Basketball Title to Aranui women

Press, 27 June 1983, Page 22

Basketball Title to Aranui women

The Big Softie Aranui women’s basketball team won its first senior title when it soundly beat last year’s champion, Admiral Lodge Checkers, 68-47, in the Cooper Henderson division one championship at the Pioneer Stadium on Saturday. A new trophy for this part of’ the competition is being sought Mairehau finished the preliminary competition in third place, pulling away from a determined Haiswell side to win, 61-44, while University outshot Continental Caterers, Rangiora, 46-36. A third and final round of games will be played with the league players available, the winner taking the Canterbury championship. Final points were— Aranui 16, Checkers 14, Mairehau 12, Rangiora, Haiswell and University 6. Big Softie Aranui 68, Admiral Lodge Checkers 47. Aranui inflicted yet another defeat on the hapless Checkers side, its second successive loss. Aranui put together a splendid team combination, especially in the second spell, nullifying Checkers attateks with a very tight zone which used its height to good advantage. Repeatedly Aranui mopped up the rebounds and turned the ready won possession into valuable points.

Adrianne Beukenholdt, usually a sharpshooter, was content to play as a mid-court link. Di Martin was involved in all aspects of play, particularly on the fast break, while Ann McMullan picked up a valuable 19 points from good rebounding and accurate freethrow shooting. Aranui relaxed a little to allow Checkers to edge ahead, 34-29, by half-time, but Aranui stormed away in the second spell with decisive play and accurate shooting. It also restricted Checkers to 13 points in this period. Chris Heremaia gave an improved performance for Checkers. It lost its key players, Beth McLeod and league team member Di Woodhouse, in the tenth minute with five fouls apiece. Checkers players were later critical of the Pioneer facilities with its crooked, lifeless rings and slippery floor. Scorers were: Mairehau: A. McMullan 19, Di Martin 14, J. Ritchie 8, T. Beukenholdt 8, B. Atchison 7, L. Richardson 5, P. Winchester 5, A. Beukenholdt 2. Checkers: C. Heremaia 10, P. gilbert 10, B. McLeod 8, S. Constable 7, J. Cook 6, D. Woodhouse 6. Mairehau 61, Haiswell 44 Haiswell played steady, controlled basketbafl, setting up play methodically and scoring

with precision against a slack Mairehau defence. Mairehau had the services of league players, Patsy Barry and Deobie Galloway. Mary Fastier also played her first game for several weeks but it took some time for the team to settle down. Donna Broughton rebounded strongly and dominated the play while Isobel Lee did an excellent job marking the Haiswell sharp shooter, Linda Scott Margo Cuttance worked relentlessly, as usual. Mairehau was ahead, 30-26, at the break and quickly stretched this lead with Broughton sending Kim Smith on fast-breaking attacks. Baisweil’s Viv Howard and Marinda Van Vugt worked hard all around the court. Howard was always lively in her play while Lyn Murdoch made good use of the ball in the second spelL Kathy siave was another reliable Haiswell player. Scorers: Mairehau; Kim Smith 18, D. Broughton 12, Karen Smith 8, M. Cuttance 4, M. Fastier 4. P. Barry 4, J. Lamont 4, D. Galloway 3, L Lee 2, H. Steele 2. Haiswell V. Howard 15, L. Murdoch 11. K Siave 8, M. Van Vugt 4, L. Scott 4, T. Harrington 2. University 46 Continental Caterers Rangiora 36.

The League players, Megan Stokes and Sue Bennie, helped give University a vital edge over Rangiora’ in a sluggish, but evently-contested match. Cassidy, after seven years with Mairehau, used her height and speed to advantage for University and was ably supported by the lively pair of Julie burrows and Carol Lightfoot. Rangiora was forced to work hard for every point. Mary-Jane Ives rebounded on the defensive boards strongly and set up play well However. University kept a tight reign on Sandra Blackadder and Yvonne Kerr. University lead 16-14 at halftime and withstood several strong challenges from Rangiora in the second spell. Scorers: University 46, J. Burrow 12, C. Lightfoot 11, M. Cassidy 9, S. Bennie 4. W. Bieri 4, M. Bain 2. B. Carr 2. Rangiora: S. Blackadder 9. Y. Kerr 8, M. J. Ives 8. P. Rollinson 6, J. Harris 3, M. Wright 2. Leading individual scorers in the competition to date are: Y. Kerr (Rangiora) 161, K. Smith (Mairehau) 148, C. Heremaia (Checkers) 116, V. Howard (Haiswell) 113, T. Beukenholdt (Aranui) 109, S. Blackadder (Rangiora) 103, C. Lightfoot (University) 103, J. Cook (Mairehau) 100.’