Sharks focus turns elsewhere after cup loss

Sheffield captain Adrian Anderson says the Sharks are immediately turning their focus elsewhere after they lost their grip on the BBL Cup last weekend.

Former Shark Paul Williams landed a basket on the buzzer to help Plymouth Raiders to victory, firing them through to the last four of the knockout competition in place of Sheffield.

The Sharks were victorious in the competition last season, emphatically beating Mersey Tigers in the final back in January, but their attention now moves elsewhere, as they look to curb a three game losing streak.

Anderson told the Sheffield Star: “It’s a shame we’re no longer in a position to retain the Cup, but I remain confident we can bounce back.

“We had a target on our back as Cup holders, and everyone wants to beat the Sharks. There’s some bruised pride here at the moment and Atiba (Lyons – Sharks’ coach) doesn’t like losing. We need some intense practice and to learn from our mistakes or we won’t move forward.”

Sheffield travel north to face Glasgow this weekend with an impressive record against the Rocks in their favour. Atiba Lyons’ men won six out of seven meetings between the two sides last season, with their only loss coming at home in the play-off quarter-finals.

The Sharks went on to reach the BBL Play-off Final before losing to Mersey Tigers at the NIA in Birmingham.