Back to back big wins as the Sharks climb the table

Sunday 15th October 2023

British Basketball League Regular Season

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 96 Caledonia Gladiators 78

A second successive huge win at the new home of the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks took the host club to a 4-3 record and third place in the British Basketball League standings. This time, Europe-bound Caledonia Gladiators were despatched by 96-78 as another outstanding display of team basketball from Coach Atiba Lyons’ charges left another healthy crowd thoroughly entertained. Kipper Nichols led the Sharks scoring with 14 points but five double-figure hauls showed what a collective effort it had been.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Ramsey, Pipkins, Ratinho, Nichols, Koch.

Gladiators: DuBose, Onwas, Whelan, Palyza, Alihodzic.

Key Moments

Caledonia raced out to a 0-4 lead but that was where their dominance ended. The Sharks went through the gears in an 11-0 run, started by a Jordan Ratinho treble and ended from the line by Kipper Nichols. Jubril Adekoya announced his presence in the game with a knocked down three and back to back baskets from Terrell Allen took the lead up to 23-12. Trent Buttrick closed the quarter for the Gladiators but the Sharks were in full command for the second week running.

Parker Stewart to charge at the start of the second period. He drove to the hoop before making the trademark trey that took Caledonia into a timeout at 32-19. Combo guard Ian DuBose looked to be the Scots go-to man but things frustrations came to the fore as Caledonia coach Gareth Murray and guard Patrick Whelan both collected technical fouls. The Sharks went efficiently about their work – RJ Eytle-Rock making a three after a great exchange of passes with Devearl Ramsey, who assisted to Adekoya in the closing stages to make it 48-33. Princeton Onwas’ late hook pulled two back for the Gladiators but again it was the Sharks in full command by half time.

Caledonia rallied somewhat after half time; Onwas (and-one), Jovicic and Dubose narrowing the gap to eleven with the score at 59-48. Stewart showed a different dimension to his game, driving strongly to the basket to make it 65-51 and a buzzer-beating jumpshot by Allen closed a 19-18 quarter with the score at 67-53.

The party got into full flow in a basket-laden final stanza. A rare deep two from Bennett Koch kickstarted events before nine points from Jalon Pipkins, including an athletic reverse finish, took the lead out to twenty at 82-62. The oh-so-cool Jubril Adekoya shimmied his way to the hoop to make it 88-68 and a pair of Nate Montgomery free throws meant that every Shark made it on to the scoresheet. Mihailo Jovicic’ three concluded the scoring for the afternoon but it was in vain as the Sharks ran out victors by 96-78.

MVP

It was another display that had ‘team’ written all over it for the Sharks. Terrell Allen made 10 very timely points, one behind Devearl Ramsey who also managed a season high 7 assists as well as 7 rebounds in a fine all-round performance. Jalon Pipkins was his usual thrilling self with a variety of finishes to end with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Jubril Adekoya also compiled 13 points, making all five of his shots to go with 2 rebounds and 2 assists in another accomplished outing. The MVP also had a perfect shooting night. Kipper Nichols went six out of six to end with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals to wrap up another successful afternoon for his team.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v London Lions, Friday October 20th 2023, Canon Medical Arena, 7.45pm Tip Off.

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Adam Bates