Manchester Giants look to complete their preparations for next week’s British Basketball League season start with their final pre-season game against Irish side Templeogue this Saturday.

The Manchester Giants will take to the court for the first time since the end of the 2014/15 season with a pre-season friendly at the Lucozade Powerleague Trafford Sportsdome against a USA select touring side on Sunday.

The capsule – that will be dug up and opened in 50 years – contains objects from the wide-ranging partners involved in the development as a lasting celebration of the project, and as a snapshot of the local area for future generations to uncover.

Toloe Bagheri, who has represented his native Iran at both the Asian and World Championships, stressed lifting the BUCS Trophy has given the team an extra boost ahead as they bid to earn promotion to BUCS Premier Division next month.

Manchester Giants surrendered a last-minute lead to fall to an agonising 90-89 defeat in a must-win clash at Surrey United on Sunday but coach Jeff Jones is keeping a stiff upper-lip.

After a truly horrific January, the Manchester Giants are finally back on the road to the postseason and, despite all the losses, coach Jeff Jones and the team have reason to smile ahead of Sunday’s clash with Glasgow Rocks.

The Riders were looking to make history as one of the first two sides to contest next month’s WBBL Trophy final when they played host to the City of Sheffield Hatters on Sunday but unfortunately lost 87-77.

Giants travel to Worcester tonight but come Saturday morning they’ll be out in force in Ancoats to encourage members of the public to donate presents for Manchester’s disadvantaged children.

After lapses in concentration cost them games against mediocre opposition – including a first-round BBL Cup loss against Leeds Force – head coach Jeff Jones has managed to transform his team into a tighter, altogether more efficient unit.

The Trafford Sportsdome side stretched their winning run to three games, taking them up to fourth in the league, as they seemed to have put early-season consistency issues to bed.

After losing three straight games to leave their BBL season on the rocks, the Giants produced a rousing offensive performance at home on Sunday to beat Surrey United 101-90.