Sheffield Junior Sharks V Derby

Played at Noon

Noel-Baker Community School and Language College

1234Final

Sharks:25232817 93

Derby:20161615 67

Both the weather and the M1 were generous in this first League away outing of the year and a comfortable and welcome victory by Sharks confirmed that Derby are not the powerhouse U18 team of last year. Sheffield showed strong rebounding and an assist-rich play with no less than thirty one assists in the game. Coach Ransom concluded that his team was doing well for this time of the season with increasing periods of extended good play. As all coaches, however, he waits to see more.

The starting five were quick to win the tip, lure Derby to a foul, take the first two rebounds and secure a basket. All within the first twenty seconds of play. Derby elected to zone for most of the game, but not so as to overly slow or frustrate the Sheffield team. Mykel Moodie began his human-super-glue demonstration, and his team spirit in the assisting and rebounding departments, John Stewart and Joseph Baugh were tough in post-play, Ben Cepulis began his out-of-the-ordinary rebounding, Jim Rose unhindered by fouls comfortably set in for a strong game, Louis came in and battled from the first, and Conor Faulkner showed his winning ways with outside shots. All indications boded well then. This is not to suggest that things were a stroll in the park. They were not. Derby hustled from the outset, had better shooting, and they took the lead three times before John and Conor stole it back again. What was evident in the Sheffield team was growing familiarity and intuition with no selfishness. It was good that Joseph’s three at the quarter-end helped to define things and the lead of five points was a good place to rest: Sheffield Junior Sharks 25, Derby Trailblazers 20.

The second quarter began with John opening the scoring again off a foul. Some looser, if not messy, play allowed Derby a return opportunity and they took the next seven points. John, Conor, and Mykel took the next seven points and pushed the score along with a seven point lead. John was tough on the court and took ten points high for the quarter. Dave Price made a welcome introduction to the game immediately being fouled by Derby. Though not converting the free-throws Dave went to basket and bagged his first points in the League. Ben majored on assists with five for the quarter helping Conor, Joe, John and Dave. Good business. Size helps in basketball and Joe effortlessly blocked a shot, just as John had in the first period. George Brownell substituted and took two defensive rebounds, denying Derby opportunities to retry. Derby was far from comatose and showed it by taking near double the rebounds of Sharks. Sharks had clearly been reading the Old Testament and in the face of a Derby thrust, the defense opened like the Red Sea right down the middle allowing the home team to basket. Coaches were not happy. The quarter ended with a Sharks twelve point lead: Sheffield Junior Sharks 48, Derby Trailblazers 36.

The second half saw Sharks’ highest scoring quarter; twenty eight points. John made the first basket strongly after a wonderful Mykel assist. Joseph alert showed dominant play, taking a basket from his own making and then another after a Jim assist. Sharks’ fouls allowed Derby more attempts at the basket and converted three out of four of them. Mykel took his own beginning an eleven point tear with John, Joe and Jim all contributing to the points. Sharks showed again showed a feature more obvious than last in the close support than created put-back opportunities that were gladly taken. John showed the characteristic behind the back blind pass once more, and Ben majored on assists making a real difference to the fluidity of the team. Vonn Tapiz and Quincy took up the fight in the quarter. Vonn supported Joe before taking his own two points assisted by Quincy. Despite all this and the score the team needed to increase the tactical movement on the court. Conor substituted for Benn and nicely brought the quarter to a close with a three pointer and a well upholstered lead of twenty four points: Sheffield Junior Sharks 76, Derby Trailblazers 52.

The final quarter was the lowest scoring period of the game, perhaps because both teams knew the likely outcome. Quincy opened the final quarter with a basket assisted by Vonn. Jim began an eight-high quarter that saw assistance from John and Quincy. Jim saw his most successful game of the year with a trawl of twenty points made. Louis made his presence felt and joined in to assist, and Ben sank a three pointer returning to sink the last basket of the game. John plugged away at rebounding. Both he and Joe took twenty eight between them throughout the game taking them to impressive double-doubles.

Thanks go to Joe and Alexis Moodie for the detailed stats, and to the coaches and travelling supporters.

Player Statistics: John Stewart: 29 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocked shots. Jim Rose: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists. Joseph Baugh: 13 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 blocked shot. Ben Cepulis: 9 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 1 steal. Conor Faulkner: 9 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Mykel Moodie 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals. Quincy Kaka: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists. Vonn Tapiz: 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist. Dave Price: 2 points. Louis Francis-Edge: 1 rebound, 2 assists. George Brownell: 2 rebounds.

Next game: Sefton Stars at All saints RC High School (Goals), Sunday October 18th 2009 at 4.15 pm.