U-26 PLAYOFFS ARE HERE!!!
Last Friday, the clock struck midnight for the Cinderella team, The Future, as Mesop Guardian Bombers put an abrupt end to their post season aspiration by beating them 73-57 in a do or die game for both teams. Orlando “Police” Bowen struck for 25 pts 12 rebs 1 asst 2 blocks and 4 steals in the win, followed by Egbert “Eggy” Wahlford 14 pts 3 rebs. For The Future, who with the loss fell to 8-6, it was Winston “Air Jun” Pratt with 21 pts 4 rebs, followed by Michael “Whisky” Staine with 11 pts 6 rebs. The Future, understandably, is disappointed in the turn of events, after they started 5-0; however, in the last nine games they could only muster three wins, finishing the season with an 8-6 record.
In the nightcap played on Friday, in a possible Finals preview, it was Belize Bank Junior Bulldogs overcoming the awfully tough Lake I Boyz by the score of 55-53. Darwin “Puppy” Leslie led the Bulldogs with 17 pts 18 rebs 6 blocks and 2 steals, while his teammate Densmore “Denz” Edwards had 13 pts 3 rebs in the win. For Lake I Boyz, who are now (0-2) against the Bulldogs, they were led by the Edwards brothers, Tyrone and Ashton, with Tyrone totaling 22 pts 5 rebs 4 steals and Ashton totaling 14 pts 6 rebs.
With Friday night in the books, the 2008 U-26 Basketball Championship semifinal rounds are scheduled to commence this coming Monday night at the City Center. The regular season, as described earlier, concluded a very exciting and competitive 2008 season. The season, which got underway on January 28, featured eight of Belize City’s most highly talented teams. The teams, for the first time in recent memory, played a rigorous double round-robin format, playing a total of 14 games each. At the end of the regular season, four teams have now emerged, all with a legitimate shot at this year’s title. They include the #2 seeded defending Champs Lake I Boyz, led by the Edwards brothers, Tyrone “Joka” Edwards and Ashton “Koolie” Edwards. Joining the defending champs are the University of Belize Black Jaguars; they are seeded #3 entering the playoffs, and they are led by Stephen “Muerte” Williams, Travis Lennon and Farron Louriano. The #4 seeded team is newcomer Mesop Guardian Bombers; they are awfully quick, and are led by their hot-tempered point guard Bernard Felix, swingman Egbert “Eggy” Wahlford, and big center Leon “Bigs” Williams. Closing out the top four teams, and carrying the burden of being seeded #1 are the Belize Bank Junior Bulldogs. They enter the playoffs with an awesome regular season record of 13 wins against 1 loss. This group collectively is the most experienced team entering the playoffs; they are excessively deep off the bench, athletic, strong, and mentally tough. They have proven winners, in the likes of 2007 Semi-Pro Champs San Pedro Tigersharks’ starting backcourt Densmore Edwards and Greg “Chippy” Rudon. This duo is joined in the frontcourt by Darwin “Puppy” Leslie, Paul Swasey and Ty Bradley. Coming off the bench they have long range threat from Marcel Orosco and Jacob “Snake” Leslie.
The hostilities commence Monday at 7 p.m. as Lake I Boyz take on UB Black Jaguars in game one of their three-game series; and in game two, Belize Bank Junior Bulldogs faces Mesop Guardian Bombers. On Tuesday, Lake I Boyz travel to Belmopan for game two; and on Wednesday, Mesop Guardian Bombers and Belize Bank Junior Bulldogs resume their hostilities. The tournament will then break for the Easter and resume shortly after the Easter holidays.
BECOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT ROUND-UP
Last weekend, a full slate of games was played in the 2008 Becol Basketball Championship, currently underway in the Western Town of San Ignacio. On Friday night in U-20 action, Young Stars improved their record to (2-0) as they edged Hydro Power by the score of 37-30. Young Stars had a balanced attack with Abel Simpson scoring 12 pts, followed by his teammate Regis Morris with 8 pts 10 rebs. Hydro Power, who with the loss fell to (1-2), were led by Shelton Defour 8 pts 15 reb. Following the U-20 games, two senior games were played, with Christ for Life disciplining Spartans by the score of 58-46. Christ for Life had three players in double figures, led by Linden Gillett 17 pts, Jamie Gillett 14 pts 6 rebs, and Brett Smith 10 pts 10 rebs. Meanwhile, for the winless Spartans it was Dylon Ayuso scoring 13 pts while pulling 10 rebs; he was also aided by Aubrey Lopez 10 pts. In the third and final game played on Friday night, Belize Bank Diamonds, led by Lester Cadle 21 pts 7 rebs and Milton Hoare 10 pts 5 rebs, embarrassed Venus Warriors by the score of 66-29. Jamie Edwards could only muster 10 pts and Derrick Garbutt 8 pts for the dismal now (0-3) Venus Warriors.
On Saturday night, the action resumed, with Christ for Life getting by Sacred Heart Junior College by the score of 49-38. Christ for Life had no player hitting in double figures; however, they had a balanced attack, with Mark Gentle and Korie Williams contributing 9 pts each in the win. Meanwhile, for Sacred Heart it was David “Dabo” Frutos scoring 10 pts, and Omar Yacab 9 pts in the loss.
Following the senior game, the Over-35 men took to the court, and in this one Hydro Power over-powered Esperanza by the score of 49-40. Samuel “Spup” Martinez was the high man for Hydro Power, scoring 22 pts and grabbing 8 rebs; his teammate Douglas “Doc” Smith contributed 11 pts 8 rebs in the win. For the now (0-2) Esperanza team it was Evan Reynolds scoring 11 pts, while pulling 8 rebs. In the other Over-35 contest, Maino Bevans hit the game winning shot with four seconds remaining, to give Benque Rockers the big 52-50 win over Belmopan Bandits. There was a reported sighting of well known Belize Basketball legend Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn, as he totaled 8 pts 8 rebs to go along with Maino “Skull” Bevans 21 pts 10 rebs, and Marlon “Snake” Villanueva 17 pts. Belmopan Bandits, who now fall to (1-1), were led by Fred Banks 15 pts and Clifford King 10 pts.
In U-20 action played on Sunday night, Sacred Heart College won over Wolves by the score of 49-43 behind Shimeon “Shimo” Simpson 27 pts and Mark Anderson 9 pts 5 rebs. Devon Brown led the Wolves with 15 pts 9 rebs, followed by Amir Westby 10 pts 4 rebs. In the senior encounter, E-Three Stars improved to (2-0) as they walloped Venus Warriors by the score of 66-44, behind Elroy “Shabba” Willis 18 pts 7 rebs, Mark O’ Brien 10 pts 15 rebs, and Cecil Myers 10 pts 11 rebs. For Venus Warriors it was Flavous “Flagga” Johnson scoring 22 pts. Meanwhile, in Over-35 action, Belmopan Bandits won over Esperanza by the score of 64-52. Austin Flores led the Bandits with 24 pts, followed by Clive Sutherland 15 pts and Fred Bank 10 pts. John Trapp 12 pts 6 rebs along with Ernest Thompson 12 pts 12 rebs led the Esperanza team.
The action continues this coming weekend. On Friday night in U-17 action, Sacred Heart College will play LA Tigers, followed by two senior match-ups which have E-Three Stars facing Sacred Heart Junior College, and Venus Warriors trying for their first win of the season against Spartans. On Saturday night, West Side will face St. Ignatius High School in U-20 action, followed by Belize Bank Diamonds going up against Patriots, and Hydro Power taking on Benque Rockers in Over-35 action.
UB “BLACK JAGUARS” REMAIN UNDEFEATED IN COSTA RICA
The University of Belize men basketball team, the Black Jaguars remains undefeated in the Central American University Games currently underway in Costa Rica. According to correspondence received at the Sports Desk from University Head Coach Kevin Siroki, the Black Jaguars continued their winning ways on Wednesday, when they surprisingly upset the University of Autonoma de Chiriqui-Panama by the score of 72-67. Siroki, in his correspondence, told the desk that his team played extremely well, and, despite their lack of size, out hustled the stronger and more physical Panama team. Stephen Williams, who is making a name for himself on the international scene, once again played big, scoring a team high 20 pts, to go along with his 11 rebs and 6 block shots. Teammates Lennox Bowman and Travis Lennan also contributed significantly in the win, scoring 13 pts and 11 pts, respectively.
The Black Jaguars now has three wins in as many outings, following Monday and Tuesday wins against Honduras and Costa Rica, respectively. On Monday, they won by the score of 58-45. Stephen Williams, besides pleasing the crowd with a spectacular dunk, had 16 pts 11 rebs in the win; while Travis Lennan had 13 pts and 10 rebs. On Tuesday, they continued their winning ways, this time over the formidable Costa Rican team, winning by the score of 68-52. This game was the signature game for the UB team, as they fought back after being down 19-9 at the end of the first quarter, and out-scored their opponent 23-10 to take the 32-29 lead at the end of the first half. The third and fourth quarters were highlighted by four out-of-the-roof slam dunks orchestrated by Stephen Williams and Farron Louriano, as the Jaguars coasted in for the win.
With three wins now in the coffers, the team now prepares for their semifinal round match-up against Panama National University, with the winner assuring themselves of playing in the gold medal game on Saturday. According to Kevin, the Panama team has four players that play on their Senior National Basketball team. He concedes that they are a solid team; however, he is very confident that the Black Jaguars will be able to pull it out, given their hustle play. From the desk we say, “Go get them, Kev”.