AMERICAN BASKETBALL.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 98, 11 August 1944, Page 3

AMERICAN BASKETBALL.

SQUADRON MATCH

WHAKATANE DEFEATS ROTORUA

What constituted for many Whakataneans their first opportunity of witnessing a game of American basketball was the match between Rotorua and Whakatanc played at the Winter Show Buildings on Saturday afternoon when a Wliakatane Squadron team defeated one from the Rch torua Squadron by ;J1 points to 4. American basketball differs from that usually played in. New Zealand mainly in the i'act that any player can <lcTend or attack at any point on the court, the only stipulation being that the man with the ball must jiot be bumped, or touched himself in any way. Dribbling, i.e. bouncing the ball with one hand while running up the court is allowed, and goals are, usually shot on the run. Defending players may dc- | fend their own goal. It took some few minutes for the majority of the spectators to catch 'on to the idea of the game' but it was not long before they were anticipating every move, and applauding vigorously -whenever either side shot a goal. With only five players on either side they Avere more easily able to keep track of the respective position each player held, i.e. centre,, defence, forwards or goal. The fact that although only one man was officially a goalee anyone who had the opportunity Avas. at liberty to take a shot puzzled the public j at first, but not for long, and loud cheers of 'Come on Wliakatane' soon followed up with 'Come on Rotorua' by the visiting team's supporters, Avere heard from all sides. Some, Avho preferred to show no favouritism but felt they must give voice. contended themselves by shouting 'Come on A.T.C.' At the linish of the match, two teams were picked from both Whakatanc and Rotorua cadets to give an exhibition of the new 'zone defence' method of play in Avhich if one side gets possession of the ball, the opposing side, immediately take up positions at. the other end of the court, Avait till the attackers in possession get close enough, then try to rob them of it. Once the idea had been explained the public folloAvcd every move closely with evident enjoyment. Although the Wliakatane team carried off the honours, the first game Ava.s by no means all one-sided and fast moves on both sides made the game a Aery enjoyable one for both public and players alike.