Sharks take revenge over Newcastle to split the weekend

Sunday 30th March 2025

Super League Basketball Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 80 Newcastle Eagles 73

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks gained revenge for their Friday night loss in the North East with an 80-73 victory over Newcastle Eagles. Big opening and third quarters set the tone for the win as the Sharks held off rallies from the Eagles in the second and final periods to secure success. Prentiss Nixon (13), Jacob Groves (15) and Donovan Clay (17 / 11) all came up with big performances but the MVP was Rickey McGill, who poured in 19 points against his former side. The Sharks seventeenth win of the season keeps them in second place in the SLB Championship standings ahead of the visit of Caledonia Gladiators on Wednesday evening.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Jeffries, McGill, Nixon, Clay, Anderson.

Eagles: Ward-Hibbert, Okauru, Knight, Defoe, Allen-Eikens.

Key Moments

The Sharks were quick out of the traps in a scintillating 16-0 start. Donovan Clay brought the energy with the opening four points as corner triples from Prentiss Nixon and Drake Jeffries, promoted to a starting berth, capped a statement start to the game. Guard Trey Pulliam finally got Newcastle going with a long two and added three more before Seneca Knight’s and-one play took their score out to double-digits. Mike Okauru made the run 10-0 from the line but a Jacob Groves corner trey and a drive to the rim kept the Sharks in front by 25-17 after ten minutes play.

The home side kept a healthy advantage until deep in the second quarter. Rickey McGill made a tough finish in the paint for the and-one to open the stanza and a delightful Donovan Clay assist in traffic was finished by Jamell Anderson to make it 37-25. Anderson and Jordan Ratinho headed to the bench having collected three fouls each as Newcastle sensed a way back in. De’Sean Allen-Eikens corner three started their revival with Seneca Knight adding a further six points to cut the gap to one at 41-40. A Rodney Glasgow free throw closed the quarter and set up an intriguing second half.

A 23-12 third period put the Sharks back in the driving seat. After an uncontested Cole Long trey made it 48-45, good ball movement saw Drake Jeffries reply, swiftly followed by Groves on the angle as Newcastle called for time at 54-45. Long continued his productive spell from deep but four Prentiss Nixon points, including an electric finish off the glass, kept the Sharks in front by 62-51. James Reese V closed the quarter from the line at 64-52, amid furious scenes from Eagles Coach Marc Steutel, who appeared angered by one of the official’s calls.

The trades continued to the mid-point of the final stanza. McGill’s assist to Groves allowed him to complete the and-one play, swiftly followed by a Donovan Clay body swerve that saw Newcastle talking it over at 72-61. Credit to the Eagles, who refused to go away right down to the final minute of the contest. An Okauru three was followed by 4 points from Allen-Eikens to make it 77-73. Newcastle being in the bonus eventually proved to be their undoing as Okauru and Pulliam left the game on 5 fouls each, allowing Nixon and McGill to wrap up an 80-73 victory from the free throw line.

MVP

It was a much more familiar looking Sharks side that secured win number 17 of the campaign after an uncharacteristic below par display in Newcastle on Friday. Prentiss Nixon recovered from early foul trouble to finish with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Jacob Groves shot at the very efficient rate of 85% to end with a fine 15 points and 3 boards. The energy and presence of Donovan Clay carried him to another eye-catching double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds but it was Rickey McGill who claimed the MVP honours with a much-improved display against his former team. His 19 points came with a notable 8 assists as well as 4 rebounds and a steal as well as a successful 9 of 10 from the charity stripe to allow the Sharks to put another notch in the win column.

Next Game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Caledonia Gladiators, Wednesday 2nd April 2025, Canon Medical Arena, Super League Basketball Championship, 7.30pm tip off

Image

Adam Bates