Basketballers hold places

Press, 15 February 1989, Page 49

Basketballers hold places

Five of last year’s Canterbury women’s basketball league team retained places in the squad of 15 announced by the team’s new coach, Russell Berry, this week. Mr Berry named the squad after four intensive training sessions. This year’s side will be built round Edith Duffey, a quick-footed guard from America, and Sonya Akkerman, from Christchurch, who is in her second season at the Californian Baptist College near Los Angeles. Both players are expected in New Zealand in April, but they might miss Canterbury’s first game, which is expected to be a home encounter against Wellington.

Mr Berry put the trialists through rigorous training, but found it difficult to reduce the numbers. He has to drop three players. Di Woodhouse, Sue Bennett, Sue Bennie, Mandy Collins and Trina Whittaker retained their places but the speedy guard, Raylene Forde, was unlucky to miss selection. Rhonda Milner and Sue Garden, two impressive guards, could become automatic starters. Milner is a former Minties player who has spent two years at the Basketball Institute in Hamilton, arid Garden is a former Palmerston North and Wellington player. Brenda Jones and Connie Erb, former league players,

regained selection and Penny Tait, a former southland guard displayed sufficient confidence to displace Forde. Darlene Walker (Rangiora) and Barbara Carr (Checkers) scored frequently to earn their first league selection, while the surprise choice was Stephanie Schrool (Checkers). She worked hard in spite of her inexperience and should benefit from the wise heads around her. The Canterbury squad is.— E. Duffy (United States), S. Akkeman, S. Bennett, M. Collins, D. Woodhouse, S. Bennie, T. Whittaker, B. Jones, C. Erb, S. Garden, R. Milner, P. Tait, D. Walker, B. Carr, S. Schrool.