1st EASTERN BAY BASKETBALL TEAM SHOULD DO WELL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 72, 21 July 1950, Page 4

Ist EASTERN BAY BASKETBALL TEAM SHOULD DO WELL

(Specially written for Beacon) The team chosen to represent the Eastern Bay of Plenty at the New Zealand Tournament at Palmerston North is as follows: —

Forwards: N. Rewharewha (Opotiki), H. Amoamo (Opotiki), W. Keepa (Whakatane), E. Ranapia (Whakatane). Centres: Y. Black (Opotiki, Captain), E. Quigg (Whakatane), B. Grant (Whakatane), N. Kelly (Whakatane). Defence: J. Ratene (Whakatane), S. Ngaropo (Whakatane, vice-captain), R. Walker (Opotiki), I. Peters (Opotiki).

As the Eastern Bay of Plenty has just recently gained direct affiliation to the ; New Zealand Basketball Association it is the first time a team has been sent to a Dominion Tournament.

Promising Forwards * The forwards show promise of working well together. H. Amoamo has represented Opotiki for the last five years and N. Rewharewha for the last four years. Both play a sound game. This is the second year W. Keepa has been a representative player for Whakatane and has previously played for High School at Napier. E. Ranapia, though a young forward shows promise and combines accurate throwing with good field work. This is her first year as' a representative player. The centres show the ability of changing quickly to defensive play from an attacking game. E 'Quigg as centre plays a good open game

and this is her third year as a Whakatane player. N. Kelly is another young player, who has gained honours for the firsi time. She is able to play as centre or wing centre. B. Grant, who has played both as a primary school rep. and a senior Whakatane rep. for the last five years is a versatile player who can play defence equally well and therefore should prove an asset to the team. Y. Black (captain) who has always played senior basketball has gained honours for the first year also. She shows the ability to combine well with other centres and is quick in movements, especially to retrieve a. loose ball. defence Sound The defence appears to be fairly

sound, S. Ngaropo perhaps being the strongest, but all show ability to intercept. S. Ngaropo, who was a primary school rep. for two years was a B team rep. player last year for Whakatane. The other Whakatane player, J. Ratene, plays a very dependable game and has been both a primary school and senior representative for the last three years. R. Walker is a second year representative for Opotiki and I. Peters a first year. Both play keen defensive games and have the ability to keep the game open. It is hoped that all players will learn much from 'their visit to the New Zealand tournament.