New era for Sharks as season gets underway

Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage

It’s a new era for the British game as the Super League Basketball Trophy group stage gets the season underway this weekend. Your B. Braun Sheffield Sharks have the scent of silverware and begin their campaign in Newcastle on Friday, returning to the Canon Medical Arena on Sunday when Cheshire Phoenix come to town. Read on to find out how you can track our progress over the weekend and get your hands on those all-important tickets – Basketball season is here!

Friday – Eagles v Sharks – Vertu Motors Arena – 7.30pm

Watch – https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/home

Ones To Watch

Josh Ward-Hibbert – 30 year old who has 5 Great Britain caps to his name so far. Names London Lions and Leicester Riders as his former clubs and averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds last season.

Jordan Spencer – Playmaker who spearheaded a trophy triple in NBL Division Two for his hometown Milton Keynes Breakers in 2024. Formerly of London Lions and has played at Great Britain Under 20 level for Eagles Coach Marc Steutel.

Seneca Knight – Ex-Illinois State star who shone for Valmiera Glass Via against the Eagles in ENBL last season. Averaged 14 points and 4 rebounds in his rookie campaign in the Latvia-Estonia Basketball League.

Jaelin Llewellyn – Rookie shooter who was a Princeton team-mate of Detroit Pistons Brit standout Tosan Evbuomwan. Started all 76 games of his Princeton career and achieved All-Ivy first and second team honours before moving to Michigan.

Last Meeting

March 24th 2024 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 91 Newcastle Eagles 83

Sunday – Sharks v Phoenix – Canon Medical Arena – 1.00pm

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

Ones To Watch

RJ Eytle-Rock – His performances with the Sharks last season earned a call up to the Great Britain squad. Averaged 8 points per game in South Yorkshire and had a successful college career at Utah State and the University of Maryland.

TJ Atwood – Plymouth standout Atwood averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists down in Devon last season. Was previously at BK Iskra Svit in Slovakia and excelled with Lamar University in his college days.

Skyler White – Free-scoring big who likes to shoot the three. Had five games of 20 points plus for the ‘Nix last season each of which included six or more 3 point makes. Fourth season in the British top flight and second season in Cheshire.

Cam Christon – Averaged 11 points per game and was voted 6th man of the year in his first season as a professional. Was also SWAC Player of the Year while at Grambling State University in 2023.

Last Meeting

May 12th 2024 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 73 Cheshire Phoenix 92

Shark Bites

The Sharks start the new season in exactly the same way as they did last season – with a trip to Newcastle to face the Eagles. Last year saw the Sharks go down by 72-79; their only defeat by Newcastle all season as they won the 3 subsequent clashes.

Sharks’ 30 seasons have brought 17 wins in their initial game – with a 10 win, 8 loss home record and 7 wins and 5 losses when starting away from home.

Last season, the Sharks and Cheshire Phoenix met in a total of 7 games across 3 competitions, with Sharks winning the initial match in Ellesmere Port but losing the subsequent 6, including all 3 at the Canon Medical Arena.

Mike Ochereobia will become the oldest player to make his Sharks debut since Atiba Lyons has been Coach and the second oldest in club history behind Stedroy Baker, who made his debut on 29th October 2005 at the age of 36 years and 93 days. Big Mike will be 35 years and 62 days assuming he plays at Newcastle on Friday.

SharkNation

Sharks fans! You are going to want to welcome Jake Groves, Drake Jeffries, Jamell Anderson, Mike Ochereobia, Makhi Mitchell, EC Matthews and Reyad West to the Canon Medical Arena because these guys are going to thrill you for the next 8 months! Not forgetting your fan favourites Rodney Glasgow Jr, Jordan Ratinho, Prentiss Nixon and Bennett Koch, who are keen to get the gym buzzing once again. Super League Basketball is coming to the Shark Tank so hit the ticket link on this page to secure your seats for our homecoming on Sunday against our old rivals Cheshire Phoenix. You were awesome last season but we get a feeling you are going to go one better this time around. Basketball season is back – it’s time to #FearTheFin !

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Adam Bates