Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s David Bell
The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks couldn’t break their duck against Surrey 89ers, going down by 18 points to their Guildford-based hosts. The game was very much in the balance at the half way stage with Surrey taking a 46-40 lead. The Niners edged away in the third period and as shots failed to drop for the Sharks, raced on to the 95-77 victory. Surrey are now 3-0 over the Sharks in the league campaign, moving to a 11-13 record in sixth place while the Sharks hold on to fourth spot on 12-11. The Sharks must now wait eleven days before their next fixture, a midweek trip to league leaders London Lions.
Ronald Polite’s three point jump shot commenced proceedings answered by Fahro Alihodzic’s tip in. Nick Kern’s triple from the wing levelled matters and despite Surrey going ahead once again, Dirk Williams’ mid-ranger hauled the score back to 10-7. An off-balance two pointer from Prentiss Nixon sent the Sharks into a 10-12 lead, reinforced by Rodney Glasgow’s jumper from the elbow. Surrey’s shooting was exemplary all evening; Nedas Cholevinskas and Kino Lily Jr both hitting the mark from distance. Jordan Ratinho’s triple put the Sharks into a 20-24 advantage but a Tyrin Lawrence dunk kept things tight for the second period.
Niners’ prodigy Cholevinskas commenced the second quarter with yet another triplebut the Sharks remained in front at 25-28 through Nixon and Glasgow’s baskets. That didn’t last long as Tyrin Lawrence and Isiah Small showed pinpoint accuracy from downtown. Four points from Fahro Alihodzic showed his veteran smarts but eight from Lily and another three from floor general Ronald Polite opened up a slight gap at 46-40 as the teams headed for the locker rooms.
Alihodzic showed he had the stomach for the fight with an early layup and it was he who ensured the Sharks stayed in touch with a tip in at 51-47. A pair of Small dunks saw the difference become ten at 57-47 and that extended to seventeen as Lily drove to the hoop at 68-51. Prentiss Nixon drew fouls that saw him make four points from the line, drain another trey and close the quarter from the stripe with the score at 69-61.
A 26-16 final stanza saw Surrey on to a win in front of their home crowd. Lily’s fourth and fifth triples of the evening could only be tempered by one from Rodney Chatman III as the Niners kept daylight between themselves and the Sharks at 79-64. Cholevinskas compounded matters from deep and forward Isiah Small also found success to make it 85-68. The game was virtually over as a contest when Polite also made his fifth three pointer of the night and despite three late points for Nick Kern Jr, it was Surrey who came out deserving 95-77 winners.
Three Sharks made ten point scores. Nick Kern added 4 boards and 4 assists to his haul and there were 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block in William Lee’s display for the night. Dirk Williams added 12 in some aerial finishes and Prentiss Nixon top-scored for the Sharks with 16 made at a rate of 62%. On a tough night for the Sharks, the veteran nouse of Fahro Alihodzic caught the eye. Some old school big finishes saw him make 5 of 7 of his attempts for 10 points as well as claiming 12 rebounds, 7 of which were offensive, for an index of 19. The one thing that eluded him on the night was a victory for his side.
The Sharks tackle league leaders London Lions on Wednesday 25th March in their next fixture.
Image: Adam Bates
