Basketball

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 15, 22 July 1949, Page 5

Basketball

WHAKATANE TEAMS’ BIG IMPROVEMENT

(By “Goalie”)

An indication of the vast improvement of Whakatane basketball can be gained from the performance of the two Whakatane ' teams, which competed at Te Puke last week. It was the first time these combinations had played together and their performances are, therefore, more meritorious. A noticeable feature of, both teams was their improvement as the games progressed and should they be able to continue this they will provide Opotiki with stiff opposition tomorrow.

Possibly the main feature of each team is the strong defence. ■At the Te Puke tournament H. Ratapu was the outstanding player in this position. The forwards combined surprisingly well and their accurate snappy shooting probably accounted for several of their wins. Perhaps the weakest department of the Whakatane teams were the centres, especially on defence. Many

times they failed to clear or receive and the A centres especially, were outclassed in the first few games.

However, in the final game against Te Puke Whakatane made no mistake and came out winners 34—19 and so annexed the Gibbings Shield for the first time from the previous holders, Rotorua Catholics.

Tomorrow Whakatane will defend the Miriata Shield against Opotiki and if last week’s performances can again be produced Opotiki will have a hard game.

WHAKATANE TEAMS .TO PLAY OPOTIKI

There have been slight changes from last week in the Whakatane representative basketball teams to meet Opotiki on the high school hard court tomorrow afternoon. But the sole selector, Mrs W. J. Dippy, said today that the teams were strong and would gi/e Opotiki very hard opposition, especially the team that was defending the Miriata Shield.

The following are the two teams:— Whakatane A: H. Ratapu (capt), J. Ratene, J. Armstrong, B. Grant, E. Quigg, I. Ratahi, I. Grant, M. Kenyon, N. Tauroa. Whakatane B: C. Sullivan (capt), J. Mokai, D. Harawira, V. Bowering, H. Lawson, L. Hohapata, S. Ngaropo, G. Hona, V. Ratina. Reserves: J. Dodd, E. Teepe. TOMORROW’S TEAMS These teams will be playing at the Whakatane Domajn tomorrow, Paroa ‘A’ against Redwings, Minors against Matatua: — Olympics: C. Sullivan, D. Harawira, N. Kenyon, E. Quigg, V. Bowering, P. Stewart, S. Ngaropo, G. Hona, J. Armstrong. Redwings: L. Bryers, N, Ranby, J. Clough, M. O’Rourke, B. Breckon, M. Dines, J. Shapley, P. Hudson, G. Bridger. Paroa ‘AVJ Grant, M. Tauroa, M. Tutua,. I; Ratahi, H. Lawson, B. Grant, J. Ratene, B. Mexted, N. Ngamanu. Reserves, B. Kingi, J. Takotohiwi, M. Keepa. Paroa Minors: S. Pile, J. Dodd, M. Ratahi, M. Tutua, L. and T. Hohapata, S. Hakiahi, S. Matehaere, N. Clark. Reserves, R. Hona, W. Grant.