B.B.A. announces award winners
While the youngsters drilled at S.J.C., the Belize Basketball Association announced its honour roll at the Radisson. News 5’s James Adderley was on hand.
James Adderley, Reporting
The Belize Basketball Association convened a press conference at the Radisson Fort George Hotel today to present the two finalists in Capital Life action, and to announced the individual awards for the 2002 basketball season.
B.B.A. Commissioner Troy Gabb presided.
Troy Gabb, B.B.A. Commissioner
“This year’s format is a five series being played at the Belize City Centre. Game one is Friday, August second. Game two is Wednesday, August seventh. Game three is Friday, August ninth. Game four, if necessary, will be Wednesday, August fourteenth. And again, if necessary, game five will be Friday August sixteenth.”
The commissioner then released the names of the individual award winners for this year’s season. Mark “Quick” Bainton of Orange Walk’s Music Centre won the Most Steals Award with five point three per game. He also took the Most Assist per game with an average of nine point six, but more importantly he emerged with the prestigious MVP award. Hey you’re big my man!
Kirk Smith of Corozal Kaus took the Most Rebounds Award with fourteen point five per game. Most Points went to Keith Acosta of the B.T.L. Nets with an average of twenty-four point six. Bart Sanchez of the Raiders took home the Sixth Man Award and of course folks, Jeff Clinton of San Cas U.B. emerged Rookie of the Year.
Meanwhile folks, head coach Matthew Smiling looked at the upcoming five-game series from a rooster standpoint.
Matthew Smiling, Head coach, Raiders
“We have registered Leon Watson and also we have another registered player by the name of Quazie Fulton. We are trying to find avenues of getting them to Belize, but if we can’t, we go with what we have. Yes, we know our opponents have a height advantage, but the game still has to be played. I feel a lot of pressure sometimes to win and its not that say that if we don’t win that they will chop off my neck or anything like that, but winning brings a lot of pressure on an individual on a whole and I love to win.”
Head coach Brads Neal of San Cas U.B. was much more upbeat in his assessment of the upcoming series.
Brads Neal, Head coach, San Cas U.B.
“I think right now that we are the best team in the league. Were not backing down from anybody. We plan three and out, we might have to go four or five…”
James Adderley
“What makes you the best team, a 7-3 record?”
Brads Neal
“Not quite, I think in all positions I think that we match up very well against our opposing team for the championship. I think the Raiders are a very strong team, I respect them tremendously. Matthew is a great coach and we’ve been friends from we’re kids, and I just believe that in every position we match them up well. And I’m very confident in our ability, preparing and competing for the championships.”
So now you have it folks, it all comes down to Friday night’s big opening at the City Centre. Who will strike for win number one? Stay tuned to Channel 5. I’m James Adderley, reporting for News 5.
The awards will be formally presented during halftime of Friday’s B.B.A. final by none other than Milton Palacio.
