Fenix Academy-B – 2025 Ahmadiyya Youth Basketball Under-15 Champions
by William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)
BELIZE CITY, Sun. Apr. 6, 2025
The Fenix Academy-B boys won the Ahmadiyya Under-15 basketball championship in the 10th annual Ahmadiyya Youth Basketball Tournament which began at the St. John’s College gymnasium on January 26 and climaxed in championship finals at the Belize City Civic Center on Sunday, April 6.
Fenix Academy-A – 2025 Ahmadiyya Youth Basketball Under-15 Sub-Champions
The Under-15 boys’ final was an all Mexican affair, as the Fenix-B triumphed, 25-11, over the Fenix-A team, led by MVP Santiago Tomé and Daniel Hernandez scoring 6 pts each. Maximiliano Perez shot 5 pts, Sebastian Quintana put up 4 pts, and Evan Alvarez and Andres Martinez each threw in a bucket. Diego Sanchez led Fenix-A with 6 pts, Matias Dzib and Yair Soberanis tossed in a bucket apiece, and Jesus Coot chipped in a free throw.
In the first semifinal at SJC gym the week before, the Fenix-B boys advanced to the finals by a 34-29 win over Toros Academy, also of Chetumal. Daniel Hernandez led with 18 pts, Alvarez posted 10 pts, and Tomé shot 4 pts. Matias Alcala threw in a bucket. Toros’ Daniel Lizarraga scored 12 pts, Jorge Vasquez put up 6 pts, and Hunab Civerol and Andre Meraz shot 4 pts each. Alfredo Tun threw in a bucket.
In the other semifinal, the Femix-A boys qualified to the finals by dominating the Rising Stars, 55-25, led by Diego Sanchez’s 23 pts. Liang Chin put up 11 pts, Jared Caceres posted 8 pts, and Jesus Coot, Yair Soberanis and Emiliano Juarez shot 4 pts each. Milton Flores led the Rising Stars with 16 pts, Simeon Bu struck twice from outside the arc, and Jylon Ogaldez and Jahfar Castillo threw in a bucket apiece.
The Toros had advanced to the semifinals by eliminating the Brotherhood Ballers, 45-43, in the quarterfinals, led by Lizarraga’s 14 pts. Hunab Civerol posted 10 pts, Jorge Vasquez scored 5 pts, and Alfredo Tun shot 4 pts. Ezekiel Wade led the Brotherhood with 13 pts, Devon Elliott scored 10 pts, and Lynden Johnson shot 8 pts.
Santiago Tomé – Most Valuable Player
The Rising Stars had reached the semifinals by a 43-42 win over the Conquering Lions, led by Milton Flores’ 22 pts, and Ogaldez added 9 pts. Clive Medwood struck 4 times from outside the circle to lead the Lions with 19 pts, and Akon Adolphus shot 8 pts
Diego Escalante – Best Coach
The tournament organizers presented team trophies and medals to the champions and sub-champions. Individual awards were presented for the skills contest held at the All Star game, to Jahmai Wallace of City Reapers – 1st Place, and Jahfar Castillo of Rising Stars – 2nd Place; and in the shooting contest, Liam Musa of MVP Ballers won 1st place, and Kaiden Higinio of Brotherhood Ballers won 2nd place. Santiago Tomè of Fenix-B won the Most Valuable Player award, and Diego Escalante, also of Fenix-B, received the Best Coach award.