Imports shine as Giants hold off gallant Eastern Suns

Goldfields Giants imports De’Sean Parsons and Randy Bell have set the bar high for the squad’s upcoming NBL1 finals campaign after they led Saturday night’s 94-86 win against the Eastern Suns and kept the door ajar for a top-four finish.

Making their second-last home appearance of the qualifiers, the Giants were big favourites against the 10th-placed opposition.

But they trailed at half-time and relied on an 18-8 run in the final quarter before icing a 12th win.

Parsons and Bell combined on 59 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Parsons contributed a game-high 36 points at 71 per cent from the floor and, alongside Bell, nullified the influence of the Suns’ Seb Salinas who racked-up 18 points, six rebounds and three assists in his 530th game.

Kon Anguik (15 points; three assists) and Damon Ballantyne (nine points; seven rebounds; three assists) also had big games for the Giants.

Goldfields retained sixth place with an identical 12-8 win-loss record as Mandurah, who are fifth on percentage.

East Perth are fourth at 12-7.

Goldfields’ interim coach Lennon Smartt said the close call against the Suns was not unexpected and gave the players an early taste of what to expect in the finals.

“That was a tough game,” Smartt said.

“But I wouldn’t say we weren’t expecting that because they (the Suns) have some experienced players who’ve been around for years and collectively they’ve had some big wins in the past month or so.

“But we have great imports — quality people who provide great leadership and whose skills are elite.”

Smartt said the Giants’ latest win came after a scaled-back preparation.

“It was a lighter week, with a few boys banged-up from the game before,” he said.

“We definitely took things a fair bit lighter than usual, that included a team dinner, watching some film and actually reassessing our goals a little bit.

“We’re not just focusing on this Saturday (at home against Warwick) and then East Perth (on July 20 to finish the qualifiers) who both have great teams, but also setting ourselves and doing whatever we can can to hopefully leap into the top-four and making a strong run at it in the playoffs.”

Warwick are seventh with an 11-9 record.

Ladder:

Geraldton (18-2); Joondalup (15-5); Willetton (14-6); East Perth (12-7); Mandurah (12-8); Giants (12-8); Warwick (11-9); Rockingham (11-9); Perry Lakes (7-13); Eastern Suns (6-14); South-West (6-14); Lakeside (5-14); Cockburn (5-15); Perth (5-15).