The True Meaning of Sport – Sheffield Sharks 74 Durham Wildcats 58
BBL Championship – 19 October 2012
One Health Sharks Sheffield 74 Durham Wildcats 58
Whilst several thousand hooligans decided to tear it up just a few miles away at Hillsborough soccer stadium, the true meaning of sport shone through at the English Institute of Sport as Sheffield Sharks gained a vital first win of the Championship season amongst a small but appreciative family-oriented crowd.
Starting Fives:
Sharks: Daye, Babalola, Tuck, Bridge, Williams.
Wildcats: Keister, Baldarelli, Guinane, Elderkin, Bucci.
Despite Durham’s Andrew Keister landing the first basket, that was as good as it got for the visitors from the north-east as the Sharks opened up a commanding 19-8 lead after the initial ten minutes. A Micah Williams triple and drive to the basket being the highlights of the quarter as the Sharks introduced new point guard Nick Lewis with 1.44 to play in the period. Durham’s shooting from any range was particularly poor and the Sharks used this buffer to great effect throughout the entire fixture.
The second stanza was all about forward Olu Babalola. The big Londoner nailed two from the line with just 31 seconds gone and didn’t look back, reigning in offensive and defensive boards as well as claiming a particularly impressive hooked two from the corner with 5.52 to play in the half. The introduction of Attah for the Wildcats provided dividends as both he and Guinane claimed decisive maximums but a further three from Micah Williams saw the Sharks close the half up by 44-26.
A slight Durham fightback ensued in the third. Long two’s from Attah and Elderkin opened the period but were tempered as a clearly fired-up Williams claimed a score of his own followed up by a plus one play for influential guard Gage Daye. A further five points from Williams saw the quarter end with Sheffield nineteen points to the good with the scores at 63-44.
No great surprises in the fourth as the hosts rode out an easy win. Mike Baldarelli claimed two treys allied with a Brad Guinane maximum buzzer beater, but it was all in vain as skipper Mike Tuck, fellow big Olu Babalola and the lively Micah Williams produced the necessary baskets to give the Sharks a comfortable 74-58 scoreline at the end of forty minutes.
It was a pleasure to seek the views of GB Olympian forward Julie Page (supporting Wildcats guard, brother Keith) and Sharks legend Adrian Anderson upon the conclusion of the game.
Julie said of the result of the game: “Basketball is a game where anything can happen. The result is disappointing but the Wildcats have another game on Sunday.”
When pressed as to the performance of her brother, Keith, Julie diplomatically remarked: “He has a good offensive head and distributes the ball well. Games like these will be good experience for him”
The Team GB Olympian, who had inspired many to take an interest in the sport since the conclusion of the London 2012 games, is now eagerly awaiting her next move and she explained that she was waiting for news from her agent as to where her next contract would be.
Also present on the evening was former Shark Adrian Anderson. The stalwart former guard/small forward believed that the Sharks “played well defensively” and that it was good to “actually see them win a game.”
Adrian stated his belief that the Sharks “will build on this win.”
He also confirmed that he was currently heavily occupied by his position as head of Firvale School but was available to help the Sharks as and when he could.
Play of the game
Atiba Lyons has been giving out the defensive mantra of toughness to the Sharks, despite it not always having been in evidence during the first five games of the Sheffield side. However, it was never more illustrated than here as an easy Paul Elderkin lay-up was first batted away by Gage Daye and then fully rebounded by team captain Mike Tuck. Solid ‘D’ equals increased opportunities on offence and the Sharks executed this game plan in some style.
Game MVP
Micah Williams. Screwed down, he may appear anonymous. But a twenty one point haul, allied with an impressive seven rebounds shows how the Tennessee –born guard fits the pattern Coach Lyons wishes his side to play.
Next Up
One Health Sharks Sheffield at Worcester Wolves. Saturday 27 October 2012, 7pm at Worcester University.
Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders at Durham Wildcats, Sunday 21 October 2012, 4pm at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.
Photos courtesy of @mtoggs at Mphotography.org.uk
