Canty disappoints in uneven display

Press, 26 June 1989, Page 21

Canty disappoints in uneven display

By FRANK DUGGAN The Canterbury Countrywide national men’s basketball league team slipped further away from a finals spot in Auckland when it lost its first home game of the season against New Plymouth, 98-97, at Cowles Stadium on Saturday evening. Canterbury was disappointing, which was putting it mildly. It never really came to terms with an opponent which, after a bad start to the season because of personnel problems, has improved greatly in recent weeks. Only occasionally did Canterbury settle into a pattern that had brought it a great deal of success until the last eight days. It was like a motor car with water in the petrol as it hiccupped its way through two periods that promised much but failed to eventuate. No Canterbury player was without fault, with the probably exception of the Americans, Kenny Perkins and Clyde Huntley. But even they surpris-

ingly turned the ball over when least expected.

Sometimes the team gave the impression that it had lost its way and as New Plymouth grew in strength and confidence Canterbury became more uncertain.

Canterbury’s display was a far cry from two weeks earlier when it spectacularly came back from 27 points behind against Saints (Wellington) and time and again in the second half rammed home nails in the champion’s coffin.

The reverse was often the case on Saturday night. After a confident start from the Rams, the score was level, 18-18, after eight minutes. New Plymouth led briefly and the score line changed several times in l the next seven minutes before New Plymouth went ahead, 4236, with three minutes left.

Canterbury closed the gap to 51-50 at the interval and came out in the second half with its throt-

tle wide open. After two minutes Canterbury went ahead 61-56, then 66-60 and in the sixth minute was in front 71-67.

It was at this point Canterbury lost its momentum and seemed upset by the physical nature of some of the New Plymouth forwards. Tempers became frayed as both sides sought an advantage. With very little local vocal support, Canterbury began to lose its way in the midcourt and at the offence end. Alarmingly, Canterbury showed growing lack of interest in taking the ball to the big New Plymouth forwards inside the circle.

While all this was going on New Plymouth had clawed its way back to 7575 at the end of nine minutes and the score was again tied, 77-77, starting the final quarter. Something had to give and in the next four minutes it appeared as if Canterbury had got back on the right track when leading 89-85 with five minutes remain-

ing. But it was New Plymouth which had the greater resolve and purpose in the period where it all counts. With four minutes left and Canterbury leading 91-90, it faltered once more and for good. New Plymouth had taken the lead at 94-91 with two minutes to go; then it was 96-91 to the visitors, 98-91, and closed down to 98-94 with a Perkins threepointer.

The last few seconds saw Canterbury desperately attempting to set up a winning three-pointer. New Plymouth grimly held out and deprived Canterbury of possession. The three-quarter packed house did not wait round for obituaries and neither did the Canterbury players. The grim faces told the story and what lies ahead after its second loss in a row.

Canterbury is now placed equal fourth in the run to the championship and it will need a repeat

of some of its highest standards to make the finals.

Again Perkins won the man-of-the-match award and thoroughly deserved it. Canterbury seemed to pick itself up a notch when he was on court and his 31 points showed his consistency at shot, more than can be said for some of the others. Perkins put up 19 shots from the floor and made 14. Altogether Canterbury shot 57 times from the floor and converted 31. In comparison New Plymouth had 66 shots and scored 38 goals.

John Rademakers had one of his better games and included four threepointers in his 16 points. Glen Denham was not as prominent as usual and had several periods of inactivity. He still managed 21 points, while the captain, Huntley, scored 11. He ran his heart out trying to inject urgency into his Canterbury team, but his example often fell on deaf ears. Richard Morton stood

out for New Plymouth with his positive shooting and good anticipation for picking up the rebound. He top scored with 30 points and his fellow American, Roy Jones, who looks as if he would be better suited in a boxing ring, got 25. Richard L’Ami (19) and the captain, Ralph Adams (16), added depth to one of the best groups of forwards seen in Christchurch for some time. Result:

New Plymouth 98 (Richard Morton 30, Roy Jones 25, Richard L’Ami 19, Ralph Adams 16, John Modlik and John Carr, both 2).

Canterbury 96 (Kenny Perkins 31, Glen Denham 21, John Rademakers 16, Clyde Huntley 11, Andy Bennett 6, John Hill 5, Graham Timms 4, lan Webb 2). Half-time: 51-50 (New Plymouth).

The referees were Messrs Robin Milligan (Christchurch) and Ken Coulson (Kaipara).