B.N.E. Oilers secure last spot in hoop playoffs
Good evening I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
With three teams already into the postseason of Semi-pro basketball, the battle for the final playoff berth raged up north at the Corozal Civic Center Saturday night as the Corozal Running Rebels hosted B.N.E. Oilers of Belmopan.
It’s a pretty good start for the visiting team who have spurted to a 5-zip lead when Aubrey Lopez adds to the lead with this beauty.
The Rebels response is go to good teamwork which is rewarded by two points from Juvencio Serano.
Eric Cheers then goes for the three point shot and sinks it.
The Corozal Team continues to surge as Jason Daly strikes for two of his 12 points.
And at the end of the first quarter, the B.N.E. Oilers have cut the deficit to a solitary point.
Nevertheless, the Oilers continue to dominate in the second quarter as Christian Rodriguez gets two, gets the foul, sinks the extra point – he would finish with 18 points.
Tonight Rodriguez is strutting his stuff; he goes to the left hand to bring in three more points the old fashioned way.
Bart Sanchez who would lead the Oilers with 19 points floats in for two of them right here.
At the halfway point the visitors from Belmopan boast a 35-29 lead.
In the third quarter the Oilers really extend the lead – The long pass from Sanchez finds Aubrey Lopez who would record the only double-double of the ballgame with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
In the meantime Christian Rodriguez is left unattended so he strikes for three to give his team a 9 point lead.
At the end of three, the visitors are up by a double digit 14 points.
The Rebels do mount that famous charge in the fourth – Rupert Brown wants three, he gets three. He would lead Corozal with 25 points.
Eric Cheers, sensing the moment, launches the long three as the Corozal surge continues and they’re only down by six.
This move by Aubrey Lopez halts that Corozal run as he gets two for the Oilers.
Rupert Brown comes right back with three for the host team.
No, this is not a replay – Rupert Brown is back for three and gets it – the home team is only down by two.
However when Bart Sanchez slams this bucket home the momentum returns to the Oilers who go on to post the 77 to 70 big W and the Capital City Gang is into the playoffs.
Thus the post season begins this Friday, June 29th at the Civic Center here in Belize City where the Belize Bank Bulldogs will host the B.N.E. Oilers to kick off their semi-final three game series.
On Saturday the other semi finds the San Pedro Tigersharks and the Orange Walk Eagles out at the island – so stay tuned.
Turning to the Guinness 9-ball Pool Tournament, action over the weekend at Dangriga saw RZ Snipers blank Chicks 5-zip while 3rd Base edged eagles 3-2. On Saturday 3rd Base tackles RZ Snipers and on Sunday Eagles fly at Fuentes.
Out at Capital City Belmopan, Cardinal Pharmacy dumped Las Flores 3-2, Special Effect Spoilers beat Magnificent 7 also 3-2 and Donaldo Welders also got a 3-2 win over Salvapan Shattazz.
On this weekend’s schedule in Belmopan, Special Effect faces Cardinal Pharmacy on Saturday and Magnificent 7 will see action against Donaldo Welders. On Sunday Salvapan Shattazz take on Las Flores.
Turning to the track & field scene, the Belize Amateur Athletic Association presented Olympic Run 2007 yesterday here in the city and we are at the start where the runners are being given last minute instructions about the route, the rules and the eight different categories are being featured today.
Meet Frederich Gordon who emerges the overall winner of the 5k run. Kent Emmanuel, his nearest challenger, takes second place in this category in a contested finish with Rudolph Sho who is given third place.
On the female side Elsa Lucas takes the 5k open, forcing Shadine Ottley into second and Lisette Vanegas into third.
The High Schools also ran the 5k with Michael Williams taking top honours on the male side beating out Rhaburn Castillo and Winston Lord in the order. On the female side, Nisha Ottley finished in first place as Vashlyn Lizama picked up second and Kyra Gentle third.
Veteran Luis Halls took the Male Masters Class beating out Andres Grajalez and Sebastian Nunez respectively.
Softball great Delsey Lizama turned heads yesterday by winning Female Masters Class forcing Teresita Grajalez and Kathleen Talbert into second and third in that order.
Among the primary Scholars who ran only two point five kilometres, Keith Anderson took to honours on the male side as Mandini Martinez takes second while Jermaine Mandril third.
On the female side, Tesha Ottley took the event, Una Estrada took second and Rashida Hunter third. Hey, good shoe Belize Amateur Athletic Association. Let’s have more of these more often.
That’s it for now though. We invite you back same time, same place, next week. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
