Sharks weekend tips off against familiar foes

by UK American Sports Fans

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BBL Championship Preview
Friday 23 March 2012 – OH Sharks Sheffield v Mersey Tigers
Saturday 24 March 2012 – Worcester Wolves v OH Sharks Sheffield

Dominant! In a pretty trying season for Atiba Lyons’ Sheffield Sharks, one side glad to see the back of the men from South Yorkshire will be the Milton Keynes Lions. The Sharks wrapped up a clean sweep of victories over MK with an 84-92 win on the road last Sunday. A game high equalling 28 points from the enigmatic Demarius Bolds couldn’t push MK to an elusive success, leaving the Sharks to ponder their forthcoming opponents this weekend, Mersey Tigers and Worcester Wolves.

For the home match-up with Mersey on Friday night, it’s a case of ‘oh no not you again!’ A third meeting in four weeks sees the league series currently split with the Sharks taking the spoils in two early season Trophy games. The last meeting a fortnight ago saw a comprehensive 99-82 win for the Sharks. Mersey didn’t have the greatest of times on the court last weekend either, going down by 75-83 at home to Guildford and 84-79 away at Cheshire Jets. This leaves the Merseysiders in penultimate position with a 6-18 record and some way to go to get themselves back into the playoff reckoning. One positive point has been the form of Myles Hesson. The talented forward posted 20 and 23 points respectively in last weekend’s games and will be Coach Garbelotto’s go-to man as the Tigers look to push themselves back into the end of season shake-up.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Sharks hit the road for second-placed Worcester on Saturday evening. Officially the Wolves had no fixture last weekend but many of the Worcester players took part in the University win by 88-81 over Durham for the BUCS Championship. Starring in that win was Tommy Freeman with 23 points, who is having a tremendous rookie season in the BBL. Freeman averages 19.8 ppg to rank fourth in the league in a Worcester side that has seen exemplary performances from the likes of Richie Gordon (18.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and Sherrad Prezzie-Blue (15.8ppg 4.6 apg). Paul James’ side sit three wins behind leaders Newcastle with seven games left to play and will not give up their pursuit until the fat lady has finally sung.

A pleasing aspect to the Sharks win at MK was the contribution of Ryan Patton and Olu Babalola. Patton poured in 28 points including six triples on his way to an appearance in the BBL Team of the Week with Babalola registering just one fewer. Focus has been on the heavy scoring Jimmy Langhurst, who still registered an impressive 20 points and now rates fifth in league ppg, as well as Mike Tuck, who came up with yet another double-double and consecutive Team of the Week selections. However, the contributions of Patton and Babalola show that there is another dimension to this Sharks side, one that opposition coaches can ill-afford to ignore. Securing the best possible playoff slot remains the focus with fifth-placed Glasgow just two points ahead having played a game more. The Rocks host Plymouth this weekend so the potential is there for Sheffield to climb the table.

Tip-off is at 7.30 at the EISS on Friday, 7pm at Worcester University on Saturday.