Spirit and Team Play

Sureshot Cup

Sheffield Junior Sharks V City of Birmingham II

Dame Elizabeth Cadbury School, Birmingham

3.15 pm Sunday, October 25th 2009

1 2 3 4Final

Sharks:25262421 96

Brum II: 8 9 611 34

This game was so much a welcome contrast to the previous day’s game against Stockport that this reporter quickly changed to completing this report first. Not without a few individual tensions, the game was enjoyed by both the home-side and Sharks supporters. City of Birmingham I’s coach, Kirk Dawes attended with some of his players to scout the game in readiness for their first encounter with the Sharks in December.

There were four quarters with point-hauls of over twenty when in their turn Birmingham only once broke into single figures. This indicates the dominance within the match. Sharks would do well, however, not to over-estimate the win as this was Birmingham’s ‘other’ team. Trying to be even-handed, Birmingham’s second team showed no lack of energy, application and hustle that means so much in this game. Team toughness was also evident in their profile and it was largely poor finishing that kept their score low. The Brummies (not being rude, for I am one) should take much heart from the game.

The first quarter was book-ended with three-pointers from John Stewart who refreshed his three-point shooting accuracy. Soon all starters had reached the score-sheet in a crisp display on basketball that showed concentration and speed. Jim Rose made a welcome return with four for the quarter and nineteen for the game with some outstanding fast-breaks. Ben featured too in what was going to turn out for him an excellent game, probably the best of the season, with a triple double. Assists and much closer marking of opponents featured strongly and was good evidence that the lessons from the day before had been learnt. There was a lovely Joseph float to basket, a through-and-in from Ben, sober play by Conor, and some effective blocks from John and Joseph. Smiles then: Sheffield Junior Sharks 25, Birmingham City II 8.

The second stanza began with a John steal and transfer to the hoop, followed by a third three-pointer. Jim continued his harvesting and took the ball to basket. Once Birmingham had committed themselves to defensive moves Jim then patiently took the basket. Joseph mad a lovely blind pass to Dave Price before Dave was fouled. Dave then took one point from the stripe. Joseph, Ben and Jim made much of launching fast-break offenses to really good effect. John was allowed a welcome rest and Louis Francis-Edge made a positive impact took the first two of his nine points from the game. Ben gave what was the most generous and gracious assists of the game and the season helping Louis into the game. Soon Louis scored back-to-back. John went to the free-throw line again in what turned out to be eleven visits Joseph maintained the bass with oh-so-solid rebounding and feeding the ball out. Dave took a basket with a lovely reverse-hook before Ben sealed the half on fifty one points. The half comfortably settled on Sheffield Junior Sharks 51 points, City of Birmingham II 17 points.

The third quarter opened with John with a controlled stop and in with the ball. Conor quickly followed with a full length of the court assault on the Birmingham basket. John visited the free-throw line again for two points and then in a torrid patch of play Jim took nine consecutive points. Joseph punctuated a basket before Jim took yet another. This quarter saw some of the tough determination of the Birmingham team spill out into annoyance. It was great to see the management of players by what are clearly gifted coaches who know their players. Sharks players largely responded magnificently, and Vonn Tapiz revealed tremendous stature in not being dictated to by Birmingham’s number fifteen (Shaw). Soon Vonn earned a basket too. Joseph gave an amazing overhead slooping pass to John that resulted in another foul and John was at the free-throw line again and a point for the trouble. The quarter ended with Sheffield Sharks on 75 points, City of Birmingham II on 23 points.

Teams can sometimes give up the will to play when the flow of the game is so much against them. Not so Birmingham and the score did not reflect their efforts or self-belief. Their Mathews, Grice, Mahon and Number eight (Abdeinari?) showed grit, skill and courage. John again opened the scoring, but Birmingham came back in their most effective quarter of the game. Ben reasserted for the Sharks after four points from Birmingham needed an answer with a welcome three-pointer. Jim came back into the mix Joseph shot some free throws. Ben took up the lion’s share of the work with some help from Joseph (where he displayed his dunking ability) and Jim before the game was closed with an important rebound by Oliver Bourne and a three-pointer from Louis, taking the score to ninety six points. Sheffield Junior Sharks 96 points, City of Birmingham II 34 points. Big individual statistics should not mask the fact that this was a truly team effort and this was not first team opposition.

Thanks go to coaches Nagle and Fearnley, travelling supporters, and Henry and Nicky Cepulis for the statistics. Thanks to the team for the warm-glow of a win for the return trip up the motorway.

Next Cup Game: Sheffield Junior Sharks are now scheduled to meet Manchester Magic at home on November 15th 2009. One of the quirks of the game is that these two powerful clubs should needlessly meet so early in the competition.

Personal Stats combining official score sheet with hand-taken stats: John Stewart 31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks. Ben Cepulis: 21 points, 3 rebounds, 14 assists, 10 steals. Jim Rose: 19 points, 2 rebounds, four assists, 4 steals. Louis Francis-Edge: 9 points, 2 steals. Joseph Baugh: 8 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks. Dave Price: 3 points, 8 rebounds. Conor Faulkner: 3 points, 2 assists, 2 steals. Vonn Tapiz: 2 points, 1 steal. Oliver Bourne: 1 rebound.