Sunday 26th April 2026
Super League Basketball Championship
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 74 Manchester Basketball 82
The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks went down to an 8 point defeat at the hands of Manchester Basketball in their final Super League Basketball fixture of the regular season. The result was largely irrelevant with the Sharks already having been confirmed in fourth place in the table and therefore matching up with fifth-ranked Leicester Riders in the playoff quarter-finals next week. The Sharks battled back from a half time deficit to lead in the fourth quarter but ran out of steam as Manchester attempted to claim second place with the 74-82 success. Fahro Alihodzic led the Sharks scoring with 19 points and there was an eye-catching impact display from Troy D’Amico that earned him MVP honours.
Starting Fives
Sharks: Williams, Ratinho, Glasgow Jr, Kern Jr, Alihodzic.
Manchester: Smith Jr, Jones, Irvin, Adetukasi, Nicholson.
Key Moments
The Sharks rested Rodney Chatman III as a precaution before the playoffs but it was Manchester who made an impact as three point shots rained in from Max Jones, Tim Adetukasi, Jordan Johnson and Zak Irvin. Their 8-16 lead was only stymied by a Rodney Glasgow running floater and when Duke Shelton converted in transition, they looked very much in command at 12-20 by the quarter end.
The Sharks rallied in the second period. Dirk Williams one-handed jam on Troy D’Amico’s assist was a highlight as the score closed to 20-26 but the gap opened up once again; the impressive Jordan Johnson shaking and baking his way to the hoop to make it 22-34. That lead became 16 following Adetukasi’s steal and basket but a Jordan Ratinho corner triple and the now-expected Prentiss Nixon three point jump shot on the buzzer gave hope at half time with the scoreline reading 33-42.
A better run at the start of the third quarter saw the gap close even further as Ratinho laid in from a Williams assist to make it 44-48. Manchester rallied from the point once more through a pair of PJ Smith treys but another Ratinho corner triple capped a 25-20 third stanza and left the game nicely poised at 58-62.
Ratinho’s third make from deep drew the sides to within a single point early in the fourth quarter and when the busy D’Amico followed suit after some impressive ball movement, the Sharks went in front by 68-66. Manchester, still keen to impress after their midweek ENBL final exploits, fought back through Johnson’s mid-range effort and when he eurostepped to the hoop, the scoreline became 70-76. Shots failed to drop for the Sharks as the clock ticked away and a pair from the line by Adetukasi sealed the 74-82 victory for the Lancastrians.
MVP
Prentiss Nixon connected on two big shots from deep for his 10 points overall and Dirk Williams turned facilitator to end with 11 points and six assists in the absence of Rodney Chatman. Jordan Ratinho was in fine shooting form, going at 71% to end with 13 on the night. The Sharks scoring was led by the ever-impressive Fahro Alihodzic, who ended on 19 with 3 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot. The MVP in a busy display was recent recruit Troy D’Amico. He ended with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals with his energy and passion, both of which will be needed as the Sharks head into post-season next weekend.
Next Game
Leicester Riders v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday 1st May 2026, Mattioli Arena, 7.30pm Tip Off.
Image
Josh Rackham
