MVP Ballers – 2025 Ahmadiyya Youth Basketball Under-12 Champions
by William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)
BELIZE CITY, Sun. Apr. 6, 2025
The “MVP Ballers”, coached by Belize Elite Basketball MVP Nigel Jones, won the Ahmadiyya Under-12 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 the championship finals at the Belize City Civic Center on Sunday, April 6.
ABS Hard Rock – 2025 Ahmadiyya Youth Basketball Under-12 Sub-Champions
In the final, Team MVP won, 29-19, over ABS Hard Rock, led by Emil Moreno who struck thrice from outside the circle for 9 pts. Gilbert Pilgrim put up 6 pts, Kiyan Eiley shot 4 pts, and Tolvan Martinez netted 3 pts. Jett Diab and Rasheed Blades tossed in a bucket apiece, and Kai Arana added a free throw. Eduardo Cocom led Hard Rock with 11 pts, Nigel Yorke scored 5 pts, and Khaliyq Madrill threw in a bucket. Rayjon Mahler netted a free throw.
In the playoffs at SJC gym the week before, the Brotherhood Ballers advanced to the semifinals by a 33-28 win over the Conquering Lions. Jaythan Young led the Ballers with 19 pts, Joseph Codd shot 11 pts, and Kenneth Foreman threw in a bucket. Jahshane Vicente led the Conquering Lions with 14 pts, Kenya Gillett scored 6 pts, and Izane Lopez and Karson Gillett shot 4 pts each.
In the first semifinal, ABS Hard Rock qualified to the finals by a 24-23 win over Habet & Habet Nashus Ballers, led by Nigel Yorke’s 10 pts. Hilberto Ayala and Ryan Moody shot 6 pts each, and Khaliyq Madrill tossed in a bucket. Greg Harris led Nashus with 11 pts, Heinrich Gonzalez scored 8 pts, and Kahwani Enriquez and Jamarie Panting threw in a bucket apiece.
In the other semifinal, the MVP Ballers also advanced to the final by a 32-14 win over the Brotherhood Ballers, led by Tolvan Martinez’s 10 pts. Cayden Collins put up 8 pts, Kiyan Eiley shot 4 pts, and Antonio Robinson, Rasheed Blades, Gilbert Pilgrim and Jett Diab each threw in a bucket. Brotherhood’s Jaythan Young scored 7 pts, Joseph Codd shot 5 pts, and Marquise Velasquez tossed in a bucket.
(l-r) Kai Arana – 1st Place Shooting Contest, Emil Moreno – Most Valuable Player and Nigel Jones – 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 Heinrich Gonzalez of Habet & Habet Nashus 1st Place, and Brotherhood’s Joseph Codd 2nd Place; and in the shooting contest, Kai Arana of MVP Ballers won 1st Place, and Rasheed Blades won 2nd Place. Emil Moreno of MVP Ballers won the Most Valuable Player award, and Nigel Jones received the Best Coach award.