Well it has been a long time but it has finally come. Yes the Sheffield Sharks have lifted the BBL Cup in an excellent game at the NIA Birmingham.
At times it looked as if this could be a blow out of 2009 proportions but in the end the Jets, led by James Hamilton and Steven Gayle, decided not to lie down. The Jets came storming back and gave the Sharks a real fright. Fingernails were being bitten away as we headed to the end of the game.
What made this a most enjoyable game was seeing Sharks Basketball being played the way it was meant to be played. Back in the day, Jim Brandon, Chris Finch and Peter Scantlebury ensured that there was always exciting basketball played in Sheffield. I can hear Chris Finch as I write, “move the xxx basketball”
Well move the basketball the Sharks did and the Jets, for long periods, did not have an answer. Despite this, I also want to pay tribute to the Cheshire Jets who I have seen on a number of occasions this season.
These guys have real fight in them and I remember them coming back against the Rocks when they were down and out …you just had to be there. I for one was not surprised that the finally put up a fight.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Sharks organisation from top to bottom on this fantastic success. It has been a long time coming.
The Sharks have already said that they want this victory to galvanize them back to their position in the top echelons of British basketball. I hope they manage to achieve this.
I must also mention the day as a whole at the NIA Birmingham. It truly was a fantastic event to be a part of. Huge crowd, awesome Dunk competition, fantastic dunking display, great dancers and a fabulous BBL Cup Final, what more could we ask for?
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