Five point loss; Venezuela wins game one against Belize

The first of two friendly games between the Belize National Basketball team and the visiting Venezuelan team, played Thursday night at the City Centre before thousands of hyped-up sports enthusiasts. Belize held its own in the first half, but the Venezuelans came back strong in the second half, which meant they had to go into overtime. It didn’t turn out good but it was not all that bad against the highly rated visiting team. But there is time to even the score as later tonight both teams go back to the court in the countdown to the Centro Basket Games in the Dominican Republic. News Five’s James Adderley has the minute by minute play of the friendly match.

James Adderley Reporting

The civic centre was transformed into a legitimate basketball venue as Belize City fans thronged to the arena last night to see the National Basketball team host their Venezuelan counterpart in the first of a two game friendly series. We thought the rendition of the National anthem to the beat of the Garifuna drums was something special. Even the pre-game niceties provided Belizean basketball with a sense of purpose as our team gets ready for Centro Basket 2010, which kicks off inside the Dominican Republic from July fifth to July eleventh. In the early goings team Belize seizes the momentum as team captain, Milton Palacio, recovers his own missed shot to get his team on the scoreboard. Richard Troyer comes back with the long deuce as Belize rolls to the first quarter lead in impressive fashion. Alex Carcamo then unselfishly deals to Darwin Leslie, who gets his first two points for the National Team. And if you’re shopping for a real live wire highlight then watch Leslie with this quarter back pass to Carcamo who sets up Leon Watson for the two hand jam. But here comes the Venezuelan, David Cubillan hooks up with Juan Herrera, who sinks the three. Juan Herrera deals to Azilo Sucre and the right hand hook against Keith Acosta drops. Charlie Burgess stops the run with this three in a much needed situation. At the end of the first quarter a twelve point Belize lead has been whittled to three. In the end, Venezuela establishes its game.  Windell Grafacol dishes to Francisco Centeno and the three pointer is good. At the other end Charlie Burgess deals to Alex Carcamo and he slams it home for two. Venezuela comes right back with this big three pointer from the left side of the court from Luis Valera. Kenton Paulino helps his team to stay in the ballgame with this move, however, at the half Belize is down in the 49-43 score.

In the third quarter Belize tries to regain the momentum so captain Palacio sneaks baseline for two.  On this press the Alejandro Barrios victimizes Richard Troyer on the baseline for two points. In the meantime, a blown call by the officiating team leads to this show of dissent by the Venezuela management team, mercifully the moment passes.  Off this steal by Hector Romero, Gregory Vargas is let loose to go all the way for the lay. Azilo Sucre wants three and he gets three for team Venezuela. At the end of the third Venezuela leads by thirteen. Belize makes a run late in the fourth quarter. Palacio feeds Richard Troyer and he sinks the fill Kenton Paulino deals Keenan Jordan and the finger rolls land for him. The no look pass from Jordan fress up Milton Palacio who gets the deuce. Paulino now wants three and he gets three for Belize. Paulino then launches another three to cut the deficit to five points. However, the rally falls short as Venezuela wins game one 83-77. Game two comes up tonight at the Civic Center and Marlon Garnett who did not play in Game one is set to suit up since the Belize Basketball Federation has purchased the necessary insurance for the team. Our team leaves tomorrow for Santo Domingo and begin to play in the Centro Basket on Monday at eleven a.m. Belize time. Channel Five will bring you every minute of this ballgame live into your living rooms so join us at that time.

The national team leaves this Saturday for Santo Domingo where it will be playing its first game of competition against Trinidad. Team Belize will also play Mexico, Cuba and the powerhouse Puerto Rico. Stay tuned for live reports from Santo Domingo for a full dose of basketball beginning on Monday’s Open Your Eyes.