Sheffield Sharks reach the BBL Trophy final!

Sheffield Sharks ran out 75-66 winners over Worcester Wolves in the second leg of the BBL Trophy semi-final at the EIS today to win 161-152 on aggregate and so reach the final in Glasgow on 4th March. 

Former Sharks Jerrold Brooks was in town to watch the game.

 Captain Mike Tuck goes for an early basket

 Zach Gachette tries a sideline shot

 Dirk Williams take a free-throw point

 Chris Alexander was a handful under the basket for Worcester

 Rob Marsden laying up

 Chris Alexander running in again

 Tony Wroblicky big on offence

 Mackey McKnight looks for a way through the Worcester defence

It took double overtime to separate Sheffield Sharks and Leicester Riders

It was a late-night thriller at the EIS yesterday as Sheffield Sharks and Leicester Riders fought out a 92-98 duel that needed double overtime to separate them.

There were many contenders for MVP: Chris Alexander with his customary 21 points; Mackey McKnight recorded only the second triple-double of the BBL season and the first by a Sharks player since 2009 with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. But it went to captain Mike Tuck with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists.

Sharks need to regroup now to take on Worcester Wolves tomorrow in a winner-take-all semi-final for a BBL Trophy final place with both teams tied on 86-86 after the first leg away at Worcester.

Sheffield Sharks make their mark at the inagural All Stars Basketball tournament

The O2 in London was the setting today for the first All Stars Basketball tournament - a quickfire series of games between the top 8 BBL teams with the winner earning £25,000.

Shot of the day was a 5-point (yes, you read that right) buzzer beater by Mackey McKnight which sent the crowd on to its feet.

Some pix from today...more ltr.

 Dirk Williams with an early attempt agsinst Worcester Wolves

 Tony Wroblicky going big against Worcester Wolves

  Dirk Williams goes for the basket agsinst Worcester Wolves

 Mackey McKnight celebrates his game-winner...

 ...before being mobbed by his team mates

Atiba Lyons and the Sharks bench - vs Leicester Riders

BBL playoff R1 - finely balanced at Sheffield sharks 71-73 Worcester Wolves

It was a game of two halves last night at the EIS, Sheffield for the DBL Sharks Sheffield in their first leg BBL Playoff Quarter Final against Worcester Wolves. The Sharks couldn't buy a basket in the first half and had a very poor shooting record, leaving them fourteen points down at half time 29-43. 

After what must have been a stern team talk at half-time from Atiba Lyons, it was Worcester who were calling the timeouts in the second half as the Sharks fought back to leave the game almost even going into the second leg at Worcester tomorrow.

 Malcolm Riley with an early effort

 Zach Gachette who had a solid first half

 Mike Tuck from the free-throw line

 Tony Wroblicky runs past Maurice Walker's block

 Before Max Guercy out-jumped the 6'10" forward for a basket

Rashawn Rembert jumps in the second half

  George Brownell gets a three

 Jordan Davis leaps through the Worcester defence

MVP with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists and a well-timed five foul count was captain Mike Tuck.

Sheffield Sharks end of season dinner

The end of the regular season and in anticipation of the first game in the playoffs (against Worcester Wolves) saw the Sheffield Sharks in presentation mood to reward the efforts of the players and those concerned with the club.

 The Coach's Player of the Year award was split between Tony Wroblicky and Rashawn Rembert.

The MVP award went to Malcolm Riley who has been involved in a lot of the community work of the Sharks as well.

Sheffield Sharks had their revenge over Worcester Wolves tonight

Sheffield Sharks took a sixth straight win when they hosted Worcester Wolves at the EIS Sheffield tonight and ran out 85-75 winners.  They were out to avenge a late home loss (87-90) to Worcester the last time these two sides met in November.

The Sharks have shaken off a sluggish start to the season with a superb run of form to reach the top four in the BBL Championship for the first time this year.  Before the game they were 8-6 behind Wolves in 3rd with stats of 12-6.

 Mike Tuck at the tip

 Jerrold Brooks jumps for two

 Coach Atiba Lyons watches the action

 Colin Sing shooting a three

 Mike Tuck on his way to joint MVP with two more points

 John Barber had his shooting boots on again

 Jerrold Brooks climbs again

 Late on the Sharks drew some fouls....

 ...and again...particularly TJ Robinson

Joint MVPs Jerrold Brooks and Mike Tuck