One Health Sharks 66 Cheshire Jets 62
The One Health Sharks Sheffield recovered from a first half deficit to overcome the Cheshire Jets by 66-62 in BBL Trophy Group 2. The Sharks are looking to win the competition for the first time in 14 years, while the Jets haven’t lifted this title since their four straight years as Trophy champions after the turn of the century.
The backcourt of Jimmy Langhurst and Nate Reinking led the hosts with 14 and 13 respectively, while Mike Tuck came up with some big late scores on his way to 11 points. Bill Cole led all scorers for the Jets with 19 points.
It was the Jets who had a fast start to the game as they raced into a 6-20 lead as Cole hit three three-pointers, helping his team to a 10-20 first quarter lead. Their lead peaked at 10-25 in the second before the Sharks found their feet, holding the Jets scoreless for three minutes and getting back to within single figures at 20-29 on Atiba Lyons’s three-point play. Another Lyons score made it a one-point game at 30-31, before the Jets scored twice to lead 30-35 at the half.
An 11-4 start to the third period saw the Sharks take their first lead since the opening minutes at 41-39 after five straight Reinking points, only for six points in reply to send the Jets back in front as the hosts failed to score for two and a half minutes. The Jets held that lead as the teams traded baskets, heading into the fourth with a 45-47 edge.
Crucially, the Sharks took command early in the fourth, taking the lead after two minutes at 51-49 on Babalola’s score in a 6-2 start. The Sharks pushed on and led 56-51 with a Mike Tuck three-pointer, and it was he who kept the scoreboard ticking over with the next four points for his team as they led 62-57 inside the final four minutes. But an Adam Brown three-pointer and a Matt Schneck score tied the game at 62 and forced a Sharks’ time-out with 1.30 to play. But the Jets would not score again as Babalola and Dobbins settled the game inside the final minute.
The Jets won’t have to wait long to try and exact their revenge as the teams meet in the return game in the Trophy group on Sunday.
