THRILLING last-gasp finishes are becoming the norm at the Northgate Arena and Sunday afternoon was no exception as Jerome Gumbs snatched victory with 0.2 seconds remaining and the game seemingly heading for overtime.
In what was overall a poor game of BBL Championship basketball – possession was turned over 16 times by the Phoenix and 13 by the Sharks – a late three-pointer from BJ Holmes seemed to have sent the game into overtime as Atiba Lyons' side stretched out the final 30 seconds by persistently fouling to halt the clock and allow them to claw back a five-point deficit.
With the scores tied Matt Lloyd drew up one more play to release Gumbs via the back door. When he went for his shot with two tenths of a second on the clock he was fouled and sent to the line one more time.
There would have been no time for the Sharks to get the ball to the opposite end to score so one successful free throw would clinch the match for the Phoenix. Gumbs missed his first shot but his smile despite the error showed he remained confident.
He made the second shot to send the Northgate crowd into rapture and bring Christmas to Cheshire early.
Throughout the game the Phoenix had built lead after lead only to be pegged back in a scrappy game.
In the first quarter Phil Brandreth showed his worth as he made shots and openings in crucial areas. Shawn Myers was tough on rebounds and added another Northgate dunk to his highlight reel, albeit without the special dance this time, and while Gabe Haskins ran the point with his usual calmness even Chris Pearce got in on the dunking action as the Phoenix led 19-15.
Anyone who saw the second quarter however will want to forget about it as it was not a great advert for the game. Lost possessions, missed shots and one of the lowest-scoring periods of recent years at the Northgate Arena saw the Phoenix go into the break 30-29 down.
After the break the Phoenix came out with greater determination and despite some more handling errors at times their improved focus paid off as Haskins and Gumbs showed the way and helped the home side take a 53-47 lead.
Despite the ineffectiveness of Olu Babalola, perhaps due to illness and injury, the Sharks dug in and kept themselves in the hunt and as the fourth quarter ticked on their job was made easier when Phoenix centre Alif Bland fouled out.
With 40 seconds remaining the Sharks trailed by five and with both teams in the bonus they began fouling the Phoenix to send them to the charity stripe and stop the clock.
The tactic worked and even the loss of seasoned Mike Tuck for five fouls did not hurt them as they drew level.
Cue Gumbs and ecstatic scenes to send the Phoenix fans into the Christmas break and a long January with no scheduled home games until the final weekend of the month with memories of an unforgettable finish.
“A W at the end of the day is all important as it keeps us in that final playoff position,” said Phoenix coach Matt Lloyd. “It wasn't the most fantastic game of basketball as was shown in the first half with both teams scoring so poorly.
“Here as in the Giants game on Friday, we'd go on a run but they were able to make big shots that kept them in it. They'd hit a three or get an 'and-one' and it was those scores against the run of play that hurt us.”
But Lloyd said he was glad the Sharks chose to repeatedly foul Gumbs at the end and admitted their final play was designed to either see Gumbs get the winning points or go to the line for the game.
“We drew up a play up at the end of the quarter with the short amount of time remaining to specifically put people in positions to execute either a basket or or Jerome on the foul line.
“We needed a win because our away form speaks for itself, it's pretty poor but we are looking to correct that going into the run of games we have in January.”
Next time the Phoenix take to the court – at London Lions in the BBL Trophy on December 28 – they should have a fit Chez Marks available for selection and Lloyd was pleased his players figured out a way to win without their captain so that when he returns they will be even more dangerous.
“The way we recruited we've made sure we have players in the squad that any one of them on a given night could have a 20 point game with or without Chez.
“It was important to find that balance however and Jerome has added that. We have to come at the Lions with our strongest team. Chez should be back and fit and Jerome has picked up a few knocks so he will have a rest over Christmas and receive some treatment to make sure he is ready for that game.
“We're not going to take a break as such over Christmas. The main days, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, they are the days they should be celebrating the holidays so they will be rest days. There's plans in place for the American guys to have a home away from home Christmas with (management committee members) the Donaldsons which is good for them, it will keep morale high and we just keep going hard in training and making sure we keep our fitness levels up.”
