PREVIEW: Back to Championship action for Sharks this Friday and Saturday

BBL Championship

After the titanic endeavours of the BBL Trophy semi-final last weekend, the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks focus turns to a big BBL Championship double-header this coming weekend. On Friday evening, Caledonia Gladiators head to Ponds Forge with four wins already this season under their belts against the Sharks. Then on Saturday, the Sharks make the journey south to Guildford for game three in the series and fresh memories of a big win against Surrey Scorchers just a fortnight ago.

Friday – Sharks v Gladiators – Ponds Forge – 7.30pm

Tickets – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Caledonia Gladiators – BBL Championship Tickets, Fri 10 Mar 2023 at 19:30 | Eventbrite

Ones To Watch

Al Durham – Having secured their place in the BBL Trophy Final on Wednesday evening, the Gladiators fell to two defeats last weekend. Durham put up 16 points in Saturday’s 99-92 loss to Surrey, exactly the same as his season average for the Scots since signing in mid-campaign.

David Sloan – The ebullient guard has proven to be the heartbeat of Caledonia all season long. Averages 18.9 points with 5 assists and almost helped them get the job done against Surrey with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Patrick Tape – Top scored for the Gladiators with a 12 point, 10 board double – double in Sunday’s 99-67 defeat to leaders London Lions. Under the radar big guy who is very effective for Gareth Murray’s men.

Fahro Alihodzic – GB international who fits perfectly into Coach Murray’s roster. 7 points and 7 rebounds against London but is adding 10.4 overall per game in a useful rotation that includes Tape and Ally Fraser as well.

Last Meeting

February 5^th 2023 – Caledonia Gladiators (Durham 19 Sloan 13 Bailey 12) 77 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Ramsey 23 Ratinho 13 Nelson / Koch 11) 71

Saturday – Scorchers v Sharks – Surrey Sports Park – 6.00pm

Watch – Surrey Scorchers vs Sheffield Sharks, BBL Championship – LIVE – YouTube

Ones To Watch

Padiet Wang – Surrey welcomed back the South Sudan international from qualifying duty to great effect last Saturday. A super win over Caledonia saw Wang joint top-scorer with an all-round 25 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal for an index of 31.

Tayo Ogedengbe – The second of Surrey’s 25 point top scorers who shot an astonishing 7 from 9 from 3 point range against the Scots to show that there is plenty of life in the BBL veteran yet.

Josh McFolley – Poured in 25 against the Sharks on debut and made a similar amount against the Gladiators too. Always keen to let fly with that left hand in volume and has proved very effective so far.

Josh Steel – Talented Brit guard who is working his way back from injury but made 5 useful assists against Caledonia last week. Engaging YouTuber who likes to provoke discussion on the game as well!

Last Meeting

February 24^th 2023 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Pipkins 20 Nelson 19 Delpeche 14) 92 Surrey Scorchers (McFolley 25 Johnson 14 Martin 12) 74

Shark Bites

A Gladiators win on Friday would give them a 5-0 record against the Sharks with just the playoffs to come. Only Leicester and Newcastle have previously won 5 or more games in a season against the Sharks without defeat.

The last 3 games between Sharks and Gladiators have seen the Scottish based team score 77 in each match. In the initial contest this season they scored 74, remarkably consistent!

The Sharks have not won an away Championship game since 3^rd December, having lost their last six away league matches.

A win on Saturday would be a club record 10^th consecutive win against the Surrey franchise. In 18 games played at Surrey Sports Park, the Sharks have won 15, including 12 of the last 13.

SharkNation

Ok so we’re devastated that we didn’t make the BBL Trophy Final but we’re sure you’ll agree that your Sharks gave everything in a terrific, close-fought game at Cheshire Phoenix last Sunday. The crowd was loud and raucous! Fancy recreating that atmosphere this Friday? Well hit the ticket link at the top of the page because we need our SharkNation to bring the noise as we look to take a bite out of the Gladiators. We’ve got a new mission – secure that playoff place asap and we want you along for the journey with us! It’s the month of madness in terms of basketball but there’s nothing mad about our determination to get there. Come and join us – it’s time to #FearTheFin!

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Adam Bates