Christmas Party GAME NIGHT with the Essex Rebels. Usually I would run a mile from anything that SCREAMS Christmas Party at me - especially so if it involves wearing Christmas jumpers. But I can make exceptions for the Rebs.
I wasn’t sure at first if the visiting Sheffield Hatters were wearing a special Christmas themed game jersey. The bright pink colours took a little time to get adjusted to under the bright lights of the court.
Also taking a little time to adjust to the on court conditions were the Rebels. They were chasing the game - and the scoreboard - throughout al four quarters. The home team were never out of the reckoning, but it was a struggle to try and match the pace of Sheffield.
It’s a team game, obvs, but SHOUT OUT to Paige Myler, who kept Rebels in the game with a succession of BIG three pointers. At one point the Rebels were twelve points down. Myler manager to turn this around to take the Rebs two points clear.
This was the signal for the home crowd to wake up and realise that we had a decent ball game breaking out in front of us.
The scores were level 101-101 with 28 seconds remaining on the clock. This became a game of small margins and sharp coaching. Some strong bench work from Coach Cookson saw the game plan delivered to perfection. A foul was drawn, and Ice Queen Rhema Ogele showed no nerves in sinking her two throws from the line to take Rebels clear.
Having trailed throughout the entire game, only to take the lead come the final buzzer, was indeed reason for a Rebs celebration. I allowed myself a little Shaky Merry Christmas Everyone foot shuffle as the team celebrated. You still won’t ever catch me wearing a Christmas jumper.
Up the Rebs.
