The future's so bright...

U14 Junior Sharks vs Doncaster Danum Eagles

Away - Doncaster Danum College

8th November 2009

Tip Off 12.00 noon

1 2 3 4 Final

Sharks26 3020 23 99

Danum 9 3 8 12 32

The first thing to mention before this game was the reason why George Darling and Michael Carnall were absent from last week’s game. They had travelled up to Newcastle with the U15s as they only have a small squad. As it turned out two U15s got fouled out and they were called on to hold the game. If another had got fouled out then the game would have been forfeited. As it was, the Sharks won, a great example of how the Club pulls together when needed and a big thanks must go out to these two.

Back to the action and although Danum U18s had beaten the Sharks’ U18s by one point the day before there were was the fact that the Shark’s U14s were now in their third season and were playing against a team who were playing their first match of their first season, a bit of an indicator of things to come.

True to the script Marcus got the Sharks on the scoresheet and Josh joined forces and started racking up some points. Kenneth was also collecting good rebounds and finding the basket. Doncaster seemed to be out of sorts and their only response against the Sharks was to give away fouls and also get the odd basket here and there. George Darling contributed a point from the free throw line and then a basket and at 26-6 up the Sharks were away. A great trey from the Danum number 8 added three to their final quarter total. The only downside was that Eddy had picked up an injury that meant he couldn’t continue with his great form of last week.

The end of the first quarter had seen the introduction of Connor Dixon who was carrying an injury. He was on again in the second quarter and Doncaster were leaving far too much room in the middle, give Connor that option and he won’t say no. In the short spell that he was on, before having to retire with his injury, he was the quarter’s top scorer with a powerful 10. But it was a great team performance that the Sharks were now giving, Marko and Kenneth were using their height with Marko bagging 8 and Conor D’Souza Kelly was on the scoresheet showing his ever improving abilities. David following on from last week and managed a couple of baskets alongside Marcus who was showing consistent hard work. The squad was rotated well and Montell and Michael were also pinning Doncaster down. A trey from Doncaster in the 4th minute was as close as they got to the Shark’s bucket. A 30-3 quarter showed why they are one of the Country’s best.

The third quarter finally showed Doncaster that time is on their side. At last they started to be more like a team and some of their plays started to look promising. Unfortunately they were playing the Sharks and Marko and Josh dominated. Marcus was still adding his contributions and Kenneth got his regulation quarter basket.

The final quarter belonged to Marcus; those that know him also know that if he’s relaxed and enjoying the game he’ll perform. He showed of his repertoire with steals, turnovers fast breaks, good lay ups and 14 points. Again however it was not all about individuals as the team still played well and Michael got a another free throw as reward for his hard work, and the forwards Marko and Kenneth kept chipping in.

To conclude what this shows is that amazingly the Sharks are getting better. Some players that may have been considered bench players last season are now getting good court time and playing well. Although the margin of the victory may imply that the Sharks went all out, this was not the case. It was just quality in depth that they are now showing.

We do like to put the emphasis on the team but this week there has to be a special mention to one player. This is Kenneth Nwose. For those that have followed his progress to see him collecting both defensive and offensive rebounds AND adding racking up quite a substantial score is both a testament and reward to both Kenneth and the Sharks’ coaches. With this kind of improvement to the squad, as the song says I gotta wear shades.

Team and scorers

Marcus Welsh (29), Marko Backovic (20), Josh Edwards (15), Connor Dixon (12), Kenneth Nwose (10), David Frost (4), George Darling (3), Connor D’Souza-Kelly (3), Tyler Gayle (2), Michael Carnall (2), Montell Gordon, Eddy Brownell (retired injured)