Amateur basketball opens at Bird’s Isle
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and you’re locked into this fresh dish of Sports Monday. It might not be semi-pro basketball, but it’s certainly the only game in town, which has forced everybody back into the amateur ranks. That may a good thing for now, and we join President Bernard Wagner of the Belize District Basketball Association for a bit of his opening remarks.
Bernard Wagner, Pres., Belize District Basketball Assoc.
“Respect the your coaches, respect the officials, respect your opponent, learn to appreciate the fans… but most of all respect yourselves.”
Of course, respect is due and we now go to the action on the court as defending under-20 champion Belize Bank Wildcats take on archrival Team Colonial, and with the tip off we’re underway.
It’s off to a running start for Belize Bank when Jerome Ellis speeds down court and gets the left hand to drop. Down low, Jamir Enriquez takes charge for the bank as they begin to extend the lead quickly.
For Team Colonial, Marlon Palmers provides the reply pulling his team to a one-point deficit. On this possession, the bank shows good ball movement and Jamir Enriquez sinks the baseline jumper – and at the half it’s still a one point Wildcats lead.
In second half action Chester Noralez gives Team Colonial it’s only lead of the ballgame with this 3-pointer, but this only wakes up the bankers.
Deep from the baseline Enriquez replies with a three of his own to give his team a 2-point lead and they would never look back.
We’re not certain if Jerome Ellis called bank here, but he nails the three anyway. Belize Bank makes it a 15-zip run when Enriquez hits this jumper. He would finish with the game high as the Wildcats go on to post the 52-83 blowout.
We now turn to Division I action and your eyes are not playing tricks on you, it’s indeed Belize’s number one baller Keith Acosta jumping for Brodies Travellers against Englebert Cherrington of the Wildcats, a team comprised mostly of SJC players under the guidance of Matthew Smiling.
The first point of the ballgame comes from Chaka Lightburn and it’s against Acosta who gets tagged with the first foul of the ballgame.
Lightburn couldn’t come up with the three, so at the other end Acosta demonstrates how it should be done. The give and go between J.P. Westby and Darren Bovell then works to perfection as Bovell executes the finish.
Chaka Lightburn in heavy traffic goes lumber for two as he pulls the Wildcats ahead. At the other end Darren Bovell gives his team a 10 point Brodies lead with this baseline move and he does get fouled in the act.
At the half its still a 10 point Brodies lead.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats come out strong from intermission. Bryan Grant finds Deon Augustus who nails the 3. However, Keith Acosta comes up with the steal here and speeds downcourt to slam it home for a 13 point Travellers lead. Acosta would finish with the game high 21 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists.
Chaka Lightburn tries to keep his team in the ballgame in heavy traffic – he would lead the Wildcats with two doubles of 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Meanwhile folks, Darren Bovell goes to save this ball disappears not only off the ball court, but off the screen. Fortunately, he would sustain no serious injuries.
Acosta then hooks up with Claude “Too Tall” Jones and he smashes it home for two points. Now watch “Too Tall” return the favour for a monster one hand Keith Acosta slam.
Okay, slam-dunk season is now open when “Too Tall” demonstrates again, as Brodies Travellers begin to pull away.
The route continues when Westby spots Darren Bovell unattended, which makes the two points automatic.
In fact, the SJC boys begin to wilt even more as again Darren Bovell is left unattended and again he comes up the conversion.
Brodies Travellers goes on to post the 63-46 W to start off this year’s amateur season.
Turning to the football scene, here are results from play in week 18 of the BFL regular season. Kulture Yabra bombed Yabra Dolphins 7-0 to grab a share of first place. Builders Hardware kept its share after a 1-1 tie with Real Verdes. Metro Stars moved into the sixth spot after clobbering Caye Caulker Turquoise 4-ziip out at the island. Sagitun stayed in third place burning Griga Tropical 1-zip. Juventus picked up 3 points with a 3-nil bombing of Jube Santa Elena and Acros down Lazio Jumex 1-zip Saturday night at the MCC Grounds in what seems to be a controversial ballgame.
Turning to horseracing news, Sunday’s meet at Burrell Boom saw MiLady of Bradley’s Stable stake the F-Class in 4 furlongs in 54.8 seconds. Ginger of Gillett’s Stable took the E-Class 4-furlong in 52.5 seconds. Lianney’s Gift of Skeen’s Stable won the open C and D Class in 1 minute 16 seconds, and Baby Kristie of Swan’s Stable was victorious in the open A and B Class 7 furlongs in 1 minutes 37 seconds.
