Stead’s Return Strengthens Basketball Team

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31118, 22 July 1966, Page 13

Stead’s Return Strengthens Basketball Team

The strongly-built New Zealand Universities representative, J. Stead, is the surprise inclusion in the Canterbury men’s basketball team to meet Southland in Cowles Stadium this evening.

Stead was originally not available for the team. He played for New Zealand Universities against San Jose last week but this will be his first appearance this season for Canterbury. The team, approved by the Canterbury Mens Basketball Association last evening, is: R. Entwistle (captain), P. Ross, A. Hounsell, C. P_. Dyson, G. 1 Costello, G. Williams, J. Stead.

Morris In Test Team

Canterbury’s sole New Zealand representtaive, C. Morris, will still be away with the

national side, which plays the third and final test against San Jose tomorrow. The team will also be weakened by the withdrawal of both M. Askew and the American, C. Walton. Askew has been having trouble with his legs but after making a come-back for the southern tour, has once again withdrawn on medical advice. Walton is not available for the New Zealand tournament and has wisely withdrawn from the squad to give someone else a chance. Because of this Stead’s decision to make himself available is a welcome one. Most supporters of the sport are against the principle of players making themselves available when they feel like it, and perhaps forcing a player out of the team who has been with it from the outset. Short Of Players

In this case, however, Canterbury is extremely short of experienced A grade representative players and there is no chance of anyone being forced out. The fact that only seven players have been named for the match is a clear indication of this.

Canterbury should, nevertheless, have an excellent chance of avenging its earlier defeat by Southland. Williams has been showing more shooting ability in recent matches, Stead will add muchneeded height and the team should generally be more well balanced.

Entwistle, without doubt the key man in the side, will be available far the whole game, which should make a considerable difference. He was only able to play for half the game last time Canterbury and Southland met because of South Island representative commitments.