Sharks down by 10 after first leg in Cheshire

Friday 2nd May 2025

Super League Basketball Playoff Quarter Final 1st Leg

Cheshire Phoenix 89 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 79

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks will need to overturn a ten point deficit if they are to reach the semi-final stage of the post-season playoffs. A 32 point opening quarter for hosts Cheshire Phoenix set the tone for an 89-79 first leg victory for the North West outfit. The Sharks closed the gap to 6 points inside the final four minutes of the game but a big three from game MVP TJ Atwood plus trips to the line for Tyreek Scott-Grayson and Larry Austin Jr ensured that the ‘Nix led by double digits ahead of Sunday’s second leg at the Canon Medical Arena. Prentiss Nixon headed up the Sharks scoring with 22 points, closely followed by Donovan Clay with 21 but Atiba Lyons’ side know that an 11 point win will be required to ensure that the 2024-25 season doesn’t come to an early conclusion.

Starting Fives

Phoenix: Austin Jr, Holden, Atwood, Timberlake, White.

Sharks: McGill, Nixon, Clay, Anderson, Groves.

Key Moments

Despite travel delays and a minimal warm-up, the Sharks went out to a 2-7 lead on Donovan Clay’s dunk. Their early pace was good – Nixon driving for a successful and-one play before draining a three and when McGill assisted to Groves, the Sharks looked focused at 9-17. As the Sharks went to the bench, Cheshire revived with Nick Timberlake tying up the encounter at 19-19 with a trey from the wing. The big shots started to flow; Larry Austin Jr and Phoenix skipper Skyler White (x2) reversed their fortunes and a Greg Wild basket concluded a 32-23 opening ten minutes.

The ’Nix shaded the second period too to claim a 12 point half time advantage. TJ Atwood opening the scoring and was the man who established a 10 point differential as the Sharks called for time at 40-30. Cheshire did fall into the penalty with 4 minutes remaining in the half as Jacob Groves eurostepped his way to an and-one but further corner triples from White and Timberlake pushed the gap even wider at 47-33 but the final scoring of the half came from Prentiss Nixon, who made 2 of 3 from the line to make it 49-37.

The Sharks took the final two quarters but only by 1 point margins. A 10-2 opening run from the hosts saw the Sharks talking it over once more following further three’s from White and Timberlake. The break served them well. Rickey McGill and Jordan Ratinho hit the target from deep and five Donovan Clay points made it 61-54. Cheshire flirted with foul trouble throughout the game and this allowed the Sharks to profit from trips to the line as Reese and Ratinho took the score to 66-59. However, the persistent Atwood made the basket that closed the third period at 70-59.

Cheshire’s Tyreek Scott-Grayson heated up the start of the final stanza. His nine early points made it 79-65 before he blotted his copybook with a technical foul. A Nixon three point jumpshot was followed by a fast-break and-one as again the Phoenix went into the penalty with 4.49 to go. Donovan Clay dunked off a Nixon assist as the gap became six at 81-75 but a blow was served by Atwood, who made his 28th point with a three on the angle at 86-77. The Sharks hit the bonus late in the encounter allowing Scott-Grayson and Austin to push the lead to 12 but a Prentiss Nixon drive into the paint ended the scoring after 40 minutes with Cheshire ahead by 89-79.

MVP

The Sharks shook off a significant travel delay at the start of the game but failed to prevent Cheshire taking advantage of their home court. Three players caught the eye as the Sharks fought to hang on to the tie. Rickey McGill recovered from a slow start to end with a creditable 16 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot. The Sharks were positive 5 while-ever Donovan Clay was on court as he went to 21 points, 5 rebounds and a steal on 52% shooting. Leading the Sharks scoring effort was Prentiss Nixon. He went 8 of 15 from the field to end with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals on an index of 20. A wider team effort will be needed if the Sharks are to progress to the next stage of the competition.

Next Game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Cheshire Phoenix, Sunday 4th May 2025, Canon Medical Arena, Super League Basketball Playoff Quarter Final 2nd Leg, 4.00pm tip off

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Adam Bates