Goldfields Giants

The Goldfields Giants are an Australian basketball team based in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The Giants compete in the Men's State Basketball League (SBL) and play their home games at Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium. The team is affiliated with Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association (KBBA), the major administrative basketball organisation in the region.

Goldfields Giants
LeaguesState Basketball League
Founded1990
HistoryGoldfields Giants
1990–present
ArenaNiels Hansen Basketball Stadium
Capacity1,200
LocationKalgoorlie, Western Australia
Team colorsNavy blue, gold, white
PresidentRussell Duncan
Head coachWayne Creek
Championships2 (2007, 2008)
WebsiteGoldfieldsGiants.com

Team history

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. Mark Griffin joined the team mid-season as a replacement for the outgoing Graham.[1][2] The Giants finished their inaugural season in 12th place with a 7–19 record.

In 1995, the Giants had their best season to date,[3] 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.[4]

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.[3] They went on to advance through to the SBL Grand Final, where they lost 104–97 to the Perry Lakes Hawks.[4]

In 2006, the Giants had their best-ever regular season, as they finished in second place with a 21–3 record.[3] They went on to advance through to the SBL Grand Final, where they lost 83–66 to the Lakeside Lightning.[4]

In 2007, the Giants returned to the SBL Grand Final after finishing the regular season in second place with a 17–7 record.[3] In the championship decider at Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium on 8 September, the Giants won their maiden SBL Championship with a 96–94 victory over the Lakeside Lightning.[5] All five Giants' starters scored in double figures, with import Ty Shaw recording 17 points and 18 rebounds and Grand Final MVP Shamus Ballantyne recording 18 points, six rebounds and six assists.[6][7]

In 2008, the Giants finished the regular season in third place with a 19–7 record and advanced through to their fourth grand final in five years. In the championship decider at Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium on 6 September, the Giants defeated the Willetton Tigers 101–82 to claim back-to-back championships.[8][9] Darnell Dialls was named Grand Final MVP for his 32 points and 16 rebounds.[10]

In 2009, the Giants finished in second place with a 21–5 record and returned to the semi-finals, but without injured captain Shamus Ballantyne—the match-winning point guard in the previous two playoff campaigns—the Giants lost in straight sets to the Perry Lakes Hawks.[7]

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.[11][12]

Players

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Goldfields Giants roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.
G 4 Tipene, Kyle 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
G 5 Morrow, Sam 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
G 7 Duncan, Riley 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
F/C 8 Malek, Manylok 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
G/F 9 Reid, Jerome 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
G 10 Hicks, Billy 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
G 12 Gardner, Michael 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
G 13 Tierney, Miles 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
F 14 Klasztorny, Fletcher 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
G 15 Ballantyne, Damon 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
C 22 McGhie, Ethan 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
F 24 Gulley, Dion 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
F 25 Hammell, Corey (I) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
F/C 30 Garang, Majier 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
G/F 31 Jones, Joshua (I) 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
F 32 Lawrence, Nic 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Head coach
  • Wayne Creek
Assistant coach(es)
  • Scott Manton
Team manager(s)
  • Brad French
  • Steve Bergin
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured
Updated: 6 February 2020

Notable past players

Accolades

References
  1. "Giants Throwback Thursday – Third Edition". GoldfieldsGiants.com. 21 May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015.
  2. "1990 Playing List & Coaching Staff". GoldfieldsGiants.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014.
  3. "2015 SBL Media Guide". SportsTG.com. p. 21. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  4. "Past Champions". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  5. "2007 Grand Final: Goldfields Giants vs Lakeside Lightning – Last 90 seconds". 30 May 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2016 – via YouTube.
  6. "Goldfields Giants 96, Lakeside Lightning 94". GoldfieldsGiants.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017.
  7. Lucas, Jarrod (17 August 2009). "Loss of captain big blow". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 10 September 2018. The 2007 grand final MVP...
  8. "Giants take two premierships in a row". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  9. McLaren, Rebecca (12 September 2008). "Giant Champions". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  10. "Giants Reign Supreme". BasketballWA.asn.au. 7 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009.
  11. Pike, Chris (16 July 2015). "Giants hunger behind them securing a return to playoffs". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  12. Pike, Chris (16 July 2015). "Red hot Giants excited for challenge of Slammers in semis". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
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