B.T.L. and Raiders to clash in semi-pro action
Tonight, the Belize City Centre plays host to a semi-pro basketball clash between two former champions that is expected to be nothing less than hardcore talent in motion. With both the B.T.L. Nets and Raiders fresh off wins in the early stage of this year’s league play, this game is sure to set the tone for the rest of the season. This afternoon, News 5 spoke to head coach of the Nets, Kevin Castillo, who says they consider their competition formidable opponents.
Kevin Castillo, Head Coach, B.T.L. Nets
“We’re going into this game looking at our opponent as the core team of the defending champions last year. They have three of the most important persons that played for San Cas U.B. last year: Eric Maye, Damon Ollie and Darwin Carter. Added to that, we will have the mystique or the aura of the Raiders, which I think adds to their team. So we’re going against a very powerful team today, but as far as I see it, we’ve added some mayor talent to the team and they’re better than we were last year and it should be a really exciting game tonight.”
Janelle Chanona
“Are you guys sticking to the game plan you used opening night, or is there going to be new strategy on the court?”
Kevin Castillo
“Well we have to make some adjustments. We played already against Darwin Carter and we got an idea of how he played and what he does. Especially this year, we have to keep doing some the things that we did, but we have to develop a whole new concept for this game. This is, I think a bigger team and so the game plan has to change a little bit.”
According to Castillo, tonight’s game will feature another import to the Belizean basketball scene: David Laqua, a six-foot guard from the University of Hawaii.
But while the B.T.L. corner was diplomatic, Evan Hyde Jr. of the Raiders management says when the whistle goes off at centre court, it’s war.
Evan Hyde Jr., Manager, Raiders
“We don’t like each other. They don’t like us, we don’t like them, and the matter has to be settled on the court. And both of us are fully loaded with some high calibre arsenal, both international and local players, so it’s on. I think Belizeans know, since 1999 B.T.L. Nets and Raiders have provided quite a platter when it comes to basketball entertainment.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“How did you get the five powerhouses?”
Evan Hyde Jr.
“The five powerhouses, you mean the high calibre players like the imports, oh Ann-Marie, you have investigated…well actually, you first of all need to have credibility. Players need to feel like they will be a part of a viable operation that has a chance of winning the championship. You have to have a certain amount of cheddar to do negotiating, and you have to know how to select the good ones, the ones that are going to come and really perform. And you need to have good international, long distance calling credit because you gotta speak to these guys quite often, all the teams do.”
Tonight’s basketball game is set to start at the Belize City Centre circa 9:30. In an attempt to encourage fans to watch the game live, league officials tell us security has been given the highest priority.
