1939/40

 First ever season for the boys playing in the SA Men’s Basketball Association B Grade competition.

Team nominated as Panthers, playing in yellow tops, with green numbers.

Squad

Bob Buss, Ron Silke, Des Bennett, John Atkins, Gordon Cahill, Ron Benton, Merv Harris.

Manager

J Winter

Newspaper Articles from the Advertiser Archives

First mention of Panthers –

Friday the 3^rd of May, 1940.

National Paper Bag Co was out of form badly when it went down to Panthers at 36-7. Panthers which has played the game only since the beginning of the season has shown vast improvement and should go a long way. Harris for the winner was always to the fore with a sound game in defence, while Burgess was the only one to show form for Paper Bag Co.

Premiership table for B Grade shows Penrhyn 4 points, OBI 4, Panthers 4, Lawtons 2, RAF 2, Woods & Sons 2, Sturt Nomads 2, Balfours 2, National Paper 0, Mormon Juniors 0, Slatters 0, Bickfords 0.

Men’s Basketball and its Growth

Friday the 17^th May, 1940.

Men’s basketball, which was almost unknown four years ago, is now making rapid headway, not in its old form as a square game, but the game as played under Olympic rules. An All Australian Men’s basketball carnival is scheduled to take place in Melbourne in August, and in spite of present world conditions, every effort will be made to go on with the game.

Friday the 31^st of May, 1940.

B Grade Results. Balfours defeated Panthers by seven baskets thereby strengthening its claim to premiership consideration. Balfours 30 d Panthers 16.

Friday the 14^th June, 1940.

B Grade Results. Panthers 37 d Norwood 10.

Premiership Table – Balfours 14, Penryhn 14, Sturt Nomads 10, OBI 10, Panthers 10, Wood Sons 8, Lawtons 8, Vikings 8, Slatters 6, National Paper Bag 0, Norwood 0, Mormon Juniors 0.

Friday the 5^th July, 1940.

B Grade Results. Slatters 28 d Panthers 26.

Premiership Table – Balfours 18, Penryhn 16, OBI 16, Wood Sons 16, Sturt Nomads 12, Panthers 12, Slatters 10, Lawtons 8, Vikings 8, Mormon Juniors 4, Norwood 0.

Friday the 2^nd of August, 1940.

B Grade Results. Panthers 33 d Vikings 15.

Premiership Table – Balfours 26, Wood Sons 24, Penryhn 24, OBI 20, Panthers 20, Sturt Nomads 18, Slatters 14, Vikings 10, National Paper 8, Mormon Juniors 4.

Friday the 9^th of August 1940.

B Grade Results. Panthers 23 d OBI 22.

Premiership Table. Balfours 30, Wood Sons 26, Penryhn 24, Panthers 22, Sturt Nomads 20, OBI 20, Slatters 16, Vikings 10, National Paper 8, Mormon Juniors 4.

Friday 27^th September, 1940.

B Grade. In the playoff for second, third and fourth places in B Grade on Tuesday night, OBI 50 d Penryhn 9, and Panthers 24 d Anchor 20. The semi-finals will be played next Tuesday when the following teams will meet – Balfours v Panthers at 7:30pm, and OBI v Anchors at 8:30pm.

 

Premiers in B Grade.

 

1941

Squad

Harris, Silke, Buss, Atkins, Cahill, Bennett, Benton.

Results

Runner up in A Grade

Advertiser 8^th October, 1941

Men’s Basketball Final Tonight

The Grand Final of the South Australian Men’s Basketball Association (A Grade) will be played at the Sports Academy Duncan Building, Franklin Street tonight at 7:30pm.

OBI (Minor Premiers) will meet Panthers, and a great game is expected.

Teams of 5 a side will be chosen from –

OBI – Angove (Captain), Rawson, Catchlove, Clayton, Tredrea, Lehman, Coulter & McMillan.

Panthers – Harris (Captain), Silke, Buss, Atkins, Cahill & Bennett.

Advertiser 19^th November, 1941

OBI Demonstration

The 53^rd annual demonstration of the Our Boys Institute was held last night. A basketball demonstration between OBI the premier and Panthers, runner up, calisthenics, games, skating, aerobatics, boxing and wrestling.                               

 

 

1946

Resumption after the War - Advertiser Friday the 5^th April, 1946.

In recess since 1940, the SA Men’s Basketball Association is to be revived this year. A meeting will be held at OBI Wakefield Street next Thursday night for the purpose of re-forming the competition. Before the association suspended operations matches were played at Duncan Building, Franklin Street. As this is no longer available, it is probable that matches will be played at OBI.

SA Men’s Basketball Association in 1946

Friday the 28^th June 1946.

The SA Men’s Basketball Association plays its matches in the OBI institute and at the Police Barracks. They should be fairly orderly games. There are two grades. Teams in the competition include YMCA, RAAF, Noblett & Forest, Police, Anchor, Mormons, Kingston, Panthers, Coldstream, Mellor Park, Postal Institute, Prospect, Unley Youth Centre and Glenelg Life Savers.

Played A Grade in the SA Men’s Basketball Association

Coach                                      Merv Harris

Squad                                    

Merv Harris, Ron Silke, John Atkins, Alex Russell, Colin Lynch, Rob Buss, Ralph Johns, Neville Trewren, Phil Dirrmann, Des Bennett, Kevin McCarthy

Final Position                         Runners up.

 

State Representation

SA Men’s State Team

M Harris (Coach).

Advertiser Articles

Panthers Win Easily in A Grade

Friday the 29^th June, 1946.

Panthers 56 d Noblett & Forest 22. Scorers for Panthers – Silke 22, Harris 14, Lynch 14, Atkins 4, Buss 2.    

Panthers defeat RAAF

Saturday the 6^th July, 1946.

Panthers 42 d RAAF 30.

Panthers defeat Police

Monday the 15^th July, 1946.

Panthers 51 d Police 36. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 21, Lynch 11, Atkins 10, Silke 8, Russell 1.

Panthers defeat Postal Institute

Saturday the 20^th July, 1946

Panthers 43 d Postal Institute 22. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 24, Atkins 10, Silke 7, Lynch 2.

Panthers Hard Pressed to Win Game v Mormons

Saturday the 3^rd August, 1946.

Panthers 19 d Postal Institute 16. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 10, Atkins 3, Silke 2, Russell 2.

Panthers Teamwork

Saturday the 10^th August 1946.

Panthers gave a great exhibition of teamwork to defeat 2/10^th in the SA Men’s Basketball competition this week.

Panthers 51 d 2/10^th 38. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 22, Silke 13, Atkins 8, Lynch 4, Buss 3, Russell 1.

Anchors Surprise in Men’s Basketball

Monday the 2^nd September, 1946.

Anchors surprised by extending Panthers in the men’s basketball series at the week end. The scores were level at the final bell, but in the play-off Panthers won by 2 points.

Panthers 29 d Anchors 27.

Premiership Table – OBI 32, Kingston 24, Panthers 24, YMCA 24, 2^nd/10^th 22, Mormons 20, Police 14, RAAF 12, Mellor Park 10, Anchors 6, Noblett & Forest 6, Postal Institute 0.

Panthers Win Again

Saturday the 14^th Of September 1946

Panthers 50 d Noblett & Forest 18. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 18, Silke 18, Atkins 6, Russell 4, Bass 2, Johns 2.

 

 

1947

 

Coach      Merv Harris.

Squad

Merv Harris, Silke, Atkins, Nutter, Sandercock, Westhorpe, Baird, Buss, Harrison, Johns, Laming,Partridge, Lynche, Boch, Leppard, Mc Millan

 

Results

Lost Preliminary Final.

 

Two teams playing - A Grade and A2 Grade.

 

Merv Harris was runner-up in the Woolacott (25 points to Keith Millers 26) for fairest and most Brilliant

 player.

 

Opening Round 1947

Monday the 5^th May, 1947.

In the opening round of men’s basketball last week, Panthers, one of the finalists last year, were hard pressed to defeat Mormons.

Panthers 21 d Mormons 19. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 11, Silke 10, Atkins 1, Sandercock 1.

A2 Grade

Panthers 26 d YMCA 24. Scorers for Panthers – Harrison 12, Johns 5, Laming 4, Baird 2, Partridge 2.

Monday 12^th May 1947

Panthers 37 d 2^nd/10^th 27. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 14, Silke 12, Atkins 5, Sandercock 2, Westhorpe 2, Baird 1, Buss 1.

A2 Grade

Panthers 19 lost to 7^th Division 41. Scorers for Panthers – Harrison 8, Lamming 6, Baird 2, Johns 2, Bock 1.

YMCA Defeat Panthers

Tuesday the 20^th May 1947

YMCA showed greatly improved form to defeat Panthers (runner up last season).

 Panthers 34 lost to YMCA 40. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 17, Silke 10, Atkins 5, Westhorpe 2.

A2 Grade

Panthers 12 lost to OBI 25. Scorers for Panthers – Laming 6, Baird 4, Harrison 2.

Exciting Games in Men’s Basketball

Monday the 2^nd June 1947

Two exciting men’s basketball games were seen at OBI when Panthers and Mormons defeated Kingston and Anchors respectively by 2 points.

Panthers 24 d Kingston 22. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 18, Silke 4, Buss 2.

A2 Grade

Panthers lost to Cravens 27-38. Scorers for Panthers Lynche 8, Baird 7, Johns 4, Boch 3, Harrison 2, Laming 2, Nutter 1.

OBI Defeat Panthers

Monday 9^th June 1947

OBI gave a brilliant exhibition of basketball to defeat Panthers by 25 points at OBI, and now has a lead of four points at the head of the premiership table.

Panthers 18 lost to OBI 43. Scorers for Panthers Harris 12, Silke 6.

 A2 Grade

 Panthers 19 lost to Glenelg 32. Scorers for Panthers – Harrison 10, Nutter 4, Laming 3, Baird 2.

 Panthers Defeat Postal Institute

 Monday the 16^th June, 1947.

 Panthers 58 d Postal Institute 19. Scorers for Panthers – Lynch 18, Silke 16, Harris 15, Buss 5, Sandercock 4.

 A2 Grade

 Panthers 23 lost to United 46. Scorers for Panthers – Harrison 16, Leppard 2, Laming 2, Johns 2, Nutter 1.

 Panthers Defeat 2^nd/10^th

 Monday the 7^th July, 1947.

 Panthers 48 d 2^nd/10^th 30. Scorers for Panthers – Silke 16, Harris 15, Lynche 13, Buss 4.

 A2 Grade

 Panthers 16 lost to ASC 36.

 Panthers Defeat YMCA

 Monday 14^th of July, 1947

 Panthers 26 d YMCA 20. Scorers for Panthers – Buss 11, Harris 10, Lynch 4, Sandercock 1.

 A2 Grade Panthers 24 lost to Cravens 31.

 State Basketball Team Selected

 Saturday 19^th July, 1947.

 The following players have been selected to represent South Australia in the Australian Men’s Basketball Championship, which nwill begin in Melbourne on September 1^st.

 K Lawson, C Cathlove, A Brainstrom, R Lehman, K Miller, L McMillan, H Partridge, M Harris, F Angove. Reserves - E Partington, J Atkins, R Silke.

 Thrilling Finish in Men’s Basketball

 Monday the 21^st of July, 1947.

 In a thrilling game, in which the lead changed hands many times, Panthers defeated Anchors by one point in the last series of men’s basketball matches.

 Panthers 31 d Anchors 30. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 12, Lynche 11, Sandercock 5, Buss 3.

 A2 Grade

 Panthers 17 lost to Carlton 23

 OBI Top in Men’s Basketball

 Monday the 4^th August, 1947

 The OBI Men’s Basketball team retained top position by defeating Panthers in the main game last week and is now assured of the minor premiership.

 Panthers 19 lost to OBI 25. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 8, Atkins 6, Silke 2, Sandercock 2, Lynche 1.

 A2 Grade

 Panthers 21 lost to Glenelg 68.

 Semi Finals of Men’s Basketball

 Monday the 18^th August 1947.

 OBI comfortably defeated Panthers and qualified for the Grand Final.

 Panthers 15 lost to OBI 33. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 8, Silke 3, Lynche 2, Sandercock 2.

 Panthers Lose Preliminary Final

 Monday the 25^th of August 1947

 Kingston gave an outstanding performance of teamwork to defeat Panthers in the preliminary final of the SA Men’s Basketball Association. Kingston will now meet OBI in the Grand Final on Thursday night.

Panthers 22 lost to Kingston 46. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 11, Lynche 7, Silke 4.

First Ever Woolacott Medal awarded for Men’s Basketball

Friday the 19^th of September, 1947.

Keith Miller (Anchors) won the first Noel Woolacott Medal for the Fairest and Most Brilliant player in the SA Men’s Basketball Association. Harris (Panthers) and Partridge (2^nd/10^th) who were narrowly beaten by Miller, showed outstanding form during the year.

 Final tallies – Miller 26, Harris 25, Partridge 24, Gibb 21, Pearce 20, Branson 17, Wuttke 17, Crump 13, Zehan 12, Branstrom 11, Angove 10, Virgin 9, C. Sandercock 9, L Davidson 8, Partington 7.

 

 

1948

 

Coach                                                 

Merv Harris

Squad

Merv Harris, Claude Sandercock, Keith McCarthy, Threadgold, Nutter. Laming, Buss, Cahill, Silke

Only one team appears in scores for the season, Men’s A Grade. Kingston won the Premiership (Advertiser 13^th June 1949 refers).

 

Results

Lost Semi Final

 

First Round of Games 1948

Monday the 3^rd May, 1948.

Panthers 35 d Mormons 14. Scorers for Panthers – Sandercock 17, Harris 12, McCarthy 3, Thredgold 2, Nutter 1.

Panthers Remain Undefeated After 2 Rounds

Monday the 10^th May, 1948.

Panthers (and three other teams remain undefeated after two rounds of this year’s competition.

Panthers 41 d 2^nd/10^th 26. Scorers for Panthers – Sandercock 12, Laming 10, McCarthy 6, Harris 6, Threadgold 4, Buss 3.

YMCA Defeat Panthers in Men’s Basketball

Monday the 17^th May 1948.

YMCA displayed its best form for the season in defeating Panthers in the most thrilling game of the Men’s Basketball competition at Our Boys Institute. Drawing level at the bell, YMCA’s more accurate goal-throwing enabled it to win the five minute play-off by six points.

Panthers 27 lost to YMCA 33.

Panthers go Down to Anchors in Third Round of Basketball

Monday the 24^th May 1948

Panthers 22 lost to Anchors 29. Scorers for Panthers – McCarthy 10, Harris 8, Sandercock 4.

Panthers Defeat Kingston

Monday the 31^st May, 1948

Combining brilliantly in attack, Panthers staged a thrilling finish to defeat Kingston by four points. It was Kingston’s first defeat of the season.

Panthers 46 d Kingston 42. Scorers for Panthers – Sandercock 24, McCarthy 10, Harris 9, Buss 2, Nutter 1.

Panthers Defeat United

Monday 14^th June, 1948.

Panthers 38 d United 15. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 10, Sandercock 10, McCarthy 10, Cahill 2, Laming 2, Nutter 2, Threadgold 2.

Panthers Defeat Mormons

Monday the 21^st June, 1948.

Panthers defeated Mormons in a lacklustre game in the most recent round of Men’s Basketball.

Panthers 20 d Mormons 9. Scorers for Panthers – McCarthy 7, Sandercock 6, Harris 2, Nutting 2, Laming 2, Cahill 1.

Panthers Defeat 2^nd/10^th

Monday the 28^th June, 1948.

Panthers 36 d 2^nd/10^th 25. Scorers for Panthers – McCarthy 11, Harris 10, Silke 5, Cahill 4, Sandercock 4, Laming 2.

Panthers lose to YMCA Again

Monday the 5^th July, 1948.

YMCA repeated its first round performance in the Men’s Basketball Association by again defeating Panthers.

Panthers 16 lost to YMCA 24. Scorers for Panthers McCarthy 8, Harris 4, Sandercock 4.

Panthers Defeat Anchors

Monday the 12^th July, 1948.

Panthers 28 d Anchors 13.

Panthers Lose another Game to Kingston

Monday the 19^th July, 1948.

Sound team work and a more purposeful attack enabled Kingston to avenge an earlier defeat against Panthers in the last series of Men’s basketball at the OBI.

Panthers 17 lost to Kingston 27.

Losing Streak Continues

Monday the 26^th July, 1948.

OBI gave an impressive display of basketball in almost doubling Panther’s score in the last series of games at the OBI.

Panthers 24 lost to OBI 46.

Panthers Defeat United

Monday the 2^nd August 1948.

Panthers ended their losing streak defeating United 18 – 17.

Panthers Lose to OBI Again

Monday the 16^th August 1948.

Panthers 31 lost to OBI 42.

Panthers Win a Close One

Monday the 23^rd August 1948

Panthers 32 defeated Mormons 30.

Panthers Lose Semi Final

Monday the 6^th of September, 1948.

Panthers lost their semi final to YMCA in last week’s basketball, finishing the season for them.

Panthers 26 lost to YMCA 35. Scorers for Panthers McCarthy 9, Sandercock 8, Harris 6, Nutter 2, Cahill 1.

 

 

1949

 

 

Management Committee

 R Bock, R Buss, M Harris, D Hobbs, W Bock, H Nutter, D Polden, K Aiston, C Sandercock, K McCarthy, K Marvel, B Grafton

 

“Constitution and Rules” of the Club consisted of 18 separate points.

 

1. The Club shall be called the North Adelaide Basketball Club and shall be affiliated with the D. & M. A.B.A.
2. Membership of the Club shall be open to all amateur players in South Australia.
3. The objects of the club shall be – to insure (sic) the democratic selection of a committee to promote and foster basketball and maintaining a social spirit of good fellowship between all members.
4. All officers to be elected at the Annual General Meeting, to be held before the beginning of each Winter Season.
5. Officers of the Club shall consist of – Patron, Vice Presidents, President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary (Women), Secretary, Assistant Secretary (Women) Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer (Women), Auditors (2).
6. General Committee – President, Secretary, Ass. Secretary, Treasurer, Ass. Treasurer, Men’s Club Coach, 1 Junior Committee, and 3 others, Publicity Man.
7. Men and Womens Club Coach.
8. Selection Committee –

 

District Men – Men’s Club Coach, District Captain, Metro A Coach and 1 other member.

 District Women – Women’s Club Coach, North & Panther Captains and Coaches and 1 other member.

 Other Men’s Grades – District Selection Committee & All Senior Team Coaches.

 Other Women’s Grades – District Selection Committee & all Senior Team Coaches.

 Junior Boys – Junior team Coaches.

 Junior Girls – Junior team Coaches.

 

1. Social Committee – Committee & convenor will be appointed at Annual General Meeting.

 

Men’s Squad

M Harris, K McCarthy, Ron Silke, Harold (Mabel) Partridge, Claude Sandercock, Grafton, Nutter, Buss, Marvel, Bock.

 

Finished 3^rd (lost Preliminary Final to OBI).

 

State Representation

SA Men’s squad

Harris, Sandercock, Buss.

 

Committee Notes

Committee decided that at least 3 trophies should be given to players in each grade. First two to be decided by the Coach and the final one by a sub Committee, made up of all Coaches and C Harris and B Grafton.

Committee gave R Buss permission to buy wood to make backboards for the parklands practice court.

Bus to be hired (at the cost of 48 pounds), for the Whyalla trip.

Annual Social to be held at Masonic Hall.

Newspaper ad from the day (Advertiser 13^th of June 1949) – Men’s Basketball Boots, high grade, imported White Canvas with sponge rubber insoles, wonderful wearers. Sizes 5-10. At Cook’s – 16 shillings and 3 pence.

 

Results

Lost Preliminary Final.

 

Advertiser Monday the 13^th of June 1949.

Panthers 33 d United 12. Scorers for Panthers – Silk 10, Harris 8, Partridge 6, Sandercock 5, Grafton 2, Nutter 2.

 

First Loss for Men’s Basketball Leader

Advertiser Monday the 20^th June, 1949.

Kingston stopped Panther’s winning sequence in the last series of games in the Men’s Basketball Association at OBI. Kingston, Panthers and OBI now share top position on the premiership table.

Panthers 15 lost to Kingston 22. Scorers for Panthers – Bass 6, McCarthy 4, Sandercock 2, Nutter 2, Silke 1.

 

Advertiser Monday the 4^th July, 1949.

Panthers 35 d Latter Day Saints 14. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 15, McCarthy 8, Sandercock 5, Nutter 4, Buss 2.

 

State Team Training Squad Chosen

Advertiser Monday the 4^th July, 1949.

 The State selectors (Messers Hunt, Branstrom and Joyce) have appointed 15 players to train for inclusion in the SA team to play in the Australian Carnival. They are M Harris (Capt-Coach), R Buss, A Sandercock (Panthers), A Branstrom, K Miller, G Walsh (Kingston), K Rawson, V Haskard, B McKay, F Angove (OBI), H David, D Emmett (YMCA), W Angells, P Sutton (MacDonalds), P Roach (United), Mr V Thomas (Assistant Coach).

 

Advertiser Monday the 11^th July, 1949.

 Panthers 24 d MacDonalds 18. Scorers for Panthers – Sandercock 8, Harris 7, Silke 4, McCarthy 3, Marvel 2.

 

YMCA Strike Form in Men’s Basketball

 Advertiser Monday the 18^th of July, 1949.

YMCA reached top form to defeat Panthers in the main game at OBI and greatly improved its premiership prospects.

Panthers 19 lost to YMCA 27. Scorers for Panthers – Sandercock 8, Harris 6, Marvel 2, McCarthy 2, Buss 1.

 

Men’s Basketball Four Assured

Advertiser Monday the 25^th of July, 1949.

Following wins against teams in the lower half of the men’s basketball premiership table, OBI, Kingston, YMCA and Panthers appear certain to play off in the major round.

Panthers 34 d Anchors 15. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 18, McCarthy 6, Bock 6, Nutter 3, Silke 1.

 

Advertiser Monday the 1^st of August, 1949.

Panthers 26 d United 13. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 11, McCarthy 6, Silke 6, Sandercock 3.

 Kingston Dominated Men’s Basketball

 Advertiser Monday the 8^th of August 1949.

 Kingston dominated the first half against Panthers in their men’s basketball game at OBI and although Panthers fought back strongly it was unable to make up the leeway.

Panthers 27 lost to Kingston 36. Scorers for Panthers – Sandercock 12, Harris 8, McCarthy 6, Silke 1.

 

Thrilling Finishes in Men’s Basketball

 Advertiser Monday the 15^th of August 1949.

 Thrilling finishes were witnessed in three of the four games of men’s basketball games at Our Boys Institute on Saturday. OBI’s two point win against Panthers may assure it of the double chance.

Panthers 26 lost to OBI 28. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 12, Sandercock 7, McCarthy 4, Nutter 2, Bock 1.

 

OBI Win Men’s Basketball

Advertiser Monday the 12^th of September 1949.

 OBI (top) and Panthers (third) provided the best game of the SA Men’s Basketball Association series at Our Boys Institute.

Panthers 34 lost to OBI 42. Scorers for Panthers – McCarthy 13, Sandercock 11, Harris 4, Nutter 2, Silke 2, Buss 2.

 

Advertiser Monday the 19^th of September, 1949.

Panthers 9 lost to Latter Day Saints 15. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 5, Sandercock 4.

Panthers Win Elimination Final. Play OBI in next week’s Preliminary.

Advertiser Monday the 26^th of September 1949.

Panthers 31 d YMCA 24. Scorers for Panthers – Harris 14, McCarthy 10, Sandercock 6, Buss 1.

 

Basketball Finalists Decided

 Advertiser Monday the 3^rd of October, 1949.

 A stronger attack enabled OBI to lead throughout against Panthers in the preliminary final of the Men’s Basketball Association. OBI will meet Kingston in the grand final next week.

Panthers 27 lost to OBI 44.

Scorers for Panthers – Harris 10, Sandercock 7, McCarthy 6, Silke 4.