Sharks reach Cup quarter finals with Reading success

Sunday 15th December 2024

Super League Basketball Cup

Reading Rockets 72 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 84

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks secured a home tie against Cheshire Phoenix in the Quarter Finals of the Super League Basketball Cup with professional victory over a useful Reading Rockets side. A 15-29 third quarter proved to be the deal breaker for the Sharks after the NBL outfit tied the opening period and hung around in the second. There were double-figure outings for Donovan Clay, Rodney Chatman and Prentiss Nixon but it was the 17 point effort of Jacob Groves that secured passage to the next round and the MVP award.

Starting Fives

Rockets: Clarke, Poorman, Champion, Chamberlain, Hopkins.

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

Key Moments

The Sharks opened the game on Prentiss Nixon’s three pointer but Reading proved to be a useful match-up. Simon Chamberlain and Lewis Champion’s triples shot them into a 20-16 lead and it took a Jamell Anderson reply in kind to tie the opening ten minutes at 24-24.

The Sharks seized a six point initiative by half time. Jacob Groves’ alleyoop restored the Sharks lead but the Rockets again took the lead on threes from Victor Olarerin and Mitch Clarke at 30-29. The run-in to half time was all about the Sharks. Drake Jeffries alleyoop and a pair of free throws from Donovan Clay secured a 33-39 advantage at the interval.

An 18-3 run in the Sharks favour occurred either side of half time. A pair of Groves layups took the score out to 36-50 and the streak concluded on a couple of Nixon triples at 39-58. With their foot on the gas, a 15-29 quarter saw Jeffries driving layup and a Mike Ochereobia basket set the score at 48-68 with ten minutes left to play.

Reading refused to lie down and ended the encounter with a 24-16 quarter of their own. Reis Pinnock went back to back from beyond the arc to make it 60-76 and a 10-1 run came to an end when Simon Chamberlain followed suit. Prentiss Nixon eased any nerves from distance and trips to the line for Groves and Chatman saw the Sharks out to a 72-84 success.

MVP

Donovan Clay shot at 80% for his 11 point, 3 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 block afternoon and beating his score by 2 was Rodney Chatman, who finished with 13 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists and 4 steals. Prentiss Nixon made four of his five shots from deep for a very creditable 17 points with 2 boards and 3 assists but the MVP of the afternoon was Jacob Groves. He too recorded 17 points on 5 of 8 shooting and also recorded a key 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal to see the Sharks to a fifth successive win and a place in the next round.

Next Game

London Lions v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Wednesday 18th December 2024, Copperbox Arena, Super League Basketball Championship, 7.30pm tip off

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Adam Bates