Giants welcome back head coach by winning NBL1 thriller on home court

Matt Van Pelt’s energised return at the helm of the Goldfields Giants was carried over to the playing group in a pulsating double-overtime victory against visiting NBL1 rivals Lakeside on Saturday night that has put them on the cusp of the top eight.

Van Pelt, who had spent several weeks away from the team on personal leave, said the 115-109 win in front of a parochial home crowd at Niels Hansen Stadium was a perfect way to resume head coaching duties.

It moved the Giants into ninth spot — one win adrift of eighth-placed Perry Lakes.

They can further consolidate in a rare two-game home stand this long weekend.

“What a way to return because that was a heck of a game,” Van Pelt said.

“One play here or there could have meant a win or a loss, so to come out on the winning side left our guys feeling great about it and what’s ahead.

“It wasn’t always pretty — we had a few lapses defensively.

“But overall, it was one of those gritty games that hopefully can gave us momentum for the rest of the season.”

A flair-for-the-dramatic theme dominated the night, including a formal acknowledgement of Giants captain Jerome Reid’s 200th game — a milestone he had chalked up six days earlier on the road.

Reid responded with 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists off the bench.

It complemented a hard-working starting-five led by Randy Bell (32 points; eight rebounds; nine assists) and De’Sean Parsons (23 points; nine rebounds; 10 assists; three steals).

Damon Ballantyne (19 points; four rebounds; three assists; two steals) and Manylok Malek (18 points; 11 rebounds; two assists) also played big roles.

“It’s huge for us, to be firmly in that position of battling for a playoff spot,” Van Pelt said.

“Our aim is to win a championship because realistically you only have to win three games to achieve that.

“Of course you have to make the playoffs first and every game is vitally important right now.

“We needed this one (victory) to keep our chances of doing that.

“Now the challenge is to carry that over in back-to-back (home games) this weekend.”

Goldfields’ upcoming home stand is against Rockingham and East Perth on Saturday and Sunday nights, respectively.

“We’re not used to having back-to-back home games and it’s just refreshing to be back with the team and doing what I love,” Van Pelt said.

“Hopefully the players are excited too because this is a big series coming up.”