The Steady Tiller from Assists

Sheffield Junior Sharks V Newcastle Eagles

To be played at 3.15 pm

November 14th 2009

Springs Leisure Centre, Sheffield

1 2 3 4Final

Sharks: 24222319 88

Eagles: 22 6 816 52

Newcastle’s visit south was unrewarding. With difficult and horrid weather to travel in, and an away defeat to Sheffield, even the journey back up to the North East will not have been satisfying, reaching Newcastle in the darkness of a very stormy day. Their determination on game day is all the more to note then.

Sheffield Junior Sharks returned to winning form with a winning advantage of thirty six points. With the points more spread around the team it shows that Sheffield coaches Ransom and Nagle found it possible to deploy different combinations of players, and to allow more rest for others. The result was satisfying, not least for the team’s magnificent thirty assists within the game.

Newcastle, still without Connor Cole, but with Ross Wilson back in action, began the game with a busy, harrying certainty and in the first quarter there was little in the scoring so that at the quarter end Sharks had only a slender two point lead. The first two minutes of the period were ‘zippy’ with both teams seeking the basket and earning their points. The ten assists delivered by the home team moved things along with John Stewart (4), Ben Cepulis (3), Jim Rose (2) and Joseph Baugh (1) all contributing. Taking advantage of his court-awareness John began a game marked for his ‘kicking’ the ball out to players who very largely made conversions to basket. Most notably in this quarter it was Mykel who took his assist and instantly and instinctively sank a three-pointer from right in front of the home bench. Newcastle were no slouchers and made every attempt to keep the Sheffield team away from their basket, with close marking and filling the key, requiring over the top assaults. For Newcastle Richard Summerbell was in good form and as well as being assigned to frustrate the guards he was left open to take two long threes. Appleby and Wilson also began to show their skills. Jim executed and intelligent quarter for four points and helped others to theirs. Joseph took the lion’s share of the rebounds as usual and against showed his ‘garbage man’ cleverness and ensured that several balls went through the hoop. John took nine points within the period, and Mykel five before George Brownell substituted for him taking a basket in the closing stages of the stanza. Also to note was Ben’s assists and the charge absorbed by John from Newcastle’s Agbo. Sheffield Sharks 24, Newcastle Eagles 22.

The second quarter saw Sharks insist on their game and kept the visitors to just six points. The difference was partly the continuing assisting play: two by Ben, three by Mikel and three by John. Dave Price took a part in the opening of the second period and was put under immediate pressure by Newcastle who ‘swarmed’ him. Mykel stole like the Artful Dodger and going to basket was fouled, earning one of his free throw points. Joseph re-entered the game to whilst John rested. Almost immediately Dave took an offensive rebound and made a basket. Ben and Mykel swopped scoring and assisting roles taking the score to thirty one without reply by Newcastle. John returned and instantly shot the ball out to Jim Rose who took an imposing, assured three-pointer. Less effective play visited for a short period when loose handling and un-readiness to take passes tried to take root. As if allowed Newcastle returned to score with Agbo hooking. Jim Rose then took a two assisted by Mykel. John momentarily took leave of his senses and was taken for a pushing foul on Summerbell an England 92 squad-mate. Luckily only one free throw went home. Louis Francis-Edge and Conor Faulkner impacted on the play, with Conor making a block before a John rebound provided the help to a Connor basket. Ben returned after a break on the bench, took a rebound and made an assist and then made the final basket of the half. Well and truly a Sheffield quarter. Sheffield Sharks 46, Newcastle Eagles 28.

The half-time break was more relaxed than of late and it was then into the third stanza of play with an eighteen point lead for what was to be another big Sheffield quarter. Conor took the role as guard to open the second half. Newcastle again hectored and took the first basket before some unrewarded attempts by Conor and Jim. Heading towards the second minute of play it was John that made the statement for the Sharks and took a two taking the ball the length of the court and through to the basket. Thereafter the quarter became Joseph’s taking a mighty fourteen points supported by five assists from team-mates. Within the quarter Josh agitated and was industrious stealing, rebounding and assisting. Vonn Tapiz joined too and soon took a basket aided by Conor, before Louis busied and was assisted to basket by Vonn. John was left the court before the quarter was out making that last playing contribution of the game having made a full nine assists. George ably took his place where upon he was fouled and took a point for the trouble. Along the way Newcastle took just eight points. Sheffield Junior Sharks 67, Newcastle Eagles 36.

Thinking of the next game to come Coach Ransom decided to continue to preserve some players and gave much increased court time to others. Conor, Louis and George took significant part with Louis taking a ten point quarter high. One was a lovely, long two. George Brownell was a power, taking four points and three rebounds before having to be retired with an ankle roll-over. Josh showed his tremendous strength and reach with three rebounds, an excellent assist and a steal. Ben completed a lovely hook and also ladled two assists in his game total of seven. Despite a fight back from Agbo, Wilson and Nixon the Sheffield lead went up as far as forty before settling back to the finishing lead of thirty six. Sheffield Junior Sharks 88, Newcastle Eagles 52.

Thanks go top coaches Ransom and Nagle, the great supporters and the statisticians - Joe and Alexis Moodie.

Personal Statistics: Joseph Baugh: 18 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, block, 3 steals. John Stewart: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists. Louis Francis Edge: 12 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal. Ben Cepulis: 10 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals. Jim Rose: 9 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal. Mykel Moodie: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals. Conor Faulkner: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals. George Brownell: 7 points, 4 rebounds. Vonn Tapiz: 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals. Dave Price: 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steals. Josh Adams: 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals.

Next Game: Rearranged - Leicester Cannons, Beauchamp College, Leicester. 1.30 pm, Saturday, November 21st 2009.