Basketball: One-way traffic as Tall Blacks claim Olympics spot

By Murray McKinnon

The game was of little significance but the victory against Guam at the North Shore Events Centre on Saturday evening was historic for New Zealand basketball in claiming a place for the first time at an Olympic games.

"It is a feeling of great relief," was coach Keith Mair's reaction after the Tall Blacks outclassed a fledging Guam team 125-43 after leading 59-16 at halftime.

"We knew five years ago that we had a chance of gaining the Oceania spot at the Olympics after the games were awarded to Sydney and now finally the waiting is over," added Mair.

The Tall Blacks were at a height advantage from the start, giving them a clear edge on the rebound.

Captain Pero Cameron directed play, controlling the board at both ends regularly scoring the defensive rebound.

Guam's only hope was to hassle in numbers under the basket which regularly led to foul trouble.

Brad Riley of Nelson kept the tempo at a fast pace throughout, scoring 19 points in the first half and 27 for the game with Glen Denham (Otago) celebrating his 15th year as a Tall Black with his usual aggressive gutsy game scoring a total of 15.

Guam took six minutes before Mike Lee was able to slot away a basket. They had a short run of skilled play just before halftime but had no answer to the Kiwi onslaught at the start of the second half when New Zealand piled on 35 unanswered points.

In the end it became hit and miss for Guam as they regularly fired the ball past the baseline.

Tony Rampton of New Plymouth was given the run of the game in the second half, scoring 14 points, missing out on a few more at the free throw line.

Cameron, who had travelled out from his English club side Chester Jets to complete the qualifying act, said the game was a bit of an anti-climax.

"I love the game and I would have enjoyed a more competitive challenge," he said.

"At halftime we knew we were off to the big one but still had another half to play."

Cameron said he would be more than happy if New Zealand ended up in the top six out of the 12 countries that will be at the Olympics.

Guam coach Paul Shimizu said his country appreciated the opportunity to play against the Tall Blacks.

"It was a big experience for us, it is the first time we have played New Zealand and it was most beneficial.

"It gave the team a more intense game than we are used to as we rely on the South Pacific countries like Fiji and Samoa for our competition."