Nixon torches the 'Nix as the Sharks get off the mark

Sunday 6th October 2024

Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage

Cheshire Phoenix 100 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 102

A Prentiss Nixon-inspired B. Braun Sheffield Sharks got off the mark in the Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage with a scintillating 100-102 win over Cheshire Phoenix in Ellesmere Port. The Sharks went up by as many as 17 points in a breathtaking third quarter before holding off a late Cheshire fightback to claim a valuable road win. Nixon’s 39 point haul was key to the victory, aided by Jacob Groves, who poured in 20 of his own to see the Sharks to 1-2 ahead of a key match-up with Caledonia Gladiators next weekend.

Starting Fives

Phoenix: Christon, Holden, Clemons, Atwood, White.

Sharks: Jeffries, Nixon, Anderson, Mitchell, Groves.

Key Moments

It was clear from the off that this one was going to be a shootout. The Cheshire Oaks Arena traditionally hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Sharks and it looked slightly ominous as TJ Atwood put Cheshire into a 6-2 lead. A Jamell Anderson corner three put the Sharks up by one and a tremendous drive down the lane by Jacob Groves saw him slam the visitors into an 8-11 lead. Three point shots punctuated the remainder of the quarter; Tyreek Scott-Grayson began for the ‘Nix, aided by Cam Christon with Jordan Ratinho and Prentiss Nixon hitting the target for the Sharks inbetween. Makhi Mitchell levelled the game from the baseline at 23-23 before Scott-Grayson gave Cheshire a slender lead.

The two sides went at it like prizefighters in the second stanza as well. The ‘Nix went up by 8 at the midpoint of the period before back to back corner triples from Anderson and Drake Jeffries kept the Sharks in touch at 38-36. A Mitchell alleyoop levelled the game as the teams went on to trade to the end of the half. TJ Atwood’s late trey inched Cheshire in front by 49-45 by the interval.

A Prentiss Nixon-inspired 20-36 third quarter gave the game a completely different complexion. The Sharks guard displayed his full array of shooting talent to add 17 points and give the visitors a 12 point lead going into the final quarter. Two triples saw the Sharks take a 56-63 advantage and 8 more points ended a 2-16 run with the scoreline at 58-71. An and-one play from EC Matthews took the lead out to 17 at 60-77 and despite Atwood’s closing basket, the Sharks looked well in command at 69-81.

The Sharks maintained an 11 point differential inside the opening three minutes before a Phoenix timeout inspired an almighty comeback. Ricky Clemons and Cam Holden narrowed the gap to five at 83-88 with the Sharks also battling foul trouble. Skyler White drew them within four at 90-94 from beyond the arc and a Tahjai Teague free throw reduced that to a solitary point at 93-94. An ice-cold Nixon dropped his fifth triple and made another long two to ramp up the pressure on Cheshire. A missed three attempt from White saw Nixon nail another pair from the line and despite Clemons hitting a three on the buzzer, the Sharks were elated with their 100-102 victory.

MVP

Double figure scores from the dependable Jamell Anderson (11) and forward Makhi Mitchell (10) backed up a couple of outstanding performances for the Sharks. Jacob Groves shot at 50% for a quality return of 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots but the MVP award was a simple decision on the night. Prentiss Nixon made 14 of his 18 shots from the field, went 5 of 6 from 3 point territory and was a perfect 6 of 6 from the line to finish with a truly outstanding return of 39 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Caledonia Gladiators, Sunday 13th October 2024, Canon Medical Arena, Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage, 4.00pm Tip Off

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Adam Bates