Waiouru hosts basketballers

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 396, 23 July 1991, Page 16

Waiouru hosts basketballers

BY

joanne

saunders

Over 80 players recently converged on Waiouru, from all over New Zealand, to select The top men's and women's regional teams in the 1991 Army Inter Regional Basketball tournament. The tournament was held 2-4 July. the initial games showed that there was no lack of talent and that all men's teams were evenly matched. The women's section however, seemed to be one sided in favour of the ATG Waiouru team, who had convincing wins over all opponents. The favourites for the finals were ATG Waiouru in the women's section and Northern in the mens. ATG Waiouru started strongly in the women's final against Southern, and quickly took control of the game. Good

shooting by team captain; Sharon Crack and some strong rebounding by Brendai Mafileo ensured a good lead of 3715 to Waiouru at half time. Kathy Walker played a great defensive game placing the southern ball carriers under a lot of pressure and denying them points. At fulltime ATG Waiouru had won by a convincing 68-27, Waiouru team coach Juanita Brausch said the team played a good disciplined game. The men's final between Northern and ATG Waiouru proved to be a much closer, hard fought game. It started off as expected, a very physical encounter with Norther'ns 'stretch' Walden and Waiouru's Barry Vrenhoek fighting it out under the boards. Good play by both teams saw a close

35-32 lead to Northern at half time. The Northern team came out fired up for the second half and scored nine points before ATG could reply. 'Ox' McLean from Waiouru proved impressive throughout the second half but couldn't do enough to pull back the lead. Final score Northern 74, ATG Waiouru 59. The tournament conculded on Thursday night with a buffet dinner at which the trophies were awarded and final selection for the mens and ladies Army teams were announced. These teams will take part in the Inter Service Tournament to be held in Auckland between 8 and 11 July. Trophies were awarded to the following players and teams: Ingarm Memorial Cup for men's overall winner Northern team; Gaile Holiand Bowl for womens overall winner to ATG (Waiouru) Team;

Kina Lawrence Cup for the most valuable womens player went to LCpl Val Gilbert; Thomas Pomare Trophy for the most valuable men's player to Pte Godinet; The Sam Noon Trophy for the most sporting team to Southern Women; and the Pat Edmonds Trophy for the team with the highest percentage of successful shots from free throws to Southern Mens (72%). Selection for the Army In-ter-Service Mens Team was: J Pte Godinet; 2Lt C McCulloch; - LCpl W Lloyd; Pte C Dewes; Spr R Morgan; Pte Tahi; W02 L Walden, SSgt M Savage; , Cpl S Vazey; Dvr P Milner; ' Lcpl B Pohe; Cpl P Johnston. Reserves are SSgt T Hiroti; Pte Tauranga; LCpl L McLean; Cpl N Takuira-Mita. Selection for the Army InterService Womens Team is ;Cpl S Bennett; Lt B Mafileo; Sgt S Crack; Lt B Diamond; LCpl W Cunningham; 2Lt J Gutry; LCpl V Gilbert; Dvr T Larkin; Cfn K Walker; Dvr L Simpson. Reserves are Pte K Payne; LCpl B Taitai. Organisers would like to extend their thanks to sponsors DB, National Mutual; AGI; Fastlane Restaurant - Waiouru RSA.