Club Basketball by Bruce Martin                                          

Week Seven - Sunday 22nd May 2016

Pioneer produced a strong second half performance to eventually outpoint Atami 71-60 in the Men’s Premier grade basketball action in the Middleton Grange gym on Saturday, and secure a place in the Hoben trophy final on June 18^th. University of Canterbury gains the other finals spot after it beat Lincoln University the previous Saturday and, as it has the better win record over the two remaining challengers, Gators and Lincoln, has now won through to its first Hoben final since 2007 when it beat Atami 94-90. Pioneer’s last Hoban trophy final was in 2014 when it beat Atami 73-55.

In the closest game of the day Checkers, club champion 2011/12 and 2014, made the early moves against a flat looking Gators, leading 27-17 running its fast break but Gators lifted its game to trail 39-41 at the turnaround in a game that saw the lead change hands eleven times. Canterbury representative Sam Lees (17 points, 10 rebounds) and American Stephen Nosworthy (19 points, 12 rebounds) produced a strong third-quarter effort to keep Gators in the game while back to back triples from Jordyn Kauta (14) and baskets to Pip Johnston (20) gave Checkers a handy 69-64 lead only to see Gators Cam Chalmers (16) tie the game 72-72 after Checkers missed a vital free throw.

In a tight extra period Checkers made the early running with baskets to Johnston and Jon Martin but late in the spell Inga Solofuti splashed a long range triple to see Gators finally prevail 84-80.

Former Ram Marty Davison continued his outstanding form with 23 point and 15 rebounds as his Pioneer side came back strongly in the second spell to outwit Atami 71-60. Ritchie Howell took early control for his Atami side, producing 23 points and 12 rebounds to take Atami to a 35-25 half-time lead. Veteran Scott Howell produced 12 points and former Taranaki NBL player Derek Albertson was contained to 12 points for Atami. Cam Costley, although sinking 17 points against Gators lacked his usual outside prowess and it took some strong driving play from Harley Campbell to put Pioneer ahead.

In a non-competition game Wolverines finally produced some improved teamwork to record its first win of the season, beating a busy Canterbury Under 19 side 85-68. Teenage prodigy Quinn Clinton notched an impressive 27 points for the Under 19’s while Kieran Ball sunk 17 for Wolverines and Shou Nisbet finding better form with 14 points.

Results were:

MEN’S PREMIER Grade Hoben Trophy Round five:

Gators 88 (Stephen Nosworthy 19, 12R; Sam Lees 17, 10R; Cam Chalmers 16, 8R; Inga Solofuti 16) Checkers 84 in OT (Nat Connell 19, 15R; Pip Johnston 20, 8R; Jon Martin 16; Jordyn Kauta 14). HT: Checkers 41-39. FT 72-72. ET Gators 88-84, Pioneer Pacers 71 (Marty Davison 23, 15R; Cam Costley 17, Harley Campbell 10) Atami 60 (Ritchie Howell 23, 12R; Derek Albertson 12, Scott Howell 12). HT: Atami 35-25, Wolverines 85 (Kieran Ball 17, Shou Nisbet 14, Alex Irvine 13) Canterbury U19 68 (Quinn Clinton 27). HT: 38-31. Points table: Pioneer 5W, 10 pts, University 4W,1L, 9, Gators and Lincoln 3W, 2L, 7, Checkers and Atami 2W, 3L, 6.

 

Under 23:

Lincoln University Bulls 86 (Nick Erwood 20, 9R; James Cawthorn 16; Tullan McGuiness 12) Atami 67 (Will Grocott 17, 9R; Patrick Roger 15), Gators Green 106 (Liam Muliville 33, Sam Lees 21) North 106 Canterbury 74 (Liam Connelly 20, Lauchie Weston 15), Pioneer Yellow 81 Gators White 56, Wolverines 87 University B 64, Checkers 96 Pioneer Blue 71.