Heat take points away from EIS
BBL Championship – Friday 13th January 2012
One Health Sharks Sheffield 78 Guildford Heat 80
Thirteen was to prove unlucky for Sheffield Sharks as Guildford Heat sent them to a dramatic late defeat on home territory at the English Institute of Sport on Friday evening.
The Sharks were again limited in numbers. Justin Dobbins and Jimmy Langhurst were at least present but unavailable due to continuing injury problems and Visa issues respectively. Captain Adrian Anderson was again suited but unlikely to take part leaving Sharks Coach Atiba Lyons short on the rotation. Despite this, it was the Sharks who began the brighter. Zac Gachette posted six early points to put Sharks into the ascendancy.
Guildford have displayed more mettle of late and it was evident that Coach Raftopoulos rallied his players to play a ‘physical’ ball game. Julius Joseph and Shaun Durant stamped their presence on the game as the Heat rallied to close the difference to just three points by the end of the quarter.
Gachette continued his impressive start early in the second but soon hit foul trouble and was withdrawn. Nate Reinking took over his mantle, with one particularly mesmerising dummy, but soon found himself closely guarded by Margai as Raftopoulos’ plan again kicked into action. Impressive three pointers from Joseph again rallied Guildford and at 43-41 at the half it was anybodies ball game.
The third period saw a complete change in fortune as a 13-3 run from the Heat gave them the upper hand; Martin, McLemore and Lasker particularly pulling the strings. The physical side of the game reared its ugly head on several occasions. Olu Babalola battled on manfully despite taking some fearful blows and Coach Lyons left himself on the brink, attempting to redress the balance. A three point ball game in Guildford’s favour at the close of the third still reflected the tight nature of the contest.
The two sides traded blows throughout the fourth, sometimes almost literally but it was the visitors who found themselves 76-74 up with 90 seconds to play. Two from the line by Mike Tuck tied the game as the impressive Lasker then restored Guildford’s advantage. A further two from the line from Reinking once again brought scores level.
Sheffield hearts were broken as Lasker posted another two (actually a three but missed on an indifferent night for the officials) with just four seconds left to play. Reinking could only find the rim with the final play of the game and it was Creon Raftopoulos who was left to reflect on a game plan that was well executed by his Heat team. Atiba Lyons was clearly angered by the loss and will hope that he can rally and take a full strength side up to runaway leaders Newcastle next weekend
