Canterbury vs Estudentes

 

The Students team is the lower grade team of the current Bahia Blanca Liga Nacional Basquetbol LNB ( NBL) team. This game was critical to Canterbury’s survival in the tournament and a win would lift us to a 2 – 3 record and keep us in the playoffs for the equivalent of the plate and a chance to end up 3^rd. We were off to a great start leading 12 – 4 after 3minutes until the Students called a time out and made a run to tie the game and take the lead 11 – 13 over the next two minutes.

 

The game went back and forth for the next periods with Joel Stratford trading baskets with students player Matías Fornetti. Nick Erwood had his best quarter with three 3 pointers in a row but the students still managed to end the half in front 49 – 48.

In the third quarter Rusty Thomson hit a 3 pointer and scored on a 3 point play after a strong drive but Thomas Scarpaci hit a 3 and Radavero followed with another to keep in front. Matt Campbell had a 3 point play and then Lopez was charged with a technical allowing him 3 free throws and the ball.

The students then drove for several layups and the game was in the balance at 65 – 63. Some poor finishing and some dubious fouls calls in the 4^th quarter allowed the Students to pull away and end the tournament for Canterbury on the back of multiple trips to the line.

 

Although we finished 6^th the experience of playing in a foreign country is obvious and the players have adjusted well to the pressure defense and clinical offense of the opposition. We were in every game and but for some poor finishing and very low foul shooting percentages could have won most of the games. The standard of competition was very high but we were highly competitive and the level was such that it tested the players who will be better for the opportunity.

 

The style of play is different from what we  are used to but certainly where we need to head in our local competitions. This may require some dialogue with our referees to allow the style to develop without fouling everyone out. It is a physical style which does not reward weak moves and forces the players to counter pressure defense. Only legitimate fouls are called and the players enjoy the physicality without it being dangerous or too much advantage allowed to the offense. The Canterbury boys also got to attend two LNB games in the city and the only difference was the additional height of the players. Bahia El Studentes are coached by Sabastian Ginobli and are a young team on the rebuild. They played Boca Juniors and another team called Orbas. This level seemed to be the equivalent to the Aussie NBL at the top end and very similar to our own NBL at the bottom end. Both games showed the benefits of allowing players to play tough defense and we saw some exciting offensive action as a result.

Photos of this days round of games can be found by clicking here

Canterbury (New Zealand) 91:

Marty Davison (7), Joel Stratford (8), Dean Le Warne (3), Brent Fisher (6) and Lionel Hopgood (9).

Rusty Thomson (15), Sam Crozier (12), Matt Campbell (7), Nick Erwood (17) and Kieran Ball (7).

 

Student 99: 

Scarpaci (10), Sebastian Cinti (21), Federico Radavero (19), Hannibal Buzzo (2) and Martin Cleppe (3).

Matías Fornetti (8), José Luis Martínez (14), Francisco Gonzalez (16), Geronimo Mitoire (3) and Bruno Ferrandi (3).