Sheffield Sharks steal victory from Cheshire Phoenix

Sheffield Sharks claimed victory over Cheshire Phoenix on Sunday 16th February 2025 with a late comeback in the last half of the game, achieving a 22 point lead in the final quarter.

On Sunday 16th February at 17:30, Cheshire Phoenix faced Sheffield Sharks at the Cheshire Oaks Arena.

Before this match, Cheshire had lost 4 of their past 5 games, whereas Sheffield's run consisted of 4 victories within their past 5 games. This includes Sheffield's 87-85 victory against Cheshire on 24th January.

This week's match began with Cameron Holden (9) winning the jump ball for the Phoenixes, leading to Tyreek Scott-Grayson (5) having a 2 point jump shot, that he unfortunately missed.

Despite the home side's attempt, it was the Sharks who created a 4 point lead with 2 point jump shots from both Prentiss Nixon (2) and Donovan Clay (5).

Cheshire regained composure with Holden scoring from inside and outside to make the game level, with further points later on coming from RJ Eytle-Rock (0) and Skyler White (99) to take the Phoenixes 4 points ahead.

Shots from Clay, Holden and White were all missed before Sheffield secured 2 points after TJ Atwood (15) fouled Shark's Ricky McGill (1).

By the end of the first quarter, Cheshire was leading 25-19, with Phoenix's field goals from Atwood, Holden, Scott-Grayson, Greg Wild (8) and White.

Skyler White's outstanding final attempt in the first quarter came from the half court and landed right as the buzzer sounded, securing the Cheshire's 6 point lead.

The second quarter began with Nixon and Clay scoring another 4 points for the Sharks, leaving them to trail by 2.

Minutes later, Scott-Grayson scored a 3 pointer which was then countered by Donovan Clay for Sheffield.

The quarter continued with Clay and McGill claiming 2 shots each, in addition to McGill's free throw shot.

However, Sheffield's efforts were shut down as they trailed by 11 points into the 2nd half of the match.

The beginning of the third quarter seemed to favour Cheshire as jump shots were made by RJ Eytle-Rock and TJ Atwood before the Sharks attained 3 jump shots and 2 personal fouls. Turning the Phoenix's 14 point lead into only 5 points.

For the remainder of the quarter, Cheshire only managed to score 2 jump shots from Greg Wild (8) and Cameron Holden; with a further 4 free throws from Eytle-Rock and Wild.

Whilst Sheffield enabled an incredible comeback. Jamell Anderson (8) made his way onto the scoresheet as Rickey McGill, Prentiss Nixon, Donovan Clay and Rodney Glasgow Jr (11) all contributed points. Ending the quarter only 1 point behind the home side.

The final 10 minutes of the game showed the Sharks snatching the win as they bypassed Cheshire in the race for points before the period ended.

Jordan Ratinho (9), Nixon, McGill, Glasgow Jr and Clay all obtained points extending Sheffield's lead to 24 points.

Before Cheshire could make their return to the score sheet, as Atwood claimed a w point jump shot.

This was followed by Reyad West (6) earning his first field goal of the match.

The game ended with Cheshire on 65 points and Sheffield with 87 points.

The clear stars for the Sharks in this game seemed to be McGill and Clay, each gaining 20 plus points each that helped the visitors to procure yet another victory this season against the Phoenixes.