REPORT: Sharks go down in opener but not disgraced

Friday 23^rd September 2022

BBL Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 73 London Lions 86

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks came up short against a loaded London Lions side on the opening day of the new BBL season but were far from disgraced. The Lions, taking full advantage of the relaxation of the salary cap in view of their forthcoming European fixtures, took the third quarter by 24-14 to maintain a lead that would see them claim the game by thirteen points. The Sharks battled throughout and showed glimpses of promise for the campaign to come.

Starting Fives

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

Lions: Soko, Best, Dekker, Van Oostrum, Koufos.

Key Moments

The Sharks matched London in a close first half, especially on the defensive end. Sharks debutant Sa’eed Nelson completed an early and one play to put the home side up by 3-2 and further buckets by new skipper Rodney Glasgow and Jordan Ratinho extended the lead to 8-4. Kipper Nichols finished a thrilling alleyoop at 10-7 but 5 points from former Toronto Raptor Sam Dekker and a triple inside the final minute from GB’s Luke Nelson saw the Lions in front by 14-18.

Rodney Glasgow’s three from the corner kept the Sharks in touch at 19-20 early in the second period but again Dekker showed his pedigree with the first of twelve second quarter points. Channel Banks and Javion Ogunyemi opened their accounts in the blue and yellow and a mid range shot with a flourish from Marcus Delpeche saw the Sharks up by 35-31. It looked as if scores would be level going in at half time but Kipper Nichols was called for a foul, which saw Dekker successful on all three trips to the line to give London the lead by 37-40.

The Lions run across the second and third quarters stretched to 17-2 as eleven year NBA vet Kosta Koufos made it 37-48. London, who had been delayed on the motorway, finally found their rhythm with another of the GB contingent Mo Soluwade making it 43-60 with a trey from the corner. The Sharks, determined not to be overawed by their lavish opponents, finished the quarter with points for Bennett Koch and Jordan Ratinho and the score at 51-64.

Koufos added seven more points to the mid point of the final stanza before Sa’eed Nelson added another and one play to cap an impressive debut. The Sharks gave court time to Nate Montgomery and Hensy Sako, who provided assists to Marcus Delpeche to convert on two occasions but it was Josh Ward-Hibbert’s jumper that concluded a London win with the score at 73-86.

MVP

It was no secret that London’s mixture of the cream of British talent and former NBA stars would prove to be challenging opposition. The Sharks were more than up to the task for the first half and Marcus Delpeche’s 10 points and 6 rebounds contributed towards that. Newly-installed Captain Rodney Glasgow added 11 points of his own with a very healthy 8 assists but there was a clear stand-out for the Sharks on the night. Kipper Nichols shot sixty percent from the field on his way to 19 points with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal to underline his high-level credentials in his third season as a Shark.

Post Game Interview

Coach Atiba Lyons was proud of his players on what was always going to be a challenging evening.

Next game

Manchester Giants v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Sunday September 25^th 2022, National Basketball Performance Centre, 5.00pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates