REPORT: Sharks slip to fifth defeat in a row

Thursday 29^th December 2022

BBL Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 73 Cheshire Phoenix 88

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks slipped to a fifth consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Cheshire Phoenix. The Sharks were without Rodney Glasgow Jr due to illness but were able to welcome back Sa’eed Nelson, who led all scorers with 21 points. Their next scheduled Championship fixture is now some 22 days away against Bristol on January 20^th, although there is a strong possibility the Sharks will be in BBL Trophy action against Thames Valley in the interim.

Starting Fives

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

Phoenix: Austin, Evans, Anderson, Teague, Neighbour.

Key Moments

Three point shots were traded in the opening of the encounter as Channel Banks corner effort took the Sharks out to an 8-6 lead. The sides continued to trade baskets until Kipper Nichols assisted to Marcus Delpeche on the alleyoop at 17-15. A nip and tuck quarter ended in Cheshire’s favour – Jack Hudson draining a pair from the line and finishing at the hoop to see the visitors in front by 18-21 after the opening ten minutes.

The three point gap became eight early in the second stanza as firstly Will Neighbour and then Maceo Jack were allowed to convert from beyond the arc to make it 22-30. The Sharks fought back strongly through a Banks trey and a Marcus Delpeche and-one play to level the scores but another defensive lapse saw Jamell Anderson score from the top of the key and then go coast-to-coast to put the Phoenix ahead by 30-35. Cheshire captain Larry Austin kept the visitors foot on the gas with six further points and although Sa’eed Nelson ended the half at the line, another three pointer from Will Neighbour saw the ‘Nix in front by 37-46.

The Sharks offensive options were further limited when Channel Banks was benched with 4 fouls just 30 seconds into the second half. Cheshire took advantage through a further 7 Larry Austin points to lead by 16 at 41-57 until the Sharks went small-ball with a backcourt of Nate Montgomery, Hensy Sako and Sa’eed Nelson. Their energy brought about a revival with Montgomery dishing out a season-high 4 assists as Nichols and Nelson reduced the deficit at 52-60 by the quarter end.

Three point scores from Marcus Evans, Lloyd Daniels and Maceo Jack swung the pendulum back in favour of Cheshire at 54-69 early in the final quarter. Jack repeated the feat to take the lead out to 61-78 and when he jammed home on the break, followed by Tahjai Teague, the Phoenix took their biggest lead of the game at 63-84. Jordan Ratinho’s first points of the encounter came with just 90 seconds remaining in the game and although Channel Banks hit another triple on the buzzer, it was the visitors who came away with a 73-88 victory.

MVP

Nate Montgomery was the only Shark with a positive plus/minus of 9 on his way to a season-high 4 assists as the Sharks took the third quarter by 15-14. The Sharks go-to guy, Kipper Nichols was his usual influential self with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a blocked shot. The returning Sa’eed Nelson took the MVP award however. A successful ten of eleven free throws contributed to his 21 points with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block as a positive note on a night the Sharks may wish to forget.

Post Game Interview

Sharks guard Nate Montgomery spoke of the disappointment of another loss 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