Reading Rockets End Rebels’ Trophy Run
The Essex Rebels’ British Championship Basketball Trophy campaign came to an end on yesterday, 27 Saturday, as the Reading Rockets took a 90-60 win at the Essex Sport Arena.
A loud and passionate home crowd provided plenty of energy, but the visitors’ physicality, pace, and relentless aggression set the tone early.
Reading started the game firing, racing to a 22-2 lead just over six minutes into the first quarter. The Rebels eventually found their rhythm, stringing together some strong possessions to cut the deficit to 13-22 by the end of the period. Both Brown and Amako were perfect from the free-throw line, while Udeh sparked the crowd with an explosive dunk.
In the second quarter, the Rockets began to stretch their advantage. Despite Tom Child’s playmaking efforts, the Rebels struggled to convert their ball movement around the rim into points, heading into halftime trailing 29-45.
After the break, the Rebels produced their highest-scoring quarter with 17 points. Three-pointers from Udeh and Brown gave the Arena a lift, but Reading maintained their edge to keep the hosts at arm’s length. The Rockets’ composure and execution saw them close out the game with a commanding 30-point victory.
Brown and Udeh stood out for the Rebels, scoring 19 and 13 points respectively. Brown’s direct, aggressive drives caused problems in transition, while Udeh’s strength and finishing inside offered a different kind of challenge for the Rockets.
Reflecting on his side’s performance, Head Coach Joe Hart said:
“It was great to play a home game in front of such an engaged and passionate crowd. We’re disappointed with our performance, and we dug ourselves a big hole in the first quarter by going down twenty points like that. There’s moments where we feel like we’re going in the right direction, but now it’s time to rest and recover and get our team back on the floor.”
Despite the Rebels’ BCB Trophy run coming to an end, it was an incredible atmosphere in the Essex Sport Arena on Saturday night, with 392 fans in attendance.
By Nicholas Melton
