It was derby day this Friday evening as the Manchester Giants traveled to Ellesmere Port to take on their rivals the Cheshire Phoenix in a north west derby edition of some British Basketball League action. 

Cheshire currently hold bragging rights after beating Manchester the past 2 times these teams faced off this season, Skyler White provided trouble from 3 for the Manchester defense with his ability to stretch the floor. 

Cheshire currently sit 3rd place in the table while Manchester are in 9th. A win today for Manchester would not only be an upset but would also put them in good position for that final playoff spot.

A slow close down from Riddeau meant that Mason Bourcier let fly from downtown to start off. Maceo Jack replied with authority as he put together back to back 3’s for an early lead whilst Skyler White tallied a 3 of his own. William Lee put together his own scoring run of 5 points to bring the lead to within 1 before Aaryn Rai drove into the paint unopposed. Nicholas Lewis lived up to his expectations of Giants number one scoring option as he tied up the game from a pair of free throws from the charity stripe. Mason Bourcier started off lively as he crashed the offensive glass for the outback and followed it up with another 3 ball to put the Giants up by 3. 

Nick Stampley connected from 3 in the corner to put Manchester up to 6 as the three ball seemed to be each team's choice of offensive weapon. Despite best efforts to pull ahead, Cheshire managed to keep pace and finished the quarter with Manchester ahead by 3. 

Cheshire took back the lead part way through the second quarter courtesy of Chargois hitting from three. William Lee hit back for MancHester with a three of his own, followed up by some razzle dazzle at the basket from Evan Walshe for a tough layup. Walshe turned provider as he found Legend Robertin for a 2 handed jam to give the advantage to Manchester. 

Legend Robertin produced a hook shot right after the commercial break before Aaryn Rai responded with some trickery of his own. The Phoenix headed into the break with a 3 point lead off the back of another Chargois 3 ball. 

Second half: 

Cheshire came out of the break with a quick 5 point offense before the Giants fed William Lee and watched him go to work. An added 4 points for the Giants forward followed up but a traditional 3 point play for Nick Stampley as the Giants are hanging in this ball game. Nicholas Lewis added another 2 from the free throw line whilst Aaryn Rai matched with 2 of his own. 

Nick Stampley tied it up at 56 a piece with a corner ball three, William Lee continued his tear this quarter with a throw down on the steal to take the lead before the lead changed over once more. Basketball is a game of runs and Manchester managed to put together a run that saw them 4 points ahead at the end of the quarter with everything to play for in the final 10 minutes.  

A strong move from Evan Walshe to start off, some bully ball as he went downhill for 2 and then got another second chance point to sink as well for a 5 point lead. Nicholas Lewis began to find his rhythm in the 4th quarter. 6 points in the past 3 quarters and now 4 points in 2 minutes. Skyler White put pressure on Manchester as a catch and shoot 3 made it a 4 point ball game, William Lee channeled his inner Kevin Durant for a pull up 2 to stretch the lead back to 6. William Lee continued his barrage with the help of Evan Walshe and Nicholas Lewis on a 3 man transition play for a 3 ball at the top of the key. Lee also put up a floater in the next offensive possession.

Evan Walshe raced downhill for a close make to take the lead to 9. Walshe followed it up with a eurostep to finish and also drew contact on the shot. It became a hair-raising finish to this game for Manchester. Both Legend Robertin and Austin Lawton foul out with 2 minutes left and Cheshire were only 4 points behind. William Lee and Nicholas Lewis were sent to the charity stripe and put Manchester to a 5 point lead with 37 seconds left after an Aaryn Rai bucket for 2, Mason Bourcier went to the line for 2 and made 1. Evan Walshe put the final nail in the coffin with his pair of free throws to put the game beyond Cheshires reach and give Manchester their first win at Cheshire since the 2021/22 season. 

Stats: 

William Lee: 27 Points, 7 Rebounds, 2 Steals, 2 Blocks. 

Evan Walshe: 20 Points, 61%FG, 80%FT. 

Nicholas Lewis: 14 Points, 6 Rebounds, 12 Assists, 2 Steals. 

Nick Stampley: 11 Points, 13 Rebounds, 50%3PT. 

A quick turnaround for Manchester and they travel past Manchester and further east over the Pennines for an early tip off against the Sheffield Sharks for some New Year’s Eve basketball. Tip off will be at 3:00pm and will be available to view on the British Basketball League’s YouTube channel. 

All highlights from tonight’s game will be available to view below: