Sunday 2nd November 2025
Super League Basketball Championship
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 76 Bristol Flyers 69
A short-handed B. Braun Sheffield Sharks dug deep for an excellent win over the in-form Bristol Flyers on Sunday afternoon. The Sharks went into the game just 8 deep following Friday’s injury to Prentiss Nixon but made some canny rotations and played quality defence to claim the 76-69 win. All the suited Sharks made the scoresheet but it was the MVP performance of Dirk Williams, who finished with 16 points and 8 rebounds, that caught the eye. The Sharks move to a 4-4 record for the season and more importantly, remain in touch with SLB’s top three of London Lions, Bristol Flyers and Cheshire Phoenix.
Starting Fives
Sharks: Williams, Chatman, Ratinho, Glasgow, DeLoach.
Flyers: Yoakum, Anderson Z, Holden, Anderson J, Brodie.
Key Moments
There was little to separate the sides in a very even first half. Rodney Glasgow Jr, pressed into starting duties in Nixon’s absence, drained a corner triple and then effected the steal that allowed Jalen DeLoach to dunk with the score at 6-5. Bristol were never far away. Cam Holden’s trey gave them an 8-12 advantage but Dirk Williams soon went coast to coast for the Sharks to level the game once more. Holden’s and-one play looked to have given the Flyers some daylight but a Rodney Chatman three on the buzzer ended a tight first quarter at 20-24.
Chatman continued where he had left off on Friday in Manchester with a corner three to make it 27-28. Dirk Williams’ three point jump shot levelled the encounter at 32-32 before Nick Kern Jr restored a long-awaited lead for the Sharks at 34-33. Bristol thought they would have the half time advantage through Jonathan Brown’s basket but Williams’ drive into the paint saw the Sharks in front by 38-37.
The Flyers came out with intent after the interval. Joseph Anderson and namesake Zach made big shots that put the South Gloucestershire side ahead by 40-45 but a quick release three from Williams and an athletic spin and finish from Chatman tied things up once more at 46-46. In a game of fine margins, a pair of Nick Kern baskets ended an 8-0 mini-run for the Sharks but Bristol fought back through three Will Yoakum baskets. Milos Dugalic’s corner trey ended a 0-9 run of their own and gave them a 54-56 third quarter lead.
The Sharks took a dramatic final stanza by 22-13 and a deserved 7 point win. Zach Anderson concluded another Flyers streak with a three at 59-64 but again the Sharks fought back with replies from Rodney Glasgow and Jordan Ratinho to go up by 67-64. An altercation between Rodney Chatman and Cam Holden saw both teams swarm the court and the non-playing Mervin James and Reyad West as well as the active Nick Kern banished for the rest of the contest. The now seven man Sharks responded admirably. Rodney Chatman hit a big three from the wing which was followed in identikit fashion by Jordan Ratinho to secure a 73-69 lead going into the final minute. The Flyers fell into the penalty and it was left to Ratinho to secure the hard-earned 76-69 victory from the free throw line.
MVP
The entire 8 man Sharks roster made the scoresheet but there were several notable performances. Key three pointers saw Jordan Ratinho end with 10 points and 4 rebounds and the Sharks were positive 11 while ever he was on court. Pressed into starting duties, Rodney Glasgow Jr responded admirably and shot at 62% on his way to a very useful 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot. Leading all scorers was Rodney Chatman III. He also shot at 62% for his 18 points and was perfect from the free throw line to continue his rich vein of form from Friday evening. The game MVP was in inspirational mood with a do-it-all statline. Dirk Williams’ 16 point, 8 rebound, 4 assist and 2 steal outing saw him on court for all but two and a half minutes of the game and was an undoubted key to the Sharks success.
Next Game
Caledonia Gladiators v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday 7th November 2025, Playsport, 7.30pm Tip Off.
Image
Josh Rackham
