, Rangiora B 45; Mairehau B 66. Burnside H.S. 18; Hagley 57, Checkers B 48

Third division. —Halsvvell A 36, Wanderers 14; Brighton A 68, Hagley B 2; Linwood H.S. 34, Pathology 14; Burnside B 34. Riccarton 16; Checkers C 33, Lincoln 2. Fourth division.—-Brighton C 26, Mairehau C 5; Checkers D 16, Rebels B 8; Avonside A 24, Burnside C 11; Rangiora C 16, Avonside B 16; Brighton B 24. Mairehau H.S. 6; Taxes 26, Albion 10.