Belize Hurricanes and Belize City Defenders take Game 1.
by Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 20, 2024
The Belize Elite Basketball League (BEBL) kicked off its playoffs for its 2024 season on Friday night, May 17, where four teams compete in a best-of-three series for a chance to advance to the finals, where it becomes a best-of-five.
The playoffs kicked off with the #1-seed Belize Hurricanes hosting the #4-seed Griga Dream Ballers at the Belize City Civic Center, where the Hurricanes managed to blow out their competition from the building by a whopping 30 points, 105-70.
Victor Evans led the charge for the Hurricanes with 19 points and 5 assists, and Glency “Coope” Lopez had 13 points and 5 steals. Edgar “Boogie” Mitchell led Griga with 18 points and 5 rebounds, and Kevon Laurie followed with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals.
Defenders take Game 1 in OT over Tiger Sharks
The Playoffs continued on Sunday, May 19, as the #2-seed San Pedro Tiger Sharks hosted the #3-seed Belize City Defenders at the Belize City Civic Center, and the match was exciting from start to end.
Neither gave an edge to the other in the first half, as both teams ended the half at 37 points apiece. It continued into the second half as the edge was never gained, and the game clock sounded with both teams tied up at 72.
In overtime, the Defenders finally got a break as they managed to win the game with added time, 86-79. MVP candidate Nigel Jones led the Defenders with 21 points and 6 rebounds. D’von Campbell also netted 21 points and 6 rebounds and Daniel Estes chipped in with 15 points.
Up next:
Friday, May 24
9:00 p.m. – Griga Dream Ballers vs Belize Hurricanes – Russell Chiste Garcia Auditorium
9:00 p.m. – Belize City Defenders vs San Pedro Tiger Sharks – Belize City Civic Center