Saturday success for Sharks in Surrey

Saturday 30th September 2023

British Basketball League Regular Season

Surrey Scorchers 67 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 70 (1OT)

The first game in the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks double-header road trip ended in an overtime victory. Surrey fought back after the Sharks claimed an eight point half time lead to draw level in regulation by 60-60. The hosts took a three point advantage in the added period but a 2-8 run, inspired by MVP Jalon Pipkins who finished with 18 points, saw the Sharks home by three points and to a 2-1 record for the season.

Starting Fives

Scorchers: Robinson, Jamison, Wang, Mohamed, Gooden.

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

Key Moments

Surrey led through former league MVP Justin Robinson at 3-2 in the early exchanges but Terrell Allen turned the tables from the line to put the Sharks ahead by 3-7. A 9-0 run was inspired by Scorchers’ GB International Andrew Lawrence’s three point score and it took a Jordan Ratinho triple on Devearl Ramsey’s kickout to keep the Sharks in touch at 14-12. Five Jubril Adekoya points restored the Sharks lead but Cam Gooden’s basket on the buzzer capped a close opening quarter at 18-19.

The Sharks looked far more assured in a 13-20 second period. A casual Parker Stewart trey put the Sharks ahead by 23-26 and a further long distance attempt by RJ Eytle Rock took that out to 25-31. A jaw-dropping Jalon Pipkins basket, where he converted from being sprawled on the floor, opened up a ten point gap for the visitors at 27-37 and the same player made the hoop in transition to see the South Yorkshire side in front at 31-39 by the half.

A 29-21 second half ensured the game went to overtime. Three Andrew Lawrence free throws drew Surrey to within two points at 43-45. Jordan Hunt’s trey levelled the game at 47-47 before Kipper Nichols replied in kind. The Scorchers comeback was completed by Tayo Ogedengbe as the sides went into the final quarter tied at 50-50.

And the teams could not be separated in that final ten minutes either. Another highlight reel, over the head bucket from Pipkins made it 52-52 and he went on to run in six more points as baskets were traded. It was Hunt who was successful from the line inside the final 11 seconds as the game went into an additional five minutes tied at 60-60.

Things looked ominous for the Sharks when Josh Steel made his first points of the game from the three point line to make it 65-62 with barely two and a half minutes to play. A Gooden basket ended the Surrey scoring for the evening as a Ramsey steal and score restored the Sharks lead. As the clock ran down, Jalon Pipkins fittingly closed the game out from the line – the Sharks taking a hard-fought 67-70 victory.

MVP

In typical Sharks fashion, contributions to the win came from across the roster. Terrell Allen’s 8 rebounds were only bettered by Jubril Adekoya, who claimed 10 to go with his 9 vital points. Skipper Bennett Koch showed all his basketball smarts to close with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block and the same could be said about Devearl Ramsey for his 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. It was to be back-to-back MVP awards for Jalon Pipkins however. Not content with scoring from the floor and over his head when facing away from the basket, he proceeded to make 8 of his 12 shots to finish with a fine 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.

Next game

Plymouth City Patriots v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Sunday October 1st 2023, Plymouth Pavilions, 3pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates