It gets even worse as we delve further into the figures. Of the top eighteen players selected in the first three rounds, twelve of those selected could be considered as ?past their prime? and or were above the age of twenty nine years. Ironically of that twelve, eight were chosen out of the first twelve picks; as a matter of fact the number one drafted player in the league was well over thirty years old, and while he and his team were triumphant in winning the 2006 title and we take nothing away from them.

Clearly from a basketball standpoint there is certainly a lot to be desired in terms of the need for a ?changing of the guard?. There needs to be an influx of new and young players in the league. The league needs to be re-energized with new blood.

The length of the semi-pro season, to some extent coupled with our National Team participation in regional tournaments contributed to the many breaks in action experienced during the regular season schedule, and the eventual meltdown of the season at the tail-end.

In my opinion the single and most obvious ingredient missing from this year?s season was the lack of new talent in the league. The league quite frankly ran out of fuel. The young fans of 2006 that we were desperately trying to attract to the games, that is the Primary, High School and Junior Colleges students, when they came to the game could not relate to the players on the floor. 1991 could not relate to 2006 and so on, and so on.

The league needs to be refueled and that process was started this past summer with the U-21 Developmental Basketball Program. The program was an initiative spearheaded in a joint effort by the Belize Basketball Federation and the National Sports Council. Out of that program and the recently concluded Interoffice Basketball, which by the way, is now one of the more competitive leagues, four top semi-pro prospects have emerged. And while there are quite a number of other talented players, in my opinion these four are the cream of the crop and should become the next generation of players if they remain disciplined, coachable and continue the personal development of their individual game.

Tyrone Edwards, better known as ?Joker?, is the proto-type player and a coach?s dream. He is well disciplined, easy going, a team player and despite being very talented and gifted, is a very coachable kid. Tyrone is about 5 feet 11 inches and can play either the one or two. He has it all, speed and quickness typical for a guy his size. He sports a very quick dribble with either hand and in fact may be even more dangerous with his left; he can take the body contact and still finish around the rim with the best of them. He scored a season high 49 points in one of the developmental games this past summer, and was the regular season Interoffice Basketball league (IBL) Most Valuable Player averaging 18.7 points per game.

Greg Rudon, the slick and smooth ?south-paw?, stands about 6 feet 1 inch. This kid has heart and like ?Joker? is very disciplined and coachable. He led his team to the 2006 interoffice title, winning the playoffs Most Valuable Player Award averaging 23.5 points per game in the playoffs, and to top it off, also won the Ladyville basketball title. He participated in the U-21 developmental program playing for Coach Armstrong and in one game scored 29 points against Team Staine. Rudon is a combo-guard who can shoot, score and create good looks for his teammates. He is unselfish, yet capable of taking a game over with his scoring ability and size.

Egbert Wahlford, this slim, energetic and while some times erratic player is definitely a good prospect. He was not eligible to participate in the U-21 program, however he remained focused and went about his business putting up big numbers in the IBL. He led the league in scoring averaging 23.1 points per game and if not for Tyrone Edwards, would have been named Most Valuable Player. Egbert who stands about 6 feet 1 inch is similar to a young ?Darren Bovell?. You never actually see their points but at the end of the game they usually are tops in scoring. He has more than average ball handling skills, a good cross-over, a little high at times, and uncommon leaping ability. He shows steady form and great range and does not hide his preference for thinking ?shoot first?. He is an outstanding slasher who can really stress a defense and finish with the best of them.

Bernard Felix who stands about 5 feet 10 inches really should have played in this year?s season but due to various setbacks still remains one of the more talented point guards in the entire country of Belize. He played in the IBL this past summer and led the league once again in steals and assists and was not shabby either in the scoring department. While Felix is certainly a highly touted player, the knock on him continues to be his demeanor or lack thereof. He appears to play with a chip on his shoulder and spares no one, not teammates, coaches, or referees. Besides this though, he is one heck of a player, he has great ball-handling skills, he is very tough, has a big heart, and plays the game like it?s his last. He is a fierce competitor, has great composure and plays with that fiery emotion. He is very athletic and not afraid to take the ball to the hoop.