Breakers Outpace Rebels in NBL Division 1 Season Opener
The Essex Rebels men’s team faced a challenging start to their NBL Division 1 campaign, falling to the Milton Keynes Breakers 83-62 in their season opener at the Essex Sport Arena. The game marked the Breakers’ first-ever NBL Division 1 league game, and they rose to the occasion with an impressive performance.
In a tale of two halves, the Rebels managed to keep the game tight until halftime, trailing by just a single point. However, the Breakers found another gear in the second half, pulling away to secure a convincing victory, outscoring Essex significantly in the final quarter to seal the win (22-9).
Connor Nelson led the charge for the Rebels with 18 points, showcasing his sharpshooting ability that made him a key player last season. Luke Busumbru, another standout player from last season, contributed 16 points while orchestrating the offense. Emmanuel Kanwei, one of the Rebels’ new signings, added 11 points in his competitive debut for the team.
Despite these efforts, the Rebels struggled to contain the Breakers’ Adrian Scarborough, who led all scorers with 27 points. Scarborough’s dominant performance echoed his strong showing in a preseason game, where he had posted a double-double against Essex.
Milton Keynes’ superior rebounding (61-41) led to crucial second-chance points, while Essex’s poor three-point shooting (10% vs. Breakers’ 31.6%) made it difficult to close the gap.
Coach Ross Norfolk commented on the team’s performance, saying
“Firstly, we would like to thank the amazing atmosphere in the Essex Sport Arena. The fans came out in full force and their support is appreciated. We had a great first half against Milton Keynes. The game was back and forth with some fast-paced play throughout. The 3rd quarter saw us start sloppy, with some silly turnovers and missed lay ups which in turn set the tone for second half. MK were clinical and we didn’t have an answer down the stretch. Coach Beddow has a great squad and full respect for what they have done to progress through the leagues this quickly.”
Despite the loss, the Rebels showed flashes of the form that nearly won them the league title last season. The Rebels will aim to bounce back from this defeat when they face Nottingham Hoods on 19th October at the Essex Sport Arena. This game will carry extra significance as it’s part of the Rebels’ Black History Celebration special, providing an excellent opportunity for the team to energise their season both on and off the court.
