Giants clinch Sussex Cup glory

The ADA Bexhill Giants men’s basketball team completed its most successful season by winning the Sussex Cup.
ADA Bexhill Giants captain Craig Douglin receives the Sussex Basketball Cup. Picture courtesy webphotouk.comADA Bexhill Giants captain Craig Douglin receives the Sussex Basketball Cup. Picture courtesy webphotouk.com
ADA Bexhill Giants captain Craig Douglin receives the Sussex Basketball Cup. Picture courtesy webphotouk.com

The Giants had the edge over Worthing Tropics virtually all the way in Sunday’s final at the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy and eventually prevailed 76-71.

After a slow start to the first quarter where nerves were evident on both teams, it was the Giants who took control by opening up an 18-6 lead with four minutes of the quarter to go and they ended it leading 21-16.

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Giants coach Steve Judd called a timeout with his team leading 25-21 and it seemed to have the desired effect as the Giants went on an 8-0 run en route to leading 38-32 at half time.

The Giants scored eight unanswered points at the start of the third quarter only for the Tropics to respond with a 7-0 run of their own. The Tropics ensured the final quarter would be a tense affair by going on a 5-0 run at the end of the third to cut the Giants’ lead to 56-55.

The Tropics began the fourth quarter by scoring four unanswered points to take their first lead of the match. With five minutes remaining and the scores tied at 64-64, the Giants’ hopes were dealt a blow as they lost both of their influential power forwards in quick succession.

Their replacements both scored impressive baskets, however, and the pendulum swung back in favour of the Giants as they led 72-66 with two minutes remaining. But the Tropics came back with five unanswered points to make it 72-71 with less than a minute left.

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Giants captain Craig Douglin made two free throws, though, and after tough defence saw the Tropics turn over the ball, Douglin again made no mistake from the line to seal the victory.

See tomorrow’s Bexhill Observer for a full report.