Rebels on Top at Christmas
Saturday saw a thrilling matchup marking the end of the year, the Essex Rebels clinched a hard-fought victory against the London Elite with a final score of 70-66. The game was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams as they traded leads throughout. Rebels found themselves down at half time by 13 points and needed to rally together. The third quarter saw Essex come out firing and stepped up their defensive intensity, playing in transition and getting some easy scores. Essex found themselves within 1 with a quarter left in the game. The final stanza saw the lead change multiple times but the Rebels were able to secure the win in the dying moments, propelled by outstanding performances from Connor Nelson, who contributed an impressive 20 points, and Victor Olarerin, showcasing his prowess with a remarkable 19-point, 11-rebound display. The back-and-forth battle on the court kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, culminating in a well-deserved triumph for the Essex Rebels, capping off their final regular season game of the year on a high note.
Essex Rebels Advance to the Semifinals of the National Cup
A quick turnaround for the Rebels saw them take on Barking Abbey in the quarterfinal of the National Cup.
The match up stretched into two periods of Overtime, ultimately culminating in a hard-earned 97-88 victory for the Essex Rebels.
Despite the Rebels finding themselves trailing by a single point at halftime, their determination and resilience shone through as they showcased a dominant performance in the third quarter, seizing control of the game. However, Barking Abbey refused to concede, mounting a fierce comeback in the fourth quarter.
The game reached a fever pitch when Moziah Danchie, displaying remarkable skill and composure, sunk a buzzer-beating three-pointer to force the game into extra periods. Yet, it was Trey Chapman and the Essex Rebels who refused to be denied. Chapman’s exceptional 27-point, 10-rebound performance spearheaded the Rebels’ efforts in the crucial moments of overtime, ensuring their triumph in a hard-fought battle against the persistent Barking Abbey squad.
The Rebels now progress onto the Semifinals of the National Cup and will take on Reading Rockets away on 7 January 2024.
