Photo: UB Black Jaguars – ATLIB Men’s Basketball Champions 2024
by William Ysaguirre
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Dec. 2, 2024
The University of Belize (UB) Black Jaguars men won the 2024 Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) national basketball championship hosted by Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College at the Russell “Chiste” Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga on Saturday, November 30.
Photo: Wesley Junior College – ATLIB Men’s Basketball Sub-Champions 2024
In Game 1, the Central Regional champions, Wesley Junior College dominated the Northern regional champions, Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College (CEMJC) Stallions, 62-43, led by Joshua Bradley’s 19 pts. Raheem Thurton posted 18 pts, Joshua Ferguson and Elmer Hamilton shot 5 pts each, and Kerdell Tench and Anigi Conorquie added 4 pts apiece. CEMJC’s Mark Velasquez struck twice from outside the arc, as he and Azian Adolphus scored 12 pts each. Mark Bainton followed suit outside the circle for 9 pts, and Elias Arias scored 7 pts. Arjun Ajay-Ramclam added 3 pts.
In Game 2, the Western Regional champions, UB men blew away the Southern Regional champions, Ecumenical Junior College (EJC) Drummers, 100-21, as Tevaughn Dawson struck twice from outside the circle for 20 pts, and Allizair Rhaburn struck four times from outside the arc for 14. Melvin Hulse followed suit for 9 pts, while Tayshaun Dawson posted 11 pts, and Tevaan Dakers put up 10 pts. Tyrell Griffith scored 8 pts, Greg Fisher shot 7 pts, and Roderick Castillo netted 5 pts. Ajay Grant and Isaiah Pascual added 4 pts each, and Dario Cruikshank and Patrick King each threw in a bucket. Harrison Palacio led the EJC hosts with 7 pts, Kerry Smith put up 5 pts, Michael Pipersburgh scored 4 pts, and Aldrid Arzu drained in a long trey.
In Game 3, the consolation match for 3rd place, the EJC Drummers dominated the CEMJC Stallions, 50-32, led by Shemar Thomas striking 4 times from outside the arc for 22 pts. Anfernie Vasquez followed suit for 8 pts, Smith shot 7 pts, and Pipersburgh added 6 pts. Palacio hit a trey to add 4 pts. Bainton led CEMJC with 11 pts, and Velasquez posted 9 pts, Adolphus and Arias added 4 pts apiece, and Jaylen Griffith tossed in a bucket.
In Game 4, the championship final, the UB men came from behind to prevail, 69-61, over the Wesley men, led by Tevaughn Dawson dunking 16 pts. Tayshaun Dawson put up 12 pts, Grant posted 11 pts and Rhaburn struck twice from outside the circle for 9 pts. Castillo shot 8 pts, Fisher hit a trey as he scored 7 pts, and Tyrell Griffith added 4 pts for the victorious UB.
Thurton and Hamilton each struck twice from outside the circle for 18 pts and 16pts, respectively, for Wesley to lead 16-15 in the 1st quarter and 35-29 at the half. Conorquie scored 9 pts, Bradley and Roches put up 8 pts apiece, and Ferguson netted 4 pts in the loss.
ATIB sports director Faustino Yaxcal presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions, sub-champions and 3rd place winners in the closing ceremony after the finals.