Historic Valley, Big Venue, Huge Game, or ‘The Right Number of Chicks’

Sureshot Cup Round 2

Sheffield Junior Sharks V Manchester Magic

2.15 pm, Sunday, November 15th 2009

English Institute for Sport, Sheffield

1 2 3 4 Final

Sharks:2115 1518 69

Magic:19 5 2612 62

Eliminating the reigning Sureshot champions from the competition at the second round is some achievement, and there are those that did not regard it as even a near possibility. Sheffielders always watch chicken eggs hatch. This was, in truth, a fiercely fought game drawing a significant crowd to the Don Valley, old home of the producers of armour plate for battleships and the Grand Slam or Earthquake Bomb for ‘The Dambusters’, 617 Squadron. Neither bench played all of their team requiring a deal of effort by some players who were on the court for extensive periods of time. What was also to note was the way that mental attitude was so crucial, oh so crucial to both teams and the way that advantage shifted on this alone.

More than any other game this season the Sheffield players showed a level of resolve, intelligence, energy and drive that lasted until their empty legs walked them off the court at the end of the game and through to the next round of the Cup. Rather than the Manchester press containing the play, Sharks would not allow it, if only at times it delayed them. John Stewart opened the scoring after the tip, before potent Olayemi (9) for Manchester retorted with a three. Joseph Baugh took pleasure in a dunk that restored the lead. Ben Cepulis assisted both Sheffield men. Not content Manchester’s McGinn took four points. Driven, John took the next four points though clearly he was a marked man. Olayemi showed his skills in what would be an eleven-high quarter for him where he would not miss a single shot. He took an And-one and the lead back for Manchester. Delivering two big threes John gave Sheffield the ascendency again and the Sheffield players did not let it slip. Ben, Joseph and John secured the scoring whilst Mykel Moodie and Jim Rose flashed and dashed in support (Jim also making an impressive block as well as a needed steal) but most especially in defence where he and the other the Sheffield men were everywhere on the court. It was fitting that John closed the quarter as he opened it, this time with an assist from Joseph. For Manchester, Goldsburgh and Gould also contested sharply for the Lancashire visitors. Quarter closed and time for reflection: Sheffield Junior Sharks 21, Manchester Magic 19.

The second quarter saw Manchester trimmed to just five scored points, even though they were urged to be more physical in their play. So they were with Sharks players being taken out of bounds by it losing the judgement of the officials. There was a three from Manchester’s Spence and two free throws by Gould. As a quarter only twenty points were scored between the two teams which tells of the extent of the drive of both teams. John, having picked up one foul in the first quarter, soon picked up two more - the last after a basket assisted by Mykel. There were a few jitters as a result, and with a lead of eight points and after a time-out, Coach Ransom reserved him for later. Before that Ben had provided five points, and Jim Rose four. The industry of Sharks showed despite Manchester out re-bounding them, but Manchester had higher turnovers and fewer assists. The Sheffield team remained concentrated and the tough, defensive play was maintained earning regular appreciation by Coach Ransom. Although bigger in size Manchester could not take much advantage in this quarter. Mykel and Ben got busy with assists before Mykel assisted another player once again, this time Joseph making a cracking three. Soon after he was himself at the line and took a point. Under instruction in the dying seconds of the half Sharks were determined to have the last shot and wore the clock down before a final attempt by Joseph to take the game to half time and busy discussions by both teams and the spectators: Sheffield Junior Sharks 36, Manchester Magic 24.

As to be expected the Sheffield starting five opened the third stanza in what was to be the visitor’s most telling quarter, taking twenty six points and reducing the lead to one point by its end. There was a concerted comeback. Manchester outshot, assisted, rebounded and stole to show just what they were capable of. In fouls they were penalised four times more than the Sheffield side including a technical which earned Ben two points at the line. Manchester maintained their tough play and Sharks players were again helped across the side-line. There was no score for over a minute of the quarter’s play and then a flurry of activity saw forty one points being posted. Missed shots and layups hindered Sheffield and the Manchester shooters left open took advantage. Gould took a three. Shortly after Jim, well positioned, sank his reply off an assist from Joseph. Three points from John from the stripe and an over-the-top field goal was interrupted by Olayemi again making a basket. Sheffield provided some spectacle with a monster block and a dunk by Joseph. Manchester’s big men made effective use of close proximity reverse hooks where guarding was most difficult to achieve. John fouled again to pick up his fourth. Both he and Ben were rested whilst Dave and Conor Faulkner took to the court. In the short interval remaining Manchester motored and added fourteen points so that the margin was just a point in favour of the home side. At the same time Sharks five points were all from the line with Mykel taking three of the points and Joseph two. Sheffield Junior Sharks 51, Manchester Magic 50. Everyone knew that the tide could turn fully against the Sharks and leave them beached.

Again with the starting five on court, the final quarter had everyone watching from seat-edges in what was a torrid quarter of wills and energy. John Gould gave Manchester the lead and Goldsburgh extended it in what was to be his most telling period of play. Sharks were scoreless for two minutes before Joseph assisted Mykel in a basket. After another Goldsburgh close-two Mykel returned the assist to Joseph so that the deficit was back to a single point. It was Goldsburgh again that defined the Manchester play adding four points to take a dangerous lead of five. Jim executed a cool three-pointer to make another significant pull on the rope reducing the Manchester advantage to two. Manchester was making a tremendous effort in trying to lock the Sheffield men out. That said Joseph made it to basket to level the score at sixty a piece with yet four full minutes to play. Goldsburgh returned to basket and Manchester was again ahead by two. John was fouled by Wall in an attempt for the hoop and he went to the line to take a point. So close. Ben made a steal from Goldsburgh for possession. John executed a long pull-up two to take the lead again which was never lost especially since Manchester was prevented from scoring again. Ben went through for two, Jim impressively cut for another two before Mykel was fouled in the process when he then took a point. After a Goldsburgh foul on Joseph, it was Joseph’s simple, but great pleasure to take a last point from the line. Though seconds remained the game was won. Sheffield Junior Sharks 69, Manchester magic 62. Sheffielders now counted their chickens.

Coach Ransom’s summary is useful here: “The defensive effort required keeping a team of Manchester’s size, experience and skill to sixty two points was remarkable. Also notable was Sharks ability to withstand Manchester’s run at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth. For a brief period Manchester held the lead and at that point many teams would have buckled and given in to the inevitable. However, Sharks steadied themselves, maintained their defensive intensity and managed to regain and hold onto the lead. It’s credit to the five players who did most of the work that they had the fitness, focus and tenacity”.

Thanks must go to Coaches Ransom and Nagle, to all the supporters home and away that made this match an event, and for the stats of Joe and Alexis Moodie.

Personal Statistics: John Stewart: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot. Joseph Baugh: 17 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocked shots, 4 steals. Ben Cepulis: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals. Jim Rose: 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 blocked shot, 1 steal. Mykel Moodie: 6 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals. Dave Price, 1 rebound, 1 steal. Conor Faulkner, Louis Francis-Edge, Vonn Tapiz, Oliver Bourne. George Brownell Injured.