Jump to content

Goldfields Giants

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Goldfields Giants
Goldfields Giants logo
LeaguesNBL1 West
Founded1990
HistoryMen:
Goldfields Giants
1990–present
Women:
Goldfields Giants
2022–present
ArenaNiels Hansen Basketball Stadium
Capacity1,200
LocationKalgoorlie, Western Australia
Team colorsNavy blue & gold
PresidentRob Tagliaferri
Head coachM: Matthew Van Pelt
W: Jaymi Worthington
Championships2
WebsiteGoldfieldsGiants.com

Goldfields Giants is an NBL1 West club based in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The club fields a team in both the Men's and Women's NBL1 West. The team is affiliated with Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association (KBBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the region. The Giants play their home games at Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium.

Team history

[edit]

SBL

[edit]

The Goldfields Giants, a men's basketball team, entered the State Basketball League (SBL) in 1990. The Giants' initial coaching staff included head coach Randal Hulme and his assistant Ned Coten. Americans Calvin Earl and Paul Graham were the team's first import players, while Keith Malcolm served as the first team captain.[1] Mark Griffin joined the team mid-season as a replacement for the outgoing Graham.[2] Graham averaged 43.3 points in 10 games for the Giants[3] and scored 82 points in his final game.[2] It marked the equal highest single-game points total in SBL history.[4] The Giants finished their inaugural season in 12th place with a 7–19 record.[5]

In 1995, the Giants had their best season to date,[6] as they finished the regular season in third place with a 19–7 record and advanced through to their first ever SBL Grand Final. In the SBL's only best-of-three grand final series, the Giants were defeated 2–0 by the Bunbury City Slammers.[7]

The Giants celebrate their maiden championship in 2007

In 2004, the Giants set a new franchise-best campaign, as they finished the regular season in second place with a 20–4 record.[6] They went on to advance through to the SBL Grand Final, where they lost 104–97 to the Perry Lakes Hawks.[7] In 2006, the Giants had their best-ever regular season, as they finished in second place with a 21–3 record.[6] They went on to advance through to the SBL Grand Final, where they lost 83–66 to the Lakeside Lightning.[7]

In 2007, the Giants returned to the SBL Grand Final after finishing the regular season in second place with a 17–7 record.[6] In the grand final, the Giants won their maiden SBL championship with a 96–94 victory over the Lakeside Lightning.[8] Shamus Ballantyne was named Grand Final MVP[9] for his 18 points, six rebounds and six assists.[10] In 2008, the Giants finished the regular season in third place with a 19–7 record and advanced through to their fourth SBL Grand Final in five years. In the grand final, the Giants defeated the Willetton Tigers 101–82 to claim back-to-back championships.[11][12] Darnell Dialls was named Grand Final MVP for his 32 points and 16 rebounds.[13]

In 2015, behind the trio of Jay Bowie, Jacob Holmen and Mathiang Muo, the Giants returned to the semi-finals for the first time since 2009, despite finishing the regular season in seventh place with a 14–12 record.[14][15]

NBL1 West

[edit]

In 2021, the SBL was rebranded as NBL1 West.[16][17]

In August 2021, a Goldfields Giants women's team[18] was approved for entry into the NBL1 West for 2022.[19][20][21]

Notable past men's players

[edit]

Accolades

[edit]

Women

Men

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "1990 Playing List & Coaching Staff". GoldfieldsGiants.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Giants Throwback Thursday – Third Edition". GoldfieldsGiants.com. 21 May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015.
  3. ^ "STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE MEN PLAYER REGISTER". Basketball Western Australia. Archived from the original on 18 July 2005. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  4. ^ "STATE BASKETBALL LEAGUE MEN RECORD PERFORMANCES". Basketball Western Australia. Archived from the original on 18 July 2005. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  5. ^ "MSBL History". SBL.asn.au. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d "2015 SBL Media Guide". SportsTG.com. p. 21. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "Past Champions". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  8. ^ "2007 Grand Final: Goldfields Giants vs Lakeside Lightning – Last 90 seconds". 30 May 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via YouTube.
  9. ^ Lucas, Jarrod (17 August 2009). "Loss of captain big blow". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 10 September 2018. The 2007 grand final MVP...
  10. ^ "Goldfields Giants 96, Lakeside Lightning 94". GoldfieldsGiants.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Giants take two premierships in a row". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  12. ^ McLaren, Rebecca (12 September 2008). "Giant Champions". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Giants Reign Supreme". BasketballWA.asn.au. 7 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009.
  14. ^ Pike, Chris (16 July 2015). "Giants hunger behind them securing a return to playoffs". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  15. ^ Pike, Chris (16 July 2015). "Red hot Giants excited for challenge of Slammers in semis". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  16. ^ "NBL1 West to tip off in 2021". NBL1.com.au. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  17. ^ Garlepp, Josh (30 October 2020). "State Basketball League to become NBL 1 West as WA clubs agree to unite under national second-tier banner". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Giants to add women's team into the "Family"". goldfieldsgiants.com. 14 December 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2019.
  19. ^ Harvey, Neale (16 August 2021). "Giants' dream finally realised by first-tier competition promotion". kalminer.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023.
  20. ^ Coleman-Heard, Rory (25 August 2021). "ANALYSIS: Goldfields Giants' ladies hit new highs on court". kalminer.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Thomson to lead Giants' women for inaugural NBL1 season". NBL1.com.au. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
[edit]