2008-2009 Diary highlights

18th October 08

Everyone connected with the Junior Sharks would like to extend their sincere condolences to the family of David Hopkinson an ex-Sharks player who was involved in a tragic accident.

All the teams held a minute's silence at this weekend's games.

On an afternoon tinged with sadness the Sharks responded with a tribute in the only way they know how. Five matches and five victories. Showing yet again why they are one of the best clubs around.

26th October 2008

Sharks players are involved in an excellent result at the U14 Inter Regional Tournament at Lilleshall this weekend Click here for photo and report.

November 2008

Paul Cropper, an ex-table official and volunteer for the Junior Sharks, whose four sons have all represented the club at one time or another, has sadly passed away. The thoughts of the club are with his family at this sad time.

15th November 2008

The pre match confidence of the U13s supporters and family was well justified as they recorded 2 comprehensive back-to-back victories away at Nottingham.

Not to be outdone the U15s travelled to Gateshead and recorded an equally impressive victory.

Meanwhile the scoreline at the U18 match suggests that Manchester's magic didn't work too well as the Sheffield team came out victors.

That just leaves the U16s to complete another clean sweep tomorrow

16th November 2008

Good to see that the U16s read the script for the weekend. A Substantial victory against York rounded off a 5 victories out of 5 for the Sharks. Well done to all players, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters. The hard work pays dividends! Next week is league and cup matches. Updates later in the week.

27th November 2008

Good luck to the Junior Sharks going to England Trials this weekend:

U18 (1991-2) in Loughborough: Joseph Baugh. Not available Dan James (away at basketball academy in Southern France ), and Will Hall (pre-selected)

U16 (1993-4) in Lea Green: John Stewart, Jim Rose, Devon van Oostrum, George Brownell, Conor Faulkner, Alex Knight and Josh Adams.

3rd December 2008

England trials: These took place last weekend and John and Devon were selected amongst the 13 boys picked at the North/Midlands trial for consideration for further England trials and/or tournaments. Conor, George, Alex, Josh and Jim will be evaluated further during the season (U16). Joseph will hear the results of the U18 trial later via the EB website. All the lads from Sharks performed well in an unusually talented trial of over 40 players. The standard of players was up from those seen last year.

18th January 2009

A BIG well done to the U18s who have secured a place in the semi finals of the Sureshot National Cup. It looks as though Cheshire mounted a fightback in the last quarter but it wasn't enough. Let's see who they draw in the semis. Will it be another battle of the roses? All Sharks won all matches this weekend, some reports posted.

31st January 2009

The U15s are crowned champions with a great victory which means the first appearance of the "trophy button". It's theirs and theirs ownly for the time being. Can the U13s join them next week? The report is now posted for this game (and a team photo). As for the other teams it was a win, win, win, win situation, four out of four, all conclusive, victories.

1st February 2009

A good finale to the weekend as the premier quality of the Sharks proves too much and Oxford are given the blues. Sharks make the final of the Shureshot cup in 2 weeks time at the Amaechi Centre in Manchester where they'll face the partisan crowd against Manchester Magic. Well done to everyone

15th February 2009

Disappointment for the Sharks today as the U18s are beaten in the Shureshot final. A rousing 3rd quarter saw them close the gap to 8 points but Manchester came out on top (report posted).

1st March 2009

A unique landmark in the Shark's season. From now on March 1st will be known as "doughnut day". Every team played and every team scored over 100. The average scoreline is Sharks 115 opposition 53. The U18s had an eventful win today (report posted) and also a comfortable win for the U14s. We said there was a good feeling about the weekend - well done everyone.

12th March 2009

Sharks' strength shows the U13s the road to the final fours as they power past Cheshire Jets tonight. Another great team performance, well done from the Club and supporters it’s what you deserve. We hope that the Jets have a safe journey home and are not back too late.

24th March 2009

Weekend preview

This Saturday the only Shark’s team playing are the U13s and they are at the Final Fours in RAF Cranwell. If you have been following the progress of this team you will be aware that they are at the Final Fours on merit (and much much more) and we hope that all goes well.

On Sunday it is the turn of the U15s at the Final Fours at Cranwell and what has been said about the U13s can also be said for this team. The U13s average winning margin was 44 throughout the league season but the U15s achieved 68, so again hopes are high.

The last twist this weekend is about the Play Offs and the U14s, U18s and Cheshire Jets. Both the U13s and U15s beat the Jets on the way to the Final Fours and now both the U14s and U18s travel over to Cheshire. As this is also a rematch of the Sureshot Cup quarter final for the U18s then the dice are weighted in U18s favour. Meanwhile the U14s have blown a bit hot and cold this season and would need to be slightly hotter than warm to see off the Jets, especially as they may have some U13s who are playing on Saturday. But it’s a funny old game at times so let’s see what happens.

25th March 2009

More about the "Silverdale Sharks" and Sharks at Notre Dame added to the "School Report" page under "roll of honour".

28th March 2009

The U13s save the best to last. In an extraordinary match they throw everything at Ipswich in the final of the Play Offs today after beating Newham in the semis. The supporters are mulling over a series of decisions in the last quarter that questionably affected the outcome as they lose the chance of being called Champions. More to follow, with reports after the emotions have settled. What is unquestionable is that the players did themselves and everyone very proud. Well done for playing for a top club like the Sharks, to us you are the champions!

29th March 2009

Champions! The U15’s finally get the title that they thoroughly deserve. After an amazing comeback in the semis they then steal Worthing's Thunder in the Final to become the country’s best. Well done from everyone to everyone.

Meanwhile the U14s and U18s foray into the Play Offs ends suddenly as Cheshire Jets exact their revenge against the Sharks.

The reports from yesterday have now been posted for those that want to re-live or catch up on the eventful day.

The website will be brought fully up-to-date shortly, it’s been a long weekend

19th April 2009

Congratulations to the U16 Sharks as they easily extinguish Brentwood’s fire to book their place in the Final Fours at RAF Cosford. A great Weekend for Northern basketball as each of the top four from the North Premier defeat the top four from the South Premier. Any bets on a Sharks versus Manchester final?

2nd May 2009

Players and supporters from every Shark’s team travelled to RAF Cosford today to swell the ranks of the U16’s faithful. They were all kept on the edge of their seats as City of Birmingham continued with their Play Off form. With a lot of graft the Sharks came out victors.

Their reward was a much expected final against Manchester Magic. The Magic have been a thorn in the Shark’s side all season as the one team they had yet to get the better of. Unfortunately this was the script that was followed as the trophy went to the wrong side of the Pennines.

Although being the country’s second best premier team is a great achievement it was still a disappointment but the players, coaches and supporters still have a lot to be proud of this season.

11th May 2009

Devon Van Oostrum has played his last match for the Sharks as he moves abroad for pastures new. Click here for the story of where he’s going. We know he will be sadly missed, but wish him sincere best wishes for the latest chapter in his life and we know we will see you again in Sheffield. Hasta la vista Devon.

21st May 2009

The final table for this season's basketball is in and it's a very credible third place for the Junior Sharks in the Sheffield Division 1. Full table can be seen in the season's honours section.