by Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Mar. 25, 2024
The Benny’s Belize Hurricanes secured the number-one seed in the 2024 Belize Elite Basketball League (BEBL) season, defeating the EZ Investments Griga Dream Ballers on Friday night, March 22, at the Civic Center in Belize City.
The game finished with the Hurricanes on top, 97–88, the win completing a sweep of the season series with Griga. “I just go out [and] play hard out there. You always want to give your best. Basketball is a short time, [and] once you play, you don’t know if you’re going to play again, so every time I get on the court I give it my best,” Sidibe Bourama, who topped the box score with 18 pts and 15 rebs, said after the game.
Sidibe’s performance was complemented by Jamell Harris with 15 pts and 6 rebs, and Victor Evans with 14 pts and 6 assists. Evans spoke to Amandala after the game about Hurricanes securing the top seed: “We’re the best team in the league – we had a loss; it happens – but I think everybody understands that we’re the top dog,” he said.
Back-to-back losses for the Defenders
The Belize City Defenders collapsed to the San Pedro Tiger Sharks on Saturday, March 23, at the Civic Center in Belize City, by 37 points, 104–70.
Bobby Arthur-Williams led the way for the Tiger Sharks with 33 pts and 5 rebs, and Daniel Conorque and Jihad Wright contributed 15 pts apiece. Nigel Jones of Defenders netted 18 pts; Lorenzo Dillard followed behind scoring 16 pts and 7 assists, and D’von Campbell added 13 pts.
Trojans sweep Western Ballaz
The Belmopan Trojans hosted the Cayo Western Ballaz at the UB Gym in Belmopan on Saturday, March 23, where they pulled off a nail-biter, prevailing, 76–74. This win ends the Trojans’ four-game losing streak.
Jevaughn McKenzie led the way for the Trojans with 16 pts and 4 rebs, Tramarcus Levi netted 14 pts, and Jayden Lopez and Raul Roches scored 12 pts apiece. Mark Gordon of Western Ballaz netted 23 pts, and Darnell Oden scored 16 pts off the bench.
“We’re a new organization, a very young organization – the youngest in the league – it shows that we belong in this league, [and] that’s very important. We played as a team; we executed and we showed what teamwork is about. In regards to the win, fantastic win,” said Trojans head coach, Aldo Manzanero.
Upcoming games:
No games this weekend due to the Easter holidays.
