Mid-table Sharks still looking behind them
BBL Championship Preview
Friday 9th March 2012 – OH Sharks Sheffield v Mersey Tigers
Saturday 10th March 2012 – UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders v OH Sharks Sheffield
Sheffield Sharks follow up a tough double-header road trip weekend with yet another tough double-header in store. Atiba Lyons will be looking for a complete change of fortune with the Sharks succumbing to defeat in both matches against Mersey Tigers and Leicester Riders.
The Tigers are the visitors to the EISS on Friday night fresh from their 79-71 win last weekend. Recent signings Marlin Capers (22 points) and Antonio Bustamante (19) excelled in Knowsley as Tony Garbelotto plotted revenge on the Sharks for defeat in two early-season Trophy matches. Mersey are vastly changed from those two early defeats and the return of Captain David Aliu has provided a timely boost as they look to climb into the playoff frame. They currently sit in tenth with a 6-14 record but appear to have momentum as the season reaches its climax. The two sides will be sick of the sight of each other as the Tigers return to Sheffield in two weeks’ time and it will be interesting to see who owns the series by then.
Saturday sees the Sharks take the long trip to the Pavilions in Plymouth to visit a high-performing former colleague. Big Centre Paul Williams is currently on fire for the Devonians posting huge double-doubles in last weekend’s fixtures. Williams managed 19 points and 19 rebounds in last Friday’s significant 85-76 win over leaders Newcastle and followed that up with 20-20 as the Raiders North-East odyssey continued with a 92-70 win over Durham. Their current fourth position leaves them intriguingly placed with 12 games left. Of course the Sharks must also be wary of the threat posed by current BBL Player of the Year, Jeremy Bell who is averaging 19.3ppg as well as the considerable talents of Lehmon Colbert and James Jones.
Mike Tuck continues to come up with the big numbers for the Sharks. Twenty three points and nine rebounds in the defeat at Mersey was followed up by twenty one points and eleven rebounds as the Sharks dipped once again by 97-86 in Leicester. Tuck’s presence at both ends of the court is a key to Sheffield’s game, allowing Ryan Patton and Jimmy Langhurst the freedom to unleash their shooting ability. Patton produced a team high 23 points on Saturday although it was something of a quieter weekend for Langhurst with 19 and 11 respectively. Their electric shooting enlivened the crowd last time out at the EISS and at least one weekend win will be crucial to maintain the push for a playoff berth. Mersey’s highly-respected Coach Tony Garbelotto and Plymouth’s high-flying Gavin Love will have done their homework and another testing weekend lies in store for the Sharks Atiba Lyons.
Who will rise to the top of the class? Find out as both games tip-off at 7.30pm.
