Giants @ Sharks: BBL Championship Preview
A festive clash of two heavyweights of the British game sees the focus on the lower end of the table as the Sheffield Sharks entertain their old rivals the Manchester Giants, both sides hoping for a New Year improvement in the search for play-off places.
The Giants took the spoils in an historic first encounter at Wright Robinson College back in September. A fine shooting display from James Jones (27) and David Watts (20) saw Manchester triumph by 99-87 after Gage Daye (30) and Micah Williams (22), making his debut, had shot the Sharks into an early lead. Both teams have hit rocky times since. The Sharks currently sit in ninth place with a 5-10 record, the Giants one place further back on 5-11.
Change has also been a by-word for both sides as well. The Giants paraded a clear outside shooting threat in their early matches but struggled with their inside game. That changed to a certain extent with the introduction of Ben Eaves to the side at the beginning of November. The Preston-born forward is now pulling in 9.4 boards per game and adding a healthy 10.9 points per game in the Manchester cause. Another reason for Giants optimism is the recent signing of GB international Nick George.
George actually played for the Sharks in pre-season before heading to Lugano in Switzerland. Injury saw him return home for rehabilitation, where he has since hooked up with the Giants. It remains to be seen whether he is fit enough to debut in Sheffield but regardless, his signing is a major coup for Manchester Coach Jeff Jones. The Giants dipped last time out by 67-88 in Newcastle just prior to Christmas. Eaves top-scored with 15, supported by BBL-veterans David Watts (10) and David Aliu (9). A close 85-83 win over Cheshire Phoenix prior to that saw the same triumvirate contribute 20, 19 and 11 points respectively.
The latest in a series of narrow defeats followed Sheffield into the brief Christmas break. A Sam Cricelli field goal saw Surrey Heat take the lead with 29 seconds left as they eked out an 84-82 win much to the Sharks dismay. Sharks Captain Mike Tuck took the plaudits with 20 points and 15 rebounds as Atiba Lyons was again critical of the rest of his team. Since the Sharks first encounter with Manchester in September, BJ Holmes has replaced Gage Daye at the point and Nick Lewis and Demetrius Jemison have been added to the roster and it will be interesting to see how the Giants coaching staff react to these alterations.
This encounter is indeed a vital one.
Both sides have 10 points and crucially need the win to stay in touch London Lions and Cheshire Phoenix, who sit four points in front albeit having played more games. This is the first of two encounters with Manchester, the second of which is a BBL Trophy game to be played in Gorton on the 3rd January.
A further incentive to attend the game has been provided by the Sharks organisation. A family ticket will cost just £10 with individual tickets priced at just £4. To add to the value, matches involving the Junior Sharks at Under 16 and Under 18 level will preceed the main event, which tips off at 4pm. For advance tickets go to www.sharksbasketball.co.uk.
