Sharks hit back to regain number one spot

Will the real Sheffield Sharks please stand up?

Just 24-hours after a defeat and a poor performance at home against London Capital they travelled to reigning BBL champions Guildford Heat on Saturday night and won with some style to leapfrog their hosts back to the top of the table.

It has left coach Peter Scantlebury delighted but confused: "We're finding out more about the guys with every performance," he said. "What they showed me at Guildford was guts and determination. What you get with a young team is that they get complacent and that was what happened on Friday."

After the shock defeat against Capital, Sheffield were expected to suffer another loss at title favourites Guildford.

However, Heat were without their talismanic point-guard Brian Dux, and forward Michael Martin was sidelined for much of the match with foul trouble.

They should still have had too much for a Sharks team who, despite their good start to the campaign, are still getting to know each other.

After a tight first quarter with both teams trading baskets the Heat held a slim advantage at 43-41 going in at half time.

In the second half, the Heat started strongly, and an 8-1 run took the score out to 51-42, but the Sharks broke the game open with a 21-3 burst to close out the third period with the visitors up by 63-54.

Heat fought back in the fourth quarter and levelled the score at 69-69, but a succession of three-pointers from Justice Graham (two) and Perry Lawson (one) saw the Sharks home for the victory.

Scantlebury said: "Everyone played better. Justice stepped up with some big threes down the stretch and so did Perry. Our run at the end of third won it for us. Even though they drew level we kept doing the right things and came through."

Graham led all scorers with 19 points for the Sharks, while Carlton Aaron led the Heat scoring with 18.

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