PREVIEW: Crucial five days in Sharks Cup destiny

BBL Cup Group Stage

Two games coming up for all Sharks fans in the coming week – we welcome Newcastle Eagles to Ponds Forge on Friday and there is a swift re-match with the Manchester Giants away on Tuesday.

Friday – Sharks v Eagles – Ponds Forge – 7.30pm

Tickets – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Newcastle Eagles – BBL Cup Tickets, Fri 15 Oct 2021 at 19:30 | Eventbrite

Ones To Watch

Darius Defoe – Nicknamed ‘Mr 27’ for his prolific title winning achievements with the Eagles, Darius came up with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds in Newcastle’s recent 94-74 victory over Cheshire Phoenix.

Kyle Williams – Shooting guard in his second spell on Tyneside. Often goes under the radar but contributed 16 points in that Cheshire win, which was the Eagles first of the BBL Cup group stage.

Wesley Person Jr – Also scored 16 against Cheshire. Growing into his role with Newcastle having been signed as a late replacement for Mike Scott. The Eagles were plus 24 while he was on court in the Phoenix success.

Rahmon Fletcher – You can’t mention Newcastle without mentioning the two-time league MVP. Got his assist game going with an eye-watering 14 in the Cheshire match-up.

Last Meeting

October 1^st 2021 – Newcastle Eagles (Fletcher 19 Williams 13 Person 13) 82 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Williams 23 Delpeche 15 Nichols 13) 85

Tuesday – Giants v Sharks – National Basketball Performance Centre – 7.00pm

Watch – www.bblplayer.co.uk

Ones To Watch

Dan Clark – The GB skipper contributed a highly-efficient 20 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists in the Giants win over the Sharks last Friday but hobbled out of Manchester’s Sunday defeat to Glasgow with an ankle injury.

Martaveous McKnight – Grew into the encounter against the Sharks and followed that up with 27 points on Sunday as the Giants were edged out by 83-90 at home to Glasgow Rocks.

Josh Steel – Another of Manchester’s talented British core, who has returned to these shores after spells in the highly-rated Spanish league. 14 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists against the Rocks.

Jamell Anderson – The former Leicester Rider appears to be loving life now he has relocated to Manchester. Another GB international who managed to do a bit of everything against Glasgow with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block but was just unable to get his side to the winning post.

Last Meeting

October 8^th 2021 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Anderson 21 Williams 10 Delpeche 10) 68 Manchester Giants (Clark 20 McKnight 18 Steel 13) 85

Shark Bites

The three most recent Sharks games have all been won with a score of 85 points.

Every Sharks game this season has seen the team scoring the most points in the final quarter winning the game.

Friday is the 66^th time that Coach Lyons has taken charge against Newcastle Eagles.

In games played in Sheffield against the Eagles, the Sharks have recorded 10 wins and 20 losses, although they are currently 7-3 in games at the Eagles’ Vertu Motors Arena.

SharkNation

It’s a huge night on Friday as your B. Braun Sheffield Sharks go toe to toe with Newcastle; both sides looking to avoid that dreaded fifth place that means elimination from the BBL Cup. Quite simply – we need the SharkNation to fill the Tank and make some noise for the boys! Go to the ticket link at the top of the page and bring your best cheer game!

Don’t forget, we head over to Manchester on an unusual Tuesday (19^th October) night for a 7pm tip off. If you can’t make it over the Snake or Woodhead Pass, tune in to the game via the BBL Player.

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Adam Bates