GOLDFIELDS Giants guard Ryan Hulme has shifted the focus off his 300th State Basketball League game and onto the side’s must win clash with championship contenders Geraldton tonight.

Hulme joins Leon Williamson and Wayne Creek as just the third Giant to play 300 SBL games at Kalgoorlie’s Neils Hansen Basketball Stadium tonight. But the 27 year old said the Giants’ push for a top two spot must come first.

"I won’t let the emotions get to me – it’s a big game because it’s second versus third," Hulme said. "I can’t remember the last time we’ve beaten them, so it’s more important that we get the win." They got us twice last year and we got flogged when we went to Geraldton this year."

Hulme said the Giants are building towards the playoffs and as reigning champions, have the ability to win a hat trick of titles.

"We’re getting there – we’re normally hitting our straps by now but we’ve got the old heads there and they know what needs to be done to win it," Hulme said. "Hopefully we can come together in the next few weeks and we can all be on the right page for the playoffs."

An SBL Allstar in 2003, Hulme enjoyed what he rates as his best ever season in 2008, averaging a career high 18.9 points per game. Hulme looked set to scale the same heights again this season when he equalled his career high points haul of 36 in the Giants’ crushing 108-85 win over Kalamunda in March.

It came just seven days after Hulme sunk a last gasp basket with 2.4 seconds remaining to seal a 77-76 victory over Perry Lakes. However, Hulme has battled niggling injuries through the middle of the season – only to rediscover some of his best form in recent weeks.

"I’m going okay – I’ve hit a few sore spots through the year and I’ve had a few niggles but I’m pretty excited," he said.

Hulme’s first coach at the Giants was Barry Lawson in 1998, who labelled Hulme’s "basketball brain" his biggest asset.

Hulme debuted as a 17 year old in 1998 and although he officially made 13 appearances, his rookie season comprised only 71 minutes "

He had a brain for basketball even when he was 16 or 17 and I thought back then his size was not going to make any difference," Lawson said.

"He was a skinny little kid playing on guys who are six foot seven and he was holding his own." Lawson said the Giants’ management decided a youth policy was required in the late 1990s and 178cm Hulme formed a major part of those plans.

"He showed a lot of potential in those early days when the team was looking for kids," Lawson said.

"We went down that path and Randy Miegel, who was my assistant (coach) that year and took over in 1999, kept going that way because we made a conscious choice that the team needed a future.Randy introduced players like Todd (Earle) and Jimmy (Bowler) into the team along with Ryan and it’s paying off now." 

Article by Jarrod Lucas (Kalgoorlie Miner)

Photo caption - Big game: Goldfields Giants guard Ryan Hulme will celebrate his 300th State Basketball League appearance tonight against Geraldton. Photo: TRAVIS ANDERSON – Kalgoorlie Miner