James Adderley has Sports Monday
Good evening I’m James Adderley and you’re just in time for this fresh serving of Sports Monday. The semi-pro basketball finals got off with a bang Friday night as B.T.L. Nets with a 7-1 finish in regular season play hosted 6-2 the Kremandala Raiders for game I of a 3 game championship series. In case you didn’t know both regular season loses for the Raiders came at the hands of B.T.L.
It’s A.C. Augustine and Keith Acosta, 2 MVP contenders for this year, facing each other at the tip off, which goes to the Raiders and we’re underway. The first points of the ballgame come when Fabian Pitman finds Evan “Duck” Garnett who drills the tre. B.T.L. responds on the run as Eloy “the Admiral” Lamb deals to A.C. Augustine who knocks down the easy lay up. Kevin Seroki then gets to display his big time move as he goes right down the heart of the Raiders defense for 2. However, the Raiders come right back with their version of a big time play when Pitman alley-hoops to Keith Acosta who delivers with emphasis.
On the next trip downcourt Pitman deals to Bart Sanchez who hits for 3. At the other end Lamb misses but Darren Bovell gets the put back to fall. He would lead the Nets with 17 points, 10 rebounds. But the 3-point shot seems to be the Raiders weapon of choice as Favela executes from the right side for a 9-point lead.
Leroy Forbes helps the phone company to get back somewhat, streaking in for a tough 2 point plus the foul. However, it’s the Raiders’ Keith Acosta flying high for the slam-dunk which brings excitement to the Civic. After an altercation between Seroki and Pitman – a push by Seroki, a left elbow by Pitman – Frank Lord comes to his teammate’s defense. Pitman gets tossed but has company. Frank Lord was simply upset more than we’ve ever seen – this athlete who is always a gentleman. But some days are worse than others and he eventually leaves with escort. Seroki comes out of this incident with an amazing shot that somehow drops for 2, plus the foul and at the half B.T.L. boasts a 3-point lead.
After intermission the Nets come out firing. Seroki finds Mr. MVP Darren Bovell and he gives his team a 6-point cushion. But here comes Darwin Carter who single handedly blows this game wide open starting with a 3-pointer. For B.T.L. Nets it’s Eloy Lamb who heats up and he would contribute 12 points for the Nets. But it’s back to Darwin Carter with the second 3 pointer of the half.
The Nets seem to have a bad memory and leave Carter alone again so he ups and sinks another long ball for the Raiders. Keith Acosta then catches the 3-point fever hitting from the top of the net. He would finish with 18 points and a game high 21 rebounds.
Even Maurice Bullock is pumped up for this one, going to the left hand for a bucket. He would post 2 doubles of 14 points, 11 rebounds. He gives the Raiders a 6-point lead. Nevertheless Carter is not through yet as he hits his fourth 3-pointer of the night. Carter then displays more of his all round game with a vicious bounce pass that frees Keith Acosta. Carter would sink 5 3-pointers to lead all scores with 19 points. The Raiders take game I, 79-67.
Keith Acosta, Raiders
“This team is a very good team. This victory is a very sweet victory but right now in all the players’ minds is that this is just one and it’s the best of three. Right now we will enjoy this nice victory but we gotta come out and work again next Friday.”
Q: “Were you bothered when Fabian Pitman was ejected out of the ballgame?”
Keith Acosta
“Of course, he is the leading point guard right now and his loss was real big. But we had to tell the players to step it up and come out to play because although he is an important player he is not everything.”
Q: “It was a close ballgame all the way, what was the difference in moneytime that gave Raiders the win?”
Keith Acosta
“Just patience, moving the ball around, execute on the offense, tough defense and eventually it worked out.”
Darwin Carter, Raiders
“I feel like I got the opportunity to do the job that I needed to do. They told me to come out tonight and play the best that I could play. They said that they were gonna release me tonight and let me play my game; I came out tonight and that’s what I did.”
Q: “What do you think will happen next week Friday?”
Darwin Carter
“I feel that if they give me the chance to do the same thing, I’ll do the same thing again. I believe in myself.”
Q: “Is the 3-point shot your favorite weapon?”
Darwin Carter
“My all around game. I have an all around game. Belize just haven’t seen it all.”
Game II comes up Friday night and B.T.L. must win to force a decisive game III.
Turning to the volleyball scene, Belize Volleyball Association completed its playoff series Saturday at the City Centre where BH Paints Stars picked up their 7th female title knocking off AMS Lady Jaguars 25-15, 27-25, 25-13 to take this year’s edition and believe it or not this is in an 8 year period. They only missed one title when they finished second back in ’96. On the Firms side, Continental Flyers picked up a back to back championship when they knocked off Barclays Eagles 25-23, 25-15. And Mirab is the new champion in male play as it beats AMS Jaguars 19-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14.
That’s our show for today. We certainly wanna thank our cameramen for their great work this weekend. Jah over all. I’m James Adderley.
