Hoops News took an extended leave of absence over the past month; however, we are glad to be back and have a lot of catching up to do. We start off this week’s report with basketball action being played out west in the 2009 Becol Basketball Championship. In games played last weekend at the Falcon Field in San Ignacio Town, in U-18 action, Mount Carmel won by forfeiture over St. Ignatius, and in the process extended their record in the early going to (2-0). In game two, Sacred Heart won over Benque’s Westside in U-21 play by the score of 59-33, behind Shimeon Simpson 16 pts and Elvis Usher 13 pts 9 rebs. For Westside, it was Joe Pech totaling 9 pts 6 rebs in the loss, followed by Evan Brown with 8 pts 5 rebs. In game three, played between Venus Warriors and X-Tra House Creepers, it was Venus Warriors prevailing by the score of 51-49. The game results, however, will carry a temporary asterisk until the organizers can make a decision on the protest lodged by X-Tra House Creepers.
The action resumed on Saturday night in U-21 play, as Belmopan Trojans, behind Don Williams 19 pts 1 reb and Michael Martinez 10 pts, narrowly defeated Flames by the score of 57-52. The Flames, who now fall to (0-1), were led by Devan Brown 19 pts 5 rebs and David Hegar 11 pts 2 rebs. In senior ball, E Three Stars improved to (2-0), as they put a proper trouncing on the Invaders from Unitedville. Kurt Burgess led all scorers with 33 pts 10 rebs, followed by Shannon Guzman 15 pts 4 rebs. For the hapless Invaders, it was Samuel Martinez totaling 26 pts 2 rebs in the loss. Meanwhile, in Over-35 action, Belmopan Bandits won by two baskets, 51-47, over Tuff E Nuff Rebels. Alfonso Audinett scored 15 pts in the win, while Keino Green led the Rebels with 18 pts 10 rebs.
The games continue this weekend, starting with three games scheduled for Friday night. In game one, Sacred Heart College will take to the court against O Ballaz in U-18 action, while game two will have Cayo Ballers taking on Christ for Life, also in U-18 action. In the nightcap game, Christ for Life U-21 team will face Perk Up Blazers to close out Friday night’s action. On Saturday, there is more U-21 action on the schedule, as Hydro Power meets Hard Time Hustlers; while games two and three will feature senior play, as E Three Stars goes up against Venus Warriors, and X-Tra House Creepers will host Cougar Club.
UB BLACK JAGUARS SPLIT WEEKEND SERIES IN CANCUN
The University of Belize Black Jaguars was able to split a two-game series played last weekend in Quintana Roo against Caguameros de Isla Mujeres and Seleccion de la Rebotera from Cancun. The Black Jaguars lost by the slim margin of 63-57 against Caguameros, who shot spectacularly from the field, particularly from behind the arch, hitting 11 three-pointers, with Brandon Heredia leading all scorers with 24 pts, followed by Miguel Garcia, who hit for 19 pts. Winston “Air Jun” Pratt led his team with 14 pts in the loss, followed by Travis Lennon with 11 pts. In the second game, the Black Jaguars avenged their earlier loss by smacking Seleccion de la Rebotera by the final score of 86-50. Winston Pratt was once again his team’s high man, totaling 26 pts, followed by Jorett Jones 21 pts, Travis Lennon 13 pts and Benedict Terry 10 pts. Meanwhile, for the Cancun selection it was Oswaldo Guzman and Guillermo Centeno scoring 14 pts and 13 pts, respectively.
OTHER BASKETBALL NOTES
· Hoops News has been reliably informed that Bird’s Isle Restaurant proprietor and entertainment promoter Vince Young will be hosting a Pro-Am Basketball Tournament dubbed “Bird’s Isle March Madness”. The tournament is scheduled to commence sometime later this month at the newly improved and renovated Bird’s Isle facility. The tournament will feature six teams, primarily from the City. The cash prize, according to Young, will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,000, in addition to a revenue sharing gate receipt agreement that he is proposing to the participating teams. Registration fee will be $800.
· Basketball will be tipping off shortly in Dangriga Town with their annual Senior Basketball Tournament. Hoops News has been informed that John Rhys is directing the effort and all indications are that this year’s tournament promises to be an exciting one, with the boys from Benguche linking up with some of the core players from the Belize Bank Bulldogs to form the new “Belize Bank Benguche”.
· Interoffice basketball tip-off is set for March 27 at the Belize City Center. Last report is that the season is experiencing some delays caused by unanticipated setbacks at the venue. We have been reliably informed that about 24 teams have signed up to participate in this year’s tourney. The defending champs, Aero Dispatch, will be trying to accomplish what only one other team has been able to accomplish in IBL history, that is, to repeat as champions. The team to accomplish this feat was the Belize Tourist Board Adventurers who won back to back in the years 2002 and 2003.