Reese has Cheshire in pieces as Sharks win again

Wednesday 12th March 2025

Super League Basketball Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 101 Cheshire Phoenix 82

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks dug deep into their reserves of strength to claim an outstanding eleventh win on the trot and secure the season head to head over Cheshire Phoenix. Legs were understandably heavy following the Cup Final victory as the visitors went ahead by 7 points at the interval. However, a resilient second half with a mind-blowing 37 point final quarter took the Sharks to an amazing 101-82 victory. Six Sharks ran up double-figure scoring but it was a 20 point haul for James Reese V that caught the eye as the MVP of the contest. The win sets the Sharks up for back-to-back games against Surrey and Leicester at the weekend.

Starting Fives

Sharks: McGill, Nixon, Clay, Ratinho, Anderson.

Phoenix: Austin, Holden, Atwood, Timberlake, White.

Key Moments

Concerns that the exertions of last Sunday would take their toll on the Sharks were unfounded in an even first quarter. A quick release Nick Timberlake three put the ‘Nix up by 4-7 and a pair of typical Skyler White treys emphasised their advantage at 12-18. The Sharks fought back through Jamell Anderson out of the corner and eventually they gained the lead through a James Reese basket at 21-20. Drake Jeffries’ step-back corner triple made it 24-22 but it was Tyreek Scott-Grayson’s reply that ensured the ‘Nix ended the period in front.

The fresher legs of Cheshire claimed a 44-51 lead by half time. Scott-Grayson got the hot hand to make it 31-33 from deep and the gap became eight when Cam Holden was afforded the time to knock down his own big shot at 32-40. Another big White trey from the wing took proceedings out to 34-45 as the Sharks fed off free throws with the Phoenix in the penalty. Larry Austin’s full court pass saw Scott-Grayson keep the gap in double-figures but a James Reese triple on Donovan Clay’s kickout brought the deficit down to seven at the break.

A 12-1 spurt hauled the never-say-die Sharks back into the game at the top of the third quarter. Seven Prentiss Nixon points, ending on a three in transition, put the Sharks back ahead at 56-55 but the persistent Scott-Grayson (and-one) and former Shark RJ Eytle-Rock with a three put the north-west side up by 58-63. Reese and White traded triples and it took a Jacob Groves bucket to end the period with the score at 64-68.

A 13-0 run at the start of the final stanza set the tone for a mind-blowing final ten minutes. Drake Jeffries opened the rout with three off the screen as Reese drained one from the corner and a Nixon mid-range jumper made it 77-68. Cheshire clung on through a tough White trey but he fouled out of the contest soon after that to add to his side’s capitulation. The final thirty seconds saw the Sharks showing out. Donovan Clay reverse dunked to get the crowd on their feet and a Reese assist saw Jamell Anderson rocking the rim as the Sharks took the quarter by 37-14 and the game by 101-82.

MVP

Scoring was spread by the Sharks as were the minutes in another thoroughly entertaining display. Jamell Anderson contributed 10 points and a 100% shooting evening for Drake Jeffries took him to 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Backcourt duo Rickey McGill (16 points) and Prentiss Nixon (13 points) combined for 10 rebounds and 11 assists between them and it was another delightful, all-action display from Donovan Clay, who added 18 points, 7 boards, 3 assists and a steal. The Sharks were positive 20 while ever MVP James Reese V was on court however. His 20 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal included 4 out of 5 successful three point shots and a perfect 4 of 4 from the line to see the Sharks successfully into another hugely-important double-header weekend.

Next Game

Surrey 89ers v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Saturday 15th March 2025, Surrey Sports Park, Super League Basketball Championship, 6.00pm tip off

Image

Adam Bates