Oh Rickey you're so fine! Sharks advance into the playoff semis

Sunday 4th May 2025

Super League Basketball Playoff Quarter Final 2nd Leg

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 99 Cheshire Phoenix 82 (Sharks win 178-171 on aggregate)

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks advanced to the semi final stage of the Super League Basketball Playoffs by overturning a ten point first leg deficit against Cheshire Phoenix to claim an aggregate win by seven over 80 minutes. An electric atmosphere at the Canon Medical Arena saw the Sharks wipe out the gap by the end of the first quarter and at one point lead by 15 overall. Cheshire narrowed the aggregate score to just five points midway through the final quarter but a determined performance from MVP Rickey McGill, who poured in 31 points, ensured that the Sheffield fans were able to celebrate a 99-82 win on the day and a 178-171 success overall as the Sharks post-season journey continues.

Starting Fives

Sharks: McGill, Nixon, Clay, Anderson, Ratinho.

Phoenix: Austin Jr, Holden, Atwood, Timberlake, White.

Key Moments

A clearly fired-up Sharks set off in determined mood, forcing Cheshire into a shot clock violation on the opening play and going up by 6-1 as Donovan Clay eurostepped to the hoop. The ‘Nix were forced into a timeout midway through the opening stanza on Rickey McGill’s corner trey with the on the day score at 14-5. Cheshire stayed in touch a pair of free throws from Nick Timberlake but the run to the end of the period was all about the Sharks. Drake Jeffries tied the aggregate scores with a three at 25-15 and then sent the Sharks miraculously ahead at 27-15, 106-104 overall.

A complete reversal of fortune saw the contest swing back Cheshire’s way at the start of the second quarter. The Sharks found themselves in the penalty with only 3 minutes played as Larry Austin Jr, RJ Eytle-Rock and TJ Atwood profited from the line with the score at 27-22. Skyler White’s and-one play made it 29-25 but a 10-3 run in favour of the hosts, where Jamell Anderson finished a neat piece of ball movement, saw the ‘Nix talking it over at 39-28. The pace was frenetic as Ratinho converted from the wing and then went coast to coast to make it 49-33. Nick Timberlake’s three point play concluded the half but it was the Sharks who went in at 51-37 and importantly 130-126 up on the overall tie.

Injuries to Donovan Clay and Prentiss Nixon may have impacted the Sharks chances but a mask-wearing Nixon showed no ill-effects by draining a triple to make it 56-41. He repeated the feat at 62-45 as things went from bad to worse for the visitors, committing their third shot clock violation and entering the bonus with 4.15 remaining. A succession of trips to the line saw the Sharks into their biggest lead of the game on the back of a pair of Mike Ochereobia free throws at 74-49 and as Prentiss Nixon followed suit, it was they who remained in charge with the third quarter concluding at 75-54.

With the season on the line, it was inevitable that Cheshire would battle to the end. A turnaround long two from White rallied them but a remarkable one-handed slam in traffic from the ageless Jamell Anderson kept the Sharks on a high at 83-62. The dunks were flying by this point as Clay matched Anderson’s effort but when Cheshire’s Timberlake threw one down, the aggregate became just five with the Sharks ahead by 88-73 on the day. A burgeoning foul count worked against the ‘Nix as Timberlake fouled out, quickly followed by Cam Holden and once again, they were left to negotiate the penalty. Rickey McGill and James Reese V were profitable from the charity stripe in the final minute and it was fitting that MVP McGill wrapped up a 99-82 on the day win and a 178-171 aggregate passage to the semi-finals.

MVP

A much more rounded display from a clearly fired-up Sharks side was key to a thrilling come-from-behind victory. Donovan Clay fought off an ankle knock to post 8 points and 7 rebounds and there was yet another double-figure performance from Jacob Groves, who ended with 11 points, 3 rebounds and a blocked shot. Jamell Anderson defied the march of time and indeed gravity with a high-quality 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal, made on 83% shooting. A blow to the face didn’t deter Prentiss Nixon, who became a masked hero for his 17 points and 5 assists which included 7 successful makes from the free throw line. The MVP was a man on a mission however and lit up the court with a game full of invention. The Sharks were positive 22 while ever Rickey McGill was on the floor and his 31 point, 8 rebound, 5 assist, 1 block statline was worthy of sending his side through to the semi-final stage of post-season.

Next Game

SLB Playoff Semi-Final – Dates and Times to be advised

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Josh Rackham