SLB Cup Ends in Defeat for Rebels Against Gladiators

The Rebels’ run in the Super League Basketball Cup has come to an end following a 94-108 defeat at the hands of the Caledonia Gladiators.  

With both sides sat at the top of the SLB league standings, the tie was set to be competitive from the beginning. A quick start to the game saw the Rebels take the lead via a lay-up from Paige Meyer in the opening fourteen seconds, with both sides trading offensive blows as the first quarter ended 25-24 in favour of the home side. A pair of three-pointers from Maria Blazejewski and one from Olivia Forster made the difference, while the visitors struggled to convert from range.  

A tense second quarter saw much of the same as the first, as both sides showed their offensive prowess. Forster added another two three-pointers to her collection for the evening, while Paige Meyer tallied up nine points towards the end of the half. Heading into the break, the Rebels held onto their one-point lead as the score read 49-48. 

After the break, Meyer resumed her scoring with another lay-up to make the score 51-48, before the visitors began to stage their comeback. Anastasia Warren and Tierra Hodges showed their ability to turn games on their head, with the latter’s six-point scoring run saw the scoreline read 63-79 with just under two minutes left in the quarter. Lay-ups from Olivia Forster and Claire Paxton gave the home side something to hold onto, before a three-pointer from Warren gave the visitors a 67-84 lead going into the final quarter.  

Despite a late fightback from the Rebels, including a nine-point haul from Quinesha Lockett, the home side were unable to overcome the deficit in a statement win for the Caledonia Gladiators.  

Anastasia Warren’s dominant display continued right up until the end, with the Guard putting up 36 points, complete with six assists and four rebounds. A perfect record from the free-throw line (6/6) paired with converting 12/13 efforts from two-point range made it a night to remember for the Gladiators’ #4.  

Following the game, Head Coach Ashley Cookson said: 

“Credit to Caledonia — they were more consistent across the 40 minutes. We showed flashes of what we’re capable of, but at this level you’re punished when your standards dip. We’ll review it honestly, take responsibility, and make sure our response is better.”

TOP PERFORMERS

Despite the cup exit, the Rebels still maintain their standing at the top of the SLB league table, and will undoubtedly look to use this result as motivation for their next run of fixtures. Away trips to Manchester, London, Caledonia and Sheffield mean the next Rebels home fixture is against Cardiff on 28^th February.  

By Nicholas Melton