Club Basketball by Bruce Martin and Sharon Erwood

Checkers, reinforced by Tall Black Ethan Rusbatch (16), took the lead early in the 3rd quarter 49-48 and held on for a 73-71 win over the previously unbeaten, and Hoben Trophy champion, Pioneer Pacers in Cowles Stadium on Saturday.

Pioneer were missing Sam Evans and Oli Davies due to injury but did welcome Nick Erwood back from overseas, though struggled against a full-strength Checkers team. Ariel Mepana, a former Filipino International, who clinched a buzzer beater to win the Hoben trophy for Pioneer, wasn’t able to repeat the feat as his opportunity to force overtime but missed his shot on the buzzer. Nat Connell continued to mesmerise the Pioneer defence with 24 points and eight defensive rebounds while Marty Davison continued to weave his magic for Pioneer with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists despite close attention from Checkers, while Mepana slotted 17.

Lincoln University was near full strength, just missing Hunter Aarts injured, while Gators fielded a very young team and did well to stay as close, Lincoln University eventually winning 83-75. Three-point sharp shooter Matt Mischewski kept Gators in the hunt hitting 7 from his 9 three point shot attempts (25pts) but LU’s James Cawthorn had a 39 point game making the task just too difficult for Gators. American Stephen Nosworthy made a tentative return from injury slotting 12 points and securing 14 rebounds in 21 minutes court-time for Gators. The lead changed hands five times in the first spell before Lincoln went ahead 40-33 at the half break and edged slowly clear in the second spell. After trailing 60-76 mid-way through the final quarter Gators made a late charge but ran out of time.

Despite a 23-5 first-quarter lead to Atami, University, through Hawkes Bay’s Tony Tolovae (34) making a guest appearance before heading off for the Tall Black trials, fought valiantly to tie the game 42/42 just before the end of the third quarter. Atami was able to hold on for the win 68-65 after Tolovae fouled out late, and teammate Rohan Russo was unable to sink the three point shot that would have tied the game.

Only two games were possible in Women’s Premier championship action. On Wednesday North Canterbury was buoyed by strong performances from WBC Champion Wildcat players. Ash Fane with 26 points and Terina Wanoa (17) were backed up by former Tactix player Gemma Hazeldine (19), and proved too strong for Wolverines winning 74-49. Letitia Mullaly stood out for Wolverines with 16 points.

On Saturday, Pioneer had too many experienced guns for the rebuilt University of Canterbury side, powering to an 85-46 win with Olivia Clark (23), Rachel Pullan (22) and Rosanna Katene adding 14 points and heaps of experience against her former team. For the students Lily Nicol slotted a consistent 14 points.

Patron’s trophy winner Lincoln University had its game against Gators postponed until July 27th while Halswell has asked to defer their game until a later date against Minties.

 

Men’s Premier Championship Round Two:   

Checkers 73 (Nat Connell24, 8R, Ethan Rusbatch 16, Justin Kent 14, Bede Marsters 10) Pioneer Pacers 71 (Ariel Mepana 17, 5R, Marty Davison 16, 8R, 4A). HT: 40-36

Lincoln University 83 (James Cawthorn 39, 10R, Ben Bowie 20, 16R, 5A) Gators 75 (Matt Mischewski 25, 5R, Stephen Nosworthy 12, 14R, Jonny Suddens 11, 5R). HT: 40-33

Atami 68 (Derek Albertsen 18, Dan Pau’u 18, 15R, Zacc Dwan 12, 7R) University of Canterbury 65 (Tony Tolovae 34, 14R). HT: 45-20

Bye: Wolverines 

 

Women’s Premier Championship Round Two:

North Canterbury 74 (Ash Fane 26, Gemma Hazeldine 19, Terina Wanoa 17) Wolverines 49 (Letitia Mullaly 16, Lauren McNicol 11). HT: 35-25

Pioneer 85 (Olivia Clark 23, Rachel Pullan 22, Rosanna Katene 14, Bianca Aguiar 11) University of Canterbury 46 (Lily Nicol 14, Georgia-May Jensen 11). HT: 45-20

Halswell v Minties deferred, Lincoln University v Gators deferred

 

 

AON U17 Nationals at Wellington

Three Waitaha-Canterbury teams, combined North Canterbury/Canterbury teams, competed at the AON U17 Nationals at Wellington last week.

On Friday after pool play Waitaha-Canterbury Boys A team was beaten by Wellington 62-49 in Quarter-final play but went on beat Counties-Manukau 78-65 in the 9-12 Semi-final.

Waitaha-Canterbury Boys B team won its 9-16 Quarter-final beating Taranaki 85-70 and in the 9-12 Semi-final went on to beat Otago 72-65.

The Waitaha-Canterbury Girls team lost its Quarter-final to Taranaki 68-54, but then went on to beat Manawatu 72-59 in the Girls 5-8 semi-final.

In their Finals day games on Saturday, Waitaha-Canterbury Boys A team played Waikato and was beaten 104-72 to finish 6th place. Waitaha-Canterbury Boys B team finished strongly beating Southland 100-56 in the 9-10th play-off game while Waitaha-Canterbury Girls team edged Waikato 59-51 to finish with a respectable fifth.

16 year old Helen Mathews from Ohoka, who plays for the NC Women’s premier side and is a Year 11 student who spearheads the Kaiapoi High Whelan Trophy team, contributed hugely to the Waitaha-Canterbury Girls team effort all week and was rewarded with selection in the Girls tournament team. She is "a beast" on the court - her work ethic and work rate is phenomenal. Mathews has also been recently selected to attend a preparation camp on July 28-30th for the NZ U17 team to travel to India for FIBA Oceania U16 championships October 22-28.

Louis Oskam playing in the Waitaha-Canterbury Boys A team was selected in the Boys Tournament team and is a regular contributor to his Cashmere Gold BU17 team and also plays in the schools unbeaten Thompson Trophy team.

Harbour dominated the Under 17 Nationals, with both of their Under 17 boys and girls teams winning their respective Grand Finals. More information on the fginals can be found by clicking here