This past weekend, two-time defending champs Albert’s wrapped up another successful regular season as they knocked off Old Technical Rebels by the score of 67-55. With the win, they put the finishing touches on a perfect 7-0 record. The game, for all intents and purposes, was played basically for bragging rights, as both teams prior to the game had already secured byes throughout the first round of the playoffs. In any event, the game had to be played, and Lloyd Leslie led all scorers, totaling 22 pts 7 rebs in the win, while Kano Green led Old Technical with 17 pts 10 rebs. Other teams that secured post season play include BWS Bulls, who, despite suffering a 78-64 loss on Sunday to Belmopan, will see action in first round play this coming Sunday afternoon against Classic Purex, who enter the playoffs as the #3 seeded team, following their 56-54 win over Maria Chang. In the other playoff bracket, it will be #4 seeded Old Cemetery facing #5 seeded Belmopan. The former enters the playoffs on a high note, following a huge 70-59 win over Orange Walk Runnin Rebels. On the other hand, Belmopan understandably are ecstatic to be in the playoffs despite having only won two games out of a possible seven during the regular season.
BELIZE BANK BULLDOGS U-14 TRAVELS TO CANCUN THIS WEEKEND TO FACE ESCUELA MEXICO DE COZUMEL IN TWO-GAME SERIES
The U-14 arm of the Belize Bank Bulldogs Basketball Club will be travelling to Cancun, Mexico today to participate in a friendly two-game series exchange against Escuela Mexico De Cozumel. The invitation was made possible through Hugh Staine and Senor Jorge Gutierrez, the President of the Quintana Roo Basketball Association. The U-14 Bulldogs are expected to play their first game tonight at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday night at 6:00 in the evening. The Club has been practicing for the past six weeks, and had players’ participation, primarily from the Belize City area. The players that made the final roster are Kijana Moody, Tariq Gabb, Evan Garnett, Devin Bladen, Normando Caliz, Kyle Middelton, Jonathan Gideon, Dedric Ramclam, Andre Cleland, Wincy Lopez, Brandon Harris and Justin Bailey. They are being coached by Roscoe Rhys and Dion Ramclam. Travelling along with the Bulldogs will be a U-17 contingent from the Anglican Cathedral College, who will also be playing a two-game series against Universidad De La Salle. Both teams are expected back in the country on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs are expected to host a return contingent sometime in March as a part of the exchange.
GWEN LIZ FEMALE THREE-PEAT AS NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPS, WHILE SADIE VERNON WINS FIRST EVER TITLE
Last weekend, the National Secondary School Sporting Association conducted its National Tournament on the island of San Pedro. In the female category, Gwen Liz prevailed once again as National Champs, winning over Delille Academy in the championship game, 48-31, behind Glenda Torres 16 pts and Sheryn Nunez 14 pts. Meanwhile, for Delille, Twila Lopez was the only bright spot, as she accounted for 21 of her team’s 31 pts output. Four female teams participated in the tournament, with San Pedro High School representing the North, Gwen Liz the Central, Belmopan Comprehensive School the West, and Delille Academy the South.
The day started with Delille winning over Belmopan Comprehensive by the score of 35-9. Glenda Aranda from Delille led all scorers with 16 pts, while Loren Henry had 4 pts in a losing effort for Belmopan Comprehensive. In the other bracket, Gwen Liz advanced to the championship game by defeating San Pedro High by the score of 44-23. Gwen Liz Sheryn Nunez 23 pts and Candice Neal 10 pts displayed superior basketball skills on their way to the victory. Meanwhile, Yamily Vasquez led San Pedro High with 12 pts. In the consolation game, it was San Pedro High winning over Belmopan Comprehensive by the score of 32-19. They were once again led by Yamily Vasquez 28 pts, while Loren Henry and Jennicha Scott led Belmopan with 8 pts.
Gwen Liz has now won three consecutive national titles, reinforcing their claim as a dynasty and the female team of the decade. Glenda Torres of Gwen Liz was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
In the male category, Sadie Vernon won its first ever national title, winning over Sacred Heart College in the championship game by the score of 65-60. Kyle Domingo along with teammate Kashief Thomas led their team with 17 pts each, while for Sacred Heart College it was Zamir Usher scoring 20 pts, followed by Dijon Mcnab with 13 pts.
Four teams participated in the tournament, with San Pedro High School representing the North, Sadie Vernon the Central, Sacred Heart College the West, and Julian Cho Technical High School the South. In the tip-off game, Sacred Heart College got by Julian Cho Technical by the score of 58-46. Dijon McNab led Sacred Heart with 13 pts, followed by Shimeon Simpson 12 pts; while Julian Cho Technical scoring was led by Keith Allen 16 pts and Howard Labriel 12 pts. In the other semifinal matchup, Sadie Vernon won by eight over San Pedro High by the score of 64-56, behind Aaron Cooper 18 pts and Kashief Thomas 12 pts. Meanwhile, for San Pedro High it was Withman Williams scoring 25 pts and John Lambey with 18 pts. In the consolation game, Julian Cho High out-dueled San Pedro High by the score of 74-65. Keith Allen and Devin Williams scored 34 pts and 10 pts, respectively; while for San Pedro it was Franklin Aranda and Withman Williams scoring 15 pts each. Kyle Domingo of Sadie Vernon Technical was voted the tournament Most Valuable Player.