BASKETBALL.

Southland Times, Issue 20172, 7 May 1927, Page 19 (Supplement)

BASKETBALL.

(By

“Defence.”

Wednesday, April 27, saw the opening of the basket ball season. Competition in all grades was keen, and some very good matches were played. An excellent display of the game was given in the Bluff v. High School match. Bluff passed well, keeping the ball in the air. This team has lost all element of roughness in its play. Bluff played one short in the centre third, which is a mistake; it gives so much extra work to the third which at any time has the most play. The players in the Bluff defence third deserve special credit. In the first half, especially, they kept the Squire sisters engaged, so that the score was only 12-9 in favour of High School. Keep on Bluff, there is no saying what you will accomplish. Rose Hinchey (High School) did not play up to her usual form in the centre. She is batting the ball too frequently.

In the Rata v. St. John’s match, Rata gained an unexpected win due partly to Stella Murdoch, the chief shoot, and partly to the weak jumping centre St. John’s has this year. St. John’s is feeling the loss of Mary Webb, who combined last year so well with Marion Royds. The shoots in this team waste too much time in passing under the goal post, instead of aiming at the goal. The full-sized court rather upset both teams, but it is good practice especially in view of the coming New Zealand Tournament in Wellington.

Pirates are a new club and do not appear to be familiar with a basket ball court. They throw too slowly, with no force

behind the ball, and forget that one of the first rules of the game is not to run with the ball.

Collegiate team has not altered in personnel, and should take a higher place this year if the members will only lose that habit of overguarding which ruins a good game.

Makarewa is also a new club, composed, I believe, chiefly of girls who were in the school team last year. They have begun well, and should hold their own in the Intermediate Grade.

The Kiwi v. Pirates game proved that Kiwi has much improved since last year, or that the Pirate team is very poor. The latter team has very few girls who have played before, but with practice in matches will probably be heard of later in the season.

Collegiate did well in its Junior match, and one wonders whether this team should not have been graded Intermediate.

St. John’s School have, I believe, quite a good Junior team for this season, although the girls are very young.

The High School Senior team looked incomplete without Claire Camm, who was not able to play last week. It is hoped that she will soon be back in her usual place.

It is regrettable that Miss White has found it necessary to discontinue refereeing in the meantime, because of ill-health. The question of referees seems to be as acute as ever this season, and I think it will be necessary to bring forward a rule compelling each club to provide a referee. There are twenty-seven teams in the competition and six referees. Some of you are keen—all of you should be—interest some more referees please. In August a representative team is to go from Invercargill to Wellington to take part in the annual tournament. Quite a large sum of money is needed to make the trip possible. Is each girl doing her bit to put Southland on the map as far as basket ball is concerned? When matches are postponed a notice is put up on Mr Doig’s notice board. Only ring 1283 when the need is urgent. Have you any suggestions for a representative costume for Southland basketballers ? Let me have them please. Owing to the disagreeable weather conditions, only one match was played on Wednesday. This was an Intermediate match, Kiwi v. St. Peter’s Bible Class, the former winning 12-11.