CBA Winter Club Basketball 2015 by Bruce Martin - 18 July Report

 

Checkers, the defending Men’s Premier club basketball champions with two wins, showed their determination to hold onto their crown when they outplayed UC, 82-66, at Cowles Stadium on Saturday in the second round championship encounter.

Atami edged ahead of Hoben trophy winner Wolverines through the free throw lane, sneaking home 70-66 in a game of swings and roundabouts. Lincoln University proved they can match the big boys, reversing a first round 35 point hiding, when they outpointed the Dave Langrell led Pioneer, 89-82.
North Canterbury took an early lead in the Women’s Premier championship when they came from behind with a strong second half to defeat a depleted defending champion, Lincoln University, 66-59. Halswell played a late ‘get-out-of-jail’ card as it sneaked home 54-52 after Gators had led most of the way, while Minties also made a strong second half run to edge ahead of Patron’s trophy winner UC, 65-56.

Canterbury Ram Ethan Rusbatch showed his all round ability with 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as he slotted numerous baskets through almost impossible situations. His Captain, Nat Connell, took command of the boards grabbing 17 rebounds and seven assists, while adding an extra 19 points at the other end. Lynchpin Pip Johnston’s 12 points and 11 rebounds was the icing on the cake for Checkers. It was left to UC’s Karl Magon to duck and dive through tight Checkers defence to finish with 23 hard-earned points, while Nino Caesar Diaz supported with 14.

Rusty Thompson’s (30) more accurate shooting allowed Atami a narrow 34-31 half-time lead while concerted efforts from Rich Howell (16) and Zacc Dwan saw Atami extend its lead by the third break. But Wolverines were not finished. Mike Kinley threw his body relentlessly into the Atami defence to slot 26 difficult points. Whizz kid Taylor Britt added 13 with deceptive skills, but Wolverines chase in the final quarter ran out of time.

Lincoln University combined their talents to establish a handy 30-19 first quarter lead against a lack-lustre Pioneer, shooting 29-79 (37%) compared to Pioneer’s 31%. Langrell tried all the tricks in his armoury to break back for Pioneer, slotting a forced 22 points while taking 17 rebounds, but in the final quarter Lincoln’s defence was too strong. Harley Campbell put in his usual busy efforts with 22 points and nine rebounds but it was Nick Erword, a top 26 points and nine rebounds, supported by Aled Jones (15p, 10r, 8a), James Cawthorn (17), and a very busy 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists from James Levings that carried the students to victory.

North Canterbury, still with just seven players, slowed play down in the first half and appeared to be struggling against a more determined Lincoln University offence. They trailed 27-33 at the turn around but several quick steals by Wildcat Hayley Gray, and break away baskets soon after resumption saw North Canterbury sneak ahead 51-49 by three-quarter time. Lincoln’s Fran Edmondson (14) and Maja Burry (20) tried in vain but the impressive defence from North Canterbury’s New Zealand Under 17 player, Charlotte Whittaker, kept the door shut. Gray finished with her best 22 points while Mary Goulding was everywhere for her 13 points.

Jess Rathgen’s 23 points mixed with strong ball skills and support from Anatasia Ah Tong (18) carried Minties to a comeback victory over the depleted students, while Gina Papagadjis (14) worked hard to keep UC in touch.

Back to back triples from Aleni Chapman and Bridget Salkeld gave Halswell a sniff of an unlikely victory after trailing Gators for most of the game while Terai Sadler (19) sealed the unexpected win for Halswell with a late basket. Harriet Fenwick thwarted the Halswell defence slotting a regular 21 points for Gators.

 

Results were:

 

MEN'S PREMIER Grade Championship Round two:

Atami 70 (Rusty Thomson 30, Ritchie Howell 16) Wolverines 66 (Mike Kinley 26, Taylor Britt 13). HT: 34-31, Lincoln University 89 (Nick Erwoood 26, 9R, James Levings 18, 8R, 6A, James Cawthorn 17, Aled Jones 15, 10R, 8A) Pioner Pacers 82 (Dave Langrel 22, 17R, Harley Campbell 22, 9R, Cam Costley 11). HT: 41-37, Checkers 82 (Ethan Rusbatch 27, 8R, 7A, Nat Connell 19, 17R, 7A, Pip Johnston 12, 11R) University 66 (Karl Magon 23, Nino Caesar Diaz 14). HT: 47-33. Bye: Gators.

 

Under 23:

Atami 68 (Eljah Hapi 21, Zacc Dwan 13) Gators Green 60 (Cam Chalmers 13, Michael Barnes 13, Liam Mulvihill 11). HT: Gators Green 32-25, UC 100 (Rohan Russo 17, Finbar Argus 15, Bradley Lang 13, Paul Stephenson 12, Karl Magon 11) Lincoln Longhorns 40 (Rene Gimpl 10, Oakley Campbell 10). HT: 55-12, Gators White 75 (Ollie Carran 19, Karl Farrar de Wagt 12) North Canterbury 70 (Liam Connelly 21, Connor McCrossin 16, Lauchie Weston 15, Gus Janssen 11). HT: 26-26, Pioneer Pacers 20 Checkers 0 by notified default. Deferred game: Lincoln University Bulls v Wolverines. Points table after round 11: Lincoln Bulls 20pts (10), University 20 (11), Pioneer 18 (11), Wolverines 18 (10), Gators Green 17 (11), Atami 17 (11).

 

WOMEN PREMIER Grade Championship Round two:

North Canterbury 66 (Hayley Gray 22, Mary Goulding 13, Tyler Courtney 10) Lincoln University 59 (Maja Burry 20, Fran Edmondson 14). HT: Lincoln 33-27, Minties 65 (Jess Rathgen 23, Anastasia Ah Tong 18, Natasha Van Vuuren 14) University 56 (Gina Papahadjis 14, Kaitlyn Stringer 13, Bianca Aguiar 11). HT: University 41-39, Halswell 54 (Terai Sadler 19, Marinda Van Vuuren 10) Gators 52 (Harriet Fenwick 21, Emma Robinson 11). HT: Gators 31-24. Bye: Pioneer Pacers.