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| Chris Bwana |
Myerscough College Basketball Academy players Andre Gayle and Chris Bwana were awarded significant minutes by Manchester Giants Coach Jeff Jones in a huge 42 point win over Surrey United. Andre Gayle played a season high 18 minutes, recording 7 points including one three pointer. He also pulled down 2 rebounds. Academy point guard Chris Bwana nailed 2/2 free throws, givi
ng him 2 points to go along with 3 boards. Manchester were led by Stefan Gill and David Aliu, contributing 27 and 26 points respectively, both shooting an outstanding 77% mark from the field. Forward Rob Marsden picked up his third double-double of the season, notching 15 points and 11 rebounds and hammering down a thunderous dunk.
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| Andre Gayle |
After a painful 52 point loss away to the high flying Newcastle Eagles on Friday, there is no doubt Sunday’s victory will have been a huge morale booster for the Giants squad. They now sit in 8th place in the BBL championship league table.
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| Yorick Williams and Mike Bernard |
Although they are struggling to perform consistently, the Giants continue to fulfil their objective of giving local talent a chance to shine, with no less than 8 Manchester born players on their roster this season. As veterans Mike Bernard and Yorick Williams close out their careers at the club where they began two decades ago a new generation of Manchester talent is beginning to flourish. It is hoped that Gayle and Bwana will be just the first in a long line of academy players to suit up for the Giants.
Just two months after its launch the programme has its first Division 1 commit and sees 6 or 7 players regularly participate in Giants training sessions. The academy is a cornerstone for the future success of the Giants project, which has the long term ambition of competing in Europe.
Keep up to date with the progress of the Giants by following them on twitter @ManchesterGiant
All photos credit: Jack Hinds photography (http://www.jackhindsphotography.com/)
Report by Ed McNally
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