Thu, Mar 28, 2024 9:55 AM
Giants fall short in season opener
Alex McNaught has improved his offensive capabilities as his comes into this season, notching up 11 points and three assists. Photo (File): Evan Barnes/Shuttersport.
Jack Malcolm
The NBS Nelson Giants have been dealt an opening game defeat at the hands of the 2023 defending champions, the Canterbury Rams.
Despite keeping pace with the home side through the first half, the score blew out in the third quarter in what was a 79-69 loss.
And while Dan Fotu made an immediate impact, with some flashy plays to make his introduction to the team, the Giants struggled with a lack of depth.
With two imports still to be announced and captain Sam Dempster injured, seven players got significant minutes as 16-year-old Hayden Jones entered the starting lineup.
Coach Mike Fitchett has said in the build-up to this season that they were looking to secure a centre, which showed as Canterbury dominated the boards to finish with 57 rebounds while the Giants mustered 37.
With more than twice as many offensive rebounds (23-11), the Rams also shot the ball better while also taking more attempts.
Fotu would top score for the Giants with 18, drawing in eight fouls as the clear danger man alongside Australian import Dan Grida.
Grida had a strong game, notching up 15 points as he shot well from beyond the arc and a team-high eight rebounds.
While significant parts of the bench didn’t get strong minutes, with five of the seven players also in the mix in the new rapid league where the team picked up their first win, 34-21.
The rapid league sees players who are not part of the starting line-up play a shortened game, with four-minute quarters and the team’s assistant coaches stepping up to mentor the team.
The bench players had a strong performance and a positive impact, with Nicolas Davidson and Aston Inwood shining while putting in serious court time.
The Giants season continues on Sunday as they make their 2024 debut at the Trafalgar Centre, where they are set to take on the Franklin Bulls. The rapid league tips off at 5:30pm, with the main show from 6:30pm.
