CBA Winter Club Basketball Week Six

Sunday 7^th June

Atami got one hand lightly back on the Hoben Trophy when it decisively beat arch-rival Checkers 96-81 in the Men’s Premier grade club basketball at the QE11 Leisure Centre on Saturday. Royals powered away from Wolverines with a strong second half to win 96-81 to become the only unbeaten team and will clash with Checkers this Saturday to decide the Trophy outcome. Kiwihoops University recorded its first win with a decisive 92-49 win over High School Old Boys. Atami have the bye.

Ben Constable and James Holland returned from their American experiences to give Wolverines much needed fire power to lead Royals 45-43 at the break but the Nat Connell led Royals powered away with a strong third quarter, leading 71-61. Connell, supported by Pip Johnson, Ben Teale and former NBL team-mate Ben Van Oosten punched holes in Wolverines previously tight defence and maintained the pressure in the final quarter.

Ritchie Howell returned to form with a strong display for Atami, slotting 22 points against a depleted Checkers. Atami took the lead in the first quarter 20-10 while the remaining quarters were evenly matched. The Checkers captain, Justin Kent, played despite a back injury that restricted his normal elusive play while Jess Kok (20 points), the Mid Canterbury born teenager and Ethan Rusbatch (19) stood out for Checkers. In April, Rusbatch, as captain, helped guide the NZ Under 18 team to a bronze medal at the World Championships in Spain and played a key role in the Canterbury Under 19 team that claimed the National title at Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Royals are favoured to win the Hoben trophy when it clashes with Checkers this Saturday but a three way tie on 10 points each would result if Checkers were to upset Royals. In that case Checkers would have to overcome Royals by 20 or more to stop Atami claiming the trophy on point’s differential.

Wolverines took control of the Patron’s trophy women’s Premier grade final with a strong opening quarter, led by Erin Rooney (18 points) and Shea Crotty 14, then consolidated its position in the middle stages to eventually win the trophy 65-43. University were strengthened by the return home from overseas of the tall Donna Lavea but tight marking by Wolverines denied the students of much needed possession.

North Canterbury came from behind to claim third place, beating Minties 48-44 while Royals repulsed a late challenge from Halswell to win the fifth place play-off, ahead 53-49. The Hayman sisters, Elizabeth and Sarah, arrived late from Netball to give North Canterbury a better height advantage and to support the hard working Courtney Hamblin.

Gameface Wolfpack maintains its lead in the Men’s Division one, repulsing a strong challenge from fellow club side Gameface Wolverines 73-63 while Atami got back on the winning track beating Checkers comfortably 83-57 to move into second place alone.

Aranui Blue continues to lead the Women’s Division one unbeaten, withstanding a strong challenge from Rangi Ruru  49-35 while last years beaten finalist, Royals maintained second place, downing Checkers 54-31.

Aranui Academy, Cashmere High and Wolverines consolidated their position in Pool A of the Under 23 grade with comfortable wins while Checkers forfeited its game to the Shirley U20 side with only three players arriving at the Shirley gym. In Pool A Atami edged clear in the second spell to beat Ch Ch Boys High 83-37 while Gators had a huge win over North Canterbury. Royals leads the section after repulsing a strong challenge from Shirley Boys U23 80-67, leaving Shirley and Gators to fight out the vital fourth placing this Saturday for when the grade splits into an Elite eight after Round nine ends on 27^th June.

Ch Ch Boys and Cashmere High maintain the lead in the Under 17 grade but Aranui High dropped to third place after a lack-lustre effort saw it beaten by Shirley Boys High 50-60. Earlier in the week St Bedes Red played a catch up game against Middleton Grange Green, running up a record 152-31 scoreline with seven players hitting double figure returns, lead by Jordan Duggan 32, Jozeth Knottenbelt 22 and Aiden Ryan 20 points.

The Canterbury Basketball Association appreciates Middleton Grange School, Shirley Boys High and St Bedes College for the use of their gyms at a reduced cost.

Results were:

MEN’S PREMIER Grade: Alan Hoben Trophy Round

Atami 79 (Ritchie Howell 22, Joel Hart 13, Paul McFarlin 11) Checkers 68 (Jess Kok  20, Ethan Rusbatch 19, Jeremy Hancock 14). HT: 44-34. Kiwihoops University 92 (Kosuke Yahata 19, Keisuke Yahata 10, Sam Toomata 12, Willem Tolhoek 10, John Deehly 4^th 10) HSOB 49 (Tony Romano 11). HT: 59-24. Royals 96 (Nat Connell 25, Pip Johnston 18, Ben Van Oosten 17, Ben Teale 14) Wolverines 81 (Ben Constable 26, James Holland 21, Michael Kinley 16, Nick Adcock 10). HT: Wolverines 45-43. Bye: Gators           

Points table after round six with games played in brackets: Royals 10 (5), Atami 10 (6), Checkers 8 (5), Gators 4 (5), Wolverines 2 (5), University 2 (5), HSOB 0 (5).

MEN”S DIVISION ONE:

Royals 83 Young Bloods 76, Atami 83 Checkers 57, Wolfpack 73 Gameface 63.  Bye: Placemakers

Men’s Under 23 Grade:

Pool A:  Aranui Academy 91 HSOB 64, Cashmere HS 86 Middleton Grange Gators 48, Shirley BHS U20 20 Checkers 0 by forfeit, Wolverines 100 Rangiora HS 43.                                                                                                           

Pool B: Kiwihoops University 98 Christs College U20 35, Royals 80 Shirley BHS U23 67, Atami 83 Ch Ch BHS   37, Gators 103 North Canterbury 36.

Bye teams game: St Bedes U20 60 St Andrews U20 51.

Men’s Under 17 Grade:

St Bedes Red 71 Christs College 63, Hillmorton HS 55 Middleton Grange Green 47, Linwood/Royals 60 St Andrews A 44, Cashmere HS 77 St Andrews B 37 Non Competition, Shirley BHS 60 Aranui HS 50, Ch Ch BHS Blue 88 Middleton Grange Gators White 51, St Bedes Red 151 (Jordan Duggan 32, Jozef Knottenbelt  22, Aidan Ryan 20) Middleton Grange Green 32.              

                                               

Mid-week Men

University 60 Hustlers 56, Burnham 96 Special Olympics 92 (Grant Ballinger 22, Joe Webb 22, Craig Bennett 14, Jason Roberts 14), Checkers White 107 326ers 48, Raiders 50 Atami 43.

Current standings: Atami 10pts, Checkers White 10, University 10, Raiders 8. 

WOMEN’S PREMIER Grade Patron’s Trophy Final:

Wolverines 65 (Erin Rooney 18, Shea Crotty 14) University 43 (Melissa Harrison 11). HT: 30-18.

Play –off for 3^rd place: North Canterbury 48 (Courtney Hamblin 13, Sarah Hayman 8) Minties 44 (Olivia Bensley 9) HT: 27-20.

Play-off for fifth place: Royals 54 (Bridget Salkeld 16, DJ Whanau 12, Sue Bennie 11) Halswell 49 (Marinda Van Vuuren 10, Grace Love 10). HT: 31-29.

WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE:

 Royals 54 Checkers 31, University 68 Halswell 46, Cashmere High 20 Minties 0 by forfeit, Aranui Blue 49 Rangi Ruru 35.

Mid- week Women

 Rebels 51 Aranui 32, Halswell Green 57 Brighton Babes 30, CYA 36 Burnham35, Checkers Chicks 21 Checkers Blackhawks 16.  Bye: Royals. Current standings: CYA 10pts, Checkers Chicks 8, Rebels 8.