PREVIEW: Sharks begin the New Year with Trophy clash

BBL Trophy

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks are back after a New Year break and straight into BBL Trophy action when Thames Valley Cavaliers of the National Basketball League are the visitors to the Tank on Sunday. The Cavs are one of the sides invited into the competition by virtue of their finishing position last season but currently sit in 11^th place in the Division One table with a 4-8 record. The winners will play the victors of the Manchester Giants / Leicester Riders clash at the Quarter Final stage.

Sunday – Sharks v Cavaliers – Ponds Forge – 4.00pm

Tickets – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Thames Valley Cavaliers – BBL Trophy 1st Round Tickets, Sun 15 Jan 2023 at 16:00 | Eventbrite

Ones To Watch

AJ Roberts – Late of the now-defunct London City Royals, Roberts is putting up 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists in NBL Division One this season for the Cavs. Had an 11 / 7 / 4 outing against Reading Rockets in Thames Valley’s last game.

Victor Olarerin – Thames Valley’s go-to guy on offence this year due to the 19.2 points he is averaging this season. The Cavs went down by 124-102 last Sunday at Reading with Olarerin adding 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Juan Manning – Shot at 50% and was perfect from the line on his way to 15 points, 3 rebounds and an assist in the points-laden Reading game.

Bode Adeluola – Came from the bench to post 22 points with 1 rebound and 6 assists against the Rockets. On court for 35 minutes at Rivermead, which is significantly more than the 20 he is averaging for the season.

Last Meeting

(As former franchise Thames Valley Tigers) March 27^th 2005 Sheffield Sharks (Yanders 30 Davis 25 Petteway 16) 97 Thames Valley Tigers (Moore 27 James 24 Brown 10) 85

Shark Bites

The Sharks first ever title was achieved in the National Cup Final by beating Thames Valley 89-66 at Sheffield Arena in March 1995. The Tigers had beaten the Sharks two months previously in the BBL Trophy Final in Birmingham.

The Sharks have previously played seven teams from the National Basketball League in the BBL Trophy competition. All seven have resulted in wins by an average of over 28 points per game.

January 15^th is by far the latest start to a New Year in the Sharks 29 seasons in the BBL. Previously it was the 8^th.

If the Sharks beat Thames Valley, their home record this season will be a mirror image of last season at 4 wins and 7 losses. Of course last season, the Sharks went from 4-7 at home to end with 11 wins and 9 losses.

SharkNation

New Year – New Sharks! We hope you are all excited to get 2023 underway and get a first look at our thrilling new signing Devearl Ramsey. It is the first time in our history that we have a FIBA World Champion on our roster and having played for Team USA and in the NBA G League, we know you are going to enjoy watching Devearl. Hit the ticket link at the top of the page to guarantee your seat – with your support we can get the New Year off to a winning start! It’s time to get on the silverware trail. We are the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks! #KnowOurName #FearTheFin

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Adam Bates