REPORT: Sharks extinguish Scorchers flame for road victory

Saturday 19^th November 2022

BBL Championship

Surrey Scorchers 54 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 60

Another stifling display of defence secured an eighth successive win for the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks over the Surrey Scorchers – this time by 54-60. Bennett Koch posted a 10 point 10 rebound double double for a season best in boards and a Sharks career-high 8 rebounds from Channel Banks were the keys to another old school Sharks victory. The Sharks now climb into fourth position in the BBL Championship table with a 6-6 record.

Starting Fives

Scorchers: Taylor, Carey, Wang, Jacdonmi, Martin.

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

Key Moments

A familiar pattern played out over the opening two quarters – defence, defence, defence. Sharks skipper Rodney Glasgow Jr opened proceedings with a corner three ball and by the time Jordan Ratinho had followed suit and Sa’eed Nelson found success from the line, the score rapidly became 2-10. Former London Lion Ryan Martin kickstarted Surrey into life with a trey from the top of the key as the home side began to chip away at the lead. Three’s from the eyecatching Padiet Wang and Kyle Carey levelled the scores at 16-16 and Luke Busumbru’s basket saw the Scorchers claim a first quarter 18-16 lead.

It took a big three from Channel Banks to restore the Sharks advantage at 20-21 as a low scoring second period played out. Martin put Surrey back ahead from the mid range at 26-25 before Marcus Delpeche turned the tables at 26-27. It was returning talisman point guard Quincy Taylor who saw the Scorchers into a half time lead at 28-27, which emphasised the Sharks lowest scoring first half of the season but more importantly their lowest conceding first half of the campaign so far.

There were signs that the Sharks could put the game to bed in the third stanza. Channel Banks eurostepped his way to the hoop at 30-33, made two from the line and completed a fine trio of plays with a three late in the clock as the Sharks opened up a gap at 32-40. Taylor once again brought his influence to bear by tying the game at 40-40 and it took a Bennett Koch basket to see the Sharks to a 40-42 lead.

It took until midway in the fourth quarter for the Sharks to open up a gap once again. Jordan Ratinho’s corner triple gave rise to a five point lead and that became six as Nelson followed suit at 47-53. Surrey refused to go away as Martin muscled his way to the rim and then hit a three to make it a one point affair at 52-53 but a 0-6 run from the visitors, crucial in a low scoring encounter, put them in the box seat. Taylor reduced it to a two possession game but with Surrey in the penalty, Channel Banks capped a hard fought but canny win from the line with the score at 54-60.

MVP

The hard work employed by the Sharks was never more typified than by the performances of Jordan Ratinho (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal) and Sa’eed Nelson (13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal). Putting himself into contention was Channel Banks, who married offence and defence with 15 points, a Sharks career-high 8 rebounds and 2 steals but the eventual MVP honours went the way of exciting big man Bennett Koch. A season high in rebounds saw a fine double double of 10 points and 10 boards as well as 3 assists, gleaned in a little over 26 minutes on 83% shooting for one of the BBL’s most productive front court standouts.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Caledonia Gladiators, Sunday November 27^th 2022, Ponds Forge, 4.00pm Tip Off.

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Rob Sambles