Basketball Club Report Saturday 30th July

 

Gators remain unbeaten after the fifth round of the Men’s Premier club basketball championship played in Cowles stadium on Saturday. Despite the usual workmanlike effort from Ritchie Howell (19), the Atami side was eventually was beaten 82-72. Gators look to be unstoppable and continue to dominate the Championship with their strong line up of  Canterbury Rams Marques Whippy (19), Inga Solofuti (14), Tall-Black Jeremy Kench and American Stephen Nosworthy, both 16 points.

 

2015 champions Wolverines improved effort saw it claim second place when it pulled away with a strong second half through the dazzling efforts of Taylor Britt (35) to down a lack-lustre University 98-82.  Josh Petermann was the pick of the University players slotting 27pts while Dan Pau’u continued his hard work for the students to grab a double double of 18 points and 14 rebounds. Former Ram Brent Fisher had his first game back from injury but, and struggled somewhat, but should improve as his recovery continues. For Wolverines, Britt was outstanding, slicing through the Varsity defence with ease and George Love chimed in with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

 

Lincoln University had their first loss of the Championship round when they cam up against Pioneer Pacers who had yet to secure a win in the round. Despite leading 40-29 at the break Lincoln had no answers for Pioneer's sharp shooter Cam Costley who was continually set up by Marty Davison for open looks. Pioneer also benefited from some big plays from Ariel Mapana (21, 9 rebounds). By the third break Pioneer nudged ahead 60-56, Lincoln closed to within one point twice in the last few minutes before Pioneer escaped to win 86-81. James Levings (20, 9R) and Xavier Shaw (19, 9R) were the pick of the Lincoln University players.

 

One Men’s team and two women’s sides will miss the six team quarter-finals on Aug 27^th while the other teams jockey for position in the play-offs. With most teams capable of upsets on any given day places are up for grabs.

 

Both Lincoln University, the 2014 champion, and long term champion Canterbury University maintain the lead in the Women’s Premier championship with Lincoln demolishing North Canterbury 80-47 through a solid second half effort and more accurate shooting. University surged away from a lack-lustre Gators to win 74-38 while Minties had to work hard to subdue the young Wolverines side 55-48. LU showed that it will be hard to stop this season with depth on its bench, as Tessa Burry 17, Kate McLaughlin 12, Anastasia Tauamiti 12 adding to regular efforts from Fran Edmonson 16 and Courtney Hamblin 14. Junior Tall-Fern, 15 year old Charlotte Whittaker continued her strong efforts for North Canterbury with 13 points while Wildcat Hayley Gray (12) and Tactix netballer Gemma Hazeldine (10) were tightly marked in the absence of the gifted Mary Goulding.

 

In a catch-up game last Tuesday, Halswell edged Minties 49-38 while on Saturday Halswell accounted for Pioneer 62-50 through the efforts of the new team member Junior Tall-fern Esra McGoldrick who slotted 20 points. North Canterbury and Halswell now share third place.

 

 

Results were:

Men's Premier Championship Round five:

Gators 82 (Marques Whippy 19, Jeremy Kench 16, Stephen Nosworthy 16, Inga Solofuti 14) def Atami 72 (Ritchie Howell 19, Derek Albertson 13, Ash Rees 11). HT: 41-33.

Wolverines 98 (Taylor Britt 35, 8R, George Love 16, 10R, Jeremy Hancock 10, Kieran Ball 10) def University 82 (Josh Peterman 27, Daniel Pau’u 19, 14R, Karl Magon 14). HT: 43-39.

Pioneer Pacers 86 (Cameron Costley 27, Ariel Mepana 21, 9R, Marty Davison 12, 10R, 7A, Kyle Tikau 10) def Lincoln University 81 (James Levings 20, 9R, Xavier Shaw 19, 9R, Nick Erwood 15, 7R, James Cawthorn 10). HT: Lincoln 40-29.

Bye: Checkers. 

Points table with games played in parenthesis: Gators 10 (5), Wolverines 8 (5), Lincoln Uni 7 (4), Checkers 6 (4), University and Pioneer 5 (4), Atami 4 (4).

 

Women’s Premier Championship round five:

Lincoln University 80 (Tessa Burry 17, Fran Edmonson 16, Courtney Hamblin 14, Kate McLaughlin 12, Anastasia Taumiti 12) def North Canterbury 47 (Charlotte Whittaker 13, Hayley Gray 12, Gemma Hazeldine 10). HT: 47-29.

University 78 (Bianca Aguiar 21, Lily Nicol 16, Pip Connell 11) def Gators 38 (Lucy Brown 17). HT: 33-17.

Minties 55 (Anastasia Ah Tong 15, Natasha Van Vuuren 14, Karla Martin 11) Wolverines 48 (Lauren McNichol 11, Samaria Thompson 11). HT 34-28. 

Halswell 62 (Esra McGoldrick 20, Sara French 15, Terai Sadler 12, Cecilia Zambrini 11) def  Pioneer 50 (Ashley Gayle 21, Bree Cumming 11). HT: 25-23.

Catch up game: Halswell 49 def Minties 38.

Points table: Lincoln and Canterbury Universities: 10, North Canterbury and Halswell 8, Pioneer 7, Gators and Minties 6, Wolverines 5.