The Rebels (7-2) return to Alvernia University this Thursday, April 13th for their second of five matchups
this season against the Virginia Valley Vipers (3-7). Tipoff is slated for 7pm. Reading looks to stay red
hot following All-Star Weekend as they are winners of six-in-a-row. Virginia Valley looks to build some
level of consistency in the latter half of the season, traveling to Reading, PA this week having won three
of their last five.
The Rebels and Vipers last met in mid-March, when the Rebels outscored the Vipers by 15 points on their
way to a 118-103 victory. The Rebels were fueled by 2023 All-Star Aquille Carr’s 25 points and five
assists. Myles Lewis added 21 points and eight rebounds while 2023 Slam-Dunk Contest winner,
Emmanuel Egbuta, recorded 16 points and fifteen rebounds. The Rebels finished with six players in
double figures.
The Vipers are led by Chris Chaney, who is averaging 14.8 points per game through ten contests this
season. Virginia Valley currently sits in seventh place in the Northeast Division, four spots behind the
Rebels.
Eleven days have passed since the Rebels last took the court. Prior to All-Star Weekend, the Rebels
tallied their seventh win and sixth-in-a-row with a 118-86 victory over the Lehigh Valley Legends. 2023
Slam-Dunk Contest participant, Richard McCalop, poured in 39 points in 29 minutes. Fellow Slam-Dunk
Contest participant, Emmanuel Egbuta, added 12 points and ten rebounds to the win. The Rebels and
Legends finish their season series tied at one-game each.
For the second season in a row, the Rebels are Slam-Dunk Contest Champions. Richard McCalop, the
2022 winner, passed his crown to former Tennessee State Tiger and Rebels’ swingman, Emmanuel
Egbuta. Egbuta is having a stellar first season with Reading, averaging 17.0 points per game along with
his team-leading 8.8 rebounds per game.
The Rebels’ first game following All-Star break is one of three in a four-day stretch. Following their
home contest against the Virginia Valley Vipers, the Rebels travel to Syracuse, NY to face-off against the
Syracuse Stallions on Friday, April 14th. The Rebels will have a one day break before traveling to York,
PA for a mid-afternoon matchup with the York Mighty Ants on Sunday, April 16th.
Last Game’s Top Performances:
● Richard McCalop: 39 points, seven rebounds
● Myles Lewis: 14 points, six rebounds
● Emmanuel Egbuta: 12 points, ten rebounds
● James Butler: 11 points, six rebounds