Sharks turn on the style to end home campaign on high

Sheffield Sharks' Mike Tuck. Picture: Andrew Roe

Sheffield Sharks put on a show in front of one their biggest home crowds of the season as they clinched third place in the BBL Championship last night.

Riding fantastic showings from Mike Tuck and John Barber, Sharks beat Surrey Scorchers 101-77 in their final match at the EIS before the playoffs. Sheffield were then assured of a third placed finish when Worcester Wolves lost to Cheshire Phoenix at home.

Sharks got off to a great start after a Barber rejection led to a coast to coast bucket by Brandon Hogg, giving Sharks an early 11-4 lead.

Captain Tuck then drained a mid range jumper after a smooth pick and roll with Jerrold Brooks to increase Sheffield’s lead to 13 points. Scorchers consistently gave the ball away and were punished as the first quarter ended 32-18 to Sheffield.

Beautiful ball movement from Sheffield in the second quarter led to a Barber three to put Sharks up by 17. Surrey continued to turn the ball over with great regularity as Sheffield capitalised and ended a truly dominant half up 57-27.

Scorchers came out fighting in the second half as Andreas Schreiber and Tayo Ogedengbe led them to an 11-4 run. And an unstoppable Ogedengbe, who finished with 25 points, helped cut the lead to just 15 as the Sheffield crowd fell silent.

But Sharks rallied to stay ahead 75-57 after three periods. And Surrey’s hopes of a fightback were dashed in the fourth as back-to-back Brooks threes put Sharks out of sight with just five minutes left.

A buzzer beating three by T.J. Robinson sent Sharks fans into delirium as Sheffield surpassed 100 points and signed off their regular season at home in style.