Sharks win gladiatorial battle in overtime

Sunday 13th October 2024

Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 84 Caledonia Gladiators 75 (1OT)

A clinical overtime period for the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks saw them take a physical battle with Caledonia Gladiators by 84-75. The two sides went at it tooth and nail and a 71-71 tie after four quarters saw them go to the additional five minutes. Jacob Groves claimed the opening basket and went on to seal the MVP honours for his 23 point, 5 rebound, 2 assist outing. The Sharks now move to 2-2 in the Trophy group stage ahead of a big weekend that sees them rematch with Caledonia in Scotland on Friday and host Manchester at the Canon Medical Arena next Sunday.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Jeffries, Nixon, Anderson, Ochereobia, Groves.

Gladiators: Hill, Malcolm, Onwas, Stuckman, Hughes.

Key Moments

Back to back corner threes from Tanner Stuckman and Isaiah Hill sent the Gladiators out to an early 2-8 lead. Mike Ochereobia made the hook shot that reversed the Sharks fortunes as Prentiss Nixon and Jordan Ratinho connected on triples to ensure the hosts remained competitive. Stuckman continued to make some old school shots above the rim as Caledonia inched in front by 14-17 before a blood injury to EC Matthews led to a lengthy delay in the game. The 19-22 first quarter scoreline showed how little there was between the two however.

That didn’t change in the second period. New Sharks signing Rodney Chatman announced his arrival with a three pointer and led a drive down the lane to make it 24-25. The basketball smarts of Jamell Anderson added a further seven points before a Fahro Alihodzic reverse layup tied the game again at 31-31. The Scots claimed the last 5 points of the half to go in at the break ahead by 33-36.

An attritional third quarter saw the Sharks edge themselves back into the lead. Caledonia went up by seven on Trevond Barnes corner trey but a five point burst from Nixon ensured there was little to choose between the teams at 45-47. A 6-0 run put the Sharks ahead by 56-52 but a Fraser Malcolm basket kept things tight going into the final ten minutes.

A big Chatman and-one play was a highlight of the opening stages of the final stanza. The Sharks couldn’t push on from the 61-56 lead that it gave them as firstly Malcolm and then Barnes levelled the encounter at 68-68. Another three from Anderson gave the Sharks the lead going into the final 90 seconds but Fahro Alihodzic’s free throw sent the game into the additional five minutes tied at 71-71.

The Sharks were clinical in wrapping up the win in overtime. Jacob Groves opened the scoring and the Gladiators had no answer to an 11-0 spurt that all but sealed the game. Alihodzic and Hill claimed late baskets but a clutch finish by the Sharks took them to an 84-75 success.

MVP

Jamell Anderson continued to show why he is much coveted with another thorough, all-round performance of 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Despite receiving much closer attention due to his exploits the previous week, Prentiss Nixon still ended with a highly-creditable 16 points, 7 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. There was a very promising debut for Rodney Chatman, whose 10 makes from the line saw him to an impressive 17 points, 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal. It was a second consecutive twenty point haul that secured the MVP award for Jacob Groves however. His 23 points came on 10 of 16 shooting with 5 rebounds and 2 assists and an eye-catching index of 21 as the Sharks put pressure on the top two in the group.

Next game

Caledonia Gladiators v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday 18th October 2024, Playsport, Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage, 7.30pm Tip Off

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Adam Bates