SOUTHLAND IS TO PLAY OTAGO AT BASKETBALL TODAY

Southland Times, Issue 23586, 13 August 1938, Page 15

SOUTHLAND IS TO PLAY OTAGO AT BASKETBALL TODAY

By

DEFENCE

Today Otago and Southland will play representative games at Invercargill in both first and second grade. If the weather is fine the matches will be played at Duke street and if wet in the Drill Hall, the second grade at 2 p.m. and the senior at 3 p.m. Southland’s first-grade team will be: DEFENDERS: J. Kelly, B. Ingram, E. Crowe.

CENTRES: E. Shepherd, V. Fraser, M. Stapleton. FORWARDS: M. McGrath, R. Henderson, L. Tinker. EMERGENCIES: L. Barrett, D. Swift, E. Smith.

The following notes on the players are supplied by the coach, Mr A. Kinross.

JOYCE KELLY, captain, a steady player who can be depended on to play a good game; keeps very cool and always quick to take advantage of her opponent’s mistakes; a good, sound and reliable defender; has been a representative for a number of years and specializes in interception. BETTY INGRAM, a keen, active player, who seems to be always on her game; can be relied upon to do her best at all times; good at making openings and taking advantage of every opportunity; a quick active player with good concentration.

EDNA CROWE, a keen player and a hard worker; lacks a little in anticipation but makes up for it in energy; is representing Southland for the first time and will no doubt improve with more experience.

LEONIE BARRETT, a quick, active, versatile player; a little light for a defender but uses her head well; has plenty of pace and excellent anticipation; was a second grade representative last year and now receiving tournament honours for the first time; should go far with increased experience.

ESME SHEPHERD has been a representative player for some years and is still as versatile as ever; covers the court at great speed, good at making openings, has an excellent knowledge of the game and makes an excellent side centre; makes a reliable link with the defence and provides plenty of openings for attack. MOLLY STAPLETON is a good hard-working player, active and full of energy; supports the other centre players well and is quick to take advantage of any openings offering. DAPHNE SWIFT, previously in Otago representatives and has had previous tournament experience; a vigorous player who connects well with the defence; has an excellent knowledge of position.

MOIRA McGRATH, a reliable forward who can be depended on to play a good solid game; has a good knowledge of court work but lacks a little in speed; a keen player and an accurate shot. RUTH HENDERSON is a new representative player with plenty of speed and a good head; will improve with more experience; a fairly accurate shot and a good worker. LINDA TINKER, a new first grade representative who shows promise; must learn to use her head and study methods of attack; active and speedy on the court and can shoot with reasonable accuracy. SECOND GRADE TEAM

The Central District representatives were too much for .the Town second grade team. There were, however, some good passing movements and several players showed up to good advantage. In the B team A. McDonald and

T. Pennington were outstanding and both gained places in the team for today’s match against Otago. I. Cook in the centre also played, an attractive game. R. Horsborough in Central’s defence third is a player of whom more should be heard. The Town representative side had some good material which has not yet been welded into a team. There was a lack of cohesion between defenders and centres, and many times defenders in possession of the ball found no clear centre to whom to pass. V. Mortimer was slow to move, and M. McFarlane indulged in some wild passes. H. McDougall had a day off; this player being capable of producing much better form and more speed. G. Maley found it hard to elude her defender. M. Gregory, who played an attractive game, was often forced to take long shots at goal, through lack of support. In the centre J. Swale worked hard and K. Stobo, who changed places with V. Mortimer in the second half, was always active and reliable. The defence line performed very creditably, though it seemed unable to intercept Central’s long passes from the centre. The short passing game is much more attractive particularly from the spectators’ point of view, but as long as Central continues to win by the long pass, it is unlikely to change its method of play. Of a very good team the following Central players were noticeable.—P. Hammond, a remarkably accurate forward, who shoots effortlessly; T. Valli in the centre and J. Nicholson in the defence third.

Players found the heat trying particularly as the game was played at a fast pace. Today’s team against Otago will be: FORWARDS: M. Gregory, G. Maley, A. McDougall. CENTRES: J. Swale, K. Stobo, A. McDonald.

DEFENDERS: E. Ingram, T. Pennington, P. Boyce. EMERGENCIES: M. Strang, V. Mortimer, C. Adamson. WEEKLY COMPETITIONS

The table of points printed last week showed that first, second and fourth grade competition winners are decided and that the third grade is still in doubt. In the first grade Rata is leading with 25 points, Collegiate being runnerup with 21. Makarewa has established a good lead in the second grade. McKenzies and Technical at present tie for second place, this being a very creditable performance for both teams as McKenzies was promoted from third grade and Technical is playing its first season.

Exhibition has a lead of two points on H. and J’s in the third grade, but has played one more game. Bluff is in third position two points behind H. and J.’s. In the fourth grade Makarewa has a good lead and is an undefeated team.