Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s David Bell

Super League Basketball Championship

Cheshire Phoenix 90 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 87

It will come as no consolation to the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks but they were edged out in possibly the game of the SLB season so far. Laquincy Rideau’s buzzer-beating three point shot saw victory go to the home town Cheshire Phoenix in a contest that swung this way and that with some scintillating basketball. The Sharks had held an eight point lead moving into the final two and a half minutes of the game but saw Cheshire fight back to level the game through Tobias Cameron before Rideau’s match winner. William Lee’s double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds caught the eye for the Sharks but it was in vain as the ‘Nix claimed victory by 90-87.

The game had the makings of a classic right from the off. Rideau’s opening triple was immediately cancelled out by the Sharks’ Dirk Williams as the sides traded to an 11-11 scoreline after five minutes play. Rodney Chatman found success from deep on Nick Kern’s kickout but the momentum swung back Cheshire’s way as Frankie Policelli’s arc-ing effort made the score 19-16. Matthew Zona followed suit for the ‘Nix but a long Rodney Glasgow two from the corner and a pair of Damiri Lindo free throws closed a thrilling 26-20 first quarter.

The sides couldn’t be separated by half time. Jordan Ratinho chipped away with four points at the start of the second period and a William Lee three on the angle put the Sharks back up by 28-29. The end to end nature continued as Phoenix skipper Skyler White put his side back ahead at 38-35, tempered immediately by Prentiss Nixon levelling with a dagger three. Cheshire trod a fine line as fouls mounted but as Michael Diggins gave them a 45-43 lead, the half was brought to a conclusion by a Chatman shot off the glass with the teams inseparable at 45-45.

The hosts came out on fire at the start of the second half. Five successful makes from distance ended with a Diggins corner trey and an eleven point lead at 60-49. White added a sixth but the Sharks fought back with a 0-14 run of their own. Chatman’s three in transition was followed by six Prentiss Nixon points as Lee bookended the run to put the Sharks back ahead by 64-67. A technical foul call on Cheshire Coach Ben Thomas saw the Sharks back on the line to finish a fascinating ten minute spell in front by 66-69.

The first five minutes of the final stanza saw the lead go back and forth with the athletic Diggins tying up the game at 77-77. The Sharks finally seized the initiative. Jalen DeLoach’s triple was swiftly followed by a William Lee effort and with DeLoach completing a putback at 79-87, hopes were high that the South Yorkshire side could hold on the final 2.24 minutes. Back came Cheshire – White’s three was followed by a Diggins’ dunk on the fast break and when Cameron came up with an and-one with 30 seconds remaining, the scores were tied at 87-87. A shot clock violation on the Sharks part gave Cheshire chance to win the game. Rideau appeared to push off Nick Kern but his arc-ing three sailed through the net as the buzzer sounded to give his side a three point victory.

Cheshire cleaned up the offensive glass by 16 rebounds to 7 and this was possibly one of the few areas that gave them the win in a game of very fine margins. Dirk Williams rallied late in the game to finish with 15 points and there was a similar return for Rodney Chatman, who was 2 of 3 from beyond the arc in a solid display. Prentiss Nixon led all scorers for his 18 point, 4 rebound, 5 assist, 1 steal evening that saw him shoot 71% inside but the Sharks MVP for the evening was William Lee. He produced the first Sheffield double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds, missing only 3 shots all evening and seeing the Sharks to positive one while ever he was on court.

The Sharks must wait a fortnight for revenge as their next game takes place once again at Cheshire on Sunday 26th October with a 5.30pm tip off time.