Post Early for Christmas

Sheffield Junior Sharks V Doncaster Danum Eagles

11.30 am, November 7th 2009

DanumTechnology College

12 34 OTFinal

Sharks: 15141927 5 72

Danum:1624 1710 6 73

Things got tougher today with this nail-biter. A game against local opponents is a local derby and for a home side will always be extra-special. With this narrow loss Sharks have now tasted defeat twice away from home and it ought to be crystal clear that discipline, high concentration and effort from the start is essential when on another team’s court.

The venue was packed with spectators, and to the good the number of young people watching was at once a surprise and very satisfying for the sport. Doncaster should be congratulated. For Sharks supporters unless positioned opposite the clock it was a devil of a game in which to keep track of the score and the clock. It was almost impossible to read the scoreboard. It proved equally difficult for players and there was at least one example of Sharks missing a basket as a result. Sharks’ supporters needed to skittle up and down throughout the game. Strange how important things are and how they get taken for granted.

In the first quarter there was little between the two clubs. Early fouls effectively neutralised one of Sheffield’s starting five and this hurt, and the quarter ran out with little between the teams, Sharks trailing by one. The biggest disappointment was that the Sharks usual front-end scoring was pegged-back. Posting baskets early in the game is always a later benefit. In the second quarter it Doncaster’s ability to get the ball through the hoop that showed the real difference on the day. Often Sherwood Forest would seem to spring up under the Doncaster basket as their men took root and Sharks players had to obtain access over the top. At the other end Doncaster was playing off the screens and swinging the ball. It was a cloudy end to the first half, then, as coaches Ransom and Nagle took the Sharks for a solid team talk.

The third quarter saw a come-back by Sharks and they won the quarter. Mykel Moodie took to marking Doncaster’s main threat in an exemplary display of concentration and dedication to the task. This took pressure off others and a better Sharks’ balance was achieved. More than this Sharks rekindled their assisting play. It was now Doncaster that found defenders more difficult to overcome. The Fourth quarter was again a Sharks’ quarter and their best, though a tied end of regulation score did not make it feel that way. What was too easy to overlook is that Sharks made a significant come-back from being down. It marked a significant achievement especially with a twenty seven point tally against Doncaster’s ten. Into overtime it was a single point that made the difference and let slip the game.

Come-backs are what mark out good teams. The capacity to learn from errors and to dig-deep is a mark of maturity. This applies within a run of games as well as within a game. There were other things to note or admire in the Sheffield play of this match. Conor played with increased effect. Mykel’s close-marking would have been the envy of Peter Pan, who would never have lost his shadow. John kept his cool despite being ‘man-handled goods’ throughout the game and again as a ‘big man’ topped in assisting. Joseph rebounded yet again with a determination and his extended capabilities. Louis again showed speed and agility. Ben popped baskets. George showed what a power he is becoming and what a power he will the more become in the higher age groups as he fills his frame. For those players that did not get to play their support from the bench was as important a contribution as anyone that took the floor.

Coach Ransom has a plain assessment of things, and therefore where the focus has to fall in the future: “…the biggest factor is that we are beating ourselves currently, by turning the ball over far too frequently and by missing lay-ups.”

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

Personal Statistics: Ben Cepulis: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 steals. Joseph Baugh: 18 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 1steal, 1 blocked shot. John Stewart: 15 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal. Mykel Moodie: 7 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocked shots. George Brownell: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. Jim Rose: 4 points, 2 rebounds. Conor Faulkner: 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assists, steals. Louis Francis-Edge: 2 points.