Giants stand tall at Stadium

The walls of Stadium 2000 echoed again to the sounds of top-level basketball on Saturday evening.

Two of the heavyweights of the National Basketball League, the Nelson Giants and the Wellington Saints, brought their pre-season skills to Blenheim for the first time since 2023.

And they did not disappoint the crowd of over 600 who welcomed the rare opportunity to see national league action on their doorstep.

The match offered both franchises a late chance to hone combinations and give fringe players some valuable minutes before the season kicks off next weekend.

The Giants began proceedings as if they had a point to prove against the defending NBL champions, racing out to 28-9 advantage on the back of some slick passing, coupled with accurate shooting from range. Defensively they were also immediately on their game, forcing a string of turnovers and rebounding superbly.

However, the capital crew had some classy operators and, led by flamboyant guard Carlin Davison, plus big men Sam Gold and Jordan Hunt, they began to work their way back into the match, reducing the deficit to 15 points at halftime.

At three quarter time they had cut that margin to 11 points [64-53] and although they also won the final quarter, they were still adrift 80-71 when the final hooter sounded.

Nelson looked well-organised and energetic. Back court leaders Alex McNaught and Kruz Perrott-Hunt, Liam Judd, Josh Nickel and Elijah Inwood caught the eye, while big men Tohi Smith-Milner and Nelson College student Zach Rampton matched up well to their Saints’ opposites.

Veteran Sam Dempster put in a big shift as usual, while the local crowd was thrilled to see former MBC standout Brodie Materoa, a recent signing, get some court time and not look out of place among the NBL regulars.

Giants’ head coach Mike Fitchett was glad to be back in Blenheim.

“We are more than happy to be back over the hill,” he said.

“We have been playing amongst ourselves which is not great because you know what you are about to do, so to play against another team that has also been training hard is good, and to play in front of a crowd too … we have got a lot of new players, so to blood a bunch of guys and give them the opportunity to get the nerves out of their system should be helpful come game one.”

Mike was happy with the efforts of new recruits Kruz Perrott-Hunt and former Tall Black Tohi Smith-Milner, who just arrived in Nelson the previous day.

“They looked comfortable as expected, while among the young guys, Elijah Inwood was very composed off the bench and it is great to see a 16-year-old seven-footer running around … Zach [former Tall Black Tony Rampton’s son] is still obviously not there physically yet, but he’s very talented.”

He described Brodie as “a long-term project”. “He was been awesome. He has been training really well and has a bright future.”

Given the solid Marlborough support, Mike is hoping for a return to a three-team pre-season format, providing more games for the local faithful. He even floated the possibility of bringing one of the Giants’ regular season games over the hill in future.

Given the local appetite for quality hoops that would be a very welcome addition to the Marlborough sporting calendar.

Final score: Nelson Giants 80 Wellington Saints 71 (Quarter scores: 28-9, 21-25, 15-19, 16-18).