Young Nelson Giants squad hopes to ‘make a bit of noise’
Nelson’s much-loved basketball team are ready to step up.
Nelson Giants head coach and general manager Michael Fitchett said the team were a little bit disappointed after not making last season’s playoffs.
But with a group locked in for 2024 that had plenty of fresh legs, international experience and key veterans for the younger players to learn from, Fitchett said the squad had been enjoyable to coach in pre-season.
“We’ve got a real hard-working group this year that put a lot of effort and energy into the things at practice. That kind of suits,” he said.
“I think with Dan Fotu coming in and Alex McNaught back, and bringing a couple of young guys up, we’re hopeful to make the finals ... but yeah, that’s always the goal, make the playoffs, and then once we’re there, make a bit of noise.”
Giants veterans Sam Dempster and Tom Ingham will both be wearing the blue jersey again in 2024. Fitchett said that 33-year-old Dempster, who was currently dealing with an injury, had stayed in good shape throughout the off-season.
“He’s desperate to get a title, so he’s going to keep going until we get one.”
High schoolers Hayden Jones and James Matthews, who had both been chosen for New Zealand representative sides, were “highly touted prospects”.
Though Jones, the son of Giants legend Phil Jones, was on the roster last year, Fitchett said the 17-year-old would have to play a bigger role within the team this season.
“It’s a pretty big step up from high school stuff, getting those guys used to the intensity and that sort of thing of the NBL level. So it’s been good having a couple of veteran guys here kind of teaching our young fellas.”
The squad would be joined by two other young locals in Adam Barton and Nick Davidson, who had just completed a six-month stint playing at a prep school in the United States.
Last season’s import players Matur Maker, Kavion Pippen and Avery Woodson were no longer with the squad, but Fitchett said their import spots would be soon be filled.
The Giants sold out every home game at Trafalgar Centre in the last two seasons, which Fitchett said made them one of the best-supported teams in the league.
“We’ve sold out the last 18 games ... which is, yeah, unbelievable,” he said.
Their pre-season training focus this time around was no secret.
“Defence, like every other coach,” Fitchett said.
“Most championship teams are really good defensive teams, so kind of establishing things at that end, but also really developing our young guys and getting them ready to play at this level.”
The Giants’ first game of the year will be on the road against the Canterbury Rams in Christchurch on March 27, and the first home match is scheduled for March 31.