After a great 103-94 victory on the road in Surrey last Sunday the Newcastle Eagles face another crucial SLB Championship game against fourth placed Sheffield Sharks in the Vertu Arena on Friday night. Head Coach Marc Steutel began his preview of that game by looking back on Sunday.

“Sunday was exceptionally pleasing as Surrey is always a difficult place to go. Particularly after the physical battle on Friday against Manchester and the mental one of having such a close game and the emotional kind of impact of Friday.”

“To be able to bounce back with Gus Okafor and Maceo Jack playing through significant pain in that game. It was such a gritty tough character win where we played some really, really good basketball offensively

“Defensively we found it difficult to establish consistency, but you have to credit Surrey and how they play. It came down to 3:41 on the clock and Mitch Clarke taking a charge gave us an extra possession.”

“We then get Gus open on a three in the corner and he nails it down and our game management from that point was great.”

That win recorded Steutel and his players have had a good week of practice to prepare for Sheffield, A side that they haven’t played against since they won 80-68 down in Yorkshire back in early December last year.

“We got back on the floor this week and we really wanted to continue to gear on the fine details to hopefully put ourselves in a good position for these last three games starting with Sheffield. We understand where we are in the league table and want to creep up it.”

“That Friday game just gone would have given us a little nudge, but we know each one of these games is important. Sheffield have found a really good offensive rhythm. Coach (Atiba) Lyons is someone I respect greatly, and he does a great job.”

“I don’t think he gets enough credit for what he’s done in this league and as always, he’s found a way to be really competitive with the group he’s got. They’ve had a couple of roster adjustments and I’m not just talking about Faroh Alihodzic and Troy D’Amico coming in.”

Those two changes have changed Shark’s dynamic as Steutel went on to elaborate on.

“I’m also talking about how they’ve tweaked and how they’re actually playing. We are preparing the right way for them and we respect them. Their top five guys are all scoring in double figures. Their depth with Chatman, Nixon, Williams, Kern and Alihodzic in particular.”

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re keyed in as each one of them can get going. Alihodzic on post-ups, playmaking out of the short role. Kern particular against us has been effective this year and is someone that has continued to be a force in the league.”

“We know a lot about Chatman, Williams, and Nixon as well. We’ve got to be really keyed in defensively and use that as a springboard for our offence. We think offensively we’ve found a good groove so hopefully they’re concerned about how they can guard us.”

As ever the game on Friday night tips-off at 7:30pm and there’s sure to be a big loyal backing for the Eagles in the Vertu Arena for a match-up that has always been traditionally a fiercely fought and much-anticipated one.

Tickets are still available from the box office.