Friday 10th April 2026
SLB Championship
Sheffield Sharks 113 - 75 Caledonia Gladiators
The B.Braun Sheffield Sharks brightened 90s night with a big win over the Caledonia Gladiators, going 5-0 in all competitions this season. A hard earned 38-point gap victory saw Fahro Alihodzic awarded MVP of the game with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. Though there were some brilliant performances by Prentiss Nixon, Dirk Williams and Rodney Chatman III. Reyad West found himself on the scoresheet after a 3 pointer. While player of the month for March was awarded to Nick Kern Jr. Sharks maintain 4th place, as the question of who they may face in the playoffs begins to clear.
Starting Five
Sharks: Dirk Williams, Rodney Chatman III, Jordan Ratinho, Nick Kern Jr, Fahro Alihodzic
Gladiators: Dwaine Jones Jr, Rian Holland, Charles Jet Speelman, Matthew Ragsdale, Lloyd Alvin Bryan Jr
Key Moments:
The B.Braun Sheffield Sharks opened up the scoring 3-0, through Jordan Ratinho from the corner pocket. Though Caledonia wasn’t far behind as they scored a 3 of their own through Matthew Ragsdale. But that was the push the Sharks needed as Dirk Williams put up a big 3 of his own and the Sharks continued to thrive on putting up the 3’s. Jordan Ratinho put up another of his own, to double the Sharks lead to 14-7. Sheffield continued to dominate the first quarter, as Prentiss Nixon extended the lead to 10 points (27-17) as the Gladiators brought it back a little. As Nixon increased the gap again, the Sharks were strong on their offence but stronger on their defence ending the quarter 29-20.
Prentiss Nixton continued to dominate the game, and opened the second quarter with another 3 (32-23). The Sharks pulled further away, as points covered the entire team and Rodney Chatman III put up another 2, to create a 21 point gap against Caledonia (48-27). Nick Kern Jr showed his strengths again as he went to the line and added another 2 through free throws making it 52-27. The game was only on the up for the Sharks as they led by 35 points after Rodney Chatman III put up a 3. Caledonia was not happy though and fought to the end of the quarter to bring that gap down, ending the quarter at 64-35.
In a third quarter that was beginning to bring the game a little closer together, Caledonia was slowly starting to get stronger in their play. However, the Sharks were not letting them catch up too quickly as Dirk Williams lined up and sunk the three (77- 45). Followed by Jordan Ratinho with another three (80-47) and captain Rodney Glasgow Jr getting on the scoreboard with a three also (85-48). Prentiss Nixon closed the quarter with another two and two successful free throws from the line after being fouled, ending the quarter 90-54.
Sharks had a rocky start to the fourth quarter as Caledonia had made better on their defence but that didn’t stop them. Troy D’Amico helped strengthen the gap to 96-63 and followed by another three points from Prentiss Nixton to edge the Sharks on 100 with a score of 99-63. As Caledonia tried to close the gap slightly, Mike Ochereobia seemed to have blocked one of their shots but the basket was given (99-67). Though Pretiss Nixon showed up again and put up another three taking the Sharks to triple figures with 102-67. Troy D’Amico and Prentiss Nixton switched turns in getting the Sharks more points bringing them up to 108-69. All Sharks ended up on the scoresheet as Reyad West put up a three and got the basket which brought them up to 111-73. With a 38 point lead, Prentiss Nixton put up two from the free throw line after being fouled to end the game 113-75, making it the 20th time the Sharks have reached 113 or more since joining the top flight of British Basketball in 1994, and the 4th time it has occurred in the 18 seasons that Atiba Lyons has been Head Coach.
MVP:
In a game where every Sharks player put up baskets and points there were four top standouts in their victory over Caledonia. With an impactful 22:39 played throughout the game, Rodney Chatman III collected 16 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. With one point more, Dirk Williams gathered 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. Though out of all, Prentiss Nixon made a serious contender for the MVP award, with only 21:56 played throughout the game, he collected 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. In the end, the MVP award was awarded to Fahro Alihodzic who played 21:14, collected 16 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal, as the Sharks have now won 4 out of 5 of their recent games.
Next Game:
Away: London Lions vs Sheffield Sharks, Sunday April 12th, Tip off 4pm, Copper Box Arena
Home: B.Braun Sheffield Sharks vs Leicester Riders, Sunday 19th April, Tip off 4pm
Photo: Adam Bates
