Super finish to regular season as Sharks take a bite out of the Lions

Sunday 27th April 2025

Super League Basketball Championship

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 90 London Lions 82

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks signed off for regular season with a first ever victory over league champions London Lions at the Canon Medical Arena. A scintillating opening quarter, where the Sharks poured in 32 points, was key to the win as both sides took the opportunity to fine-tune their rotations for the forthcoming playoffs. Donovan Clay was the MVP of the game, fittingly in front of his visiting family ahead of Jacob Groves, who led all scorers with 19 points. Leicester’s win over Caledonia confirmed the Sharks in third place in the standings, which means that they will match up against Cheshire Phoenix over two legs next weekend at the quarter-final stage of post-season.

Starting Fives

Sharks: McGill, Clay, Ratinho, Glasgow Jr, Groves.

Lions: Delaire, Brisker, Adebayo, Rai, Hadzibegovic.

Key Moments

A 32-18 opening quarter set the tone for a memorable Sharks win. London got out to a 2-6 lead on the back of three point shots from Aaryn Rai and Jaiden Delaire but replies from Rickey McGill and Jordan Ratinho sent the Lions into a timeout at 14-10. A 15-2 streak saw the Sharks pull away even further. A visionary Prentiss Nixon assist was well-finished by Jacob Groves and that was followed by triples from Drake Jeffries and Jamell Anderson as James Reese V ended the run from the line. London’s Terrell Holloway broke the momentum but another Anderson trey on the buzzer capped a fine first ten minutes for the Sharks.

The second and third periods were ‘even-stevens’ by 21-21 and 20-20 respectively. Jamell Anderson’s hot hand continued into quarter two with a turnaround three that was soon followed by Rickey McGill at 38-20. London showed their Championship credentials as Rai drained three from the wing to be joined by the returning Michael Brisker, who followed suit at 42-32. The Sharks own sharp shooter Jacob Groves found success from the top of the key and four points in the paint from Donovan Clay sent the Sharks into the locker room ahead by 53-39.

The Sharks early lead stood them in good stead for an even third quarter. Brisker’s and-one play was a rare highlight for the champs as treys for Jeffries and Reese opened up a 16 point gap at 67-51. The Lions rallied through Holloway, Sandy and Stuckman but drives from Rodney Glasgow Jr and James Reese plus a pair of Jacob Groves free throws kept the Sharks ahead by 73-59.

London took the final stanza by 17-23 but the Sharks had already done enough to secure an impressive win. Atiba Lyons’ side kept influential Lions big Alen Hadzibegovic relatively quiet but six cool points and a Brisker triple saw the Sharks calling for time at 79-72. The Sharks rallied out of the timeout with Clay getting the crowd on it’s feet for a thrilling and-one score which was soon followed by an equally-thrilling drive into the paint. The Sheffield forward continued to influence matters, kicking out to Jamell Anderson for another three at 88-76 and then shaking and baking his way to the hoop to make it 90-78. London got consolation baskets through Tanner Stuckman and Remy Udeh but it was the Sharks who finished regular season on a high with a pleasing 90-82 victory.

MVP

All eleven Sharks received an even spread of the minutes in order to keep everyone fresh for the Playoffs. The veteran wiles of Jamell Anderson led him to a perfect shooting afternoon; all four of his three point shots hitting the target for 12 points, 2 rebounds and a steal. Jacob Groves rich vein of form continued as he led all scorers with 19 points made at an impressive 80% clip as well as pulling down 4 boards and making a blocked shot. The MVP, in front of his watching family visiting from the United States, was the ebullient Donovan Clay. His 16 points came on 8 of 13 shooting to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a blocked shot to nicely set the tone for the thrills of the playoffs to come.

Next Game

Cheshire Phoenix v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Friday 2nd May 2025, Cheshire Oaks Arena, Super League Basketball Playoff Quarter Final 1st Leg, 6.30pm tip off

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Josh Rackham