Vital wins for Canterbury

Press, 31 May 1982, Page 3

Vital wins for Canterbury

Two vital early steps were taken by 3ZM Canterbury towards -the Countrywide national men's basketbail championship with : impressive wins at Cowles stadium at the week-end.

Canterbury won the first match on Saturday,; against Drakes Personnel \ Waitemata, 68-54, and completed the double-header yesterday against 2ZB Centrals, 69-53. The successes vindicated the tactics of the Canterbury coach, Murray Mackay, that this season the province rely on teamwork and not on individuals. At no stage was Canterbury in any serious trouble.

Both games showed how good 'defence, continuous pressure, and controlled play on offence can be winning factors. John Hill started where he left off on Saturday, taking the ball to the basket and feeding inside.

Centrals retaliated with fine outside shooting by John Riasi and Bill Eldred, who picked up a lot of second shots under the basket.

A good defensive game by John Wright and John Whelan for Canterbury made it a difficult job for Centrals' guards to get the ball up the court.

With the half-time score at 34-24 to Canterbury the second half started with no significant change and it took Centrals some time to get back into the game. When full .court pressure was applied by Centrals, Canterbury kept control of the ball with good, strong passing. Centrals probably would have stayed in the game but for losing three of its main players, who fouled off.

The “player of the day” was Canterbury's John

Whelan, who played quite outstandingly. He had excellent court awareness and was probably the fastest man there. His quick hands frequently stole the ball and he would have done better but for the discomfort of an extra large pair of’shorts. S Gilbert Gordon played an excellent game on offence, collecting top score of 15 points, while Hill played his usual sound game.

Dave Usmar was not as dominant as he was on Saturday and left the court four minutes before half-time with an injury.

Centrals main attribute was in offence, but they were thwarted by a determined and cohesive Canterbury unit. Riasi shot well from outside for Centrals and was also strong in rebounding; Dave Hrstich jumped strongly and delivered the shots when they were needed, particularly from three metres; and Eldred gained a very high percentage from outside.

The scorers were: 3ZM CANTERBURY, 69: G. Gordon 15, A. Bennett 14, J. Hill 12. J. Whelan 9. D. Usmar 9. J. Wright 8, B. Hall 2.

2ZB CENTRALS, 53: J. Riasi 16, D. Hrstich 12, W. Eldred 10. C. Freear, D. Sharp. Q. Golder 4, J. McDonough 2, C. Erikson 1. The referee was Mr R. Milligan and the umpire was Mr R. Berry. Results from week-end games in the national basketball league:

Blue Herons Porirua 79 beat Palmerston North Lions 76; Nelson 55. beat Wellington Centrals 53; Auckland Metro 92, beat Palmerston North Lions 63; Drake Personnel Auckland 77. beat Nelson 65. Earlier report page 18