Hands Up! The Playoffs start on Friday

Super League Basketball Playoff Quarter Final

They’ve met seven times already this season but the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks will need to face Cheshire Phoenix another twice if they are to make progress to the SLB Playoff semi-finals. The Sharks have a 5-2 record over the ‘Nix in all competitions this season and will need to take an aggregate win from the games in Cheshire on Friday and in Sheffield on Sunday to edge a step closer to the showpiece final at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday May 18th. The Phoenix ousted the Sharks from the Playoffs last season – can the Sharks take their revenge as the thrills of Playoff basketball get underway this weekend to come?

Friday – Phoenix v Sharks – Cheshire Oaks Arena – 6.30pm

Watch – https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/fixture/ContentId:ehsqskczyuxb29ipw10pf74lw/ehsqskczyuxb29ipw10pf74lw

Sunday – Sharks v Phoenix – Canon Medical Arena – 4.00pm

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

Ones To Watch

Nick Timberlake – Never shy of taking a three point shot, Timberlake attempted 9 against Newcastle in Cheshire’s last game with 4 successes. Ended with 21 points as well as claiming 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the 10 point victory from only 20 minutes on court.

Skyler White – Surpassed Timberlake’s evening from beyond the arc with 12 attempts and 6 makes as the ‘Nix skipper concluded regular season with 20 points, 6 boards, 5 assists and 2 blocked shots. Cheshire finished just one short of three figures in the 99-89 victory on Sunday.

Cameron Holden – Offers a bit of everything to the Cheshire roster and his performance against the Eagles was a prime example. Led the ‘Nix scoring with 23 points as well as pulling down 11 boards including 7 from the offensive glass. Factor in 7 assists and a steal and it is easy to see why Holden is a standout on the Ellesmere Port hardwood.

Larry Austin Jr – Another who was on triple double watch against Newcastle. Those lightning-quick downhill runs saw him to 17 points with 10 rebounds and 9 assists as Cheshire took a morale-boosting final game win into post-season. Averages 13.6 / 5.5 / 4.8 in Championship play this season.

Last Meeting

March 12th 2025 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 101 Cheshire Phoenix 82

Shark Bites

The Sharks and the Phoenix meet this coming weekend for the first time in a two-legged aggregate score clash in the Playoffs. The clubs have only met three times previously in post-season games. The Sharks lost the Playoff Final at Wembley to Chester in 2002, whilst reversing the result in the 2004 final. The third clash between the clubs was last season when Cheshire prevailed 2-0 in a best of 3 series.

In all competitions, the Sharks and Cheshire have met twice in two-legged aggregate ties with the Sharks winning all four games. The 2010 Cup semi saw them win 204-165, whilst in the 2013 Trophy semi-final the winning margin was 176-134.

The Sharks 28 previous Playoff quarter finals have seen them progress to the semi finals 17 times. In two-legged aggregate score quarter finals, their record is 5 wins and 7 losses. Coach Lyons has a 7 win, 8 loss record in Playoff quarter finals.

This season was the Sharks 17th top 3 finish in 30 completed league seasons and the 5th time they have finished third. In the 16 completed seasons under Atiba Lyons, they have six top three finishes - three seconds and three thirds.

SharkNation

Are you ready SharkNation? It’s crunch time as the Playoffs get underway. The goal – the biggest showcase of British hoops in the Final at the O2 on Sunday May 18th. The Sharks have had a taste of silverware already but they are hungry for more. You warmed up nicely last Sunday in that thrilling win over the league champions London Lions but we need more, more, more! It’s win or go home so we need you behind the guys all the way as we aim to keep the season going for another couple of weekends at least. So get your finest blue and yellow gear on, bring your noise-makers and turn up the volume to max. It’s time to get behind the team – It’s time to #FearTheFin!

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Josh Rackham