Sheffield Sharks v Newcastle Eagles

1st November, 12.30pm

Tyne Metropolitan College

Newcastle Eagles 10 24 23 19 76

Sheffield Sharks 18 24 18 19 79

Another tough game for the newly- formed U15 side against Newcastle Eagles. With only 7 boys on the bench - two playing up from the U13 & U14 squad - they knew they had to play hard from the start against Newcastle who played their 12- strong team.

The end of the first quarter saw Sheffield 8 points up with the starting five showing that they have the makings of a strong team: Dennis Kaka and Wesley Skaines quickly put two points on the Sheffield score free shots, followed by another 6 points in the 4th minute by Lemar Darien-Campell along with a superb 3 pointer by Dennis. The team were certainly showing their potential as Dennis javelin-passed the ball to Tommy Price twice within the 9th minute adding a further 4 points, ending with Lemar scoring 2 more points, leaving Sheffield with a credible 8 point lead over a formidable Newcastle side.

The second quarter saw the Sharks keep their lead as Newcastle stepped up their game, and with Dale Stennet, one of the starting five, sat on the bench, George Darling and Michael played exceptionally well to keep the 8 point lead for the Sharks. By half-time the score was 42 – 34 to the Sharks.

At half time, with Dale Stennet still on the bench on four fouls, the game was going to get really tough – and it did. Newcastle narrowed the gap to 3 points by the end of the third quarter with Newcastle’s G Shoit putting 10 points onto their board; it was apparent that our small squad were tiring, with Kaka, Price, Skaines and Darien-Campbell being on court with very little rest from the onset of the game. It now became a game of sheer determination, and George Darling (U13), although the youngest member of our away squad, putting 2 points on the board for the Sharks. In this quarter it became a nail-biting experience for the team’s supporters.

In the final quarter, with Dale Stennet on again, the Sharks were hoping to increase the lead they had at half time, but the Newcastle side kept up the pressure and in the 4th minute they took a one point lead (60:61). However, this was short-lived when Dennis Kaka made some spectacular drives to the basket and the only way Newcastle could stop him was through fouling him, but from his free-throws he amassed nine points, Wesley Skaines also put 2 points on the scoreboard from 2 free throws and Lemar 1 point. With both Dale and Lemar on the bench, Michael and George played a truly fantastic game, making sure they played hard to ensure an U15 victory for the Sharks. However, the 3 point margin remained with the boys tiring as Tommy, Wesley and Dennis had played almost non-stop. A hard game against a large Newcastle bench. A well deserved victory.

Game statistics: Dennis 38pts 5Reb 2Ass, Wesley 11Pts 3Reb 3Ass, Lemar 18Pts 7Reb, Tommy 6Pts 5Reb, Dale 4Pts 2Reb, George 2Pts, Michael.