Sharks National Cup dominance Continues 1999/2000
Following one of the most successful campaigns in club history, the question facing the Sheffield Sharks was simple — how do you improve on the unforgettable 1998/99 season? For Head Coach Chris Finch, the answer was continuity. Believing strongly in the chemistry and winning culture already established within the squad, Finch kept changes to a minimum, making just one addition to a roster that had already proven itself among the elite of British basketball.
The Sharks’ lineup for the 1999/2000 season read:
Iain McKinney
Adrian Anderson
Mike Payne
Terrell Myers
Nate Reinking
Leonid Okorie
Todd Cauthorn
Richard Windle
Pete Scantlebury
Wilbur Johnson
Fitness Coach: Jeff Davis
Team Manager: Barry Munks
That season also brought a major structural change to the league, with teams divided into Northern and Southern Conferences for the first time. While the league format evolved, the cup competitions remained unchanged — and once again, the Sharks rose to the occasion.
Sheffield became the first team in seven years to successfully retain the National Cup, further cementing their reputation as one of the dominant forces in British basketball. Their opponents in the Final were the Manchester Giants, featuring former Shark Travis Conlan. Manchester controlled much of the first half and held a nine-point lead at halftime, but the Sharks responded in trademark fashion with composure, teamwork, and explosive scoring.
Led by new signing Nate Reinking’s 21 points and another outstanding performance from Terrell Myers, who added 20 points, Sheffield stormed back to claim an 89–80 victory. Reinking’s impact in his debut season was immediate, earning him Final MVP honours. The triumph also strengthened the Sharks’ remarkable cup pedigree — three National Cup titles and five Final appearances in just six years.
Manchester would gain revenge later in the season, defeating Sheffield 93–74 in the Trophy semi-final before going on to secure the Northern Conference title. The Sharks finished close behind in second place, just four points adrift.
However, despite another outstanding campaign, postseason disappointment struck once again. The Sharks’ frustrating run of Play-Off exits continued as they were eliminated at the first hurdle by Birmingham, suffering a 71–81 defeat at the Coventry SkyDome.