Super League Basketball Championship
The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks face another testing double-header weekend before taking a break for a couple of weeks due to the International window. The North East is Friday’s destination where the Newcastle Eagles await the Sharks, looking for revenge for defeat back in September. Then the Sharks return home on Sunday afternoon when our old Lancastrian rivals Manchester Basketball are in town. And better still, it is our ‘Heritage Game’ so you might a recognise a few familiar faces from our recent past. Two great games on paper – catch us while you have the chance!
Friday – Eagles v Sharks – Vertu Motors Arena – 7.30pm
Watch - https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/fixture/ContentId:3kaujd0httwo01l88w2kkp3osq/3kaujd0httwo01l88w2kkp3osq
Ones To Watch
Maceo Jack – The Eagles have been away from SLB duties for a couple of weeks but were in action against Greek side Iraklis BC on Bonfire Night in Thessaloniki. They went down to an 85-71 defeat but the free-scoring Jack managed to pour in 23 to demonstrate he is still a leading man for the Eagles.
Ray’sean Taylor – Comes from the bench to good effect for Marc Steutel’s men. His 20 points were in vain for the Eagles in Greece but he was particularly effective on the inside, making 5 of 8 shots.
Marco Anthony – The swing man did his utmost to influence Newcastle’s last SLB game against Bristol but sadly the Eagles mixed domestic form continued. Anthony finished with 13 points and 6 boards made on 60% shooting but couldn’t stop a 4 point loss for the Geordies.
Gus Okafor – Forward who shone on debut for the Eagles in the Flyers defeat. Opened his account with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal, making 5 of 7 from the field but could prevent the 83-87 defeat.
Last Meeting
September 28th 2025 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 78 Newcastle Eagles 73
Sunday – Sharks v Manchester – Canon Medical Arena – 4.00pm
Tickets - https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=216
Ones To Watch
Gabe Osabuohien – The native of Toronto, Canada was Manchester’s main man despite defeat in the all North-West Trophy clash with Cheshire. Osabuohien fouled out but not before he’d put up 19 points, 6 boards, 2 assists and a blocked shot as the ‘Nix claimed victory by 5 points.
Max Jones – Manchester’s starting two guard is very effective attacking the rim or shooting from deep as demonstrated by his 14 points made against Cheshire last Friday. It was the Phoenix who put themselves in the box seat for qualification though with the 77-82 win.
Kaiyem Cleary – The Manchester skipper was just short of a double-double as the Lancastrians suffered back-to-back losses after a positive start to the campaign. Cleary’s 8 / 8 outing came after averaging 13 / 3 for the season so far to date.
Oluwaseyi Adetukasi – Comes from the bench when Manchester need a spark and often provides one with some eye-catching three point shooting. Made 2 of 3 for Matthew Otten’s side against the ‘Nix but his 12 point, 5 rebound display wasn’t enough on this occasion.
Last Meeting
October 31st 2025 – Manchester Basketball 87 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 75
Shark Bites
The Sharks will look to improve on an already impressive record at the Vertu Motors Arena, home of Newcastle Eagles on Friday. In 17 visits to the Arena in all competitions, the Sharks have recorded 11 wins and in Championship games only, they have won 8 times whilst recording only 3 losses.
Sharks 3 home games this season have seen them start the campaign at the Canon Medical Arena by scoring 78 against Newcastle to win by 5. Then they scored 77 versus Caledonia to win by 6 points and most recently scored 76 to beat Bristol by 7. A Sharks win by 75-67 on Sunday would continue the sequence!
The Sharks have now played 50 official home games at the Canon Medical Arena, winning 38. They have not been beaten by teams from Bristol, Manchester, Plymouth and Surrey in any competition and Newcastle have not won at the Arena in the Championship.
By competition, the home record at the Arena is: 30 wins, 7 losses in the Championship, 3-3 in the Trophy games, 2-0 in the Cup and 3-2 in the Play Offs.
SharkNation
Miss us or miss out! The schedules put us on a short break after this weekend’s massive double-header so now is the time to catch your B. Braun Sheffield Sharks in action. Head on to the link higher up the page to get your tickets for our Heritage Game, where you will get to see the current Sharks in a big game against Manchester Basketball as well as welcoming some of the Sharks of yesteryear, all voiced by the velvet tones of the one and only Mike Shaft! The guys are battling away for you in tough circumstances so we need all your support in our big ‘War of the Roses’ encounter. Will it be the white rose of Yorkshire or the red rose of Lancashire? Your support makes the difference. It’s time to #FearTheFin!
Image
Josh Rackham
