SAN IGNACIO TOWN, Sun. Jan. 24, 2016–Smart Belize Hurricanes dampened Western Ballaz trip to the city
On Friday night, Smart Belize Hurricanes (2-0) hosted Winston Pratt and Cayo Western Ballaz (1-1) at the Belize Elementary School gym in Belize City for another showdown of two of the top teams in the league. The game was extremely intense, with great fan turnout, as both sides were able to respond to their opponent’s offensive output. The home team had a three-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but they were able to extend the lead and seal the 96-87 victory down the stretch. Smart Belize Hurricanes was led by Brian White, who had a huge double-double, with 21 points and the game high 18 rebounds. Sharp-shooter Jacob Leslie finished the night with 20 pts, including 4 three-pointers, and Darwin “Puppy” Leslie tallied 18 pts with 5 assists and 3 rebs. Cayo Western Ballaz was led by Winston Pratt, who had the game high with 29 pts, 6 steals, 5 rebs and 3 assists, including 4 three-point makes. Brandon Flowers had 18 pts and 7 boards, while Elvis Usher scored 12 pts, to go with 5 assists and 4 steals, and Jamal Harris scored 10 pts and grabbed 9 rebs. Smart Hurricanes dominated the paint, outscoring Cayo Western Ballaz, 50-30, while also out-rebounding Ballaz, 51-37. The game had 18 lead changes and 11 ties, while Smart Hurricanes also led in second chance points, 21-7, and also in fast-break points, 18-4.
New franchise, Independence Thunderbolts held their own against Belize City No Limit, falling short by only one point
Belize City No Limit (2-0) traveled down south to take on Independence Thunderbolts (0-2) at the Independence High School auditorium on Saturday night. What many anticipated to be an easy game for the visiting squad, turned out to be a dog fight at the Independence High School auditorium, as the home team gave an impressive showing, falling short, 74-73. Belize City No Limit was led by last year’s leading scorer, Gregory “Chippy” Rudon, who tallied 19 pts, 7 assists, 5 steals and 3 rebs. Earl “Bolo” Johnson finished the night with 15 pts and 6 boards, while Lennox Bowman scored 12 pts, to go with 4 assists, 4 rebs and 3 steals, and Brandon Rogers sank 10 pts in the win. Independence Thunderbolts’ leading scorer was Hyram Augustine, who had the game high 23 pts off the bench, to go with 7 caroms and 6 steals. Alroy Foreman tallied 14 pts, 9 boards and 3 steals, while Zane Burgess finished the game with a double-double of 12 pts and the game high 16 rebs. Belize City No Limit dominated the paint, outscoring Independence, 48-32, while out-rebounding them, 48-39. Belize City No Limit also had the edge on fast break points, 28-18, but Independence Thunderbolts’ bench outscored Belize City No Limit, 42-21.
Defending champs still undefeated on the island; Bandits could not steal the game
On Sunday afternoon, San Pedro Tiger Sharks (1-0) had their season debut out on the island at the San Pedro High School. The defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks remained undefeated on their home court, as they handed Belmopan Bandits (0-2) their second consecutive loss of the season. Belmopan Bandits had a 56-48 lead with less than five minutes remaining, but were unable to close off the game, where San Pedro was more poised down the stretch, to grab the 61-60 victory. San Pedro Tiger Sharks was led by Ashton Edwards, who scored 14 pts, to go with 4 rebs. Newcomer Gene Myvett finished the game with a double-double, tallying 11 pts, 10 rebs and 4 steals, while their foreign player, Caleb Sutton netted 10 pts and grabbed 6 boards. American player Nick Brown had the game high for Belmopan Bandits with 21 pts, while grabbing 7 rebs, and Rhetton Belisle finished with 13 pts and 3 boards. Geovanie Lennan tallied 11 pts and 7 rebs, and Kurt “Chengo” Burgess finished with the game high 14 rebs and 8 pts. San Pedro Tiger Sharks scored 21 points off turnovers, compared to 7 for Belmopan Bandits. Belmopan Bandits out-rebounded the defending champs, 56-48, but San Pedro outscored them in the paint, 30-24.
Upcoming games
On Friday night, San Pedro Tiger Sharks will travel far west to take on their rivals, Cayo Western Ballaz, at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio Town at 9:00 p.m. This surely promises to be another showdown match of the season, as these two teams have met in the finals for the past two seasons. To add to the drama, Milton James moved from San Pedro and is now rolling with Ballaz this season. Also on Friday night, Belize City No Limit will travel up north to take on the Orange Walk Running Rebels at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex at 9:00 p.m. Belize City No Limit will attempt to push their winning streak to three games, while Orange Walk will be playing their first game of the season. On Saturday night, Belmopan Bandits will host Dangriga Warriors at the UB gymnasium in Belmopan at 8:00 p.m. Both teams will be trying to record their first win of the season. The last game of the weekend will see Smart Belize Hurricanes hosting Independence Thunderbolts at the Belize Elementary School gym in Belize City on Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. Smart Belize Hurricanes will try to remain undefeated in this season, while Independence Thunderbolts will make their third try to secure their first victory in their young franchise history.
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.