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RAMS
NEWS: Season Officially Launched
BY PIET VAN HASSELT
27 March 2002
1.
SEASON LAUNCHED IN STYLE
Last night at the Christchurch Casino the
Canterbury Rams 2002 season was officially launched. The
big news of the night was the announcement of the new
naming rights sponsor for the next 5 years - Scenic
Circle Hotels. NZBL Chairman Burton Shipley was the guest
speaker, and Coach John Watson introduced members of the
16-strong squad:
Point Guards: Carlo Varricchio, Mark McLaughlin,
Ben Jeffrey.
Shooting Guards: Terrence Lewis, Tim Edmonds, Gerard
Bowden, Quentin Solomon.
Small Forwards: Dave Langrell, Craig Farrant, Boyd Smart,
Luke Osborn, Blase Dowall.
Power Forwards/Centres: Andrew Gardiner, John Whorton,
Salasopo Tulua, Nathan Hyde.
Head Coach: John Watson.
Assistant Coaches: Darren Gravley, Peter McAllister, Dene
Robinson.
Manager: Wayne Hutchinson.
To
read special articles on the new season visit:
Message from the Rams
2002 Season Outlook
2002
Opponents
2. NEW HOME OF RAMPAGES – https://rams.org.nz
In conjunction with the season launch,
Canterbury Rampages (the Rams official home on the
internet) has shifted homes and has a new address –
https://rams.org.nz
Webmaster Piet Van Hasselt has uploaded all of the 2002
information about the Rams players, coaches, volunteers,
season outlook etc. onto the new site already. 2002 will
be the fourth year of operation for Rampages and it
continues to be the first & best place to look for
the latest news, photos, game previews & reviews and
has feast of statistical information. Rampages is one of
the best sport web sites in the country. Your comments
about the new site are welcome: [email protected]
3. RAMS IMPRESSIVE AGAINST GIANTS & SAINTS
The Rams came back from the series of pre-season
matches at Stoke, Nelson with a promising 3 win, 1 loss
record. The Rams beat the Wellington Saints twice, and
the Nelson Giants once. One of the individual stars of
the weekend was energetic guard Tim Edmonds who had games
of 12, 21 & 15 points respectively (he did not play
in the last game). Power Forward Andrew Gardiner had a
great last couple of games with 25 and 33 points.
Returning American John “Pope” Whorton had an
outstanding weekend playing in the first three games and
shooting a combined 70% from the field and averaging 20.6
points and 14 rebounds per contest. Sharp-shooter
Terrence Lewis missed the last three games due to an
injury.
For
full boxscores of the games please visit here (stats courtesy of the
Giants).
4.
EASTER TOURNAMENT – CATCH IT LIVE
Make sure you catch the final pre-season games
for the Rams at this weekend’s Easter Tournament at
Cowles Stadium (Pages Road) in Christchurch. The Rams are
joined by the Otago Nuggets and Nelson Giants and will
play over the first three nights of the tournament. Gold
coin entry applies. The Canterbury Basketball Association
are running this tournament.
Fri 29 March: Rams vs Nuggets, 7:30pm, Cowles Stadium.
Sat 30 March: Giants vs Nuggets, 7:30pm, Cowles Stadium.
Sun 31 March: Rams vs Giants, 7:30pm, Cowles Stadium.
5.
CBL TRIALS
All players who are interested in playing in the
Conference Basketball League (2nd Division) are invited
to attend the second of two open trials at Christchurch
Boys’ High Gym on Tuesday 2nd April (6-7.30pm).
Details of the competition format will be provided at the
trials.
Contacts: Coaches: Dene Robinson Wk 358 0208 Hm 382 3944,
Pete McAllister 348 4949. Manager: Wayne Hutchinson 353
0597
6. POPE’S FORMER US COLLEGE SUCCESS
The Kent State Golden Flashes progressed into
the Elite Eight stage of the season-ending NCAA
tournament. Rams American player, John “Pope”
Whorton attended Kent State from 1996-99 and propelled
them to a berth in the tournament in 1998. Kent State
overcame three highly fancied opponents, Oklahoma State,
Alabama and Pittsburgh before losing to the red-hot
Inidana Hoosiers. The Hoosiers upset the defending
champions Duke Blue Devils in the previous round.
7. PENNEY’S BADGERS FALL TO MARYLAND
Kirk Penney’s US College Team the Wisconsin
Badgers were defeated by one of the top ranked teams in
the country, the Maryland Terrapins, in the second round
of the NCAA Tournament, 57-87. Penney could only muster 9
points against strong defence from two NBA prospect
guards (Juan Dixon and Steve Blake). In the first round,
the Badgers controlled the game throughout and beat the
St. John’s Red Storm 80-70. Penney had 19 points, 5
rebounds and 4 assists. Penney has impressed many with
his stellar form this season, and should be one of the
Tall Blacks major scoring threats at the World Champs.
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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