by William Ysaguirre

Belize City, April 20, 2018

The Tigersharks have clinched the No.1 seed and home court advantage entering the playoffs of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) regular competition, while the SMART Hurricanes are vying for the No.2 seed with the Griga Dream Ballers, after the Hurricanes blew away the Belmopan Bandits: 107-80 at the Belize Elementary School auditorium in Belize City last Friday night, April 20.

Glency Lopez led the Hurricanes with 19pts, while Kyle Young, Eyan Rene, Akeem “Timmy” Trapp and Ervin “Poty” Orozco each struck twice from outside the circle, Young putting up 13pts, Rene adding 10pts, and Trapp and Orozco tossing in nine each to lead 43-37 at intermission. Akeem Watters, Shaquile Crawford and Tyson Reynolds each posted eight points, Reynolds also snagging eight boards; as their lead ballooned to 80-53 at the end of the third quarter.

Raheem Thurton also struck from beyond the arc for seven points, four boards; while Brian White and Kurt “Chengo” Burgess each scored six points – White grabbing eight boards and Burgess – seven boards. Ray Cruz chipped in four points and five boards.

Stephen “Muerte” Williams also struck five times from outside the arc for 25pts, fove boards and Luther da Shane Page put up 17pts, 11 boards. Greg “Chippy” Rudon struck twice from beyond the circle for 15pts and Kyle Pascacio struck thrice for nine points. Travis Lennan posted 10pts and Emani Enriquez tossed in two.

The Tigersharks came from behind in money time to deny the DigiCell Defenders: 71-68 at the San Pedro High School auditorium on Saturday night, led by Martevuius Adams with 31pt, 23 boards Jihad Wright added 18pts 15 boards, and Keith Pollard put up eight points, nine boards. Ashton Edwards threw in three, and Bernard Felix and Emory Bennett each chipped in a basket.

Ty Bradley struck twice from beyond the arc as he led the Defenders with 15pts, four boards, while Lincy Lopez and Nigel Jones each posted 14pts, Jones grabbing 12 boards to lead 33-31 at intermission. Francis Arana struck from outside the arc for eight points, Jorret Jones added seven points and Leon “Bigs” Williams put up five to lead 51-50 at the end of the third quarter.

The Orange Walk Running Rebels were out to close out their season with a bang, but fell short of a second win when they visited Verdes at the Sacred Heart College auditorium on Sunday afternoon; Verdes prevailed 82-81. Richard Troyer truck foru times from beyond the arc for 29pts, 11 boars, whiel Isaiah Thomas added 15pts five board and Gene Myvett posted 12pts. Elbert Ariola put up seven poins Farnell Oden added six and Sheamr Whiate had foru points.

Vince Young played his best game so far striking four times from outside the arc to lead the Rebels with 30pts. Roger Reneau also hit two 3-pointers for 18pts, 15 boards, and James Ewing followed suite to post 14pts. Dwayne Cummings threw in four points, and Elian Carcamo had three.

The final regular season game will be played this Friday, April 27, when Verdes visit the Belmopan Bandits at the University of Belize gymnasium in Belmopan. The Smart Belize Hurricanes take on the Griga Dream Ballers at the Russell Chiste Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga on Saturday night, and the Hurricane will seek to clinch the No.2 seed with a win over the Defenders in the inaugural event at the new Belize City Center on Monday, April 30.