VIDEO: Coach resigns as Giants are relegated

A club spokesman said “This is obviously a blow to the team, but now is the time for us to pull together and move forward.

“The team means a lot to the town and we will definitely bounce back stronger.

“The two parties leave on good terms and the club wishes to thank Xavier and his coaching staff for their efforts in what has been a very difficult year.

“Injuries to key players, recruitment of quality players and players unable to perform at this level have all been factors in this year’s campaign.”

The club now have some major rebuilding of the men’s programme to do over the summer.

An emergency meeting has been called this week to discuss potential new coaches and the future of the men’s team.

Already relegated Giants men bowed out of Division Two with an 88-69 defeat by Worcester Wolves II in their final game of the season at Oak Tree Leisure Centre last weekend.

A depleted Giants team made a strong start out of the blocks and took an early lead with baskets from Lewis Tucker, Robert Clyburn and Mark Woodhouse.

However, this was the only lead Giants had in the game, as Worcester pulled back the scoreline and led at the end of the first quarter 18-17.

Poor second and third quarters saw Worcester take advantage of Giants’ zone defence to score multiple three-pointers and outscore the home team 58-34 in two quarters alone.

As Worcester rotated their bench, Giants came out strong in the final quarter, outscoring Worcester 18-12.

But the damage was too much and, with Worcester’s sharpshooting, it led them to winning the game by a 19-point margin.

Giant’s top scorers were Clyburn (17), Woodhouse (16), and Tucker 16.