Sharks take win on night overshadowed by health drama

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks
January 12, 201912:32 AM

Friday 11th January 2019

BBL Championship

DBL Sharks Sheffield 114 Worcester Wolves 76

The DBL Sharks Sheffield took a big win over Championship strugglers Worcester Wolves on Friday evening, overshadowed by a serious health problem for Wolves Coach Ty Shaw, who went to hospital at half time. The win keeps up the pressure on leaders London Lions for the Sharks, who now move to an 11-6 record in second place.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Tuck, Marsden, Alexander, Williams, Collins

Wolves: Prosper, Combs, Servera, Crawford, Thoseby

Key Moments

Adam Thoseby’s three point score kept things relatively tight for the Wolves at 12-11 midway through the opening quarter. A 7-0 run for the Sharks saw them inch away at 22-14 as back to back Dirk Williams triples increased that further to 33-18. Whelan’s bucket concluded a high-scoring quarter at 33-20.

There was no let-up in a relentless second period. After Robert Crawford’s three for the Wolves, The Sharks went out to a twenty point lead on Alexander’s trey at 47-27. Tuck’s lay up put the Sharks up by 53-29 before Worcester went on a 12-4 run to the end of the half. A pair of Thoseby free throws concluded the half with the score at 57-41; Chris Alexander and Dirk Williams combining for a remarkable 45 of the Sharks overall score.

The crowd were unaware of the unfortunate events at half time surrounding the ill-health of Worcester Coach Ty Shaw and it was credit to the Worcester players and support staff that they actually finished the game at all. After nine early points from Combs, Dirk Williams went to work with three scores from beyond the arc as well as one delicious assist down main street for Anthony Collins as the score rolled out to 82-60. Anthony Collins euro-stepped his way to the hoop at 91-64 and Adam Thoseby’s triple ended the stanza at 91-67.

The fourth quarter was largely an irrelevance as the Sharks took the opportunity to play their entire bench for long spells. Servera’s second technical saw him exit the game three minutes into the final period and moments later, Dirk Williams sent the Sharks through the magical 100 point barrier at 100-69. The Sharks gave a debut to Nathaniel Montgomery with 4.42 to play and he rewarded with a tough three point shot as well as the putback that finished the game at 114-76.

MVP

The Sharks two game losing streak was immediately arrested by their two ‘big game’ players. 45 of the first half 57 points came from Dirk Williams and Chris Alexander, and they eventually combined for 64 out of the Sharks total of 114. Both ended with 32 points and 5 assists; Williams making 6 rebounds to Alexander’s 3 as well as 3 steals to Alexander’s one. It would have been churlish to separate the two, such was their influence on the outcome of the match overall.

Quotes

Mike Tuck sent the club’s heartfelt best wishes to Wolves Coach Ty Shaw and thanked their players for continuing the game despite the trying circumstances.

Next home game

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Andy Chubb