Canty wins after late charge

Press, 2 May 1988, Page 25

Canty wins after late charge

By

FRANK DUGGAN

The Canterbury Countrywide national men’s basketball league team should give some gate-takings to the Heart Foundation if it continues to win heart-stopping matches as it did against Ponsonby, 104-96, at Cowles Stadium on Saturday evening. As in its first home match a fortnight ago, Canterbury left its charge until the last couple of minutes, coming from behind to win. This was due in large part to its captain, Clyde Huntley, who threw up a string of successful three-pointers as if the ball had an affinity with the hoop. The American scored seven in all. He top-scored with 40 points, and his tally was the highest in the league for the week-end.

Canterbury found it difficult to get into gear in the first half and trailed, 51-58, at the interval, mainly because it was playing half-court and allowing Ponsonby to dictate the tempo. However, it was a different story at the start of the second half.

Canterbury roared out playing the style it likes, run-and-gun. After only three minutes the Rams hit the front for the first time, 61-60, and two minutes later the advantage was 68-62. Then it faltered and Ponsonby regained the lead, 74-71.

From then until 90 seconds from the end the lead fluctuated. At that point the teams were tied 96-96. Enter Huntley, centre stage, and that put paid to Ponsonby’s gallant challenge. “Clyde is a winner in any

game," said the Ponsonby coach, John Dybvig. The Canterbury coach, Gary Pettis, said, “We obviously didn’t come ready to play.” Canterbury is now unbeaten in four matches, but faces difficult weeks ahead, starting this week-end with a double-header in Auckland; then there are home games against New Plymouth and Saints (Wellington) as well as North Shore away. The “house full” sign was posted hours before the start of the game on Saturday and hundreds waited vainly in queues hoping for last-minute cancellations. The atmosphere was electric, helped by the Cashmere High School jazz band, but Canterbury certainly turned off the power in the first 15 minutes, after which it trailed by 15 points.

Having cleared its head of the dizzy music and complacency, Canterbury then began to play basketball, and at half-time the signs were that the second half was going to give the parochial Canterbury crowd something to clap their hands and stamp their feet about.

As if keeping with the tempo, Canterbury continued its charge, but Ponsonby was determined not to play second fiddle. It matched every Canterbury flurry until the Rams’ final crescendo. The match was never dull, although the standard, at times, left something to be desired. The closeness of the score was the feature and kept the 2000-plus crowd on edge, particularly in the last couple of minutes. The crowd’s sigh of relief at the

finish could probably have turned the pollution at the nearby Bromley station into mineral water. It was not one of Canterbury's better efforts. In comparison, Mr Dybvig, who was comparatively restrained, throughout, said it was one of Ponsonby’s best. Canterbury missed too many shots, particularly under the ring and just inside the circle.

This was one area of concern as well as the defensive rebounding. Games are won and lost under the boards and players need reminding that play lasts for 40 minutes, not 30 minutes, as on Saturday night. Canterbury put up 84 shots from the floor, scoring from 44 for an average of 52; in comparison, Ponsonby shot 76 times for 42 successes and a 53 per cent average.

Huntley and the evergreen Ponsonby centre-forward, Benny Anthony, were the game’s top players. Huntley relishes a challenge and he got one on Saturday night. His skill was never more evident than with one of his three-pointers late in the match. He threw up a “bomb” from the right-hand side of the court. It missed, struck the ring and Huntley followed the shot through and took the rebound. Huntley then ran outside the threepoint circle again and this time was successful from the left-hand side.

Anthony, nicknamed the "aircraft carrier” because he launches his team’s offence, scored 31 points. The tall American has been around for a long time, but retains his skills on all parts of the

court. He is deadly from just outside or inside the circle and deservedly won the man-of-the-match award. Huntley had an amazing 77 per cent shooting average, bettered only by lan Webb, with 12 points, for 100 per cent. Webb had little court time in the first half and then came to light with a series of six two-pointers in the second spell without missing. It was a good performance. Kenneth Perkins was Canterbury’s second-top scorer wiith 18 points. He missed quite a few easy lay-ups and was not very prominent in the second spell because of a bruised toe. Perkins was the top rebounder, with 11, six on offence and five on defence. John Rademakers was closely marked and was restricted to 14 points. However, when given even a semblance of a gap he found his way through. Graeme Timms, Andy Bennett and John Hill all scored six points. Timms’ lack of consistency was compensated for by six excellent defensive rebounds; Bennett was solid, as usual; while Hill has his court-time restricted because of foul troubles early on and had limited appearances for the remainder of the match.

Five Ponsonby players had shooting averages of 60 per cent or more. John Adie (8 points) averaged 80 per cent, an American, Doug Stewart (20), who is replacing the injured Ronnie Joyner, 62, a busy Paul Ogilvy (18), 61, and Anthony and Michael van Uden (6), both 60.

“I told the team before the match that they would have to fight every inch of the way

to win,” said Mr Dybvig. “In my heart I knew Canterbury would win but not before a fight. It was a good contest and well refereed (by the brothers Milligan, Keith and Robin) and enjoyable to work in.” Mr Dybvig praised his team for what he termed “real guts.” “A dropped pass here and there and a lack of positioning were costly.” The Ponsonby coach is not certain he will retain Stewart, a makeshift replacement for Joyner. “It is a week-to-week affair,” he said. Mr Dybvig is almost certain Joyner will not play again this season. “The bone is still sticking out of his finger.” He is looking for a replace-, ment from the Detroit Pistons. Mr Pettis said, "No game is easy, whether at home or away, and we can’t rely on three-pointers to win a match.” He appeared reasonably satisfied with the performance, although several areas will again come under scrutiny during this week’s training. The scores: CANTERBURY 104: . C. Huntley 40, K. Perkins 18, J. Rademakers 14, I. Webb 12, A. Bennett, J. Hill and G. Timms, all 6, B. Duggan 2. PONSONBY 96: B. Anthony 31, D. Stewart 20, P. Ogilvy 18, S. Young 9, J. Adie 8, M. van Uden 6, K. Harvey 4. Half-time: 58-51 (Ponsonby).

The referees were Messrs Keith and Robin Milligan.