PREVIEW: Big Easter weekend impacts playoff positions

BBL Championship

A packed Easter weekend schedule awaits the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks with a visit to the North East to take on Newcastle and a return to Ponds Forge on Easter Sunday for another thrilling match-up against Cheshire Phoenix. Once again, all eyes will be on that all-important playoff qualification scenario. Will it be 28 consecutive seasons in the big dance? These two huge games will go a long way to deciding the Sharks post-season fate!

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

Watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seNn06AO8pc

Ones To Watch

Kyle Johnson – Influential GB international who is shortly due to return to Canada for their summer-based season. Scored 26 against Surrey last weekend as the Eagles took a one point win over the Scorchers. Averages 14.3 points for the campaign.

Hasahn French – Has been a resounding success since arriving on Tyneside mid-year. Posted an eye-popping 17 point, 18 rebound double-double against the Scorchers and pulls down 8.9 boards on average for the season.

David Cohn – Stepped up as the main ball handler against Surrey to bring about a 79-78 victory. Dished out 7 assists to go with 15 points as the Eagles kept their playoff hopes alive with a crucial win.

Justin Gordon – Third spell with Newcastle where his all-round game is currently contributing 14.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Added another 7 rebounds in the Scorchers victory and a key component in the Eagles armoury.

Last Meeting

February 3^rd 2023 – Newcastle Eagles (Johnson 24 Hamlet 19 Mockford 13) 84 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Nelson 20 Nichols 19 Ramsey 11) 70

Sunday – Sharks v Phoenix – Ponds Forge – 4.00pm

Tickets – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/b-braun-sheffield-sharks-v-cheshire-phoenix-bbl-championship-tickets-399441248527?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Ones To Watch

Marcus Evans – Shot the lights out in that final quarter against the Sharks last Sunday. Made 5 of 8 three pointers on his way to 34 in total as the ‘Nix took another thriller at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

Tahjai Teague – Shouldered a lot of the big man work as the six man Cheshire rotation beat the Sharks by 83-80. Finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists as the Phoenix went 2-1 up in the head-to-head for the season.

Jamell Anderson – Experienced GB and England international who counts Manchester and Leicester as his former clubs. Archetypal glue guy whose season averages of 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists show his value to the North West outfit.

Amorie Archibald – Another who stepped up in a big way to give the ‘Nix a five point advantage in the crucial head-to-head against the Sharks. Dished out 7 assists with 13 points and 4 rebounds to see Cheshire to a narrow win in yet another classic against the Sharks.

Last Meeting

April 2^nd 2023 – Cheshire Phoenix (Evans 34 Archibald 13 Teague 13) 83 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Koch 20 Ratinho 16 Nichols / Ramsey 12) 80

Shark Bites

A loss by 17 or less against the Eagles would still guarantee the head to head in a two way tie with Newcastle. In the event of an end of season three team tie also including Plymouth, the Sharks would have to lose by a minimum of 35 on Friday to have a chance of finishing bottom of this mini league.

Friday should see Jordan Ratinho make his 100^th consecutive start for the Sharks.

Cheshire have won the last 3 clashes with the Sharks, scoring 88, 82 & 83 points respectively. The Sharks have not won when conceding 82 or more points in a game this season.

The Sharks need a 6 point win on Sunday to take the head to head against Cheshire. A loss at Ponds Forge on Sunday would make it unlikely the Sharks will finish above 7^th in the league as the 3 teams directly above them – Manchester, Caledonia and Cheshire – would then all hold the head to head over the Sharks.

SharkNation

Do you want some Easter Sunday thrills and spills? Well Ponds Forge is the place to be as Cheshire Phoenix visit the Tank for what will surely be another thriller. The ‘Nix lead the season series by 2-1 but only by 5 points on basket difference. The last two games against Cheshire have been stonewall classics so you cannot afford to miss this one on Sunday! The Phoenix have won the last two by 4 and 3 points respectively – we need our SharkNation to see us to the win! Victory by 6 points or more will see us take a vital head-to-head as the race for playoff seedings heats up. Hit the ticket link elsewhere on this page to secure your seat for what is sure to be one of the best games of the season. Oh, and don’t forget to crank up the volume because we need to get some revenge!!!! We are the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks – #KnowOurName.

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Adam Bates