Sharks lose out by single point in enthralling Cheshire clash

Sunday 10th November 2024

Super League Basketball Championship

Cheshire Phoenix 87 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 86

It was a positive humdinger of a contest but sadly the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks lost out on the road at Cheshire Phoenix by a solitary point. The Sharks had led by as many as 23 points but a Cheshire comeback saw them into a narrow lead down the stretch. Rodney Chatman had the chance to send the game into overtime from the line but sadly missed his second shot as Cheshire claimed an 87-86 victory. Chatman however was inspirational, not missing a shot until early in the third quarter to finish with 23 points in another stellar display.

Starting Fives

Phoenix: Eytle-Rock, Christon, Holden, Atwood, White.

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

Key Moments

The big-scoring Sharks set off like a rocket in thrilling first quarter. Following Skyler White’s opening three point shot for Cheshire, the visitors responded with a 0-17 run, started by Donovan Clay’s and-one play and finished by a pair of Chatman drives into the paint. Chatman and Drake Jeffries made back to back triples to take the score out to 5-23 and despite another White trey, Prentiss Nixon’s free throws ended the quarter at 16-27.

The Sharks made it to a half century by the interval. The three point shootout was continued by Jordan Ratinho, Drake Jeffries and a pair from Prentiss Nixon as the lead extended to 23 at 18-41. The ‘Nix fought back with a 16-3 run of their own, concluded by a Tyreek Scott-Grayson basket. Chatman continued his perfect scoring run with the two that ended the half at 40-50 in the Sharks favour.

Things still looked rosy when Jacob Groves nailed a corner three at the start of the third quarter. Chatman’s first miss came a minute and a half into the period but a spin move from Clay and a corner triple from EC Matthews took over to make it 51-62. Cheshire talisman Larry Austin Jr drained 5 points to end the quarter as the ‘Nix drew ominously closer at 63-67.

Donovan Clay and Jordan Ratinho both hit the four foul mark early in the final stanza as three shots from the line by Skyler White gave the hosts a two point lead. By now, the game was ‘can’t miss’ stuff as the lead changed nine times in the archetypal back and forth contest. A Cam Holden jump shot gave Cheshire an 86-84 advantage with 9 seconds remaining. Donovan Clay cut that to one point from the line and a further free throw from Tyreek Scott-Grayson made it 87-85. A foul on Rodney Chatman sent him to the charity stripe with 1.1 seconds remaining. Chatman made his first but missed his second as Cheshire became ecstatic with their 87-86 victory.

MVP

The Sharks will rue giving up such a sizeable lead but undoubtedly played their part in an enthralling encounter. Jacob Groves and Donovan Clay both contributed 12 points at a reasonable clip and going one better was Prentiss Nixon with 13 as well as 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Rodney Chatman’s exemplary shooting sent the honours his way once more. His 23 points came on 8 of 10 shooting as well as with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. The one point defeat was galling but proof that the Sharks are highly competitive in this inaugural Super League Basketball season.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Leicester Riders, Sunday 17th November 2024, Canon Medical Arena, Super League Basketball Championship, 4.00pm Tip Off

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Adam Bates