From the bare bones to an embarrassment of riches - no wonder Sheffield Sharks have yet to develop a rhythm.

For parts of pre-season they were practising with just seven players, making it impossible to develop chemistry and cohesion.

Then last Sunday, the full complement of 12 players suited up, creating a headache for head coach Atiba Lyons to manage.

Throw in a truncated start to the season - inactive on weekends one and three of the Super League Basketball season - and it has been difficult for the Sharks to build any momentum.

To the rim: Fahro Alihodzic scores a basket for Sheffield Sharks against Leicester Riders.

placeholder image — To the rim: Fahro Alihodzic scores a basket for Sheffield Sharks against Leicester Riders.

They at least managed wins on weekends two and four, home victories over Caledonia Gladiators and Leicester Riders respectively.

This weekend’s schedule at last gives them a bit of a structure and a chance to find that identity.

On Friday night they play their first road game of the season at Caledonia before returning to the Canon Medical Arena on Sunday for the visit of Newcastle Eagles.

“It’s been frustrating going two weeks without a game,” said Sharks captain Fahro Alihodzic, whose 25 points and 13 rebounds underpinned their victory over the winless Riders last Sunday.

Star summer recruit for Sheffield Sharks, Maceo Jack

“We’ve been eager to play but at the same time we’ve had guys out so it’s given them more time to come back and gel together.

“Pre-season was tough, we only seven guys at times, but now we have 12 guys in practice and we’re just building, every day we’re building and trying to find our identity.

“We had a few days of a full squad before Leicester and we’ve had another four or five days until the next game.”

If everyone suits up again, Lyons has to be careful with his minutes with Alihodzic a certain starter at centre after his performance last week, but Donovan Clay rounding into good health again after making his belated first start against Leicester following a pre-season injury.

Summer recruits Lu’Cye Patterson, Adrian Delph, Maceo Jack, Sean Bairstow and Dan Gherezger - the latter also only just back from injury - are also vying to establish roles, alongside returning veterans like William Lee and Mike Ochereobia.

Lyons likes that anyone player can go on a scoring tear on any given night, but juggling all those wanting minutes could be a challenge over the coming weeks.

Ahead of this weekend’s double-header, Alihodzic, 37, said:

“We’re happy with 2-0 start, we’ll just try to stay undefeated. The main thing is to protect our home court and use that to our advantage because we’ve got good fans in here.

“We just want to start the season right.”