CHESHIRE Jets began the new calendar year on a sour note, as they were beaten 90-77 on the road against the Sheffield Sharks on Friday night.
Head coach John Lavery said: "We had guys out there that were running on one leg, guys that were ill etc. but we are not going to put that down as any excuse. My guys gave me what they could give me and unfortunately it just wasn’t enough."
Prior to the game, both sides were missing key players. Jets Captain Colin O’Reilly was sidelined with a thigh problem and Sharks top scorer Justin Dobbins was ruled out with a back injury.
This was no problem for the Sharks as dominant scoring displays from Nate Reinking and Olu Babalola all but killed the Jets in the first half. Reinking had 23 first half points scoring seven of eight from the field including four three pointers. He sparked a 13-4 run that gave the Sharks a double-digit 52-40 lead at half time. The Jets were punished as they gave away points with turnovers and technical fouls on Adam Brown and coach Lavery. Reinking added the extras just before the half.
Matt Schneck, who led the Jets scoring with 22, combined with Bill Cole to create a comeback in the second half to cut the lead to seven points. The Sharks responded well piling on the pressure and intensifying their defence to stay in front. Babalola took charge in the second half and led all scorers with 27 points at the end of the game. He scored five straight points to round off a devastating defeat for the Jets.
Lavery said: "Nate killed us in the first half. Olu killed us in the second and they both had really good performances and came to play tonight. That was probably the difference in the game.
"Overall, I am happy with what my boys give me tonight. They could of gone out there and rolled over but they came out fighting." ,
