Anamarie Bennett takes cycling classic

Good evening I’m James Adderley and you’ve just crashed into this monster ride on Sports Monday. We kick things off with the Mother’s Day Cycle Classic, which rolled off Sunday morning from Santa Elena, Cayo.

Here’s the start as all four contestants get busy, namely Anamarie Bennett, Marinette Flowers defending champion, Fiona Humes Gonzalez former champion and young Allison Mendez of A.C.C.

Some two miles into the race, Anamarie Bennett decides to throw down the gauntlet. Seems there’s no takers, as this lonesome female rider then proceeds to grab every station prize en-route to the finish line inside the Marion Jones Sporting Complex here in Belize City.

Here’s Anamarie Bennett making a triumphant entry into the former National Stadium. Of course Anamarie does possess a myriad of fans who remain unabashed in their support for her.

It’s a strong finish for Bennett as she raises her arms in victory after being clocked in the seventy-one mile cross country race at 4 hours, 36 minutes, 14 seconds.

There certainly was much intrigue in the race for second place as the defending champion Marinette Flowers and former champion Fiona Humes Gonzalez make a bid against each other. Around the final curve, Flowers maker her move, she raises up off her bike and Fiona has no answer. Flowers takes second, Fiona Humes Gonzalez third, both some 14 minutes off the pace set by Bennett. Fourth place was taken by the young rookie Allison Mendez, and certainly we say good show girl.

And here’s a peak at the presentation ceremony as Anamarie Bennett of Courts Powerhouse get her name written into the history books of Belize.

Anamarie Bennett, Female Cross Country Champion

“It is a dream come true. I really am happy and tired. It was a hard, hard race. The wind is what we would call ninth of March wind, just that it didn’t come on ninth of March, it’s really, really rough out there. I did what I should have done last year, I left them on the road.”

Changing gears, we head to the City Centre for week two of the B.B.A. basketball season as the new and improved Raiders of Belize City play host to Aba Iseni of Dangriga.

No fans, there’s no mistake that’s definitely Darwin Carter in Raiders uniform this week, who along with Damon Ollie, Eric Maye and Dwight Myvette have jumped the San Cas U.B. ship along with most of the management figures from last year’s championship team.

For sure though, Carter has skills and he gets the Raiders rolling early with this jumper. Dangriga’s reply comes from Marlon Humes with this three pointer; alas it would be the only lead Aba Iseni would see in this ballgame.

In the next possession, the Raiders begin the route, Carter to Damon Ollie, and the two is too easy.

Not only does Dangriga display an inability to sink their buckets, they were also weak defensively as Darwin demonstrates.

Another new addition to the Raiders rooster, Roger Favela, got hot from the three-point area.

For Dangriga, John Rhys might have been the only player who came to play, and here he beats Carter to the glass. Downcourt the captain Bart Sanchez deals to Roger Favela and the Raiders rack up another three.

And this is yet another three pointer, courtesy of Darwin Carter this time. And at the half, the raiders rule by all of 38 points.

In second half action, it’s more of the same–Darwin Carter to Albert Alvarez and the two is good.

Eric Maye picks up this missed shot in heavy traffic and is this finish emphatic or what. In fact, the backboard battle belongs to Eric Maye today, and this tip in show us why.

Now here’s Willie Gordon, a master blaster from the past with the scoop shot for the Raiders. It’s all Raiders people, and they go on to win 90 to 47 in a blow out.

Darwin Carter, Raiders

“I would have liked to play with U.B., but like I said, I’m comfortable playing with my boys and I’m just glad they’re here.”

James Adderley

“But looking at the nucleus of this team, Damon Ollie, Darwin Carter, Eric Maye, it looks a whole lot like San Cas U.B.”

Darwin Carter

“It is, it is, it’s just another name.”

James Adderley

“You comfortable in that particular role though?”

Darwin Carter

“Very comfortable.”

James Adderley

“Darwin, last week you missed a lot of shots. Are you on top of your game, because normally you’re a stellar performer in this particular league. You’re not as sharp as the way you ended last season, is there a bit of opening moments feeling with you at this point?”

Darwin Carter

“Well, I mean last year I was more of a scorer. This year we really don’t have the leadership at the point guard base, so I’m just trying to distribute the ball a little more, but eventually it will come out at the end.”

So folks, the Raiders look like the best team on paper people right now. We will find out this Friday night when they go up against B.T.L. Nets inside the City Centre. It will be money time.

In football news, the Under-20 Belize District competition over the weekend saw Gwen Liz mash Mahogany Strikers 4-1, Brown Bombers I stopped Raptors 1-zip, while San Pedro and Brown Bombers II rallied to a scoreless stalemate.

Checking the National First Division football competition, BDF eliminated Boca Juniors 4-2, Caye Caulker chased Belmopan 2-1, Orange Walk ousted Corozal 5-4 on penalties, while P.G. held Dangriga to a nil-nil finish to move on to the semi-final round, which begins this Sunday, with the Belize Defence Force facing Orange Walk at the People’s Stadium. Here at the M.C.C., P.G. goes up against Caye Caulker.

Finally in boxing news, we just want to remind you that Ma Cour Productions presents big time boxing at the Belize Pickwick Club May twenty-sixth, featuring the best amateur fighters in this land. People like Horace Cadle, Joseph Eagan, Harry Zelaya, Steve McFoy and Max Williams will go up against a unit from inside Mexico. You don’t want to miss it.

Hey folks, that’s our show for today, we invite you back same time, same place next week. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.