BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 19, 2018– Two teams, Verdes (0-4) and Orange Walk Running Rebels (0-4), remain winless at Week 5 of the Pepsi NEBL 2018 Tournament; while one remains undefeated – San Pedro Tiger Sharks, sporting a perfect 4-0 record.
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks were sorely tested by the young Griga Dream Ballers on their home turf at the Russel Chiste Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga on Saturday night, February 17, but the visiting Tiger Sharks pulled out the 85-81 road victory, led by Jihad Wright 22 pts 11 rebs 5 assts, Jamal Kelly 20 pts 4 rebs 4 assts, Raul Roches 14 pts 5 rebs 3 assts, and Marteviuis Adams 10 pts 3 assts. For the losing Dream Ballers, Daniel Nolberto was high man with 24 pts, Tahj Wells had 15 pts 5 rebs, Edgar Mitchell 14 pts 4 rebs 3 assts, Brandon Flowers 11 pts, Macario Augustine 10 pts 6 rebs, and Daniel Conorquie 6 assts 3 rebs. It was the Dream Ballers’ (3-1) first loss in the tournament.
The weekend had started with two games on Friday night. In a low scoring affair at the Sacred Heart Auditorium in San Ignacio, Verdes (0-4) led in each of the first 3 quarters, but would remain winless, as they fell down the stretch, 73-61, to the visiting Digicell Belize City Defenders (2-1). The victorious Defenders were led by Darwin “Puppy” Leslie 24 pts 4 rebs, Rassi Jenkins 14 rebs, and Lincy Lopez 5 assts; while for Verdes, Richard Troyer had 19 pts 16 rebs, and Gene Myvett 12 pts 7 rebs. Meanwhile, at the UB Gym in Belmopan, the home standing defending champions, Belmopan Bandits (2-2) were cruising to a comfortable 82-73 victory over still winless Orange Walk Running Rebels (0-4). Top scorers for the Bandits were Luther da Shane Page 25 pts 12 rebs, Gregory “Chippy” Rudon 18 pts 5 assts, Farron Louriano 16 pts 7 rebs, and Stephen “Muerte” Williams 11 pts 6 rebs 7 assts; while the Rebels were led by Roger Reneau 16 pts 6 rebs, James Ewing 14 pts 9 rebs, and Elvis Olivera 12 pts 9 rebs.
Week 6 schedule:
Thursday, February 22
8:30 p.m. – Belmopan Bandits vs Belize Hurricanes at UB Gym in Belmopan (live on TNC)
Friday, February 23
9:00 p.m. – DigiCell Belize City Defenders vs San Pedro Tiger Sharks at St. Catherine Mercy Center in Belize City (live on TNC)
Saturday, February 24
9:00 p.m. – Verdes vs Belmopan Bandits at Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town
9:00 p.m. – Belize Hurricanes vs Griga Dream Ballers at St. Catherine Mercy Center in Belize City
9:00 p.m. – San Pedro Tiger Sharks vs Orange Walk Running Rebels at San Pedro High School in San Pedro Town
(NEBL Note: All stories, news, box scores, schedules, player and team statistics and standings can be found on our website at neblbelize.com)