Manchester fall short at home losing 64-87 to Sheffield. 

Mancunian basketball was back at the National Basketball Performance Centre this evening as the Manchester Giants were set to take on the Sheffield Sharks. 

The last time these 2 teams faced off, the shark tank proved too much for Manchester as they lost out 86-75. Manchester will be looking for redemption whereas the visitors will be looking to make it 3-0 on the head to head standings. 

Starting 5’s: 

Manchester Giants: Mason Bourcier, Nicholas Lewis, Jamell Anderson, Nick Stampley, William lee. 

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

First Half: 

Giants forward William Lee hosted a block party in the opening 10 minutes, stuffing both Green and Eytle-Rock at the rim, rattling the Sharks early doors. Giants capitalised on the confusion and put together consecutive good looks on offence and made them count through their main scoring options of William Lee, Nicholas Lewis and Jamell Anderson.

Another block from Nick Stampley and a steal from Jamell Anderson put an emphasis on the air tight defence played in the quarter. Stampley picked up another block down the stretch. Sheffield rallied and with their use of the interior as well as Jordan Ratinho on the perimeter, Sheffield led by 6 after the first 10. 

Sheffield took an early double digit lead, Pipkins and Nixon pushed the Sharks to an 11 point advantage. Delpeche made it 13 and it was at that point Manchester countered, the combo of William Lee and Evan Walshe on offence coupled with Nicholas Lewis and Jamell Anderson on defence cut the lead to 6.

A big offensive rebound from Nick Stampley found its way into Austin Lawton’s hands for a much needed basket with 90 seconds left in the half. Sharks’ Ramsey brought the lead to 9 with less than a minute to go but with all to play for. 

Second Half: 

Sharks continued to maintain a healthy double digit lead during the early stages of the 3rd quarter despite heavy Giants resistance. Buckets from Nick Stampley and Jamell Anderson put pressure on Sheffield but a handful of misses from 3 point land proved to be costly as Sheffield drew out to a 15 point lead.

Jamell Anderson and William Lee brought Sheffield down to 12 before a hesi from Evan Walshe put Nichols in the air and finished for 10. Another period of stagnant offence from Manchester allowed for Sheffield to reassert themselves. Sheffield extended to 17 after Giants head coach Brian Semonian found himself to be ejected. 

A 17 point lead became 23 at the midway point in the 4th quarter. Despite Nick Stampley hitting his 2nd and 3rd 3 balls and an overall perimeter centric offence from Manchester, they found it difficult to compete with Delpeche on the inside.

The Sheffield big man made himself known in the paint using his athleticism to out jump and out rebound the Giants interior. William Lee tacked on a pair of 3’s, as did Nicholas Lewis who hit from deep both times. It was raining 3’s for Manchester as hometown hero Matthew Goodwin even got in on the action and that was all she wrote. 

Stats: 

William Lee: 16 Points, 8 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 3 Blocks. 

Nick Stampley: 15 Points, 6 Rebounds, 2 Steals, 2 Blocks. 

Evan Walshe: 12 Points, 6 Rebounds, 62%FG.

The Manchester Giants are on the road in 4 days time as they look set to take on the Plymouth City Patriots in the Plymouth Pavillions. Tip off is scheduled for April 5th at 7:30pm and will be available to view via the British Basketball League’s YouTube channel. 

All match highlights are available to view below: