Hurricanes tops Defenders in Game 2 to capture 2nd NEBL Title

By: Charleston Gladden

7 teams enter to play, 4 teams earned playoffs spots, 2 advance to the finals, but 1 team can be at the top of the mountain. Will it be the Smart Belize Hurricanes? Looking to regain their spot at the top once again after a more than disappointing last season. Or will DigiCell Belize City Defenders look to force a third and final game? As they find themselves in a once familiar position before. Being the new dog on campus, they certainly lived up to their expectations and quieted the doubters after defeating the San Pedro Tiger Sharks on the island.

Hurricanes jumped on a double digit lead as early in the first quarter with their excellent defense. As they wanted to play a better defensive game like in game one. Defenders kept trying to score and reduce the lead, but the hurricane winds were too much for them as they keep getting pushed in the hole. As a result, Hurricanes were up by 21 with a score of 49 – 28. Throughout the second half there was no difference in lead separation that was until the fourth quarter. When Defenders went on a 15 – 0 run to cut the lead down to single digits thus forcing Coach Wagner of the Hurricanes to call a curial timeout. With minutes remaining in game 2 where a champion can be named or game 3 can be played the following to name a champion. It took contributions throughout the line of the Hurricanes to pull off a the victory and giving them a 78 – 66 victory to capture their second NEBL title in four years.

Finals MVP goes to Devin Daly of Smart Belize Hurricanes averaging 26.5 PPG in the sweep against the DigiCell Belize City Defenders. Making him the one of two players, alongside Darwin “Puppy” Leslie who won it twice in 2015 and 2016, to win back-to-back finals MVP.

Devin also joined Leslie to become the only two NEBL players to win Finals MVP on two separate teams. He certainly couldn’t have done it alone, he was helped by Glency Lopez who chipped in with 10 points. Ray Cruz with 6 points and Brian White with 11 rebounds and 6 points. DigiCell Belize City Defenders was led by Nigel Jones who had a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds. Alongside with Darwin Leslie with 12 points and Jacob Leslie with 11 points.

TIP-IN:

Defenders: Darwin “Puppy” Leslie has earned his first lost in the NEBL Finals after winning the first three previous seasons, and will certainly be one of the greatest player in Belize’s history.

Hurricanes: Kurt Burgess captured his first NEBL after falling short numerous times and finishing tonight’s game with 11 rebounds and 7 points in 27 minutes … Also joins the San Pedro Tiger Sharks for being the only two teams to win one or more NEBL championships.

MAKING HISTORY:

Devin Daly and Keith Acosta joins Darwin “Puppy” Leslie and Farron Louriano to win back-to-back NEBL championship on two separate teams.