SAN IGNACIO TOWN, Sun. Mar. 13, 2016–Belmopan Bandits defends home court against Belize City No Limit
On Thursday night, Belize City No Limit traveled to the new capital to take on Belmopan Bandits, who is riding a four-game winning streak. Belmopan Bandtis (5-4) jumped out to an early 21-15 lead at the end of first quarter, which they extended to 45-28 going into intermission. However, the visiting team, Belize City No Limit (2-5) was able to cut the lead to 8 points at the end of the third quarter, 64-56, which they further reduced to 5 points in the fourth quarter. Belmopan Bandits then went on a 7-0 run to seal the 81-70 win down the stretch.
Jarrel “Bird” Velasquez was the top scorer for Belmopan Bandits with 17 points to go with 7 dishes and 3 rebounds, while Nick Brown also finished with 17 pts and 5 rebs. Stephen “Muerte” Williams sank 16 pts, which included 4 shots from behind the arc, while grabbing 5 rebs and 2 steals; and Kyle Pascasio finished the night with 10 pts and 8 rebs.
Gregory “Chippy” Rudon had his best offensive output for the season with 19 points and 6 assists, to go with 5 steals and 4 boards. Keith “Superman” Acosta finished the game with a double-double, recording 13 pts and 11 rebs; while Michael Babbles and Marcel Orosco netted 13 and 10 pts, respectively, for Belize City No Limit.
Belmopan Bandits out-rebounded Belize City No Limit, 48-34, while maintaining the lead for over 32 minutes of the game. Belize City No Limit had the edge on points off turnovers, 18-8, and on bench points, 18-13.
Cayo Western Ballaz got huge win versus Dangriga Warriors
Dangriga Warriors traveled out west on Friday night to take on Cayo Western Ballaz, who was coming off a huge win in San Pedro last weekend. Cayo Western Ballaz had the early lead at the end of the first quarter, 17-15, which increased to 29-25 at the half. Down the stretch in the fourth quarter, Dangriga Warriors gave a run to take a 1 point lead with less than a minute to go. However, key free-throws from Winston Pratt and James Milton sealed the victory for the home team, 63-61.
Cayo Western Ballaz (6-4) was led by James Milton, who had a double-double, with the game high 22 pts and 15 rebs; while Brandon Flowers finished with another double-double, tallying 11 pts and 13 rebs.
Dangriga Warriors (5-5) was led by James Ewing, who had 17 pts and 11 rebs; while league-leading rebounder, Macario Augustine tallied 13 pts to go with 14 rebs. Edgar Mitchell finished the night with 10 pts, 7 rebs and 3 assists. Both teams grabbed 43 rebs, but Dangriga Warriors had a 12-7 advantage on points off turnovers.
Smart Belize Hurricanes sweeps season series versus San Pedro Tiger Sharks
Two time defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks traveled to Belize Elementary School gym to try and avenge their loss against Smart Belize Hurricanes on Friday night. The home team threw the first punch, taking a 25-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. They kept the lead, as they finished the first half with a 37-28 advantage. At the end of the third quarter, San Pedro Tiger Sharks was able to cut the lead to 51-48, and a 1-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, Smart Belize Hurricanes was able to pull away in the end, winning 78-69, to increase their first place seeding by two games.
Smart Belize Hurricanes (9-1) was led by the league’s top scorer, Farron Louriano, who had another double-double with the game high 29 pts and 11 rebs, to go with 2 assists and 2 steals; Brian White finished with another monster double-double, tallying 13 pts and the game high 17 rebs. Leroy Louriano finished the night with 11 pts, 5 rebs and 4 assists.
The top scorer for San Pedro Tiger Sharks (5-3) was Caleb Sutton with 17 pts and 4 rebs. Gene Myvett tallied 12 pts, 6 assists and 5 rebs, while Andrew Ortiz finished the game with 8 pts and 11 rebs.
Smart Belize Hurricanes out-rebounded the visiting team, 52-43, while having the 20-17 advantage on second chance points.
Belize City No Limit wins by forfeit
Belize City No Limit (3-5) won by forfeit on Saturday night, since Orange Walk Running Rebels (2-5) was a no show.
Dangriga defeats Independence, in final battle of the south
On Saturday night, Dangriga Warriors hosted Independence Thunderbolts at the Ecumenical College, in an attempt to avenge their Friday night loss in San Ignacio. Dangriga Warriors came out hot, taking a 28-16 lead at the end of first quarter. By the intermission, the lead was increased to 55-32, as the home team easily defeated Independence Thunderbolts, 111-77.
Dangriga Warriors (6-5) was led by Daniel “Buddy” Nolberto, who tallied 21 pts, 4 assists and 3 rebs; while Akeem Trapp sank 16 pts to go with 2 dimes, 2 caroms and 2 steals. Edgar Mitchell finished the night with 15 pts, 6 dishes, 3 steals and 2 boards; while James Ewing had a quiet double-double with 13 and 10, and Macario Augustine also had a 12 and 15 double- double. Nayib Casimiro and Gary Francisco scored 10 and 9 pts, respectively.
The top scorer for Independence Thunderbolts (0-9) was Hyram Augustine, who had the game high with 22 pts to go with 7 rebs and 4 steals, while Aaron Valerio finished with 15 pts. Arnold Torres scored 14 pts and grabbed 5 rebs, and Alroy Foreman netted 11 pts and pulled 6 boards. Dangriga Warriors had a 52-32 rebounding advantage, and an 18-6 advantage on fast break points. This game had a record scoring off the bench, as Dangriga had 59 bench points compared to Independence 43 points.
Upcoming games:
Friday at 9 p.m. – Cayo Western Ballaz at Belize City No Limit
Friday at 9:15 p.m. – Smart Belize Hurricanes at Dangriga Warriors
Friday at 9 p.m. – Belmopan Bandits at Orange Walk Running Rebels
Friday at 9 p.m. – San Pedro Tiger Sharks at Independence Thunderbolts
All games can be followed live on our website at nebl.sportingpulse.net, with real time box scores while the game is being played. The website also has all game scores, box scores, players and teams’ statistics, along with standings for the season.
(Ed. Note: In games played the previous week: On Friday night, March 4, Orange Walk Running Rebels clipped Belize City No Limit, 81-74, in Sugar City; Belmopan Bandits dropped Dangriga Warriors, 65-60, in Griga; Smart Belize Hurricanes got the 76-67 win over Cayo Western Ballaz in San Ignacio; and on Saturday night, March 5, Belize City No Limit vs Independence Thunderbolts at Bird’s Isle was postponed due to rain, and Cayo Western Ballaz shocked San Pedro Tiger Sharks, 61-58, in San Pedro.)