Sharks back in the hunt for double weekend of hoops

Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks are on the hunt! Back-to-back wins in the Super League Basketball Trophy have given Atiba Lyons’ men the scent and now they are after a couple more in a big weekend of hoops. Firstly, on Friday night, there is an instant rematch with the team they conquered last weekend, Caledonia Gladiators, but this time north of the border. On Sunday, a first encounter with Manchester Basketball awaits with the team looking for another packed Canon Medical Arena crowd to cheer them on to success.

Friday – Gladiators v Sharks – Playsport – 7.30pm

Watch – https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/fixture/ContentId:7vf1gotk34zq1j2qcctxjb21g/7vf1gotk34zq1j2qcctxjb21g

Ones To Watch

Fahro Alihodzic – The Gladiators skipper led by example, just missing out on a double-double last Sunday with 13 points and 9 rebounds. 2 steals and a blocked shot added to a solid display from the big man with plenty of European experience.

Isaiah Hill – Charged with the bulk of the ball handling duties given the limited minutes for Ian Dubose and the absence of Patrick Whelan, Hill dished out 6 assists to go with his 10 points and kept Caledonia to +4 while ever he was on court.

Tanner Stuckman – Went to work with those old school hook shots to finish with 6 of 7 makes inside for his 20 points. 5 boards and 3 assists contributed to an index of 21 from 30 minutes court-time for the eye-catching forward.

Fraser Malcolm – Rangy forward with a devastating three point shot if allowed time and space. A little under par in Sheffield last week but usually a very impressive homegrown product.

Last Meeting

October 13th 2024 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 84 Caledonia Gladiators 75

Sunday – Sharks v Mcr Basketball – Canon Medical Arena – 4.00pm

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

Ones To Watch

Nicholas Lewis – There’s a big former Sharks contingent in the newly-named Manchester Basketball franchise starting with their Captain. Fondly remembered in Sheffield for his two spells on the South Yorkshire hardwood, Lewis pulls the strings for his side to great effect either at the one or two guard positions.

Marcus Delpeche – Along with Coach Callum Jones, forms the third former Shark in the Manchester camp. Was perfect from the field for Mcr in their last game a fortnight ago, finishing with 10 points and 2 boards against Caledonia.

Isaih Moore – The 6’ 10” forward was the standout in the 87-91 loss to the Gladiators, posting 16 points on 87% shooting with 6 rebounds and a block to boot. Has played in the NBA G League with Windy City Bulls and Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Nathan Cayo – A Championship winner in Canada with Niagara River Lions where he averaged 12.8 points and has also represented Memphis Hustle and Ontario Clippers in the G League. 11 points against Caledonia gave a taste of what he is capable of.

Last Meeting

April 7th 2024 – Manchester Giants 68 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 99

Shark Bites

The Sharks record in Scotland – be it in Edinburgh, Braehead, Glasgow or East Kilbride – against the Rocks / Gladiators is 29 wins and 26 losses in all competitions combined. After the Sharks win last Sunday, the record between the 2 clubs in Trophy games only, played in England and Scotland combined, is 5 wins apiece.

The Sharks overtime game on Sunday was their first Trophy overtime game since 25th January 2013, ironically also against the then Glasgow Rocks and the Sharks had the same winning total of 84 points. Sharks are now 30-13 at home after overtime in all competitions combined. They are 17-17 in away games.

Last Sunday saw Sharks and Gladiators both only use 5 players in overtime. The Sharks 5 included Drake Jeffries and Mike Ochereobia, who combined had only scored 2 of the Sharks 71 points to reach overtime. Those not used in overtime contributed 26 points. The 5 Gladiators players used in the final 5 minutes had contributed 31 of their 71 points.

Manchester were the only team the Sharks completed a 4-0 sweep of in the 2023-24 season.

SharkNation

Those Sharks got the job done in overtime last Sunday thanks to our SharkNation turning up the volume when we needed it. Just think what we can do if you are loud and proud all game long! The back-to-back wins have put us into a really good position as we battle to make the semis of the Trophy and two more victories this weekend would go a long way to helping that. You know the drill by now – hit the ticket link higher up the page and claim your seats as we welcome former Sharks Callum, Nicholas and Marcus back to the Canon Medical Arena. Once the niceties are over, we need the volume turned up to 11 to make sure we put another notch in the ‘W’ column. Something big is building in Sheffield – it’s time to #FearTheFin !

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Adam Bates