For the first time in 13 years the B.Braun Sheffield Sharks started the season 2-0 in wins as they defeated the Leicester Riders. The game started in the Sharks favour in the first two quarters as they maintained their lead, but by the end of the third quarter the Riders had caught up and tied the game. However, the Sharks built it back up in the final quarter as they took the win with a 10-point gap.
Captain Fahro Alihodzic took the MVP award tonight as he racked up a total of 25 points, 13 rebounds, 3 turnovers and 2 steals. While Lu’cye Patterson was a contender for the award as he totaled 20 points, 1 rebound, 7 assists and 3 steals and in his debut game back with the Sharks, Donovan Clay collected a total of 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.
The Sharks started off strong in the first quarter as they won the tip-off, Sean Bairstow made a quick pass to Fahro Alihodzic who put up the opening two points (2-0). Maceo Jack made a nice steal from the Riders to bring the ball up court and passed to Adrian Delph who dunked it for another 2-points (12-8). Donvan Clay, in his returning game from injury, put up his first 2-points with a great pass from Lu’cye Patterson (20-16). Dan Gherezgah also returned to the squad tonight and put up a brilliant 3-points in his opening game to end the quarter 30-22. This was the Sharks first time in almost a year where they finished the first quarter with 30 points or over.
Lu’cye Patterson opened up the second quarter as he put up the first 2-points to give the Sharks a 10-point lead (32-22). Adrian Delph pulled the Sharks further away from the Riders as he put up another 3-points for the team (37-25). Maceo Jack found his way around the Riders defence to pass to Fahro Alihodzic who faked and then put up 2 for the team, giving the Sharks their biggest lead of the game of 14-points (39-25). Riders Thomas Hurley missed a shot on the play but Dan Gherezgher got the rebound and put up another 3 points in his debut game (42-36). The Riders closed out the quarter with 2-points to finish the first half 43-41.
A huge third quarter as the Riders opened the scoring to tie up the game but Fahro Alihodzic put the Sharks back in the lead with a great spin and shot off the glass for 2-points (45-43). The Riders managed to tie the game once again but William Lee sank a deep 3 to keep the Sharks ahead (48-45). As a back and forth began between taking the lead and tying up the game, Donovan Clay tied it up to 58-58, after Riders thought they had taken the lead. The Sharks fought to stay in the game and they did as Clay tied it up at the end to finish the quarter 62-62.
Captain Fahro Alihodzic opened up the scoring in the final quarter to put the Sharks back into the lead as he spun and put up 2-points (64-62). Adrian Delph put up another 2 but just missed, thankfully Alihodzic was there for the rebound and put the 2-points in (70-64). Lu’cye Patterson stole the ball from the Riders, passed to Adrian Delph who put it in (74-66). The Sharks managed to pull some fouls on their play with Patterson taking the majority of them and not missing a single one. Fahro Alihodzic rounded out the game, as he went to the free throw line to sink both of his shots to end the game 85-75, as the Sharks spent the last few seconds with a strong defence to keep their 10-point gap.
Speaking with MVP and captain Fahro Alihodzic after the game about the Sharks performance and his own performance, “Our goal was to defend our home court today and it’s all credit to my teammates. I didn’t realise I had 25-points, I’m happy to get those points but our team played really well together today and I’m just really happy we got the win. Most importantly the start of the season 2-0.”
Dan Gherezgher also spoke after the game as it was his debut match, “it felt good, I was excited to come out here and play with the guys and I’m just glad we got the win. I think we stuck together and we’re learning as we go. I think we have a really good team and I hit two shots so I was just happy to see my 3 ball was still there but I think as a team we’ve got a good group of guys.”
The Sharks have two upcoming games for next week, the first on Friday 16th October away in Scotland against the Caledonia Gladiators at the Playsport Arena with a 7:30pm tip-off. They are then back home at the Canon Medical Arena on Sunday 18th October against the Newcastle Eagles with a 4pm tip-off.
By Jessica Downs
