Can the Sharks hit the heights on Neon 90s Night this Friday?

Super League Basketball Championship

Can the Sharks take the outright lead of the Super League Basketball Championship? Victory on Friday night coupled with a loss for London up in Newcastle would see the Sharks to the top of the table on merit but standing in their way first are a rapidly-improving Manchester Basketball outfit. They took down the useful Surrey 89ers last weekend and are most-definitely a side not to be taken lightly. Add in some 90s neon too and we’ve got ourselves another superb evening coming up at the Canon Medical Arena!

Friday – Sharks v Manchester – Canon Medical Arena – 7.30pm

Tickets - https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=216

Ones To Watch

Nathan Cayo – Played nearly 35 minutes against Surrey in the absence of fellow guards Nicholas Lewis and DJ Mitchell and led the Manchester scoring with 18 points. Comparable output with his season’s averages of 17.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Ian Dubose – The former Caledonia guard is showing the Scots what they are missing since he relocated to the North West. Scored 17 last Friday on 6 of 8 shooting to go with 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot to lead Manchester to an impressive home win.

Zak Irvin – Made his Championship debut for Manchester with 12 points and 6 boards in the 85-76 success against the 89ers. Has a couple of NBA G League stops under his belt having recently signed for Callum Jones’ men in the last few weeks.

Makai Ashton-Langford – Talented playmaker who is dishing out 6.3 assists per game for the Lancastrians so far this season. Made a useful contribution to the Surrey victory with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal as Manchester went to 5-7 for the league campaign.

Last Meeting

January 3rd 2025 – Manchester Basketball 76 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 72

Shark Bites

The Sharks have won their last 4 home games against Manchester all competitions included. The last home loss to them was at Ponds Forge on 16th December 2022.

Since Manchester rejoined the league in 2012, the Sharks have won the Championship head to head 10 times with Manchester prevailing twice. This season currently stands at one win apiece with the Sharks holding a narrow basket difference advantage of 152 points to 146.

The Sharks have a winning record in Championship only games against all 8 of their current opponents; Bristol (17-14), Caledonia (61-27), Cheshire (57-43), Leicester (53-47), London (62-33), Manchester (44-19), Newcastle (54-46) and Surrey (45-17).

This season has seen eleven players make their debut for the Sharks – the most newcomers in any of Coach Lyons 17 seasons in charge.

SharkNation

We’ve got another Friday night under the lights for you this week but these lights are….Neon! Yes we’re going back in time with glow sticks, 90’s tracks and retro fits for our Neon 90s night when Manchester Basketball are the visitors to the Canon Medical Arena. Put on your leg warmers and your shell suits while our very own Rickey McGill brings you a ‘Return of the Mack.’ You know the drill by now. Hit the ticket link higher up the page if you ‘Wannabe’ there in person because ‘Nothing Compares 2 U.’ Sing along with the ‘Common People’ because we won’t ‘Look Back In Anger’ on another big night of basketball action. Enough of the song titles – the Sharks versus Manchester – you just have to be there! It’s time to #FearTheFin.

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Adam Bates