Pre-season form a positive for coach
Goldfields Giants coach Michael Haney adopted an optimistic approach, despite mixed early results at the annual State Basketball League pre-season tournament in Perth.
The Giants dropped both Saturday games by single-digits, losing to the Rockingham Flames 57-49 before falling to the Perry Lakes Hawks, 46-37.
However, the Giants battled to a confidence-boosting 48-48 tie against title contender the Wanneroo Wolves yesterday.
Trailing by 15 at the half, the team rallied in the second half before import Jay Bowie banked home a three-pointer on the buzzer from just inside the half-court line to tie the game.
Haney used the opening games to test different line-ups, rotating his plethora of point guards through the starting line-up each game.
John Santia joined Bowie, Jacob Holmen, Lordan Franich and Mike Exell in the starting line-up for their first hit-outs.
Shamus Balltantyne took his familiar position in the starting five for the second game, before Brandon Holloway started against Wanneroo.
Haney said he was using the chance to test his charges against SBL-level competition.
"This Wanneroo game I subbed as I would have in a real game, what I think our rotation will be and look what happened," he said.
"We played a good game, came against a top side and snuck away with a draw. "It's all an experiment to me too; I don't exactly know what we're going to do yet, but it's all practice and we're learning on the fly."
The Giants also got a valuable look at their round one opponents, Willetton Tigers and Kalamunda Eastern Suns.
Both teams changed coaches in the off-season and are fielding very different line-ups to 2014.
Former Perth Wildcats coach Alan Black has taken over at Willetton and recruited SBL stars Kyle Armour, Damien Scott and Corey Easely.
It paid immediate dividends, with Black's side undefeated through their first three games.
Haney said the weekend provided valuable insight into their first week's match-ups.
The Giants completed the carnival yesterday with a win over the Cockburn Cougars, 51-48.
