by Karim Juan, Commissioner
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
The date and teams are finally set for the big showdown in the 2018 NEBL Finals and this will be the first year in the NEBL’s five-year history that San Pedro Tiger Sharks will not be participating in the final dance. However, Darwin “Puppy” Leslie will be in his fourth NEBL finals in five years, to now tie the San Pedro Tiger Sharks franchise. New comers, DigiCell Belize City Defenders have climbed their way in the finals, making them the first team to reach the finals who have entered the playoffs as the #4 seed. History was also recorded when both semi-finals series were stretched out to three games. After a battle last night, Smart Belize Hurricanes was the victor, joining their Belize City comrades to the championship series. It is the first time that two Belize City teams have reached the finals, where Smart Belize Hurricanes will try to win another ring, after being the 2016 champions. This is Kurt “Chengo” Burgess’ fourth trip to the finals in 5 years.
On Friday, June 1 the NEBL will be distributing this year’s season awards before tip-off at the Belize City Center.
Last night the Belize City Center was home to game 3 of a hotly contested series between Smart Belize Hurricanes and Griga Dream Ballers. Both teams were able to defend home court in the first two games, leaving game 3 to be the final battle between the #2 and #3 seeds. The visiting squad, Griga Dream Ballers were able to establish themselves at tip-off, taking an early 21 – 10 lead at the end of the first quarter. It was crucial for the visitors to establish themselves early in the game, while combatting the loud fan base in the Civic Center. At the half Griga was able to hold on to a 7-point lead, 32 – 25. Griga was led by Daniel “Buddy” Nolberto who finished the night with 15 points and 3 assists, while Edgar Mitchell tallied 10 points and 4 dimes and Trevaughn Usher chipped in 10 points off the bench.
In the third quarter the lead was trimmed down to 3 points, 45 – 42, as Griga Dream Ballers were facing major foul trouble issues with Daniel Conorque fouling out by midway through the quarter. Griga continued to nurture their lead, and with 1:59 minutes remaining in the game, the score was all tied up at 52 apiece. Key free throws and offensive rebounds were the key factors to determine the winner, as the home squad, Smart Belize Hurricanes was able to survive the onslaught with a 60 – 54 victory. Devin Daly was the top scorer in the game with 20 points and 5 rebounds while Kurt “Chengo” Burgess’ stat line was 14 points, 9 boards and 2 dimes. This game was déjà vu for the Griga Dream Ballers, as game 1 saw them establishing a double-digit lead at the Civic Center, only to lose the game in the fourth quarter.
Smart Belize Hurricanes had a huge 19 – 10 advantage on the offensive glass, while they shot more than twice the amount of free-throws than Griga, 35 – 16, and hitting 19 shots from the charity stripe, compared to Griga’s 8. With the win, Smart Belize Hurricanes will now face their city rivals, DigiCell Belize City Defenders, where they split the season series, with both teams winning at home.