BBL Trophy: Cheshire Jets 84 Sheffield Sharks 86

A change of gear late in the third quarter could not help save the Cheshire Jets from a second defeat of the weekend to Sheffield Sharks in the BBL Trophy.

In the first home game of the season for Cheshire, which saw the return of old favourite, Shawn Myers. The question overshadowing the tie was whether the result could mark the need to decide the group stage via aggregate score or not, as the issue surrounding Mersey Tigers’ involvement in the BBL season is still not clear.

Cheshire started off well sticking tight to the visitors, but it was clear to see that Sheffield were going to be tough to find a way past due to their clear size advantage.

Much of the same through the second period, although pushing towards half-time the Jets forced Sheffield into foul trouble. It was not capitalised upon however, and were still three points down, 37-40, going to the locker room.

The third stanza brought the game to life with a tale of two stories.

Sheffield came out looking ready to take control of the game, and with questionable decisions from the referees allowing them to step up to the free throw line, it helped them to pull ahead by six points.

However, when Matt Schneck received his fourth foul midway through the third quarter, it seemed to inspire the home side to haul back the deficit and put themselves into perfect position for the last quarter.

Schneck’s reaction to being subbed to the bench somewhat summed up the feeling around the Northgate Arena, after it seemed as though he was the recipient of the foul whilst shooting, not the decision ultimately given by the referees.

The veteran Shawn Myers came on in place of Schneck, and immediately his experience and influence shone through.

Myers was involved in almost every play once he stepped on court and as his confidence grew and his shooting became clinical, it became infectious in the Jets side – but agonising for the Sharks, as by the end of the quarter, a three point lead away had turned into seven points adrift, 66-59.

Returning Shark and Team GB star, Nate Reinking, was instrumental in leading his team out of trouble in the final ten minutes of play, shooting an all important 12 points, including the final two points of the game to seal the win, 84-86 to the visitors, and prevent overtime.

Coach Lavery after the game admitted that although the work rate was good to see, there was plenty more to come: “We’ve still got a lot to work on – execution wise and down the stretch. We haven’t been together for a fortnight yet so what we have put out on the floor Friday and today, I’m really pleased with.

“There were flashes of genius and good things out there and I honestly believe I have recruited really, really well this year. I think these guys are a smart bunch of guys who will come together, but there were times when it does look a bit lacklustre, but as I say, we’ve only been together for two weeks. There’s a lot of work to be done when we go to practice on Tuesday and prepare for Sunday.”

Without speaking in depth about the refereeing decision, he knew his side had to respond in the third: “Everybody stepped up a level, obviously the guys on the court, and when Shawn came in, and did a really really good job, knocked down two crucial threes for us, and I think everybody stepped up.”

Sheffield look to be the team to beat in terms of size and all round experience. Although Cheshire gave them a credible run for their money, whether time is needed to gel or an extra player to bolster the bench, there is definitely potential in Coach Lavery’s side.

At the time of writing, there is still no official confirmation of Mersey Tigers’ involvement in the BBL season. It is being assumed the remaining BBL Trophy fixtures are expected to be played. If, in the event Tigers do not participate, and the group including Cheshire, Sheffield and Mersey becomes an aggregate fixture, Sheffield would go through 152-146.

Cheshire Jets: 19, 37, 66, 84
Sheffield Sharks: 23, 40, 59, 86

Jets: Brown (22) O’Reilly (19) Cole (18)
Sharks: Reinking (23) Dobbins (21) Langhurst (14)