Sporting highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
Stop the press. In week 6 of the PLB Football season, San Ignacio United finally got its 1st win of the semi-pro competition using the home field advantage inside the Norman Broaster Stadium yesterday to pounce on a struggling FC Belize for the 1-zip big W. Nevertheless, it’s FC Belize with the early momentum as Brandon Jones jumps on this loose ball inside the box to fire a right foot that goalkeeper Elmer Calderon heroically punches out while the 2nd attempt by Julian Maldonado fails to hit the target. FC continues in the ascending as James Bermudez does the dance around Rafael August Jr., and again a flying Maldonado comes up with a necessary intervention.
FC keeper, German Grajalez finally gets tested around the 37th minute with this at piece launch from Julian Maldonado. In early 2nd half action, Maldonado tries the acrobatic shot with the left foot that falls short of expectation. Devan Zuniga looks for the far corner to open the scoreboard for FC Belize but Calderon hangs tough. Now watch this long distance bouncer from Edmond Martinez that inches outside the far upright and German Grajalez castigates his defense for its apparent failure. Folks, if Grajalez is having a bad day then things just gets worse when Torben Bhrens sends this ball at goal which should have been a routine save; Grajalez fumbles and Cyril Simmons makes him pay to give San Ignacio United the 1-zip lead with some 8 minutes to the long whistle. It’s the goal that gives San Ignacio its first win and its first points so break out the champagne and we say congratulations you’ve shut down the doubters.
In other action around the league, Police mauled Paradise Freedom Fighters in a 5-3 finish; Belmopan Bandits burned Placencia Texmar Assassins 1-zip, while on Sunday Wagiya FC used the home field advantage to halt the B.D.F. in a 2 – 2 stalemate. Nevertheless, the B.D.F. marches to the top of the standings with an eleven point showing; Belmopan Bandits, Verdes FC and Placencia Texmar all record 10 pts each in that respective order due to goal difference; Police United remains in the hut with 9 pts; Wagiya is still in the race with 8 pts, while the cellar finds FC Belize, Paradise Freedom Fighters and San Ignacio all with 3 pts apiece in that order. Looking to week 7, the B.D.F. and Belmopan Bandits battle for the lead on Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at the People’s Stadium while Police and Wagiya face each other at the Isidro Beaton in a crucial shutdown and on Sunday, Paradise Freedom Fighters face San Ignacio determine who escapes the cellar and it’s a biggie at the Norman Placencia Assassins when Verdes FC takes aim at Placencia Assassins as both teams battle for a share of the lead.
Turning to the basketball scene, the Anglican Cathedral College and St. John’s College put on an exciting display in the Central Division Secondary School Basketball Tournament Friday night at Big Bird’s Isle. We pick up the action when Sydney Bucket Bradley spots Dudley Erskine on the move beats everybody down court for an uncontested layup for 2 of his game high 26 pts. At the other end, D’Andre Arana finds Antwon Rivero who gets the bounce for 3 pts—he would hit a team high 25 pts including 5-three pointers. SJC jumps to a 4 pt lead when Jahrell Dawson sinks this turnaround jumper for 2 of his 9 game points. Kelvin Hendy comes up with loose ball and lays it in for 2 of his 13 pts to tie the ballgame at 32 points apiece at the half.
We’re late in the 2nd quarter play when Holdane Suazo picks off this pass to streak down court for 2 of his 14 pts as captain for ACC. Meanwhile, Dudley Erskine displays his patented move to appear uncontested down court and Sydney Bradley again finds him as Captain Erskine of SJC lands the freebie and would score 6 unanswered pts to tie the game at 40 pts apiece. At the half, we have a tied ballgame at 2 apiece. Big Kelvin Hendy grabs this rebound and the put back is good to give ACC a 3 pt lead late in the 3rd. b8t this rough move by Dudley Erskine ties the ballgame at 63 apiece to end the 3rd. in the dying seconds of 4th quarter, SJC is down by 2 when Dudley Erskine maneuvers through traffic to knot the score at 63 pts apiece—so we go to overtime.
In overtime play, Keyvon Evans comes up with the put back and would finish with 15 pts. Antwon Rivero then sinks this nice baseline one hand floater as ACC begins to pull away. Big props to Kelvin Hendy with this huge rebound and a gargantuan put back for ACC. ACC goes on to post the 77 to 70 big win and we say kudos.
Changing gears, the determined Avengers Ladies Group presents Hattieville Day 1st Expo Style 2014; this Saturday, November 29th, highlighters by football marathon featuring U-14, U-20 and seniors in action. Coach Lalo at 669-4330 is the contact to get in this all day family affair.
Checking in on the B.N.E. National Junior Championships, Terry So won the 12 and under category with Desiree Amagual 2nd and Shahil Hotchandani 3rd. Latrell Solis took the U-15 class with Jaylen Nicholson 2nd and John Delcid 3rd. John Delcid returned to capture the U-18 category forcing Latrell Solis into 2nd and Luis Bardalez into 3rd.
Finally folks, Byron Pope of Benny’s Megabytes easily won the open elite 10 laps in the 1st Annual 19th November Criterium Race in downtown Belize City. He beat out 2 junior riders of the Smart Team—Patrick Williams and Darien Anderson, in that order. However, Darien Anderson was the big winner in the Junior 25 laps beating out his Smart teammate, Patrick Williams, while unattached Anthony Marin finished a distant 3rd. now give it up for Shelton Graham who celebrates his victory in the open A Class 25 laps with Orson Butler grabbing 2nd place and Mike Lewis of Smart finishes 3rd.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
