Sheffield Sharks v Barrow Thorns
February 27th 2009 – 13:00
All Saints
Sheffield Sharks28 2015 0467
Barrow Thorns 5 1319 0744
The Sharks started their first playoff game with one of their best first quarter starts. With Henryk Krajnieski taking the tip off and Wesley Skaines made quick work of it with a layup off a fast break to take the first basket followed by a quick 3 pointer from Dennis Kaka and a tap in from Henryk for 9 unanswered points. After 10 minutes of some excellent defensive work with an effective full court press, including a number of steals from Lemar Darien-Campbell, Marcus Welsh, and Wesley, the Sharks racked up 28 points to 5 points from the Thorns who were struggling to get things going. Included in the 28 points were 3 additional three pointers on top of Dennis’s from Henryk, Wesley, and Dale Stennett
Dale started the quarter straight away with a quick score assisted by Tommy Price. Josh Edwards came on in the second quarter on fire and made easy work to take down 5 points and taking a rebound as well as an assist to Dale who scored another three pointer. Dale had one of his best quarters dropping an additional basket totalling 7 points for the ten minutes of play. Lemar continued on with the pressure defence taking another steal resulting in two points complimented by Connor Dixon’s rebounding drawing a foul for another point. Rounding off the quarter were Dennis and Wesley each dropping baskets to end the half at 48 for the Sharks and 18 for the Thorns.
The third quarter play began with the Sharks struggling to find the basket and Barrow finding some life. However there were some highlights with Eddie Brownell providing a great assist to Dale for an inside drive to the basket for two points and Lemar continuing his steals and converting for another 2 points. Daniel Jenkinson came on the court helping under the basket for a key rebound and Tyler Gayle took the court for a valuable assist to Josh who dropped another basket. Lemar, Henryk, and Tyler kept the Shark’s presence know each drawing fouls under the basket which Lemar was able to convert for another 2 points and Henryk 1 point. With the gas turned off a bit and baskets not dropping as usual the Sharks were still in command to end the quarter at Sharks 63 and Thorns 37.
The fourth quarter turned into a battle to see who could miss the most baskets with the Sharks just edging out the Thorns in this category. On the positive side there were a number of great blocks by Henryk, Dale, Wesley, and Marcus keeping the Thorns to only 7 points on the quarter. Additionally, Henryk made sure that he owned the rebounding holding the Thorns to few baskets earned from rebounds. Dale and Lemar managed to pull down a basket each to bring the game to a comfortable win for the Sharks at 67 to 44 for the Thorns.
Stats: Dale Stennett (14pts,6rbd, 2assist, 3steals,4blocks), Wesley Skaines (11pts,1rbd,4assist,2steals,1block), Lemar Darien-Campbell (9pts,7rbd,2assist,9steals), Josh Edwards (9pts,1rbd), Marcus Welsh (8pts 4rbd, 1steal,1block), Dennis Kaka (7pts,1rbd,3assist,2steals), Henryk Krajniewski (6pts, 10rbd, 2steal, 1assist, 3blocks ), Connor Dixon (3pts,4rbd,1block), Tommy Price (3assist,2rbd), Tyler Gayle (1rbd,1assist,1steal), Eddie Brownell (2assist), Daniel Jenkinson (1rbd).
