BBL
 

 
 

BBL

Profiles 

Fixtures
 

FRONT PAGE
 
 

 

Berry's bad bounce condemns Rocks to defeat




Edinburgh Rocks suffered the most heartbreaking of losses to Westfield Sharks Sheffield last night at Meadowbank, as Ted Berry’s shot on the buzzer found only the rim to hand the Yorkshiremen a narrow 81-82 victory. 

The Northern Conference rivals provided high quality entertainment right to the finish and it was to the host’s immense credit that they came back from a 13 point deficit to prolong the contest to the final wire.

Rocks coach Jim Brandon even offered the opinion that it was his team’s best performance so far this season.

“It is a tough loss but the commitment and support that the players showed to each other was fantastic. It is a tough loss and I think that although we had our ups and downs, we had the last shot of the game to beat the champions at home and you can't ask for more than that.”

Both teams started at full throttle, evenly matched at both ends of the court. The lead changed handed no less than 11 times during the opening half as the two sets of gladiators traded punch for punch. 

Rocks centre Brendan Graves provided the hosts with much of their early spark, the Canadian having possibly his finest game to date in the navy blue vest.

The home crowd were treated to a demonstration of quality individual basketball by Sharks star American Terrell Myers in the third quarter, his silky shooting from all angles the catalyst for the visitors surge into a 13 point lead in the third quarter. Even Brandon’s rotation of defensive duties on the reigning British MVP could not shackle his majestic form.

By contrast Edinburgh’s own double headed monster of Ted Berry and John McCord were conspicuous by the absence, combining for just 13 points in the first half which ended 43-37 in Sheffield’s favour. But the best buddy duo proved that they can be irresistible, achieving an about turn in the Rocks fortunes in the final period.

The pair split the points in a 11-3 start to the ultimate period to reduce the seemingly insurmountable deficit and with just four minutes remaining, Joel Burns hit a three point basket to tie the match at 73-73.

Two free throws from Michael New sent the Scots ahead 81-80 with one minute left but inevitably the task fell to Myers to hit a difficult shot from the corner, his game high 31st point ultimately proving decisive.

"We showed a lot of heart," said winning coach Chris Finch. "It's a great breakthrough for this team to really test ourselves. Against Manchester we'd didn't hold strong which we did today. I though guys like Richard Windle played well, Peter Scantlebury did a great job on McCord.

"We had to adjust what we were doing. We have different people to come up for us. I'm proud of the way we played."

Berry's 18 was the highest tally for Edinburgh while Graves notched 16 points and 10 rebounds. For the victors, Nate Reinking added 16 while Todd Cauthorn also notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.


Copyright Britball. Download is subject to Britball's Terms of Service.