Home double-header weekend as regular season end draws closer for Sharks

British Basketball League Regular Season

A home double-header marks the penultimate weekend of regular season for the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks. The teams that are scrapping it out for the playoff number two seed come to the Canon Medical Arena as the race for places heats up. Third-placed Caledonia Gladiators are the visitors on Friday evening with the team in second, Cheshire Phoenix, arriving from the north west on Sunday afternoon. The Sharks have their own mission – better Newcastle and Leicester to gain the vital fourth place that would guarantee a potential two home games at the quarter final stage. Two huge games and everything still to play for as the regular season approaches an intriguing end.

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

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

Ones To Watch

Quade Green – Made an instant impact on the league since signing in Scotland. Claimed a huge 37 points alongside 4 rebounds and 8 assists as Caledonia got the job done against Cheshire in overtime last Sunday. Averages 25.6 points for the season

Fraser Malcolm – Forward who sometimes goes under the radar but excelled in a 23 point, 8 rebound outing against the ‘Nix. Went 4 of 6 from downtown as the Gladiators toughed out a 116-110 against their rivals for second spot.

Patrick Whelan – GB guard who kept pace with his season average for 15 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in the Cheshire victory. Went a perfect 5 of 5 from the line as his side moved to within one win of the second-placed Phoenix.

Mike Bothwell – Has been very effective coming from the bench for the Gladiators, especially in the absence of influential guard Ian Dubose. Shot 58% on his way to 15 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists at Playsport last Sunday.

Last Meeting

January 11th 2024 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Ramsey 20 Pipkins 13 Koch / Nichols 11) 72 Caledonia Gladiators (Palyza 16 Alihodzic 15 Moore Jr 13) 80

Sunday – Sharks v Phoenix – Canon Medical Arena – 3.00pm

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

Ones To Watch

Aaryn Rai – The player who many describe as a ‘point forward’ lived up to his billing in Scotland last weekend with a statline-busting 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and a blocked shot. A league MVP contender for his 18.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists over the season.

Laquincy Rideau – Like Rai, also weighed in with a double-double last Sunday but couldn’t get the ‘w’ over the line for Cheshire. Managed an index of 27 for his 19 point, 6 rebound, 11 assist display but it was hosts Caledonia who ensured the battle for second spot continued.

Maceo Jack – The Phoenix skipper was a little under par with his usually exemplary shooting in Scotland but is a smooth operator, who can put any team to the sword. Averages 17.1 / 4.3 in a very efficient 26 minutes per game on court.

Ethan Chargois – There’s normally only one result when Chargois gets to the hoop. Went 7 of 9 from two point territory north of the border to finish with 19 points against the Gladiators. Ripping down 5.5 boards for the campaign as well.

Last Meeting

March 3rd 2024 – Cheshire Phoenix (White 20 Rai 18 Rideau / Jack 17) 93 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Green 21 Eytle-Rock 18 Pipkins 10) 78

Shark Bites

The Sharks go into their game with Caledonia Gladiators on Friday 1-2 down in the regular season head-to-head. As the Sharks hold a 243-238 basket difference advantage from those games, any win would give them the season head-to-head.

Should the Sharks win all 3 of their remaining regular season fixtures, it would guarantee that they finish above Leicester Riders in the final standings for the first time in a decade. In season 2013-14, the Sharks were second and the Riders fourth.

Completing the season sweep of 4-0 against Manchester was the 105th time the Sharks have completed a 3-0 or 4-0 sweep in their 30 seasons in the British Basketball League.

Sharks trail 1-2 in the regular season head-to-head with Cheshire and would need to win by at least 30 points on Sunday to gain the advantage, as the Phoenix hold a 267-238 basket difference lead so far.

SharkNation

Three games left in regular season before we go to the big dance! Our record at the Canon Medical Arena is stupendous and it’s no coincidence that when you guys fill the bleachers, your B. Braun Sharks come up with the dubs. This time of year is all about the momentum and having won five of our last six, we need to keep it going. Hit the links higher up the page to secure your seats for what are sure to be three thrilling games of basketball. Time is ticking if you want to catch your Sharks in the ‘23-‘24 season – don’t miss out! The Sharks and our fans – together we are UNBEATABLE! #FearTheFin

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Adam Bates