REPORT: Sharks winning streak ends in Cheshire thriller

Sunday 2^nd April 2023

BBL Championship

Cheshire Phoenix 83 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 80

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks winning streak came to an end in another thrilling tussle away at Cheshire Phoenix. The ‘Nix, who were restricted to a roster of six through illness and injury, were led by Marcus Evans, who made 19 of his 34 points in a stunning final quarter. The game was tied going into the final minute but the Sharks, who now go to a 14-17 record, couldn’t find the shots to win or at least send the contest into overtime before falling by 83-80.

Starting Fives

Phoenix: Archibald, Evans, Anderson, Ulph, Teague.

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

Key Moments

The Sharks took an early lead through Jordan Ratinho’s three point shot at 4-7 and that was emphasised by Jalon Pipkins, who followed suit from the corner to make it 6-10. Things still looked rosy by the mid-point of the quarter as another Ratinho triple saw Cheshire into a timeout down by 9-15 but their renaissance then began. Four points from Maceo Jack, three from Jamell Anderson and an Amorie Archibald mid-range score saw them end the period ahead by 20-17.

Archibald hit a big three from the top of the key to kickstart the second quarter but the lead was to change with alarming regularity from thereon in. Devearl Ramsey went coast to coast as the Sharks went up by 27-28 and Bennett Koch, who helped the Sharks to win the battle of the paint, made the and-one that restored the lead once more at 33-35. It was Cheshire who were to claim a half time lead however. Jamell Anderson’s three inside the final 30 seconds saw the hosts ahead by 38-37.

A moment of symmetry saw Anderson repeat the feat at the start of the second half but an outstanding spin and one-handed jam from Koch kept the Sharks in touch at 43-42. Sa’eed Nelson banked home the triple that levelled the game at 45-45 before Marcus Delpeche and Kipper Nichols (and-one) gave the Sharks a 48-54 advantage. Once again, the Phoenix finished the quarter strongly. Four points for Evans and three free throws from Tahjai Teague saw Cheshire with a narrow 57-56 lead going into the final stanza.

The drama continued into the fourth quarter. Marcus Evans exemplary shooting evening hit new heights for Cheshire. A strictly contested effort edged Cheshire into a 71-64 scoreline before Bennett Koch drew yet another foul for the and-one play at 74-70. Evans’ off-balance trey took the difference out to eight but the Sharks demonstrated their persistence as Nelson’s free throws were followed by back to back triples from Kipper Nichols and Jordan Ratinho to level once more at 80-80. The final minute saw Evans make one shot from the line – the Sharks calling for time with 13.9 seconds to go. Ratinho’s three point attempt missed the mark and from the resulting foul, Evans gave Cheshire an 83-80 lead from the line. Rodney Glasgow’s three point attempt out of the timeout failed to secure overtime as the ‘Nix claimed their eighth win in the last ten over the Sharks at the Cheshire Oaks Arena.

MVP

There were double-digit outings for Devearl Ramsey and Kipper Nichols, who both finished with 12 points apiece. Sa’eed Nelson went one better as well as contributing 5 rebounds and 6 assists and the 16 points from Jordan Ratinho kept the Sharks in the game with some timely triples. The MVP was a constant threat to the hosts under the hoop. Bennett Koch shot 8 of 14 from inside and was successful on all his 4 free throws to finish with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Unfortunately, his season high in minutes was unable to bring about the Sharks seventh win on the bounce.

Next game

Newcastle Eagles v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday April 7^th 2023, Vertu Motors Arena, 7.30pm Tip Off.

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Adam Bates