BASKETBALL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 237, 27 May 1932, Page 3

BASKETBALL

cCentre")

DULL PRACTICE NOTES AND COMMENTS ON LAST WEEK'S GAMES TO-MORROW'S FIXTURES

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Fixtures Kowhai v. H.S.O.G. (A), 1.45 (Mrs. Guy) ; Ngongotaha v. Kiwi, 2.30 (Mrs. Walker); H.S.O.G., (B), v. Waratah, 3.15 (Mrs. Shearer). Teams High School Old Girls (A). — Goalers: V. Hale, F. Bates, J. Isdale. Centres: R. Steele, G. Jones, M. Ford. Defencer H. Dawson, N. Devin, B. Corbett. Old Girls (B). — Goalers. — J. Allen, J. Tucker, T. Johnson (captain). Defence: R. Johnson, 0-. Edwards, D. Hamilton. Centres: D. Kingon, S. Wilson, R. Manson. Ngongotaha. — Dallis Cronin, Marie Cronin, Nancy Cronin, Rose Hands, Nellie Beaumont, Evelyn Jarlov, Hazel Matthews, Elsie Fisher, Jessie Martin, Nellie Fisher. Games Reviewed NGONGOTAHA V. H.S.O.G. (Af Fine weather last Saturday made possible the second games of the Rotorua Basketball Association's competition under favourable conditions. The High School Old Girls A team met Ngongotaha, and although the latter were defeated the victors found it no~ easy task to evade their many keen attacks. The Ngongotaha centre had an advantage over High School by having taller players, and on several occasions the High School centre lost the first pass . There was far too much fumbling but this may be attributed to the newness of the ball. In the second half the passing improved and although Ngongotaha's centre did its best to keep the forwards well supplied with opportunities for goalthrowing, the two High School defenders, H. Dawson and N. Devin, were too strong and quickly intercepted, often changing defence into attack. The game ended: High School A, 14; Ngongotaha, 8. Mrs. Walker refereed. WARATAH Y. KOWHAI The play in this game was fast and furious, and although Waratah attacked strongly at the outset, Kowhai managed to score the first two goals. After this Waratah settled down, and through consistent team work managed to even matters. The score at half-time was 5 all. In the second spell both teams kept the ball moving, but Waratah were just a shade quicker than their opponents whose hesitant passing too often allowed of interception. Kowhai defence played well, and kept the Waratah forwards in cheek. Both teams showed a tendency to use too much energy, and not enough headwork. Waratah gradually crept ahead of their opponents and managed to win in the last few minutes by the small margin of two goals. The final score was: Waratah, 11; Kowhai, 9. Mrs. Shearer refereed. H.S.O.G. (B) Y. KIWI Kiwi again met defeat, although they showed slight improvement on last week's play. It would be well for the captain of Kiwi to arrange for the team to have at least one good practice a week and more if possible. Good play can only be obtained by hard, steady practice. High School played a good game throughout, their goal-throwers shooting most aeeurately. The final score was: High School, 23; Kiwi, 1. Mrs. E. G. Guy refereed. Wednesday Competition, It was unfortunate that wet weather caused the postponement of the commeneement of the competition. There are still a few teams who have not yet registered their club name or colours. These particulars must be handed to the secretary before Tuesday next. Notes At a meeting held on the 16th inst, it was decided to hire the Sylvana Hall for a trial practice on the following Monday evening. This entailed a great deal of time and work for the officials before final arrangements could be made, theref ore it was most disappointing when not one complete team attended, and of one team not a single player was in evidence. This shows a discourtesy and lack of appreciation, which is very unbecoming. More especially as it is not really the association's function to arrange for practices which should be done by the clubs themselves. Players should not lose sight of the fact that basketball is a sport and should be entered into as such. A few guiding principles to assist in the attainment of good play are: (1) Use the whole court; move freely in your third; avoid crowding. (2) Possession is nine- points of the law; to keep possession and attack is the best means of both attack and defence. (3) Speed is essential — to this end the ideal handling of the ball is to take it and pass it on practically in the one motion; the short swift pass is the most effective. (4) .Added to good field play there must be accurate goal throwing; this is gained by consistent practice. (5) In defence, close attendance on your opponent while the ball is in her team's hands is the first rule ; this to be changed instantly when the ball is captured by one of your own players . (6) Lastly, and most important of all., team play should be the constant aim and ideal. It is the experience of all who have tried it, in basketball, as in all other sports, that the better one can play the game, the greater is the enjoyment derived from it. Basketball is both a reason for getting fit and a means of lceeping fit; its physical benefits comprise all-round exercise and development, with the enhancing of grace and quickness: Its satisfactions lie in the zest of a good game well played, with the sense of body and mind working effectively together, and the joy of united effort to a team end. ''The game's the thing!"