Cayo Western Ballaz remains tied with San Pedro Tigersharks atop the NEBL Standings
Last night, Cayo Western Ballaz (9-1) hosted the Corozal Heats (2-8) at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio Town, in front of a packed and very loud stadium. Corozal Heats came out firing, taking a 13-0 lead at the start of the game by hitting 3 three-pointers, capitalizing on the home team’s slow start. Corozal was able to extend the lead to 21-4 in the first quarter, but after a timeout by the home team, they were able to regroup and cut the lead to 28-18 at the end of the first quarter. By midway through the second quarter, Cayo Western Ballaz was able to put their stamp on the game, taking a 31-28 lead, as they went on a 16-0 run, and never again surrendered that lead. At the half, Western Ballaz was up 41-37. The game got a bit physical in the first half, as 3 technical fouls were awarded.
In the third quarter, Cayo Western Ballaz was able to open up the lead to 61-49. The second half was filled with technical fouls, as the home team picked up 2 more technical fouls, an unsportsmanlike foul and a disqualifying foul, while Corozal Heats also got 2 technical fouls. The game ended 80-65 in favor of Cayo Western Ballaz, who extended their winning streak to 6 in a row.
With the win, Cayo Western Ballaz remains tied for the #1 seed with the San Pedro Tiger Sharks at 9-1, while Corozal Heats fell to 2-8, at the 6th seed.
Cayo Western Ballaz was led by Richard Troyer, who finished with the game high 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Kurt “Chengo” Burgess finished with 15 points and the game high 22 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Travis Lennan tallied 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, while Farron “Far-D” Louriano finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. In a losing effort, Marcel Richards led the Corozal Heats with 15 points, 5 steals and 4 assists, while Alton Herrera finished the night with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Jason Grant recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Sheldon Williams also had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
With four weeks remaining in the tournament, teams are now jostling for playoff positions and home court advantage, while others are fighting for a playoff spot. This coming week, the league will take a break due to the Easter festivities; and next week, basketball will resume around the country. On Saturday, April 26, Corozal Heats will be traveling to Belmopan to take on the Belmopan Point Bandits at the UB gymnasium in a must-win game if they have any chance to take the final playoff spot. Also, on Saturday, April 26, Cayo Western Ballaz will be hosting the San Pedro Tigersharks at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town, as the two top teams in the league battle for bragging rights for the #1 seed. That surely promises to be a great game.