Basketball: Sharks and Force seek first win of BBL season

The Sharks play Cheshire Phoenix at EIS Sheffield (7.30), and have brought in 6’8 American forward TJ Robinson.

At the Carnegie Sports Centre, Leeds face Bristol Flyers (7.30) and forward Rob Marsden (ankle) is an injury doubt.

Both Bristol and Leeds each go into their fourth game of the season searching for a first win.

Matt Newby’s men were well beaten by London Lions and Newcastle Eagles although their frontcourt tandem of Zak Wells and Marsden continued to show signs of promise.

These teams know each other well having risen from EBL Division 1 together and joining the BBL last term.

Force coach Newby: “Defensively we were poor [last weekend]. If we don’t get it right in terms of scouting and how we deal with the match-ups then we are going to struggle, so we need to correct that this week and come out fighting.

“The good thing about Bristol is we do know them well. They have got the right guys, they have been unfortunate with a couple of losses that have gone down to the wire and they are losses that been judged very harshly but it’s maybe only one decision that has created the outcome of the game.

“They will be up for it. They will come at us with everything and I think it will be a great match-up.”

Without a fixture last weekend, Sharks have been forced to wait for their chance to get off the mark having lost their opener against defending champions Esh Group Eagles Newcastle.

Sharks forward Patrick Horstman: “I think we were right there in the end [against Newcastle], the game was tied with four minutes left. But we then missed some good looks and had a few rather average shots while Newcastle displayed their experience and strength and made some big baskets.

“Cheshire has some really good players and I am sure they will be ready for a battle so we need to make sure we play hard and execute well for the entire 40 minutes.”