BBL All-Stars: Scorchers Make Early Exit

Scorchers made an early exit from the BBL All-Stars Championships after defeat to Sheffield Sharks saw them relinquish their title.

Boosted by a prolific PowerPlay, Sharks ran away with a 52-21 victory in which Scorchers again failed to take their chances. A tight game in the early stages, Sharks went to the Golden Buzzer first and soon built an imposing lead from two double-points plays. Henry Wilkins struck back with his own three but the Yorkshiremen were 33-9 ahead, and when Skyler White bounced a potential ten-pointer off the iron, Scorchers knew the day was slipping away from them. James Hawthorne followed-up to slam in Marcus White’s coast-to-coast break but it was to no avail as the Double Elimination rule sent the defending champions home.

Scorchers had previously lost 31-37 to the London City Royals in the day’s opening game at the Copper Box Arena. Royals led from the front and with Scorchers giving up several crucial turnovers were always playing catch-up. Skyler White and Tayo Ogedengbe capitalised upon the Golden Buzzer right at the start and end of Scorchers’ PowerPlay, but even though Skyler brought the defending champions back to within two in the closing stages, two late baskets sealed the win for the Royals.