All Star Sharks out to break Rocks

BBL Cup North Group

Friday 11th October 2019 – B.Braun Sheffield Sharks v Glasgow Rocks

Sunday 13th October 2019 – All Stars Championship

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks return to action after a one week hiatus with a different kind of double-header. Friday night at Ponds Forge sees the visit of Glasgow Rocks for the latest game in the BBL Cup North Group stage. The Rocks currently sit pretty in second place with a 3-1 record after their latest triumph over Manchester Giants. And on Sunday, the Sharks head down to the Copperbox Arena for the latest instalment of the annual All Stars Championship – the short format game with lots of thrills and spills.

What to expect – Glasgow Rocks

The Rocks have downed Manchester twice so far this season and have split two close games with Newcastle. Last Friday they were comfortable winners over the Giants by 107-85; Alasdair Fraser and Greg Pryor both putting up 27 points while there was a solid backup performance from Fraser Malcolm with 21. Rocks Coach Vincent Lavandier has retained a core which sees GB’s Gareth Murray, Tadas Rinkunas and Johnny Bunyan join Fraser and Pryor, as well as building on this in his quiet, thoughtful manner. Eli Pepper and Maxime Djo Ebala look like useful additions and the Rocks have won many plaudits as ‘ones to watch’ in this fledgling season. Their two games with Newcastle were particularly close (one going to overtime) so it is easy to see why they are winning admirers.

What to expect – All Stars Championship

Think you know basketball? Think again! Yes, the 12 minute short format tournament is back complete with 5 point shots, powerplay buzzers and all the razzmatazz. It may not be the BBL as we know it but with big prize money at stake, the eight teams involved will be no less committed than at any other time. Your B. Braun Sharks open up against London Lions with all the action being televised live by Sky Sports.

Shark Watch

He played limited minutes against Cheshire Phoenix but the weeks break has given the Sharks more time to assimilate Connor Cashaw into the roster. This weekend may come too soon for Bouna Ndiaye but again the break will have put him a step nearer to his Sharks competitive bow. The Sharks need to keep the scoring spread across the floor and will be looking to more performances like Mackey McKnight’s BBL best of 25 against the ‘Nix if they are to keep the momentum going.

Last time out

B.Braun Sheffield Sharks (Alexander 24 McKnight 8 Marsden 8) 65 Glasgow Rocks (Zeigler 18 Achara 15 Murray 9) 63

Fans Corner

We move to Friday evening for our latest home game at Ponds Forge when Glasgow Rocks are the visitors. We hope everyone is enjoying the facilities at our new venue and we’d love to see you filling ‘The Tank’ this Friday for one of our most challenging games yet. And if you can’t get down to London on Sunday, don’t forget you can tune in to Sky Sports from 1pm until 6pm to see all the action unfold. Any chance of another five point shot Mackey?!!!!

Next home game

B. Braun Sharks v Glasgow Rocks, Friday 11th October 2019, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, 7.30pm Tip Off

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/b-braun-sheffield-sharks-v-glasgow-rocks-cup-group-stage-tickets-70777494391

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Andy Chubb