Saturday 7th March 2026
Super League Basketball Championship
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 79 London Lions 73
The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks did a ‘capital’ job on runaway SLB Championship leaders London Lions with a well-deserved 79-73 victory on Saturday night at the Canon Medical Arena. The visitors took an ominous one point lead into half time after the Sharks had begun so well. Despite the second quarter disqualification of Rodney Chatman III, a 19-11 third period saw the Sharks regain the lead to keep their noses in front on the way to a memorable six point win. Nick Kern Jr used his athleticism to lead all scorers with 19 points but there were fine supporting roles from Dirk Williams, William Lee and Prentiss Nixon in what was an excellent team display.
Starting Fives
Sharks: Williams, Chatman, Lee, Kern, Alihodzic.
Lions: Scott, Hawkins, Price, Brown, Reynolds.
Key Moments
Big in the early stages was Rodney Chatman III. His three pointer got proceedings going and took the Sharks out to 7-0 with another pull-up triple. London replied through Joel Scott but Nick Kern’s drive to the hoop was equalled by Prentiss Nixon as the lead became 8 at 18-10. The Lions rallied – Aaryn Rai finding the rim to make it 18-16 but William Lee’s finish from Chatman’s quarterback pass and a pair of Prentiss Nixon free throws wrapped up the first ten minutes with the score at 25-18.
Chatman was also influential at the start of the second period. His and-one play was followed by an assist to William as the gap became 10 at 32-22. Predictably, London began to chip away. Joel Scott laid in for a couple of baskets as the difference came down and a Ciaran Sandy corner trey levelled matters at 35-35. Things unravelled even further for the Sharks as Chatman was disqualified from the encounter with 2.30 remaining in the half. London seized the initiative through Sandy’s turnaround effort and a two-handed Scott jam closed the half at 39-40 in the visitors favour.
Nigel Hawkins and Joel Scott gave the Lions a five point lead at the start of the second half but the Sharks showed serious resistance. Alihodzic’s steal allowed Kern to dunk at 43-44 and a William Lee three from the wing tied things up once again at 46-46. Kern looked full of enthusiasm as he completed an and-one of his own before dunking off the drive to make it 54-50. He made it 9 points for the quarter on a hook shot before Dirk Williams wrapped up the third stanza with the score at 58-51.
Even with such a margin, back came London. A 0-8 streak saw Chaundee Brown Jr make his first three of the game and he levelled the contest from the corner at 62-62. Prentiss Nixon replied in kind almost immediately and by the time he had delivered a delicious fake and corner triple, the Sharks edged into a 71-64 lead. London waved bye to Shavar Raynolds Jr on 5 fouls inside the final minute and resorted to fouls to stop the clock. Joel Scott’s dagger three was as close as they got at 75-70 as Prentiss Nixon, William Lee and Dirk Williams made free throws that saw the Sharks to a memorable 79-73 success.
MVP
Rodney Chatman III was thrilling in the early stages with 11 points before his unfortunate exit from the game. Three players all finished on 13 points. Dirk Williams contributed two big makes from downtown in his display and Prentiss Nixon missed only one free throw for his final total. William Lee pulled down 7 boards and made 3 big blocks in his outing but the MVP of the evening was Nick Kern Jr. His 19 points came on 60% shooting and he also claimed 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and 2 blocks to catch the eye and give the Sharks a vital win against the champions-elect.
Next Game
Surrey 89ers v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Saturday 14th March 2026, Surrey Sports Park, 6.00pm Tip Off.
Image
Adam Bates
