BASKETBALL SELECTORS SEEK TALENT FOR BIG MATCHES

Southland Times, Issue 23538, 18 June 1938, Page 15

BASKETBALL SELECTORS SEEK TALENT FOR BIG MATCHES

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Last Saturday was an unfortunate day for basketball, for, no rain having fallen during the morning, games were started at Duke street, only to be interrupted by showers which necessitated the transfer of all matches to the Drill Hall after the first half of the first round of matches had been played. There was some misunderstanding among third grade players, as in the wet-day draw published, no third grade matches were included. However, as two third grade games were in progress when the transfer was made these had to be completed and naturally it was nepessary to play also other games set down to keep the round in order. Some third players went home, and had to be sought by frantic team captains. However, all matches were eventually played with little delay, the only unplayed game being between Makarewa and Rosedale in rthe second grade. This was played on Wednesday evening and resulted in a good game, Rosedale winning by 20 points to 19. The second grade competition is at an interesting stage, the leading teams being very even. Players should note that in future, if a transfer has to be made to the Drill Hall, after matches have been started the fine-day draw will as far as possible be adhered to. Of course, with only three courts instead of six, there will be some delay, but the procedure will be as follows:—The six games in progress will first be completed in two sets of three. While these are being played a new draw will be put up for the remaining games. All games will be cut down to 15 minutes each way and no spell will be allowed, though at the discretion of the referee or at the request of the captain of a team concerned, a short interval may be taken if the game is particularly fast.

The second meeting between the Rata and Collegiate first grade teams resulted in an interesting, though interrupted game. Collegiate attacked strongly from the first whistle, but the forwards could not break through Rata’s sound defence. The centres of both teams gave good exhibitions. The latter part of the game, played in the Drill Hall was fast ' and interesting. Rata had a two-goal lead at half-time. Collegiate later led by three goals and the final score was 15-14 in Rata’s favour.

Other interesting games were played in the second garde.. Pirates defeated Rata 2A, playing a greatly improved game. Raia’s forwards, who have been doing well in previous matches did not seem able to elude the Pirates defenders. Indeed the whole team could well have put a little more vigour into the game and played with greater determination. In the Pirates forward line G. Knuckey covered the court well and R, Calvert was reliable. J. Hillis was outstanding in the defence third. Technical and High School played a keen, fast and open game, which resulted in a draw. As these teams had already drawn in their school matches, and each was anxious to register a win, the game lacked nothing in vigour and there was no let-up in either side. E. Hargest in High School’s forward line did very good court work and M. Mabson was responsible for some good goals. The positional play of this player, however, is not good. K. Stobo, D. Hunt and A. Carlaw in the centre kept their forwards well supplied with ball, and E. Swinney was prominent in the defence. For Technical G. Maley, in the forwards, N. Bulman and C. Smith in the centre, and B. Clarkson in the defence were outstanding.

The newly-formed Clifton team came into town and played against Collegiate fourths. This club finds itself unable to affiliate this year through financial considerations, but will be given friendly games when possible against the team with a bye in the fourth grade. The players are young and inexperienced, but with their keenness they will soon improve, particularly when they participate in regular matchs next year. REPRESENTATIVE TRIALS Representative trials began this week and it is of course rather early to predict the teams. The first grade will miss L. Mehaffey and E. Neame who will be in Australia with the New Zealand team, though probably they will be able to take part in the tournament in Timaru on their return. Both are experienced players and a$ no doubt many of last year’s will still be in the team, the combination should not suffer much through their 'absence from practices. Among the 18 players selected for trials new names are E. Smith (Collegiate), R. Henderson (Rata) and N. McCormick (St. Mary’s). All have played good basketball this season. E. Crowe, M. Kennedy and D. Baird have been in previous trials and it is pleasing to see the names of two of last year s

DEFENCE

second grade representatives R. Tinker and L. Barrett included. The omission of D. Swift, a former Otago representative, is perhaps surprising.. Though this player is not always sound in her defensive work, her positional play is good. She may probably be given a trial later.

The second grade selectors have found difficulty in finding really outstanding players. In many of the leading teams, success is the result of good team work, which is, of course, what makes for the best basketball. A case in point is Makarewa. The team work is good but there is no brilliant player. H. MacDougall in the forward line is quick and active, shoots some good goals, but is inclined to play a selfish game. D. Mortimer in- the centre handles well, uses her head in passing and plays a sound game. The 27 players selected for the first trials do not comprise an exhaustive list and several others will also be tried out. The selectors hope to reduce the number early to 18 to have further training before the final selection is made. In the meantime they impress on all the necessity of absolute physical fitness. The following players are required for a practice on court 6 at 3.15 p.m. today:—J. Springford, M. Strang, L. Congreve, G. Maley, B. Robb, M. Gregory; M. McFarlane, C. Smith, N. Bulman, M. Cook, K. Stobo, D. Hunt, C. Adamson, B. Clarkson, E. Swinney, P. Fanning, N. Johnston, V. McKenzie and J. Miller. OTAGO v. SOUTHLAND Otago has suggested July 23 or July 30 as the dates for the annual fixtures in the first and second grades, which will be played at Invercargill this year. Neither of these dates suits the Southland Association, which has therefore suggested July 16 or failing that, a date later in August. July 30 is the day of the Southland v. Otago Rugby match, and it will be quite impossible to stage any other sports fixture then. There are several representative matches in August, too, with which it would not be wise to clash. Referees’ theoretical examination will be held on Saturday, July 2 at 10 a.m., at 390 Dee street.

BASKETBALL SINCE 1925

(Continued from last week)

In 1927 Pirates, Makarewa and St. Peter’s were granted affiliation and the competition was divided into three grades—senior, intermediate and junior, there being seven senior teams, 10 intermediate and five junior. In this year the New Zealand tournament was played in Wellington, and Southland beat Otago in Dunedin in a game played in the Drill Hall by 38 to 35. During the year also, matches were played on the Southend tennis courts as well as on various school courts.

In 1928, with the coming of the Saturday half-holiday, matches were played on both Saturdays and Wednesdays. In this year too, the secondary schools, with the exception of High School withdrew from the association. Three new clubs were affiliated, Central Methodist, Rosedale and Progressive. A considerable amount of publicity was given to the game in this year by a Mayfair tournament played in the post office square. A Southland representative team took part in the New Zealand tournament but failed to give a good account of itself and the same team was decisively beaten by Otago in the match for the Southland cup, presented that year by Mr B. C. Galloway for annual competition between Southland and Otago first grade teams. The outstanding event in 1929 was the opening of the new courts in Duke street. By agreement with the Waihopai Sports’ Association, the Southland Basketball Association put down three courts, afi’d obtained the use of the tennis court area during the basketball season for another three courts. The new courts were officially opened on July 10 and thereafter all matches were played at Duke street. Before the season ended electric lights were installed on one of these courts. New clubs affiliating were St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s.

The representative team played in Christchurch this year and showed greatly improved form, gaining third place, there being eight teams competing. In this year also, a second grade representative team was also trained. It lost narrowly to Otago, and beat Central, Eastern, Wakatipu and Arrowtown, the latter two matches being played at Queenstown. In 1930 the Central and Eastern district sub-associations became affiliated to the Southland association. A new club Haynco played in the weekly competitions in which there were 29 teams comprising eight Wednesday seniors, 10 Wednesday intermediates, six Saturday seniors and five Saturday intermediates. The Southland representative team gave a good account of itself in Hastings, winning the play-off with Otago for third place, though it had previously been beaten by Otago in the match for the Southland Cup. This team lost to the champion team, Auckland, by the narrow margin of one goal. In this year an intermediate tournament was held in Invercargill, teams from Eastern, Central, Queenstown and Town representatives competing. A Referees’ Association was formed in June 23, 1930, Mr A. Kinross being the first president