BASKETBALL

Southland Times, Issue 22074, 22 July 1933, Page 10

BASKETBALL

(By

“Defence”)

To-day it will be interesting to see whether High School can hold their own with Collegiate. The centres are evenly matched, but Collegiate defenders E. Small and J. Hunter may prove too strong for the School forwards. Makarewa should have no difficultly in accounting for Rata, but Bluff and Kiwi are erratic and it would be unwise to predict which ‘Red’ will win. In the second grade on their improved showing, Makarewa could defeat Collegiate. Much depends on R. Butson who so often is not available. The team seems to gain confidence and are more likely to win when she is in the forward line. Pirates and St. Mary’s is the draw for this grade. This should be a good fast game since St. Mary’s have steadily improved since the beginning of the season. In the third grade Makarewa v. Wallacetown and McKenzies v. Kennington should both be full of interest.

The competition arranged by M. Wright (Collegiate) has been won by W. McKinnon who will receive his prize if he rings 1283. All second grade representive costumes have not yet been handed in. Will anyone who still has one please hand it in at the courts to-day. A mistake was made in adding the Royds’ Shield points last week. Both Makarewa and Collegiate added fourpoints last week but prior to that Collegiate had a four point lead which up to to-day at least they therefore retain. Mrs R. S. Mclnnes and Miss E. B. Pay will represent Southland at the annual meeting of the N. Z. Association. Miss E. B. Pay has been nominated as referee from this association. Finance.

The following additional amounts have been received during the week:McKenzies (F. Murch and H. Proctor) 6/9; Rata (R. Harrington) 16/1, M. Shand 4/-; Collegiate (M. Wright) £1; Makarewa (L. Sheffebein and M. Clark) £1 10s. Still not returned are these cards: —Kiwi 2,3,6,8; Rata 21; St Mary’s 28,30,31,33,35,36; St Peter’s 49,56,60; Collegiate 62,65,67,71; Makarewa 93,96, 99; Bluff 106; McKenzie’s 37,38,42,47. The Association could manage with £l5O and of this amount £lOO is now in sight. Therefore basketbailers you must work all together in the last two efforts that we may make up the remainder of the money. The picture benefit is on Thursday so do encourage all your friends who are going to the pictures that week to get tickets from you. St Mary’s and Pirates are doing well as both clubs have already applied for more tickets which is a good sign. Tickets may be obtained from Mrs. Keast and Miss Hallamore to whom all money and unsold tickets are to be returned. Representative Tournament. The final evening tournament for this season is being held on Wednesday, August 2 and as the total proceeds will go towards the travelling expenses of both first and second grade representative teams, we want a very big entry. It is practically the end of the season for basketball also, so everyone should come along. These tournaments are full _of surprises and being handicap it is very seldom that our best teams win. There is a chance for everyone. Entries close on July 25 with the secretary. Representative Teams. Mrs. E. Mortimer (selector Second Grade) has chosen the following team to represent Town against Central on Saturday July 29. If anyone cannot manage to get leave for an hour that afternoon will they let me know at once:—R. Butson (Collegiate), J. Tyrell (St Peter’s), M. McGrath (St Mary’s), R. Lainchbury (Kiwi), A. Crawford (Rata), M. Stapleton (St Mary’s), B. Matheson (Collegiate), W. Clark (Kiwi), E. Winsloe (Pirates). Emergency C. Atkinson (Makarewa). The following team has been selected by Miss E. B. Pay to represent Southland against Otago in Dunedin on August 19, and at the New Zealand Tournament in Gisborne:—

Forwards:—l. Glennie (Makarewa), P. Calder (Bluff), M. Wright (Collegiate). Centres:—E. Shepherd (Collegiate), T, Glennie (Makarewa), F. Hinchey (High School). Defenders:—J. Kelly (High School). J. Hunter (Collegiate), M. Shand (Rata, Captain). Emergency:—N. Basstian (Rata).

The Executive being an optimistic body at its last meeting decided that with most of the money in sight, it would take the risk and allow the first grade team to travel. The New Zealand Association has been advised of the decision. As the journey is very exhausting it was also decided to ask Mrs Bain Challis to accompany the team as manager. All last year’s representatives will remember how invaluable .was the assistance given by Mrs Challis to all players and the Executive felt that the team would stand up to the strain of the tournament much better if they were under her care. For the programme and for billeting the Poverty Bay Association requires names and particulars as soon as possible. Those who helped here last season will know how difficult it is to make arrangements if information is received at only the last minute. Therefore will all those whose names are published please notify Miss Pay this week whether they can travel and if so whether they require to be billeted. If you possibly can of course arrange your own accommodation. It relieves Poverty Bay to some extent and may make it simpler for yourselves. The executive wishes to have all information sent to Poverty Bay by next week-end. The second grade team will play Central District on Saturday, July 29, at 2.30 p.m. Central is bringing in two teams and the second one will have a game against Pirates, the leading team in the second grade competition. All second grade matches will therefore be postponed on that date. It was Eastern that wrote saying it could not field a team on a Saturday and this association has now been asked if Wednesday, August 2, will be a suitable date for them. Will any of Southland’s teams not available for that date please let the selector know at once. “Shoot,” writing in Wednesday’s issue suggests the following teams:— A side—l Egerton, K. Crowe, N. Norman; K. Boyle, E. Norman, N. Wilson; M. Collett, H. Clark, J. Cowie. B side—T. Valli, D. Munro, F. Irwin; M. Forbes, B. Andrews, A. Holland; E. Pierce, D. Hagerty, Mrs Forde. These names are in Central District basketball notes (A team) to-day. This is practically the same combination which defeated us handsomely last year and yet we should win. None of these teams can beat our teams in competition and yet pick out rep players and we are lost. Remainder of the Season.

It is proposed to close the season on August 12, although if there is a wet Saturday in the next few weeks, it may be necessary to carry on for a further week or two. All matches except first grade and possibly second will be postponed on August 5. It is necessary to play the first grade to get finished before the team' travels. However the teams may make arrangements to play at a time suitable to themselves, or if they prefer may default The second grade will complete its second round. The third grade will be divided into two sections with the first four and the second four each playing a half round. The difficulty at the present moment is whether to place Wallacetown or Collegiate in the top half. The draw will

b- published during the week. Fourth and fifth grades finish their first round to-day, and a further one will not be commenced. Instead a couple of handicap tournaments for fourth and fifth grade players will be arranged. The first will be at Waianiwa on July 29. This is to help popularize the game in the district. Will you please let us know today whether your team will go and do go if you can—especially the good teams in these two grades? Another is set down for August 12 at either Wallacetown or Kennington whichever would like it. If neither club desires such a tournament, it will be held here in town under the same conditions. As soon as the season closes the courts will ■be topdressed in readiness for the tennis club. The annual dinner for the presentation of trophies will be held as soon as the representative team returns. For Referees. The Referees’ Association is gradually increasing its personnel and with young and inexperienced referees. This is a very healthy sign indeed and assures a supply for the future. Now no referee wants always to have fourth and fifth grade matches, although these are really the most difficult to handle, and yet when the committee decides to promote a referee to the big matches, he so seldom controls them. The New Zealand Examination Committee for referees is resident in Invercargill and it would be a step in the right direction to have examinations for these referees. At the same time it would be helpful if referees from the sub-associations also sat for examination. You would learn then if your talents lie in that direction and where you could improve. In the first place new referees should make it their business to be at the Referees’ Meetings. Each week the same referees attend, almost all seniors who know everything a player can and will do and who are prepared for almost any peculiarity. If you are really interested in refereeing and wish to be successful you will come and ask questions. To begin with get a decent whistle—one that has an arresting sound and then practice using it. The correct way is to hold it in your mouth during the whole play. If you don’t, very often in a fast game, you are too late to pull up for an infringement. Having learned to use your whistle, so that the players recognize it, learn to use your voice. It is for you to say ‘“throw in Blue,” “unguarded to Black,” “Red’s ball” etc., but you want everyone to hear you. All the junior referees are most meek and from the sideline I cannot tell what they Want and imagine the players find it difficult. If you can’t use your whistle and your voice the players will have no confidence in you and your control of the game is negligible. The next point is to use your eyes. You have to learn to keep your eye on the ball all the time; at the same time you must watch the feet and hands of the players. You must look out for over guarding and blocking for running with the ball, must be able to tell who is to take a throw in and whether when two players appear to have the hall whether one hadn’t a prior right or whether it is a tie ball. Then you must use your feet. You must keep up with the play. How do you know whether a forward is on the line or not if you are in the centre third? You certainly will never detect questionable tactics unless you are where the ball is. Lastly you must train your mind. You never know, especially when the game is swift and between evenly matched teams, what peculiarity may arise and you must be ready to give a decision accurately and promptly. Once given, however wrongly, you cannot change; therefore be in a position where you won’t make mistakes; be trained. With an alert mind you will not be trapped into unconsciously favouring one side more than another and you will know instinctively when it is a case for the advantage rule. Thus you will understand that being a referee does not just mean that one says casually, “Oh I don’t mind if I do,” when one is asked to help in that capacity, nor does it mean only buying a whistle and a book of rules, although both these are essentials. I did not say anything about the Rule Book, as you would know that a copy is essential. Also every referee should always have his copy with him. However well you decide you know all the rules, you cannot be sure that something won’t happen sometime that you won’t be able to answer. I have heard every discussion on Playing Rules since the New Zealand Association was formed and helped with the compiling of some of the earlier editions and yet there are occasions when I have to say “I am not sure.” I sup■wse the greatest authority on rulings :n the Dominion is Miss M. E. Armstrong, President of the Wellington Association. She has refereed at all New Zealand tournaments except at Auckland and at Invercargill and she would have been chosen here, had her nomination not arrived too late. She was one of the first referees to be examined in New Zealand and did an excellent paper; but she always has her Rule Book tucked away in her blazer pocket.