HAWKS
FLY SOUTH FOR MID-WINTER CLASH
25 JULY 2001
by Corey Brown and Piet Van HasseltA struggling Mighty Hawks
side travel to Christchurch, braving the
unfamiliar wintry conditions that are not as
common back home in the Hawke's Bay. The Hawks
will play the WestpacTrust Canterbury this Friday
night at the WestpacTrust Centre tipping off at
7pm.
The Hawks, who hold a disappointing three wins
and nine losses in the 2001 season, will be in
Christchurch not to fight for a semi-final berth
that now lies out of reach, but to seek revenge
for their narrow loss to the Rams 83-81 in the
first round.
The Rams will have to rebound after back-to-back
away losses against Blockbuster Auckland and the
PoeNamo Kings last weekend. After thrashing the
second placed Saints by 30 points only a
fortnight ago, the highflying Rams were brought
back to earth with a thud. The losses also dealt
Canterbury a severe blow to its semi-final hopes,
forcing the team to win all three of their
remaining games and rely on other teams to
falter.
On Friday night, the Rams will undoubtedly look
to their two most consistent performers of the
season to produce match-winning efforts. American
import John "Pope" Whorton and Kiwi
forward Andrew Gardiner have performed with
distinction on the low blocks. Whorton is
averaging 20.5 points (4th in the NBL), and 11.2
rebounds per game, while Gardiner has registered
double figures in points in seven of his last
eight games.
Other key Rams players will include the explosive
scoring duo of athletic Craig Farrant and the
workmanlike Jon Disher who have made notable
contributions from the bench this year. Both are
nearly averaging double figures in points despite
being on court for less than half the match.
Farrant is also leading the team in three-point
accuracy with 39.4% (3rd in the NBL).
The starting Rams' guards of captain Dave
Langrell and Carlo Varricchio will take the
WestpacTrust Centre court keen to prove a point
after experiencing off shooting nights last
weekend. Forward Salasopo Tulua will also be keen
to show the Rams Fans his potential after
exploding for 14 points in 20 minutes of action
against the Kings.
The Mighty Hawks come to Christchurch after going
down to the Property Broker Jets 82-78. The Hawks
are somewhat lacking depth in their ranks, but
there are undoubtedly several players in the team
who are capable of winning matches. Willie Burton
leads the Hawks and is joined by former Ram and
2000 Rookie of the Year Arthur Trousdell. The
Hawks' guard-line of Paroa Winitana and Puke
Lenden have been in impressive form this season,
averaging 18.4 and 14.1 points per game.
The game tip-off is on Friday night at 7:00 pm.
The Canterbury Knights fight for a place in the
2nd division national finals against the Kaikoura
Whale Riders in the curtain raiser, starting at
5pm. Tickets are available at Ticketek outlets.
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