Giants shock high-flying neighbours with victory

The Trailblazers came down from Division One last season after previously winning numerous championships in the top flight.

Recruiting heavily over the summer, the Trailblazers pulled off some high profile signings including ex-Giants stars Dan Watts and Richard Bailey to put them in the mix with the early league contenders.

Before the game, the Giants were rock bottom while the Trailblazers were riding high in second place.

The game started with both teams trying to stamp their authority early on, but was the Trailblazers that took the lead with some fine outside shooting.

The Giants looked a little out of sorts with their new style of play as the home side won the first quarter 24-14.

The second period saw Mansfield start to play some outstanding defence holding their opponents to just nine points.

The game started to get increasingly physical, but the Giants’ offence started flowing as they closed the gap to just three points going into the half-time break.

Once again the Giants displayed some very aggressive defensive play to take the lead.

It was midway through the quarter before the disgruntled Trailblazers made any field goals as Mansfield again won the quarter, going into the final period with a 50-44 lead.

Derby were not going to go down without a fight as they immediately came back with some long range efforts.

The Derby coaching staff gained a technical foul which extended the Giants lead once more, which effectively was the icing on the cake.

Derby fouled to put the Giants on the line hoping they would get the ball back, but the visitors did enough to take the well deserved six point win in front of their ecstatic travelling supporters.

Giant’ top scorers: C. Gamble 35, M. Woodhouse 17, Lewis Tucker 15.

Mansfield Giants’ assistant coach Arron White said: “Overall it was a solid team performance where we were able to control the pace of the game.

“Every player gave their all at the defensive end consistently throughout the match which kept Derby to only 27 per cent field goal scoring, the lowest they have recorded all season. It goes to show that we have the ability to beat any team in the league.”

The Giants take on league newcomers Ipswich this Saturday in their last game before the Christmas break.

The club urges all basketball fans to get behind the team as they prepare to make amends for their Patrons Cup loss earlier in the season.

The game tips off at the earlier time of 4.30pm at Oak Tree Leisure Centre.

Please take a copy of this article to gain reduced admission. Adults £3, U16s £1.50 (with this article).

Giants’ women were beaten 53-48 by local rivals Nottingham Wildcats in their second meeting so far this season.

Giants were yet again below strength, missing Katy Taylor and Chloe Gaynor, with Rebecca Temple facing surgery for her injuries sustained earlier in the season.

It was Giants that stormed to an early lead, taking complete control of the game from the tip-off to go 14-5 up in the first half.

It was much the same in the second half with Giants working the ball inside out to find Van Alten and Levitt inside the paint, with Hollie Shaw stepping up to score two big threes.

Giants posted their highest scoring quarter to leave the score 34-14 at half time.

But Wildcats came out with new found aggression after the break, stepping up their defence to hold Giants to just seven points in the quarter, posting 14 themselves.

The fourth quarter saw them up their intensity again, dropping in shots from outside and forcing Giants to turnover the ball.

However, Giants, being the more experienced team, tried to control the game and play to their strengths, but with a number of unlucky calls going against them, both Van Alten and Clarke left the game with five personal fouls as Wildcats closed out the game with 25 points in the final quarter.

The women take a break this weekend, facing Huddersfield away the week after in what will be a must-win game to break the Giants’ run of bad luck.

Mansfield Giants’ men’s second team took a convincing 63-43 win over local team Eastwood Antz in the Founders Cup.

Eastwood were held to just 15 first half points with Giants dominating the defence boards.

The Giants’ front court totally outplayed the Eastwood big men and man of the match Craig Swinton helped with a season-high 23 points.

There were also valuable minutes for Nathan Halstead, Vidma Ancuta and Ben Morrison.

Giants II top scorers: C. Swinton 23, M. Boot 12, A. Hook 12.

The Mini Giants took another convincing win to edge them closer the Notts Open Mini League title. The U12 boys and girls beat Nottingham Hoods 100-15.

The team now need to win their remaining games to clinch the league title.