Two big games to round off 2023 this weekend

British Basketball League Regular Season

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks round off 2023 with two big games in the regular season before attention switches to the month of January and the British Basketball League Trophy. Saturday sees the team make the short journey south to Leicester Riders, uncharacteristically in seventh place in the standings but starting to look upwards. Then New Years Eve Sunday sees the mercurial Manchester Giants renewing their old rivalry with the Sharks in a 3pm tip off before the midnight bubbly starts popping for 2024.

Saturday – Riders v Sharks – Morningside Arena – 5.00pm

Watch – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1_S2DzzJno

Ones To Watch

Teddy Allen – He’s only played two games but Allen has had an immediate impact on the Riders. After a 32 point debut against Caledonia, Allen followed that up with 21 in the Leicester win over Manchester.

Miryne Thomas – Has already poured in 21 against the Sharks earlier in the season and weighed in with 16 as the Riders took a 73-86 success in Manchester last Saturday. Tidy finisher who scores 48% from the field.

Kimbal Mackenzie – Matched Thomas’ output with 16 as well in the win over the Giants. Newly-installed as Riders captain fresh from representing GB over the previous summer.

TJ Lall – Added 11 points in Manchester but has bought fully into Leicester’s team approach to basketball. A do-it-all guy who makes 47% of his shots from beyond the arc as well as 59% inside.

Last Meeting

November 17th 2023 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Ramsey 22 Pipkins 17 Koch 14) 91 Leicester Riders (Thomas 21 Holmes 16 Mackenzie / Lall 13) 84

Sunday – Sharks v Giants – Canon Medical Arena – 3.00pm

Tickets – Fanbase | Schedule (fanbaseclub.com)

Ones To Watch

Jamell Anderson – Top scored for the Giants with 12 in a sizeable 101-68 loss at Caledonia on Boxing Day. The experience GB man is averaging 15 points per game with 3.7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.1 steals as his size seek some consistency in their performances.

Nicholas Lewis – Fondly remembered for his two spells with the Sharks and has now transitioned into a canny veteran of the British game. Averaging 14.6 points per game over 25 minutes for the red rose side.

William Lee – Finding his way back from injury but once again starting to blossom into the outstanding talent that he is. 10.3 points per game and 5.9 rebounds are the current stats for a guy who loves life below or above the rim.

Evan Walshe – Exciting Brit who made the move north west after a spell as a Leicester Rider. Three 22 point outings this season notably against Surrey, Bristol and London.

Last Meeting

November 4th 2023 – B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Stewart 19 Koch 14 Pipkins / Nichols 13) 92 Manchester Giants (McNeill 19 Anderson 14 Lewis 12) 73

Shark Bites

In the Sharks first 20 Regular Season visits to Leicester, they recorded 18 wins. The subsequent 28 visits for Regular Season matches brought 6 victories and 22 losses meaning the clubs are currently tied at 24 wins apiece.

Saturday marks the 29th birthday of Jubril Adekoya, who is of course a former Leicester Rider.

Just like last weekend where the Sharks had never previously played on Christmas Eve, they are breaking new ground by playing on New Years Eve.

The Sharks recent record in their last 11 seasons when playing the last game of the calendar year is 8 wins and 3 losses.

Sunday will see the 45th clash between the Sharks and the current Manchester Giants franchise in all competitions. Sharks have recorded 30 wins, 1 draw and 13 losses in that time. Home games in the same period have seen 17 victories, 1 draw and 5 defeats.

SharkNation

Come and round off your 2023 with the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks this New Years Eve! We tip off at 3pm this New Years Eve Sunday so you have plenty of time to cheer us on against our Lancastrian rivals Manchester Giants before heading off to those parties to welcome in 2024. Before that, we’re on the road in Leicester on Saturday so we could do with all your support as the first phase of regular season games comes to a close. Don’t forget, January is British Basketball League Trophy month so the excitement never stops even into the New Year. Come and raise a glass with us – together we are UNBEATABLE! #FearTheFin

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Adam Bates