Basketball progresses toward playoffs
Good evening. I’m James Adderley and welcome to this serving of Sports Monday.
Playoff fever raged at the Civic Centre Friday night as teams made a find scramble for the 1998 Belize District Basketball Playoffs.
We jump into Friday night’s opener as Regent Royals and J.L.’s Quick Loan tries to advance at each other’s expense. With 13 minutes to go in the first half J.L.’s lead by 10 when Vincent Bishop slices baseline for 2 Royal points. Derek Staine then finds Kenroy Smith down low and Regent Royals continue to dwindle away at the deficit. Down court J.L.’s respond with Bert Augustine on a nice individual move. Meanwhile Edward Baptist gets careless with the pill. Kenroy Smith takes it all the way. But J.L.’s hang on to a 2 point first half lead when Charles Tillett comes up with this big put back in a buzzer beating play.
In the second half, Derek Staine ties the quarterback pass only to see Edward Baptist intercept and give J.L.’s a 3 point lead. However, the Royals move backs Kenroy Smith with the easy lay of hells. The Royals then show good ball movement as Ernest Broaster finishes. Kenroy Smith even takes it above the rim with this monster slam to tie the ballgame at 48 a piece. And then it’s all Royals – the 2 men between Broaster and Egbert Nicholson work to perfection. This bucket by Vincent Bishop gives a 10 point lead and this goes on to 79 – 55 in a major blow-out. Regent Royals is now into the playoffs.
In the night cap, the battle for the divisional lead in Group 2 makes Court Action and Reggae-by-d-River and here is the tip off. Court Action gets the first basket off the ballgame with this long jumper which banks off the glass for 2. Marshalleck then teams up with Albert Alvarez who raises in traffic and he strikes for 2 – Court Action goes up by 7 points early.
So the Reggae Boys go to Norman McCallamb who stays with this play to get 2 points. Palo Musa then gets in on the net building this 3 as the River continues to flow. But it’s back to Albert Alvarez and he displays this baby jumper. And if you’d like just a little more, watch Alvarez sail in for a monster jam – the Court Action goes up by 5. Here Floyd Talbert gives the lead to Reggae-by-d-River when he takes this lunch to the hoop. However, this put-back by Calvin Trench gives Court Action a 3 point lead to take to the locker room.
After intermission Gladston Ferguson awaits for the River. He wants 3 and he gets it. Ferguson now displays his ability to penetrate and finishes as his team begins to take charge. Give Ferguson an assist when he delivers to Wilfred “Chiki Blue” Nicholas down low. Nicholas executes. Nicholas then recovers his offensive ability as he strikes for 2 more points in traffic. Ferguson looks for another 3 points as it rings up on the scoreboard. Still Ferguson continues to sizzle and he gives the River 3 more as Reggae-by-d-River wins the division in an 83 – 75 final over formally undefeated Court Action.
Here’s a look at the playoff picture. From Division A, the qualifiers are Maria Chang Stadium, M & M Christian Ambassadors, Brothers Habet Stealers and Krem Flyers. In division B the teams making it to the payoffs are Reggae by-d-River, Court Action, Travellers Cream Supreme and Regent Royals. They are seated in the order stated. Incidentally playoff action begins tonight at the Civic Center.
Turning to the cycling scene, Ernest Meighan won Saturday’s 40 mile race on the Western Highway, he beat out Quinton Hamilton, Mitch Myers, an American, Andrew Smiling and Mateo Cruz to round out the top five finishers.
Meanwhile the annual Cross Country Classic comes up this Saturday and it’s always the monster for Holy Saturday so today we wanna leave you with Ernest Meighan winning his first cross Country title that happened in 1997.
Who will it be in 1998? Your guess is as good as mine. But join us when we return next week with all the statistics.
That’s it. We invite you back same time, same place next week for another edition of Sports Monday. I’m James Adderley. Jah over all.
