Well she has been playing basketball at the very top level for the past 12 years in one of the best programmes in the British game, The Sheffield Hatters. But Lisa Hutchinson-Mann recently announced her retirement from he game after failing to get selected for the Great Britain Olympics squad.

For the love of the music.

Welcome to part 2 of the Big Ticket my continuing look back at two of the greatest nights in Basketball in the City of Manchester. The USA Teams both Men and Women are on the way to the 2012 Olympics where they are expected to claim Gold but before that they brought their awesome talents to the Manchester Arena.

Mike Shaft's unofficial photo album...The Men's Game

Some time ago a friend of mine suggested that I write a book about my life and although I loved the idea, I have to admit that I felt I had some more living to do before I got round to doing my life story. Well I have to warn you that this is going to be epic and may one day be the beginning of my life story.

The Standard Life Great Britain men’s team lost 118-78 to Team USA on Thursday night in Manchester as a crowd of 16,979 watched this historic encounter.

Mike Shaft's unofficial photo album...The Women's Game.

The United States claimed an 88-63 victory over the Standard Life Great Britain women’s team in Manchester but only after the home side had threatened to upset the reigning Olympic champions. Tom Maher’s side surged into a shock 21-10 lead in the opening quarter to catch the Americans cold.

The USA Men's Basketball team are in Manchester for tomorrows' ground breaking game at the Manchester Arena. The team invited the local, national and International press to join them as they went through a few plays in a carefully stage managed event.

The reigning BBL Championship winners will have the honour of stepping out on the opening night of the brand new 2012-13 British Basketball League campaign along with this season's two newcomers.