by Bernard Wagner

Pepsi NEBL In The Paint

With the 2017 regular season quickly winding down, the playoffs picture is now taking shape; and with their 73-65 win over the Orange Walk Running Rebels on Friday night at home, the Cayo Western Ballaz distinguished itself as a contender, while for all intents and purpose distinguished the Rebels as a pretender.  The win, their sixth of the season, against five losses, places them for the time being at number 3 in the standings, with just one more game remaining on their schedule.

The Ballaz outscored the Rebels 42 to 29 in the third and fourth quarters, after trailing 36-31 at the conclusion of first half play. Daniel Nolberto 16 points 6 rebounds led a quartet of Western Ballaz players scoring in double figures, which included Darwin “Puppy” Leslie with 11 points 3 rebounds, Elsworth Itza 10 points 11 rebounds, and Gene Myvett 10 points 7 rebounds 4 assists.

Meanwhile the Rebels, whom have shown over the duration of the season their deficiency in closing out games, once again held to form. Fatigue and tired legs spelled disaster for the Rebels as they committed 13 of their game 23 turnovers in those two quarters, while making just 11 of 34 field goal attempts for 32%. Invariably their opponents converted those 23 turnovers into 24 points. Leon Jacobs, who led the Rebels with 17 points 4 rebounds, regrettably had 4 turnovers. The story was the same for Roger Reneau 13 points 7 rebounds 6 assists, but 6 turnovers, Randy Usher 12 points 3 rebounds 3 assists, 4 turnovers, and James Ewing 12 points 17 rebounds and 5 turnovers.  The game was essentially close for three quarters. The Rebels shot 38% from the field on 27 of 70 shooting, compared the the Ballaz 33%, rebounds were pretty even with the Ballaz holding the slight edge 52 to 48, while the contribution from both benches were adequate. However the two key areas where the Rebels loss control of the games was in second chance opportunities allowed (19-6), and in points made of turnovers (24-7), both in favor of the triumphant Western Ballaz.