Tiger Sharks’ Player of the Game – Francis Arana
by William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)
BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 26, 2025
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks and Belize City Thunderbolts are leading the Belize Premier Basketball League (BPBL) with 2 wins each, as the Tiger Sharks enjoyed their 2nd win, 109-101, over the Thunderbolts at the Belize City Civic Center last Saturday night, May 24.
Player of the Game – Francis Arana struck twice from outside the circle to lead the Tiger Sharks with 22 pts, 4 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals and a block! Minister Devin Daly struck 5 times from outside the arc for 21 pts, and Malik Hunt followed suit once outside the arc for 20 pts, 9 boards, 1 assist and 2 steals to tie the score, 55-55, at the half and take the lead, 82-73, at the end of the 3rd quarter. Jihad Wright and Tyrlel Griffith posted 12 pts each, Brian “Brybo” White put up 9 pts, and Keon Rowland netted 6 pts. Keith Pollard shot 4 pts, and Andrew Vasquez 3 pts.
Clency “Coope” Lopez top-scored with 32 pts for Thunderbolts, snagging 4 boards, while dishing out 5 assists and 3 steals. Victor Evans posted 20 pts, Matthew Young put up 16 pts, and Tyrone “TJ” Hall scored 14 pts. Import Larry Johnson shot 10 pts, while Eyan Rene and rookie Michael Caceres netted 3 pts apiece, and Alejandro Baptist threw in a bucket.
The Tiger Sharks had also cruised to a 74-47 win over the Corozal Cerros Suns at the Andres Campos Civic Center on Saturday, May 17, led by Arana’s 16 pts, Keon Rowland’s 15 pts, and Tyrell Griffith’s 14 pts. Earl “Bolo” Johnson posted 10 pts. Brandon Rogers had led the Suns with 11 pts.
The Thunderbolts had doubled the Punta Gorda Panthers, 106-51, last Thursday night, May 22, led by Evans’ 21 pts, Michael Caceres’ 16 pts, and T.J. Hall’s 15 pts. Eyan Rene shot 14 pts, Johnson posted 11 pts, and Lopez put up 10 pts. Matthew Young played big D, grabbing 16 boards, and netting 8 pts. Greg Fisher, Randy Henry, Donovan Baird and Baptist tossed in a bucket apiece. Dane Bradley led the Panthers with 15 pts, and Jonathan Guzman posted 10 pts.
The Thunderbolts had debuted with a 101-81 win over the EZ Investments Griga Dream Ballers at the Belize City Civic Center on Friday, May 16, led by T.J. Hall striking 4 times from outside the circle for 26 pts, and Evans followed suit thrice for 15 pts. Lopez posted 16 pts, Eyan Rene drained in a long trey to put up 15 pts, and Matthew Young shot 12 pts. Johnson dunked 9 pts, Everald Tablada netted 4 pts and Greg Fisher dunked the final bucket.
Daniel Conorquie had hit 6 times from outside the circle to lead the Dream Ballers with 24 pts; Deshawn Brackett followed suit thrice outside the arc for 19 pts, and Raheem Thurton hit 2 long treys to add 14 pts. Edgar Mitchell also hit a trey for 11 pts, and Kevon Laurie put up 9 pts.
The Dream Ballers enjoyed their first win, 88-76, over the Western Ballaz at the Russel “Chiste” Garcia auditorium in Dangriga last Saturday night, led by James Milton’s 32 pts. Brackett posted 15 pts, Conorquie struck twice from outside the circle for 10 pts, and Mitchell and Kevon Laurie shot 7 pts apiece. Antonio Flowers and Quinton Bowen scored 6 pts each, and Thurton added 5 pts. Arik Nicholas led the Ballaz with 24 pts, Dennis Flowers III posted 15 pts, and Anthony Howell put up 14 pts. Dangriga’s son Jaheim Ciego scored 12 pts, and Kyron “Tut” Molina shot 7 pts. Aaron Allison threw in a bucket.
The Western Ballaz had debuted with a 77-57 win over the Capital City Kings at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio on Saturday, May 17, led by Dennis Flowers’ 27 pts. Jevaughn McKenzie led the Kings with 16 pts.
Upcoming BPBL games:
Friday, May 30
Wesern Ballaz vs Capital City kings at UB Gymnasium
Saturday, May 31
Thunderbolts vs Cerros Suns at Andres Campos Civic Center