REPORT: Pipkins and Nelson torch the Scorchers for big Sharks win

Friday 24^th February 2023

BBL Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 92 Surrey Scorchers 74

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks put a further eighteen points between themselves and Surrey Scorchers with a scintillating 92-74 take down of one of their closest rivals for a playoff position. 20 points for recent signing Jalon Pipkins and 19 for Sa’eed Nelson were notable in an up-tempo Sharks display where superlative ball movement was key. The Sharks take a 2-0 lead in the four game season series over Surrey and remain in eighth place in the Championship table with a 9-16 record as a result.

Starting Fives

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

Scorchers: Johnson, McFolley, Carey, Ogedengbe, Martin.

Key Moments

The Sharks ran in the most points they have made all season against any BBL opponent in a first half that asserted their dominance. The sharp-shooting Jalon Pipkins hit two 3 point shots and then assisted to Sa’eed Nelson on the alleyoop as Surrey went into a timeout at 16-6. Nelson finished an 11-2 run with the score at 20-8 before Surrey’s new signing, Josh McFolley made back to back threes that showed his side had come to play. Charleston Dobbs closed the gap to seven from beyond the arc with the board reading 26-19 but a Jordan Ratinho three ended a breathtaking opening quarter with the score at 31-21.

The Sharks kept their foot on the gas to take the second period by 24-13. Rodney Glasgow’s jump shot in quick transition was a feature of the home side’s play all evening and when Pipkins hit his third triple of the game, things looked decidedly rosy for the South Yorkshire outfit with the lead at 42-28. Nelson wriggled his way to the hoop for the and-one as Surrey went into the penalty at 45-30 and when he shot high off the glass, the gap became 21 at 53-32. Ryan Martin and Josh McFolley made late baskets for Surrey but a half time lead of 55-36 was no small reflection on how dominant the Sharks had been.

With the damage done, the Sharks could focus on defence to close out a much needed victory. McFolley, who ended with a fine 25 points on debut for the Scorchers, made two three point scores at the top of the third stanza but the Sharks hit back with treys from Pipkins, Ratinho and Glasgow. The three point trading continued through corner shots from Surrey’s Tayo Ogedengbe and Ryan Martin but a response from Kipper Nichols saw an even third quarter close at 75-56.

Surrey’s desire to live or die by the three ball resulted in Martin, McFolley and Kyle Carey hitting the mark but a play of the week candidate saw Sa’eed Nelson throwing a long assist to Jalon Pipkins as the Sharks maintained a twenty point lead at 86-66. Marcus Delpeche ended the Sharks scoring for the evening with 2.08 still to play and as Atiba Lyons rung the changes from the bench, it was Surrey’s Josh Steel who rounded off the evening – the Sharks finishing winners by 92-74.

MVP

Marcus Delpeche and Bennett Koch thrived from being the two big men in a largely small-ball Sharks roster. Koch made 12 points on 6 of 7 shooting and fellow big Delpeche hit 14 on 70% shooting to mark a useful evening for the sizeable duo. Jordan Ratinho registered a plus/minus of 23 for the game as he married offence and defence to a tee with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals on the evening. Joint MVPs were declared however as lightning-fast guard play led to a famous Sharks win. Sa’eed Nelson put up 19 points with 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals and couldn’t be separated from recent Sharks signing Jalon Pipkins, who compiled 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and another 3 of the Sharks 9 steals on the night.

Post Game Interview

Marcus Delpeche spoke of the must-win nature of the game and looked ahead to next weekend’s important BBL Trophy semi-final in Cheshire.

Next game

Cheshire Phoenix v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Sunday March 5^th 2023, Ellesmere Port Sports Village, 5.30pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates