Sheffield Sharks 79-97 Worcester Wolves

Worcester Wolves punched their ticket for the post-season playoffs by sweeping aside Sheffield Sharks 97-79 in South Yorkshire on Friday.

Wolves led at the end of every quarter and parried away every Sheffield attempt at a comeback. Their third win in a row boosts them into fifth place in the British Basketball League and has them hitting form at just the right time of the year.

Coach Paul James beamed as he summarised his team’s latest success, saying:

“We wanted to keep the momentum going from beating Newcastle and London last weekend. We took tonight a quarter at a time, followed the game plan and got another fantastic win.
“The guys are playing with tremendous spirit and togetherness. Everyone has each other’s back and that’s why we’re getting the results.”

Alex Navajas pounced on a loose carry to set up a George Beamon triple and Worcester’s first lead at 14-13 at four minutes into the evening. A score of his own for Navajas had his side 22-17 ahead entering the second quarter.

A trio of baskets from latest signing George Marshall soon doubled the advantage to 34-24. Trayvon Palmer brushed off flailing Sharks defenders as he sprinted to a coast-to-coast success and Michael Ojo debuted on the scoresheet, aiding a 49-41 half-time lead.

Wolves’ confidence continued to ooze after the interval. Navajas froze the Sheffield defence, giving an easy conversion for Beamon. Beamon then stole the ball at half-court and threw down a demoralising tomahawk jam.

As the third-period clock ticked down Marshall cleverly found Navajas in the left corner allowing the Worcester captain to float home an unchallenged three-pointer at the buzzer, finalising a 74-59 cushion.

The final quarter saw more of the same as across-the-board scoring set the seal on an overwhelming victory.

Beamon led the way with 22 points, supported by 19 apiece for Navajas and Palmer. Ojo and Marshall rounded out five double-digit scorers with 15 and 14 points respectively.

Worcester now face a quick turnaround, travelling to Bristol Flyers this Saturday, (tip off 7.30). “We’ll be ready to go again,” added James. “We want to carry on our rich vein of form.”

Robert Gilchrist was back in a Wolves vest after recently returning from representing England at the Commonwealth Games, but saw no action. “Rob is still recovering. We managed without him today but we’ll see if we can get him on the floor at Bristol,” explained James.

Match report by Colin Taylor
Image credit Razorlight Imagery