Kiwis lose basketball

Press, 5 September 1987, Page 88

Kiwis lose basketball

By

FRANK DUGGAN

Australia comprehensively defeated New Zealand, 115-59, in the final match of the Oceania men’s basketball series at Cowles Stadium last evening to gain qualification for the Olympic Games in Korea next year. It was something of a rout, in complete contrast when the teams first met on Tuesday when there was little between them. Last evening Australia played positive basketball; New Zealand was always tentative.

Its shooting could be compared to a third grade team while the Australians very rarely missed a shot. Australia played a full court game whereas New Zealand relied heavily on half court and invariably threw away possession, mainly because of frustration. Australia had been simmering for four days after its close call on Tuesday and came out firing to show New Zealand what the game is all

about. However, New Zealand has a lot to answer for. Its defence was virtually nonexistent and the guards failed to penetrate and get passes to the forwards. The forwards did not allow themselves to be free of their opponents in work outside the keyhole. However, the visitors had a free “home.” For Australia it was one of its most pleasing efforts in recent years. It played really international basketball and an almost capacity crowd appreciated it. Australia used its bench to perfection. Rarely was a player on for longer than seven minutes but in this time each one stamped his mark on the game. Andrew Gaze, something like a Whispering Ghost, again top scored with 29 points. He was followed by Mark Bradtke, with 17, and the former American, Cal Bruton, with 14. In contrast the New

Zealanders never looked happy. They started badly and always struggled. Occasional flashes of brilliance were marred by periods of ineptitude, mainly through bad passing and poor positioning. Peter Pokai top scored with 12 while Glen Denham and Neil Stephens got 11 points each. Australia led, 54-22, at half time, and 85-41, going in to the last 10 minutes. scorers:—Australia 115: A. Gaze 29, M. Bradtke 17, C. Bruton 14, R. Borner 12, L. Sengstock 9, D. Pearce 8, A. Vlahav 7, W. Carroll and P. Kuiper both 6, D. Keegh 4, P. Smyth 3. New Zealand 59: P. Pokai 12, G. Denham and N. Stephens both 11, T. Smith and W. Meehl both 5, G. Gordon and B. Vaetoe both 4, F. Mulvihill 3, D. Edmonds and I. Webb both 2. Canterbury has been invited to take part in a 14 team Australian tournament next February. The invitations have been extended to both Canterbury and Saints (Wellington) who were finalists in this

year’s national league competition. The trip for both teams is an all expenses paid one and both teams will take part in a qualifying series in Sydney. Six Australians were named in an All Star Oceania team after the final game. They were Cal Bruton, Phil Smyth, Larry Sengstock, Wayne Carroll (best guard), Andrew Gaze (best forward) and Ray Borner. Several Kiwis were also included. They were Tony Smith, Neil Stephens and Gilbert Gordon. The New Zealand Emerging players had little difficulty in defeating French Polynesia, 9059, in the early match. It was a mere formality. Scorers. - — New Zealand 90 (N. Pearce 17, C. Pollard 13, T. Ngatia 12, J. Wickham 10, J. Stother 11, J. Adie 9, T. Fraser and J. McConnell both 8, M. Godinet 2) beat French Polynesia 59 (S. Maitiere 15, J. Tehei 11, C. Tauraa 10, P. Villant 7, E. Johnston 6, T. Meraulnt and T. Tuheiava both 4.)