Basketballers work out

Press, 7 March 1983, Page 25

Basketballers work out

By

FRANK DUGGAN

lan Webb, of Canterbury, with ball, is challenged by Paul Hobbs in yesterday morning’s final session of the three-day men’s trial for South Island basketballers. The over-all standard in the South Island had improved immeasurably in the last 12 months, said the senior men’s coach for the New Zealand Basketball Federation, Mr Peter Schmidt, of Auckland, at Cowles Stadium. Mr Schmidt, assisted by Mr Bob Bishop, of Canterbury, conducted the trial for South Island players, and was highly impressed.

“You have a lot of excellent players here, and the best part is that many are young,” he said. “Next year they will be even better.” Glen Austin, Timaru, Ward, and Hugh Thomson, Canterbury, were also called in to the 16-man squad on Friday evening. Five sessions of trials were held over the threedays, ranging from four two-hour sessions on Friday evening and Saturday, and culminating with a three-hour trial yesterday morning. A comment from one triaiist, “Rookie” Webb, summed up the intensive programme: “If only I could sleep.” Mr Schmidt recently re-

turned from a seven-week tour of the United States. “It’s going there and seeing their new techniques that you can improve the standard of New Zealand. I learned a few things and have included them in the national trials,” he said. “Last year the format of the trials was 90 per cent a basketball clinic, and 10 per cent working out the players for the New Zealand side. Now it’s the opposite. We’ve got the talent in this country right now without having to coach them in the basic skills,” Mr Schmidt said. The New Zealand team for an Asian tour will be announced later this month.