Alamilla’s Furniture/FCIB, one of the four remaining undefeated teams in Interoffice Basketball, extended their winning streak to three games this past Sunday afternoon, as they handed Home Protector Insurance their first loss of the season, walloping them by the final score of 72-55. Wes Mckenzie led the FCIB charge with 20 pts 8 rebs 1 block and 2 steals, followed by Ryan “Benz” Bennett with 12 pts. The previously undefeated Home Protector, who with the loss now fall to third place in the division, were led by Milton Flores 18 pts 4 rebs and Keith”Dos” Pollard 9 pts 3 rebs. In earlier games, SSB/BNTU won their first game of the season, as they trounced Youth for the Future by the final score of 69-31. David Jones had 19 pts 5 rebs in the win, followed by Daniel Maheia with 10 pts 5 rebs. For the now (0-3) Youth for the Future, they were led by Stanley Bradley 14 pts 2 rebs and Robert Foreman 11 pts 4 rebs. The surging KHMH team won their third game of the season, and in the process propelled themselves to the top of division A with the 52-41 win over General Post Office. Ryan Miller and Francis Lemott led KHMH with 9 pts each, while Kevin “Beano” Flowers was the leader for GPO, totaling 14 pts 2 asst. In game three, played on Sunday, Atlantic Bank Ltd. broke the century mark, as they embarrassed Grace Kennedy by the final score of 101-50. Dave Apolonio led ABL with 27 pts, followed by Darwin “Doggy” Elijio with 19 pts 3 rebs. Meanwhile, for Grace Kennedy the only bright spot was Vernon Samuels, who totaled 21 pts to go along with his 2 rebs. Police Department got the better of Medical Dept/Johnston International, as they won by the final score of 66-59, behind Orlando Bowen 29 pts 8 rebs and Kennard Clarke 15 pts 12 rebs. For Medical/Johnston Int’l the scoring was led by the duo of Joshua Jones and Clifton Gentle, who both scored 14 pts each.
Friday night’s triple header saw KHMH winning by default over Belize Healthcare Partners, who chose not to show up for the game. In the middle game, Belize City Council, behind Kenroy Usher 13 pts 5 rebs and Virgil Miller 11 pts 8 rebs, managed to get by the Police Department by the score of 57-48. The Police team, who are now (2-1), were led by Orlando Bowen 10 pts 10 rebs and Isaac Pasqual 8 pts 3 rebs. In the closing act on Friday night, Belize Telemedia Ltd. won over Belize Electricity Ltd. in the battle of the utilities company’s, winning by the score of 63-47. Devon Lozano had a big game, totaling 27 pts 3 rebs, followed by Mervin “Bae” Castillo 10 pts 13 rebs. Belize Electricity Ltd., who with the loss now falls to (1-2), were led by Brandon Cadle 12 pts 8 rebs and Austin Castro 12 pts 1 reb.
OUTA GRIGA DANG HOOPS NEWS
On Friday, April 17, to April 19, 2009, the Dangriga Basketball Association held its Referee Certification Training. The first of its kind event took place at the Help-Age Center. Facilitating the process was the President of the Belize Association of Basketball Officials (BABO), Mr Glen Gill. The participants in the training were Alford Castillo, Nelson Jones, Wayne Casimiro, Melissa Serano, Sharon Valentine, Clifton Lorenzo and Isaac John Rhys. According to the Dangriga Association, another similar training is tentatively set for August of this year. The Association, through this medium, would like to thank B.A.B.O., the participants, Help-Age Dangriga, Dangriga Central Hotel and the Belize Basketball Federation for their contribution to the event.
BELIZE BASKETBALL FEDERATION PRESS RELEASE
Mr. Alberto Garcia, Secretary General of FIBA Americas, recently concluded a historic and very successful visit to Belize.
Mr. Garcia, based in Puerto Rico, visited Belize at the request of the new Executive Committee of the Belize Basketball Federation (BBF). During his visit, he met with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honorable Elvin Penner; the Belize Olympic Committee (BOC) Executive; coaches, referees, players as well as the media, to discuss the development of the sport.
The FIBA Americas Secretary General has also proposed the establishment of a tri-partite Technical Cooperation Agreement with the Government, the BOC and FIBA Americas/BBF to symbolize and record the stakeholder commitment required for successful execution of the strategic plan.
BBF President Paul Thompson remarked: “This was the first ever visit of such a high level FIBA official to Belize, and the BBF is therefore delighted that Mr. Garcia was able to visit at this critical time in the reinvigoration of basketball in Belize.”
BBF Secretary General Julian Murillo added: “We hope that Mr. Garcia’s visit and his endorsement of our strategic plan signals to the country that a new dawn is upon us for the sport of basketball.”
The BBF continues to work with all major stakeholders towards the development of the sport, and would like to specifically thank the media for their coverage and accommodation during Mr. Garcia’s visit to Belize.