Tuesday’s Edition of Sports Monday
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
The 4 team semi-pro basketball playoffs got off with a bang over the weekend and we’ve got the head on collision between the #1 seed, Cayo Western Ballaz and the #4 seed, Dangriga Warriors inside the Sacred Heart High School Gymnasium Friday night. The home team opens with a 9-zip run as Roger Troyer deals to Mr. Defense who shows off his offensive skills with this move inside the paint for 2. Kurt Burgess would chair the boards today along with teammate Akeem Walters – both recording 16 rebounds each – the only 2 players with double digit numbers in this category. Elvis usher Jr. then sinks this triple as the Ballaz continue their total domination. At the end of the 1st, it’s a 14 to 3 lead for the Boys from the West.
In the 2nd quarter, the Warriors come alive. Edgar Mitchell raises up 3 and its nothing but cotton. It’s Mitchell breaking the Ballaz down court for the easy lay. #30 leads Dangriga in this outing with the team high 12. And guess what, at the half, we’re tied at 21 pts apiece. Edgar Mitchell continues to shine in 3rd and gives Dangriga its only lead in the ballgame at 32-30. Alas for the remainder of the quarter, the Warriors would only score 2 more points. Naturally, the Cayo team takes advantage. Ivan Flowers spots for 3 and delivers a total 8 in the outing. In the meantime, Akeem Walters has become a true star in the league as he gets the pass from Burgess and goes left for 2 off the glass. Check his stats out people. He scores the game high of 19 pts, ties chengo on the boards with 16 and gets the highest efficiency.
Of course Mister MVP always shows up and here he penetrates for 2 of his 14 game points – picks up the foul and completes the 3-point play from the charity stripes. Akeem Walters then displays his predatory skills as the Ballaz complete the separation. In fact, Walters says try and try again and you’ll succeed as he muscles way through for 2. Roger Troyer keeps up the pressure hitting from the 3 point area to give him a 13 pt lead going into the 4th quarter. The Ballaz had doubled Griga’s output in the 3rd scoring 26 to 13. Folks the rest of the way was a cruise for the Cayo team. Mr. MVP takes on 3 on his way for 2. The Ballaz go on to break the Warriors will to fight back scoring 18 to Griga’s 6 to grab game 1 of the 3 game series in a 65 to 40 final score.
In the other semi-final show down staged Saturday night at San Pedro, the Tiger sharks escaped from the Belmopan Bandits Red Taigaz in a 74 to 72 final score. Thus Game II in the semi’s find the Ballaz at Dangriga Friday night while Belmopan will host the Tigers come Saturday night. In the meantime, Sports Monday says kudos to Rogery Troyer, who emerged with MVP honors and his teammate Kurt Burgess had the Most Rebounds with 12.1 per game and also walked away with the award for Defensive Player of the Year. Terrel Eskridge of Belmopan posted 4.25 assist per outing to earn the assist title and big up to Greg Rudon of No Limit who lead the league in scoring with a 23.7 pt average.
Turning to the football scene play in the Smart Juvenile League saw City Boys blank 3rd World 2-zip; Ladyville Jaguars edged Collet Strikers 1-zip; Brown Bombers downed Jovaun Ramos 4-3; Young Warriors and Hattieville settled for a scoreless draw while London Strikers and Charlton also played to a nil-nil draw.
In table tennis news, play in the 2015 second Bi-Annual Smart Junior Ranking Tournament saw Taye Parkinson, Terry So and Samron Pott finish 1, 2, 3 in the 12 and under division. Latrell Solis emerged as champion in the 15 and under class with John Delcid 2nd and Maurice Alvarez 3rd while at the 18 and under category, Latrell Solis returned to grab top honors…Bjarne Gabourel had to settle for 2nd and Eric Liu 3rd.
In domino news, get ready for the Gilroy Usher’s Father’s Day Tournament on June 21st at Golburn Samuels residence on Freedom Street. To get in, dial 664-7101.
Finally in cycling news, the outback ranch cycling race was staged on the George Price Highway. It would run from mile 31 to mile 23 and then swing back to mile 33 to complete the lap. Some 40 riders in the Elite and Masters Class are suited up for yesterday’s start. And they’re off. We sight the riders in the 3rd lap with 4G teammates Giovanni Lovell and Joel Borland in the lead. They were being chased by Liam Stewart, Brandon Cattouse and Gregg Lovell. At the turn for the last lap, the configuration remains the same with the split between the lead 2 and the attaching 3 in the 80 mile ride. In fact it was a dominant performance by the 4 Digicell duo as Giovanni Lovell and Joel Borland easily finish 1 and 2. 28 seconds later, Brandon Cattouse of C-Ray outsprints Gregg Lovell of Digicell 4G for 3rd. Meanwhile, Liam Stewart of Western Spirit settled for 5th.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
