KNIGHTS NAMED FOR NBC CAMPAIGN

 

The Canterbury Knights are back for the first time since 2004, competing at the National Basketball Championships (NBC) in Porirua over Show Weekend, November 10-12.

The Knights won the NZ Conference Basketball League (2^nd Division) Championship in 2003 and made the final four in 2004 with a who’s who of Canterbury club basketball at the time.  Since then the name has been in limbo, but thanks to point guard and team organiser Marty Davison, the Knights have assembled a 10-strong group of players from the Canterbury Men’s Premier competition for the NBC.

Eight players have NBL experience including Canterbury Rams co-captain Marques Whippy who will return for the Rams in his third season in 2017.  Basing the team around the energetic, humble and emotional play of Whippy and Davison, the Knights will be looking to utilise all squad members to make impacts during the tournament. 

“There is a great team atmosphere within the group and we have a collection of unselfish players who play hard for each other. By playing together, we feel we have a chance to compete at this tournament. Key factors will be rebounding and defence as this will allow us to play in transition,” said Davison. 

The guard-line is helmed by Davison, who is a veteran of six NBL campaigns, and features a mix of playmaking and shooting.  Aled Jones and Derek Albertson previously played for the Taranaki Mountain Airs before settling in Christchurch and playing for Atami in 2016.  Matt Campbell and James Cawthorn both logged minutes with the Rams in 2014 and suit up for the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University sides respectively.  They are joined by Cam Chalmers who guided the Gators club to the 2016 Club Championship title in September. 

The scrappy Whippy leads by example from the forward-line and is joined by University of Canterbury’s big men duo, Daniel Pau’u and Brent Fisher.  Wade Parata returned to Christchurch from the Gold Coast at the start of the year and played with Checkers.  Both Fisher and Parata have been a part of previous Rams squads.

The Knights are competing under the Canterbury Basketball Association and there are eight teams vying for the title including 2014 champions Hutt Valley and 2015 winners and hosts Porirua.   Last year the Canterbury side finished third at the NBC under player-coach Dave Langrell, with Davison earning tournament team honours.

“I think the tournament will be of a high standard. Eight teams are confirmed and a lot of teams will have a few NBL players plus development players and will be competing hard to win. Most teams will also have NBL veterans who can still get it done so we will need to be sharp!” said Davison.

 

“It is a real honour to bring together a strong Red & Black Canterbury contingent who have all performed with distinction in the strong Canterbury Club Men’s Premier competition.  The Knights name is synonymous with playing fundamentally strong Canterbury defence and hard work personified by former Knights Captain Ritchie Howell, Coach Pete McAllister, along with many others who were a part of those successful sides,” said Coach Piet Van Hasselt.

“The NBC helps rebuild the national second division format that has been lacking for the development and tournament opportunities of Cantabrians below the Rams.”

The team is holding a fund raising Quiz Night at Robbie’s Elmwood, Thursday 3 November, 6.30pm.  Tickets are $15 per person to help support the team costs to attend the tournament.  Please contact Lisa on 027 3453552 for more information.  Davison and Whippy will also present the team and conduct short speeches on the night.

 

National Basketball Championships, November 10-12

Format: Three pool games followed by cross-over semi-finals and final.

Pool A: Porirua, Southland Flyers, Counties Manukau, Nelson Suns.

Pool B: Waitakere Rangers, Canterbury Knights, Harbour, Hutt Valley.

 

Canterbury Knights Roster 2016

#	Name	DOB	Position	Height	School	2016 Club
4	Marty Davison	4/5/87	Guard	177cm	Christchurch BHS	Pioneer
5	Cam Chalmers	8/3/93	Guard	185cm	Shirley BHS	Gators
6	Matt Campbell	9/19/93	Guard	183cm	Christchurch BHS	UC
7	Aled Jones	21/5/93	Guard	176cm	New Plymouth BHS	Atami
8	James Cawthorn	29/5/95	Guard	184cm	Lincoln HS	Lincoln
9	Derek Albertson	10/6/94	Guard	180cm	New Plymouth BHS	Atami
10	Brent Fisher	21/10/87	Centre	203cm	Shirley BHS	UC
11	Dan Pau’u	14/11/87	Centre	197cm	Christchurch BHS	UC
12	Wade Parata	22/1/87	Forward	193cm	Aranui HS	Checkers
14	Marques Whippy	2/5/86	Forward	193cm	LDS Church College (Fiji)	Gators
	Coach: Piet Van Hasselt
	Manager: Lisa Rooney
	Statistician: Sharon Erwood