N.Z. basketball dreams fade

Press, 27 July 1981, Page 30

N.Z. basketball dreams fade

NZPA Taipei New Zealand's dream of beating a United States representative basketball team will remain just that for a while longer after its 50-64 loss to the Americans in a championship round match of the William Jones Cup tournament in Taiwan yes terday morning. It was New Zealand’s first championship round game after a five day lay-off and its lack of match-play showed when it was pitted against the American might, represented by players from the mid-west states. New Zealand’s teamwork was shaky under pressure and this contributed to a number of unforced errors which saw the Americans benefit with some gift layups.

A bad patch lasting several minutes in each half marred the New Zealanders’ showing. Although playing in the beaten team, New Zealand's 2m forward, John Hill, of Canterbury, was the game's star player turning in as fine a match as he has ever played for his country.

Hill was devastating on the defensive backboard, heading the rebounding count and scaring the Americans with his high 'proportion of clean blocked shots. On attack he was also a rock, top scoring with 16 points and proving unstoppable with ball in hand close to the hoop,. Although they took a back seat to the efforts of Hill, there were good showings from Tony Smith, John Macdonald and John Van Uden. Stan Hill carried the burden of four fouls for much of the second half and usually the attention of two or three of the Americans. His sixpoint game tally was one of his lowest ever. New Zealand’s next matches are against Canada, Taiwan Blue, France, Sweden and South Korea before the tournament ends on Friday. Results: United States 64, New Zealand 50 (J. Hill 16. J. Macdonald 11, J. Van Uden 8, S. Hill 6, T. Smith 5, J. Rademakers 4); Philippines 60. France 49; Canada 74; Taiwan Blue 69; Sweden 66, South Korea 50; France 56, United States 55; Philippines 91. Canada 58.