Sharks return to Cup action at home on Sunday

Super League Basketball Cup

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks take a break from the hurly-burly of the SLB Championship to focus on the road to Nottingham. The quarter-finals of the Cup bring Cheshire Phoenix to the Canon Medical Arena on Sunday afternoon with the winners setting up a two-legged aggregate semi-final clash against either Bristol Flyers or Caledonia Gladiators. The ‘Nix have added a couple of pieces to the jigsaw and the Sharks will be looking to get back to winning ways after losing out in a tight one against Manchester last week. A great game is one the cards because it is ‘win or go home’ on the road to the new venue for this exciting final. You have got to be there!

Sunday – Sharks v Phoenix – Canon Medical Arena – 4.00pm

Tickets - https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Fixtures?fanStoreType=Fixtures&clubId=216

Ones To Watch

Cameron Holden – Has been Mr Consistency for the ‘Nix this season as shown by his across-the-board stats of 15.9 points per game, 5.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Played all but four minutes of last week’s overtime win against Manchester to end with 19 / 7 / 5 as well as picking 3 pockets.

Bobby Planutis – The first of Cheshire’s new acquisitions is a 6’ 8” small forward who has experience with the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League and played college basketball at Purdue Fort Wayne. Contributed 6 points and 7 boards as the Phoenix took the North-West derby by 101-94.

Nick Timberlake – Former team-mate of Cam Holden’s at Towson University where he averaged 17.7 points per game. Joined Cheshire on 29th December having started the season in Portugal. Reputation for being a knockdown shooter and went a perfect 5 of 5 from the line in the Manchester win.

Larry Austin Jr – Showed some vintage moves in claiming 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and a block against Manchester. Cheshire were plus 20 while ever Austin was on the floor and will be pleased to see their talisman guard firing on all cylinders.

Last Meeting

November 10th 2024 – Cheshire Phoenix 87 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 86

Shark Bites

The Sharks are looking to complete a unique hat-trick in the SLB Cup competition this season. The Sharks won the National Cup at the first attempt when joining the former BBL for the 1994-5 season. When the BBL started their own Cup competition in 2003-4, the Sharks won the first staging against the Scottish Rocks in Birmingham. Now the Sharks are chasing glory in the first SLB Cup competition.

Cheshire Phoenix have been to the Canon Medical Arena four times and have won each game. The Sharks and Cheshire have met twice before in Cup quarter-finals with the Sharks victorious in both.

The Sharks have lost their last 3 Cup quarter-final games. Their last win in the last 8 of the Cup was on 3rd November 2017.

Twenty five previous Cup quarter-finals have seen the Sharks progress 14 times. Seventeen home ties in the Cup quarter-finals have seen 10 wins and 7 losses while away games have brought 2 wins and 4 defeats. The two quarter-finals played on a neutral court both resulted in wins.

SharkNation

British basketball’s first ever final at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena takes place on Sunday March 9th. Want to be there? Well we need the full backing of our Sharknation to get past the Cheshire Phoenix this coming Sunday first! Win and we head on into the semis, lose and a piece of silverware slips through our grasp. Your support has never been more important and we’re sure that you’re aware that the guys thrive off the energy you bring. The last two games between these sides have been classics so to make sure you don’t miss out, head to the ticket link higher up the page and bring your loudest voice. As our announcer Rich Hawke says, ‘It’s all about the noise!’ It’s time to #FearTheFin

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Adam Bates