By: Charleston Gladden

In the final game between Smart Belize Hurricanes and Griga Dream Ballers in a win or go home scenario all is at stakes. Since their inception to the league, they’ve build a hatred rivalry with each other and it clearly has shown itself in this playoff series.

Dream Ballers started it off hot with back-to-back three pointers which ignited their home fans, but they were silenced when Hurricanes were able to get on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, Griga kept on scoring until it was a double digit lead to end the first quarter (21 – 11). Every time hurricanes would make a run and trim down the lead, Dream Ballers were right there to pull back the lead and entered halftime with a 7 point lead (32 – 25). Coming out of the locker from halftime, Smart Belize Hurricanes brought the defect down to only 5 points and managed to cut it down to 3. As time was ticking down to see who’ll advance to the finals, Dream Ballers were up by a mere 7 points with 7:35 remaining, as Coach Wagner of Smart Belize Hurricanes called crucial a timeout to regroup his team. After the timeout Hurricanes were able to score 6 straight points and giving themselves an opportunity to take their first lead of the game, which they did at the 3:07 mark after making 2 critical free throws by Devin Daley. After the second free throw was made their home crowd began to roar in excitement as they cheered on their team in the crucial minutes and cheered them on throughout the final minutes as they sealed the win over the Griga Dream Ballers with score at 60 – 54.

Devin Daley of Smart Belize Hurricanes receives the Player of the Game honors finishing the game with 20 points and 5 rebounds. His supporting cast were Kurt Burgess with a solid 14 points and 9 rebounds. Also, Eyan Rene with 8 points and Tyson Reynold chipped in with 4 points

and 8 rebounds. Top scorers for Griga Dream Ballers were Daniel Nolberto with 10 points. Edgar Mitchell finishing with 10 points. Tahj Wells with 10 points and 7 points and Macario Augustine with 13 rebounds and 3 points.

TIP IN:

Hurricanes: Kurt Burgess started in place of Tyson Reynold, his first start since March 9th against the DigiCell Belize City Defenders… Devin Daley got his first start with the Hurricanes in place of Eyan Rene… holds the longest current playoff home win streak at 5… Going to their 2nd NEBL Finals since their birth in the league in 2015.

Dream Ballers: Daniel Conrque fouled out in the third quarter with 4:32 to go; he finished with 7 points playing 17 minutes… Trevaughn Usher also fouled out, he finished with 10 points in 16 minutes…