Giants 137 Jaguars 92

The Jacksonville Giants(5-1) played the East Point Jaguars from Atlanta Friday evening at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. A nice crowd on hand saw the Giants win 137-92.

The Giants used tenuous defense in the first quarter causing the Jaguars to turn the ball over leading to baskets for Jacksonville. Seven foot center, Jermaine Bell scored 11 first quarter points to help the Giants build a 48-21 lead.

At the half, Jacksonville took a 76-42 lead.

It was 112-60, Giants at the end of the third quarter.

Leading scorer for Jacksonville was Bell with 22 points and he had 9 rebounds. Anthony Lumpkin scored 21 points.

For the Jaguars, B. Warren scored 24 points and Z. Martin scored 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

After the game I met with Jacksonville Giants Head coach, Kevin Waters, who stated, "I am happy with the win. I was pleased with substitution of are players in and out the first half. We need to continue to work on our defense and rotation of players. Sherard Reddick played well and gave us energy."

The next Giants home game will be Tuesday, January 3, 2012 against the Fayetteville Flight. Game starts at 6:30pm and will be played at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lorentzon, Photographer.

Giants Vs. Jaguars

The Jacksonville Giants(3-1) play their next home game against the East Point Alabama Jaguars Friday December 30th at 7:00pm at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The ABA Power Rankings ending December 18th, list the Jacksonville Giants ranked as the 15th best team in the country.

Picture of Giants forward, Antonio Lawrence, driving to the basket against the Columbus Riverballers on December 17th, 2011 taken by Joseph Lorentzon, Photographer.

Jacksonville Giants 173 Columbus Riverballers 96

The Jacksonville Giants(3-1) played the Columbus Riverballers Saturday evening at the Jacksonville Veteran's Memorial Arena. Columbus brought 7 players for the game. Columbus Head coach, Alton Hicks, Jr. said "my big men did not make the trip." Coach Hicks praised the Giants team. Jacksonville won the game 173-96.

Just like the previous Jacksonville home game Wednesday, they got off to a fast start and led after the 1st quarter 46-22. Columbus guard, Anthony Jackson, scored 11 of his teams 22 points.

At the half, the Giants led 74-54. Jackson had 20 points and Giants seven foot center, Jermaine Bell had 18 points at half time.

After three quarters, it was Jacksonville 130-73.

Prior to the game, I met with A. Jackson and he told me this was only his second game this season he has played. The ABA All-Star guard from last season, had an outstanding performance with a triple-double: 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Second leading scorer in the game for the Riverballers was J. Jones with 26 points.

Leading scorer for Jacksonville was Bell with 30 points. Josh Washington contributed 22 points.

Top rebounder for Jacksonville was Lamar Sanders with 14 and Bell had 12 rebounds. Dominque Hicks had 14 rebounds to lead Columbus.

The next Jacksonville home game is December 30, 2011 at 7:00pm against the Savannah Storm.

Jacksonville Giants 154 Florida Makos 94

The Jacksonville Giants played the Florida Makos Wednesday evening at the Jacksonville University of North Florida Arena. Jacksonville won 154-94.

Giants got off to a fast start in the first quarter to build a 42-19 lead. "Hot Rod" Harris made 3 three point shots for 9 points.

At the half, Jacksonville led 81-41. Renaldo Norman scored 13 points in the 2nd quarter and Lamar Sanders grabbed 6 rebounds in the 2nd quarter.

At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Giants led 114-70.

Norman was the leading scorer for Jacksonville with 28 points. Currye Todd scored 19, and Antonio Lawrence added 18 points. Sanders led the Giants with 8 rebounds.

The Florida Makos were led in scoring by Eric Ruffin with 16, followed by Barry Jordan with 15, and Brad Clark with 10 points.

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lorentzson, Photographer.

As of December 14, The ABA Power Rankings listed the Jacksonville Giants as the 17th best team in the country. The number one team is the Los Angles Slam.

The next home game for Jacksonville is against the Columbus Riverballers on Saturday, December 17th. Game starts at 7:00 pm at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

Atlanta Experience 120 Jacksonville Giants 107

The Jacksonville Giants played their first road game Sunday against the Atlanta Experience. Atlanta won the game 120-107.

The first half saw the Experience take a 13 point lead, 68-55.

At the end of the third quarter, Atlanta led 98-81.

Leading scorer for Jacksonville was Nick Wallery with 18 points. Seven foot center Jermaine Bell added 17 points.

Tim Ware was the leading scorer for Atlanta with 29 points. Scoring 25 points each, Anjuan Wilderness and J. J. Wimbush.

It was announced the attendance was 300.

The ABA Power Rankings through December 4, show the Atlanta Experience ranked 21st and the Jacksonville Giants ranked as the number one team in the country.

Giants Vs. Makos

The Jacksonville Giants play the Florida Makos Wednesday evening, December 14, at 7;00 pm. The game is being played at the Jacksonville University of North Florida Arena. The ABA Power Rankings list the Giants as the number one team in the country. Giants won their home opener at the last second on a three point shot in front of an estimated crowd of 3,500.

Giants Win at the Buzzer

A large crowd saw a great game Saturday evening between the Jacksonville Giants and the Gulf Coast Flash at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. The Giants scored a 3-point shot as time expired winning the game, 116-115.

Matt Fields scored the first 8 points for the Giants in the first quarter. After the first quarter, Jacksonville led 30-28. The second quarter saw the Giants lead 62-58. The third quarter saw the Giants build an 18 point lead to lead 94-76 to end the quarter.

With .03 seconds left in the game, Gulf Coast Flash led 115-113, the Giants called time out to set up the final play of the game. Giants Coach Kevin Walters devised a great final play. Christian Laettner was standing underneath the Flash basket, threw a long pass to the other end of the court which Mike Polite tipped the basketball to Currye Todd, who was well beyond the 3 point arch, drilled the shot to win the game for the Giants, 116,115.

Leading scorer for the Giants was seven foot center Jermaine Bell with 17 points. Matt Fields and Renaldo Norman each scored 15 points. Polite scored 14 points. Although Laetnner only scored two points, he was valuable as a rebounder and a passer. j

This being the first game of the year for the Giants, I was impressed with the team chemistry between the veterans on the team last season and the new players on the team this year. The Giants start the season ranked number one according to the ABA Power Rankings.

The Gulf Coast Flash played well and made a good comeback. They are a great 3 point shooting team. Dominque Hughes led the Flash in scoring with 31 points.

Giants Home Opener December3rd

The ABA Jacksonville Giants open the season at home Saturday December 3, 2011 against the Gulf Coast Flash, number 2 ranked team last season. Game starts at 7:00 pm at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Giants should be stronger this year as they have added several new players to the team. A few new members: Former Duke star and NBA player, Christian Laettner, joins the team. Leading the ABA in scoring last season, Dwayne Jackson, averaged 34 points a game in 22 games for the Heartland Prowl. Jackson will help Jacksonville in the scoring department. Sherard Reddick, played center for the Savannah Storm last season. Reddick the center/forward played in the ABA All-Star game on February 26, 2011 in Jacksonville, scored 12 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 19 minutes of action. According to Coach Waters, two players from the top ranked S. E. Texas have joined the Giants.

Fans will get to see an up-tempo game December 3, as both teams utilize the fast break. It should be a high scoring game with lots of dunks.