Sunday 4th January 2026
Super League Basketball Championship
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 88 Surrey 89ers 94
The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks failed to take second place in the SLB Championship with defeat in their first game of 2026 at the hands of Surrey 89ers. The Niners took all four quarters, albeit by slender margins to eventually claim an 88-94 victory. The Sharks looked a little off the pace of their previous scintillating win over Cheshire and were led once again by a double-double from Mervin James of 16 points and 11 rebounds and the 19 points of Prentiss Nixon. Surrey proved that they are a useful side, especially on the road, and were guided by 20 points from Isiah Small. The Sharks now gear up for a road trip to Manchester Basketball on Friday evening.
Starting Fives
Sharks: Williams, Chatman, James, Ratinho, DeLoach.
89ers: Small, Polite, Lily, Graham, Lawrence T.
Key Moments
Surrey came out with intent. Kino Lily’s corner three was a portent of things to come as Surrey went into a 7-12 lead following Michael Graham’s basket. The Sharks doubled down and a 10-4 run saw them into their first lead of the game at 17-16 on a pair of Mervin James free throws. Things unravelled somewhat for the Niners as their Coach Lloyd Gardner picked up a technical foul which was followed shortly after by an excellent offensive rebound and hook shot from the Sharks’ Mike Ochereobia at 24-21. Surrey had the final riposte of the quarter – Lily hitting a big triple that saw them close in front at 25-26.
The visitors carried that through into the second period with Nedas Cholevinskas’ second attempt at a three finding success. The sides continued to trade baskets until Jalen DeLoach drew the Sharks closer at 37-38 and the 89ers decided to talk it over. The reply was a solid one; A pair of Lily treys gave them a six point advantage until it was cut at the break by Mervin James with the score at 42-46.
Surrey continued to do the basics well. A 4-10 run at the start of the second half concluded through the dependable Isiah Small, who made it 46-56. Prentiss Nixon did his utmost to drag the Sharks back into the contest. A pair of threes was followed by a tough finish in traffic to cut the gap to 55-60. A long two from Rodney Glasgow ended another 10-2 streak and Nick Kern’s baseline drive left the game poised at 61-66 with a quarter to play.
The Sharks threatened dominance at the top of the final stanza. Jordan Ratinho’s corner trey saw them ahead by 70-66 as the trades began once again. Credit to Surrey, they chipped away at the lead and a three from the wing by Small turned the tables with the score at 78-80. To emphasize their doggedness, Kino Lily and Ronald Polite found success from the same corner to give the Guildford-based team an 82-88 advantage and as the Sharks jacked up a flurry of unsuccessful three point attempts, it was the 89ers who claimed the 88-94 win.
MVP
Double figure games came from Nick Kern Jr (10) and Dirk Williams (12) and there was success off the glass for Jalen DeLoach and Mike Ochereobia, who pulled down 11 and 8 rebounds respectively. The Sharks scoring effort was led by Prentiss Nixon, who hit four triples on his way to 19 points overall but the Sharks MVP overall was Mervin James. His 16 points included a perfect six out of six from the line and came with 11 rebounds to record yet another double-double, sadly this time without success for his team.
Next Game
Manchester Basketball v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday 9th January 2026, National Basketball Performance Centre, 7.30pm Tip Off.
Image
Josh Rackham
