Giants fall in opener but bounce back to stun highly touted Tigers

Damon Ballantyne looms as a key figure in the Goldfields Giants’ bid for an elusive NBL1 championship after his high output and strong leadership on Sunday underpinned the team’s upset victory on the road, 90-86, against Willetton.

After the Giants lost on Saturday by 11 points against Warwick, Ballantyne stepped-up against the highly fancied Tigers with a team-high 28 points.

Ballantyne, who was perfect from the free-throw line and converted 10 of 17 from the field, also had six rebounds and two steals as Willetton were dealt a second defeat of the weekend.

He was backed by imports De’Sean Parsons (21 points; 18 rebounds; three assists; two steals) and Randy Bell (21 points; four rebounds; six assists; two steals).

With just three games left of the qualifying series, the Giants are in sixth place with an 11-8 win-loss record — ahead of back-to-back home games at Niels Hansen Stadium.

For interim coach Lennon Smartt, Sunday’s win was more proof that the group was building at precisely the right time.

“We did it the hard way (against Willetton), but I’m really proud of the guys,” Smartt said.

“Damon’s experience, ability to play the one-to-four (roles) and overall versatility is unparalleled in our team.

“It’s really needed and he’d probably been due for a big game for a while.

“He’d put together some great quarters and had some big moments, but to string together a game like that against opposition of that quality was impressive.

“We had players step-up and really take the load off others who had been doing all the scoring which I was really pleased about.”

Smartt said the group was ultimately pushing for a top-four finish.

“The entire coaching staff believe that this group is capable of something special, but also never really saw the season panning out the way it has,” he said.

“We’d sent an import home before the season had even started, we’ve had a few coaching changes (with head coach Matt Van Pelt on personal leave) and some injuries.

“To face that adversity and now be in a position for a real run at the top-four, I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.

“If they don’t have belief now, I don’t know what will provide that belief because we showed that we can do something special if we stay healthy.

“Fifth or sixth gives us that home court advantage in an elimination final, but fourth spot is our real goal and to get that second chance.

“With our schedule, I fully believe we can win the rest of the way and then see what happens with the other (top-eight) teams.”

The Giants are at home this Saturday against the Eastern Suns and also on July 13 against Warwick before finishing the qualifiers on the road against East Perth on July 20.