Stiff task for Chch basketbailers

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 28

Stiff task for Chch basketbailers

By

MIKE JOHANSSON

All four Christchurch men's basketball sides contesting the national men's club basketball championships next week are out to play to or improve on their pre-tournament seedings. Team members of the Chateau Regency-University, Continental Caterers-Ran-giora, Vistalite High School Old Boys, and United Ser-vice-Aranui are all conscious of the task before them. The annual club championships are New Zealand’s premier domestic basketball event and this year’s competition has been billed as the toughest yet. < The majority of teams have American players or top New Zealanders with overseas experience in their ranks, and the New Zealand Basketball Federations's executive officer, Mr Joe

McLeod, has said this will make for the toughest club finals in the competition's 10year history. Of the four Christchurch sides there is no doubt that the Aranui side has the best chances of playing in the June 13 final. The team has a wealth of talent with three New Zealand players, Andy Bennett, John Rademakers, and its captain, Bert Knops. Supplementing this trio are Al Campbell and lan Johnson, who were both in the national findl trials in April. In addition, Aranui can send on a 2.13 m player in Paul Vos. two quick guards in Trevor Costain and Phil Hill, and a strong passer and rebounder in Aub Aichison. The Aranui coach, Murray Mackay, is quietly reserved about his team's prospects.

even though the side, at fourth, is the highest ranked South Island side. "I have the utmost faith in my guys. In a tournament of this strength, I think the starting five will have to do their job. “A crucial part of our team is the bench strength. We can substitute players and not lose too much playing strength.” Mr Mackay said. "If teams like PepsiCola Y.M.C.A. (Stan Hill's number one ranked team) ‘sub’ out or foul out a player, they're in trouble" he said. University finished sixth last year 'and are ranked ninth this year — and its coach. Bob Bishop, is confident the students can im-

prove on last year's finishing spot. University is currently in second equal place in the Canterbury competition, but has had difficulty with taller teams all season. Mr Bishop is aware of this, but is hopeful that the return of Max Herriott. who has been out all season with a foot injury, will help the team's rebounding ability. Herriott should give valuable assistance to the 2.03 m Gilbert Gordon, who has had to bear the brunt of University's rebounding this season. Mr Bishop'said the focal point of the University effort would be its captain. Matt Ruscoe. "He does so many things well on the court.

Rangiora has one aim at the tournament, according to its trainer. Darrell Todd: to knock out the second seed, Drake Personnel of Auckland. or the seventh seed. Crichton Ford of Napier, in section play. Mr Todd said this was crucial for his tenthranked side if it wanted to finish in the top eight. The team set a precedent for just such a coup last year when it was ranked thirteenth and finished fifth. Leading the Rangiora side will be its player-coach and New Zealand player, the omnipresent John Hill and his supporting cast will include the Canterbury representatives. Al Robson and Lance Dixon. The latter has been one of the consistent leading scorers in the Christchurch competition, while Robson has had two matches in which he has scored more than 20 points. In the guard line, the strong-man. Steve Nuku. the sharp-shooting Brent. Cummack, and John London will ensure that the three big men get plenty of ball where they want it. "We can play good basketball when we're patient. If we improve our discipline, we ll do well.” Mr Todd said. Old Boys, one of this country's consistently top performers at the national tournament. will go to it with a depleted side. They will be without the services of the Manco brothers who helped them to an excellent early season record. Ed Manco has returned to the,United States

for a college education and his policeman brother, Al, can not get time off his work because of the pre-Springbok tour build-up in police work. The Old Boys coach, Kim Luxton. frankly admits that his team will be hard pressed to keep to its sixth ranking, but he is still confident that his team will not embarrass itself. "Our obvious weakness at the moment is our defence, which has gone downhill since Easter. We've got to realise we're a short team and we've got to work at our defence." Mr Luxton said. The biggest hurdle for the four Christchurch sides will be their first games on Monday. The majority of the 12 North Island teams will have "scouted” their opposition in advance of the tournament, but for the South' Islanders there has been no such opportunity. Extra incentive has been added to reaching the final with the news that it will be the subject of a delayed telecast. Pepsi-Cola-Y.M.C.A. of Auckland, a team built around Stan Hill, looks certain to be one of those finalists. The team will also feature two young New Zealanders who have returned from basketball scholarships in the United States to play for their country and Hill's team. John van U.den. and Tony Smith. The other finals position could go to any of Drake Personnel. Centrals, Aranui. Flyers (Hamilton), Massey University or Crichton Ford.