April 27, 2019
by Karim Juan
Commissioner
San Ignacio
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tipped off its playoffs this past weekend in game one of a best-of-three semi-final series. This weekend will witness two must-win games to push the 3-game series to its third and deciding game. The 2 winners will then advance to a best-of-five series for the finals.
Hurricanes stuns Verdes with Rene’s game winning three-point shot
On Friday night the number 1 seed going into the playoffs, Verdes, hosted the defending champions Mirage/Smart Belize Hurricanes at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio Town. At the end of the first quarter Hurricanes had a 1 point lead, which they extended to 2 points, 43 – 41, going into intermission. Verdes then regrouped at half time and grabbed a 64 – 54 lead going into the fourth and final quarter of the game, where they led the entire quarter. Costly turnovers down the stretch allowed Hurricanes to keep the game in reach, where Eyan Rene hit the game winning three point shot with 16 seconds remaining in the game, giving the road team, Mirage/Smart Belize Hurricanes the 78 – 76 victory. Hurricanes was led by Tyrie Orosco who came off the bench to tally 24 points and 8 rebounds while Devin Daly netted 21 points, with 16 of his points coming in the first half to weather the early surge of the home squad, while grabbing 9 rebounds to go with 6 assists and 2 steals. Shannon Fowler and Eyan Rene chipped in 9 points apiece. Regular season MVP, Kris Frazier had the game high in points and rebounds tonight with 30 points and 15 rebounds, while Richard Troyer finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Elvis Usher Jr. was the only other player in double figures with 11 points and 8 steals while Leroy Louriano netted 9 points. With the win Mirage/Smart Belize Hurricanes has now grabbed home court advantage and can close out the best-of-three series on Friday night at the Civic Center in Belize City. Verdes must win on Friday to force a game three back at the Sacred Heart College auditorium and more than likely they will be without the services of their guard, Tyrone Hall, while Hurricanes’ point guard Glency “Coope” Lopez should be back in action for game 2.
Tiger Sharks steals game one in Griga to take series lead
San Pedro Tiger Sharks travelled down south to the cultural capital to take on the #2 seed, Griga Dream Ballers at the Russel Chiste Garcia auditorium in Dangriga Town. San Pedro Tiger Sharks was able to keep the loud auditorium at bay, jumping out to an early 20 – 15 lead which they increased to 41 – 33 at the half. San Pedro was able to maintain this lead the entire game, grabbing a 78 – 69 game 1 victory. San Pedro Tiger Sharks was led by Jihad Wright who had the game high with 23 points while snatching 12 rebounds to go with 2 assists and 2 steals while Martevious Adams and Ashton Edwards finished with 14 points each. Francis Arana tallied 10 rebounds, 6 points, 5 dimes and 4 steals while Keight Pollard netted 8 points. Daniel Conorque was the top scorer for Griga Dream Ballers scoring 15 points while grabbing 5 caroms and dishing out 5 assists while Macario Augustine netted 12 points to go with 9 rebounds. Jamal Kelly and Najib Casimiro chipped in 10 points each and Delvon Henderson finished the game with 8 points and 5 rebounds. With the win, San Pedro Tiger Sharks will sail back home to defend their turf on Saturday on a quest to get back to the NEBL finals for the fifth time in 6 years. Griga must regroup and travel to San Pedro in an attempt to regain home court advantage and bring the series back with them to Dangriga. It is the first time in league history that the top two teams lost game 1 in the semi-finals.
All scores, standings, player statistic and team statistic can be found on our webpage at neblbelize.com
Below is the schedule for game 2 of the semi-finals
Friday, May 3 at 9:00 p.m.: Mirage/Smart Belize Hurricanes (#4) vs. Verdes (#1) at the Belize Civic
Center
Saturday, May 4 at 9:00 p.m.: San Pedro Tiger Sharks (#3) vs. Griga Dream Ballers (#2) at the San Pedro
High School in San Pedro Town
If a game 3 is necessary, below is the schedule.
Friday, May 10 at 9:00 p.m.: Verdes (#1) vs. Mirage/Smart Belize Hurricanes (#4) at the Sacred Heart
College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town
Saturday, May 11 at 9:00 p.m.: Griga Dream Ballers (#2) vs. San Pedro Tiger Sharks (#3) at the Russel
Chiste Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga Town