‘Griga, P.G. and Cayo undefeated at Week 2 of inaugural Elite Basketball tournament
The Week 1 game between Dangriga Warriors and Toledo Diplomats was postponed last week due to weather, so the two southern teams in the inaugural National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tournament saw their first action this past weekend in Week 2 of the competition. And both had a winning start, while the only other team to remain undefeated in the young season is Cayo Western Ballers, who made it two victories in a row with their win yesterday in Orange Walk.
There were 2 Friday night games this past weekend, 1 game on Saturday, and 1 on Sunday.
It was a see-saw dog-fight down in Dangriga on Friday night, February 14, at the Y-Not Island, where the home team Dangriga Warriors won a nail-biter, 57-56, over visiting Belmopan Point Bandits. The Point Bandits led, 13-12, at the end of the first quarter; Warriors led, 31-30, at the half; Bandits took the lead once more, 42-40, to close the third quarter; but at the final buzzer it was Griga Warriors in front again for the 57-56 win. Leading the Warriors were Trevaughn Usher 16 pts 4 rebs, Jamir Flores 10 pts 9 rebs 4 assts 4 stls, and Shai Peters 8 pts 4 rebs; while for the Bandits, Jamal Harris had 17 pts 7 rebs, Kyle Pascasio 11 pts 8 stls, and Christian Rodriguez 9 pts 4 rebs. The Warriors are now (1-0), while the Bandits are (1-1).
The other Friday night encounter was up north at the Andres Campos Civic Center in Corozal Town, where visiting Belize City No Limit pulled out a 78-75 win over home-based Corozal Heats. The win improved No Limit’s record to (1-1), while it was the Heats’ second defeat for a (0-2) record. Main contributors to the No Limit victory were Greg “Chippy” Rudon 24 pts 12 rebs, Brandon Rogers 16 pts 8 rebs, Andrew Ortiz 9 pts 8 rebs 4 assts, and Brian White 6 pts 8 rebs; while for the Heats, Alton Herrera had 17 pts 4 rebs, Geovannie Lennan 16 pts 9 rebs, Jason Daly 14 pts 6 assts, Sheldon Williams 9 pts 8 rebs, and J. Grant 8 pts 8 rebs.
On Saturday, February 15, the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex saw the home team Toledo Diplomats opening their season with an impressive 89-87 win over visiting powerhouse San Pedro Tigersharks. The Diplomats jumped out to a first quarter 26-15 lead, and still held a 48-37 lead at the half. The Tigersharks came charging back in second half, trailing by only 2 points, 72-70, to end the 3rd period; but the determined Toledo squad held them at bay in the fourth, to come away with a narrow 89-87 victory. The Diplomats are therefore (1-0), while the Tigersharks are (1-1). For the Diplomats, Daniel Valerio was high man with 27 pts, Jamai Avila had 13 pts 5 rebs 3 stls, Evon Lino 13 pts 5 assts, Jiovanni White 11 pts, Elbert Ariola 10 pts 4 rebs, and Felix Gonzalez 6 rebs; while for the Tigersharks, Winston Pratt had 21 pts 10 rebs, Marcel Orosco 17 pts, Tyrone Edwards 14 pts 4 assts, and Mike Adams 13 pts 11 rebs 3 blks.
The Cayo Western Ballers vs Orange Walk Running Rebels game was originally scheduled for Saturday, but had to be pushed back to Sunday as, according to an inside source, “the administrators of the venue scheduled another event at the facility notwithstanding our engagement.” So much for respect for our semipro ballers.
Nevertheless, the game was played on Sunday, and it was the visiting Western Ballers grabbing an 80-70 win over the Running Rebels, after leading in every period, 16-13, 42-34, 57-51, and finally 80-70 at the end. This puts the Western Ballers at the top of the standings with a (2-0) record, while the Running Rebels are (0-2). For the Western Ballers, Farron Louriano had 22 pts 5 rebs 3 stls, Kurt “Chengo” Burgess 14 pts 19 rebs, Ivan Flowers 13 pts 5 assts, and Travis Lennan 12 pts; while for the Running Rebels it was Randy Usher 29 pts, Leith Paulino 11 pts 6 rebs, Javier Gutierrez 8 pts 6 rebs, and Tyron Baptist 7 pts.
NEBL Week 3 schedule:
Friday, February 21
9:00 p.m. – Bze City No Limit vs O.W. Running Rebels – Bird’s Isle
Saturday, February 22
9:00 p.m. – Cayo Western Ballers vs Dangriga Warriors – SHC Auditorium
9:00 p.m. – San Pedro Tigersharks vs Corozal Heats – Roman Catholic School
9:00 p.m. – Belmop Point Bandits vs Toledo Diplomats – UB Gym