Sporting Highlights with Veteran Sportscaster James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
On Friday night, Central Bank forced a decisive 3rd game for the Interoffice Firms Division Basketball title with a 70 to 67 win over the Belize Bank Bulldogs. 24 hours later, the matter got settled at Bird’s Isle and there was no room for error. Roscoe Rhys got Belize Bank started with the big triple and would put up 11 pts and more importantly led his team with a game high 5 assists. Here’s one of them as he threads the needle to Tarique Gabb who was on fire leading his team with 23 pts. Gab who hits the 3-pointer here would set the pace for Belize Bank to show a 21-8 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.
Central bank turns to their go to man to get back into the ballgame. He trails this missed shot and goes lefty off the glass for 2. This turnaround jumper by Louriano is a thing of beauty and he would have a spectacular outing of 28 pts 19 rebounds—both game highs. Leslie Jacob also got going as he hits the long deuce for 2 of his 17 game points. And indeed Central bank is right back in the ballgame at half time only 6 points down. However, in the 3rd quarter, the bank breaks out big time; Mister Brian White powers his way through traffic and use the glass for 2. White then displays his versatility travelling base line to finish with the left hand. White would make heads turn with 22 pts 11 boards and the Bulldogs boast an 18 pts lead at the end of 3.
Brian White continues his torrid pace in the 4th, grabbing the rebound and sinking the put back. Congratulations to Mr. White who was voted MVP. Farron Louriano played his heart out for Central Bank and would tie. Brian White’s 38 efficiency rating in game 3 but the 71 to 57 final score gives Belize Bank the 2015 Interoffice title and we say congratulations. Meanwhile folks, it was a sweet weekend for the Belize Bank as we head into the national softball tournament which got off at Roger’s Stadium Friday evening. The Belize Bank got into Sunday’s finals after falling to B.T.L. in the opening round, while B.T.L. arrived with an unblemished record in 3 ballgames. Folk’s there is an intense rivalry between these 2 teams with Belize Bank beating B.T.L. in the 3-game finals for the Belize District title.
In the national competition, a 2-game loss automatically eliminated the teams so it was absolutely necessary for Belize Bank to survive game 1 of the finals and they did in a 14-13 squeaker in overtime. So we’re into the final showdown on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. 
Kenreen Gillette, pitching for the bank, faces Barbara Cadle with Lydia Cacho at 3rd. Cadle gets the double—Cacho easily scores and it’s a 1-nil lead for the telephone company. In the meantime, Kenisha Sutherland on the mound for B.T.L. was cruising along until she ran into Ashley Lucas on the 3rd with 2 on. This single up the middle brings home Greta Davis to tie the score. Lisa Jones then hits this roller to 3rd base; Beverly Hyde does not hold Cindy Joseph on base and the out at first allows Joseph to make it a 2-1 lead for the bank. Meanwhile, Marsha Willis ball to shortstop should have been handled by Noricia Frazier whose fumble allows Ashley Lucas to tack on another. In the top of the 4th, Ashley Lucas sends this pitch to left field to bring in Greta Davis from 3rd for the 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the 5th Noricia Frazier wallops Kenreen Gillette with this only homerun of the ballgame to make it a 4-2 deficit for B.T.L. We’re in the bottom of the 7th and the score is 5 to 2. Noricia Frazier with power to the outfield brings in Lydia Cacho all the way from 1st base. Ruth Lamb then comes up with this fly ball to bring home Noricia Frazier from 3rd and we’ve got a 5-4 ballgame with 1 out to go. The pressure is on Kenreen Gillette when she faces Martha Rhys. The roller to Lisa Torres at 3rd is handled in routine fashion by Lisa Jones and the throw to 1st records the 3rd out. Big respect to the Belize Bank who hold on to the 5-4 lead to take the 2015 national title.
We now take you out to yesterday’s Lionman Triathlon event here in Belize City and here is Brandon Santos with the best time of 23 minutes 2 seconds in the 1500 meteres swim. Eric Donis and Jordan Santos would pull up for 2nd and 3rd, 2 minutes 5 seconds later. The only female in the hunt, Kiara Eiley, pulled up 3rd from out the water. Kent Gabourel might have finished 8th in the swim, 7 minutes behind the stage winner but on the bicycle, he sure made up time winning in 1 hr. 3 mins; the 40K ride. In fact, the defending champion was well prepared because in the run, his time of 35 minutes in the 10 kilometers run was truly impressive and Kent Gabourel retains his Lionman title in 2015 in an overall time of 2 hrs 15 minutes. Amen Figueroa was his closest finisher 1 minute off the pace for 2nd place. and Eric Donis holds on to 3rd place overall in the male class with his total time of 2hours 19 minutes. Former champion, Kenroy Gladden had to settle for 4th place 8 mins 23 seconds off the pace. And Jody Williams rounds out the top 5. Of course Kiara Eiley was unchallenged with her time of 3 hours 5 minutes as she takes the ladies individual title. Jordan Santos won the Junior title; Ramon Figueroa prevailed in the masters class and the mixed Riley Team category was taken by Alicia Thompson, Anshon Leslie and Derick Conorquie.
In the weekend warriors A & B class which ran 48 miles, Preston Martinez of Kulture Tours took top honors, edging out his teammate, Wilbert Jones, who settles for 2nd and Mark Reid of Santino’s rounds out the top 3. In the C Class 36 mile ride, Valentine Sosa of Truckers grabbed the W; Marlon Richie of Kulture Tours and Enrique Morales of Caribbean finished 3rd.
In Billiards news, we say congratulations to Miramar team of Corozal featuring Audibaldo Monima, Alex Cho and Rodolfo Alvarez who crushed Elements of Belize City to win the 18th annual Belikin 8 Ball tournament staged at the Corozal Center over the weekend. Meanwhile folks, the 9th annual Kulture Tours 68 mile Cycling Race travelled from Leslie’s Imports through the Boom Road to the Crooked Tree junction and turn around to finish at mile 24 on the Northern Highway. Here’s the start. We are fortunate to have pictures of the finish of the elite race and it’s Brandon Cattouse of C-Ray grabbing the win in the field sprint, forcing Nissan Arana into 2nd, Ron Vasquez into 3rd and Oscar Quiroz fourth—All of Western Spirit. Meanwhile, Jasmar Guerra of Team Alliance rounds out the top 5.
Finally in football news, in PLB play, Wagiya FC and Police battled to a 2-all stalemate Saturday night at Independence, while on Sunday, B.D.F. and Placencia settled for a 1-1 tie and Verdes really punished the Belmopan Bandits in a 6-1 blast. However, this game is under protest because allegedly, Verdes FC used 5 international players in the blow-out. Stay tuned.
Looking ahead, plat in the PLB resumes on September 12th because of the departure of the national team. Wagiya will host Verdews FC and Placencia Assassins travel to Belmopan. On the 13th September, Police will battle the B.D.F. inside the Norman Broaster Stadium.
In closing, folks out national male football team wade into unchartered waters as they leave tomorrow for its September 4th date with the Canadian national team. The return match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th at the F.F.B. Stadium. Win, lose or draw, I’m a Belizean and you are too. Goh deh Jaguars.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
