Sharks return to action in Saturday Roses clash

British Basketball League Regular Season

It’s been eleven days since the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks were last in action but they are back with a bang this coming Saturday. One of the oldest rivalries in British basketball is revived when Manchester Giants cross the Pennines. The Giants sit two places below the Sharks in eighth with a 2-6 record but no matter what, Yorkshire versus Lancashire is a sporting tradition that always brings about high drama. The War of the Roses – basketball-style – is not to be missed!

Saturday – Sharks v Giants – Canon Medical Arena – 8.00pm

Tickets – https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Dashboard?clubId=216

Ones To Watch

Austin Lawton – Led the Giants scoring in their recent 98-72 defeat at Surrey Scorchers. Made 8 of 12 field goal attempts on his way to 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a blocked shot but couldn’t prevent new Coach Brian Semonian’s team going down to the 26 point loss.

Nicholas Lewis – Former British Basketball League Trophy winner with the Sharks who is now one of the more experienced players in the Giants backcourt. Averages 12.4 points per game for the season and was close to double-double territory against Surrey with 9 points and 9 rebounds.

Jamell Anderson – Another experienced Brit who saw silverware regularly with his previous club, Leicester Riders. Capped by Great Britain, Anderson has a fine all-round game currently putting up 16.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.1 steals in the North West.

Evan Walshe – Been on the radar for a few years but now clearly benefitting from extended minutes in Manchester. Another former Leicester player who is a solid finisher, making 61% of his shots around the rim in his average of 8.8 points per game.

Last Meeting

April 14th 2023 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Nichols 19 Koch 16 Pipkins 12) 80 Manchester Giants (Williams 19 Lewis 14 Roberson 12) 71

Shark Bites

The Giants hold a 3-2 advantage over the Sharks in the last five encounters although 9 points was the biggest margin of victory in any of those games.

The Sharks have won 3 of their last 5 games, the last of which was the 67-55 victory on the road at Plymouth. The Giants only have 1 win in the last 5 although it was a notable 94-80 success against Leicester in Manchester.

The Sharks outscore the Giants by 283-260 from the bench and also in the paint by 364-318.

Both sides shoot at a comparable clip from the field – the Sharks at 45% and the Giants at 45.8%. The Sharks however have a positive 34 basket difference as opposed to Manchester’s negative 90.

SharkNation

We’ve had a brief break from the action but now it’s time to get back on it! So SharkNation, here is your call to claim those tickets (link at the top of the page) for some scintillating Saturday night basketball action. We’ve had some outstanding battles over the years with our Lancastrian rivals and this weekend will be no different. We all know that the best things come from ‘God’s Own County,’ right? Well now is the time to show our Red Rose friends that the White Rose is a force to be reckoned with! Scarborough fish and chips, the Dales, Henderson’s Relish, the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks. It’s time to prove that Yorkshire is UNBEATABLE! #FearTheFin

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Adam Bates