Sheffield Sharks win SLB Cup, sinking teeth into Surrey 89ers

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks won their 15th piece of domestic silverware in their history by downing the Surrey 89ers 105-97 in the SLB Cup Final at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.

Donovan Clay scooping MVP honours with 23 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 60% from the floor.

Jubilation in front of a large Sheffield contingent in the East Midlands, but in their first final as the 89ers, Surrey certainly did themselves proud in what was a breath-taking showpiece.

Rickey McGill and Prentiss Nixon led the triumphant Sharks with 24 points.

Mervin James led Surrey with a game-high 26 points.

Historically, Sheffield have enjoyed greater successes over Surrey with 12 successive head-to-heads. But despite the Sharks owning three wins over the side from Guildford this season, the average winning margin has only been five points.

And it certainly played out that way to start in a fast-paced opening, as Jamell Anderson, playing in his home city, connected from the wing in a moment almost fitting given that Nottingham was hosting their first-ever men’s professional game and Sheffield’s first score was by the former Great Britain international.

The Sharks, though, faced a Surrey side clicking on all cylinders, especially the duo of Gooden and Ray. Their long-range and mid-range game was deadly, and they shot more than 60% from the field for most of the first quarter.

But as Surrey looked to be heading into the second quarter with an advantage, only for Donovan Clay to muscle his way inside and score to tie the game at 23-23 after one.

Ray scored nine points in the first period, with Gooden adding seven. The latter connected from deep along with Nedas Cholevinskas to give the Niners a 31-25 lead early on.

Sharks coach Atiba Lyons called a timeout, and it had the desired effect. A beautiful reverse lay-up from Rickey McGill, followed by a score from James Reese V, gave the Yorkshire outfit their first lead of the game with 5:19 of the half left.

Surrey fought back as both teams jostled for position, with neither team giving an inch. However, after an enthralling first 20 minutes, Surrey – shooting 61% in the first two quarters – held a slender 61-59 lead.  

Despite holding the lead and shooting well, against a team the calibre of the Sharks, that hot run did not last. It was a matter of time before Sheffield would make their move.

And a 12-2 run to start the third kept the Sharks swimming and Surrey sinking, as Niners coach Lloyd Gardner called a halt with 6:44 remaining and Sheffield up 61-55.

Gardner and Surrey though came up against an inspired Prentiss Nixon as he scorched Surrey for 15 third quarter points, and when he wasn’t shooting, McGill started cooking, as his three-point play handed Sharks their first double-digit lead at 71-61.

The Niners trailed by as many as 11 points in a damaging third quarter. A brief 7-0 run, inspired by Dame Adelekun helped reduce the deficit but the tide had turned and Sheffield had raced clear, up 81-72 heading into the fourth.

A further 6-0 start to the fourth looked to put the game beyond Surrey’s reach, leading by 15, but the Niners were not letting their grip on the Cup slip.

A furious 10-2 run, stirred by Mervin James made the Sharks fans sweat and the Surrey fans believe.

But with too much left in the tank, the Sharks upped their game down the stretch as they brought the Cup to South Yorkshire.

What they said:

 “It feels fantastic to win and for us to be in this position again after so many years, it really is incredible. I won’t take anything for granted, it’s really hard, it’s been a tough competition, starting in Reading to here in Nottingham. But I’m proud of the guys and
all their efforts. They were fantastic.” – Atiba Lyons (Head Coach: B. Braun Sheffield
Sharks)

“It’s a blessing, praise to most high for this. It feels good to give Sheffield a Cup final. We’re happy.” – Donovan Clay (B. Braun Sheffield Sharks)