Titans fall to Sharks attack

BASKETBALL:

OLDHAM Titans under-16s went down to an 81-60 home defeat at the hands of Sheffield Sharks in the play-offs second round.

David Walsh top-scored for the hosts, with 19 points to his name, while skipper Aiden Kelly mustered 14 and Kameron Shorrocks bagged nine.

A tight first quarter saw Titans lead by four points in the seventh minute, but Sheffield notched seven in the last 60 seconds to take control.

By half-time the Oldham outfit found themselves 46-29 down, with outside shooters claiming five three-point shots for Sheffield.

Titans rallied in the third period with a tighter zone defence and better attacking movement, and they edged the quarter 20-18.

Oldham made a bright start to the final phase but their opponents grew in stature and three further three-pointers put the outcome beyond doubt as they scored 27 to Titans’ 11.

Despite their exit, Mark Hamilton’s team can be proud of finishing in the last 16 of a nationwide tournament.