League Champions Again 1998/99
After ending a three-year wait for silverware, the question was whether the Sharks could build on that success. Head Coach Chris Finch once again reshaped the roster for the 1998/99 season.
Iain McKinney
Adrian Anderson
Mike Payne
Terrell Myers
Travis Conlan
Leonid Okorie
Todd Cauthorn
Richard Windle
Matt Gaudio
Wilbur Johnson
Pete Scantlebury (added following Matt Gaudio's injury)
Fitness Coach: Jeff Davis
Team Manager: Barry Munks
The Sharks began the campaign in perfect fashion by capturing the season’s first piece of silverware, defeating the London Leopards 67–65 at the Sheffield Arena. Once again, it was Terrell Myers who delivered the decisive moment, hitting the winning basket with just 23 seconds remaining. Myers also claimed MVP honours after leading all scorers with 29 points.
A career-ending injury to Matt Gaudio proved a major blow to the team’s chemistry, but Finch responded by bringing in England legend Pete Scantlebury to strengthen the squad. Although the Sharks were knocked out of the Uniball Trophy at the quarter-final stage, they remained locked in a thrilling two-horse race with the Manchester Giants for the league title.
The championship battle ultimately came down to the final game of the regular season — Manchester Giants versus Sheffield Sharks at the MEN Arena — with both teams tied on 60 points. It was truly winner-takes-all. Around 2,000 Sharks fans made the trip, helping swell the crowd to 11,143, with the game also being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
In a pulsating contest, Manchester edged ahead 83–81 with two minutes remaining before the game was tied at 85–85 entering the final 19 seconds. Then, fittingly, it was Terrell Myers once more who produced the decisive moment. Following a timeout and an inbound play, Myers calmly knocked down the winning two-point shot with just three seconds left to secure the league championship for Sheffield.
It remains one of the most dramatic finishes to a BBL season in league history. The emotional and physical toll of that title race perhaps carried into the Play-Offs, with both the Sharks and Manchester falling at the semi-final stage.
Individually, the season brought further recognition for Sheffield, as Terrell Myers was deservedly named League MVP, while Chris Finch collected the Coach of the Year award.