Big Bank Holiday weekend of hoops for the Sharks starts on Friday

British Basketball League Regular Season

Easter is going to be full of hops for the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks with two important fixtures across the Bank Holiday. The quest for a top four finish hots up on Friday night when Leicester Riders, just a single win ahead of the Sharks, are the visitors to the Canon Medical Arena. Easter Monday sees the Sharks make the short journey across the Pennines for a match-up against Lancastrian rivals, Manchester Giants. Add in a helping of 90s nostalgia and we’ve got a thrilling long weekend of holiday hoops coming up for you.

Friday – Sharks v Riders – Canon Medical Arena – 7.45pm

Tickets – Fanbase | Schedule (fanbaseclub.com)

Ones To Watch

Kimbal Mackenzie – Riders’ skipper led from the front as they took a big overtime win down in Plymouth. 26 points and a jaw-dropping 15 assists were key to Leicester gaining an important 10 point margin in the South West.

TJ Lall – In the absence of the suspended Teddy Allen, Lall stepped up to the plate and then some. He played all 50 minutes of the double-overtime victory to finish with a 36 point, 10 rebound double-double on an eye-catching 60% shooting night.

Samuel Idowu – The forward also shot at a decent clip as Leicester ran out 121-111 winners over the Patriots. His 23 points came on 9 of 13 shooting, in an effort that also included 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

Duke Shelton – The former Newcastle Eagle also had a big night in the Plymouth success. He packed his statline with 14 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a blocked shot to put the Riders just a single victory above the Sharks in the standings.

Last Meeting

February 16th 2024 – Leicester Riders (Allen 35 Holmes 19 Mackenzie / Idowu 15) 108 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Green 19 Eytle-Rock 15 Koch 14) 94

Monday – Giants v Sharks – National Basketball Performance Centre – 6.00pm

Watch – Championship Week 24: Manchester vs Sheffield - LIVE (youtube.com)

Ones To Watch

Jamell Anderson – The Giants are fighting for a playoff berth and the GB-capped Anderson did his best to get his side over the line against Surrey last Thursday. His 19 point, 4 rebound, 6 assist, 3 steal outing was in vain as the Scorchers took the win in Lancashire.

Nicholas Lewis – The former Shark needs no introduction to the Sheffield basketball public. Used all his veteran wiles to record a 14 point, 10 rebound, 10 assist triple-double but couldn’t stop Surrey gaining a 78-86 victory on Thursday evening.

Evan Walshe – Talented Brit who always impresses in a Giants jersey. Hit above his season average of 11 points a game to finish with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals against the Scorchers.

William Lee – Versatile performer, who came up with a 10 point, 12 rebound double-double against Surrey. Averages 13.1 / 7.8 for the season and is equally comfortable above and below the rim.

Last Meeting

December 31st 2023 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Nixon 20 Ratinho 18 Glasgow Jr 16) 86 Manchester Giants (Lewis 19 Lee 17 Harris 11) 75

Shark Bites

The Sharks go into the game with the Riders with their joint longest winning run – 3 matches – of the season. Riders lead the regular season head-to-head 2-1 and have a basket difference advantage of 295-260.

Leicester have topped three figures 5 times in their last 10 regular season games but have conceded 100+ in 5 of their last 6 games and at least 93 points in all of the last 8 games played.

Jalon Pipkins is due to make his 50th appearance on court for the Sharks against Leicester.

The upcoming games against Manchester Giants will be the first time ever the Sharks have played consecutive games in regular season against the same club, with both matches taking place on the opponents home court.

In the two previous regular season games against the Giants this season, the Sharks have come out on top in both and hold a 178-148 basket difference advantage.

SharkNation

Surely it was Jordan? Or was it Olajuwon? Or maybe Malone? Pippen? Were you more Oasis than Blur? Nirvana rather than Pearl Jam? Tupac or Snoop Dogg? Well you can debate all this and more before the thrilling Good Friday game at the Canon Medical Arena against the Riders because it’s our 90s Night! Hit the ticket link at the top of the page, put on your lumberjack shirts and baggy jeans and get on down to give the guys your usual home court roar. It’s a huge fixture as we go in search of that top four finish and as ever, you can play your part. We’re going back to the 90s for an UNBEATABLE night of basketball action. It’s time to #FearTheFin!

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Adam Bates