Belize City Games kick off

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and we certainly thank you for joining us for this latest version of Sports Monday. Semi-pro basketball reached playoff fever Friday night at the City Centre when San Cas U.B. and Data Pro Raiders clashed in the semi-final round.

It’s Eric Maye and Kenroy Smith at the tip off for their respective teams and we’re underway. Englebert Cherrington turns around in the paint and goes glass for two U.B. points. Clinton Lamb then finds Cherrington, who gives the University this bucket for a quick ten-point lead.

The Raiders come back with a big three from the big fellow Evan “Duck” Garnett. Raiders point guard, Fabian Pittman, follows up with this three from top of the key and we do have a ballgame in session.

And its Pittman who ties the ballgame for the Raiders with this move at seventeen apiece. Of course Pittman must be put in check, and fellow American Damon Ollie does just that with this spectacular defensive move. From the right side, Lloyd Leslie launches this long chain and at the half, it’s the Raiders up by three.

Immediately out of intermission, Clinton Lamb licks down this three for U.B. to tie the ballgame. It’s more U.B. when Dwight Myvette drills this three from the top of the key.

Talk about three’s people, it’s nothing but the bottom of the net when Darwin Carter displays his range for a ten point U.B. lead.

Hey referee, isn’t this a flagrant foul by the big fella Garnett? And of course the recipient Clinton Fuller must be restrained and the two point conversion by Lamb makes it a fifteen point San Cas lead.

With some nine minutes to go, the Raiders make a run – Olin Simplis raises and gets two. Fabian Pittman then heats up adding fire to the Raiders run. It’s more Pittman as he comes up with an important steal here, finds Kenroy Smith downcourt and the one hand jam is good.

Pittman seems to have taken over the ballgame in money time as here he braves the traffic to hand the Raiders a two point lead with 1:15 to go.

And here is the play of the game. Carter steals and goes for the tie, beats his man, but Pittman’s recovery is simply magnificent and he not only bucks the shot but comes up with they key possession of the ballgame and the Raiders go on to take game I 68 to 65.

In the other half of the semi-finals, BTL Nets were bombed by Orange Walk Music Centre Saturday night 97 to 87.

Turning to the Belize City Games, the ten-day tournament opened Friday night with the ceremonial March at the MCC Grounds. And there’s the cycling contingent, the track and field crowd, the basketball crew led by Belize District Basketball President Bernard Wagner, football was well represented in the parade, softball was looking real good. We even had sailing and of course volleyball, dominoes, lawn tennis and karate.

Here we see Belize City Mayor David Fonseca giving the main address.

David Fonseca, Mayor

“To realise our competency as a athletes, judges, co-ordinators or directors in a just way, equally and conscientiously to arrive at harmony, safe competition and major enjoyment of our activities. To consider others in these games and in our normal interactions as companions and not competitors, as friends and not foes.”

Now meet Victor/Victoria the mascot of the Belize City Games. While the opening speech was made by the National Sports Council chairman Marshall Nunez.

Marshall Nunez, Chairman, Nat’l Sports Council

“It is with great pleasure and great pride to declare the games open. Let the games begin.”

We take this opportunity to wish the games maximum success.

Meanwhile folks, here’s a glimpse of the boxing programme in the Belize City Games, staged at the Rogers Stadium Sunday morning. At eighty pounds, Sherman Moriera and Alex Neal battled to a draw.

At one hundred and ten pounds, Rueben Barrow issued out real pain on Justin West to grab the W.

Fransworth Barrow at one hundred and thirty-eight pounds did enough damage to get the judges’ nod over David Santos.

At one hundred and eighteen pounds, George Valencio proved to be just too much for Jody Rhamdas as he picks up the win by TKO.

For sure, Sharman Galvez was the better fighter at one hundred and forty-one pounds as he got the unanimous decision over Simon Lino.

And in the one hundred and twenty-five-pound confrontation, Harry Zelaya picked up a controversial win over a game and impressive Harrison Smith.

That’s our show for today, we invite you back same time same place next week.