Tough trip to Sheffield next up for Heat

His team may be top of the BBL Championship, but Sheffield Sharks player-coach Atiba Lyons is still looking for improvement as his side prepare to Guildford Heat on Friday evening.

“It will come down to our team defence” he said. “It is vital that we step up or defence from our recent games because we have been giving up to many points. Julius Joseph and Chad McKnight have had some big games for Heat this season, but they have a few players that can lead them in scoring.”

Lyons is in no doubt that Guildford pose a threat to his team’s hopes to win the BBL Championship title for the first time since 2003: “The Heat are a strong team. They are a dangerous team because they have a number of weapons offensively. Also they are a quick team and can really hurt you in the open court. We have been successful thus far this season but both games have been very tight affairs against the Heat.”

Sharks go into the game on the back of a 100-93 victory at Glasgow Rocks, and Lyons was delighted with how his team played: “I thought the Rocks game was an excellent team effort. We were sharp offensively and defensively we executed the game plan. More importantly we made plays when we needed to. Matt Gorman had a great game for us. He brought us a lot of energy and shot the ball well. Ryan Patton, Tafari Toney, and Perry Lawson also had a strong night for us.”

The Sharks will be looking to complete a season sweep against Heat this season having won 97-83 in Surrey in November before repeating the trick with a 97-86 home win the following month.

Heat player-coach Chad McKnight is impressed with the Sharks lineup: “The Sharks have a well balanced team they play smart and they play well together. To me they have three key players Ryan Patton, Tafari Toni, and Mike Cook.”

With the February 28 signing deadline approaching, McKnight confirmed that he is hopeful of strengthening his squad: “If I can strengthen my team up a bit by adding someone I will make a move to do that but at this point I will not get rid of anyone. “