Two bites of Sharks action this week starting on Thursday

British Basketball League Regular Season

Two more big bites of B. Braun Sheffield Sharks basketball to come this week when Atiba Lyons’ side play host to Surrey Scorchers on Thursday and travel north for their third encounter with Caledonia Gladiators on Saturday. The Scorchers come to the Canon Medical Arena having already taken the Sharks to overtime this season despite their current 2-8 record. The Caledonia series currently sits at 1-1 and another tough game awaits north of the border at the Gladiators’ new Playsport venue.

Thursday – Sharks v Scorchers – Canon Medical Arena – 7.45pm

Tickets – Fanbase | Schedule (fanbaseclub.com)

Ones To Watch

Justin Robinson – Two time league MVP who has battled back from serious injury to return to the court in a Scorchers jersey this season. In the veteran stage of his career but still fired up 15 points with 5 assists in Surrey’s 73-91 loss to Cheshire on Saturday.

Andrew Lawrence – An Olympian with the Great Britain side who, like Robinson, is a high quality guard. Contributed 5 assists in the Cheshire defeat and is averaging 9.1 points per game for the season so far.

Padiet Wang – Athletic South Sudanese international now in his second season in Guildford. Was close to a double-double with 11 points and 9 rebounds on Saturday and contributes 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists so far this term.

Saiquan Jamison – Leads Surrey in rebounding with an eye-opening 10.8 per game to go with 8.1 points. Solid finisher who shot 50% for his 8 points in defeat against the ‘Nix.

Last Meeting

September 30th 2023 – Surrey Scorchers (Hunt 15 Jamison 13 Lawrence 11) 67 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Pipkins 18 Ramsey 10 Koch 10) 70

Saturday – Gladiators v Sharks – Playsport – 8.00pm

Watch - Caledonia Gladiators vs B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, British Basketball League Championship - LIVE - YouTube

Ones To Watch

Patrick Whelan – Noted three point shooter and GB international who made 3 of his 4 attempts on Sunday against Bristol. His 19 points weren’t enough to stop Caledonia going down to a 94-77 road loss however.

Ian DuBose – The experienced guard did a bit of everything down in the South West but couldn’t steer the Gladiators to a 7th regular season victory. Finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals as his eye-catching campaign continues.

Fahro Alihodzic – The Caledonia captain is leading from the front as the season develops. His 12 point, 5 rebound, 3 block outing sadly wasn’t quite enough for the Europe-bound Scots. Averages 10 points and 6.9 rebounds for the season.

Kyle Johnson – Surprisingly the GB guard only averages 9 mins per game for the Gladiators but extended that to 20 on Sunday to finish with 10 points, 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal against the Flyers.

Last Meeting

October 22nd 2023 – Caledonia Gladiators (Palyza 23 DuBose 12 Whelan 12) 87 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks (Ramsey 20 Pipkins 17 Nichols 16) 83

Shark Bites

The Sharks go into the game with Surrey on Thursday looking for a 12th consecutive win against the Scorchers. The last time the Sharks lost in Sheffield to Surrey was 29th September 2017.

In 30 seasons in the British Basketball League, the Sharks have played 70 games on a Thursday in all competitions combined. They have 42 wins and 13 losses in home games and 4 wins with 10 losses in away games as well as one (rare) draw.

On Saturday at Caledonia, the Sharks will be looking to record their 300th regular season away win in what will be their 500th away league game.

Last Saturday, Bennett Koch became the 7th player to clock up 150 appearances for the Sharks under Coach Atiba Lyons. Above Bennett are Mike Tuck, Zach Gachette, Colin Sing, Olu Babalola, Nick Lewis and Atiba himself on 154.

SharkNation

New to the ‘Tank’ and the game of basketball? Well there are two very quick and easy ways to learn what is going on. Firstly, listen to our fantastic commentator and MC Mike Shaft – if he says make some noise, then you need to make some noise!! Secondly, our new giant video screen might just give you a few clues what to do as well – you will soon pick it up!! Why not give it a try this Thursday when Surrey Scorchers are in town (ticket link at the top of the page) and you will soon be cheering along with the rest of us. We’re trying to make the Canon Medical Arena our very own fortress – together with the SharkNation we can be UNBEATABLE. It’s time to #FearTheFin!

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Adam Bates