Jacksonville Giants 102 Chicago Steam 99

The Jacksonville Giants travled to Chicago, Illinois for the ABA Playoffs to play against the Chicago Steam Saturday afternoon, March 31, 2012. The ABA Power Rankings lists Chicago #4 and Jacksonville #6. Basketball fans were able to watch the game on Facebook Ustream. Fans saw an exciting finish, with Jacksonville winning the game in the final seconds, 102-99.

At the end of the first quarter, Jacksonville led 28-22. Offensive rebounds helped the Giants to build a lead. Jacksonville extended their lead at the half to lead, 55-43. Anthony Lumpkin led the Giants in scoring with 18 points-he made 4 three points shots to lead all scores at half-time.

Chicago closed the gap, Jacksonville led 76-71 at the end of the third quarter. Currye Todd made a three point shot to give Jacksonville a 98-95 lead with seconds remaining in the game and Jacksonville held on to win 102-98.

Keys to the Jacksonville win was the Giants hit a high percentage of their free throws. They made 17 out of 21 free throw attempts at the end of the third quarter. Jacksonville was strong on the boards, as they made numerous offensive rebounds. Balanced scoring by the Giants was also key.

Leading scored for Jacksonville, was Lumpkin with his 18 first half points. Lamar Sanders added 13 points. Scoring 12 points each were, Jermaine Bell, Anthony Jackson, and Renaldo Norman.

Keith Dean led Chicago with 27 points. Sam Mack added 22 points.

Picture of Jacksonville Giants Head Coach, Kevin Waters courtesy of Jodi Arnold: j-vision.smugmug.com.

The final ABA Four will be played April 9th, in St. Petersburg, Florida with Jacksonville Giants playing Sand Diego Sol and South Carolina playing North Dallas. The ABA All-Star game will be played in St.Petersburg on April, 14th.

Giants Southeast Regional Champions

The 2012 Southeast Regional playoffs were held in Jacksonville over the weekend.

On Saturday at Atlantic Coast High School, the Jacksonville Giants got off to a fast start on a 15-0 run before Fayetteville Flight could score their first basket. Giants won 178-89. Leading scorer for Jacksonville was Lamar Sanders with 23 points. Currye Todd and Tim Ware each scored 22 points. Renaldo Norman,who dislocated a finger, scored all of his 21 points in the first half. For the Flight, Brian Calloway scored 28 points, Scott Draughn 26, and Jeremy McGhee added 16 points.

The Championship game between the Jacksonville Giants and the Gulf Coast Flash was played Sunday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Arena. The Flash advanced to the finals by beating the Carolina Cougars 166-96 in the preliminary game Saturday. The Giants and Flash met twice this season, Giants won a thriller at the buzzer in Jacksonville by the score of 116-115 on December 3, 2011. Jacksonville beat the Flash in Gulfport, Ms. on February 8, 1012 by the score of 122-110.

Both teams played defense and both teams turned the ball over several times in the first quarter. The Flash led 27-25 after the first quarter. At half time Jacksonville led 55-53. At the end of the third quarter, Jacksonville led 86-82. The game was close to the end, when Jacksonville pulled away and won by the score of 118-108. Leading scorer for the Giants was Currye Todd with 30 points, Tim Ware had 20, and seven foot center, Jermaine Bell, had a triple double with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots.

The Gulf Coast Flash is an excellent team, they play well together, shoot the three points with accuracy, and they are well coached.

Jacksonville Giants Head Coach states the Giants will play their next playoff game this coming Saturday in Chicago. Coach Waters talks about the win on the video.

Jacksonville Giants 209 Florida Makos83

The Jacksonville Giants traveled to Savannah, Georgia Thursday to tune-up for the ABA Playoffs on March 17& 18 in Jacksonville. The Giants played the Florida Makos at Johnson High School Gymnasium with tip-off at 7:00pm. Jacksonville came with in two points of tying their scoring record. Final score Jacksonville Giants 209 Florida Makos 83.

The first quarter saw the Giants outscore the Makos 41-22. At the half Jacksonville led 102-41. Leading scorer at the half for Jacksonville, Renaldo Norman scored 22, Anthony Jackson 18, Tim Ware and Lamar Sanders both scored 8 points. Brad Clark and A. J. Stewart scored 10 points each for the Makos.

Jacksonville had 148 points at the end of the 3rd quarter to lead, 148-61. Time ran out before the Giants could tie their scoring record and they won the game 209 to 83.

Leading scorer for Jacksonville was Anthony Jackson with 36 points followed by Norman with 34. Ware scored 21 points. Anthony Lumpkin scored 20 points.

Brad Clark was the leading scorer for the Makos with 19. Bernard Dixon scored 16 points.

Photo courtesy of Jodi Arnold.

After the game, Jacksonville Giants Head Coach talks about the win.

The Jacksonville Giants will host the first round of the ABA Playoffs starting March 17&18 to be played at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.