REPORT: Cavalier attitude sees Sharks into Trophy quarter finals

Sunday 15^th January 2023

BBL Trophy

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 98 Thames Valley Cavaliers 66

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks secured a comfortable passage into the quarter finals of the BBL Trophy with a 32 point win over Thames Valley Cavaliers of the NBL. Sixty of the Sharks 98 points came in the first and fourth quarters as the entire roster, including new signing Devearl Ramsey, made it on to the scoresheet. The victory sets up a quarter final match against Leicester Riders, who overcame Manchester Giants by 114-107 in overtime.

Starting Fives

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

Cavaliers: Roberts, Olarerin, Manning, Saunders, Lewis.

Key Moments

The Sharks put up their highest scoring quarter of the season as the game got off to a frenetic start. Thames Valley took a timeout after only a minute and a half of play as threes from Jordan Ratinho and Rodney Glasgow saw the Sharks claim a 15-5 lead. Recent acquisition Devearl Ramsey took his Sharks bow midway through the period and was involved in a classy move between himself and Sa’eed Nelson that was eventually finished by Kipper Nichols. Ratinho finished his second and third triples of the stanza as a scoreline of 35-13 set the Sharks up nicely for the rest of the contest.

A 2-12 run at the start of the second quarter proved that the Cavaliers weren’t just along for the ride. Jarrett Hart concluded the run on a three ball as Thames Valley clawed it back to 37-25. Ratinho, playing with greater freedom, added six further points to his growing tally and a big three from Ramsey saw the Sharks sitting pretty at 45-25. By half time that lead had been stretched out to 28 on Rodney Glasgow’s mid-ranger with the score at 58-30.

Another early timeout in the third quarter kickstarted the Cavs offence. Back to back treys from the livewire Victor Olarerin saw the score become 64-38 and that was rapidly followed by another from Thames Valley captain Aiden Saunders. Hart’s and-one play confirmed the NBL side’s willingness to mix it and despite a Ramsey dagger three, it was the visitors who shaded the third stanza by 15-17 with the score at 73-47.

The Sharks confirmed their place in the next round with a 25 point final quarter. Marcus Delpeche finished the alleyoop on Hensy Sako’s assist to make it 81-47 and a long Kipper Nichols two point score gave the Sharks their biggest lead at 89-50. Former London City Royal AJ Roberts made back to back corner threes but a Nichols and-one followed by a neat steal and bucket from Sako saw the Sharks bearing down on three figures at 98-60. The Sharks scoring for the night ended there however as Olarerin hit the three that concluded the game with the score at 98-66.

MVP

Every Shark on the nine-man roster made the scoresheet. There was a Sharks equal career high of 6 points for Nate Montgomery. Devearl Ramsey’s debut gleaned 12 points with 7 rebounds and Jordan Ratinho made a welcome return to scoring form with 17 points including three successful shots from downtown. Forwards Marcus Delpeche and Bennett Koch were very efficient in their work with 13 and 14 points respectively as well as 6 rebounds each but the game MVP filled the statline in trademark fashion. Kipper Nichols came up with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal for an efficiency rating of 23 to cap a fine performance and a successful afternoon of knockout competition basketball.

Post Game Interview

Sharks Coach Atiba Lyons spoke about progress to the next stage of the competition and a potential new arrival post game.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Bristol Flyers, Friday January 20^th 2022, Ponds Forge, 8.00pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates