Sharks claim fourth place finish in Plymouth overtime thriller

Saturday 20th April 2024

British Basketball League Regular Season

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 98 Plymouth City Patriots 92 (1OT)

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks sealed fourth place in the standings and more importantly, two home legs if required when the playoffs get underway, with a hard-fought overtime win over Plymouth City Patriots. The sides were tied at 83-83 at the end of regulation time before the Sharks shook off a stubborn Plymouth effort with a 15-9 run in the additional five minutes. A 22 point, 14 rebound double-double from MVP Malek Green proved to be the difference between the two as the Sharks notched up the 98-92 success. All eyes will now be on the outcome of Leicester’s final game against Surrey, which will determine whether the Sharks will face the Riders or indeed Newcastle Eagles at the quarter-final stage.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Ramsey, Eytle-Rock, Green, Ratinho, Koch.

Patriots: Copeland, Levi, Dusha, Hart, Atwood.

Key Moments

The Patriots, unable to make post-season, came to end their campaign in positive fashion. Joe Hart’s corner three took them out to a 4-13 lead that saw a worried Sharks take a timeout shortly prior to the impending media break. Their response was better – Prentiss Nixon nailing the trey that kickstarted their offence as the Sharks sought to break down the Plymouth zone. Rodney Glasgow Jr and Kipper Nichols followed suit from downtown as the quarter ended in the visitors favour by 17-20.

Plymouth ploughed on undeterred. TJ Atwood came up with a series of eye-catching finishes as their lead went out to 21-28 but the nip and tuck nature of the encounter began to establish itself. The Sharks fought back through Devearl Ramsey before a Malek Green putback gave them their first lead of the game at 36-35. Atwood responded with a further 6 points but a looping Green three in the dying seconds of the half saw the sides tied at 43-43 going into the interval.

A tight second half followed. The Sharks shaded the third quarter by 3 points with Plymouth following suit in the fourth. Cameron Copeland took the Patriots to a five point lead at 48-53 before Marcus Delpeche and Green on the eurostep turned the tables at 60-55. A long two from Kipper Nichols maintained the five point advantage at 65-60 but a Jacob Wiley putback ended the stanza at 65-62.

Little changed in the fourth. The sides traded baskets regularly with the athleticism of Green keeping the Sharks in front by 75-70 in the early stages. Again Plymouth fought back. Hart’s fourth triple of the game restored their lead at 77-79 and an Atwood jump shot saw them ahead by 81-83 going into the final 90 seconds. Jalon Pipkins levelled matters from the line and with Green and Atwood missing shots down the stretch, the teams went to overtime.

Jordan Ratinho’s drive into the paint gave the Sharks the crucial first basket of the additional five minutes. Malek Green continued the impetus and a Nichols’ spin move opened up a six point gap at 90-84. Plymouth entered the bonus with 38 seconds to play, sending Green and Ramsey to the line while Atwood and Copeland made three pointers at 94-92. The need to stop the clock didn’t work in their favour however as Ramsey and Green held their nerve from the line to tough out a 98-92 victory.

MVP

A fine fourth-placed league finish was secured on an evening where a belligerent Patriots side refused to roll over easily. The Sharks were positive 15 while ever Jalon Pipkins was on court and his 5 of 6 shooting from the free throw line was one of their keys to success. Marcus Delpeche finished just short of a double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds, having shouldered much of front court work and a 15 point outing from Devearl Ramsey came on 5 of 9 shooting. Kipper Nichols bettered that, making his 17 points at a clip of 61% but the MVP award went the way of Malek Green. In a game of fine margins, a 22 point, 14 rebound double-double came with 5 offensive boards as his energy proved to be the ‘x-factor’ that secured the Sharks a memorable and needed win.

Next game

British Basketball League Playoff Quarter Finals – date, time and venue to be confirmed.

Image

Adam Bates