Club Basketball by Bruce Martin and Sharon Erwood   

Photo Courtesy Arjan van Hasselt

Sunday 2 July 2017 

Tight first round encounters were recorded in the opening round of Men’s Premier club basketball championships in Cowles stadium on Saturday. Wolverines, led by 29 points from Taylor Britt came from behind in the final quarter to edge Atami 72-62 after Atami had led all the first three quarters, but was held to only scored two points in the final quarter. Britt was supported by Sam Smith and some strong rebounding and defence shown by Shou Nisbet. Patrick Roger (10, 13R) was again strong for Atami with Dan Pau’u (16,13R) and Zacc Dwan (13, 8R) also handy.

An undermanned Lincoln University team changed to a slightly different game plan against Checkers. Pace was slowed in order to reduce the amount of possessions, and to avoid foul trouble. The game went back and forth throughout, but LU, up five (55-50), was able to increase their tempo in the fourth quarter, and build enough of a lead to grab a 76-65 win over a tough Checkers side. Nat Connell returned to boost Checkers with 26 points and 11 rebounds and another double-double to Bede Marsters (14, 10R) saw Checkers dominate 46-33 for the first three quarters. In the final quarter the students leveled the rebounding count 16 all which proved to be the difference in the game.

The defending champion Gators is still a little light in personnel for the championship with teenager Angus McWillian away with Junior Tall Blacks, Ram Marcus Whippy on holiday and Jordon Duggan unavailable as well as Stephen Nosworthy retiring injured, mid-way through the second quarter. University lead the first quarter 21-13, Gators levelled 34-34 at the turn around, the students went ahead 54-45 by the third break and went on to win the encounter 72-61. For UC the availability of Nate Campbell (14, 6R, 5A) and an impressive showing from Josh Chin proved pivotal in their success.  Five players scored double figures and with Josh Peterman (21, 10R) joining Campbell and Chin in double figure rebounds leaving Gators struggling to match up player with player. The return of Johnny Suddens for Gators in his first appearance for the premier side top scored with 14 points adding some much-needed shooting power from beyond the arc. 

The Burry sisters, Tessa (15) and Maja (12) paved the way for the defending champion, Lincoln University, to a comfortable 67-34 win over Halswell in the opening round of the Women’s Premier club basketball championship. NC started the Championship section with a win by forfeit over lowly placed Minties after Minties was reduced to only four players. Pioneer opened its championship campaign with a sound 78-44 win over Wolverines where Sammy Irvine contributed 16 points for Pioneer. Gators accounted for University 75-34.

Meanwhile in the Men’s U23 grade, Lincoln Bulls continues their three and a half year dominance in the grade, unbeaten since it lost the 2013 Grand final. On Saturday it beat UC-Christs Collee 80-69, one of the lowest margins this season.

 

Men’s Premier championship round one:

University of Canterbury 72 (Josh Petermann 21, 10R, Matt Campbell 14, 6R, 5A, Nathan Campbell 13, 11R, Paul Stephenson 12) Gators 61 (Cam Chalmers 12, Jonny Suddens 14, Adrian Taylor 10, Blair Kircher 10, 8R). HT: 34-34

Wolverines 72 (Taylor Britt 29, 6R) Atami 62 (Dan Pau’u 16, 13R, Zac Dwan 13, 8R, Derek Albertson 12, Patrick Roger 10, 13R). HT: Atami 43-37

Lincoln University 76 (Ben Williams 24, 7R, James Cawthorne 24, Josiah Williams 12) Checkers 65 (Nat Connell 26, 11R, Bede Marsters 14, 10R, Justin Kent 11). HT: 31-29.

Bye: Pioneer Pacers.

  

Women’s Premier Championship round one:

Lincoln University 67 (Tessa Burry 15, Maja Burry 12, Fran Edmonson 11) Halswell 34 (Jess Baker 9, Darcy Rose 9). HT: 38-23

Pioneer 78 (Sammy Irvine 16, Poly Hill 14, Olivia Clark 12, Roz Katene 11) Wolverines 44 (Letitia Mullaly 14, Grace Jones 10). HT: 49-16

Gators 75 (Sam Duggan 18, Sofia Kennedy 14, Tsubasa Nisbett 14, Hannah Mischewski 12) University of Canterbury 34 (Georgia May Jenson 15, Kaitlyn Stringer 13). HT: 41-16

North Canterbury 20 Minties 0 by forfeit.