© Berisford Codd

The Defending Champs, Belize Hurricanes, were able to fend off their rivals from last season, the Griga Dream Ballers, 69-62 to put a check on the final box in a night of celebration, as the Champs raised their championship banners into the rafters at the Civic. While it was a win, it was certainly not pretty as the Hurricanes shot a frigid 24-72 from the field (a percentage that will expose them even more given their loss of size up front with the departure of Tyson Reynolds and Chengo). Poor execution from the Hurricanes on opening night could have been expected, especially considering that the Hurricanes saw this as a “revenge game”. According to Hurrianes Head Coach Jamel Wagner, they were expecting a win against Griga his main thought is “that Griga was the only team that beat the Hurricanes twice last year, so I personally still have a bitter taste in my mouth knowing so.”

Glency “Coope” Lopez led the way as the lone bright spot for the defending champs, finishing with 21 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. After struggling in the close out game of last season’s semi-finals against the Hurricanes, Daniel Conorque sent a strong message to the league that this will be his year to put Griga on his back to try and take them to the Promised Land! Conorque was impressive from the tip, taking on the assignment of locking up Hurricanes star Devin Daly (3 of 15 shooting) and leading the way for Griga with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. It will be interesting to see if his intensity throughout the game will be a constant in the 2019 season or if it was only a result of taking on the challenge of slowing down Daly, who showed him up numerous times last season. One thing is clear, he has put in tremendous work in the offseason to come back in peak physical condition… He will be a player to watch!

Two Takeaways:

• Hurricanes Rebounding

In what was viewed as a strength for the Hurricanes last season, they were severely Out-Muscled, Out Hustled and Out-Manned on the glass in the season opener. Is it a lack of size? A lack of skill? Or a lack of will? — that resulted in Griga winning the rebounding battle 60-47, including a 21-13 lead on the offensive glass. Hurricanes big man Brian White, known as the best rebounder in the league outside of Kurt Burgess, only managed to pull in 3 rebounds in 27 minutes of play. White was outworked all night by Griga big man Macario Augustine, who beat him time after time to pull in 13 rebounds for the Dream Ballers. The well-advertised Belizean American Import Tyrie “Harlem” Orosco feared slightly better than White on the glass, but still didn’t hold up to the tandem of Macario and Griga import Henderson. Coach Wagner and the Hurricanes staff will need to go back to basics with box out drills, as the talks of the Canes being SOFT could begin sooner rather than later! Their motto this season should be No Rebounds … No Wins!!!

• Buddy’s big shoes to fill

The Dream Ballers lost several key players in the offseason, but none as big as the Daniel “Buddy” Nolberto. In what can be considered at best as “skilful negotiation”, the Bandits were able to sign Buddy and Brandon Flowers as center pieces for their revamped roster. Buddy was the heart and soul of the Dream Ballers last season, averaging over 16 points and nailing dagger three after dagger three all season. Hoping to fill the shoes of Buddy are new Griga Signee Jamal Kelly and Nayib Casimiro. Kelly got the start on opening night and came out firing with two pull up threes to start the game. However, he went quiet for the rest of the night as came out with 8 points. The responsibility of guarding the athletic Hurricanes wings all night sent him into foul trouble, as he would spend much of the second half on the bench with four fouls. Casimiro, the expected heir apparent to the shooting guard role for Griga, forgot to load his rifle in Hopkins before coming up. The southern sharpshooter was pressing for his shot as he checked in, which was in part the reason for him finishing 0-6 from the field in only 10 minutes of play. Griga may have found something once again with the resurgence of Quinton Bowen, a capable small forward that plays within his game and would allow Conorque to slide up to the shooting guard spot if Kelly and Casimiro do not work out. It is a certainty that playing in front of the loyal Dream Ballers fans next week will inspire a better performance for the Dream Ballers.

• The Hurricanes will be off until Feb 2, when they will take on the San Pedro Tiger Sharks
• The Dream Ballers play their home opener next week, Jan 26, against Verdes