Club Basketball by Bruce Martin and Sharon Erwood

29 July 2017

Lincoln University maintained its unbeaten record in the Men’s Premier Basketball championship round when it defeated Atami 81-70 in Cowles stadium on Saturday, moving to a 4-0 record. Checkers demolished Gators 102-69 to move into second place with 3-1 record while Wolverines kept the 2017 Hoben Trophy winner, Pioneer Pacers still winless in the championship round.

The young Lincoln University team are proving the team to beat in the Championship round with strong performances by Ben Williams (26); Ben Bowie (13, 18R) and James Cawthorn (19) once again had Atami playing catch-up the entire game. LU, with five players in double figures, proved too strong for the Atami scorers. Dan Pau’u (14, 13R) was the best of the Atami team and supported by Derek Albertson (16), Zacc Dwan (14) and Patrick Rodger (10, 9R) but every time they looked to go on a run the Lincoln boys pulled it back with strong defensive plays, forcing Atami into 25 turnovers. Lincoln University’s complicated defensive reads were not always executed correctly. When they did however, they were able to force Atami into tough shots, but when these broke down Atami made LU pay.

A ‘Man of the match’ performance of 31pts and 11 rebounds by US bound Sam Smith, supported by Taylor Britt (21) and Shou Nisbet (15, 10R) created all sorts of problems for the struggling Pioneer team. From the onset Pioneer were behind, and two quick fouls on Mike Townsend sent him to the bench. 49 fouls were called in the game in total, with Townsend being limited to only 12 minutes of play. Marty Davison was back to his dazzling best for Pioneer with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Cam Costley (13,6R) was his main support for Pioneer.

Despite the appearance of Marques Whippy (11, 14R) and Tall Blacks Trialist Angus McWilliam for Gators, the Nat Connell (16, 15R) led Checkers side had too many answers for everything that Gators threw at them, thumping Gators 102-69 after only leading 48-42 at the turnaround. Checkers were bolstered by the availability of Joe Cook-Green (30) and Toby Gillooly (15) and with a team shooting over 50% from the field they proved too strong for Gators who struggled at just 34%. Justin Kent (19) and Jon Martin (12) added to Checkers strengths while Matt Mischewski supported with 11 for Gators

North Canterbury was upset 62-68 by a more determined Gators in Women’s Premier Championship play, unable to stop Lauryn Hippolite who slotted 21 points. For NC, Wildcats Terina Wanoa (18) and Esra McGoldrick (13) carried the workload. NC led by quarter-time 14-9 but soon after Gators took the lead, going to the turnaround ahead 35-31. After trailing 49-51 at the third break NC momentarily took the lead 56-55 but couldn’t move on to win the game.

Halswell, led by Dartmouth’s Darcy Rose (16) started slowly against Wolverines and after leading 26/23 at the turnaround pulled clear to win 48-37. Letitia Mullaly was the backbone of the Wolverines efforts. Defending champion and Patron’s trophy winner Lincoln University had too much power for their University of Canterbury counterparts, pulling away strongly in the second spell to win 78-40. Wildcats Connie Poletti (22) and Fran Edmondson (12) received support from Tessa Burry with 12.

 

Results were:

Men’s Premier Championship Round Four:   

Lincoln University 81 (Ben Williams 19, 7R; James Cawthorn 18, 12R; Ben Bowie 13, 18R; Josiah Williams 11) Atami 70 (Derek Albertson 16; Zacc Dwan 14; Dan Pau’u 14, 13R; Patrick Roger 10, 9R). HT: 40-34

Wolverines 81 (Sam Smith 31; Taylor Britt 21, 7R; Shou Nisbet 15) Pioneer Pacers 77 (Marty Davison 18; Cam Costley 12). HT: 37-37

Checkers 102 (Joe Cook-Green 28; Nat Connell 18, 7R, 5A; Justin Kent 18; Toby Gillooly 15) Gators 69 (Marques Whippy 14; Matt Mischewski 11). HT: 48-42

Bye: University of Canterbury.

 

Women’s Premier Championship Round Four:

Halswell 48 (Darcy Rose 16; Alice Sproat 13) Wolverines 37 (Letitia Mullaly 9). HT: 26-23

Lincoln University 78 (Connie Poletti 22; Fran Edmondson 12; Tessa Burry 12) University of Canterbury 40 (Kaitlyn Stringer 14; Georgia May Jensen 10). HT: 37-23

Gators 68 (Lauryn Hippolite 21; Megan Ellis 12; Paige Willman 10; Tsubasa Nisbet 10) North Canterbury 62 (Terina Wanoa 18; Esra McGoldrick 13). HT: 35-31

Pioneer 20 beat Minties 0 by default.