Giants women trump Slammers to notch first win of 2025

Import Nici Gilday’s value to the Goldfields Giants in just her second game for the women’s NBL1 West squad loomed large on Saturday when her game-high 33 points underpinned a 91-66 win against the visiting South West Slammers.

Gilday, a 32-year-old Californian, complemented her offensive output that included six of 12 from three-point range with five rebounds, eight assists, and two steals.

She was ably supported by Rachel Pettit (16 points; three assists), Chloe Zorzi (11 points; three rebounds; two assists; five steals), Ashlee Sidebottom (nine points; six rebounds; three assists), and Josephine Odude (eight points; eight rebounds).

It broke a nine-game losing run, dating back to June last year.

Goldfields trailed at quarter-time, but they controlled each of the remaining three periods in a welcome result that moved them into eighth place.

Saturday’s result put the Slammers on their haunches — a week after they broke a 52-game losing span across three years.

While Gilday was the standout, Giants coach Jaymi Worthington had special praise for Zorzi , who was brought into the starting-five after missing the season-opener.

“As a 17-year-old coming straight into the side, she did a great job,” Worthington said.

“We decided on a quick-five, you could say, because Chloe is very explosive and plays very well alongside Nici.

“That was evident at training on Thursday night when she really fed off Nici, and then went out there (on Saturday) and really proved herself.

“All the other girls played their roles, including Ash Sidebottom who came off the bench to play really strongly at the post, and hit a three-pointer.

“There were some real positives come out of it from everyone because everyone contributed.

“It was a real team effort.”

Women’s ladder:

Cougars (3-0); Hawks (2-0); Redbacks (1-0); Eagles (2-0); Magic (2-1); Senators (1-1); Slammers (1-1); Giants (1-1); Tigers (1-1); Flames (1-2); Lightning (0-3); Suns (0-3); Wolves (0-2).