PREVIEW: Sharks on the road for second double header

BBL Championship

The second double header of April sees the Sharks on the road this time around. Friday night brings a swift return to Bristol, scene of that heartbreaking overtime loss in mid-March. Then on Sunday, the Sharks journey to the north west, looking to break the hold that Cheshire Phoenix have had on the South Yorkshire men in recent seasons. All with one eye on securing a playoff place of course!

Friday – Flyers v Sharks – SGS College Arena – 7.30pm

Watch – www.bblplayer.co.uk

Ones To Watch

Marcus Evans – Poured in 23 points in Saturday’s 89-96 defeat at home to Manchester but was unable to protect the SGS College Arena fortress this time around.

Trejon Jacob – Thrilling player to watch who finds a variety of ways to score. Averaging 15.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game so far this season.

Raphell Thomas-Edwards – Hard-working Brit who does a lot of under the radar stuff for the Flyers. Contributed 14 points against Manchester last weekend.

Malcolm Delpeche – Twin brother of Sharks’ Marcus. Pulled down 8 boards against the Giants which is comparable with his season average of 7.4 to go with the 14.1 points per game he also contributes.

Last Meeting

March 11^th 2022 – Bristol Flyers (Jacob 17 Evans 13 Thomas-Edwards 12) 75 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Wallace 25 Glasgow Jr 9 Johnson 8) 72

Sunday – Phoenix v Sharks – Cheshire Oaks Arena – 5.30pm

Watch – www.bblplayer.co.uk

Ones To Watch

Teddy Okereafor – The Great Britain playmaker hit 20 points with 9 assists in the ‘Nix 103-77 road loss in Glasgow last Sunday as the BBL Trophy winners inconsistent form continued.

Namon Wright – Is putting up 16.3 points per game with his explosive scoring, well-known from his previous stint with the Leicester Riders.

Levi Bradley – The lucky lefty is usually on fire when the Sharks are in town especially from beyond the arc. Added 16 points on 60% shooting with 6 rebounds in the Glasgow loss.

Larry Austin Jr – A quiet night against the Rocks for the BBL Trophy Final MVP, which usually means there will be a reaction to follow for the all-action guard. Scoring 14.3 points with 6.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists since his addition to the Phoenix as the season begun.

Last Meeting

January 14^th 2022 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Glasgow Jr 17 Ratinho 12 Nichols 11) 56 Cheshire Phoenix (Bradley 19 Wright 15 Austin 12) 77

Shark Bites

The last four games between the Sharks and the Flyers have seen winning margins of 3, 5, 1 and 3 points including 2 of the last 3 matches going to overtime.

This is Bristol’s 8^th season in the BBL and they have never completed a season sweep against the Sharks. The Flyers currently hold a 2-0 lead in this season’s series.

Cheshire will be looking for their 10^th consecutive win against the Sharks on Sunday. The last Sharks win was on 29^th September 2019 at home. The last Sharks win at Cheshire Oaks Arena was on 7^th October 2018.

Since their first clash on 14^th October 1994, the Sharks have 77 wins against Cheshire, who will be looking for their 50^th on Sunday.

SharkNation

We split last weekend with a pair of defensive scraps. You were great in the Tank on Friday, guiding us to that win against Plymouth but unfortunately we couldn’t quite get the job done in another close one in London on Sunday. We’re on the road (and on the BBL Player – see link) if you want to catch us this weekend. But we really need your support when the Sky Sports cameras are back at Ponds Forge on Good Friday 15^th April when the London series is at stake! Head over to

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v London Lions – BBL Championship Tickets, Fri 15 Apr 2022 at 19:30 | Eventbrite

to claim your seat for the hottest game in town! It’s mission playoffs and we want the SharkNation to ride the wave with us. It’s time to #FearTheFin !

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Adam Bates