S H A R K S - A to Z - 1994

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S H A R K S - A to Z - 1994 - 2007
Topic Started: Jul 9 2007, 07:02 PM (3,756 Views)
DaveBeeden	Jul 9 2007, 07:02 PM Post #1
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	Here we go again, an up dated A-Z of every player who has worn the blue and gold of the Sheffield Sharks. From Amaechi to Yusuf. Read on and feel free to add to any of the entries on your memories of the players. JOHN AMAECHI Height : 6’10’’ Position : Centre Number : 15 Sharks career : 97/98 (1 season) John Amaechi grew up in Stockport, and had spent a spell with the Cheshire Jets developmental programme in 1988/89. Amaechi then headed to America and high school allowed him the chance to hone his basketball skills. ‘Meech’ then worked himself into contention for the 1995 NBA Draft after playing 4 years at Penn State. Whilst he was surprisingly undrafted, Amaechi still made the Cleveland Cavaliers team as a free agent. He spent one season at the Gund Arena before playing in Europe in both Greece and Italy. Due to contractual reasons Amaechi found himself with half a season remaining in 1997/98 and with no club. Rumours started to circulate that Amaechi was entertaining the prospect of playing in his homeland. Amaechi was not motivated by money but wanted to stay in shape and also could spend some time with his family. His possible destination was unclear. Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield were all mentioned as Amaechi wanted to be close to his roots. The Sharks openly admitted their initial interest and general manager Yuri Matischen confirmed that they had spoken with Amaechi. Sharks fans were not certain that such a coup ever would happen but people began to suspect the move was closer to reality after Amaechi was spotted with coach Chris Finch watching a game at Granby Halls, and then the man himself had said he was very interested in coming to Sheffield. Apparently it was confirmed he would sign for the Sharks during a game in the capital at the Towers. His signing was viewed in the media as one of the biggest news stories in British Basketball for years. Amaechi made his debut at Ponds Forge on the 7th November, 1997. He had 29 points and 11 boards as the Sharks routed the depleted Worthing Bears 106-40. Amaechi’s next game saw him brought back to earth with a home defeat to the Newcastle Eagles in the Uni ball trophy. However it was in this trophy that Amaechi had his most memorable performance in this country. He helped the Sharks to defeat the Towers with a supreme performance (40 pts) in the final. Amaechi’s time at Sheffield was a mixture of average performances and very good performance. At times it may have been hard for him to motivate himself to play in the BBL after being in the NBA and at times his play was not quite at the level you would expect. It was also easy to see why he would sometimes get frustrated with teammates and referees (got three technicals in one game versus the Eagles after a disagreement with Alan Richardson). The Sharks were widely expected to move up the standings and take the league after acquiring Amaechi but they came up just short. Ironically enough the London Leopards clinched the championship in a game at the Sheffield Arena, despite Amaechi’s best efforts with 26 points. The Sharks also bombed out of the playoffs suffering a rare exit at the first round to the Thames Valley Tigers in a lacklustre effort. Amaechi’s body language was of someone who was thinking of next season. Amaechi did move on and had a brief spell in France in 98/99 before returning stateside and signed a summer league contract with the Orlando Magic. He was even more successful than anyone could have imagined. He made the team and began to crack the playing rotation early on in pre season. By the opening game he was a starter and was earning plaudits from both his coaches and the media. He started 53 games and appeared in 80 games in the 1999/00 season. He averaged 10.5ppg and was 6th in the voting for NBA’s most improved player. He even scored the first NBA basket of the new Millennium in a game versus the Miami Heat on the 2nd of January 2000. When he became a free agent several teams showed an interest, including the LA Lakers who actively pursued him. However, Amaechi repaid the Magic for their faith in him and he re-signed with the Florida club. A season later he signed for the Utah Jazz after his plying time had dropped in Florida. However, disagreements with the coaching staff blighted his time in the Salt Lake City and he was traded to Houston this past summer but did not play a regular season game. Another trade seemingly gave Amaechi the chance to play in the Big Apple but the Knicks waived him for financial reasons, again before he had even played a game. In total he played in a total of 294 games in the league and started 93 times. He averaged 6.2ppg and 2,6rpg for his NBA career, with a career high of 31 points. Amaechi came back to Britain and whilst at home played at his own gym for the Manchester Magic in the NBL. After all he had helped contribute to the Ł2.7 million in building the Amaechi Basketball Centre! His time here was again mixed and he did not make the impact many would have imagined as his team did not contend seriously for the league and got knocked out of the playoffs early. As a player his impact was very limited but his presence on the court cannot have failed to help the younger players. Amaechi also continued to help the English National team and they were able to win a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2006. Amaechi now splits his time between London (Clapham) and Manchester involved with various business interests. He has come back to public prominence when he announced he was gay in March this year. This caused a huge stir back in the States and led to varying degrees of reaction including idiotic comments from some, such as former player Tim Hardaway. Amaechi’s reasons for announcing it so long after he had finished playing led to cynics to suggest he was more interested in selling copies of his new autobiography, ‘Man in the Middle’, which later spent time on the New York Times bestsellers list. For what it is worth, it is a good read. He mentions his time in Sheffield briefly (although the book incorrectly states we won the championship not the trophy and also it states he was dominant whilst he was here which was not strictly true). He actually writes more in the book about his social dalliances than his basketball over here in Sheffield but talks fondly of the likes of John Belk, who as a one time Sharks assistant. Amaechi has been involved in the Gay Pride Parade in Salt Lake City (as a thanks to the people who had supported him) and also now helps endorse shaving products for a company. He is perhaps achieved more notoriety for ‘coming out’ in the USA than he did for his steady if not spectacular NBA career. He remains one of the most famous Brits to ever crack the big time in the sport and is seemingly still an influential figure in the politics of the game in this country. Amaechi was awarded an honouray degree by Manchester Metropolitan University in July, 2007. He continues to actively run Amaechi Basketball Camps and also has been involved in the Consultancy company Animus based in Clapham, in which he gives motivational speeches. He is also president of the North West NSPCC Business Group and of Diasbaility Sport England, as well as being an ambassador for several other charities and sporting organisations. App/Games : 25 / 25 Points/Points per game : 544 / 21.8ppg ADRIAN ANDERSON Height : 6’4’’ Position : Guard / Forward Number : 7 Sharks career : 1994-1999 (5 seasons) Adrian Anderson spent a large portion of his playing time as a Shark and despite not ever progressing as the coaches would have helped he was a member of the successful English bench that served Jim Brandon and Chris Finch so well. The wiry Anderson had began his career with the Birmingham Bullets and spent two years there as a youngster. He was best known for breaking a backboard in warm-ups prior to a game at Leicester but struggled to break into the Bullets main rotation. Anderson then landed with the first ever Sharks team in 1994/95. Coming off the bench Anderson provided energy, defence and the occasional high flying slam-dunk in garbage time. He was certainly an athlete who could get up (always looked very flashy in warm-ups) but his shooting and passing was not at such a high level and this prevented his playing time from being increased. I do recall one game versus Sunderland where Anderson excelled in a very open game and scored 18 points in a one sided Sharks blow out. He was also used as a defensive stopper from time to time (although I remember his disastrous attempts to guard Steve Bucknall in one game!). There was some talk of him moving to America and getting a basketball scholarship there (with Richard Windle?) but this never happened and Anderson remained in Sheffield. He remained with the Sharks until the end of the 1998/99 campaign and spent a total of 5 seasons with the club mostly in the 9th/10th man role. His last moment as a Shark featured him jumping up to celebrate Terrell Myers’ now infamous Championship winning shot. Anderson was touted to join the Derby Storm but the coaching staff eventually decided he was not quite BBL standard. Anderson signed for the Arrows and played for them for a long time in their various guises (Sheffield, Derbyshire, City of Sheffield) alongside being a learning mentor at Abbeydale Grange. On the few occasions I saw Anderson play, he has been very impressive at this lower level exploiting his strengths of athleticism and speed to enable him to get many easy scores. He was playing for the Arrows up the 2005/06 season but did not appear to be playing for anyone last season to my knowledge. He is often still seen as a spectator at Sharks games at the EIS. App/Games : 152 / 88 Points/Points per game : 215 / 2.4ppg



voise	Jul 10 2007, 10:08 AM Post #2
Sixth Man Posts: 303 Group: Member Member #129 Joined: July 17, 2006	Ameachi - I'm sure I read an interview with Chris Finch on UKTVSlam recently where he said one of his biggest regrets was trying to fit Ameachi in to the Sharks system that season - he feels now that he should have just let him have free rein and take over every game (See Uniball Trophy Final). Anderson - having seen him play really well for the Arrows in Div 1, always surprised that he didn't contribute more in the BBL. Two words..."Casey Arena"!



DaveBeeden	Jul 10 2007, 07:21 PM Post #3
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	STEDROY BAKER Height : 5’8’’ Position : Guard Number : 4 Sharks career : 2005-2007 (2 seasons) Along with his brother Ronnie, Stedroy Baker has seemingly been a permanent fixture in the top level of British Basketball. Whilst, Stedroy is perhaps the lesser known in terms of Basketball pedigree of the Baker boys, he has non the less had a solid career playing consistently at the top level for over 20 years. Stedroy was actually born in Monserratt but grew up under the successful Brixton Topcats programme making his debut way back in 1985 at the age of 16. He then went on to play for 13 clubs in a long career that has taken him ….deep breath….from Brixton (85-90), to Thames Valley (90/91), to London (91/92) back to Thames Valley (1992-93), to Doncaster (93-94), to Birmingham (94-96), to Augsburg in Germany (96-97), to Derby (97-98), to Leopards (98-99), to Fleron in Belgium (99-00), to Eagles (2000), to Derby again (00-01), to Milton Keynes (02-03), to Leicester (03-05) and then finally to Sheffield (05-07). Along the way he gained 14 caps for England also has won an assortment of championships and runners up medals throughout his time in the game in Britain. My memories of Baker began when he was a member of the Bullets in the mid nineties and he had the funky hair do. He was very fast at this stage of his career and was always a pass first; shoot second guard, which was a rarity in the league. He always did a good job whenever he came up against the Sharks for various teams and invariably when he played, his team did seem to fare better against the Sharks, in those stretches of games. Stedroy came to the Sharks right at the end of his career and has acted as a steadying (pun intended) back up point guard when the Sharks have struggled from this position. He came initially on a short-term contract after the departure of Herbert Montgomery in 2005 but stuck around the rest of the season. He did a nice job as the ball handler and actually played more than most thought. He was not expected back the following season and did not make the opening day roster but was re-signed in October and despite limited minutes continued to offer stellar play off the bench. It is unknown if Baker will return next season but he has been a solid bench player for Sheffield and has never let the team down. He has had a really good career and despite moving from club to club has shown enough skills and basketball savvy to remain on a top flight roster year in, year out. App/Games : 65 / 58 Points/Points per game : 110 / 1.9ppg --- ZAC BENNETT Height : 6’9’’ Position : Forward / Centre Number : 4 Sharks career : 2000-2001 (1 season) Zac Bennett came to the Sharks straight from college (played at Oklahoma Baptist and Tulsa, with ex Bull Michael Ruffin) for the 2000/2001 season after the team lost Todd Cauthorn and Will Johnson. He was billed as a solid big man who could run the floor and finish well. First impressions of him in that shark byte le coq sportif uniform (other than that he had very big ears!) were mixed. He could score inside and was blessed with a range of offensive skills but was lost on defence and also did not seem to be very physical. Bennett never really found his comfort zone and would have one good game where he would be very effective followed by a poor game where he would get into foul trouble. He was not helped by not having any real inside presence to help him (Kennedy not good enough, Flournoy undersized and Windle still inconsistent). He did have a few excellent games, including one against Loren Meyer at the Arena when he was MVP in a dramatic Sharks overtime victory but also had games like the play off final versus the Riders where he disappeared in the second half. When Chris Finch challenged him to become more physical in the local paper, Bennett managed to take it too far and got ejected for a shoving match with Hilroy Thomas of the Derby Storm during a clash at the Thunderdome. At his best, Bennett could throw down some nasty flushes and display a collection of hooks (jump and sky). However, at his worst, he would go into his shell, avoid contact inside and try his ineffective jump shot. The Sharks did win the Northern Conference during his season but this was as much down to the brilliance of Terrell Myers and Nate Reinking as Bennett’s inside play. I felt sorry for Bennett at times. He clearly had talent and did have potential but to be seen as the main big man inside for one of the top teams in the league was perhaps too much for him. People tend to forget this was his first season away from his homeland. One incident that sticks out is I remember seeing him sat at the United v Wednesday derby match at Hillsborough sat with Chris Finch looking stunned at the sheer fanaticism of the fans. We must also consider that we were measuring him against other Sharks imports that, for the most part, have been of a very high standard. It is safe to say thought that for whatever reasons his stay in Sheffield will not be fondly remembered. He signed to play in Austria for the following season, spending five seasons with the league Gmunden Steiner Swans. He was named the best centre in the league and chosen in the all import team averaging, 9.5 rebounds per game as his side finished runners up in his rookie season. His side went onto win the league in 04/05 and then repeated this in 05/06 and he was a key player for the duration of his stay there. Bennett may not have really made it in England and for the Sharks, but it seems he was an incredibly popular player in Austria and won a lot of medals with his team and a lot of individual accomplishments, often being voted onto all league or all defensive teams. It seems he retired at the end of the 05/06 and according to the press releases he returned to the USA for a new career outside of the game. App/Games : 36 / 36 Points/Points per game : 442 / 12.3ppg --- JEFF BONDS Height : 6’7’’ Position : Forward Number : 8 Sharks career : 2006-2007 (1 season) Jeff Bonds was born in California and attended Mayfair High School earning nomination as a McDonalds High School All American. He enlisted at California State Polytechnic University in 2001 and was a four year starter becoming the all time leading scorer in school history. He was a first team All American at NCAA division two level and was MVP at the West Regional in 2003 and 2005, as he helped the team reach the NCAA II elite eight. Bonds signed to play overseas joining the Birmingham Bullets in 2005/06 and in a very disappointing season for the team Bonds played very well on an individual level averaging 17ppg. After the demise of the Bullets, I recall seeing Bonds at Ponds Forge watching GB play sat with Eddie Cage and Blake Shelton and sure enough his signing for Sheffield was confirmed a few weeks later. The Sharks management had clearly remembered his excellent performances against them the previous season. Bonds was expected to be a solid contributor but no-one quite expected him to lead the team in scoring, to the verge of honours in every competition and to go on and win joint player of the year honours for the entire league! Bonds was great from the first game against the Eagles in a come from behind win and led the Sharks in scoring most weeks. He could score inside, hit the outside shot, create his own shot and rebound the ball averaging almost 10 a game. Indeed he finished third in the league in both scoring and rebounding and he also played great defence regularly getting steals or blocks. Teaming with fellow Americans Eddie Cage and Blake Shelton, Bonds propelled the Sharks to the brink of the Championship but some crucial losses down the stretch saw the young side just miss out. Still the Sharks gave their fans a great season and the versatile Bonds was at the heart of it, going from a good prospect the year before on a struggling side to perhaps the main player for one of the top sides and along with Brian Dux at Guildford, the best player in the entire league. It was clear many other teams would vie for his services this summer both in Britain and on the continent and Bonds opted for pastures new and more rewards financially by penning a one yer deal to play with Baquet Muro in Spain, where he will be joined by another ex Shark Eddie Cage. Bonds was impressive in his one season in Sheffield and it is a shame it was only a brief stay but you cannot criticise him for leaving when he can play at a higher standard and for more money. App/Games : 36 / 36 Points/Points per game : 782 / 21.7ppg --- ANDREW BRIDGE Height : 6’3’’ Position : Guard Number : 6/10 Sharks career : 2000-2002 (2 seasons) Andrew Bridge grew up in Chesterfield attending Brookfield Community School. After school he went on to study at Leeds Metropolitan University. Whilst studying at Leeds, Bridge also played for the Mansfield Express in division three of the national Basketball League. Bridge took the eye of Sharks head coach Chris Finch in a friendly game between the Sharks and Mansfield and kept an eye on the youngster, inviting him to practice with the team during the season. A year later Finch offered him the chance to play for the Sharks and Bridge subsequently signed a one-year deal. He played very few minutes in his early days, only appearing in garbage time of games. However, Bridge showed good fundamentals and appeared a definite improvement on fellow home grown player Locker Okorie. Bridge showed he could hit the outside shot and also drove to the hoop. At the end of games, a Bridge jam or three often drew loud cheers, as he became a popular member of the team with the supporters at the Arena. Bridge did enough to re-sign with the Sharks but unfortunately he could never get regular minutes and his playing time was sparse. After the 2001/02 season, former team mate Fab Flournoy, now coach of the Newcastle Eagles, signed Bridge to play for his new team. Flournoy had clearly seen enough potential in him and Bridge has rewarded his coach in the career with the Eagles steadily improving all aspects of his game and earning more and more court time. He has shown he can hit the outside shot regularly and also has really improved his defence and other aspects of his game. In short, Bridge has started to put those flashes he showed at the Sharks into more consistent play and being one of the key players of the Eagles as they swept the board two years ago and then won the playoffs last year. Bridge is now seen as a BBL veteran and has really flourished for Newcastle. His consistent play and improvements have seen him also feature for England/GB in various squads and in the Commonwealth Games where he helped the team win a bronze medal in 2006. He is definitely a player the Sharks should never have let go but in his early days it was difficult for him to get playing time when the Sharks were full of English talent themselves and if he had not moved to Newcastle he may never have developed in the way he did. His sister Alison now works for MLS, the group that effectively owns and runs the Sharks. App/Games : 51 / 28 Points/Points per game : 66 / 2.4ppg --- JOEL BURNS Height : 6’2’’ Position : Guard Number : 23 Sharks career : 2006/07 (1 season) Joel Burns, like Stedroy Baker, has come to the Sharks at the twilight of his basketball career after a long journey around the United Kingdom spanning many years and many clubs. Burns was born in Wisconsin and attended Western Michigan University under Bob Donewald Sr. Burns played with distinction at Western Michigan before Donewald recommended him to teams on the continent. He firstly landed in Watford playing for the Royals before he transferred to Worthing in the same season. For the 1997-98 season he signed for the Storm and began to really build his reputation as a sharp shooter averaging a career high 17ppg. He then teamed with Ted Berry at the Rocks and formed a deadly backcourt. Spells with the Bullets and the Storm followed before after gaining GB citizenship he tried his luck in mainland Europe with Basket Braunschweig in the 2001-02 season. He returned to play for the Milton Keynes Lions for two seasons, before spending a similar amount of time with the Riders. After a short spell back with the Rocks, Burns moved to play for the Sharks in 2006. His signing was met with mixed reaction from the Sheffield fans but having lost Iain McKinney to retirement, the Sharks needed to plug in some outside shooters and fast. Burns was reckoned to be able to fill this need. He began with a mixed performance, hit the game winning free throws versus the Eagles but showed a real lack of foot speed and was a liability on defence. This theme continued throughout the season and his minutes began to deteriorate and he averaged a career low in points. He still could be counted on to hit the occasional three pointer or open shot and along with Baker and Todd Cauthorn offered a nice veteran presence off the bench. Burns has averaged 13ppg throughout his 10-year career in the BBL and has continued to consistently hit the three point shot. Having British citizenship makes him more attractive as a player to many clubs who know that whilst he may not be the player or in the shape he was, he can still be relied upon to keep defences honest with his dead eye outside shooting. He signed for the Leicester Riders where he will combine his playing duties be being an assistant coach to new Riders coach Martin Ford. App/Games : 35 / 35 Points/Points per game : 212 / 6.1ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 11 2007, 08:24 PM Post #4
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	EDDIE CAGE Height : 6’8’’ Position : Centre/Forward Number : 15 Sharks career : 2005-07 (2 seasons) Eddie Cage was born in Waukegan, Illinois, and grew up on the north side of Chicago. After high school he attended Bradley University from 1996-2001 where he had a steady career, despite having to red shirt one year due to injury. Cage graduated and began playing overseas playing two seasons in Germany for TSV Lesum Bremen before transferring to Cuxhaven Bascats where he averaged 17ppg and 10rpg in the 2004/05 season. Looking to solidify the front court following a season of struggles in 04/05 after losing the likes of Lynard Stewart and Justin Phoenix, the Sharks signed Cage to play alongside the likes of Richard Windle and Sterling Davis. Cage made his debut on the 1st October 2005 in a victory at the Birmingham Bullets. Cage had a steady opening for the Sharks and proved he could hit the outside shot even if he perhaps did not score enough close to the hoop or garner enough rebounds. This was the theme for much of Cage’s first season as he showed flashes of excellent play interspersed with moments of frustration. He had solid averages and was seen as a big enough contributor to be brought back in season 2006/07. Whilst his statistics remained similar to the first season Cage improved in a lot of areas, finishing plays more often with dunks or lay ups and having more of an influence defensively. Some of his dunks were most impressive as he realised he had the athleticism and hops to finish a lot of plays and not settle for little flip or hook shots. At times he still stayed on the perimeter too much but his 8-10 foot jump shot was perhaps even better in his second season and it was hard to argue with the fact he took a lot of shots out that as he made a very good percentage. His free throw shooting was also solid. Cage may not have got the plaudits like Blake Shelton and Jeff Bonds, but his performances were a big factor in the Sharks excellent season as they narrowly missed out on honours for all the major trophies. Cage left the Sharks after the 06/07 season and signed to play in Spain for Basquet Muro where he will play alongside another former Shark Jeff Bonds. Cage had two steady seasons for the Sharks and did a nice job. A little frustrating at times due to his lack of inside play but he certainly contributed to The Sharks recent resurgence back to contenders. App/Games : 76 / 76 Points/Points per game : 1153 / 15.2ppg TODD CAUTHORN Height : 6’8’’ Position : Forward/Centre Number : 14 Sharks career : 1994-2000, 2000/01 and 2005/07 (9 seasons) Todd Cauthorn or ‘TC’ as he became known is a Sheffield Sharks legend. His career story takes in most of the Sharks history and deserves a detailed and thorough analysis. Having attended college at William and Mary in Virginia (14 pts and 14 rebs a game), Cauthorn signed overseas in Austria for the 93/94 season playing with ABC Graz. Even though he scored 25ppg, Cauthorn was originally planning on returning to the States, when a friend of Jim Brandon recommended Cauthorn to him. After seeing tapes of him in action and contacting his agent, Cauthorn was made a part of the original Sheffield Sharks team which began play in the Budweiser League in 1994/95. Expectations were not that high but led by Brandon the Sharks stormed out of the blocks. Along with Roger Huggins, Chris Finch and Garnet Gayle, Cauthorn was outstanding. He played a great deal of his first season at centre but as well as mixing it up inside, ‘TC’ had an unnerving ability to run the floor, hit the outside shot and play hard nosed gritty basketball. The Sharks shocked the rest of the league by claiming the title, with the clinching game coming at near neighbours the Doncaster Panthers. He finished in the top ten in blocked shots, offensive rebounds and floor shooting. He was named to the All Star game and All Star season team. Cauthorn resigned to stay in Sheffield and his first duty was to play in the Sharks team that competed in the McDonalds Championship. It is testimony to Todd that he was seen discussing X’s and O’s of the game with Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich during the weekend. Cauthorn’s basketball smarts were obvious but so was his talent. He upped his scoring average to nearly 20ppg in his second campaign. He became the heart and soul of the Sharks team and after Gayle and Huggins departed he became the leader of the club. He captained the team to many honours and was a regular in the all star game. He had a habit of hitting big shots when the Sharks needed them (tying shots versus Eagles in that overtime marathon and a three at the buzzer versus the Bears in the trophy spring to mind). He was instrumental in the hugely successful 1998/99 season when the Sharks won the National Cup and league. Cauthorn teamed firstly with Matt Gaudio and then with Peter Scantlebury, showing his flexibility and willingness to do whatever it took for the team to win. Cauthorn also hit the crucial free throws in a vital overtime victory over Manchester at the Arena. The highlight of the season was of course the dramatic victory at the M.E.N. in Manchester when the Sharks beat the Giants courtesy of Terrell Myers last second shot. It was ironic that he nearly missed the final weeks after injuring his knee at Leicester on a pivotal evening when the Giants fell to the Towers and the Sharks moved into pole position (TC recalls his wife being on the phone to him on the way to the ambulance and relaying the Sky TV Giants v Towers game to him as it finished). Cauthorn’s smile and sheer delight when he lifted that trophy in Manchester was plain for all to see in the large Sheffield contingent. He was a regular in the all-star teams and was so consistent night after night, season after season. It came as no surprise when Cauthorn, after finally getting his British passport, opted to play overseas, for Bree in Belgium. Cauthorn stayed for a year and a half until he was unfortunately released after getting injured. He re-signed with the Sharks (I remember we beat the Jets just before Christmas at the Northgate when the fans were told he was coming back). He was not quite at the same level having suffered a few injuries that held him back and he undoubtedly was a step slower. He played for the Sharks in their play off final defeat to the Chester Jets and was sparingly used. Unable to agree terms with the Sharks for the following year (Sharks could not justify paying him his demands for a bench player), ‘TC’ joined Chester for the 2002/03 season. He was a vital 6th man for the Jets and was named MVP in their trophy final success over the Towers. Cauthorn realised that financially basketball could not support him and his family forever and left the game to work in marketing in Leeds. However, Cauthorn was soon back in employment in basketball circles working for English Basketball out of the EIS, to work as National Facilities Manager for English Basketball. Cauthorn then came out of retirement in 05/06 and was back at his first love, the Sharks, to assist his old friend Peter Scantlebury as player coach. For the last two seasons he has remarkably still proved he can play at the top level in this country, acting as an assistant coach, but also showing great experience and skills off the bench. Cauthorn skills have shown little sign of slowing down. His status as a Sharks legend continues to grow and hopefully ‘TC’s’ number 14 jersey will one day be retired to give him the honour he deserves for his stellar play during his long spell in Sheffield. Cauthorn has now left his position at the EIS and recently took up employment working for Zest Medical. This a specialist recruitment consultancy dedicated exclusively to the dental, optical, scientific and healthcare professions. It seems from his position in the company that this is a full time job and thus it remains to be seen if Todd will carry on his career with the Sharks, either as a player/coach or just a coach. App/Games : 312 / 309 Points/Points per game : 3874 / 12.5ppg STEWART CLARK Height : 6’6’’ Position : Forward Number : 22 Sharks career : 1999/00 (1 season) Stewart Clark was born in Quebec and grew up in Canada. After starring at Bishops University, being named 1997/98 Canadian Inter University Athletic Union MVP. He came over to Britain to play after his college career. He signed for the Thames Valley Tigers for the 98/99 season and impressed as a versatile forward who could rebound and play tough defence. Clark always stood out, for his hair was identical in colour to his Tigers strip! He did play well though and averaged 8.3ppg and 5.5rpg. He did not re-sign for the Tigers after contractual talks broke down. Clark found himself without a club for the 99/00 season but the Sharks became alerted to his availability after Andre McCloud blew his leg out early on in the season. There was talk that James Hamilton and Maurice Robinson were available but this was never confirmed and Finch eventually signed Clark instead. He seemed a Sharks type of player. Clark appeared to be hardworking, selfless and a team player from his spell with the Tigers. He did not seem concerned with statistics. It certainly reckoned he would provide a nice lift off the bench. Initial impressions were not good though as Clark struggled. He could not shoot and seemed a bit small to guard the taller players he was matched up against. He did not score much and even though he did get a few rebounds he did not attack the glass as I had remembered in previous games for the Tigers. Clark played for half a season with the Sharks in the year they finished runners up to the Giants for the Northern Conference and lost to the Bullets in the playoffs. He left the club after the season and did not return to the BBL. It seems that Clark, now 34, is no longer playing professional basketball and his whereabouts are unknown. App/Games : 20 / 19 Points/Points per game : 74 / 3.9ppg HL COLEMAN Height : 6’7’’ Position : Forward Number : 14 Sharks career : 2003/04 (1 season) HL Coleman had an outstanding college career, earning all conference honours during his time at Wyoming. He was named to the all Pacific division First team with Anthony Carter, Keon Clark, Tyrone Nesby and Olivier Saint-Jean (all four of these made the NBA). He was seen as a big signing for the Birmingham Bullets when he arrived in this country with fellow collegiate, Brit Chris Haslam, in 1997. He was very impressive and showed an ability to take it to the basket and dunk with authority and also to hit the 10-12 foot jump shot. He was a highly influential figure as the Bullets went all the way to Wembley and won the BBL Playoff crown. He left the Bullets after the season though when the Bullets could not afford to keep him and embarked on career that has made Coleman somewhat of a basketball nomad. He played in the IBA and the USBL (for such great named teams as the Florida Sharks in 1997 and the Tampa Bay Windjammers in 1998), as well as a few far-flung destinations around the world. However he did return to England to play for the Towers, in an unfamiliar 6th man role and helped them to beat the Giants in the trophy final in 1999. He was back on his travels after this though and played in Italy and then back in the States. He returned to these shores for a third time when the Sharks came calling at the beginning of this season. Needing someone to effectively do the job of three departing players (Williams, Payne and Scantlebury), Coleman came in and fitted into the Sharks system straight away. He got rebounds, scored points, played defence and did everything coach ‘Scants’ demanded of him. Coleman showed he could still get up and dunk the ball and was also a very good rebounder but he also showed that he had developed a very effective three point shot since his last spell in Britain. He became a fan favourite quickly and was very distinguishable for his high socks and crazy haircuts, with the occasional huge afro causing great hilarity in the stands of Ponds Forge. He had a tremendous performance in the National Cup final win over the Rocks and was unlucky not to be named MVP. He was also a crucial member of the team that finally broke the playoff jinx recently. Coleman’s nomadic status continued as he left the Sharks to play in Italy. He spent one season with Sassari, then moved to Nuova Trapani before spending last season with Agricola Gloria Montecantini. He averaged 13.5ppg and played the most minutes for his ball club, playing alongside former Chicago Bull Cory Carr. Coleman is now 33 but continues to excel on the continent at a high level. He was always a class act in the BBL and had the size, versatility and ability to command a spot overseas. App/Games : 36 / 36 Points/Points per game : 538 / 14.9ppg TRAVIS CONLAN Height : 6’4’’ Position : Guard Number : 12 Sharks career : 1998/99 (1 season) Travis Conlan was a basketball standout in his home city of Detroit and earned a highly sought after scholarship with the much heralded Michigan Wolverines. Following in the footsteps of Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Juwan Howard and the rest of the ‘fab five’, Conlan was a starter in his final two years at Ann Arbour. Whilst teammate, Robert ‘Tractor’ Traylor, was drafted in the year they both graduated, Conlan missed out and the NBA lockout prevented summer league play and any big league opportunities. So Conlan with the help of an internet search signed to play overseas and chose England, and the Sharks. He was seen as an ambitious signing by Sharks coach Chris Finch despite being somewhat of an unknown quantity in this country. However, the fair-haired Conlan had an immediate impact in Sheffield. Paired with Terrell Myers, the T’n’T backcourt helped the Sharks to an 11-0 start. At 6’4’’ Conlan was very tall for a point guard and complemented Myers shooting and scoring superbly. An outstanding playmaker and passer, Conlan was also an excellent defender. He could also score from outside and through posting up his opponents. Conlan helped lead the Sharks to the National cup after a close win over the Leopards and to many long winning streaks. Conlan’s magical start to his professional career threatened to disintegrate though, when he missed several key free throws (one of his few weaknesses) in a defeat at Chester that led to a winner takes all clash for the league at the Manchester Giants. However, Conlan played well in this monumental game and it was he who provided the pass for the game winning shot to his backcourt partner Myers. After the season the big spending Giants decided that the best way to overtake the Sharks was to sign their best players and they offered big bucks to both members of the Sharks backcourt. Myers stayed with the Sharks, but Conlan accepted and moved to the Giants for the 1999/00 season. The policy worked as Manchester pipped the Sharks to the Northern Conference an also won the playoff final. A few Sharks fans felt Conlan was a judas and quite a few booed him on his first visit back over the Pennines. However, most Sharks fans recognised that a basketball player’s life is short and that Conlan had rewarded the fans enough with the championship and outstanding play. I certainly did not begrudge Conlan leaving, even if it was to the hated rivals. The amount of money the Giants were throwing around was hard for anyone to turn down. Ironically, Conlan had to leave the Giants after the season for the same financial reasons that brought him there (they had run out of money! He played back in Michigan for a while, for the Detroit Dogs of the CBA. After the season, Travis worked out for the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks but Travis ended up back in Europe, signing a Three-Year Contract with Panionios Athens. After three months, the Club was already late with payments. A clause in his contract allowed Travis to leave the Club, so he played in Germany with the Opel Skyliners. This past season Conlan was playing in Poland for Prokom Sopat. He appeared against the London Towers in the ULEB Cup. However, he left his team before the end of the season and joined German side Karlsruhe and fitted in very well. He then linked up with old coach Chris Finch in signing with Belgian side Bree for the next season and was influential in their success story in winning the playoffs. He left Bree but remained in Belgium playing for Liege in 2006/07 averaging 31 minutes per game and 5ppg and 5apg. He is still contributing to a good standard in a good league but no doubt he will have some regrets after being touted so highly from high school and college days. Personally as good as he was in the BBL for the short time he was here and the decent standard he has played at in Europe, I think he could have done more with his career. I am not necessarily talking NBA but he was very much a guard in the mould of Jason Kidd and should have played in higher competition in Europe. Still, Conlan only played in Sheffield for a year but he had a massive impact and is perhaps the best all round point guard in the Sharks history. Conlan was re-united with Finch yet again when he signed for Finch's new side Mons Hainaut for the 2007/08 season, where he will team with another ex Sharks Nate Reinking in an exciting looking backcourt. App/Games : 36 / 36 Points/Points per game : 511 / 14.2ppg JASON CRUMP Height : 6’10’’ Position : Centre Number : 15 Sharks career : 1995/96 (1 season) Jason Crump was a highly rated junior player in this country with the Cheshire Jets playing with John Amaechi and Paul Smith, the current Jets coach. Crump then headed to the States I believe, to play at high school and college. He played four years at Bowling State and Towson University. He returned to this country and heard that Jim Brandon was looking for a big man for his championship winning squad. The well-built Crump seemed an ideal person to help Roger Huggins and Todd Cauthorn in the key after the Sharks lost Plouto Vourliotis. I first saw Crump in an exhibition games versus Buckler Bologna and was not impressed with his haircut (bit like Elvis) or his play. He seemed very clumsy, did not have very good hands and was cumbersome. I remember him playing in the prestigious McDonalds Championship in London and grimacing as he tried to handle much quicker and more skilled big men from Real Madrid and Maccabi Tel Aviv. The American commentators on channel 4 asserted that Crump was a real project in the making with definite potential. I disagreed and was unfortunately proved right. He had begun the season as a starter but by the end of the season he has slipped further and further down the rotation. He did have a useful hook shot but often dropped the ball before he had chance to use it. He got into foul trouble regularly and clearly exasperated Sharks coach Jimmy Brandon. He did not fit into the Sharks tenacious, ripping defence and was not effective at the other end either. After the season he was released. He did play for the Jets briefly in the years that followed but injuries curtailed his career. He may have won quite a few England caps (13) but his injuries and lack of speed meant that he never lived up to the promise he showed in the early days. App/Games : 29 / 28 Points/Points per game : 171 / 4.2ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 12 2007, 09:38 PM Post #5
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	STERLING DAVIS Height : 6’7’’ Position : Forward Number : 4 Sharks career : 2004-06 (2 seasons as a player) Born in Duncanville, Texas, Davis played collegiately at Tulane University having a very good career during his four years for the Greenwave. Davis played his first professional basketball in Uruguay for Aguada in 2000-01 averaging 25ppg before moving to Argentina to complete the season playing for Entrerriano and averaging 23ppg. He moved to England for the first time on 2001-02 starring for the Brighton Bears averaging 19ppg. He played for Oklahoma in the USBL during the summer but returned to the Bears and had another excellent season putting up 20ppg as the Bears narrowly lost out on the Championship losing to the Sharks in a virtual decider at a raucous Ponds Forge. Davis always impressed the watching Sharks fans and looked a class act in comparison to certain other more out of control Bears, Alderson and Williams. He looked a smooth player who could create a shot off the dribble, hit the outside shots, rebound the ball and do all the X’s and O’s. Davis moved on to the big spending London Towers but was released early into the campaign joining Giessen in the BBL where he linked up with former sharks coach Chirs Finch. He was released due to injury but re-joined later in the season and averaged 13ppg but struggled to find a position as small forward were sometimes too quick and power forwards too strong in the more competitive Bundesliga. I was delighted when the Sharks talked Davis into coming back to England the following season in 2004/05 remembering his excellent play previously against the club. Davis had an excellent first year for the Sharks and led the team in scoring as they looked to recover from the losses of key players. The Sharks were undermanned for much of the year but Davis along with Nate Reinking helped lead the Sharks to another top four finish. With the departure of Reinking and Rob Yanders the next season, Davis has to take on even of a key role and was able to help the Sharks to another good season, albeit it one without any trophies. Davis could hit the outside shot, create his own shot and became the go-to-guy when the Sharks needed one. The one criticism was that he would not perhaps get other players involved as much and perhaps did not meet many shots he did not like in his later days as a Shark. The counter argument is that on a team of young players he simply had to take the shots. Davis was still reckoned to have enough in the tank to further his career and securing his British passport allowed him to have more options. Davis did not return to the Sharks as he was expected to leave for Europe but despite rumoured offers, nothing permanent came to fruition so Davis signed a short term deal with the Scottish Rocks with a get out in his contract that would allow him to leave if a suitable European offer arrived. Davis eventually wound up staying the entire season and helped the Rocks to a credible season as they eventually lost the BBL Cup Final and the Play Off final. With the departure of head coach of Thorsten Leibenath, it was unsure what the future may be for the Rocks and Davis but in a surprise move Davis was made player coach in a move reminiscent of the one the Eagles had made some time previously with Fab Flournoy. The Rocks hope Davis can be somewhere near as successful and hope the continuity Davis will bring will allow the Rocks to contend for major honours once again in the 2007/08 season. App/Games : 80 / 80 Points/Points per game : 1511 / 18.9ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 13 2007, 08:45 PM Post #6
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	CHRIS FINCH Height : 6’4’’ Position : Guard Number : 12 Sharks career : 1994-97 (3 seasons as a player) Chris Finch had an excellent basketball career at Franklin and Marshall (Penn) and after gaining his degree, he has an option to play with the Harlem Globetrotters opponents, the Washington Generals. However, Finch had said that he would like to go abroad and an offer became available in Britain to play with the Sheffield Forgers of National league division one. Finch could combine this with the continuation of his studies at University in Sheffield. Finch took up the offer and came to Sheffield. Little did he know he would remain for close to 9 years! After his first season, the Sheffield team put together a bid to enter the premier division and subsequently the Sheffield Sharks were born. Finch remained with the team and was joined by fellow American Todd Cauthorn and British players Garnet Gayle, Roger Huggins and Sean McKie in the starting 5. In his first year the Sharks surprised everybody and unbelievably won the league. Finch was seen as a key player, with his outstanding outside shooting, solid fundamentals and calming influence. The following season, the Sharks pitted their wits against Europe’s best and were only narrowly defeated by the European champions, Real Madrid. The team remained near the top of the standings and won more honours over the next few seasons. Finch remained a starter and a vital cog in the Sharks system. After a subpar season in 96/97, there were rumours Finch could be released but what happened next probably very surprised him. Jim Brandon felt he was going stale in Sheffield and moved on to a new challenge in Manchester. His recommendation for his successor was surprisingly right under the Sharks noses; Chris Finch. The Sharks appointed him head coach at the young age of 28 but due to complications over coaching qualifications (he did not have any!) he could not take up his post. So the Sharks began the season with John Belk and Brian Aldred on the sidelines and Finch remained as a player. Eventually early into the season, the problems were resolved and Finch took up his post for the game against the Worthing Bears on the 5th October, 1997 (95-75 victory). The remainder of the 97/98 season had mixed results and despite a talented team, including John Amaechi, the Sharks underachieved somewhat. They did give Finch his first silverware as a head a coach, when they won the uniball Trophy final against the London Towers. Finch made some excellent acquisitions for the following season, in Travis Conlan, Matt Gaudio and then Peter Scantlebury. The Sharks raced out of the blocks and played superbly, winning the National Cup and then eventually winning the league in dramatic fashion in Manchester. Finch proved very quickly what a good coach he had become as his team got the better of the so called dream team of the Giants. The Sharks were always contenders for honours over the next few seasons and won the National Cup and Northern Conference. They never finished lower than second as Finch helped continue the franchise’s consistency. When the BBL returned to a single league, Finch again made some carefully planned additions in Jerry Williams and Rob Yanders. The Sharks again managed to get the better of a Nick Nurse outfit, this time the Brighton Bears, to win the league again in 2002/03. The Sharks never did win the playoffs during Finch’s time there as both a player and a coach. It is ironic that the season after he left the club, the Sharks managed to finally accomplice this goal. It was inevitable that bigger and better opportunities would come up for the talented play caller. Finch wanted to test himself in Europe. When German side Giessen came calling, Finch decided to try and test himself at this higher level. Despite signing quite a few ex BBL players, including Sterling Davis and John Thomas, Finch’s spell in Germany did not work out and when the team struggled he was dismissed. Rumours grew that Finch was going to work with Nick Nurse in some capacity at Brighton for the remainder of the season but Finch was then named coach of Belgian side Bree. He spent the next three seasons coaching Bree and with it took them to the playoff finals twice, winning the league one year and then just missing out this year, 06-07. He has brought former Sharks to Bree in Travis Conlan, Roger Huggins, Nate Reinking and Lynard Stewart. All four have contributed to the success of Bree in recent years as Finch has won the coach of the year award twice. He coached Brian Lynch, the husband of Tennis star Kim Clijsters and also two players Kelvin Torbert and Jeff Horner who both received invites to the NBA Summer League this off season. It seemed Finch’s love affair with the Belgian game was about to end in acrimony though after a game had to be re-played in the recent Belgium league finals due to an error in the scoring. Finch blasted the league, the officials and it’s future in a move reminiscent to the ones he made towards the British League at the end of his Sharks coaching tenure. However, whilst Finch has left Bree he will remain in Belgium coaching Mons Hainaut next season. He seems set to coach GB stars Nate Reinking and Andrew Sullivan for Hainaut. Of course Finch has also been appointed coach of the Great Britain national team in recent years and his work in securing the services of many top players and putting together an excellent programme has been commended. It is true that GB are lucky to have him as a coach and his hard work had paid off with divisional promotion this summer. Like Todd Cauthorn, Iain McKinney, Richard Windle and Michael Payne, Finch will always be seen as part of the Sharks whatever he does elsewhere. He was a good player who helped to put the Sharks on the basketball map in this country, but he was an even better coach. I must admit I had my doubts whether he could make the transition to coach and thought he was too young and too inexperienced. However, Finch surpassed all expectations and in the end he was as much for his coaching ability as for his jumpers and ill advised facial growth! Finch is now a respected coach on the continent and along with his excellent work in developing the British programme at international level, it seems certain Finch will go on and be a success. App/Games : 112 / 112 Points/Points per game : 1152 / 10.3ppg --- FABULOUS FLOURNOY Height : 6’3’’ Position : Forward Number : 21 Sharks career : 2000/01 (1 season) Fabulous Flournoy first came to this country when he signed for the Birmingham Bullets straight out of McNeese State University. Flournoy drew plenty of media attention due to his Christian name but his high energy and hard working play also earned him plaudits in the 96/97 season. He was an excellent defender but also get up at the offensive end and this was shown in many high flying dunks. One that typified ‘Fab’ was a coast-to-coast jam over 3 defenders against Leicester. He helped lead the Bullets to the playoff championship the following year and became a cult figure with the Bullets. Over the next few seasons his playing time diminished and he even had a spell with the Bullets ‘A’ squad. A chance to move to Sheffield was difficult to turn down and so he joined Chris Finch’s squad in time for the 2000/01 season. Coming off the bench for much of the season, Flournoy, was a vital member of the squad that won the Northern Conference. Flournoy was a gritty competitor who would be responsible for coming up with many rebounds and hustle plays. His offensive game was limited to the odd stick back and close in dunk but overall he was a solid team player for the Sharks. However, Flournoy’s ill advised jump shot (that he took far too often) was one of the many factors that saw the Sharks shocked by Billy Mims’ Riders team in the playoff final. The Sharks signed Lynard Stewart and Justin Phoenix the following year and Flournoy was surplus to requirements. He signed for the Newcastle Eagles in 2001/02 and after a year of playing in the same ‘energiser bunny’ mode that made him so popular, ‘Fab’ was given an unexpected chance to coach the squad from 2002/03 when Tony Garbelotto left. Flournoy has gone onto thrive as a player and a coach. He helped the Eagles to their first trophy in their history and then led the Eagles to a clean sweep of all 4 trophies in 2005/06 and has kept them as one of the contenders, with them often either winning or being runners up for honours in the last 3 or 4 years. He has also represented England at international level due to obtaining his GB passport and helped them to a bronze at the 2006 commonwealth games. Flournoy has continued to play at a very high level and his stats have actually gone up over the last few seasons. He averaged 12ppg and 6rpg last year and at times carried the Eagles on his back as a player as much as a coach. App/Games : 34 / 34 Points/Points per game : 266 / 7.8ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 14 2007, 02:28 PM Post #7
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	MATT GAUDIO Height : 6’9’’ Position : Forward Number : 4 Sharks career : 1998/99 (1 season) Matt Gaudio was a player that played in Sheffield for a very short time but did enough to ensure he will always be remembered for the right reasons. Of Italian descent, Gaudio grew up in the States in Follansbee, West Virginia. He then attended the same college as another former Sharks, John Amaechi. Playing at Penn State (95/98), Gaudio was an outstanding contributor and was named MVP at his college in 1995/96 being given first team Big Ten honours, as his team made the NCAA tournament. He was at Penn State for 5 years, but sat out years two and four due to back injuries. I think I heard that he was in a car crash that either caused the difficulties or worsened them but I may be wrong with this information. Anyway, he still came back and had a very good final season despite his back problems not being completely healed. Gaudio played in the Treviso summer league in Italy after his college career ended. He was going to play in Italy but had to recover from a knee injury he sustained and thus this prevented any teams making offers for him. Chris Finch was looking for a versatile big man and was willing to take a chance on Gaudio despite his injury problems. Having an Italian passport helped Gaudio to be able to land a spot in the BBL. He signed for the Sharks for the 1998/99 season and was earmarked as being a key player inside. He made his debut at Brighton on the 12th September 1998 and was superb from the opening tip. Sharks began the season in devastating form and the starting 5 (Conlan, Myers, Cauthorn, Gaudio, Johnson) gelled superbly. Indeed those opening 11 games were probably the best the Sharks have ever played in their history and they played unbelievable team basketball. Every player was unselfish, every player could defend, every player could pass and every player could score. Gaudio was perhaps the main man in this blazing start. A slightly taller and better built version of Cauthorn is perhaps the best way to describe him. Gaudio could score inside, like a traditional power forward but could run the floor and had an excellent basketball brain. He was both naturally talented and very hard-working. Everything was going so well for Gaudio and the Sharks until a dreadful evening at the Derby Thunderdome on Sunday, November the 8th. Bob Donewald’s cocky Storm crew (Alderson, Williams, Robinson, Reinking, Burns) gave the Sharks their first defeat in a closely fought contest. However, the bigger blow sustained by the Sharks was during the game itself. Gaudio had fell awkwardly and immediately everyone knew it was serious. He stayed on the court for a long time and was eventually taken out of the arena and straight to hospital. The initial prognosis was that it was knee ligament damage I think and it seemed he would be out for quite some time. Days later it emerged that Gaudio’s season was over. The ironic thing was I don’t think it was the same knee that he injured previously. Only a week after this, Gaudio was being told his career as an athlete and basketball player was effectively over. The news was a crushing blow for the Sharks but more importantly a life changing moment for Gaudio himself. The Sharks understandably did not dominate quite as much after Gaudio’s injury. They signed as good a replacement as they could for Gaudio, in Peter Scantlebury and managed to shake off the body blow to remain at the top of the standings. In the final championship decider at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester the players all wore an ‘M’ on their shorts to pay tribute to Gaudio and the foundations he had helped lay. Gaudio returned home to the States after his injury and now has a very good job in ICT. He is married, with children and lives in the Cleveland area of the States. Due to being at University myself, I only saw Gaudio play on a couple of occasions but on each appearance he was mightily impressive. It was such a shame for him and the Sharks that a promising professional career ended so young. App/Games : 13 / 13 Points/Points per game : 197 / 15.2ppg --- GARNET GAYLE Height : 6’0’’ Position : Guard Number : 9 Sharks career : 1994 - 96 (2 seasons) Garnet Gayle began his basketball career after he nearly became a professional footballer. He was on Nottingham Forest’s books under the great Brian Clough, but Gayle struggled to make an impression on ‘Cloughie’ and was shown the door as a YTS. Garnet recalls one incident where he was reprimanded for speaking out of turn to the legendary manager! Gayle became involved in roller Hockey and also Basketball. Gayle’s early years in Basketball were in and around the lower leagues. He began at the Riders before joining the Sheffield Forgers in a move that was to have significant impact on his career. He played for the Forgers for three years. The Forgers became the Sharks as they became part of the BBL for the 1994/95 season. Gayle, then 30, captained them to the championship in his first season and was a vital ingredient of what made the Sharks so successful so soon. A good defender who was perfect for the Sharks aggressive traps and constricting defence, Gayle thrived in Jimmy Brandon’s system. E played in every game and averaged 12 points per game. He also came up big in vital games like the National Cup Final or the crucial league game at Doncaster. Gayle stayed in Sheffield for the following season and was involved in Sharks European adventures including the McDonalds Championship. The Sharks did not quite deliver the play they had the previous season and Gayle was one of those who perhaps the league now knew about and he became somewhat of a marked man. The Sharks made a few changes for the following season, bringing in Voise Winters and Deon Hames and Gayle was squeezed out and subsequently released. It was rumoured he was only left a message on his answer phone to tell him of the news, but this had never been confirmed. Gayle went on to play for the Giants in 1996/97 I think and then for the Riders 97-99 but never quite achieved what he had with the Sharks. I remember feeling sorry for him when I saw his forlorn figure sat on the end of the bench during several games at Granby Halls. Less talented players got far more minutes and despite Gayle’s age, he could have clearly done a job. By now Gayle had married Sheffield Hatters basketball player Lorraine Ellis. By the way if you are reading this Garnet, I somehow ended up with one of your unwanted wedding presents. A book about Shaquille O’Neal was bought by a relative of mine on a car boot and given to me as a birthday present! The inscription read ‘To Garnet and Lorraine. Basketball has brought you together. May it keep you together!’ Gayle moved down the divisions in order to begin his coaching career. He became player/coach of the Derbyshire Arrows in 2000 and led them to promotion to Division Two in the EBBA. Garnet put together an excellent side for the level it was playing at and they ended up as Champions without a single defeat. The only disappointment for Gayle was the Arrows defeat in the Final of the playoff Championship. The next season the team played in Division One as they continued to move up the basketball pyramid. They won the Division One title, with just two defeats, and this time added the playoff Championship. Promotion to the Conference was, however, denied on the basis that their court was not of a suitably high standard. Undeterred, Gayle and the Arrows went on to win a second consecutive Division One League and Championship double in 2003. After Gayle and the team out together an attractive package to the EBL, the Arrows were finally granted promotion to the Conference (renamed EBL Division One). Now called the "City of Sheffield" Arrows, they played at the newly built English Institute of Sport, close to Sheffield Arena. Gayle continued to play and coach the Arrows helping them to the EBL Championship with the help of former Sharks Tood Cauthorn and Michael Payne. Gayle left the Arrows but is still playing the game and last season he coached and played for the Sheffield Saints, based at All Saints School in the centre of Sheffield. At over 40 years of age that is some achievement. Gayle was not an outstanding player but a very good one for the Sharks in those opening two seasons. He never really fitted in with the other teams he played with but he was perfect for the Sharks. An unselfish player who gave his all but was also smart enough to know what to do at crunch time. It was very much a case of Gayle being in the right place at the right time with the Sharks. I still see Gayle and his wife around my area of Sheffield and I figure he actually lives quite close to me. He is also still a regular attendee of Sharks games at the EIS, Gayle is still remembered fondly for his time with the Sharks in helping to establish them become what they are now; one of the premier teams in English basketball. Indeed, his work with both the Sharks and the Arrows should not be forgotten as he has had a major impact on basketball in this city at all levels both as a player and a coach. App/Games : 29 / 28 Points/Points per game : 171 / 4.2ppg --- JERMAINE GONSALVES Height : 5’11’’ Position : Guard Number : 10 Sharks career : 2006 - 07 (1 season) Jermaine Gonsalves was a Leicester Riders player for much of his career. He made his debut in 1997 at the age against the Worthing Bears. He played for them from 1997-99 but did not play much and did not register a point. He returned to the Riders in 2001 and played for them for a further 4 seasons, having his best season as a pro by actually getting on the court 15 times and scoring 12 points. His playing time was sparse to say the least and he seemed to be a 10th man at best every season. Gonsalves then played at a lower level remaining in Leicester, playing for his former team mate Drew Barrett at the Leicester Warriors Gonsalves appeared as a Sharks trialist in Iain McKinney’s testimonial game and then was given a roster spot with the departure of several players from the previous season. For much of the year he remained firmly rooted on the bench and any chance of playing time disappeared when Stedroy Baker re-signed. Gonsalves only appeared in the final minute of blow out games and in this time he only managed 2 points, 2 rebounds and went 1 for 7 from the floor. He was a well built point guard but did not appear to be that comfortable handling the ball nor shooting it. He also spent time playing for the Sharks feeder club the Sabres. Gonsalves returns for the 07/08 season where he will combine spot duties with the Sharks with a coaching role for the Junior Sharks. App/Games : 36 / 10 Points/Points per game : 2 / 0.2ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 15 2007, 11:17 AM Post #8
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	DEON HAMES Height : 5’7’’ Position : Guard Number : 10 Sharks career : 1996 - 98 (2 seasons) ‘Neon’ Deon Hames was he diminutive, speedster who ran the point for the Sharks for two seasons in the mid nineties. Hames grew up in New Jersey and played locally at Hun School and then at Rider University. He led his college to the Northeast Conference Championship game all four of his years, and also advanced to the NCAA Tournament his freshman and sophomore seasons. Hames graduated (in marketing) as the career assist leader, and also finished fifth in career scoring at Rider. Hames set and still holds Rider records for free throws made in a game (18), assists in a season (192) and games played in a career (118). A two-time team MVP (1994, 1995), Hames was inducted into their Hall of Fame in January 2002. Hames impressed Sharks coach Jimmy Brandon when he was scouting in America. Hames was spotted playing for the Atlantic City Seagulls of the USBL and was signed to replace Sean McKie as the point guard. Hames impressed immediately in the Sharks pre season tours and his play was compared to that of former BBL great Alton Byrd. First impressions of him back in Sheffield were good and he settled in very quickly along with other newcomer Voise Winters. Hames did a solid job for two years and helped lead the Sharks to 3rd and 4th place and a Uni Ball trophy win. It is tough for any Sharks import in knowing that anything less than a top two finish is probably viewed with disappointment and thus he probably does not quite have the same plaudits placed on him as other Sharks imports. This is unfortunate as Hames always gave his all night after night. I probably did not rate him quite as highly as some Sharks fans did but I could see why he was liked. He was of course very quick, could make some superb passes and also could get hot from the outside. However, his offensive game was sometimes inconsistent and teams often doubled off him, knowing that he could not take it to the basket on a regular basis and be successful. He also was not as careful with the ball as you would want a point guard to be and could be a liability on defence. Still at times he made some tremendous moves and had some nights where his shooting was first class and he could known shot after shot. Hames was definitely a real crowd favourite in Sheffield with his exciting style and his never say die attitude that allowed him to overcome his lack of inches. He had an excellent first season but probably did not quite progress as he would have liked in his second campaign and was released by Chris Finch who signed Travis Conlan to run the team. Hames returned to the States and played in the International Basketball League for the Trenton Shooting Stars. He drifted around the American minor leagues and did talk of returning to play in Europe but this never happened. Hames stopped playing Basketball professionally and concentrated on earning a living away from the game. He worked at the Lawrence Neighbourhood Centre as a counsellor and a mentor for kids for a few years and was the Sports Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County, New Jersey. He is now Assistant Director of the Young Scholars Institute of Prenton. App/Games : 71 / 71 Points/Points per game : 817 / 11.5ppg --- MARK HARVEY Height : 6’10’’ Position : Centre Number : ? Sharks career : 1996/97 (1 season) Mark Harvey was born and raised in Canada. He came to this country and played for the Derby Storm before they stuck with Nick Nurse and Ernest Lee as their non-English players (following rule changes), releasing Harvey. Harvey joined the Panthers after visiting his grandmother and helped them to promotion but as his application for naturalisation was delayed, he began assisting with the coaching until the clearance came through. When the Panthers parted company with Curtis Xavier (ex Sharks assistant coach?) Harvey became head coach. The move was supposed to be temporary but he remained in charge for a total of 3 years. Upon receiving his GB status, Harvey was a player as well as a coach of the Panthers. He helped lead them to the top of the table and to the semis of the 7up Trophy in the early months of the 1995/96 season earning coach of the month honours. Panthers eventually finished in fifth place in the standings (Sharks winning the league in their first ever season). Harvey was again part of the Panthers the following season but the team did not do quite as well and missed out on the playoffs. The fair haired Harvey left his coaching post and decided to try and offer his services as a player. The Sharks moved in when Jim Brandon wanted a veteran, big man for the 1996/97 season. Harvey did not play much. My recollections of Harvey are that he was very slow and awkward who did not fit in at all with the ‘rip and run’ style of play. it came as no surprise but it when he was released well before the end of the 1996/97 season. App/Games : 14 / 12 Points/Points per game : 20 / 1.57ppg --- ROGER HUGGINS Height : 6’7’’ Position : Forward Number : 13 Sharks career : 1996-99 (3 seasons) Roger Huggins is without doubt one of the best players ever to wear the blue and gold of the Sheffield Sharks. Huggins was born in London and grew up in the South of England. He began his basketball career as a junior with Thames Valley Tigers (1986-88) under the watchful eye of Mark Dunning. He then moved to America and played college basketball at Hawaii Loa Pacific University (with fellow Brit Andy Gardner) in the NAIA (1988-93-he had to sit out one year due to injury). His coach was non other than Bullets coach Steve Tucker! Huggins was named to the 1989-90 NCAA Division II 1st Team during his spell at college. Huggins began his professional career in Belgium 1993-94 with Brother Gent. After the season he played during the summer with Mississippi Coast Gambles, of the USBL. Huggins was then given an opportunity to play back in England with the newly formed Sheffield Sharks team. Jimmy Brandon wanted to build a team around the versatile Huggins, relying on his individual brilliance to help bring out the best in his new teammates. Huggins was signed on a 1-year deal for the 1994/95 season. When I began watching the Sharks in their first season, I knew little about any of their players but had heard Huggins name mentioned in the press. The first game I attended, Huggins was the best player on the court and it seemed he could do everything. He could dunk the ball, shoot the jumper, pas and was an excellent defender. He seemed to have the perfect basketball body, being both strong and quick. Each time I attended that season, my opinion of him grew, as he never failed to impress. The Sharks went on to win the championship and Huggins (19ppg) was deservedly named BBL player of the year and English Basketball player of the season. He was re-signed by the Sharks and was a key figure as the Sharks entered European competition. Whilst they came up short against Real Madrid in both the European Cup and the McDonalds Championship, Huggins did not look out of place and I remember the American commentators saying how impressed they were with his game. The Sharks could not repeat their success of the previous year but Huggins remained impressive and increased his scoring average to 20.5ppg. Huggins remained for a further season and teamed with Voise Winters and Todd Cauthorn to form a very impressive frontline. However, the Sharks underachieved somewhat and did not win any honours this season being runners up in the league and cup. I remember that the Sharks played very poorly and were soundly beaten by the Towers in the Wembley playoffs. Huggins body language did not seem to be quite right and it seemed inevitable that he would move on after this game. It came as no surprise that a month or so later I picked up a copy of the Sheffield Star and a story ran on the back page that confirmed Huggins had left the Sharks for pastures new. It was one of the saddest days in the history of the Sharks but he left with the blessing of Sharks management and fans, who had realised how lucky they had been to have him with the club for three years. Huggins was always one of the best players in the British league during his three years with the Sharks and was named to the All Star team and season All Star team each season. His number 13 jersey was fittingly retired to pay tribute to the man and the player. He was the best British player to play in the league during this time and indeed only the likes of Bucknall, Scantlebury and Amaechi can compare with him in the last 10 years. For those of you not lucky enough to have seen him play in this country, think of a mixture of Tony Dorsey and John McCord and you have Huggins. He had a very consistent jump shot and could hit the turnaround from either side. He was very adept at stealing the basketball and also got many blocks and rebounds. The best site was seeing him steal the ball and throw down one of his big dunks, which was another speciality of his game. Offered a very lucrative deal in Belgium, ‘Huggy’ signed for Racing Basket of Antwerp and played there for three seasons until the 1999-00 season. He remained in Belgium signing for Athlon Ieper for the next season before trying his hand in Israel for Hapoel Jerusalem. It was not long until he was back in his adopted country and he returned to Belgium in the 2001/02 campaign, signing for Spirou Charleroi, spending two seasons with the club. He then went onto Euphony Liege and was a regular selection to the All Star game Huggins spent time with former player Chris Finch, who coached him at Bree and he was part of their successful playoff campaign in 2005/06. He continued to shine for the GB National team too, putting off retirement to help Finch at this level too. Indeed I was lucky enough to have a chance to watch Huggins play again for Britain back at his spiritual home of Ponds Forge last summer when the GB team played Belarus. With Finch patrolling the sidelines, the likes of Windle, McKinney and Payne in the crowd, Todd Cauthorn on the microphone and Huggins and Reinking on the court, it was a night of nostalgia for the Sharks fans like me in attendance. Huggins then amazingly played again in Sheffield when Britain routed Switzerland and he still looked to be a very good player as he helped Britain to qualify for the A Division. Huggins is continuing to play at a good level at the age of 40, playing for Spirou Charleroi in Belgium last season and averaged 8ppg, still playing solid basketball. It seems like Huggy may go on forever. A class act on the court and the original Sharks star. App/Games : 108 / 108 Points/Points per game : 2077 / 19.2ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 16 2007, 03:53 PM Post #9
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	PAUL IHONOR Height : 5’9’’ Position : Guard Number : 11 Sharks career : 2004-07 (3 seasons) Paul Ihonor is a player that has been on and off the Sharks roster for the last three seasons, seemingly flitting between the Sharks feeder club the Sabres and then back to the BBL. He made his name in Basketball over in the States at South Kent Prep where he was role player on a squad that included two future NBA players, namely Dorrel Wright (Miami Heat) and Andray Blatche (Washington Wizards). He returned to England to study at Sheffield Hallam University and he signed for the Sharks alongside his studies. He made his debut for the Sharks on the 14/11/05 against the Scottish Rocks but playing time was limited to say the least and he seemed stuck on the end of the bench with fellow youngster Andre Rankine. It was hoped that Scantlebury may opt to find more minutes for the latter but Ihonour perhaps never quite had the talent of Rankine and his lack of height and big game experience meant he was only used right at the end of blowouts and for practice situations. He left to get more court time playing for the Sabres for most of the 05/06 season but returned to the Sharks on a full time basis in the 07/08 hoping to make a bigger impact. Unfortunately he remained nailed to the end of the bench and it seems hard to see him sticking around as he seems unlikely to ever get any minutes at this level. App/Games : 63 / 9 Points/Points per game : 4 / 0.4



DaveBeeden	Jul 17 2007, 07:46 PM Post #10
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	WILBUR JOHNSON Height : 6’9’’ Position : Centre/Forward Number : 24 Sharks career : 1997-00 (3 seasons) Will ‘the thrill’ Johnson was a popular figure for the Sharks in three seasons of play. Johnson was someone who clearly enjoyed the game and his fun loving approach made him a hit with the fans. Johnson played collegiately at St Joseph’s and played for all four years, eventually becoming a starter. He earned a reputation for being an excellent rebounder and lynchpin in the middle. Chris Finch signed Johnson in one of his first captures as coach. He was originally brought in with college teammate Terrell Myers but Myers only came later after Finch gave up playing to concentrate on coaching. Johnson was to play in a frontline with Todd Cauthorn and Mark Robinson. My first impressions of Johnson came at the Adidas European Challenge at the Arena. A tournament the Sharks went on to win. Whilst he did not dominate, he looked a solid big man who could rebound, score close in with dunks, baby hooks and 6-10 foot jump shots. His role would dramatically change midway through the season when the Sharks pulled off the huge signing of John Amaechi. At times this forced Johnson to the bench and if he did play it would be in a power forward role. Whilst Johnson never let the team down, he often got lost in the hoopla surrounding Amaechi. He received fewer scoring opportunities with Meech, Robinson and TC getting the bulk of the shots and points. Johnson had to be content with doing the dirty work but he did seem to play at crunch time and I remember him hitting a crucial free throw to draw the Sharks level in the Uni Ball Trophy final success. The following season with Amaechi and Robinson gone, Johnson was back to being the starting centre and he had his best ever season as a Shark (14.7ppg). He had some awesome games inside the paint and had many big dunks that energised the team and the Arena crowd. He worked exceptionally hard for the team and came up with so many hustle plays. After Matt Gaudio left the team, Johnson had to redouble his efforts inside but he got the job done and the Sharks managed to capture the championship holding off the Giants (despite Will fouling out). Indeed, Johnson’s success in the head to head games was vital as for the most part he got the better of Makeba Perry and Tony Holley inside. The next season Johnson started very well as the team won the National Cup but he had a poor spell in and around Christmas and the improving Richard Windle started to get some of his minutes. The Sharks lost out to the Giants for the conference and then were surprisingly defeated by the Bullets in the playoffs at Coventry. Johnson did not play well in this game or during the final stretches of the season. One of his weaknesses, his free throw shooting, seemed to get even worse, especially in crunch time. Faced with financial constraints the Sharks opted to axe Johnson after the season, feeling that the improvement of Windle made him surplus to requirements. Whilst Windle never quite fulfilled the promise he had shown the next season, the Sharks were probably right to let Johnson go. He had not had a good season and probably needed a fresh start. Furthermore, his wife had just had a baby and he needed security and the Shark could not offer this with financial cutbacks. He returned to his best with the Brighton Bears in 2000/01, despite their struggles. He remained incredibly loyal and was rewarded as the team improved each season. He was named MVP as the Bears won the National Cup in 2002/03. The Bears also just missed out on the championship this same year with Johnson a key player. Ironically the Bears lost out to the Sharks in the race for the title, losing a key game at Ponds Forge with Johnson’s final shot being blocked on the horn. Having obtained his British passport Johnson was asked by former coach Chris Finch to join him in Germany with Giessen. Despite Finch being eventually dismissed, Johnson overcame being matched up against much taller opponents at his position and had a solid year. He moved onto Oldenburg for the following season and continued to be a contributor in a good standard of basketball for the next two seasons. He moved to another country last year, 06/07, spending the year with AEL Larissa in Greece. Johnson is thought of very favourably in Sheffield and being part of perhaps their best ever team in 98/99 helps to further endear him. I am delighted he has been a success post Sheffield and hope he continues to do well in Europe. The image of Johnson dunking the ball or with a towel on his head-and a huge smile on his face are the endearing images I take from his spell with the Sharks. App/Games : 107 / 106 Points/Points per game : 1275 / 12.0ppg --- MICHAEL JOINER Height : 6’7’’ Position : Guard/Forward Number : - Sharks career : 2004-05 (1 season) Michael Joiner joined the Sharks at the beginning of the 2004/05 season and was seen as a player that potentially could be a major star in the BBL considering his success at high school and collegiate level in America. Joiner graduated from Seventy-First High School in North Carolina in 2000. During his time at High School in Fayetteville he was named Mr Basketball in the state of North Carolina following his senior year and won the school’s academic achievement award in his freshman and sophomore years. He was highy recruited but opted to sign for Florida State and in his first collegiate season at Florida State he averaged 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds.He had an amazing debut match netting 18 points in a match against arch-rival Florida Gators. He is just one of three players in the history of the Seminoles programme to be named to the ACC All-Rookie team in 2001, and posted career averages of 8.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals, playing alongside highly regarded players. As a sophomore in 2002, he had similar numbers for the Seminoles, posting 7.8 points a game and 4.7 rebounds during the season. In his third season as a junior, Joiner averaged 8.5 points a game and 4.1 rebounds. In his fnal year at Florida State, Joiner had his worst year statistically, only posting 6.2 points a game and 3.7 rebounds. He did however, establish a career high, starting in 30 of the Seminoles 33 matches. His career high for points at Florida State came in his freshmen season when he notched 22 against Cleveland State. During his senior year, Florida State made the second round of the NIT, the first postseason appearance in six years for the University. After he graduated Joiner had a few offers in Europe but his drop off in production at college had hit him hard and he ended up with only a few offers. One of these was from the Sharks and they managed to sign him at the last moment prior to the season after their early targets had similarly fell through. Joiner had to wait for his work permit and landed only hours before making his debut for the team. It seemed to take him a while to get into the flow of things as he initially came off the bench. Joiner was touted as an excellent all around player who could do most things well. However, it soon became apparent why he was only getting offers from the likes of the BBL as he struggled to make an impact and was not living up to the hype of his early college days. His jump shot was very inconsistent, his ball handling skills seemed erratic and he played very little defence. I remember he looked disinterested at times. Maybe it was the system, maybe it was playing in a strange country but whatever it was this Joiner did not fit! It was no surprise that he was cut early into the season, as it was either he or fellow struggling BBL rookie Terrell Petteway. Joiner was the one who went but to be frank it could have been either. Ironically he was never really replaced as intended replacements could not be signed and when one eventually arrived, Oliver Morton, he left as soon as he had come. As for Joiner, he had stops in Mexico, Holland and in the US with minor league CBA side the Albany Patroons. He played last season in the New Zealand Basketball League for the Canterbury Rams. Now 26, he finally seems to have found a niche and averaged 19.3ppg for the struggling Rams who finished 2nd from bottom in the season that has just ended. App/Games : 7 Points/Points per game : 6.9ppg --- JUSTIN JONES Height : 6’4’’ Position : Forward/Guard Number : 6 Sharks career : 1995-96 (1 season) Justin Jones was a player that had always impressed Sharks fans when he played for the Doncaster Panthers in the Sharks inaugural season. Born in Toronto, Canada, Jones went to Brandon University in Manatoba, being selected as an All Canadian. Jones came over to England and spent two years with the Panthers. He was a talented athlete who could score in a variety of ways. I remember he caused the Sharks real matchup problems as Doncaster were one of the few teams that could handle Sheffield. They used a lot of traps and played solid, fundamental team basketball. They were very similar to the Sharks in many ways. Jones averaged over 16ppg for the Panthers, and was an excellent rebounder (7rpg) and passer (5apg). He also got a lot of steals and seemed a very good defensive player. He could handle the ball but could also slash to the hoop with speed. He was one of those players who always impressed the watching Sharks fans. So when Jimmy Brandon was assembling his roster for the following season he did not look far for one of his additions. The 26 year old Jones was signed to play in Sheffield for the 95/96 season. However, the early season saw Jones struggle with injuries and he never seemed fully fit. When he was available he never really got into the rotation as Garnet Gayle, Chris Finch and Todd Cauthorn played the guard and forward positions. If Jim Brandon went to his bench he looked for instant outside shooing and called on the likes of Jason Swaine or Iain McKinney. Jones was never really able to show the talent he displayed at Doncaster and he left at the end of the season. Jones showed up again in the BBL in 1997/98 when he played firstly for the Manchester Giants (9 games) and then latterly for the Chester Jets. He had intended to sign with Chester the previous season but finally landed at the Northgate in January 1998 after leaving the Giants. He impressed the Jets with his work rate and unselfish play. It does not appear that Jones played in the BBL after this season, although I think he did play in the lower leagues. Now 39, I am unsure of Jones current whereabouts. It was unfortunate that things did not work out for him as he clearly had talent but a combination of factors ensured Jones was somewhat of a flop during his time at the Sharks. App/Games : 24 / 24 Points/Points per game : 72 / 3.0ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 18 2007, 10:03 PM Post #11
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	DAVE KEELEY Height : 6’9’’ Position : Centre/Forward Number : 24 Sharks career : 2002-04 (2 seasons) Dave Keeley was born in Thrybergh near Rotherham. He had never even played basketball when a high school teacher by the name of Alan Murphy contacted the Sharks, hoping that the sometimes wayward Keeley could re-focus his life through Basketball. The same teacher also noted Keeley’s size for a 13 year old and his passion for the game. Keeley became involved in coaching camps and the Sharks junior development programme with the Sharks and Chris Finch was an early mentor for him, helping him develop his game. At the age of 17, Keeley jetted off to America, where he enrolled in high school in America to pursue his dream. The Sharks helped to hook Keeley's up with a coach in the states by the name of Darryl Gladden and he began play at the Life Centre Academy High School in Florence, New Jersey. Keeley then moved on to the Florence Township Memorial High School. The left-handed Keeley led his New Jersey-based team to the prestigious state championship collecting the tournament's Most Valuable Player award along the way. His performance attracted much college and university attention. However, Keeley, not happy with the offers he got from junior colleges decided to return to Europe and test the market. Apparently, a few large Spanish clubs were keen to tryout Keeley but in the end, Dave elected to come home and play as close to where he grew up as possible, with the Sheffield Sharks. Making his debut at the age of 20, Keeley showed real promise in his first season and when he came on showed he could put points on the board very quickly. A couple of big jams and nasty fakes stood out. However, he could also look a little clumsy at times and very raw. The following year he did not quite develop as much with fewer minutes available and more big men in front of him, such as the returning Richard Windle, but still showed glimpses of ability. However, it is fair to say Keeley regressed and unsurprisingly he left the club at the end of the 2003/04 season. Keeley supposedly played in Europe in the Germany regional leagues the following year but I remember in the summer of 2005 during my lunch at work seeing him in MusicZone in his home town of Rotherham looking at CD’s. Later that year I saw him waiting for a bus in Rotherham. It seems Keeley is no longer involved in Basketball and I am unsure of his new profession. A sad story though as Keeley seemed to have the height and ability to carve a niche out as a solid back up big man but the fact that he left the game as quickly as he came into it is a sobering story to young players trying to make their way. App/Games : 75 / 49 Points/Points per game : 119 / 2.4ppg --- SHAWN KENNEDY Height : 6’10’’ Position : Centre/Forward Number : 23? Sharks career : 2000-01 (1 season) Shawn Kennedy played his collegiate basketball at The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Canada. The 6’10’’ centre was born in Calgary and earned individual honours at high school and college for basketball. Chris Finch brought him over to England when he needed a big body for the 2000/01 season. Joining Zac Bennett, and Fab Flournoy up front, Kennedy was not part of the most revered Sharks frontcourt. When he first played in a tournament in Birmingham he seemed a little slow and also did not seem much of an offensive threat. On the plus side, he hustled well, got a lot of rebounds and was a real workhorse. It did seem that talent wise, he was considerably down from what the Sharks had been used to in their imports. Indeed Kennedy was a rarity in that he was an import that hardly started games. He mostly played off the bench and unfortunately when he did play he got into foul trouble rather quickly. He had a few decent games over the season, a campaign where the Sharks won the North. Sometimes he could come into the game and energise the crowd with a key block, rebound or hoop. Overall though, Kennedy looked awkward and I am afraid was awkward in the way he played. He became a bit of a crowd favourite but I don’t know whether that because he was not very good. To be fair to him he always played with a smile on his face and did always do his best. He seemed a real ‘team’ guy and even when he did not play he was actively encouraging the team from the bench. Kennedy averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game at the Sharks, whilst playing just over eight minutes a game. He did however convert nearly 60% of his floor shots. He was let go at the end of the season but found another BBL team, in the Derby Storm. Kennedy, was a starter for the struggling Storm and had a very good season. He averaged 10.9 points and 7.07 rebounds per game. Indeed, he was ranked 14th for offensive rebounds, with a 2.83 per game average. Certainly, he improved a lot and I remember him coming back to play at the Arena and being very active around the boards. He signed for the Scottish Rocks for the 2002/03 campaign but did not have as much success North of the Border. He played very little and only averaged 2ppg and 2rpg and was not rated at all by the Rocks fans. Still his Rocks side beat his former club, the Sharks, in the playoffs and went on to win this particular tournament. Kennedy left the Rocks after the season and did not appear on a BBL roster the season after and seemed to disappear from the game altogether. He seemed a really nice guy and always gave his all when he played for the Sharks. Ultimately he was not good enough and probably only joined because of circumstances. The Sharks had to dramatically slash their budget and thus bring in cheaper, less talented imports. It was a measure of Chris Finch, that he could still lead the Sharks to honours with such a drop off in the quality of imports and such a vastly inferior frontline to the ones he had been used to working with. App/Games : 36 / 29 Points/Points per game : 84 / 2.9ppg



Rob Mi	Jul 18 2007, 11:26 PM Post #12
He's a bit Pikey Posts: 3,182 Group: Co-Admin Member #4 Joined: July 5, 2006	Worthy of a pinning to save folk hunting around for it so there it is!
	I HATE sigs


DaveBeeden	Jul 19 2007, 07:09 PM Post #13
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	TRISTAN LAWSON Height : 6’4’’ Position : Guard/Forward Number : 9 Sharks career : 2003-04 (1 season) Tristan Lawson, who hails from Nottinghamshire, spent two years in the States at Missouri Baptist College, with Birmingham Bullets’ Anthony Haase. Lawson then returned to England and signed for the Leicester Riders. He was impressive in the playing time he received at the Riders in the 2002/03 season and was seen as one of the promising English youngsters in the league. The few occasions I had seen Lawson, he had seemed a talented athlete who could score on the break and make a jump shot. He ended the season as the fifth most accurate shooter in the league at 56% FG. Newly appointed Sharks coach, Pete Scantlebury, had been impressed with Lawson when he had seen him play and signed him to the Sharks for the 2003/04 season. Lawson played some minutes at first but early impressions were mixed. He did seem a good athlete and also seemed to be a willing and hard working defender. Offensively his game seemed very much a work in progress. His jump shot often was very flat and he did seem a little confused as to which spots to go to when the Sharks moved the ball on offence. There was also the strange situation where Lawson missed a couple of games to sit University exams. (understandable of course!) Lawson did not quite really show the glimpses he had supposedly been evidencing in practice and eventually left the Sharks at the end of the season. He took up a full time job and was able to play part time for the Nottingham Knights, where he had began his career, for the next two seasons before he signed for the Mansfield Express in 2006-07 after the Knights had folded. Lawson had supposedly returned to the US to complete University there but resurfaced on the Mansfield roster after Christmas last season and seemed to be a regular on the score sheet. App/Games : 36 / 20 Points/Points per game : 32 / 1.6ppg --- ATIBA LYONS Height : 6’6’’ Position : Forward Number : 22 Sharks career : 2006-07 (1 season) Atiba Lyons was born in New York and grew up in Queens. He played at Lemon Bay High School in 2000-01 averaging 19ppg, 9rpg and 3bpg. He played his college ball at Pace University between 2000-2004. He had a solid career at Pace and led his team in rebounding in his senior season with 6.1rpg, being second in scoring in his senior year with 12.6ppg and was chosen Third team, All Conference, the only Pace player to receive such an honour. He was only the third player in Pace History to score more than 1,000 points, haul in 500 rebounds and make more than 100 steals and finished 26th on the Pace career scoring list with 1,040 points and left the college ninth overall in rebounding with 568. After graduating, Lyons signed for Karhut Kauhajoen in Finland (2004-06) and was named to the All-Finnish First Division 1st Team in 2004-05 and averaged 23.4ppg and 12.5rpg. He spent time with Touloges in France in 04/05 after the Finnish season ended and averaged 17ppg and 6rpg before rejoining Karhut in Finland for the 05/06 season. Lyons was recommended to the Sharks by Sean Kilmartin, of the USA Select Basketball agency. Coach Pete Scantlebury had seen Lyons before and knew he had dual status due to having British family, thus making him an even more attractive signing. Lyons came in for the 06/07 season and I remember seeing him for the first time in Iain McKinney’s testimonial and then in a competitive game a week later versus the Eagles at the EIS. Whilst he did not do anything exceptionally well he looked a real worker and got a lot of boards and steals. He also was the recipient of a lot of garbage points. Lyons got better as the season went on and had some very good games, especially defensively averaging 2 steals per contest and also averaged close to 6 boards per game. His long arms and reach helped the Sharks to be the best defensive team in the league limiting teams to an average of 76ppg. He was an opportunist and occasionally would show flashes offensively, where he had some games of close to 20 points and you did not know where he often got them from. He could put the ball down on the floor when inside and made some nifty moves to the basket to score but struggled when dribbling on the perimeter. His major flaw was his outside shooting. At times he hit these shots but he often seemed to think he had more capabilities to pull up for the jumper than perhaps he might of. His 25% three point percentage, 40% field goal percentage and 55% from the line evidences that he is not a shooter and that he should stick to what he is good at, play defence, get boards and score with cuts and slashes to the hoop. Lyons was expected to come back to the Sharks but he surprsingly left when he received an excellent offer to play ball in Israel and signed for Elitzur Ramla for the 2007/08 season. App/Games : 36 / 35 Points/Points per game : 378 / 10.8ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 19 2007, 07:17 PM Post #14
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	ANDRE MCCLOUD Height : 6’6’’ Position : Forward/Guard Number : 23 Sharks career : 1999-00 (1 season) Andre McCloud had one of the shortest playing spells of any Shark. Just like Matt Gaudio, McCloud suffered a bad injury early into his career in Sheffield and was limited to just three games. He stayed with the team as a non-playing member in the season of 1999/00, assisting with the coaching but never played again for the Sharks. Originally, McCloud played his hoops at Seton Hall and was an outstanding player, scoring 20ppg one season and averaging 17ppg in his four years at the college. McCloud was a 6th round pick of the NBA Draft in 1986 after graduating. Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, McCloud never did play in the big league but went on to have a well-travelled career that took in many different countries. McCloud spent a fair amount of time in Belgium before signing for the Sharks as a veteran in the summer of 1999, just after they had won the league. With Terrell Myers, Pete Scantlebury, Todd Cauthorn and Mike Payne playing the 2 and 3 spots, it seemed difficult to see where McCloud would fit in and in pre season he did come off the bench. He did not play many minutes in the opening day defeat at the Giants (live on Sky) and in the subsequent two games at the Arena (Derby and Birmingham?) he also did not make much of an impact. He did look like a good all around player who could shoot a bit from outside, rebound and play defence against bigger players, due to his muscular physique. It did seem that his better days were behind him though and his mobility and speed were limited. However, McCloud blew his knee out in practice after only playing 3 games if my memory serves me right. The injury was to his ACL I think and this ruled him out for several months. He sat on the bench with crutches for a long time as the Sharks brought in Stewart Clark to replace him on the court. In the end McCloud did not play again for almost a year. He was next seen in uniform in an exhibition game at Concord on the eve of the 00/01 season. This was a game where the Sharks scrimmaged internally with each other in front of watching fans. McCloud was never going to return to the Sharks though and this was the last we saw of him in Sheffield. McCloud then played in Ireland and was also head coach (as well as a player) for the Gleneagle Lakers on 2001/02. I am unsure what McCloud is doing now. McCloud also has a famous cousin George who had a long and successful career in the NBA. App/Games : 3 / 3 Points/Points per game : 20 / 6.7ppg --- RONALD MCINTOSH Height : 6’8’’ Position : Forward Number : 11 Sharks career : 1995/96 (1 season) Ron McIntosh played for the Sharks in the 95/96 season. McIntosh was born in Nottingham in 1971 and then spent some time collegiately in Canada (Dalhouse University). I also heard he was a tremendous athlete and set college records in the 200 and 400 metres Jim Brandon thought he would be a useful young, English player who could come off the bench play some defence and get a few quick buckets with his size and athleticism. He was quite raw, but was very tall and seemed full of energy in his brief time as a Shark. He did not play that much despite showing definite promise. At times he seemed to try almost too hard and would make unforced errors and be quickly benched by Jim Brandon. I think he picked up a few injuries that slowed him down and at the end of the season he did not come back. I do not recall him playing anywhere else in the BBL and in fact he has become better known for his work in the media, presenting boxing and basketball amongst other sports on the BBC. App/Games : 32 / 22 Points/Points per game : 51 / 2.3ppg --- SEAN MCKIE Height : 5’8’’ Position : Guard Number : 10 Sharks career : 1994-96 (2 seasons) Sean McKie was the first starting point guard for the Sheffield Sharks. The English guard wasn’t particularly big but was a steady floor general. He began his career with the Manchester Giants, having been born in Manchester. He played for various England junior teams before joining the Sharks for their first season. He helped guide the Sharks in their inaugural, and ultimately championship winning, season. A diminutive player often becomes a crowd favourite and McKie was definitely well liked in the stands at Ponds Forge. Whilst he was not always the primary ball handler or point man (split between Gayle, Finch, Gary Smith and McKie) he often set the tempo for the game and was a good passer and underrated defender, who was strong for his size and got quite a few steals. He was very quick and helped set the tone for the rip and run style that Jimmy Brandon employed. His outside shooting was a bit up and down. Sometimes this led to his man leaving him to double Huggins or Cauthorn. However, he always gave his all for the club and over the season he got the better of many more ‘rated’ point guards. He remained with the Sharks the following season but did not quite play as much and his scoring and shooting percentages dropped a little. After the campaign he left the club as the team brought in Deon Hames to run the point. McKie re-joined the Manchester Giants for the 1996/97 season, linking up with Jim Brandon again and later wound up playing for the City of Manchester and then in more recent times the Manchester Magic. Indeed he was playing with the Magic up to a few years ago and was last playing in season 2005-06 being able to help impart his knowledge and fundamental play to a host of talented younger players. App/Games : 70 / 70 Points/Points per game : 277 / 4.0ppg --- IAIN MCKINNEY Height : 6’1’’ Position : Guard Number : 5 Sharks career : 1994-2004 (10 seasons) The old phrase that no one player is bigger than the club stands true. However, in Iain McKinney the Sheffield Sharks have somebody that has embodied everything the club has stood for. Playing for the Sharks in each and every one of their first 12 seasons, ‘Pint’ as he is known was a solid contributor every year and amassed a vast array of honours and trophies in his Sharks career. He grew with the club and developed into a consistent, mature player at the top level of the British game. McKinney was born in Sheffield, but grew up in Leeds, attending Lawnswood High School. He started his club basketball career at the age of 16 with the Calderdale Explorers and played with future Sharks teammate Jason Swaine. (coached by Jimmy Brandon). He made his debut for Calderdale on the 28 October 1989 versus Stockport. He played for the West Yorkshire club for three years and then joined the Doncaster Panthers in 1992. McKinney had a job working in an office but then decided to combine his fledgling Basketball career with his studies as he took up a place at Loughborough University. He spent one season with the Doncaster before concentrating on his studies. He returned to league basketball with the Derby Storm in 1994/95 whilst at university. Midway through this season the Sharks in need of another outside shooter, approached McKinney. Offering him a more stable contract and increased playing time, McKinney moved the short distance to Sheffield. This would be the start of a special relationship that has very much been a match made in heaven. McKinney did not play that much in the time that remained of this season but picked up a championship winning medal and impressed with his three point shooting. McKinney remained with the Sharks and each year he improved his shooting and play. Every season he improved other areas of his game. Once a liability on defence, he became a competent defender using solid fundamentals to overcome a lack of speed, size and athleticism. I remember one game when Terrell Myers came back to play for the Towers and McKinney hardly gave him an inch and helped shut down the former league MVP. He became a better ball handler and passer. Players came and went but McKinney remained year after year and was often the Sharks first signing each summer. McKinney teamed with fellow Brits Richard Windle and Michael Payne to help form the deepest bench in the league and provide continuity year after year. These unselfish, team players were all huge factors in helping the Sharks to become the most consistent team in British Basketball. Along the way McKinney broke the record for the world’s longest shot and appeared in the Guinness Book of Records. McKinney hit nothing but net from a distance of 90 feet, six ľ inches at Ponds Forge. He had smashed the record set by Magic Johnson, after moments earlier breaking the English record set by Hemel’s Anthony Hylton. To hit two long distance shots in such a shirt space of time was truly astounding! This was a feat that was of course later broken by teammate Justin Phoenix! He also appeared in the World Student games, and represented England at all junior levels before earning 23 caps for the full national team. McKinney has won every team honour with the Sharks including the championship three times and has been a key part of each of these triumphs. Indeed at any one game over his career, as a fan you know that you can count on McKinney coming in to hit a big three when the Sharks need it. For all the other improvements he has made, this shooting remains his biggest asset. Teams now know about it of course but he was still so deadly from outside. He really was an amazing three point shooter and can lay claim to being the most consistent in the country over the period he played. In fact I would go as far to say that you were more surprised sitting in the stands if he missed rather than made an outside shot. I used to regularly seen him hit 4 or 5 in a row in games and I also once witnessed him hit 15 in a row during warm ups. To him at times, it was almost like a lay up shot. Over his whole career he averaged close to 45% from the three point line and close to 85% at the line. Amazingly, in the Sharks title season of 1998-99, McKinney went 100% from the line (25/25), shot 56% from three point land (54/97) and his overall field goal percentage was 55% (72/132)! To attain this level of consistency and accuracy takes a great amount of hard work (and skill) and for this he deserves tremendous credit. He was also given the extra responsibility of the captaincy and led the team with his usual class and professionalism. In his first season as skipper in 2003/04, he lifted the National Cup and then finally the playoffs after 10 years of trying. His face as he lifted the last jigsaw of what is in many ways a dynasty was one to fill a large void in the memory bank of every Sharks fan. McKinney continued to excel for the Sharks and was a real class act despite the team not winning any trophies and a definite drop off in overall talent. He continued to display leadership and fundamentals to young players coming through whilst still achieving that tremendous consistency in his own game, particularly the three point shot of course. It seemed McKinney would go on forever but in somewhat of a shock move, but understandable all the same, McKinney hung up his sneakers at the end of the 05/06 season to concentrate on his burgeoning career as a lecturer. He took a full time position as a lecturer in Sports Science at Hillsborough College and simply could not commit to basketball anymore wisely looking at the longevity offered in his new career. McKinney was deservedly given a testimonial game and this allowed many Sharks fans and former players to thank him properly for what he had done for the organisation and the city. McKinney was still seen on hand at the EIS supporting his former teammates last year and hopefully he will be a familiar face for years to come, like so many ex Sharks who keep following the team. A thoroughly decent bloke, McKinney was unassuming and knew his limitations as a player, sticking to what he is good at. This in many ways what makes him such a great role model to those who are not naturally fast, athletic, tall or even naturally gifted. Through hard work, dedication, attention to fundamentals and the desire to improve, McKinney became a huge asset in this league and a figure that without, the Sheffield Sharks would not have been the same. App/Games : 418 / 416 Points/Points per game : 2822 / 6.8ppg --- JASON MEDFORD Height : 6’6’’ Position : Forward Number : ? Sharks career : 1997-98 (1 season) Jason Medford was born in Coventry but played his college ball in Canada at the University of St. Mary’s, Halifax. He was brought in to the Sharks at the beginning of the 97/98 season to provide an inside presence who could score on the low block, get rebounds and play defence. He played at the beginning this season but he never saw his contract out. Medford had only appeared in 10 contests when news broke of John Amaechi signing for the club. Medford was the man who unfortunately had to make way. Medford looked a decent prospect but a little undersized for a ‘power’ player. He played good defence and got a fair few rebounds but offensively he seemed very raw and struggled with the Sharks patient system at times, preferring to try and go one on one. He quickly signed for the Thames Valley Tigers and played in 23 games for them in the remainder of the season. He then went to the continent and played for a number of teams in a number of countries. Firstly, he appeared for Horsens IC in Denmark for the 98/99 season (12ppg, 6rpg). Medford then played in Germany with OBC Wolmirstedt (17ppg, 10rpg) for the 99/00 campaign. His next stop was France with Poissy Yvelines in 00/01, followed by Cimbia Randers of Denmark in 2002. He did come back to the BBL when he played for the Bears in 2002/03 but did not play much for Nick Nurse. He headed back to the continent and played in Finland with Korikouvot of the first division for the duration of 2003/04. He impressed so much in his spell here that he was signed up by the champions Kouvot for the 2004/05 season. He appeared for Kouvot for one season but disappeared without trace after this. He did appear to be playing in a summer league at the Universiry of Toronto-Scarborough in July this year but does not appear to have played at any kind of professional level for a few years. App/Games : 10 / 10 Points/Points per game : 43 / 4.3ppg --- JEFF MONACO Height : 6’0’’ Position : Guard Number : 11 Sharks career : 01-02 (1 season) Jeff Monaco has the unenviable task of replacing Terrell Myers in the Sharks line up and was brought in as a more orthodox point guard to play alongside Nate Reinking for the 2001-02 season. Monaco had a standout career in America, starring at Southern Utah and being named Mid-Con player of the Year. He helped caused some major upsets in the college game for Southern Utah as they knocked off several teams in the conference to make the 2001 NCAA Tournament before narrowly losing to Boston College despite Monaco’s superb game hitting 6 treys on the way to 26 points. Monaco attracted attention from NBA camps and played for both Golden State and Phoenix in Summer League play but failed to land a pre season slot. His signing for the Sharks was seen as quite a coup for head coach Chris Finch as Monaco was seen as a creator and defensive player in the mould of former Shark Travis Conlan. When Monaco arrived he seemed a lot shorter than the listed 6’0’’ with the dreaded curse that many new BBL players seemed to suffer in losing inches in the flight over to the United Kingdom! Defensively he got exposed badly, often posted up on or got lost in hard screens. Monaco was careless with the ball on offence and his shooting was at best streaky. Monaco had some great games where he showed the form he clearly had displayed in college basketball but had some very poor games too and his consistency level was simply not there. The Sharks managed to make the playoff final and Monaco had one of his better games against the Jets, despite the Chester side completing the Jet Wash. Monaco had impressed scouts in this final and signed for Belgium side Euphony Liege only weeks after the season. However, he only lasted a few months into their season and was cut from the team. It is unknown where Monaco played 03/04 and whether he has played basketball since. It seems that his tremendous college career did not translate into success in the pro ranks and after only a couple of years his basketball career, at least in Europe seemed to be at an end. App/Games : 27 / 27 Points/Points per game : 284 / 10.5ppg --- HERBERT MONTGOMERY Height : 6’0’’ Position : Guard Number : - Sharks career : 05-05 (1 season) At the end of the 2004/05 season, the Sharks lost the services of point guard Rob Yanders who joined rivals the Scottish Rocks. To fill his place the Sharks signed little known point guard Herbert Montgomery. Montgomery played at Georgia Southwestern and made the third team All-America NAIA team averaging 27ppg and 3.0apg in his senior year in 2001-02. He began his professional career in Germany where he played 3 seasons for the Bergheim Bandits, in division three. In season 04/05 he averaged 26ppg, 7apg, 2.5rpg. Due to the fact that he had essentially only been playing in regional basketball in Germany, his pedigree was doubted before he even played a game for the Sharks in 2005. I recall Scants speaking well of him before the season stating he was a vocal character, that could hit the three, run the break and had real vision. Montgomery led the Sharks in scoring in his debut in a victory in Birmingham but the first game I saw him play was a bad home loss to the Milton Keynes Lions. Montgomery completely confused me. He hit some threes, was very fast and exciting to watch on the break but he was completely out of control for a lot of the game. He threw wild passes, with a penchant for the behind the back pass and turned the ball over way too much for a point guard. I felt it may have been first game nerves and that he would settle down but his jitters continued in the next few games. His shooting became even more erratic and his tendency to over dribble was also slightly annoying to say the least. His basic premise as the lead guard was to control the tempo and look after the ball. The bonus would be, if he could set up his team mates and hit the open shots. He failed to really achieve any of this during his time in Sheffield. The Sharks had one of their poorest starts to a season ever and it was not long before rumours of changes surfaced. It could easily have been current Sharks Eddie Cage and Blake Shelton, neither who started their Sharks careers with much of an impact but Montgomery as the focal point of the team was the one who no matter how much harder he tried he made more mistakes and the inevitable happened in October when he was waived from the team. The fact that he was cut so early by a club that does not waive players very often at all tells the story. I am unsure where he played last season but he has signed for next season to play in Mexico for Tijuana Galgos for the 07/08 season. App/Games : - Points/Points per game : 15.0ppg --- ISSAC MORGAN Height : 6’5’’ Position : Guard/Forward Number : - Sharks career : 96-97 (1 season) Morgan attended college in the States at Farleigh Dickinson before he came to Britain and appeared briefly for the Sharks in the 1996-97 season. I can vaguely remember him playing in one game but my memory of him is sketchy. He only played in 6 games and scored a total of 30 points but other Sharks fans may be able to assist me on him as my memories of him either as a Shark or where he went after are limited. App/Games : 6 / 6 Points/Points per game : 30 / 5ppg --- OLIVER MORTON Height : 6’10’’ Position : Forward Number : - Sharks career : 04-05 (1 season) Oliver Morton was a McDonalds High School All American prior to signing to play for University of Tennessee Chatanooga from 1997-2001. Morton was the only player in the 2000/01 NCAA Division One season to score 50 points in a gamee on January 24, 2001 vs. Pikeville. After college Morton was in several NBA camps including Boston but could not earn a spot on a roster and thus spent many years touring the basketball world and played in several different counties. He has been back to try out in the NBA for the Hawks and Dallas but was still not quite able to make the grade. After cutting Mike Joiner and struggling up front for the early part of the 04/05 season, the Sharks signed the 26 year old Morton, who had last played in Sweden, to help solidify the roster. Sharks fans seemed to wait an age for Morton to arrive. When he did finally land in the UK, he played in only 3 games and looked very good, hitting the outside shot, rebounding, passing the ball very well and generally looking an experience and fundamental player in the mould of a ‘Shark’ type player. However, Morton was not with the Sharks long as he had to return to the States due to a family bereavement. This was a blow as he looked to be a really good addition. Morton never returned for the remainder of the season and indeed never returned to Sheffield again. Later reports suggested that the reason for him leaving was not as clear-cut as the family reasons suggested but the truth never came out. All we know is that Morton’s career as a Shark is one of the shortest in the history of the club. He later wound up playing for Ciclista in Argentinian League in 2005/06 and then was in free agent camps last summer in Luxemburg before signing for Soriano, in Uruguay for the 06/07 season. App/Games : 3 Points/Points per game : 8.7ppg --- TERRELL MYERS Height : 6’3’’ Position : Guard Number : 11 Sharks career : 1997-01 (4 seasons) Ask any Sheffield Sharks fan (and most BBL fans for that matter) to choose any player to take a final shot to win any game and it is a fair bet that most would say Terrell Myers. Undoubtedly one of the finest and most naturally gifted players to appear in this country in recent times, it is often forgotten that Myers very nearly did not arrive in this country at all. Beginning his career in New Haven, Connecticut, Myers spent his college days under Phil Martelli’s St Joseph’s side. Myers came off the bench for three years but became a starter in his final season. New Sharks coach Chris Finch had been impressed with Myers and his teammate and roommate at St Joe’s, Wilbur Johnson. He signed them in time for the 97/98 campaign but only Johnson was to arrive in time for the start of the season. There had been problems over Chris Finch’s coaching application and thus for the start of the season Finch remained as a player rather than a coach. Thus, the Sharks could not bring in the two Americans they had envisaged to join existing import players Cauthorn and Hames. Johnson came in and impressed but the Sharks told Myers to hold fire and that they would still bring him in when Finch’s coaching situation was resolved. Myers knew he could either wait or entertain offers elsewhere. Luckily for the Sharks, he did not have to wait long and Finch was cleared to coach. Myers flew in and was ready to join the team. For most of the first season, Myers came off the bench. However, a deep team, was made even deeper by the addition of John Amaechi, so minutes for Myers were not always forthcoming. However, he showed he had a real talent and was an excellent shooter. A very fast player who could create his own shot and a good passer too, Myers definitely looked a real prospect. Unfortunately it did seem he could be a little out of control at times and often his mistakes were punished by a rest on the bench as Chris Finch went with more experienced players like Mark Robinson and Mike Payne. However, Myers shot into the consciousness of the league as a whole for one play and one play alone; in the 1997 Uni Ball trophy final. This game is remembered for two things. John Amaechi’s sensational MVP 40 point performance and for the last gasp wining shot delivered by Myers. The game was tied at 79 when Danny Lewis and Paul Deppisch lost the ball out of bounds. The Sharks had 11 seconds to find a winning shot. The inbound play was the classic pass in and return, with Terrell exchanging passes with Mark Robinson and then quickly before the Towers could set their defence draining a three pointer with just 5 seconds left. Karl Brown tried to force overtime but his three missed and the Sharks had won the trophy. With all the great players and veterans on the Sharks team it was a major surprise that Myers took the shot. The fact he did and made it changed his confidence completely and showed what a player he could become. The next season with Robinson, Hames and Amaechi gone, Myers was a starter along with Michigan standout Travis Conlan. The pair gelled immediately and Myers went from a promising talent to one of the best players in the league. Given more shots and the green light, Myers became the Sharks go to guy and was on fire from opening night. Conlan handled the ball and was the set up guy, whilst the other players did much of the dirty work and controlled the boards. Myers was free to take and make shots. He was named player of the month and his whole season was a fairytale. The Sharks were top of the league for much of the way and reached the National Cup Final. The Sharks battled with the London Leopards and with the game tied at 65, the scenario was set for Myers once again. The assured guard did not disappoint (29 points) and delivered right on cue with the game winning shot just 23 seconds from the end to help win the cup. Myers continued to light up the league and was supreme the whole season. He had a number of stunning games and was always the man the Sharks went to when they needed a big shot. I remember an incredible game at the Arena when Myers and John White of the Giants staged a superb shootout between themselves. The Sharks finally held off the Giants in double overtime and seemed set to capture the championship. However, a defeat at Chester meant the title would be decided on a winner takes all contest at the M.E.N. Arena. In front of 11,000 fans the game went down to the final moments. Myers made a superb block on Kevin St Kitts to preserve the Sharks lead and then after both teams exchanged free throws the game was tied at 85. Sharks ended up with just 3.5 seconds to try and win it. After two timeouts, Conlan inbounded the ball to Myers who pump faked his man, moved inside the three point line and hit nothing but net as the horn sounded. Myers back peddled down court in jubilation as Chris Finch and the rest of the Sharks team jumped on him in glee. Myers pointed to his heart and pounded his chest as the celebrations began. The Giants fans were stunned, as the travelling contingent from over the Pennines went absolutely nuts. Myers was deservedly named Budweiser League MVP for the season (23.5ppg). The summer saw a great deal of speculation over Terrell’s future. The Giants were clearly interested but so were certain European team and Myers himself did not rule out invitations to NBA camps. In the end Myers thankfully re-signed in Sheffield; with a much-improved contract to boot. I saw him in Champs with a few other Sharks on the eve of the season and I remember my girlfriend, who was worse for wear for drink, asking to touch his ‘magic’ hand (the one that had made the shot a few months previously). How embarrassing! The first game of the 99/00 season was ironically back in Manchester. Myers was amazing as the Sharks fell to the Giants, with Manchester coach Nick Nurse paying tribute to him in his post match interview. With Conlan now playing for the Giants, Terrell was more of a ball handler with off guard Nate Reinking playing along side him. The Sharks won the National Cup as the pair teamed superbly. His clutch play continued, including one sensational half-court shot to beat the Tigers in Bracknell. Whilst the Sharks only finished runners up to the same Giants squad in the Northern Conference, Myers was once again consistently brilliant. He improved his passing and overall game, despite his scoring taking a slight dip. Myers returned for one more year in Sheffield and helped lead the Sharks to the Northern Conference. He was still one of the best players in the league but perhaps personally he needed a new challenge. His body language and face at the end of the Sharks playoff final defeat to the Riders suggested this would be his last game in the blue and gold. When the London Towers came calling with the offer of European competition and bigger bucks, Terrell left the Sharks to the disappointment of their fans. Myers spent two years with the London club and won the Southern Conference in his first season. He was impressive in European play and NEBL player of the week twice and scored 35 points in one game. The second season his play dropped off a little but much of this was down to an illness he suffered when his career and indeed his life was in jeopardy for a time after he suffered a blood clot in his arm. Thankfully, he recovered and returned to play the remainder of the season. At the end of the season having achieved pretty much everything in the British game, Myers, now armed with a British passport, sought pastures new. He signed for the Spanish team, Casademont Girona. He came off the bench at first, but his play earned him a starting spot and he excelled. He had one game where he scored 30 points and was named ACB Spanish league player of the week. His team struggled and did not make the playoffs but Myers seemed to get better and better. He was voted Girona’s most valuable player for the 2004/05 season and returned for the following season, having another consistent season for Girona. He left to sign for Murcia, still in the Spanish ACB, for the 06/07 season and teamed with ex Chicago Bull Marcus Fizer. He averaged 24 minutes per game and 11.4ppg, averaging 41% from the three point line. Myers was released last month by Murcia after they has a disappointing season and his next destination is unknown but it seems as if he has shown enough even at 33 to remain in Spain for another season. Myers in my mind is one of the most naturally gifted players I have ever seen in this country and was an absolute joy to watch. He had an array of offensive moves and was an incredible shooter and scorer. He averaged 21ppg in his career in England and shot 44% (476/1,093, 5th all time) from three’s. He was equally competent creating his own shot, or spotting up to deliver the final nail after a possession of supreme Sharks ball movement. He was fast, a superb dribbler, a good passer and a competent defender. Above all he was the ultimate clutch performer and wanted the ball at ‘money’ time. As Billy Mims once said, ‘Myers wins games!’ I’ll leave you with the commentary from the biggest moment in the Sharks history so far. Over to Daniel Routledge….. 'They’re looking for Myers...Myers fakes it...Now Myers to win the league…..Yes!...Terrell Myers has won the league...He has hit the big shot and the Sheffield Sharks have gone crazy...Terrell Myers has won the league!' App/Games : 133 / 130 Points/Points per game : 2684 / 20.7ppg



FFF	Jul 20 2007, 03:10 PM Post #15
Bench Player Posts: 107 Group: Member Member #283 Joined: July 22, 2006	What a great bloke even after the defeat to Leicester he still gave my son his trainers, which after all these years are kept in a very special place...Rob Yanders tainers are there also!



Sharkball	Jul 20 2007, 07:54 PM Post #16
Bench Player Posts: 153 Group: Member Member #1,038 Joined: November 26, 2006	Keep it coming good stuff!



DaveBeeden	Jul 20 2007, 08:01 PM Post #17
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	LEONID ‘LOCKER’ OKORIE Height : 6’4’’ Position : Guard Number : 15 Sharks career : 1998-07 (9 seasons) Leonid Okorie has spent 9 years with the Sharks. He first appeared on the Sharks roster during their championship season of 98/99 but only played in 8 games, scoring just 3 points. He played little more the next season, this time only appearing in 13 games and scoring 20 points. He remained with the team, combining playing for the Sharks with a degree at Sheffield Hallam and playing duties for the University and Junior Sharks teams like the Forgers and Sabres. He was joined by Andrew Bridge who had more of an immediate impact than Okorie had made and thus he still did not play unless a game and its verdict was already decided. His garbage minutes did not increase much though and for the next two seasons he only played in 9 and 11 games respectively. He played a bit more the past two seasons but again never came into the game when the score was close. It seems Finch and Scants never quite had their total trust in his ability and his brief time on the court was plagued by turnovers and foul trouble. Occasionally he hit a long three or two but his unconventional shot did not help his chances of making such shots. Defensively, he showed some ability to play good man to man coverage and once helped the Sharks get back into a game versus Leicester, when he antagonised and slowed down Riders star Ralph Blalock. In season 04/05 Okorie got more playing time and actually appeared in 35 out of 36 games as a thinner and weaker Sharks roster needed Okorie to contribute. He definitely improved and played some very good defence and had one or two eye opening games. I expected Okorie to progress in season 05/06 but if anything he did not go onto to progress from the improvements he had made and played in only 23 games with his overall minutes cut in half from the previous season. Most fans felt that at the age of 26, Okorie had gone as far as he could and would probably end his Sharks career. He spoke of playing in Europe but this was a surely pipe dream considering he had not excelled at even BBL level as a competent bench player. It seemed he would have to move down the leagues. Okorie did come back though yet again much to the disapproval of yours truly and other Sharks fans. However, in the 06/07 season he rammed the critics (including me) words firmly down their throats with his best ever season in professional Basketball by a country mile. Okorie got more minutes (540) and points than he had ever had before but more importantly than that he became a respected player in the league and amongst his teammates. Indeed such was his improvements he became a starter for much of the year and whilst he did not play the minutes of a starter nor always finish games he was often the key man in shutting down the opponents best guard and vital in setting the Sharks defensive tone. The Sharks had 5 players start the game 6’4’’ to 6’9’’ who all had long arms, quickness and could play defence. The Sharks easily had the best defensive record in the league in holding teams to measly totals and Okorie was a major part of this. Some of his defence at times was superb. Granted this is his strength and always has been but he could really lock down players with his long arms, speed and athletic ability. He scored a few easy buckets by cutting to the hoop as he realised teams would play off him, so wisely he just went to the hoop and got 2 or 3 baskets a game by doing this. He also did not get into anywhere near as much foul trouble as in previous years and played under control. Amazingly I found myself watching games when he was on the bench and wanting him to come back in to help guard Brian Dix, TJ Walker or Rob Yanders. Quite a turnaround and one I never thought I would see. If there had been an award in the BBL for most improved player, I think he would have won it hands down. Okorie is a lock to come back and hopefully he can put together a season as good or even better. For the first time ever even I want him back with the Sharks! If he could develop his offensive game even slightly he could log even more minutes next year but the key thing for me is he maintains his defence. It is this quality that could keep him in this league at a good level for 4 or 5 more years at least. App/Games : 292 / 174 Points/Points per game : 274 / 1.6ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 21 2007, 09:57 AM Post #18
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	MICHAEL PAYNE Height : 6’5’’ Position : Guard/Forward Number : 9 Sharks career : 1996-03 (7 seasons) Mike Payne is another one of those players whom will always be seen as part of the Sheffield Sharks history. Whilst he did not spend his whole career with the Sharks, the main part of his career was spent in Sheffield. Teaming with Iain McKinney, Richard Windle and also Pete Scantlebury, Payne helped form the best British contingent and the deepest bench of any team in the BBL. Despite always battling back problems Payne was a consistent and valuable member of the Sharks squad for 7 seasons and won many honours with the club. Payne was born in Trinidad and Tobago but grew up in Reading. He moved to the States and played college basketball at the University of Maine. When he returned to England he originally played his first basketball in the city of Sheffield for the Forgers (93/94). However, he was given an opportunity with the Birmingham Bullets and became a key part of their team for two seasons. He was often a starter and a reliable scorer, being very dangerous from outside. He often came up with many very good performances for the Bullets when they played the big games and was particularly impressive when they beat the Sharks on their way to winning the playoffs in 1996. Jim Brandon became interested in signing Payne after this season. Indeed, he was seen as perfect for the Sharks, an unselfish team player that could hit the outside shot. Payne moved to Sheffield for the 96/97 season and did exactly what it said on the tin. He hit three’s, made clever passes, guarded a variety of opponents and was a valuable team player and he added to his collection of England caps (19 caps). When Chris Finch was made coach, Payne got more minutes the following season and continued to be a vital part of the team. The Sharks went on to win the trophy, cup and league in the next two seasons. Payne was one of the most consistent members of the squad and his shooting percentages remained very high for someone who took outside shots predominantly. The Sharks remained at the top of the standings and were always a contender for every kind of honour. One of the chief reasons for this was Payne (and McKinney). They could come in to the game and give the starters a breather and often maintain or even extend the lead. Like McKinney, Payne was not particularly fast or even athletic, but he had such solid fundamentals and was a better defender than many gave him credit for. At times he could often surprise opponents and take the ball to the basket, having quite a few big jams in his early days with the Sharks. Of course, it was hit three point shooting that made him such a valuable weapon (43% 3FG% career, 428/995, 6th all time in Britain). He was always at the top of the standings in this category and would regularly just kill teams with this outside shot. His ability to come straight off the bench, catch a ball instantly and knock down this shot was quite unnerving but so important to the Sharks success. Payne took on more of the scoring load between 2000-02 and had two seasons where he stepped up his game and became more assertive (8.2ppg and 7.9ppg). It was during this time that Payne had a superb weekend when he hit not one, but two game winning three pointers, virtually on the buzzer. The Rocks and Leopards succumbed to the deadeye coolness that Payne personified. Payne became captain and at the end of the 2002/03 campaign he was able to lift the championship trophy in front of a packed Ponds Forge after the Sharks had sealed the title after an exciting win over the Brighton Bears. Payne announced only a week later that this would be his final season as a player and that he would be retiring at the conclusion of the campaign. Payne decided that for greater security and for the sake of his back that he may be better finding employment outside the game. He became involved in I.T. and worked for an internet web site design company. He had given his all to the club in seven very entertaining and successful campaigns and nobody begrudged him the chance to end on top. The lifting of the championship trophy was certainly a memorable way to end a terrific career. He later appeared for the Sheffield Arrows as a part time player and helped them to a treble of honours as part of their successful campaign in season 2004/05. He seemingly gave up the game for good after this season but I believe he is still involved in the game albeit now working as a software developer for England Basketball out of the EIS with his old friend Todd Cauthorn. He still lives in Sheffield and I have seen him out and about in the city and at Sharks games over the last few years. App/Games : 247 / 246 Points/Points per game : 1349 / 5.5ppg --- TERRELL PETTEWAY Height : 6’9’’ Position : Forward/Centre Number : 10 Sharks career : 2004/05 (1 season) Terrell Petteway was born in Galveston in Texas and went to Lamar University (2000-04). He had to redshirt due to injury in 02/03 but in his senor year, 03/04, he had some very strong games under coach Billy Tubbs and averaged 15ppg. After graduating Petteway played on several tryout camps in the summer of 2004 and caught the eye of Peter Scantlebury who brought him over after the Sharks had lost Justin Phoenix and Lynard Stewart. Petteway played for the Sharks for just this one season in 2004/05 on a team that was bereft of talent and depth in comparison to many Sharks teams of the past. The team had the likes of Reinking, Yanders and Davis but the rest of the squad outside of McKinney and Windle was full of youngsters. The failure to bring in a decent big man or another import (Joiner cut, Morton came too late and then left) placed a massive burden on a young kid fresh out of college and I felt for Petteway at times, even though I was still one of his biggest critics at the time. Looking back I feel that too much pressure was put on him and he did not have help inside. He was actually more of a three than a four, or even a five where the Sharks had to play him sometimes. He had an alright if not spectacular jump shot, could run the floor well and sometimes would finish plays with strong dunks. However, he missed too many opportunities inside and I felt he did not get enough rebounds, although his stays showed differently as he had over 6 per game. He also did turn the ball over too much trying to do things he was not capable of. He did have a few nice games but I remember him having a shocking second half versus the Eagles in the playoff semi final when he was held to only one field goal. He is a player that if he had come back may have got better, season to season, but the Sharks felt they could find stronger players inside and Eddie Cage came in to effectively replace him the season after. Petteway returned stateside and has played in a few minor leagues and was on the roster of the Atlanta Vision of the ABA during season 05/06. I am unsure where he played last season, if at all. App/Games : 40 / 40 Points/Points per game : 476 /11.9 --- JUSTIN PHOENIX Height : 6’8’’ Position : Forward/Centre Number : 7 Sharks career : 2001-04 (3 seasons) Justin Phoenix has become somewhat of a BBL journeyman, appearing for 4 clubs in Britain during his professional career. Attending Manhattan College, Phoenix played overseas before signing for the Leicester Riders in 1996/97. He teamed with current teammate Nate Reinking, and also Leon McGee to help form a very competitive Riders team. He moved on to play in Korea for two years but returned to the BBL with the Bullets (99/00) and was very impressive particularly in tandem with veteran point guard Nigel Lloyd. He was a key player when the Bullets beat the Sharks in the playoffs in Coventry and were narrowly defeated by the Giants in the final. Phoenix then moved to the Manchester Giants (2000/01) and was the leading scorer for the Lancastrian club. When they went into liquidation at the end of the season, he was offered terms with the Sharks for the 2001/02 season. His partner was based in the area and so Phoenix moved over the Steel City. He teamed with Lynard Stewart to give the Sharks an imposing frontline and was highly impressive. I remember that he seemed much better than I had ever remembered in his previous BBL days. He seemed much taller and more skilled. I was definitely pleasantly surprised at his all around ability. He could score inside, but also hit from outside and was a good passer and excellent foul shooter for a big man. He quickly became a firm favourite with the Sheffield crowd and his reputation was helped when he took part in a Sharks promotion after a 91-53 win over the Derby Storm at the Sheffield Arena. The Sharks had been given a chance to try and break the record for the world’s longest shot (a record that current player Iain McKinney held!). The Sharks took part but most of the organisation felt it would be impossible to break, considering they only had 2 minutes to do it and each player only had one shot! Richard Windle and McKinney were not far off, as was the Dude (the Sharks mascot). Phoenix stepped to the mark and hoisted the ball the 90m feet in distance. Amazingly the ball went straight through the hoop, not touching the backboard or the rim! The Shark mobbed Phoenix whilst the distance was checked and confirmed. Phoenix had scored from a distance of 94 feet 5˝ inches, which broke the World Record previously held by Sharks' McKinney, set three years previously when he scored from 90 feet and 6ľ inches. Phoenix’s midas touch continued into the next season but only after it had started in a somewhat auspicious way. The season had begun well for the Sharks who had raced out to the top of the standings. However, when the Sharks played the challenging Bears, Rico Alderson had displayed his usual penchant for wining up opponents and in the fourth quarter he decided to try and elbow Phoenix off the ball. Big mistake, the taller, more well built Phoenix went right back at Alderson and basically punched him in front of a shocked crowd. Alderson fell to the floor with a thud before he was ejected along with Phoenix. It was completely out of character for Justin but whilst not condoning these actions, many fans up and down the country secretly wanted to pat him on the back! Phoenix came back from suspension and continued to play well. The Sharks played superbly down the stretch bating their closest rivals the Bears and the Jets. They were left needing just one win over the Brighton Bears to seal the championship. The Sharks won by just two points in a tense contest with Phoenix hitting the winning hoop a minute from the end. Phoenix’s good luck had continued outside of the basketball court as he appeared with his wife on the house hunting television programme ‘Hot Property’. Faced with having to estimate the price of the property they wished to own, Phoenix and the missus got it pretty much spot on and were given the house completely free! Phoenix remained with the Sharks for the 2003/04 season and had to step up his scoring with the loss of a few key players. The team finally ended their playoff hoodoo with Phoenix particularly impressive in all three playoff games. He came up with several big plays down the stretch and showed the ability to draw bigger opponents out of the paint by hitting from outside. Phoenix obtained his British passport and departed for Giessen in Germany playing for Chris Finch’s ex club in the 04/05 season averaging 8ppg and appearing in 30 games. The following season Phoenix then tried out for Sic Jessi in Italy before eventually signing for Roseto Basket but he only appeared in 3 games before being released. He ended up back in the BBL and played 16 games on a short-term contract for the Scottish Rocks averaging 9ppg and 4rpg. Phoenix did not seem to appear for anyone last season and I am unsure whether he is still living in England or whether he returned to the States. The ultimate tribute I can pay to Phoenix is that you never really noticed him in games but he always seemed to score highly and is always a candidate for MVP. He rarely had bad games and his only weakness was that he sometimes does not assert his talent as much as he probably should have. A great team player and a real gentleman, Phoenix was a player and a person that really impressed me in this time with the Sharks and contributed greatly to the continuation of their success. App/Games : 105 / 104 Points/Points per game : 1628 / 15.7ppg --- LEKAN POPOOLA Height : 6’0’’ Position : Guard Number : 12 Sharks career : 2006/07 (1 season) Lekan Popoola is of dual nationality (Nigerian/English) and was born in Lagos in Nigeria but raised in England. He played his college basketball in America at Ursinus College near Philadelphia between 2001-04. He was also a very good long jumper and triple jumper was involved in many of the cross college competitions. For the record in a 2004 championships, Popoola jumped 6.38 in the long jump and 12.36 in the triple jump! Popoola came back to Britain and signed for the Guildford Heat for the 05/06 season where he had a decent rookie professional season averaging 6.4ppg. His play had impressed Sharks coach Pete Scantlebury who signed him as a backup guard for the 06/07 season. Popoola began well with a strong defensive effort against the Eagles on opening night but he had an up and down season for the Sharks. At times he did well, and his defence was often excellent. His outside shooting at times was very good (I recall a game against London where he led the team in scoring) but more often than not it was very inconsistent. His two main problems was his ball handling which sometimes was a bit careless and also his inability to stay out of foul trouble. He did provide a nice lift off the bench but worryingly his minutes and overall stats actually decreased as the year went on. He was unsurprisingly not brought back by the Sharks and will play for the new franchise in Birmingham, the Panthers under the tuition of ex point guard supreme, Nigel Lloyd. It is hoped he will finally take a step in the right direction under his coaching. Popoola is now 26 and is no longer a youngster. Next year is a big one. App/Games : 36 / 34 Points/Points per game : 121 / 3.6ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 22 2007, 12:32 PM Post #19
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	ANDRE RANKINE Height : 6’4’’ Position : Guard Number : 9/15 Sharks career : 2004-06 (2 seasons) The Sharks can never be accused of not trying to bring through young talent in their early days as the likes of McKinney, Windle, Swaine and Anderson are were given significant playing time and chances to progress. However in recent times, it may be a fair charge that the Sharks have not brought enough young players through or when they have they have not given them enough minutes or chance to develop. This could be a charge levelled at the Sharks with both Andrew Bridge and Andre Rankine. Rankine was a talented player as a youngster who attended Tapton School alongside playing for the Junior Sharks. Rankine had been in most of the England junior squads and then played for the Arrows. The Sharks signed him prior to the 2004/05 season feeling he could develop at the top level. Playing alongside fellow local youngsters Paul Ihonor and Locker Okorie, Rankine was reckoned to have the most natural talent of the three and the one with the most chance to consistently crack the playing rotation. Rankine did not play much but when he did he looked good and showed flashes. At times he did rush things and his jump shot needed work but he looked very athletic and could run the floor. I recall in one game against Teeside he actually led the team in scoring I think with 20+ points. He was still completing his studies at Norton College when he was in his first year with the Sharks and missed some games due to examinations. I felt he should have played more in a thin Sharks team that may have benefited from his energy. He was brought back for the 05/06 season and reckoned to get more playing time but he actually got no more time and remained stuck to the bench. I was really disappointed with Scants for this and felt we had a decent player with real potential. The only thing I would say in the coach’s defence is that he saw him every day in practice. Obviously frustrated with his lack of chances, Rankine left the Sharks and signed for the Arrows where he has got plenty of minutes and plenty of points for a young squad in the past season. Now 21, Rankine must try and ensure that he continues to progress as a player but now he is in full time employment, Basketball may only play a part time role in his life. He certainly would want to be assured of more minutes and more of a long term role if he was to become a ‘professional’ again and return to play in the BBL. It is a shame that two wasted seasons for the Sharks ultimately cost him a chance to go to the States and study/play for a college over there. I am sure he regrets this and I wonder if Pete Scants does too. App/Games : 30 Points/Points per game : 1.2ppg --- NATE REINKING Height : 6’2’’ Position : Guard Number : 12 Sharks career : 1999-05 (6 seasons) Nate Reinking had a stand out career at Kent University in Ohio. He came to the attention of Western Michigan head coach Bob Donewald Sr and he advised his son to take a chance on this high scoring guard. Donewald Jr brought him over to the Leicester Riders in time for the 1996/97 season. Originally a back up to Eugene Waldron and Leon McGee, the mild mannered Reinking impressed the Granby Halls fans with his lethal outside shooting and his ability to put points on the board quickly. I remember my first impressions of him being in a game at the Arena for the visiting Riders. He looked awfully skinny and had an odd looking quiff but he had a beautiful release on jump shot and the Sharks quickly realised they could not give him time or space. He made several big shots for the Riders, including a huge three pointer that beat the Giants in the Trophy and was deservedly named to the All Star squad in his first season. Reinking did not play the following season but returned to the BBL with Donewald and played for his Derby Storm in 1998/99. He started with Joel Burns in the Storm backcourt as they had an excellent start to the season and snapped the Sharks 11 game-winning streak. The Storm lost to the Giants in the Uni Ball final and faded away in the league but many of their players had done enough to earn moves elsewhere. After losing Travis Conlan, the Sharks made Reinking their number one target to replace him. After a battle over compensation for his transfer, Reinking eventually signed for the Sharks and paired up with Terrell Myers in the backcourt. Whilst it was clear he was not as adept at handling the ball as Conlan or creating for others, Nate showed he was an incredibly consistent shooter and was deadly from long range with a beautiful high arching jump shot. He made a superb start and was named MVP (21 points) as the Sharks beat the Manchester Giants in the final of the National Cup. The Sharks could not quite beat off the Giants in the race for the Northern Conference but a testimony to Reinking is that Nick Nurse signalled him out as the danger man. He put taller, bigger men on Reinking and it took the likes of Hairston and Dorsey to slow Nate down. The following year the Sharks did win the Northern Conference with Reinking a key member of the team. After Myers left the team, Nate had to step up both his leadership and his scoring. Faced with two rookie point guards in consecutive seasons, in Jeff Monaco and Rob Yanders, Reinking took his game to a new level. He showed a greater urgency and maturity and could take over games at times. The Sharks went on to win the 2002/03 championship and Reinking was often the go to guy in the vital games down the stretch. I remember him cooling sinking free throws to tie a game with the Leopards when time had expired and also a dramatic three pointer from way out to tie a game at Thames Valley. The 2003/04 season Reinking exploded out of the blocks and was simply on fire at the beginning of the season. He had some phenomenal shooting games and would hit a number of three’s in a row. He slowed down a bit towards the end of the year but came back and was instrumental in the second half of the Tigers game and then the star man versus the Towers in the semi. In the final he played his usual steady game coming up with key shots when the Sharks needed them. Reinking is one of those guys you really envy but admire at the same time. Such a nice guy, with the good looks and clean-cut image, he has a superb basketball game to boot. Reinking has a beautiful jump shot and ability to score from such range and angles. His jump shot is very difficult to stop because of the height and trajectory he gets on it. He can spot up for three or drive and take that deft little mid-range pull-up. Reinking spent a final season with the Sharks in 04/05 continuing to display his shooting and becoming more of a leader as one of the longest serving Sharks. He was able to gain British passport status and took the opportunity by signing with old mate, Chris Finch, in Belgium. Playing alongside Lynard Stewart, Bree had a good season and finished near the top of the standings. Coming off the bench, Reinking, played 25 minutes a game and featured in all 36 games averaging 11ppg and 42% from the 3 point land. His team got the playoff finals before losing to Oostende with Reinking having a disappointing finals being restricted due to injury. When Finch left for Mons Hainaut, one of his first signings was Reinking who will stay in Belgium for the 07/08 season. Such is Finch’s admiration for Reinking that he has named him as the naturalised player on the GB squad for the last few seasons and Reinking has excelled including hitting a massive three pointer in a game last summer that forced overtime and eventually a win, against Albania. Reinking was be involved in the qualifiers this summer and his outside shooting, savvy play and calmness under pressure was invaluable as Britain qualified for the A division. Watching him play against Switzerland at Ponds Forge and seeing him continue to hit that smooth outside shot brought back great memories. He undoubtedly gave the Sharks the best days of his basketball life and has done whatever it takes; taking on whatever role he has to, to ensure the Sharks are successful. The image I will always have of Nate is of him rising up from outside the three-point line and swishing those wonderful high arching, perfect rotation three’s right through the net. App/Games : 207 / 207 Points/Points per game : 3305 / 16.0ppg --- GUY RENTON Height : 6’7’’ Position : Forward Number : - Sharks career : 1998/99 Renton had played in America at a Junior College but it was playing in a Sharks try out event in 1998 that saw him first play the game professionally. The event was essentially a streetball festival for all comers but Brian Aldred of the Sharks coaching staff spotted Renton and recommended him to Chris Finch. Renton was allowed to take part in drills with the team and eventually signed a short term deal for the remainder of the 1998/00 season. Renton spent most of the time on the bench as the Sharks went onto the league and cup double but did get some brief playing time. He was a fairly athletic big man who could run the floor quite well but did not have much of a jump shot. Renton left the club at the end of the season and seemed to be in and out of the Sport the next few years, playing mainly for some of the Mansfield clubs in the EBL but eventually returned to the BBL in 2002/03 for the Leicester Riders. Renton did not make much of a success of his return to the BBL and was quickly out of the league again returning to Sheffield but this time to play for the Arrows. A few seasons here followed before he returned to Mansfield, playing for Mansfield Giants last season. App/Games : 14 / 5 Points/Points per game : 12 / 2.4ppg --- MARK ROBINSON Height : 6’5’’ Position : Guard/Forward Number : - Sharks career : 1997/98 Mark Robinson is a player whose career, both in basketball and out of ir, goes far beyond the mere one season he spent with the Sharks in 97/98. Most famous in Sheffield for helping the Sharks to the Uni Ball trophy season, Robinson’s steady play and scoring was lost in all the commotion of John Amaechi’s spell in the steel city. Robinson grew up in San Francisco before being offered a place at the prestigious Indiana University under the controversial and legendary coach Bobby Knight. His time at the ‘Hoosiers’ lasted from 1987-1992 where he earned his BA and Masters and managed to contribute to the Basketball team in a solid career. He worked in Houston as a drug rehabilitation worker and continued his studies before moved overseas to continue to play basketball and had a spell in Portugal with Ginasio before coming across to Manchester in 1994 to continue his education at Manchester University in England, undertaking a PHD. Robinson starred for the Giants alongside his studies and was an All Star most of his time there, leading them in scoring every year. He helped the Giants to the Championship Final in 1995 but they lost out to Worthing. He was with the Giants for 3 seasons but moved across the pennines to join the Sharks for the 97/98 season. During Chris Finch’s rookie season, Robinson was brought in to add leadership and a legitimate offensive threat. Robinson did this and averaged close to 20ppg. I felt in the game I saw he was quite a selfish player and would look to shoot at every opportunity. I would go as far to say I was a little disappointed in him in his one season considering how impressed I had been with him when he had played against the Sharks for Manchester. He did not seem to attack the rim as much and settled too much for the outside shot. Still, he clearly at the BBL level was always one of the better players and his basketball smarts were evident from his performances at the Arena. Certainly along with Amaechi and Finch, the Sharks had maybe the most cerebral team in their history. Robinson went onto complete his PHD around the same time he won the Uni Ball Trophy Even after the season when the Amaechi circus moved on, it was clear that Robinson would remain in the league even if his performances in Sheffield would not lead to his return. Robinson signed for the Bullets for 98/99 and played with Nigel Lloyd and Reggie Kirk but his stay was short lived and when the owners pulled out, cost cuts meant Robinson left the club. A spell in Ireland with Neptunes followed in in 1999 but Robinson drifted out of playing the game, even though he remained Chief Executive of the Basketball Players Association. His career outside of Basketball began as armed with his PGCE from Boston Institute, he lectured at Edge Hill University and he was also becoming more and more proficient in his writing and extending his studies. ‘Dr’ Robinson also began to publish a number of Counseling and sport related articles through a company called black athlete sports network. Robinson then moved back to America around the turn of the millennium and to San Francisco and served as an instructor at the City College of San Francisco from 2001 to 2004 before he was named Interim Dean of Students from June 2004 to September 2005. Robinson was named as Vice Chancellor of the College in January 2007. Clearly he had a solid basketball career both at Indiana and in Europe but he now is clearly reaping the rewards of years of hard work and education in his elevation to such a position. App/Games : 36 / 36 Points/Points per game : 677 / 18.8ppg



DaveBeeden	Jul 23 2007, 06:46 PM Post #20
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	NICK SAVAGE Height : 6’6’’ Position : Guard/Forward Number : - Sharks career : 1997/98 Savage came through the Sharks junior ranks during his time at Sheffield College and was given some time on the senior team during 97/98 team as a reward for development. He was on the team 3 times and got into the game once, a game at Leicester, where I was present. He played briefly at the end of a game when Chris Finch had already been thrown out. It was at this game that I spotted John Amaechi in the stands. I realised that the rumours of Amaechi’s signing were now probably true. Savage did not attempt a shot or barely touch the ball. He went back to the Juniors and his studies at Sheffield Hallam University. He later went to at University at RMIT, Melbourne and then played for the Diamond Valley Eagles over there. He returned to England and played for the Arrows a few seasons ago and then wound up back in the sport last year alongside completing his PhD. In November 2006, Savage joined the newly formed Sheffield Saints and played alongside former Shark Garnet Gayle and several former Arrows players. He averaged 5.3ppg in a successful first year for the Saints who will now play at a higher level next season. App/Games : 3 / 1 Points/Points per game : - / - --- PETER SCANTLEBURY Height : 6’5’’ Position : Forward/Guard Number : 8 Sharks career : 1998-03 (playing career 5 seasons) Pete Scantlebury could never have envisaged the impact he would have with the Sheffield Sharks, both as a player and a coach when he was drafted in to replace the injured Matt Gaudio mid way through the 98/99 season. Scantlebury was late into his playing career (36) when he arrived with the Sharks but has still had such an incredible input into the ‘Shark story’. Spending five years with the club as a player and one as a coach, Scants has been part of well over half the clubs ten year history. Born in Camberwell, London on the 21st November, 1963, Scantlebury attended Winthrop college in North Carolina in and around debuting in Britain for Guildford on the 7th November, 1981 versus Kingston. When he returned to Britain for good, he played for Bracknell for 5 years from 1984 until 1989. He then moved up north and spent a season with Sunderland before returning south to play for the Towers for two seasons (91-93). He returned to the Bracknell area and spent four very productive years with the Thames Valley Tigers (93-97). I remember when I first began watching the Sharks that Thames Valley were always the team the Sharks struggled with and Scantlebury was a real nemesis, especially in the big games like the trophy final. He was a perfect size for basketball player and had excellent hands. He could score on the jump shot or close in and was a very good rebounder. I remember being surprised when I realised he was actually British rather than American, as I had been led to believe the top players in the country were American. He had some great battles with Roger Huggins in the first few years of the Sharks existence and was certainly one of the opponents I always admired. He always scored 12-18 points, grabbed 7-10 rebounds and dished out a few assists too. He was always the more impressive of the Scantlebury brothers, his sibling Richard, although a decent player was never quite in the same class as Pete. He left the Tigers after the 96/97 season and spent another season in the north east, this time with the Eagles but left midway through the following season after a disagreement over playing time with Craig Lynch. The Sharks looking for a forward to replace the injured Matt Gaudio sought Scantlebury’s versatility and experience. He may not have quite fit in with the Eagles but he fitted like glove with the Sharks and helped maintain their excellent season. I remember a superb performance from Scants live on Sky as the Sharks won the much anticipated first league clash between the Sharks and the Giants. The Sharks went on to win the league championship after the dramatic win on the last day of the season in Manchester. It was fitting that it was Scantlebury’s 500th game in this country. Scantlebury remained in Sheffield and was a key player and veteran leader each season. He upped his scoring the following year to 11.8ppg as the Sharks won the National Cup and then increased his scoring again in 2000/01 to 15.9ppg as the Sharks won the Northern Conference. It seemed like Scants was ageless and he showed no signs of slowing down. In 2001/02 Scants and the Sharks lot the playoff final for the second consecutive year and it seemed Scants would never win the honour that had eluded him his whole career. I remember for the first time thinking that Scants seemed a tired player and that he may call it a day after the season. However, Scants did come back for one last hurray. He came off the bench originally to form one of the strongest benches in recent times, with Iain McKinney and Michael Payne. He was also now assistant coach to both the England team and the Sharks. However, by the end of the season Justin Phoenix was being used off the bench to limit early foul trouble and Scants was a starter again, scoring key baskets as the Sharks went on to win the league again. I remember Scants was particularly impressive in the game against the Bears that sealed the championship. After the season coach Chris Finch moved on to coach in Europe. Whilst there was talk Scantlebury would call it a day as a player, speculation began that he would be asked to coach the team. It was not seen as a surprise therefore when Scants was appointed head coach of the team. It was sad that Scants had to call it a day as a player (although he is listed as having one more appearance versus the Riders this year, when Lynard Stewart was suspended) and it is worth reflecting on his phenomenal career as a player. Scants won honour after honour during his playing time in the league and was named to the All-Star Game in 1996-97, 1994-95, 1993-94, 1992-1993, 1991-92, 1989-90 and 1988-89. He was also picked for the League All-Star Team (picked at the end of each season) in 1994-95, 1993-94, 1992-1993, 1991-92, 1990-91, 1989-90 and 1986/87. He has won the National Cup three times (runner up twice), the Trophy three times, the League three times (runner up three times), the Northern Conference once (runner up twice) and was a playoff final runner up twice too. He had won everything except the playoffs up to this year when he finally put that right as a coach of the Sharks. He also has been a regular England International and has 127 caps (debut in 1986 versus Turkey), which was the national record until beaten by Ronnie Baker of the Towers. He has also scored 1069 points for the national team (8.4 ppg) and was also named the English Player of the Year in 1992 and 1993. Of course his stats in the British game all feature highly in the all time records. Averaging 15.9 ppg, Scants 645 appearance places him 1st all time. He has now amassed 9,811 points all time too! He broke the all time points record in the British game when he scored a bucket in March 2001 in a game at Ponds Forge, passing the 9.000 points scored mark. The game was stopped so the fans and players could pay tribute to the man and he was commemorated with a special award. Scants is first in most floor shots made all time and is in the top 3 in several other categories such as most rebounds, free throws made, steals and of course length of career! He was deservedly named MBE in 2002 for his services to Basketball. The next step was then coaching and it seemed as is everything pointed to Scants being a success as a coach having played under so many different successful coaches and having so many ideas, concepts to draw on. However, it was a tough ask to follow Chris Finch at the Sharks at a club where success is pretty much demanded. Losing a few key players did not help but Scants made a key signing in HL Coleman and the Sharks got his coaching career off to a flying start. He seemed to have quite a relaxed attitude and returning starters like Reinking and Stewart played with even more freedom, even developing and enhancing their overall game. The Sharks did run out of steam in the league but won the National Cup giving Scantlebury his first trophy and then finally coming together after a few weeks of poor play to make it into the playoff final. Playing the Chester Jets, Scants coached the team superbly and the club, and Pete, finally won their first ever playoff title. A further reward for his superb start as coach came on the international level. After acting as assistant to Lazlo Nemeth to the National team, Scantlebury was named head coach of England and helped lead the squad to a bronze medal in the Commonwealth games in 2006. Scantlebury has continued to help the Sharks remain a top 4 team for the last few seasons and last year saw him really over achieve in my opinion as despite losing starters and experienced players, Scants helped the Sharks to a runners up finish, narrowly missing out on the league title and keeping them in contention for all other major honours. Scantlebury seems set to remain in Sheffield for the foreseeable future and hopefully it will not be long before he brings trophies back to the Sharks once again. App/Games : 168 / 167 Points/Points per game : 1903 / 11.4ppg --- BLAKE SHELTON Height : 6’6’’ Position : Guard Number : 7 Sharks career : 2005-07 (2 seasons) Blake Shelton originates from Arlington, Texas and attended college at Linfield University for 4 years between 2003-2005 and was the leading scorer for his team and in the Northwest Conference in his senior year with 19.4ppg, including one game where he went for 35 points against Bridgewater. After the season he briefly played for the Central Oregon Hotshots in an American minor league, the IBL, before he was signed by the Sharks just before the start of the 2005/06 season. Shelton appeared very frail and awfully skinny looking when he made his debut for the Sharks coming off the bench versus the Bullets and then 24 hours later at the Forge against the Lions. He really did look very young and physically not ready for professional play. Indeed he came off the bench at first as Pete Scantlebury started Herbert Montgomery and Iain McKinney, but as the former faltered and then was later cut, Shelton began to start games and his influence increased as his obvious talent came to the fore. His actual play looked promising, as he was a good athlete who played decent defence. He also had the ability to play 3 positions and was really versatile. His actual shot was odd looking as he appeared to shoot it like he was throwing a dart but it was surprisingly reliable and he had real range. As the season went on he began to have more break out games and ended the season as one of the Sharks better players. He realised he could outplay many players at his position and had the height and speed to really start to control games. His scoring average went up and up and he started to have quite a lot of 20+ games. He was not surprisingly brought back for the 06/07 season and came in full of confidence and fully adjusted to the league. He played parts of the season at point guard and parts at shooting guard but wherever he played he was superb. He scored going to the basket for big dunks on drives, or from three pointers but most impressively his mid range game appeared to have improved even more. He may not have scored lots of points in every game but his long arms, speed, ball handling skills, vision and defence were at the head of the Sharks game plan. The only marginal criticism is that he perhaps could have been even more assertive in the stretch of big games in talking big shots and demanding the ball. The team may have just lost out for honours but Shelton could be proud of his efforts in an excellent season for the club and player. The wiry Shelton may have looked just like a kid when he first landed in Sheffield but he is now a bona fide ball player and one of the top players in the BBL as proved by his nomination to the end of season All Star team. Disappointingly, Shelton left the Sharks in July 2007 after getting a lucrative offer to play in the German top ranked Bundesliga for the 07/08 season and he signed to play for Pom Baskets Jena. App/Games : 76 / 76 Points/Points per game : 1230 / 16.1ppg -- MIKE SLATTERY Height : 6’0’’ Position : Guard Number : 10/12 Sharks career : 2005-06 (1 season) Born and raised in America, Slattery was a 4-year starter for Delaware of the NCAA (Div. I) Colonial Athletic Association, Slattery finished his collegiate career starting his last 95 consecutive games. He was the only player in the Colonial conference to accumulate over 1000 points (1003) and over 600 assists (607) in his collegiate career. Slattery also ranks number 4 in Delaware school history with 168 career steals. He was named to the All-Conference All-Academic team twice. He averaged 9ppg and 5apg in his senior season in 2004/05. Slattery’s professional career began when he was signed by the Sharks in November after they had waived the disappointing Herbert Montgomery earlier in the season. He averaged 8ppg and 4apg and at times dazzled with his passing and court vision but his shooting was very poor and he just simply could not make shots consistently or often at all! Teams figured that whilst he was fast and could create in the style of a true point guard he could not make a shot and thus just sagged off him. Slattery’s short time in Sheffield was not helped as he suffered two different hand injuries (including a broken hand) during the season that saw his season become very start-stop. Slattery received his Italian passport in the summer of 2006 and this increased his options and he was signed by Aurora Jesi in A2 for the 06/07 season. He averaged 12 minutes per game and 3ppg as a backup point guard. App/Games : 16 / 16 Points/Points per game : 125 / 7.8ppg --- GARY SMITH Height : 6’2’’ Position : Guard Number : Sharks career : 1994-95 (1 season) Gary ‘Chicken’ Smith was born in Birmingham and attended Broadway Secondary School in England’s second city. He played for Teesside in 1984/85 as a junior before he attended Brevard County College in America in the late nineties. He returned to his native England to play for the Worthing Bears in time for the 1989/90 season. He played for the Bears for five seasons winning the league and playoffs before he moved up North for the 1994/95 season. Smith was signed by Jimmy Brandon to be the back up point guard in the Sharks first ever season. Playing behind Sean McKie, Smith did not play that much but never let the team down when he came into the game. He did not look for his shot much and was more of a set up guy and a defender than an offensive threat. His shooting as not one of his strengths but he was a decent passer and could also get in the passing lanes and make steals. His playing time dropped somewhat towards the end of the campaign as the Sharks went on to win the title. Often the Sharks would use Chris Finch or even Garnet Gayle as the back up point guard, preferring a bigger line up when the speed of McKie went to the bench. After the season he was released and re-joined the Worthing Bears. He played for the Bears for three more years in the BBL after leaving the Sharks, appearing in 96 games and averaging 2.2ppg. He was always given a good reception when he returned to Sheffield, as was any member of the championship winning squad of 94/95. He is the all time leader in games played in the history of the Bears (Brighton/Worthing) with 232 games. He played for the Bears for one more season after they dropped down to the NBL before they re-formed as the Worthing Thunder Rebels. He played here and then became an assistant coach. He became head coach of the Thunder and has helped assemble a very talented team on the south coast that has always won honours or been in the running for honours recently winning the league and playoffs. App/Games : 21 / 21 Points/Points per game : 22 / 1.0ppg --- LYNARD STEWART Height : 6’8’’ Position : Forward/Centre Number : 21 Sharks career : 2001-04 (3 seasons) At the end of the nineties and the beginning of the millennium, the Sharks were always contenders for honours and indeed won many trophies. Much of the success was based on solid team play but the superstars in the team were undoubtedly guards such as Terrell Myers, Travis Conlan and Nate Reinking. The Sharks always had hard working forwards who played very well in the team concept. The 2000/01 season saw the Sharks frontline consist of luminaries such as Bennett, Kennedy, Flournoy and Windle. Despite winning the conference and getting to the BBL playoff final, the Sharks had to improve up front, especially with the departure of key man Myers to the London Towers. In came known commodity Justin Phoenix who was a proven BBL performer. The other newcomer recruited was a guy by the name of Lynard Stewart. A quick scan on the internet revealed that Stewart had an impressive pedigree. Born in Pennsylvania on the 12th May 1976, he grew up in Philadelphia and was surrounded by a basketball playing family (one coaches, one plays in Greece). Stewart played his high school basketball at the renowned Simon Gratz high school. His frontcourt partner? Rasheed Wallace, now playing in the NBA Finals for the Detroit Pistons! His high school were the nation’s number one team and this paved the way for Stewart to be offered a basketball scholarship with Temple. Playing under John Chaney’s system, Stewart thrived as a defensive nuisance who could block shots and score in the low post. He graduated and went to play overseas for Kunin in the Czech Republic (1999) where he was an All Star and then in Israel for Maccabi Carmiel (2000). The Sharks brought him in with Chris Finch making comparisons to former London Towers star Donnie Johnson. That similarity was enough to excite Sharks fans who had been without a legitimate low post threat for long enough. Stewart came in and made his debut at the Edinburgh Rocks on the 30th September 2001. He was an instant hit with fans as he pogo hopping dunks and rebounds excited the crowds. As the season went on Stewart proved he could score in a whole manner of ways close to the basket and had incredible footwork, really working the pivot foot. Defensively he was all over the place, making steals, guarding the opponents best inside player and his speciality, blocking shots. During his first season he would regularly get four or five blocks a game, including some real beauties where the player looked certain to score and Lynard would swat it away with some authority. During most of the easy wins at Ponds Forge, the count for Lynard’s blocks would add extra interest against some very poor opponents. He wasn’t the most well built physically for his size but was both incredibly quick and strong and would not get shoved off the post. He had incredibly long arms and very soft hands, which rarely dropped the ball. For a big man he was also an outstanding passer. He seemed very versatile and his athleticism meant he could play the 3, 4 or 5 positions and could also handle the ball fairly well. In all areas of his game he seemed elegant and so smooth, except his major weakness; free throws. Whilst he could not shoot the ball from range, he still had shown an ability to score out to 6-8 feet, but when put on the line Stewart really struggled and often just choked. His first season he missed far more than he took and his flat short armed spears to the basket often had no chance of going in. He has improved in this area over the years but frankly could not get any worse! It is still a major weak link to his otherwise superb game. Lynard teamed with Justin Phoenix very well in his first season, as the Sharks made it to the playoff championship final but came up short against the Jets. Stewart was the Sharks best player and at times he was single-handedly playing the Jets on his own. One nasty thrown down on Pero Cameron and Calvin Davis in the paint stood out from the disappointing defeat. The following year the Sharks brought in Jerry Williams to join Phoenix and Lynard (and Scants+Mike Payne) in what must be one of the most talented frontcourts in BBL history. Stewart upped his game even more as the Sharks went on many long winning streaks and then eventually played superbly down the stretch to hold off the challenging teams. The Sharks just had to fend off the Bears at Ponds Forge to be crowned champions. Up by two with juts seconds remaining, the Bears had a chance to tie or win. Ralph Blalock’s shot came out but Will Johnson grabbed the board and seemed set to take the game into overtime. Johnson went up for the score but out of nowhere came Stewart to make the incredible block. The Sharks had won the championship and the celebrations on the buzzer will live long in the memory. The Sharks again were at the top of the standings the following season as Stewart upped his game even more, often taking over games down the stretch. When in the mood he was at times been unstoppable. He scored more points and asserted himself far more, becoming more of a team leader. He also began taking more outside shots and actually making a fair percentage of them, even connecting on quite a few three pointers. Of course this makes his free throw troubles even more puzzling. A fact that he agrees with, stating it is merely a mental thing. Certainly Stewart had the skill to be able to make say 60-65% of his free throws. Aside from this obvious weakness, Stewart got even better being on the end of more alley oops and had even more high flying dunks than even before, including some crackers over defenders and in traffic. The Sharks won the National Cup, in a game in which Stewart was named MVP and just missed out on repeating their league triumph. Towards the end of the season their was speculation that changes would be made on the Sharks as for once the legendary team work seemed to be in disarray. Stewart was one of those players who was said to be not producing what he was capable of, as the Sharks went on a bad run of form. However, the team re-grouped and brushed off the challenge of the Thames Valley Tigers in the first round and then the London Towers in the semi final. In the final the Sharks smelt blood and realised the Chester Jets were a tired team. Overpowering their opponents, the Sharks won their first ever playoff crown with Stewart proving unstoppable in the paint. Collecting 24 points, Stewart soared to make several twisting, difficult buckets. He outplayed Calvin Davis and John McCord inside and was deservedly named MVP. The fitting conclusion to the game was Lynard throwing down a big jam on the break in the waning moments. He wheeled down court, boundlessly hopping around in a display of sheer glee. This was his last game as a Shark as he sought the greater financial reward that the London Towers could offer. Whilst not necessarily agreeing with the move on a basketball level I did not begrudge Lynard the chance at gaining greater financial reward. When he came back to Ponds Forge he was received warmly by the Sharks fans for his efforts in Sheffield. He had two solid seasons for the Towers, even if his stats were down and he did not get as many shots. He teamed with former Shark Jerry Williams in his first season but the Towers did not win any trophies. This theme continued in his second season in London and he actually missed the playoff first round hammering to Guildford due to returning to the States where his wife was expecting a baby. Armed with a GB passport, Stewart joined the exodus from the BBL when the Towers left the league, and signed with former coach Chris Finch in Belgium for Bree. Stewart had a so-so first season. At times he showed flashes of his former form in the BBL and had one or two games where he helped Bree to massive wins against rivals at the top of the table. However, he only logged 17 minutes per game and averaged a mere 6 points and 3 boards per game. Stewart had been beset with injuries and when Finch left, his future was in doubt. He opted to sign for the Newcastle Eagles for the 2007/08 season and whislt it will be good to see him back in Sheffield playing, it will be hard seeing him play for the rival Eagles but he is sure of a great reception from the fans that remember his so fondly. Stewart was one of the best big men I ever saw in the BBL and for the Sharks. His footwork, speed and atletic ability was something else. He could not shoot free throws to save his life but he was almost unstoppable inside at BBL level and some of the dunks, finished he had were brilliant to watch. He certainly provided a great deal of enjoyment and helped deliver some superb moments to which the Sharks fans will never forget. App/Games : 107 / 107 Points/Points per game : 1375 / 12.9ppg --- JASON SWAINE Height : 6’1’’ Position : Guard Number : 8 Sharks career : 1994-97 (3 seasons) Jason Swaine was an original member of the Sharks ‘bomb squad’, titled for their ability to bomb three point field goals with consistency. He played for the Sharks for 3 seasons before going onto a long career, mostly in the lower divisions of the EBL. Swaine was born in Halifax on the 12th January, 1975. He grew up playing with Iain McKinney under coach Jimmy Brandon for the Calderdale Explorers as youngster. He signed for the Sharks for their inaugural team under Brandon in 1994/95 and although he did not play much he did contribute occasionally off the bench as the Sharks shocked everyone by winning the league in their first season. Swaine had more of a role next season as his play and shooting became a nice lift off the bench. He had 8 points in the home European Cup game against Champions Real Madrid and had some excellent games. I recall him having a stand out game in a game against Maccabi Tel Aviv (ex NBA All star Tom Chambers played for them) in the McDonalds Championship in 1995 at Docklands Arena, where he went for 17 points and 4-6 on 3 pointers. Swaine had his best season averaging 6.4ppg in 95/96. He really improved his consistency and I thought he would continue to develop the next year. However, in the following year Swaine’s playing time decreased with much of the guard minutes going to McKinney, Finch and new signings Mike Payne and Deon Hames. Swaine was a solid role player for the Sharks who provided a nice lift off the bench. He was always very slow which meant his defence was not the best but at the other end he could really shoot and I recall one occasion friends sniggering at him when they saw the strange hair cut and goatee prior to a game at Ponds Forge but they quickly shut up when he hit shot after shot during the game. Swaine’s play had also earned him a call up to the England squad and he played a sprinkling of games for the national team during his days as a Shark. Unsurprisingly, Swaine left the Sharks when Jimmy Brandon’s tenure with the club ended after a defeat to the Towers in the Playoffs that ended the season in 1996/97. Swaine signed for the Jets for season 97/98 season but left for the Giants before the end of the season. In 98/99 Swaine was a vital bench member as the Giants ran the Sharks close to the title. I remember him hitting a big trey in a game at the Arena to help force a third overtime but he was also completely off target in a few other games with the Sharks that year. He did not play much in the famous championship deciding game when Terrell made ‘the shot’. Swaine joined the Teeside Mowhawks alongside the continuation of his studies as Swaine via Huddersfield University. Swaine played for a number of seasons with Teeside and along with the likes of EJ Harrison and Ralph Bucci helped them to dominate the EBL as they won trophy after trophy. Swaine also helped the Mohawks to a win over the Riders in a major surprise in the National Cup in 2002. Swaine joined the newly formed Huddersfield Heat in 2005/06 and has played there for the last 2 years. I recall hearing that Swaine was now a school teacher but cannot confirm nor deny this. Swaine, like many other ex Sharks, is often seen in the stands in Sheffield watching his former club. App/Games : 102 / 98 Points/Points per game : 443 / 4.5ppg



GlennHardaker	Jul 23 2007, 07:00 PM Post #21
Basketball Legend Posts: 9,050 Group: Global Moderator Member #1,234 Joined: December 23, 2006	Yes Swaine is a school teacher- I am now involved with his club as Development Officer You also made two errors- I PM'd you about the reference to Sheffield Sabres , and Gary Smith's first British club was Calderdale Explorers in 1987/88 as a 18 year old who had Brandon on their roster which is presumably where he remembered him from
	Feel the (Huddersfield)Heat !


DaveBeeden	Jul 23 2007, 08:28 PM Post #22
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	Yeah, did mean Saints (if it is regarding Nick Savage). So many Sheffield clubs beginning with 'S', Saints, Sabres, Sharks etc! Easy to slip a wrong one in!!! I am sure I will make mistakes, as unfortunately I am doing a lot of this off memory, old magazines/programmes and basicaly internet searches and thus not everything will be spot on. Don't forget, folks, feel free to add any opinions on players/your thoughts etc as we go along. We are nearly at the end now!!! Still struggling to remember anything about luminaries like Wardle or Yusuf! Help!



Rob Mi	Jul 24 2007, 01:25 PM Post #23
He's a bit Pikey Posts: 3,182 Group: Co-Admin Member #4 Joined: July 5, 2006	Wardle only played one game for the Sharks as far as I remember against Sunderland or Doncaster. Other than that I can't remember. Yusuf played on the bench end and rarely got on court. I remeber him scoring 8 or 9 points against Hemel in the 132 - 56 blow out when Mark Dunning got the boot.
	I HATE sigs


DaveBeeden	Jul 24 2007, 06:24 PM Post #24
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	Remember debating this before but what was Wardle's first name? I assume he was a young English player. He came and went as quick, as he played in our first season. I remember a bit more about Yusuf but did not see the Hemel game.



DaveBeeden	Jul 24 2007, 06:51 PM Post #25
Bench Player Posts: 202 Group: Member Member #219 Joined: July 19, 2006	PLUTO VOURLIOTIS Height : 6’9’’ Position : Forward Number : - Sharks career : 1994/95 (1 season) Pluto Vourliotis played for the Sharks for just one season but had a very good season being a key member of the bench in the surprise championship winning season. Vourliotis, grew up in England but as his name suggest he had a Greek heritage. I think one of his parents came from Greece if I recall correctly. He played in America at Nazarene College before he came back to England to join the Sharks for their first season. His name always drew laughs from opponents fans but he could definitely play. He was a versatile big man who could shoot from outside and also attack the boards. I was surprised he was not brought back the next year as his play had seen him in England squads at the end of the season and he seemed quite a prospect. However, the Sharks had an opportunity to sign a legitimate centre in Jason Crump (or so they thought) and chose not to bring him back. They probably regretted the move after seeing Crump’s less than inspiring play. As for Vourliotis, he signed for the Birmingham Bullets for the 1995/96 season, but he did not stay long and was cut when they signed Trevor Gordon. He went on to play overseas for Wolfenbuettel, Wolzburg and Mainfranken in Germany and Wels in Austria. He also spent some time in Cyprus before returning to the country to play for the Manchester Magic for 2 seasons between 2000-02. He still seems to be involved in the game as secretary/chairman of the Trafford Basketball Club in the Manchester local league. App/Games : 36 / 36 Points/Points per game : 229 / 6.4ppg



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