San Pedro Tigersharks take hoops title

James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley bringing you this week’s dish of Sports Monday.

The tension that met the decisive game three of the semi-pro basketball championships Friday night inside the City Centre between the Belize Bank Bulldogs and the San Pedro Tigersharks was a true testament to the big prize at stake.

For certain, Keith Acosta was no superman this basketball season, still as leader of the Tigersharks he got going quickly Friday night and I know you won’t believe this is Acosta’s only two points of the night. Good rotation certainly helps the San Pedro team as they successfully swing this ball that pays off when Doug Penland plays string music. And when Gregg Rudon knocks down this three–pointer, it adds up to a 21-9 lead at the end of the first quarter in favour of the visitors from La Isla Bonita.

Folks, we’re less than a minute into the second quarter when Darwin “Pupi” Leslie goes for the hard foul on Keith Acosta that sends Acosta writhing to the floor in pain and agony. Acosta eventually gets up with a little help from his team-mates. He would return after a lot of medical assistance.

With the big man gone temporarily, the Belize Bank Bulldogs begin to bark. Leon Williams stays with the play and is rewarded with the put back deuce. Ronald Rivers then sinks this three from the corner. With the half looming, Leslie dishes to Darren Bovell who goes glass for two.

However, the Tigersharks manage to finish the half with this monster jam from Damien Staples who would strike for seventeen points – with the scoreboard showing the lead cut to only five points now.

Nevertheless, it’s the Bulldogs who continue the momentum in the third quarter as Tyrone Edwards slices through the Tigersharks defence for two of his game thirteen points. You’re no stranger to Judsen Stubbs the American, he is the big man for the Bank and he gets two of his team high fifteen points right here. Darwin Leslie who would contribute eleven points to the Bank’s total, spins and hits. At the end of three, the Belize Bank has possession of a two point lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Tigersharks come out of their slumber – Gregg Rudon knocks down another three en route to a game high twenty-seven points as the visitors regain the lead inside the City Centre. Kevin Seroki only has seven points tonight but this three is huge. Gregg Rudon does have range and he proves it by swishing through this tre. In the meantime, Keith Acosta, in the role of the one arm bandit gives his all to the team.

The San Pedro Tigersharks win 79-68, we say congratulations to the 2007 semi-pro basketball champions. When you big, you’re large! Gregg Rudon was voted Most Valuable Player and we certainly say kudos.

Now checking the results from the Sir Edney Cain Basketball Tournament, Central Bank beat Provident/Alliance Bank 45-38; FirstCaribbean took over Belize Bank 66-60; and Atlantic Bank prevailed over Scotiabank 52-50.

In news from Belmopan’s Maxi-Basketball Tournament, Gemstone Properties edged out Old Technical Boys 57-55, and Tuff e Nuff was too much for Early Risers in a 71-59 rout.

Turning to the cycling scene, in a field sprint of eleven, Gregory Lovell of Santino’s used his blurring speed to grab yesterday’s Sagitun Banana Cycle Classic in a time of three hours, thirty-four minutes, twenty seconds for the eighty-five mile journey. He edged out Byron Pope of Benny’s Megabytes at the tape, forcing him into second place. Jose Choto of C-Ray had to settle for third, Mateo Cruz of Santino’s finished fourth, while Jose Miguel Cesena, the Guatemala riding for Sagitun, rounds out the top five. And to the new Belize Cycling Association, we say good show!

In softball news, game two of the Cayo Softball Championships unfolded inside the Denbigh Fuller Stadium at Camalote yesterday and here’s Karlee Bradley bringing in Myra Lee Ho from third despite being out to give Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy a one-run lead over the Esperanza Wolverines.

In the bottom of the second, poor defence by Roaring Creek allows Josephia Caretella to bring home Sandra Gentle from third and we’ve got a tied ballgame. Eden Gentle then comes up with this infield bouncer that allows Josephia Caretella to bring home run number two to break the tie for the Wolverines.

Okay, we’re in the top to toe of the fifth when Myra Lee Ho should have been out right here, but again poor fielding leaves the bases loaded. It’s now Karet Thompson, the pitcher facing Karlee Bradley and the Roaring Creek right fielder comes up with a big bash that clears the bases. Bradley herself is then brought home when Myra Lee Ho punches Karet Thompson with this long single that brings home Bradley.

Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy goes out to post the 7-4 victory for Kenrene Gillett, the pitcher and they also force a decisive game three for the Cayo Softball title. That ballgame comes up on Sunday, so you know, you gotta stay tuned!

That’s it for now though, we invite you back same time, same place next week. Jah over all! I’m James Adderley.