The 2008 Becol Basketball Championship is nearing the conclusion of its regular season, and this weekend’s handful of games in all categories promises to be really intense, as the contenders begin to separate themselves from the pretenders.
Tonight, in U-17 action at the Falcon Field in San Ignacio, the (0-2) Wolves will try for their first win of the season, when they take on (1-2) Sacred Heart College. With the top seed in the division, and a bye in the first round already locked up by LA Tigers, both the Wolves and Sacred Heart College will be trying to intimidate each other, as they begin preparation for their first round match-up in the upcoming playoffs.
What game two tonight lacks in playoff implications, it certainly will make up in terms of comic entertainment, as the winless Venus Warriors takes to the court against the winless Maratown Patriots. While the game will certainly have its share of hilarious play, fans nevertheless should expect an intense game, as both teams, come tonight, will be laying it on the line, playing for the only remaining reason a combined (0-9) effort would still be playing for, and that is pride.
The nightcap game, on the other hand, promises to be high drama in the senior division, when the (4-0) E Three Stars takes on the (3-1) Belize Bank Diamonds, who currently are holding on to the fourth and final playoff spot in the senior division. With a win, the Diamonds will force a three-way tie at the top of the division between themselves, Christ for Life and E Three Stars, with one game remaining on the schedule for all three teams.
On Saturday night, the scene shifts to the Deacon Court in Benque Viejo Del Carmen, with three games scheduled on the calendar. In the first game, in a U-20 encounter, West Side, who currently are (1-3) and holding on to the fourth seed in the division, will be going up against Young Stars, who presently boast a (2-2) record and the number three seed in the division.
Game two in the senior category puts SHJC/BNE against Spartans. SHJC/BNE currently has 3 wins and 2 losses in the division, and, with another win, assure themselves a playoff berth. Meanwhile, for the Spartans it is simple – they must win their remaining three games, if they are to have any post season dreams.
In the final game for the weekend, in Over 35 action, in a battle of the veterans, it will be (0-5) Esperanza Veterans playing out the string against the (2-2) ICB Veterans, who will be attempting to go one game over .500, but, more importantly, will be trying to secure a spot for post season play.
In games played last weekend, in U-20 action, West Side defeated Young Stars by the score of 48-36, behind Halil Alcoser 19 pts 4 asst and Evan Brown 11 pts 8 rebs 4 asst. Young Stars were led by the combo of Zamir Usher 11 pts 4 rebs 3 asst and Regis Morris 8 pts 6 rebs. In senior action, E Three Stars narrowly escaped the jaws of defeat, winning only by three, 58-55, over Maratown Patriots. They were led by the trio of Mark O’brien 16 pts 11 rebs, Jason Daly 9 pts 5 rebs and Jimmy Rudon 12 pts 7 rebs. Meanwhile, for Maratown Patriots it was Jovian “Grease” Urbina with 14 pts 6 rebs 4 asst 6 steals, teaming up with Calvin “Bindo” Welch 12 pts 14 rebs 3 asst and Justin “Erbs” Urbina 10 pts 6 rebs 3 asst. In Over 35 play, Belmopan Bandits blew out ICB Veterans by the score of 68-55. The Bandits had four players in double figures, led by Austin Flores 15 pts 5 rebs, Clive Sutherland 15 pts, Winston Arzu 12 pts 3 rebs and Arden Diego 10 pts 3 rebs. Meanwhile, for the Veterans it was Oscar “Jordan” Quewell with 25 pts 10 rebs 6 asst, followed by Elvis “Tigre” Usher with 13 pts 8 rebs.
Scores from last Saturday saw St. Ignatius High School slipping by Cayo Ballers in U-20 action, as Garrett Bermudez 15 pts 5 rebs and Frank Fuller 9 pts 13 rebs were too much for Ballers’ Kevin “Bing” Simpson 16 pts and Floyd “Big Jim” Moro 7 pts. In Senior play, Christ for Life obliterated Venus Warriors by the score of 80-44. Christ for Life was led by Keith “Superman”Acosta 17 pts 3 rebs, Mark Gentle 13 pts 4 rebs and Rico Black 12 pts; while for the Warriors it was Leon Myers with 15 pts 7 rebs and Jamie Edwards with 10 pts 6 rebs. Meanwhile, in Over 35 action, Benque Rockers improved to (4-1), as they rocked Esperanza Veterans 75-59, behind Marlon “Snake” Villanueva 25 pts, Meino “Skull” Bevans 22 pts, Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn 17 pts and Kirk Jones 11 pts. Meanwhile, for Esperanza it was Ernest Thompson 16 pts 3 rebs leading the way, followed by Ronald Reynolds 15 pts 4 rebs and Evan Reynolds 15 pts 7 rebs.