Lions end Sharks title hopes

Friday 18th April 2025

Super League Basketball Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 60 London Lions 77

London Lions ended the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks league title hopes with a 60-77 Good Friday victory. The Sharks fought back from a ten point half time deficit to lead mid-way through the third quarter but ran out of momentum in a 10-24 final period as the men from the capital sealed the win and put themselves in the box seat for the title. Rickey McGill led the Sharks scoring with 17 but was pipped to the home game day MVP award by Jacob Groves who ended with 14 points and 6 rebounds. The Sharks now face a pair of games with Caledonia and a return fixture with the Lions to ascertain where they will finish in the standings and who their Playoff quarter final opponents will be.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Jeffries, McGill, Clay, Ratinho, Groves.

Lions: Adebayo, Rai, Peterson, Stuckman, Hadzibegovic.

Key Moments

Both sides looked skittish and nervous in a frantic first quarter. Jordan Ratinho went coast to coast to open the scoring but London took a 6-10 lead mid-way through the period on two successful trips to the line for Aaryn Rai. Jacob Groves took over for the Sharks. He claimed a second chance point, nailed a corner three and followed that up with a delicious dummy and dunk to send the Lions into a timeout at 13-10. London claimed the final five points of the quarter however through the imposing Alen Hadzibegovic and the equally-imposing Jaiden Delaire.

The Lions extended their advantage to ten by half time. Tanner Stuckman ended a 0-10 streak with a three at 13-20 and it took Rickey McGill to re-energise the Sharks. Eight points from the point guard displayed the full array of his talents and range of shooting but a four point play from Stuckman saw London increase the gap at 21-30. Jordan Ratinho and Rodney Glasgow Jr found success from deep as the deficit narrowed to five once again but baskets for Hadzibegovic, Stuckman and Peterson gave the Lions a useful 31-41 half time advantage.

The Sharks increased their defensive intensity at the start of the second half and as a result went on a 13-2 run. McGill and Ratinho hit decisive treys and skipper Rodney Glasgow Jr sent the Sharks into a 44-43 lead on a successful and-one play. London replied with triples from Rai and Delaire and although the Sharks had taken the quarter by 19-12, it was the Lions who went into the final ten minutes in front by 50-53.

The Sharks began the final stanza well on Mike Ochereobia’s hook shot over Hadzibegovic but a pair of threes from the experienced Terrell Holloway saw London stretch out at 54-63. The game unravelled on a technical foul call on Donovan Clay as Holloway helped take the lead out to fifteen at 54-69. The Sharks spent the best part of six minutes in the penalty as Holloway extended the visitors lead out to 17 from the line at 58-75 and a consolation basket by Jordan Ratinho couldn’t reduce that deficit as the Lions took the win by 60-77.

MVP

Skipper Rodney Glasgow attempted to make up for the absence of offensive talisman Prentiss Nixon with 8 points made on 60% shooting. Ditto Jordan Ratinho who contributed 10 at a 66% clip, which also came with 2 rebounds and a steal. Rickey McGill eventually found his range, finishing with 17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals but the MVP honours went the way of the in-form Jacob Groves. His 14 points came on 6 of 9 shooting, including one superb play on the unfortunate Jaiden Delaire, as well as with 6 rebounds. However, the Sharks were unable to stop the London bandwagon and now must focus on hitting form in time for the playoffs.

Next Game

Caledonia Gladiators v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Sunday 20th April 2025, Playsport Arena, Super League Basketball Championship, 5.00pm tip off

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Josh Rackham