Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
It’s the mad rush to the PLB playoffs people and the B.D.F.’s journey to the F.F.B. Stadium yesterday was to wrest 3 points from the Police to get back into the championship picture. Thus the military seeks to open the scoreboard in the opening minutes. Carlton Thomas attacks off the left wing and looks for the far corner with the right foot in an effort of success. Lennox Castillo gets his chance to give Police the early lead on this foray in the box, but the power from point blank range is lacking to beat Tevin Gamboa. We must say the B.D.F.’s Carlton Thomas is on a mission today as he moves Trevor Lennon out of the way forcing the keeper, Keith Allen to gamble and then he finds Harrison Tasher who scores into an empty goal for the B.D.F. 1-zip lead twenty-one minutes in.
Now here’s a bit of perfection and it’s this splice off Lennox Castillo’s boot with pinpoint accuracy to Mister International, Harrison Roaches and at the 28th minute, we have a 1-1 ballgame. Devon Makin tries to duplicate that splice off this corner kick only it finds the goalkeeper instead of the back of the net. We’re into 2nd half play when Devon Makin dances his way inside the box, makes a calculated turn and uses the defensive players to shield this left foot shot that gives the Police a 2-1 lead. And yes his celebratory dance is worth a look and yes; we know it’s the left foot officer. Looking for more Marlon Mesa tries his left foot from on top the 18 only to see it veer wide. The B.D.F. almost comes up with the equalizer when Orlando Trapp’s shot bounces off Trevor Lennon’s back allowing Stephen Martinez head this ball that is kept out of the goal by a necessary touch from Keith Allen. You call that a big time save.
In the meantime, this set piece launch by Marlon Mesa looks educated but it’s much too close to goalkeeper Gamboa. A few minutes later, Andres Makin looks to join his brother Devon in the scorers circle when Kafu Roches sets table perfectly for him. His launch has the power , but lacks the placement. In a bid for the equalizer the army’s Carlton Thomas deals to Orlando Trapp whose left foot offering looks good, but is rejected by Keith Allen who today certainly is the most valuable player for the Police. Meanwhile, frustration begins to grab hold of the B.D.F.—first it’s Harrison Tasher demonstrating the side kick to Kafu Roches and then Stephen Martinez comes up with the tiger tackle on Lennox Castillo. Martinez gets yellow and all would continue.
The Police hands on to the 2-1 big win – a necessary 3 pts for their championship push. In the other match up, Belmopan Bandits shook up Verdes FC by that same score. Thus police with 1 win and 3 stalemates show 6 pts while Belmopan Bandits with 2 wins 2 losses also show 6. Verdes has 5 pts from 1 win 1 loss and 2 draws while the B.D.F. won 1 drew 1 and lost 2 for 4 pts. All teams remain in the hunt for the closing season title with each having 2 games remaining. On Wednesday, 7:30 at the F.F.B. stadium, bandits battle the police and at the Norman Broaster Verdes FC stands its ground against the B.D.F. this round of the playoffs continues on Saturday night with Bandits facing the police again and concludes on Sunday with Verdes in action against the B.D.F.
Turning to the basketball scene, Belize Yellow Pages hosted Orange Walk Running Rebels here in the city Saturday night. And Ty Bradley takes Alton Herrera to school for 2 of his 15 game pts as the host team pulls out the fast start. Herrera would get his against Leon Williams and would finish with 7 pts. But at the end of the 1st quarter, Yellow Pages are up 21 to 12. In the 2nd half, Brian White dishes to Earl Johnson who raises up for 2 of his 14 pts. Tonight it’s Brian White’s night – the pass from Akeem Trapp, White goes glass and he would lead all players with a big double digit 16 pts 14 rebounds. Tariq Middleton then swoops in for 2 of his 14 pts. And at the half, Belize Yellow Pages have posted a 45 – 29 lead.
In the 3rd, Brian White continues to roll and for the 1st time this season, topped the efficiency table with 32. Folks, OW Running Rebels had Randy Usher as he strikes for 3 of his game high 17 pts. He would need a lot of help. The outcome was never in doubt; Belize Yellow Pages goes on to post the 86-61 win to take it’s record to 4 and 6. OW falls to 1 and 8. In other results, Dangriga handed Cayo Western Ballaz its 1st home loss burning the west in a 57-56 final score and Belmopan Red Taigaz had to pull out all the stops to negate Greg Rudon’s record 52 pts and defeat Belize City No Limit 99 to 96. Looking ahead on Thursday night, San Pedro travels to Dangriga Warriors, Cayo Western Ballaz will be on the road against Belize City No Limit while Belmopan Red Taigaz will be hosted by the OW Running Rebels.
In volleyball news, folks, Belize was well represented in the beach volleyball continental tour that settled at Grand Cayman in a historic first that saw Kelsey Balderamos and Emma Hoare hold their own against the continents best losing to 7th ranked Trinidad 21-18, 7-21, 15-6and 21-15-21-4 to # 1 Canada. While on the male side Jason Cabral and Gustavo Moratoya fell to 2012, 2013 tour champs Puerto Rico 21-13, 21-13 and to Costa Rica 21-8, 21-15.
Finally, on the cycling scene, the 4th annual Ariel Rosado Bike Ride reigned supreme on the George Price Highway, making its way through the Burrell Boom for a massive finish at the Hour Bar here in Belize City. So far this ride has given over 48 scholarships to tertiary and secondary level Belizean students. May it continue to prosper.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
