Rebels progress to SLB Play-off Semi-Final

A dominant performance from the Essex Rebels saw them come out 93-72 victors against the London Lions in the Super League Basketball playoff Quarter Final at the Essex Sport Arena.  

With it being the first ever playoff Quarter Final to be played at the Essex Sport Arena, it was a historic occasion for the Essex Rebels. 

The home side started the first quarter with a flourish, after Maria Blazejewski opened the game with a looping three-pointer, before getting a lay-up to go shortly after following some great hustle from Quinesha Lockett to get the rebound and the assist. Annika Shah hit a three-pointer of her own for the visitors just before the five-minute mark, which was the Lions’ first display of quality for the afternoon. It was a dominant first quarter from Rhema Ogele after she put up twelve points -including a three-pointer from range – to make it 30-14 going into the second quarter.  

Quinesha Lockett and Paige Meyer continued their fine form as of late, combining for five points early in the second quarter to increase the gap between the two sides. An end-to-end passage of play followed as the Lions attempted to find their rhythm, but a resolute Rebels defence kept the visitors’ offence under control once more.  Quick thinking from Lockett around a contested Lions’ rim saw the Rebels’ #5 snap a pass back for Maria Blazejewski to get a crucial lay-up, as the highlight of the second quarter. 

Another looping three-pointer from distance – this time from Paige Meyer – saw the Rebels cross the half a century mark in points. Cerys Leach added another three-pointer shortly after for the home side, with her effort bouncing in off the backboard, before Claire Paxton rounded off the scoring for the half with another three-pointer from range. With the score reading 61-27, the Rebels were firmly in control at halftime. 

But the Lions refused to give up that easily, as Annika Shah continued the three-pointer streak with another effort from range, before Monique Esbrand got a lay-up to go. Maria Blazejewski quelled any nerves that had built up within the home support inside the Essex Sport Arena, with back-to-back layups.  Three-pointers from Claire Paxton and Olivia Forster ruined any momentum that the Lions had built up since the beginning of the third quarter, with the Rebels being both hard to beat defensively and persistent on offence.  

After being fouled following a driving run towards the Lions’ rim, Quinesha Lockett sunk both efforts from the free-throw line to make it 83-44 at the end of the third quarter.  

The Lions came out with a point to prove after a short break, putting together a nine-point scoring run. Quinesha Lockett broke up the momentum after converting once from the free-throw line, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Lions out. Sara Ahmadpour got a lay-up to go, before Jada Lewis hit a three-pointer to make it 18 points in the quarter for the visitors.  Claire Paxton netted another three-pointer shortly after, before Maria Blazejewski converted both attempts from the free-throw line to see the Rebels cross the 90-point mark. 

To see out the game, the Lions put together another scoring run, scoring eight points unanswered. But despite their late efforts, it was not enough to overcome the deficit, leading the Rebels to come out 93-72 victors.  

The Essex Rebels will take on the Caledonia Gladiators as they clinched a 87-82 win over Manchester Basketball in the next round of the Super League Basketball play-offs.

A massive thank you to all of the Essex Rebels fans and sponsors for all of their continued support throughout the season, and we look forward to seeing you back at the Essex Sport Arena next season.

TOP PERFORMERS

Essex Rebels  

London Lions 

By Nicholas Melton