by Joaquin David Magaña
Last night, in front of a jam packed Russel “Chiste” Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga, the Dream Ballers (3-0) inflicted another devastating blow to Verdes (0-3). The Verdes squad entered the ball game confident of a win with their new foreign acquisitions: Isaiah Thomas, Belizean-American Gene Myvett and Richard Troyer. Verdes started very aggressively in the first quarter taking an early lead of 10-4. On the other hand, the Dream Ballers appeared to have started a bit nervously. Verdes capitalized on this lack confidence by driving in and making nets. As the game progressed, the Dream Ballers seemed to gradually build up their confidence and were able to hit back to back three pointers, taking the game to 23-28.
The second quarter started with Verdes dominating the rebound scene as Richard Troyer got an offensive foul while taking the ball to the hoop. He scored both shots. The game then went back and forth. At 4.37 in the second quarter, the Dream Ballers evened the score sheet to 37 apiece with a three point play by Trevaugh Usher. Nevertheless, Verdes got a three point momentum from the hands of Elbert Ariola and Thomas to take an eleven point lead 50-39. The Dreams Ballers would not let this game go out of reach so easily, they answered back with two back to back hoops from Brandon Flowers to shorten the lead to 50-45, although still in favor of Verdes. The half ended 52-45 with a Verdes Lead.
The third quarter started red hot! Richard Troyer nailed a three and Daniel Noberto answered with a two point jump shot, followed by back to back hoops from Daniel Conorqui to make the score tie again at 55. Things got hotter when Daniel Nolberto hit a three to give the Ballers their first lead of the game 58-55. Verdes began losing momentum as the Dream Ballers extended their lead by nine. Minutes later, Verdes got back with scores from Gene Myvett and Elvis Usher Jr. and ended the quarter 70-66 in favor of the Dream Ballers.
The fourth quarter started with Isaiah Thomas stealing the ball and netting it as a bad pass was made by Edgar Mitchell. Things got really exciting when Verdes equalized the game at 75. The lead was then volleyed back and forth between the two teams until a little, later that quarter, Richard Troyer hit a two with a spin move and a jump shot to put the score 81-80, Dream Ballers. After this, the Ballers did not let go of the lead. Mitchell got to the teeth of the Verdes defense and netted with his left hand to add two more points for Dangriga, 83-80. From this point onwards it was an all out blasting by the Ballers who ended the game 92-84, Ballers; inflicting a heart aching 0-3 loss to Verdes.
The Dream Ballers were led by; Daniel Norlbert with 19 pts, Daniel Conorquie with 17 pts, 6 rebs, 9 assists, Brandon Flowers 16 pts, 5 rebs, Edgar Mitchell 16 pts. In a losing effort, Issiah Thomas scored 24 pts, 5 assists, Gene Myvett with double doubles, 16 pts, 11 rebs, and Richard Troyer with 14 pts, 8 rebs.