San Jose Overwhelms N.Z. Universities, 121-37

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 16

San Jose Overwhelms N.Z. Universities, 121-37

The value of possession and the importance of placing emphasis on defensive play as well as on scoring goals was not fully appreciated by the New Zealand University men’s basketball team in its match against the touring American San Jose State College team last evening. San Jose won, 121-37.

Right from the first tie-up, San Jose scored almost at will, making the defensive efforts of the shorter, slower, indecisive New Zealanders appear pitifully inadequate.

After smln San Jose led 22-4, it had increased its lead to 61-13 by haff-time and at the final whistle it was ahead by the completely shattering margin of 84 points. It reached this tally without giving the impression of straining. Mis-matched as the two teams were, the students were good enough to bring out the best in the Americans. Their crisp passing and accurate shooting certainly impressed the capacity crowd at Cowles Stadium. “We cannot play much better than we did tonight,” said the San Jose coach (Mr S. K. Inman) after the game. There were few attempts at complicated manoeuvres. The players concentrated mainly on moves generally well known in New Zealand but their efficiency and speed in carrying them out put them in a class ahead of their opposition. Their basic knowledge of the fundamental skills —passing, shooting, moving, handling, dribbling and defence —was a joy to watch. The teams with Individual and total scores were:—

San Joss Ul: P- Newell 20, F. Tarrants 16, S. T. Saffold 13, S, Schlink 13, J. Gleason 12, C. Denier 12, J. Keating 9, D McConnell 8, W. Clegg 8, R. Dur and 6, R. Carpenter 6.

• N.Z. Unlvoroltlos 37: C. Rocha 12, G. Rapson «, W. E. Smith 4. T. Griffin 4, I. Day S, C. Morris 2, D. Stannard 2, J. Stead 2, W. Ward-Holmes 2. Scored More Points New Zealand Universities, a team having ita first game this season, did no more or less than was expected at It. It scored more points against the Americans than any other team so far In the Dominion but it lost by the greatest margin. It wasted a lot of possession with poor passing and its lack of height, compared to the Americans, put it at an obvious disadvantage. Once the University players had a shot on the way they could just about write off their chances of regaining possession from the rebound if the shot missed. And a large percentage of them did miss. The «ft Sin San Jose centre, C. Denzer, was nearly always at hand to whip the ball away from the backboard almost before it had hit. If he was off the court then F. Tarrants, although 31n shorter, was just as effective. Both men played excellent games. A large percentage of points came from brilliant rebounding. If a long shot was a few inches off the basket there was always a pair of hands there to direct it back in.

and defensively, was outstanding. Saffold. the only Negro member of the side, was extremely steady at *M times. However, the whole team played outstanding basketball and It would be difficult to single out any one plover as being better than any other. Had Difficulties The universities players were rather disappotnUng. They had great difficulties even getting their shots away because at the brilliant guarding of the Sun Jose players. When they were presented with opportunities to score they failed to take them Shots they would never have hesitated to take in a club match somehow seemed beyond them on this occasion. Roche was perhaps the only player who really showed any determination to break the San Jose stranglehold. He took his shots when they were on and e» a result was the leading scorer in bis side. Mr Inman said laser that he was quite impressed with his play and also that of Stannard. Referees: Messrs M. A. McDougall and B. McCormack Curtaln-ralsar In the curtain-raiser, Canierbury colls defeated Canterbury University, 51-40. The play of both teams was very entertaining. P. Stigley (13) and K. Luxton (10) were the top scorers for the colts. G. Williams (121 and G Nock (8) were the universlty’s leading scorers. The colts led 24-21 at halftime.

Newell, a 6ft 41n forward, was most impressive. He played a good all-round game and his 20 paints were well earned. Clegg was not a prolific scorer but his general play, both offensively