REPORT: Blooming marvellous! Flowers leads Sharks to head to head win

Friday 27^th January 2023

BBL Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 82 Plymouth City Patriots 77

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks secured their first home league win since October 28^th and, more importantly, a huge series head-to-head over the Plymouth City Patriots with an 82-77 victory in a thrilling evening at Ponds Forge. New recruit Tyrn Flowers led the charge with an eye-catching 15 point, 7 rebound outing but every Shark who got court-time made a points contribution to a vital notch in the win column.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Nelson, Nichols, Ratinho, Ramsey, Koch.

Patriots: Brandon, Dusha, Bell, Daniels, Hassan.

Key Moments

Both sides had made recent roster changes but as in the previous three games, a gritty match-up soon unfurled. After Plymouth had taken an early lead, Bennett Koch backed down Rashad Hassan to level at 6-6 and by the time the rejuvenated Jordan Ratinho had claimed a corner three, the Sharks looked good for their 13-8 advantage. The Patriots are made of tough stuff however and a 0-8 run returned the lead to the visitors. They maintained the upper hand to the end of the quarter; Isa Brandon’s free throw keeping them narrowly in front by 19-21.

A ten point burst by Sharks skipper Rodney Glasgow, finished by a three from the top of the key, saw the home side back ahead by 25-24. In truth, the first half was a tough watch from a neutral’s point of view but it was the Sharks who looked like they had figured out how to break the deadlock up to the half time buzzer. An athletically-finished and-one play from Devearl Ramsey was followed by a Tyrn Flowers three pointer and when Kipper Nichols made it to the hole in the final minute, a five point gap opened up. Sa’eed Nelson closed out a 23-16 second quarter from the line with the score at 42-37.

The Sharks threatened to break free on Nelson’s deep conversion after some solid ball movement and the same player’s steal and basket took the lead out to 49-41. The Patriots refused to go away however and another 0-8 run levelled the game once more through Brandon. Ty Flowers grew visibly into the contest as it wore on – his assist brought about a trademark Marcus Delpeche dunk and another three from the former Long Island man made it 56-53. Three was to remain the gap going into the final period; Kipper Nichols’ hang time closing it at 58-55.

The game took a decisive turn midway through the fourth quarter when Bennett Koch faked his way twice to an eye-catching and-one play as the Sharks claimed their biggest lead of the game to that point at 67-59. Another unbelievably athletic finish from Ramsey made it 69-61 and that became 74-65 when Ratinho’s offensive board fed Flowers for his third triple of the encounter. With both sides in the penalty, Plymouth’s Elvisi Dusha fouled out as series of trips to the line ensued. The Sharks kept ahead of the task however and when Devearl Ramsey converted from the line after Isa Brandon had left the game, a late dunk by the Patriots Markedric Bell was rendered irrelevant as the Sharks claimed a deserved 82-77 victory.

MVP

Every Shark that made it on to the court rewarded the team with points on the scoresheet. Bennett Koch’s evening was reduced by the foul count in the first half but he still went on to record an efficient 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Sa’eed Nelson too was highly efficient packing the statline for 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and an eye-catching 4 steals. The Sharks two newcomers battled it out for the biggest contributions of the night. Devearl Ramsey made some exhilarating shots to finish with 14 points but it was his fellow recent recruit Tyrn Flowers who took the MVP award. He made a trio of crucial three point shots to end the night with 15 points,7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots to lead his side to a very important win.

Post Game Interview

Sharks Captain Rodney Glasgow spoke of a performance where the Sharks were locked in for the full 40 minutes and gave his prediction for Sunday’s BBL Dunk Contest!

Next game

Newcastle Eagles v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday February 3^rd 2023, Vertu Motors Arena, 7.30pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates