SAN IGNACIO TOWN, Sun. Apr. 12, 2015–The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) resumed after the Easter break with some key games that had significant playoff implications. Fans are reminded that all games have a live webcast, where the play-by-play, along with box scores, are available for all games. Fans can follow every game live on the internet, as scores are in real time, at nebl.sportingpulse.net.
Tiger Sharks hand Western Ballaz their first loss of the season
The once undefeated Cayo Western Ballaz (7-1) were handed their first loss by the defending champs, San Pedro Tiger Sharks (6-2), on Saturday night at San Pedro High School in San Pedro Town. The home team was able to secure a 79-75 huge victory, reclaiming their repertoire of being a fourth quarter team who displays a great degree of confidence and clutch performance down the stretch. Trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter, the Tiger Sharks mounted a huge comeback, sending the game to over-time, where they were able to secure the victory. The leading scorer for the home team was Darwin “Puppy” Leslie, who finished with 22 pts, 5 rebs, 3 steals, while drawing 13 fouls in the game, where he shot 18 free throws. Milton James finished the night with a double-double, 16 pts and 10 rebs; while Ashton Edwards had 15 pts and 4 steals, and Douglas Valley netted 11 pts. In a losing effort, Cayo Western Ballaz was led by Richard Troyer, who had the game high with 33 pts and 9 rebs; while Akeem Watters finished with 17 pts and 5 rebs, and Kurt “Chengo” Burgess scored 9 pts, to go with 12 rebs and 5 steals.
Dangriga Warriors get huge win in Orange Walk
The Dangriga Warriors (3-5) got a much needed victory against Orange Walk Running Rebels (2-6) at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex on Saturday night, maintaining a tie for the fourth and final playoff spot with Belize City No Limit. The Warriors was able to pull away in the fourth quarter, securing the 70-55 victory, as they were led by Daniel Nolberto, who scored the game high 25 pts. Edgar Mitchell had 13 pts with 2 assists, while Jamir Flores sank 12 pts. The Running Rebels was led by Randy Usher, who tallied 24 pts with 3 rebs; while Ian Carcamo had 7 pts with 4 boards. With the loss, Orange Walk Running Rebels is 1 game back in the loss column, for the fourth and final playoff spot.
No Limit gets revenge against city rivals, as Chippy Rudon scored 38
Belize City No Limit (3-5) got a huge win Saturday night at Bird’s Isle, where they narrowly edged the Belize Hurricanes (2-6), after they were trailing by 9 points in the fourth quarter, to come back and secure a 59-56 win. No Limit was led by Gregory “Chippy” Rudon, who had the game high 38 pts, to go with 2 assists and 2 rebs, on 71% shooting from the field.
Lennox Bowman finished the night with 8 pts, 4 rebs, 2 assists and 3 steals; while Brandon Rodgers had 6 pts with 7 rebs. In a losing effort, Belize Yellow Pages Hurricanes was led by Brian White, who tallied a double-double with 10 pts and 11 rebs; while Akeem Trapp finished with 10 pts, 5 rebs, 4 assists and 3 steals. Ervin Orosco netted 8 pts, and Leon Williams scored 6 pts while grabbing 9 boards. With the loss, Hurricanes is now 1 game back in the loss column, for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Upcoming games
All regular season games will be played this coming Friday night at 9:00 p.m., due to All Star Night on Saturday. Belize City No Limit (3-5) will travel north to take on the Orange Walk Running Rebels (1-6) at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex in Orange Walk Town. This is a must win for Orange Walk Running Rebels, if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. San Pedro Tiger Sharks (6-2) will travel to Belize City to take on Belize Yellow Pages Hurricanes (2-6) at the Belize Elementary Gym. The last game of the night will see Belmopan Red Taigaz (5-2) head down south to take on the Dangriga Warriors (3-5) at the Ecumenical College, while Cayo Western Ballaz gets a bye this coming weekend.
All Star Night
On Saturday, the All Star Night will be held at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio Town, with tip-off of the Smart All Star Game being at 8:00 p.m. Opening ceremonies and the introduction of players will be at 7:45 p.m. The All Star Game will be followed by the Scotia Bank Three Point Shootout, with the night ending with the much anticipated Mek Mi Rich Slam Dunk Contest. This will be one of the biggest basketball events held in Belize for the past decade, so fans are reminded to make sure they make it to this much anticipated basketball event.
NEBL 2015 – Basketball at its best!!