Rebels get back to winning ways against Cardiff
An emphatic second-half performance saw the Rebels defeat the Cardiff Met Archers 102–80 in the latest Super League Basketball action at the Essex Sport Arena.
After losses in their previous two fixtures, the victory gives the Rebels a chance to build momentum heading into the closing stages of the season. Despite their struggles so far this campaign, Cardiff Met Archers proved to be a stern test, putting up 80 points on the road. Jordan Lewis led the visitors with an impressive 29 points.
A competitive opening quarter saw little to separate the two sides, as Lewis handed the away team an early 3–0 lead. The Rebels responded well, with Quinesha Lockett and Paige Meyer combining for a six-point scoring run to edge the hosts in front. Emma Bailey converted twice from the free-throw line to reduce the deficit, but the Rebels entered the second quarter with a narrow 25–21 advantage.
The second quarter saw the Rebels maintain their intensity while showcasing their shooting ability from beyond the arc. Meyer opened the scoring with a looping three-pointer and added another less than three minutes later. Claire Paxton, Maria Blazejewski and Lockett also connected from long range as the Rebels stretched their lead.
Despite the Archers’ efforts to stay within touching distance, the Rebels extended their advantage to double digits and went into halftime leading 50–40.
Lewis opened the third quarter with a three-pointer for the visitors, but the Rebels quickly responded with a decisive 10–0 run to settle any nerves among the home support. Bailey momentarily halted the momentum with a three of her own, only for Natalie Chou to answer less than 20 seconds later. A persistent and fluid offensive display saw the Rebels continue to pull away, taking a commanding 77–56 lead into the final quarter.
The hosts maintained their dominance in the fourth, producing a 17-point run to establish a 30-point cushion. Rhema Ogele continued her impressive recent form, contributing 13 points in the final 10 minutes.
A late nine-point burst from the Archers added respectability to the scoreline, but the deficit proved too great to overcome as the Rebels secured a convincing 102–80 victory. Importantly, every player in the Rebels’ squad saw court time, including the club’s young British players, who were able to gain valuable minutes and experience in front of the home crowd.
After the game, Head Coach Ashley Cookson said:
It was a real team performance with all 12 players stepping up and contributing in different ways against Cardiff. Now our focus shifts straight to Newcastle Eagles, where we will continue to improve our performance one possession at a time
The Rebels will be back in SLB action at the Essex Sport Arena this weekend, taking on the fifth-placed Newcastle Eagles in a special double header celebrating International Women’s Day. For an afternoon of elite, competitive basketball and entertainment, get your tickets now!
TOP PERFORMERS
Essex Rebels
- Quinesha Lockett: 24 points – 9 rebounds – 4 assists
- Rhema Ogele: 20 points – 6 rebounds – 3 turnovers
- Paige Meyer: 15 points – 1 rebound – 4 assists
Cradiff Met Archers
- Jordan Lewis: 29 points – 4 rebounds – 1 assist
- Amelia Scharpf: 16 points – 7 rebounds – 2 assists
- Sheridan Flauger: 15 points – 7 rebounds – 9 assists
By Nicholas Melton
