Greatest test yet for Sharks at home this Friday

British Basketball League Regular Season

The greatest test yet awaits the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks this coming Friday when the unbeaten London Lions visit the Canon Medical Arena. The Sky Sports cameras will be in the new home of South Yorkshire basketball to see if Atiba Lyons’ men can make a dent in the Lions current 8-0 record. A double header weekend sees the Sharks make a swift rematch with the Caledonia Gladiators on Sunday, this time north of the border, following last weekend’s thrilling victory over the Scots.

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

Tickets – Fanbase | Schedule (fanbaseclub.com)

Ones To Watch

Matt Morgan – The prolific guard is already putting up numbers that have him earmarked as a potential MVP. Made 9 three point shots on his way to 30 in Monday’s overtime win against Newcastle and is averaging 24.4 points per game.

Gabe Olaseni – The GB star was close to a double-double against the Eagles with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Vast Basketball Champions League experience and latterly was with Turkish giants Darussafaka.

Donte Grantham – The Clemson grad began his pro career in the NBA G League with OKC Blue before appearing in three regular season games with the Thunder. Shot 38% from three for both Champagne Chalons-Reims and SLUC Nancy Basket during spells in France and bettered that at 42% for 23 points in the 109-104 win over Newcastle.

Sam Dekker – The former Toronto Raptor made his comeback from surgery against the Eagles on limited minutes on Monday. The Lions captain is on a multi-year deal in the capital having averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals during his first season at the Copperbox.

Last Meeting

March 19th 2023 – London Lions (Dekker 24 Zubcic 14 Oni 14) 80 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Ramsey 22 Nichols 15 Pipkins 12) 82

Sunday – Gladiators v Sharks – Playsport – 3.00pm

Watch - Caledonia Gladiators vs B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, British Basketball League Championship - LIVE - YouTube

Ones To Watch

Trent Buttrick – Turned up the heat as the game went on last Sunday at the Canon Medical Arena. Shot 57% inside and 50% from beyond the arc to finish with 14 points, 6 rebounds, an assist and a block in the 96-78 defeat.

Mihailo Jovicic – Former Real Madrid academy product, who played with his hometown team SPD Radnicki Kragujevac in Serbia last season. Made 5 of his 7 shots late in the game to finish with 16 points against the Sharks.

Ian DuBose – Looked the Gladiators greatest offensive threat in last Sunday’s 96-78 loss to the Sharks. A fine all-round performance saw him rack up 20 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals for an index of 19.

Lukas Palyza – Czech international with Olympic, World Cup, Eurobasket and Basketball Champions League experience. The 6’ 8” forward from Ostrava posted double figures against the Sharks last Sunday, demonstrating his inside threat with 4 of 6 shooting.

Last Meeting

October 15th 2023 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Nichols 14 Adekoya 13 Pipkins 13) 96 Caledonia Gladiators (DuBose 20 Jovicic 16 Buttrick 14) 78

Shark Bites

The last time the Sharks won their first two home regular season games prior to this season was 2014. With a 4 wins, 3 losses record so far, it is the first time the Sharks have had a winning record after the initial 7 games in 4 seasons.

Winning the initial two home fixtures by a combined total of 48 points is their joint third best start to a regular season on home court.

London Lions moved into the Copperbox 10 years ago and in that time they have played 38 games against the Sharks. In all competitions both in London and South Yorkshire, the Lions hold a 21-17 advantage in those games but in the matches taking place in Sheffield, the Sharks have 12 wins to the Lions 6.

The Sharks make their first appearance at Playsport on Sunday, the new home of the Caledonia Gladiators and the fifth venue the Scottish franchise have played in. The Sharks record at each is: Meadowbank Leisure Centre 7-2, Braehead Arena 7-6, Kelvin Hall 4-7 and Emirates Arena 11-9 giving the Sharks an overall advantage of 29 wins to 24 losses in all competitions.

SharkNation

We go live to the nation when the Sky Sports cameras enter the Tank this coming Friday and you know what that requires…noise! Hit the ticket link at the top of the page for what promises to be the hottest game of the season so far when the illustrious London Lions come to town. Although with back to back home wins in our new gym, we think you’ll agree that the ‘Sky’ is no limit for these Sharks, who are entertaining with a capital ‘E’! At the moment, we are literally UNBEATABLE at home – come on down to see if we can do it again! It’s time to #FearTheFin!

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Adam Bates