Pre Season Friendly

Rebels get going with a win

Solent Suns 63 97 Coca-Cola Rhondda

American New Signing Kirby Copeland made a big impact in the Rebels first run out of the season when she racked up 41 points in a 97 – 63 victory over Solent Suns.

Ahead of their trip to the Azores this week for their European Elimination round 1st leg clash with BOA Viagem, the new look Rebels made use of a valuable run out.

Both teams went into the game under strength with Rebels players Gooch and LaNedra Brown both sidelined as a pre caution and without Lynsey Williams and Alex Nelson also unavailable the Rebels had to dig deep into their reserves.

A slow start saw the Rebels trail very early on but soon the team moved up a gear to play some entertaining offense while also restricting the home team for long periods. The Rebels led 7 – 13 after the first period but buried the game as a contest in the 2nd quarter when they outscore Solent 6 – 24 and by half time led 37 – 13.

Slovakian Martina Gandzalova netted 22 points with Player Coach Andréa Congreaves chipping in 15 points both combining well inside and also releasing Copeland to execute on the fast break. Captain Sally Kaznica all hit double figures while 18 year Old Harriet Yea made a solid start with nine points. The Rebels will travel to Portugal with a full squad with all players expected to be available to take a full part in the game.