_{Photo: Gwen Lizarraga High School – 2x CSSSA Male Basketball Champions 2024}

by William Ysaguirre

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Dec. 9, 2024

_{Photo: SJC Wildcats – CSSSA Male Basketball Sub-Champions 2024}

The Gwen Lizarraga High School boys won their 2nd back-to-back Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) basketball championship, blowing away the St. John’s College Wildcats, 46-33, in the finals at the Swift Hall in Belize City on Saturday afternoon, December 7.

_{Photo: Jauvann Morgan – MVP}

Calvin Thurton led Gwen Liz with 15 pts, Raymond Gentle, Jr. struck from outside the circle for 12 pts, and MVP Jauvann Morgan put up 11 pts. Team captain Augustine Pitterson netted 3 pts, and A. August added 4 pts.

_{Photo: Kayden Staine – Most Steals}

Khayden Staine struck thrice from outside the circle, as he led the Wildcats with 11 pts; team captain Edward Thompson posted 10 pts; and L. Reneau shot 4 pts. Delbert Arthurs drained in a long trey, and Tahj Pinkard threw in a bucket.

_{Photo: Jason Orozco – Top Scorer}

The Maud Williams High School boys overpowered the Wesley College boys in the consolation match for 3rd place, led by Jason Orozco who struck from twice outside the circle, as he dunked a monster 41 pts. Marlon McClaren put up 12 pts, Raymond Belgrave posted 8 pts, and Threvaunte Brown scored 4 pts. Karim Henry added 3 pts.

Wesley’s Kelston Palacio struck from outside the arc for 17 pts, Deon Bennett posted 14 pts, and Shemar Johnson put up 12 pts. Davian Cacho scored 5 pts, Faun Wite netted a trey, and Kirkland Dawson chipped in a free throw.

CSSSA president Melanie Williams and committee member Patrick Thompson presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions and sub-champions in the awards ceremony after the finals. The 3rd place winners, Maud Williams High School received a certificate of participation.

Individual awards: Most Valuable Player – Jauvann Morgan (GLHS); Top Scorer – Jason Orozco (MWHS); Most Blocks – Ryan Westby (SJC); Best Defense – Augustine Pitterson (GLHS); Most Steals – Kayden Staine (SJC).

The Gwen Liz boys will represent the Central region at the upcoming National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) championships, to be held at the Swift Hall on Thursday and Friday, December 12-13. They will challenge the western champions – Sacred Heart College, the northern champions – Bishop Martin High School, and the southern champions – Independence High.