Sharks step nearer playoffs with super Newcastle win

Friday 15th March 2024

British Basketball League Regular Season

Newcastle Eagles 77 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 87

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks are one result away from playoff qualification after a very thorough takedown of Newcastle Eagles. A 10-21 second quarter was key to another big win in the North East, which has been a happy hunting ground for the Sharks in recent seasons. Another double-double from Malek Green led the way for the Sharks but there were also big performances from RJ Eytle-Rock, Devearl Ramsey and the MVP Bennett Koch, who produced yet another captain’s innings in the 77-87 victory.

Starting Fives

Eagles: Johnson, McGill, Austin Jr, Defoe, Green

Sharks: Ramsey, Eytle-Rock, Green, Ratinho, Koch.

Key Moments

The opening quarter was a close-fought affair. Tahj Green opened the scoring for the hosts and the Eagles still held an 11-8 lead midway through the period. A Bennett Koch layup levelled matters at 13-13 and the Sharks edged in front on a Prentiss Nixon three pointer at 20-22 inside the final 30 seconds. A pair of Devin Whitfield free throws ended an even first ten minutes at 22-22.

The Sharks broke the deadlock in a super 10-21 second period. Excellent trademark defence plus some clinical inside finishing saw the visitors open up a 23-30 lead on a 1-8 run ended by a Kipper Nichols jumper. Despite six unanswered points from Newcastle’s standout point guard Jordan Johnson, the difference remained at 7 with the scoreboard reading 32-39. An RJ Eytle-Rock triple with 16 seconds to play gave the Sharks a very healthy 32-43 lead going into the locker rooms.

The Sharks consolidated that advantage in a 19-23 third stanza. Another 3-8 run made it 35-51 on a Bennett Koch basket and as the quarter wore on, Jalon Pipkins jump shot confirmed the dominance at 46-64. Newcastle’s Rickey McGill, held to just 6 points on the night, made a pair of free throws to send the game into the fourth quarter at 51-66.

Undeterred, Ramsey’s trey continued a useful shooting night for the Sharks. Malek Green’s layup took him to a double-double at the media timeout with the score at 63-77 and despite a late run by the Eagles, Atiba Lyons’ men were good value for the result. Whitfield’s three pointer made little difference as Devearl Ramsey saw out a very impressive 77-87 victory from the charity stripe.

MVP

The Sharks out-shot the Eagles by 50% to 36%, won the battle of the boards by 44-38 and took the paint by 46-38. Devearl Ramsey dished out 7 assists in a super performance where he added 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Malek Green came up with his fourth double-double of the season, making 17 points and pulling down 10 boards. Leading from the front however was co-captain Bennett Koch. Carrying on from recent games, he did a bit of everything. 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots came on 5 of 9 shooting for an index of 21 and a step nearer that looming playoff berth.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Newcastle Eagles, Sunday March 24th 2024, Canon Medical Arena, 3.00pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates