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BY
PIET VAN HASSELT
26 March 2002
In the most historic year for basketball in New
Zealand the Scenic Circle Hotels Canterbury Rams
have built a strong squad that should be a contender for
the semi-final playoffs and beyond.
With a new coach and new attitude, the formation of “Thunder
and Lightning” - John
“Pope” Whorton and Terrence Lewis and
an exciting uptempo, full-court pressuring brand of
basketball, the Rams should be one of the most
entertaining teams in the league. The mix of veteran
experience and promising young Canterbury talent is one
of the main strengths of the squad. After two seasons of
missing out on the playoffs, the team is hungry to play
to their immense potential and reward the Rams Fans.
New Head Coach John Watson brings a
wealth of basketball knowledge and should inject the
intensity and excitement he displayed during his playing
days into the team. Darren Gravley returns
for his third season as assistant and is joined by Peter
McAllister who also coaches the Canterbury
Knights and Dene Robinson who steps up
from Manager on the sidelines.
Over the off-season the Rams secured perhaps the most
prestigious signing of the franchise’s 20 year
history, the NBL’s premier shooting guard Terrence
Lewis. The American born, now naturalised, New
Zealander brings explosive scoring from all areas of the
court, leadership and experience to the squad.
The return of dominating American restricted player and
Co-Captain John “Pope” Whorton
is a huge coup for the team. His stellar play on the low
block is matched only by his infectious enthusiasm and
personality off. Whorton and Lewis should form a lethal
inside-outside combination.
Co-Captain Courageous Dave Langrell
should prosper under the uptempo style. His move to the
small forward spot will allow him to use his physical
presence on the boards and still shoot the long bombs
that he hits with regularity.
One of the best
post players in the NBL, Andrew Gardiner,
returns rejuvenated and in excellent form. He was
unstoppable at times in 2001 and should complement
Whorton on the inside.
The man entrusted with initiating the high octane offence
is experienced point guard Carlo Varricchio.
His ability to handle the ball at full speed and three
point shooting will give opponents headaches.
With over 200 NBL games under his belt Craig
Farrant is the most experienced Ram. His
inspiring play off the bench earned him the Rams sixth
man of the year award last season.
The emerging athletic trio of “never-say-die” Tim
Edmonds, slam-dunking Salasopo Tulua,
and versatile swingman Boyd Smart should
see increased playing time.
The final members of the 16-strong squad are promising
youngsters: Silky-smooth Gerard Bowden,
intelligent Blase Dowall, post presence Nathan
Hyde, livewire Ben Jeffrey,
gifted sharp-shooter Mark McLaughin,
all-court scorer Luke Osborn and the
energetic Quentin Solomon.
The Rams start their campaign with a southern trip to
take on the young Nuggets, before what
promises to be an enthralling home game encounter against
last year’s “bogey team” the Jets
at the WestpacTrust Centre. A sting of three away games
against the Titans, Hawks
and Jets follow, before returning home
for a clash with the favourite to retain their
championship the Titans. The next
weekend the Rams must face a tough road game against
another title favourite the Giants.
Three Friday games at the WestpacTrust Centre are next up
against the Kings, Saints
and Auckland (with a break for
Queen’s birthday in-between). A short trip to
Wellington to take on the Saints is
followed by a bye weekend to rest up for the daunting
Auckland double-header (Auckland and Kings).
The final weeks of the regular season will be played at
home against the Nuggets, before a
showdown against the Giants, which could
have playoff implications.
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