Second Convincing Win of the Weekend

Sheffield Junior Sharks V Stockport Falcons I

All Saints Roman Catholic High School (Goals)

4.15 pm, Sunday, January 24th 2010

1 2 3 4Final

Sharks: 41181925103

Stockport:15 736 6 64

The lost game (away) against Stockport on October 24th 2010 was when the team was missing the head coach and two of the starting-five. The idiosyncrasies of that game and the two point defeat in overtime now need to be seen in the context of this game and its result. This game was fun. This was a contest where more superior passing than of late, crampon-like grip for the duration with a will, tremendous defense, and a range of players able to make telling scores made this a good game to watch. Given that it came after a fast game in Sefton the day before was all the more pleasing. A slamming first quarter of forty one points by the Sharks set the visitors clear about a few things, but not to be silenced they responded after half-time with their own thirty six point haul in the third quarter. A seven minute absence of scoring by Stockport in the fourth, after a Sharks ‘screw-down’ allowing them only four points ensured that the there was little chance of a final turnover, - but then the score advantage to Sharks was almost impregnable anyway.

The first quarter was a fast and furious affair. Ben Cepulis took a mighty nineteen points (including five threes!) which set many back on their heels, and Jim Rose took eleven points. Both used three-point shots from their armoury, and Ben’s were as ‘instructive’ as two years ago in the Semi Final of the Final Fours at U16. Ten assists in the quarter from Joseph Baugh (6) and John Stewart (4) show just how much the forty one points came from a team effort. Adding to their assists, John (9) and Joseph (2) spooned into the basket just like another. Mykel Moodie maintained his record of tough defense, taking a charge along the way. Baskets were not easily conceded and all players had to hustle and work through players. Sheffield Sharks 41 points, Stockport Falcons I 15 points.

The second stanza saw fewer points but also saw the Sharks’ insistent purpose. After the briefest rest at the end of the first John returned and went straight to basket for two points. Ben lowering his sights busied away in this quarter without recourse to baskets from beyond the arc; still he took seven points. In this quarter there was some excellent passing of the ball without the reflex to through the ball up at the net from afar. Jim took a basket and made way for Vonn Tapiz to enter the game on rotation and before long he had sunk four points. He then made way for Behre Tesfayohannes who muscled for the rebounds. Sharks maintained excellent defense typified by a strong tractor box-out by John to snatch a rebound safely in what appeared to be a new swinging style. There was a minor wobble at a point when a player was stripped and things settled well again. Mykel was fouled and he happily went to the line and took a point. Dave Price entered the game and took an excellent basket that closed the half with all Sharks supporters delighted and without a grain of anxiety. A Thirty seven point lead does that for you. Sheffield Junior Sharks 59 points, Stockport Falcons I 22 points.

Rather than quitting the hall for the team talk away from the ears of others the team stayed in the hall. The feeling from the coaches and team was one of being in control and of relaxation whilst it could be taken. It looked like Stockport had had the stiffening team-talk in the interval and rather than accepting the size of the Sheffield lead, they made an assault on it and took thirty six points to Sheffield’s nineteen. The half opened with a couple of miss-throws from the Sharks. It was nearly a minute later and after six points bagged by Stockport that Joseph commanded a put-back and that John lanced a three-pointer and a two. Jim took a free point and a basket helped by Joseph the top assister of the day. John was asked to the line for two despite his concerns that he was being slapped enough without reward, took them and then took a two. Stockport pressured and began their nineteen points in four minutes opening this up with a three. John responded in similar fashion taking his quarter to twelve points. Louis Francis edge was the only player then to score against the Stockport flow on an assist from Ben. With Sharks flashing two air balls in the dying seconds of the half it was great to see a massive buzzer-beater three from Joseph that did the business, but sadly disallowed. Sheffield Junior Sharks 78 points, Stockport Falcons I 58 points.

There was an adjustment to be made after the Stockport third quarter and Sharks made it with an unbroken eighteen points tear and daunting defense that allowed only six points to get past them. It took a spectator to question whether Stockport had scored at the seventh minute to then break the spell and then see Stockport shoot and take a three point shot. Mykel picked up the response with a two, and Dave placed a free-throw point. At ninety nine points to sixty two the question was not if the hundred would be breached but which player would do it. It fell to John to have the pleasure and the bill for doughnuts. Soon after John was taken off as was Joseph and Louis and Oliver Bourne entered the game. Despite efforts to get all players on the score sheet this did not happen and Vonn sealed the game, with cheers, for Sharks with a basket. The two free throw-points by Stockport were just an after thought. It seemed like a coming home to see more than a hundred on the board. Sheffield Junior Sharks 103 points, Stockport Falcons I 64 points.

Fragments of Game Statistics: Twelve Three-point baskets by four different players (compare seven); a triple-double, two double-doubles; twenty eight assists (compare 18); sixty eight rebounds (compare 37).

Thanks go to coaches Ransom and Nagle, to supporters and to Joe and Alexis for the stats that kept them terribly busy especially in the frenetic first quarter.

Personal Statistics spotlighting Rebounds: John Stewart: 17 rebounds, 29 points, 5 assists, 1 block; Joseph Baugh: 16 rebounds, 13 points, 11(!) assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks; Ben Cepulis 9 rebounds, 29 points, 6 assists, 1 steals; Mykel Moodie: 9 rebounds, 3 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 blocked shot; Dave Price: 5 rebounds, 3 points; Jim Rose: 4 rebounds, 18 points; Behre Tesfayohannes: 2 rebounds, 2 steals; Louis Francis-Edge: 1 rebound, 2 points; Oliver Bourne: 1 rebound; Vonn Tapiz: 6 points, 1 assist.

Next game: Cheshire Jets (away), 4.00 pm, Saturday, January 30th 2010 at Stanney Oaks Leisure Centre, Stanney County High School, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 9DB. Preview posted.