REPORT: Disappointment north of the border for Sharks

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
January 17, 20217:13 PM
Sunday 17th January 2021
BBL Championship
Glasgow Rocks 65 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 54

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks capped a forgettable weekend with back to back defeats on the back of a low scoring affair north of the border. Neither side lit up the court from downtown as a much-improved Glasgow outfit toughed it out on the defensive end to send the Sharks to 4-4 in the league ahead of next Friday’s BBL Trophy first round clash versus Plymouth.

Starting Fives

Rocks: Mpondo, Kwedi, Delph, Murray, Keeling.

Sharks: Lewis, Lillard, Koch, Nichols, Hemsley.

Key Moments

The lowest scoring first quarter in the BBL since March 2016 played out. Just eight baskets were made – Antwon Lillard opened for the Sharks and Bennett Koch made it 4-8 on a Nicholas Lewis assist with 4.24 left to play. Boban Jacdonmi tied matters up for the Rocks inside the final minute as the stanza concluded at 8-8.

Jacdonmi went to work for Glasgow early in the second. He sealed a 10-3 run for the Scots with a putback score and it took replies from Kipper Nichols and Jeremy Hemsley for the Sharks to stay in touch at 18-15. After a series of trades, Jacdonmi claimed yet another offensive rebound to make it 26-19 and despite a reply from Hemsley, it was Glasgow who were happier with the 26-21 half time scoreline.

The third quarter was a closer affair albeit still shaded by the Rocks. Lewis hit the Sharks only three point score of the game at 30-26 but it was Marc Kwedi’s triple, incidentally the only one Glasgow made all afternoon too, that saw them steal a march with the score at 40-32. Isa Brandon, son of former Sharks Coach Jim, concluded the period for the Rocks with them in front by 44-38.

Antwon Lillard drew the Sharks to within three early in the final quarter at 48-45 but a 7-0 run from the home side put Sheffield back on the back foot. The Sharks failed to capitalise on Glasgow entering the penalty with 2.34 to play in the contest and the game ended in a series of trips to the line in an attempt to stop the clock. Mpondo’s slam on the fast break sealed the Sharks fate and a disappointing afternoon came to an end with Glasgow the victors at 65-54.

MVP

A weekend to forget for the Sharks as Glasgow doubled down on talisman Jeremy Hemsley, who finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds and 1 steal. Antwon Lillard did his upmost to kick start the Sharks on offence with his 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal but the MVP award went to the experienced head of Nicholas Lewis. Handling the ball with regularity due to the attention shown to Hemsley, Lewis contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in a gallant but unfortunately unsuccessful attempt to steer his side to the win.

Post Match Quotes

Atiba Lyons rued the Sharks lack of output on offence on a disappointing afternoon.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Plymouth Raiders, Friday 22nd January 2021, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, 6pm Tip Off.

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Emily Worms