The Curate’s Egg*

Sheffield Junior Sharks V Sefton Stars

Played 4.15 pm

Sunday, October 18th 2009

All Saints Catholic High School (Goals)

1 2 3 4Final

Sharks:21252820 94

Sefton:18112113 63

Clearly this game was a win, but it played out as something of a mixed bag or, like the proverbial ‘curate’s egg’, was good in parts. Sefton travelled the long distance from the North West and their spirits were undimmed by the journey, taking to the floor with energy from the start. This is just the word that Coach Ransom used to urge the Sharks on at various times within the game. A win is still a win, however, and the margin of victory was significant.

An inconsistent start saw six Sharks’ turnovers within the first five or so minutes of play, most all of which were entirely avoidable. Soon the home team allowed the visitors twice to take the lead before reclaiming the advantage. A three point lead by the quarter’s end would be an uneasy resting point. What was pleasing was the fact that assists were contributed by a number of the team and that the fast-break was clearly still a potent Sharks’ weapon. All Sheffield starters made the score sheet with John Stewart starting his work and earning a quarter-high of nine points, three from free-throws, on his way to a top score of thirty two points for the game. Mykel Moodie showed both speed and a remarkable physical strength that provides an enduring comfort and reliable security. Joseph Baugh showed his capacity to shoot from the outside as well as being able to mix-it in the paint, and he made the first two of his highly effective blocks. Ben Cepulis showed again his leap-ability in rebounds that are always going to be needed. Jim Rose showed his characteristic steadiness that can often be under-estimated. Sheffield Junior Sharks 21, Sefton Stars 18.

The second stanza saw Sharks pulling away from Sefton with a quarter high total of ten from Ben and a good three-pointer from Jim within the story. Dave Price started the quarter with a will and a good amount of possession including a couple of rebounds. Conor Faulkner showed great maturity with wonderful judgement in lovely under the basket assist to Mykel Moodie who sailed through like a tea-clipper to take the basket. Conor also showed skill in stealing the ball and motoring the length of the court with Sefton in hot-pursuit to take a basket. Mykel demonstrated wisdom and adherence to the coaches’ directions that when the traffic gets congested in the key that the best thing to do is to pass the ball out for a re-group and new attempt. John experimented with spins to the basket in his six for the quarter. Joseph executed another two blocks to take him to four for the half, as well as six rebounds alongside John. Louis Francis-Edge began to get the feel of the game and helped the harrying as well as the rebounds. With good thanks the Sharks’ turnovers were much reduced, though boxing-out by everyone needed a reminder of two as spectating in the key was evident. In a sport that has a wealth of stats taken it would be interesting to see what the analyses would look like with this feature added. The half ended with Sheffield Junior Sharks on 46 points, Sefton Stars on 29 points. There was much for the players and the Coaches to discuss.

The third was the busiest and best quarter of the game with forty nine points being made by the teams. John opened the Sharks’ scoring knowing that there was no room for complacency in the face of Sefton’s capacity to continue the effort. He was supported in the basket by an excellent assist from Mykel who soon after soared in challenge for a high ball. Vonn Tapiz made busy with speed and effort with the ball taking two free-throws with a deadly accuracy of the kind that would signal to an opponent to avoid future fouls. Assists became more marked for the broader feature of the U18s with no less than six players helping others within the quarter; three of the nine coming from Mykel. Sefton battled forward with their Hanaway continuing to be troublesome with his height and the seven points he harvested. John provided the thrust throughout the quarter taking thirteen points including a three-pointer. Conor continued his good game with a three, and quickly followed it with a two courtesy of Mykel. Jim scored, assisted and rebounded. Joe assisted and rebounded and took four points. Turnovers returned as an issue as a result of flabby-handling, loose passes and a woeful telegraphing of intention to the opposition so that they could intercept the ball. All of these are easily remedied. The quarter ended with Sheffield Junior Sharks on 74 points, Sefton Stars on 50 points.

The final quarter opened with the starting-five operating as a unit, and again with John going scoring with a long two assisted by Jim, but this was well into the second minute of play. Joseph drained a three-pointer assisted by Mykel, and Jim performed a lovely hook to the left of the basket. Ben stole the ball and made a powerful lay-up again from a great Jim assist. Louis in a good quarter made a telling long shot and bagged two points, before another Ben steal and lay-up. John took his final two points before being retired to the bench. Vonn, Dave and George came were involved once more. Louis had to contend with a high hands round the body foul for which he was invited to the line for two shots and sank one of these. Shortly after he won through to basket again and took the score to ninety four points and his fifth point of the game. The game ended with Sheffield Junior Sharks on 94 points, Sefton Stars on 63 points.

This game was instructive and after relaxing from the victory the team will look forward to preparing for Stockport and then travelling south to Birmingham II in the Sureshot Cup.

Thanks go to the coaches, supporters and to Joe and Alexis Moodie for the all-seeing stats.

Player Statistics: John Stewart: 32 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assist, 1 steal. Ben Cepulis: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocked shots. Joseph Baugh: 13 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocked shots. Jim Rose: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal. Conor Faulkner: 7 points, 2 assists, 1 steal. Mykel Mood: 6 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals. Louis Francis-Edge: 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal. Vonn Tapiz: 2 points. Dave Price: 6 rebounds, 1 steal. George Brownell: 1 rebound.

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curate's_egg