Canty plays its best basketball

Press, 30 May 1983, Page 3

Canty plays its best basketball

Special correspondent 3ZM Canterbury turned aside earlier disappointments to play its best basketball in the' Countrywide national basketball league in Wellington yesterday. It beat Porirua, 83-76, and now has a fighting chance of capturing major honours in the competition.

Porirua had beaten Exchequer Saints, 99-98, on Saturday and was expected to provide Canterbury with tough opposition.. It led, 3430, after 15min, but Canterbury gained command after sparkling combination by the guards, Clyde Huntley and John Rademakers, to lead at half-time, 48-44. Canterbury led 63-55 after

28min through great rebounding by John Hill and also by Huntley, who stole, passed and shot well after a relatively quiet first spell. Porirua was still a danger with its outside shooting and trailed by just one point Bmin from full-time. Canterbury took control of the boards over the latter stages; its defensive pressure was of a high standard and it proved too much for the home side. Gilbert Gordon was named “player of the match” for his 22 points in joint top-scoring with Huntley and the way in which he effected a great deal of pressure on Porirua’s star player, James Lofton. Scores: 3ZM Canterbury 83 (Huntley, Gordon 22, Ra-

demakers 12), Porirua 76 (Lofton 27, M. Roche 19, C. Rogers 17. Half-time, 48-44. Canterbury had double success when its women’s team beat Porirua, 63-59, after smin of extra time in the national women’s league, southern section. The scores were locked at 52-all after regulation time but, in the extra period, Canterbury focused on getting the ball to players under the basket to score vital points. Outstanding for Canterbury, which now has four wins from four games to lead the league, were Adrianna Beukenholdt, Sue Bennett, Di Woodhouse and Angela Pule. On Saturday, Canterbury easily beat Palmerston North, 68-38.