Sharks and Riders go into battle again this Sunday

Super League Basketball Championship

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks came out on top of a high-quality encounter in Leicester last weekend and the Sharks and Riders go at it again this coming Sunday in Sheffield. A clutch EC Matthews three pointer was the difference between the sides last Friday and another thriller is on the cards at the Canon Medical Arena this week. The Sharks broke the Riders unbeaten start to the season – can they make it back-to-back wins against Rob Paternostro’s men?

Sunday – Sharks v Riders – Canon Medical Arena – 4.00pm

Tickets – https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=216

Ones To Watch

Zach Jackson – Top scorer with 20 in last week’s 82-79 win for the Sharks. A Rolls-Royce of a basketball player, Jackson made 8 of his 16 shots on Friday including 3 of 6 from deep to go with 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals and did his utmost to influence the result down the stretch.

Conner Washington – The Riders skipper plays on limited minutes these days but shows his GB international credentials when called upon. Comes up with the key play when his team needs it and is still as deadly as ever from downtown.

Jaylin Hunter – We were already aware of Hunter’s high facilitation rate but he proved it and then some last weekend. Eleven assists came from the Riders playmaker, who finished just short of a double-double with 9 points.

Riley Abercrombie – Big three point threat for Leicester as he demonstrated at the Mattioli Arena. Found success on four occasions from beyond the arc to end with a very commendable 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and a blocked shot.

Last Meeting

November 8th 2024 – Leicester Riders 79 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 82

Shark Bites

The Sharks will play Leicester on Sunday for the 100th time in the Championship. The current record in those previous 99 league only games has the Sharks with a 52-47 advantage over the Riders.

The recent victory at Leicester was the first time the Sharks have won consecutive games on Riders’ home court since wins on 21st November 2009 and 12th December 2009.

The loss at Cheshire on Sunday was the first time the Sharks have lost an away game by a single point since January 2019. In all competitions, Sunday was the 6th time the Sharks have lost to the Cheshire franchise, next most is Bristol on 4, by a single point. Sunday was the 34th one point loss in the Sharks 30 year history.

Comparing the first 12 games of the season with last season (6-6 record compared to 7-5 record), the current season has the Sharks scoring 84.08 points per game compared to 79.17 in 2023-24.

SharkNation

Who wants to see THREE high-quality games this Sunday? No, it’s not a typing error because if you buy a ticket for the Sharks / Riders game (link at the top of the page), you get entry to Sheffield Steel versus Huddersfield High-Tech netball at 10am and the B. Braun Sheffield Hatters versus Manchester Basketball at 1pm absolutely free! The finest in Sheffield ball sports and they are all under one roof at the Canon Medical Arena. The CMA gets louder and louder week by week and we need you there bringing the noise as Atiba and the guys do battle with one of our oldest and toughest opponents in Leicester Riders. Coach Paternostro’s side will be out for revenge and there will be plenty of support from the East Midlands. What can we do? – Be even louder! It’s time to #FearTheFin.

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Adam Bates