Sheffield’s Lewis puts the squeeze on Cheshire
An understandably cagey affair at the EIS ended in an 80-71 win for the Sheffield Sharks over their nearest playoff rivals, Cheshire Phoenix.
The ‘Nix were buoyed by the return to action of Jerome Gumbs but the Sharks were somewhat downcast by the long term absence of Micah Williams and that of Andrew Bridge, who was suffering from the same bug that had felled Nick Lewis and Colin Sing earlier in the week, but suited up nonetheless.
Starting fives
Sharks: Jemison, Babalola, Lewis, Holmes, Tuck.
Phoenix: Myers, Marks, Gumbs, Bland, Haskins.
The ‘Nix made the early running, the now-recovered Gumbs posting back to back scores to give Cheshire the upper hand at 4-8. Both sides succumbed to sloppy efforts on defense and despite strong attempts by Tuck and Sing for the Sharks, it was scores from Bland, Myers, Haskins and Thomson that sent Cheshire in by 15-20 the end of the first.
The second period followed on in much the same vein. Neither side stamped their authority on the fixture and a technical on Sharks Coach Atiba Lyons for complaining about the leading elbow of Phoenix guard Gabe Haskins almost threw the game Cheshire’s way.
Vital scores from Gumbs and Marks (2 free throws) saw the ‘Nix open up a four point deficit that was only tempered by a BJ Holmes basket at the half. A somewhat scrappy affair at half time with Marks, Haskins and Gumbs all compiling 8 points but usurped by Sharks forward Demetrius Jemison, who registered 13 by half time.
The third period was when the game came to life. The stealthy Demetrius Jemison levelled proceedings at 35 all and the rest of the game became about the stunning efforts of GB-qualified Point Guard Nick Lewis. A triple off a Mike Tuck assist finally put the Sharks in front and the Sharks skipper weighed in with several points and assists of his own to open up a seven point margin for the homesters. Lewis nailed another triple with exactly four to play in the quarter and despite Myers and Gumbs fighting back with big scores of their own, it was the Sharks who went into the final ten six points to the good at 57-51.
Lewis announced his presence with a fine three pointer from the corner just fifteen seconds into the final stanza and further baskets from Holmes and Tuck saw the Sharks take a 64-53 lead with 7.52 to play. Lewis nailed a ‘plus one’ play with 7.13 remaining and despite the efforts of Stuart Thomson, Chez Marks and Gabe Haskins, a ten to fifteen point margin was maintained throughout the last four minutes of the tie. Cheshire closed to within 10 points in the dying seconds but were comprehensively beaten in an exciting second twenty minutes of basketball from a Sheffield side that reverted to the team ethics of their earlier more impressive displays.
Sharks veteran Andrew Bridge confirmed that whilst he suited up, he was expected to play no part in the game unless absolutely necessary due to a violent sickness bug that had felled teammates Nick Lewis and Colin Sing earlier in the week.
Sheffield MVP, Nick Lewis, reflected on a vital win for his side: “It was a very important win and we needed that for a playoff spot,” began the Sheffield Hallam student.
When asked what made the difference in the second twenty minutes, Lewis harked back to the words of his playcaller: “Coach Atiba emphasised about our rotations on defense and the need to go and do what we do best.”
When it came to his own performance, Lewis explained: “I was real confident shooting the ball and my team mates got me open quite a few times. I started for the first time and hopefully I stepped up my game.”
Few would disagree that Lewis was the catalyst to a comprehensive Sharks win, albeit after a tense first twenty minutes.
Play of the Game
Just fifteen seconds into the final period, the Sharks worked the ball around the perimeter with speed. The final pass saw old hand Olu Babalola find nineteen year old Nick Lewis open in the corner, who dropped the three with consummate ease. Phoenix down by nine and there was a defined deflation by the Cheshire side there and then. A season defining bucket by anyone’s standards.
Game MVP
A first game start and a first MVP award for GB-qualified point guard Nick Lewis. Whilst the BBL Trophy-inspired playmaker BJ Holmes has become something of a marked man since that fateful day in Glasgow, an inspired move by Sharks Coach Atiba Lyons shunted the young North American into the focal role and to great effect. A scrappy first twenty minutes against Cheshire was largely to forget but Lewis stepped up to the mark with great effect in the third and fourth to steer his side to a vital win. If GB U-20’s have funding they should look no further than this young man. 18 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds and 1 steal should be ample evidence that Nick is the real deal.
Next Up
London Lions at One Health Sharks Sheffield, Saturday 16th March 2013, 4pm, EIS Sheffield – Blue Hall.
Surrey Heat at Cheshire Phoenix, Sunday 17th March 2013, 5.30pm, Northgate Arena.
(Image: mphotography.org.uk)
