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RAMS
vs KINGS: NEWSLETTER
by Piet Van Hasselt
17 May 2002
1. HOME COOKIN'
by Piet Van Hasselt
The Scenic Circle Hotels Canterbury Rams return to the
“friendly confines” of the WestpacTrust Centre
for the first of a three-game home stand, when they take
on the Harbour Kings tonight. Canterbury have never lost
to the Kings at the WestpacTrust Centre, beating them in
all four encounters. These include a semi-final victory
in 1999, 80-75, and overcoming a 20-point deficit in the
last eight minutes to tip the Kings in 2000, 77-76. On
that occasion, Kings’ Coach Tracy Carpenter showed
his frustration by ripping off a hand-towel dispenser
unit in the locker-room!
The Rams have progressed through the first six rounds of
the National Basketball League with a highly respectable
five win, two loss record, including five challenging
away games. Canterbury’s “bomb squad” of
long range shooters, Carlo Varricchio, Dave Langrell and
Craig Farrant, will need to make an impact to ensure a
strong all-round team effort, after a quiet showing last
weekend.
The Kings most consistent player and best defender Aaron
Olson was in fine form last weekend, with 40 points,
seven rebounds, three assists and a perfect 8/8 from the
free throw line. This earned him NBL Player of the Week
Honours. For the season, Olson is averaging 21.3 points
per game and a league best 91.3% from the free throw line
(42/46). Other players to watch for are the athletic
Paora Winitana (16.3 points per game) and the underrated
Dylan Chase. Former Tall Black Brad Riley has only
recently returned from injury.
 2. T-LEW A TALL
BLACK
Canterbury Rams shooting guard Terrence Lewis was named
in the 12-man squad to play a 3-test series in China
yesterday. Lewis is playing as one of two naturalised New
Zealanders in the team alongside 2.08m Ed Book. The team
will play in China over Queens Birthday weekend so the
players will not miss any NBL games. The Tall Blacks
leave Auckland on May 28 and play tests in Lushan on May
31, Wenzhou on June 1 and Quinhuangdao on June 3.
Congratulations to Lewis for his effort and good luck in
China.
The 12 strong squad named by Tall Black Coach Tab
Baldwin:
Mark Dickel (Saints), Phill Jones (Giants), Dillon
Boucher (Titans), Pero Cameron (Titans), Ed Book
(Giants), Paul Henare (Hawks), Judd Flavell (Giants),
Terrence Lewis (Rams), Paora Winitana (Kings), Damon
Rampton (Giants), Daryl Cartwright (Stars), Robert Hickey
(Hawks).
Unavailable: Kirk Penney (University of Wisconsin), Tony
Rampton (Cairns Taipans), Sean Marks (NBA), Willie Burton
(Hawks).
3. KNIGHTS TO TAKE ON CBL CHAMPS
The Canterbury Knights began their Conference Basketball
League campaign two weeks ago with a close loss to the
Southern Sharks at the WestpacTrust Centre, 74-78. Last
weekend they traveled to Nelson and easily handled Nelson
College on Saturday, 86-47, and beat the Nelson Suns on
Sunday, 78-68. Ritch Howell had a solid 19 points and
seven rebound effort against Nelson College, and then put
up a stunning 38-point, 11-rebound performance against
the Suns. The Kaikoura Whale Riders are the defending
Champions of the CBL, and are led by former Ram Jason
Kyle.
4. TALL BLACKS TO PLAY IN CHRISTCHURCH
The New Zealand Tall Blacks will play Hungary in
Christchurch on Friday, 12 July in the final game of
their last international home test series before the
World Championships in August. Be part of an incredible
basketball double-header with the Canterbury Rams taking
on Otago at 5:30 pm, followed by the Tall Blacks versus
Hungary at 7:30 pm. Don't miss your chance to give the
guys your support before they take on the world! Price:
Adult $20, Student $16, Child $10, Adult + Child $25
(additional child $7). Kids under 5 free at door. Tickets
are on sale now at Ticketek - no booking fee if you
purchase at the WestpacTrust Centre Box Office!
5. CORPORATE SEATING
Would your company like to have corporate seating at
Scenic Circle Hotels Rams games or the Tall Blacks match?
All corporate ticket holders are invited to our VIP
pre-match function with complimentary drinks and nibbles
and pre-game talk from Coach Watson. For information on
corporate premiere reserved seating, floor seats and
serviced courtside boxes contact Amy Gardiner: [email protected]
 SCENIC CIRCLE HOTELS
RAMS SUPPORTERS: WEEKEND SPECIAL
Stay at any Scenic Circle Hotel New Zealand Wide and pay
only $99 incl. GST per room (2 person per room), extra
person rate applies. Please make your bookings through
0800 NZ Owned (0800 69 69 63) and quote 'RAMS'. Special
conditions apply. Subject to availability. Special valid
from 1/4/02 - 1/9/02.
Please
feel free to forward this information to your basketball
friends. Newcomers can subscribe to Rams News by sending
an e-mail to [email protected] with "sign me
up" in the subject line. Comments about the
newsletter can be sent to [email protected]
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