Sunny Sharks take comfortable Bristol win

Sunday 6th April 2025

Super League Basketball Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 88 Bristol Flyers 69

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks eased to a comprehensive 88-69 win over Bristol Flyers in a manner that was as sunny as the beautiful April weather outside. The Sharks took every quarter apart from a tied third period and led for all but 35 seconds of the game to move to an 18-7 record and keep the pressure on leaders London Lions. Every player on the eleven man roster made the scoresheet and the side were led by MVP Rickey McGill, who finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. The victory laid down a marker against the Flyers, who will face the Sharks in their own SGS College Arena on Tuesday evening.

Starting Fives

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

Flyers: Johnson, Louis, Thomas-Edwards, Robinson, Smith.

Key Moments

The Sharks looked more team-focused in the early stages of the game than in their midweek defeat to Caledonia. Keddy Johnson’s three for Bristol drew them within a point at 6-5 in the opening moments but after that Prentiss Nixon drove to the hoop for a successful and-one play before dishing to Rickey McGill to make it 11-5. McGill splashed home for three at the top of the key and then turned provider for Donovan Clay to make it 20-13. James Reese V came to the party with four points as the quarter ended at 27-17.

Nixon’s triple opened the second period and another strongly contested effort eased the Sharks ahead by 35-20. Demond Robinson went back-to-back from beyond the arc as the Flyers finally rallied but his efforts were tempered when Jamell Anderson replied in kind. Next to step up was Jacob Groves. Clay assisted to the forward, who completed the and-one at 43-32 and then McGill’s quarterback pass in the latter stages saw Groves lay in and send the Sharks into the locker rooms ahead by 48-34.

Bristol came out in a more determined mood. Five Alain Louis’ points opened the half and another pair of Robinson makes from beyond the arc saw the gap down to 50-45. The Flyers hadn’t reckoned with McGill again however. Eight quick points followed by an assist to Reese ended a 12-2 spurt at 62-47 and having been fouled in the act of shooting with just a second to go, McGill found success from the line as the stanza closed at 66-52.

The Sharks cruised to victory in a 22-17 final period. The Flyers called for time on a Drake Jeffries corner trey at 73-55 and a pair of Rodney Glasgow jump shots gave the Sharks their biggest lead of the game at 77-56. Former Shark Leslee Smith made it 80-67 from deep but Prentiss Nixon’s reply from the wing signalled the arrival of local favourite Reyad West. His three from the top of the key brought about rapturous applause as a pair of McGill free throws wrapped up a thorough 88-69 win.

MVP

All eleven Sharks made the scoresheet in a very professional display. Reyad West’s 34 second cameo delighted the Canon Medical Arena crowd and Jacob Groves’ 11 point, 6 rebound outing came on a very creditable 71% shooting afternoon. Donovan Clay also contributed 11 points and was just 2 rebounds away from a double-double as well as making 3 assists, a steal and a blocked shot. Prentiss Nixon went 5 of 7 from the field for his 17 points but the MVP was Rickey McGill once again. He missed just a single free throw on his way to 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists as the Sharks kept up the pressure on London Lions at the top of the table.

Next Game

Bristol Flyers v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Tuesday 8th April 2025, SGS College Arena, Super League Basketball Championship, 7.30pm tip off

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Josh Rackham