Third-division basketball

Press, 22 September 1980, Page 21

Third-division basketball

The Canterbury women’s B basketball team added the national third division basketball championship to Canterbury’s four other national titles won this year when it beat Eastern Southland. 36-28. in the final at Timaru on Saturday. Playing cool, controlled basketball. especially in the second half, Canterbury raced to a vital 10 point lead in the sixth minute after narrowlv leading 14-12 at half-time. Pauline Gilbert won the "player of the match” award with a steady display, and Sue Bennett scored a vital 10 points before' fouling out later in the game. Both sides played good

basketball, especially on defence, which wa s reflected in the low score.

In earlier games. Eastern Southland held Canterbury to six points, while South Canterbury caused an upset when it beat Canterbury 48-46. but the host team lost its place in the final after a points differential was used to break the three wav tie.

Carol Lightfoot. Chris Proctor, Bennett, ana Gilbert, were included in the tournament team announced after the final.

Canterbury B cruised to a 55-39 win over Mid-Canterbury, and Eastern Southland overworked it'self in beating North Shore B,

66-37. Canterbury C battled for sixth place, eventually losing to South Canterbury B, 29-37. South Canterbury A narrowly beat Papakura. 49-43. Scorers in the final were:— Canterbury B 36 (S. Bennett 10, C. Lightfoot 7. S. Elliott 6. P. Gilbert 4, C. Proctor 4, K. Slave 3. A. McMamee 2) beat Eastern Southland 28 (D. Nicholson 10. J. Ellis 6. J. M. Clarke 6).

Final placings were:— Canterbury B 1, Eastern Southland 2. South Canterbury A 3, Papakura 4, Mid-Canterbury 5, South Canterbury B 6. Canterbury B 7, North Shore B 8.