Manchester suffer loss at fins of sharks as Sheffield swim rampant 68-99.

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A familiar matchup at the National Basketball Performance Centre as the Manchester Giants hosted the Sheffield Sharks in the British Basketball League. 

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The last time these 2 teams faced off it was relatively recent, April 1st saw a similar matchup as well as an identical venue. During that game, Sheffield saw success as the Sharks made Semonian’s side look foolish on April fools day. Sheffield headed back looking to do the double against Manchester as well as sweep them in the head to head matchup. 

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The Giants would have a positive heading into this game, Legend Robertin returned off the back of an ankle injury sustained earlier in the month. Jamell Anderson would still be a noticeable absentee after picking up an injury a week prior. 

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Starting 5’s: 

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Manchester Giants: Mason Bourcier, Nicholas Lewis, Nick Stampley, William Lee, Austin Lawton. 

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Sheffield Sharks: Devearl Ramsey, Rj Eytle-Rock, Jordan Ratinho, Malek Green, Bennett Koch ©. 

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First Half: 

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A slow start for both teams heading into this tie, it wouldn’t be until near the 2 minute mark until we saw either convert. Eytle-Rock struck from 3 and was rebuffed by Nicholas Lewis and Austin Lawton scoring in the opposite direction. Lawton had a bright start to the quarter and was seemingly everywhere. From crashing the offensive glass to being the catalyst for a Nick Stampley steal, the forward was proving himself in what minutes he was given. The physicality of Delepche gave Lawton some issues in the first few encounters, meaning some slight adjustments to see Legend Robertin get his first few minutes under his belt after his injury. 

Toward the business end of the quarter, turnovers began to prove costly for Manchester. 3 turnovers in 1 minute allowed the Sharks 6 fastbreak points and them to extend their lead to 12. 

An electric start for Manchester in the 2nd quarter. Evan Walshe bullied his defender on the way to the paint after going coast to coast with a steal. Austin Lawton followed up Walshe with an offensive board and a bucket of his own whilst drawing the foul. Evan Walshe followed up his efforts with a 3 ball as did Giants guard Jalen Harris, forcing a Sheffield timeout. 

Manchester was not done there. Nicholas Lewis found his way to the rim and took Devearl Ramsey’s ankles in the process for an and one play. Lewis would get to the rim twice more on back to back possessions after Evan Walshe picked Ramsey’s pockets the next play. Even Mason Bourcier got in on the scoring action as he bodied Jordan Ratinho who fouled him for the and one play, forcing another timeout from Sheffield. 

Nick Stampley got in on the scoring late into the quarter, converting from the free throw line as well as from inside the paint on multiple occasions Stampley even got into the paint for a buzzer beater which cut the Sharks lead to 6 at the end of the half. 

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Second Half: 

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William Lee showed off his offensive bag to start off the 3rd quarter. Close up, midrange or even from downtown, William Lee showed Sheffield why he is a nightmare to match up against. Green of the Sharks managed to maintain the Sharks 6 point lead and further extend to 8. This did not deter Mason Bourcier however, the Canadian guard went to the rim with aggression to convert once more as well as draw the foul on Nixon. 

Sheffield restored their 8 point lead and through the efforts of their all star Jalon Pipkins, Sheffield extended to 14 off the back of a pair of back to back 3’s from the Sheffield all star. Pipkins would tack on another 3 before the quarter was done making it a 22-13 quarter in favour of the Sharks. 

Nixon started Sheffield off early with a 3 ball within the opening minute of the 4th quarter. Nick Stampley followed it up with a jumper of his own whilst Jalen Harris followed suit but from close range as he euro stepped his way around his defender. Harris would force a timeout after he got on the end of a Callum Jones dime to let loose from 3. Sheffield would answer back going 6-0 before the commercial timeout. 

A 6-0 scoring run would turn into an 18-1 scoring run to end the quarter and Sheffield swam away with another victory over Manchester. 

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Stats:

Nick Stampley: 12 Points, 7 Rebounds, 50%FG

William Lee: 12 Points, 11 Rebounds, 45%FG.

Nicholas Lewis: 15 Points, 5 Assists, 100%FT. 

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Next up on the Giants calendar is an away trip to back down south but this time to Bristol to take on the Flyers. The bout at the SGS College Arena is scheduled for April 13th at 8:00pm. The game will be available to view via the British Basketball League’s Youtube channel. 

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All highlights from this evening's game against Sheffield will be available to view below: