WANGANUI BASKETBALL

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 May 1948, Page 9

WANGANUI BASKETBALL

NOTES ON PLAY AND PLAYERS

Mentioned in these notes last week, was the expectations of a brilliant game between Kai Iwi and Waverley. The writer predicted a win for Kai Iwi by a narrow margin, and such was the result, Kai Iwi winning by 9 goals to 3. The game was played at an exceptionally fast pace for this grade and was an excellent exhibition of hard, fast and clean basketball. Time and time again, the brilliant defensive play by both teams broke down the attacking movements of each team in succession and caused an immediate reversal of play. Both teams conbined splendidly, but the spectacular play of the defence players of both teams by repeatedly intercepting passes, caused the breaking down of some brilliant forward play. This is quite clearly demonstrated by Waverley’s score of three goals, and the Waverley forwards are by no means slow. They are not quite up to the standard of the Kai Iwi forwards, but the difference is trifling. There is also very little difference between the centres of both teams, but there is a difference in the defence. Kai Iwi has the services of that brilliant player M. Hakaraia in the defence, and in this writer’s opinion, she is equal to anyone in Wanganui. She has the build, speed and anticipation that is required of a defence player, and she can certainly handle and pass a ball. P. Long and M. Rio are the pick of the centres and E. Abraham, D. Seager and M. Goldsbury make a strong forward line. Waverley on the other hand, is a new team and is very evenly balanced, and if kept (together will be hard to defeat later on in the season. In E. Neho, of the forwards, Waverley has a coming rep. player. If anything, she just overshadows her two partners.

E. Wah, captain of Waverley, plays a consistently good game and receives splendid support in the centre. It would be unfair to try and separate the defence as they are on a par with each other and are welding into a strong trio.

The game was refereed by Miss J. Lowe, one of the keenest referees the association has, and herself an exrepresentative player of the Third and junior reps. The close result of the gam.e should be most encouraging to the Waverley players and their coach hnd although defeated are by no means disgraced, their performance is excellent for so new a team. Waverley, at the start of the season, defeated last year’s unbeaten champions. Garments B, by 11 goals to 10 and were lucky to draw with junior Labour League, 11 all, but since then they have come along nicely. Their senior team is setting all teams in the senior B grade a big task.

This team is captained by that splendid player M. Booker exWhenuakura team, and she is a tower of strength to the side.

P. Long (Kai Iwi) has greatly improved this season. The same replies to D. Ives (P. and T.) and M. Shannon (Kai Iwi). V. Matson (J.L.L.) plays better as a forward than defence.

O. Platt, S. Worrell, M. McCashen, M. Platt and D. Bosher, B. Hughes are all centres of prominence this season.

The senior selector and senior B selector must be having a hard task in picking defence players as they are not too plentiful this season. Nga Toa started the season off looking for players, now it has more than it knows what to do with. The writer does not believe in changing a team every Saturday, as it tends to leave the game to chance. At the same time, it is not very pleasant for a girl to stand down for three or four Saturdays on end. Of last year’s representative team, only two forwards remain, namely L. Breed and B. Whiting. Indications point to the selector having to look to the Senior B grade to build up the ranks. There are a number of good forwards in this grade who could hold their own with the senior players quite easily both in field play and shooting. In the defence third Ihree of last year’s players are playing, J McCashen, J. Smith and I. Platt, the last-named being a certainty. Of the centres B. Hughes, P. Phillips are all that are left, but there is some good material available. S. Rylands Demons' forward, has the right style and should turn out a promising player if she increases her speed. Owing to the posponement of all games last Saturday, the same fixtures will be played this weekend. KING’S DAY TOURNAMENT

AU entries for the above must be posted to Mr. Lewis, Rimu Street, not later than this Saturday. This tournament will be held on' June 5 at the Technical School courts.