Belize City, April 13, 2018

by William Ysaguirre

The Cayo Verdes came from behind to upset the DigiCell Defenders: 62-55 in the penultimate week of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) regular competition at the St. Catherine’s auditorium in Belize City last Friday night.

Nigel Jones struck twice from outside the arc for 19pts; as the Defenders cruised to a 23-10 lead in the first quarter. Jacob Leslie struck four times from outside the circle for 18pts, and Rassi Jenkins tossed in six points for the Defenders to lead 36-29 at intermission. Brandon Rogers put up four points, and Jorret Jones and Ty Bradley each hit a 3-pointer to lead 50-43 at the end of the third quarter.

Roger Troyer gave Verdes a 54-53 lead with a 3-pointer and Isaiah Thomas followed suite to extend the lead to 57-53. Troyer struck four times from outside the circle as he led Verdes’ counterattack with 20pts. Isaiah Thomas, Elvis Usher Jr and Gene Myvett each threw in 10pts; Myvett snagging nine boards, and Usher grabbing eight. Elsworth Itza rammed in a monster dunk to punctuate his five points, four boards, while Shemar White put up four points, and Antwan Mcfadzean chipped in three for the win.

The Running Rebels enjoyed their first win of the tournament: 79-76 to hand the Bandits their sixth consecutive loss at the Orange Walk Multipurpose Complex on Friday night. James Ewing led with 25pts 10 boards to lead 19-15 in the first quarter. Roger Reneau added 13pts, and Elvis Olivera put up 12pts to lead 38-29 at intermission.

The Bandits took over the lead 59-56 at the end of the third quarter, led by Luther da Shane Paige with 22pts, five boards, while Greg Rudon put up 17pts and Leon Jacobs netted 12pts. Farron Louriano posted 21 pts, Stephen “Muerte” Williams added six point and Travis Lennan had three.

Emani Enriquez, Jamal Avila and Kyle Pascacio each netted a basket for Bandits to lead 68-64 with five minutes left on the clock.

The Rebels out-scored the Bandits 15-8 in money time; as Vince Young posted eight points, Rahyme Sacasa put up six, Randy Usher netted five, and Gregory Buckley and Dwayne Cummings tossed in four points each for the win. Elias Crdawford chipped in a basket.

The Tigersharks mauled the Dangriga Dream Ballers: 81-61 at the San Pedro High School auditorium on Saturday, led by Martevius Adams with 24pts, 10 boards, Jihad Wright added 14pts, and Emory Bennett put up 13pts; as the Tigershark led 21-15 in the first quarter and 48-31 at intermission. Andrew Ortiz posted nine points, and Jamal Kelly and Ashton Edwards tossed in six points each to lead 62-46 at the end of the third quarter. Douglas Valley threw in five points, and Raul Roches and Faisal Ahmad each chipped in a basket to seal the 81-61 win.

Griga’s Tahj Wells scored 13pts, while Daniel “Buddy” Nolberto and Brandon Flowers put up 11pts each; while Lisaney Lambey and Daniel Conorquie posted seven points each. Edgar Mitchell scored five points, Macario Agusutien added four and Trevaughn Usher chipped in a basket.

The tournament continues on Friday, April 20, when the Belmopan Bandits visit the SMART Hurricanes at Belize Elementary auditorium, and on Saturday, the Running Rebels visit Verdes at the Sacred Heaert College auditorium and the Defenders visit the Tigersharks at the San Pedro High School auditorium.