Sharks give up huge lead but hold on for Cheshire success

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
January 25, 202512:15 AM

Friday 24th January 2025

Super League Basketball Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 87 Cheshire Phoenix 85

It was not a game for anyone of a nervous disposition but the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks held out for a two point win over Cheshire Phoenix. The ‘Nix were without regulars TJ Atwood and Cam Holden but battled back from being 23 points down midway through the third quarter to having a chance to send the game to overtime at the death. The Sharks contrived to miss seven of eight free throws inside the final 30 seconds but had already found success in the paint through Prentiss Nixon (15), Donovan Clay (15), Jacob Groves (16) and the eventual MVP, debutant Rickey McGill (14), to hang on for the 87-85 victory. The Sharks now equal London Lions 10-4 record at the top of the table ahead of next Friday’s visit of Manchester Basketball to the Canon Medical Arena.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Jeffries, Nixon, Clay, Ratinho, Groves.

Phoenix: Eytle-Rock, Planutis, Austin Jr, Timberlake, White.

Key Moments

Three balls from Skyler White and Larry Austin Jr gave Cheshire their biggest lead of the game at 2-8 in the opening stages but it wasn’t until the introduction of debut-makers Scottie Lindsey and Rickey McGill that the Sharks began to find their feet. Mike Ochereobia capped a fine early stint by making it 9-12 and the Sharks edged ever closer on Jamell Anderson’s triple at 14-15. McGill dished to Lindsey twice to finally send the home side in front at 18-15 and a coast to coast run by Donovan Clay closed the first quarter at 20-15.

The Sharks went 16 points unanswered across the quarters as a looping three from McGill opened his account in the blue jersey. Rodney Glasgow’s mid-range jumper took it to 27-15 and a Jacob Groves trey saw Cheshire calling for time at 32-20. McGill looked like he’d been in Sheffield all his life as he went back to back from deep to make it 40-25 as a lengthy-discussion between the officials earned Larry Austin a reprieve; the player himself almost removing his jersey as he mistakenly thought he was headed to the locker room. ‘Nix captain Skyler White had other ideas hitting a huge triple from deep but it was Sharks new recruit Scottie Lindsey, who ended the scoring for the half with a corner trey at 52-39 – Prentiss Nixon’s half court attempt being ruled marginally after the buzzer in a dramatic finish.

The Sharks were relentless in the first half of the third period, building up to a 23 point advantage. Another 14-2 streak saw Donovan Clay and Jacob Groves dominate – the two big men forming a mutual appreciation society to take the score out to 66-43. There were signs that Cheshire were beginning to rally again by the end of the quarter however. A Greg Wild triple was followed by a Bobby Planutis bucket on the buzzer to close the stanza at 72-54.

Jordan Ratinho’s basket from McGill’s assist at the top of the fourth quarter was followed by the Sharks running dry for four and a half minutes as Tyreek Scott-Grayson took over for Cheshire. He poured in 12 points that ended with a corner three to narrow the gap at 84-77. Larry Austin repeated the feat to make it 86-80 with 27 seconds to play as a pair of McGill missed free throws started a bizarre sequence for the Sharks. Cheshire’s Nick Timberlake was successful with three from the stripe to make it 86-85 as Ratinho, Groves and Nixon all contrived to miss their free throws. Nixon did make one shot at 87-85 with 0.7 seconds left to play but out of the timeout, Cheshire were unable to convert the basket that would have sent the game into overtime as the Sharks clung on to their two point win.

MVP

The Sharks veered from the sublime to the ridiculous but there were some exceptional displays that took them another crucial win. Mike Ochereobia added 5 points to go with 5 rebounds in a solid early spell but it was four double-figure scorers that were the keys to success. Prentiss Nixon’s five of seven attempts from the line saw him to 15 points and there was yet another double-double for Donovan Clay, who also recorded 15 points to go with his 10 rebounds, 2 assists and a block. Jacob Groves top-scored for the Sharks with 16 and was also close to double-double territory with 9 boards, 6 assists and 2 steals but it was newcomer Rickey McGill who hit the ground running for the MVP award. His 14 points included 3 makes from deep but it was a huge 12 assists that really caught the eye as the Sharks joined London at the top of the SLB Championship.

Next Game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Manchester Basketball, Friday 31st January 2025, Canon Medical Arena, Super League Basketball Championship, 7.30pm tip off

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Adam Bates