'Eleventh-hour’ win to Checkers A

Press, 23 April 1979, Page 23

'Eleventh-hour’ win to Checkers A

Sharon Rennell's two free throws right on the buzzer clinched for Checkers A a good win over Mairehau A at Cowles Stadium on Saturday when the women’s senior basketball competition began. It was a close and exciting game htat saw Checkers A defeat Mairehau A bv 58 points to 57 after extra tiirie in the opening round of this season’s women’s first division basketball championship held at Cowles Stadium on Saturday. During the Easter tournament both sides had a victory apiece and things looked good for the opening clash. Mairehau with their traditional slow start allowed Checkers seven points before scoring but soon played much better basketball, deserving their 25-18 lead at half-time. Checkers with Jane McMeekan, New Zealand and Otago representative. in fine form made up some of the deficit in the second half to trail by two to five points. Entering the last sm!n and trailing 38-47, Checkers then scored five straight baskets, with Robyn North slotting three, to hit the front. Checkers went ahead again 50-49 with two free throws by Paula Roberts and shortly afterwards Mairehau’s Patsy Barry had Checkers at her mercy with moments to go but only hit one free throw out of three to tie the scores at 50-all. During a highly exciting smin of extra time that followed the lead changed three times with Sharon Rennell being the toast of the Checkers side by scoring two goals plus the vital two last free throws to turn near defeat into victory with seconds remaining.

Checkers lost Jane McMeekan (11 points) and Leslie Hasnen on five fouls each but credit for Checkers’ victor?’ went to Beth McLeod whose dynamic driving plav had Mairehau bewildered. Mairehau’s Mary Fastier re-

bounded and shot well deserving her 17 points and Patsy Barryworked hard as usual. Christchurch United 64, Rebels A 31 Christchurch United, determined not to be bottom this season, handed out a 64 to 31 point drubbing to Rebels. United put together a good team game although their passing needs a little improvement while on the other hand Rebels played as a side with seven individuals. Petite schoolgirl Barbara Carr put in a gusty display to notch 20 points. Chis Heremia, New Zealand and Auckland representative, towering a head high above everyone, dominated the boards while the newly married Heather Steele (nee Carr) combined wel* with Ku Waitoa. Rebels players to appeal were Averil Robinson and Muriel Williams. However, Shirley Le Warne only show-ed patches of her usual good form. United led 26-17 at half-time and at one stage scored seven consecutive baskets. Mairehau High School 62, Continental Caterers 38 Defending champions, Mairehau High School, ran out comfortable winners over Continental Caterers, previously Rangiora, by 62 points to 38. The score could have been twice as great had not the coach, Kerry Williams, changed his tactics after his Easter losses and intends to give all his players a run instead ■ of his previous ''win at all cost” approach. Donna Broughton also played her part well by continually outdriving the Continental guards and most times passing off to her outside forwards instead of completing the basket herself. At other times she sent her forwards away on the fast break with well controlled long passes from the back court. Isobell Lee and Karen Richardson made the most of the ball supplied by Donna, scoring

12 points apiece. Rongo King was the only Continental player to stand out and scored 20 valuable points. Results were: CHECKERS A 58 (R. North 13, J. McMeekan 11, L. Hannen 9, S. Rennell 8, B. McLeod 7, P. Salton 4, S. Elliott 4, P. Roberts 2) defeated MAIREHAU A 57 (M. Fastler 17, P. Barry 13, A. Taylor 8, J. Cook 8, C. McFarlin 6, C. Perrv 5). CHRISTCHURCH UNITED 64 (B. Carr 20, H. Steele 14, K. Waitoa 14, C. Heremia 9, C. Jones 3, V. Cunningham 2, D. Wilson 2) defeated REBELS A 31 (S. Le Warne 10, Z. Meals 6, A. Robinson 6. M. Williams 4, D. Shanks 2, E. Young 2). MAIREHAU HIGH SCHOOL 62 (K. Richardson 12, I. Lee 12, B. Palmer 10, R. Cassidy 9, A. Bermingham 6, D. Goodland 5. V. Cassidy 4, D. Broughton 2, M. Stokes 2) defeated CONTINENTAL CATERERS 38 (P. King 20, L. Kearney 6, F. Van Zanten 4, B. Fortune 2, K. Atchison 2). Results of lower grade games were: Men’s division 2: Jaks H. 5.0.8. C 76, C.B.H.S. A 53; Lincoln College 37, C.M.S. 34; Bumside B 80, Hagley A 48; Y.M.C.A. B 55, Aranui 0.8. B 20; Riecarton 37, Teachers’ College 34; Checkers B 67, Taxes 44: Y.M.C.A. C 50, University B 48; Wigram 42, Jaks H. 5.0.8. B 36; C.C.R. 75, Mairehau B 30 Men’s division 4: Y.M.C.A. D 14, Burnside D 8; Checkers D 29, C.B.H.S. C 16. Boys under 16: Mairehau H.S. B 37, C.B.H.S. E 12; Mairehau H.S. A 70, C.B.H.S. D 11. Women’s division 2: Hagley A 60, Christchurch United B 36 Halswell A 38, Y.M.C.A, A 36: Aranui H.S. 46, Mairehau B 25: Teachers’ College 26, Burnside A 24; Aranui 0.8. 42, Bumside H.S. 24. Girls under 16: Mairehau H.S. C 39, Kingslea 7; Rangiora H.S. 27, Mairehau H.S. D 20.