Sharks & Giants Steal Week 7 Headlines

The Wolves went into Friday’s live BBL TV game in first place, but despite a game-high 25 points from Will Creekmore, they were no match for the Sharks, who won their fifth championship game in a row behind 18 points from BJ Holmes.

“I knew we needed a good start and I felt we did that,” said Sharks’ coach Atiba Lyons. I definitely felt we came out with the right energy and right intensity for the occasion.”

Lyons was disappointed with some of the effort in the first half, but was delighted with the improvement after the break, as Sheffield held Worcester to just six points in the third quarter.

“I didn’t feel we did a good job rebounding, I thought we pretty poor, and defensively we had some lapses,” he said of the opening twenty minutes.

“Half-time was about making some adjustments [on defence] to improve our rebounding and the guys executed.”

Lyons added, “Everyone’s happy with the team’s start and there’s a great energy around the team, so I couldn’t ask for more than that.”

Sole possession of first place lasted just twenty-four hours as on Saturday the Leicester Riders pulled level after their 82-71 win over Cheshire Phoenix, thanks in part to Rashad Hassan’s 20 points.

Worcester got back to winning ways on Sunday with a 92-77 victory away at Glasgow Rocks.

Will Creekmore and Andreas Schreiber both had 21 points apiece as the Wolves outscored their hosts 30-14 in the final quarter.

Esh Group Eagles Newcastle kept up the pressure on the leading teams thanks to their 115-71 win at Surrey United on Sunday, Scott Martin recording a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds.

It was almost an identical score-line in Durham as the Wildcats beat Birmingham Knights, 115-69.

Devin Ginty led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Wildcats ended a three-game losing streak.

London Lions enjoyable back-to-back victories on the road at the weekend, to pull with two points of first place.

Adrien Sturt was the key man on Saturday in Birmingham as he netted 29 points and pulled down 19 rebounds in a 94-69 victory.

It was a closer game at Cheshire Phoenix on Sunday, but with Nick Freer scoring 20 points and Ben Smith recording a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, the Lions were able to hold on for an 86-76 victory.

The final BBL Championship game of the weekend saw a big comeback as Manchester Giants erased a 16-point deficit to record a 107-99 win over the in-form Plymouth University Raiders.

Giants’ David Aliu and Stefan Gill once again led the way with 25 and 23 points respectively, but it was James Jones and David Watts who stole the show.

Jones had an incredible double-double of 20 points and 17 assists, while Watts had a perfect shooting night for his 20 points.

In the weekend’s only BBL Cup fixture, Plymouth University Raiders were able to book their place in the semi-finals thanks to their 91-57 win at Surrey United on Friday, Matthew Pressey leading all scorers with 15 points.

Story – BBL