Sharks prepare for back to back road games
BBL Championship Preview
Friday 2nd March 2012 – Mersey Tigers v OH Sharks Sheffield
Saturday 3rd March 2012 – Leicester Riders v OH Sharks Sheffield
A six year old basketball prodigy? Not too many BBL clubs can boast such a thing except Sheffield Sharks, whose free-scoring Guard Jimmy Langhurst celebrated his birthday on 29th February this week. The celebrations capped a fine week for Langhurst following the first double double of his career in the 110-87 demolition of the Milton Keynes Lions last Friday. Stats of 34 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists contributed in no small way to a thrilling Sharks performance, which saw 72 points drop through the hoop in the second half alone.
A double-header road trip weekend awaits Sheffield as they continue their drive to a playoff position. Friday sees the journey over the Pennines to Knowsley where the Sharks take on Mersey Tigers. Tony Garbelotto’s men currently lie in tenth position after an immensely trying season so far. Two wins in the last three have buoyed the Tigers as they look to overhaul Cheshire and Guildford just ahead of them for the end of season action. Recent roster changes look to be paying off; Sam Crielli’s 15 points 15 rebounds in last week’s 79-68 win over Durham being a point of note. Messrs Hesson and Bailey have been shining lights for the Tigers this season but it is Captain David Aliu whom Coach Garbelotto is hoping will soon have recovered from a fractured ankle to lead Mersey’s playoff push.
Saturday sees the Sharks take the short journey down the M1 to take on high-flying Leicester Riders. A 79-89 defeat by Glasgow Rocks ended a four game winning streak by the Riders last week but games in hand mean Leicester still have everything to play for. The Riders have put up big numbers this season with Cameron Rundles (18.3 ppg), Bradd Wierzbicki (17.2 ppg) and Ayron Hardy (15.6 ppg) being the main instigators. GB skipper Drew Sullivan missed last week’s game with a back injury but animated Coach Rob Paternostro will hope to have ‘Sulli’ firing on all cylinders for the run-in.
The Sharks will be hoping to continue the resurgence in form that has coincided with the return of Ryan Patton to the club. Whilst Patton hasn’t put up the big numbers, his controlling influence on the side has been marked and has allowed the likes of Langhurst and Gachette to come to the fore. The form of Gachette has been particularly pleasing. A joint MVP with Langhurst last Friday, his 24 points personal were reward for an improved shooting performance that complements undoubted ability on the break. The Sharks remain thin on the rotation but Coach Atiba Lyons will be hoping that a repeat of the electric play that had the EISS on its feet last week will continue the drive to secure a playoff berth.
Tip-off is 7.30 for both games.
