Berisford Codd Jr. ©
Marquee matchups make for greater fan support, and no other game has been as anticipated as this Friday’s rematch in the Culture Capital! The Griga Dream Ballers (6-1) will be hosting the Digicell Belize City Defenders in the last big one before the All-Star break. Griga is coming off another convincing road win against the Running Rebels, where they were in control of the game from start to finish 85-70). Their star back court of Edgar Mitchell and Daniel Nolberto led the way once again, scoring 41 of the team’s 85 points. The Defenders (4-2) dominated the Smart Belize Hurricanes in the first leg of the “Telecom Bowl” by a score of 85-67. Defenders sniper Jacob Leslie rediscovered his three point stroke to compliment another masterful performance from American Nigel Jones. Jones, the front runner for league MVP, awed the crowd with long range bombs and rim rattling dunks in route to another easy 27 points!
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks (7-1) will be looking to wrap up another playoff berth as they visit the winless Orange Walk Running Rebels (0-7). San Pedro is coming off an impressive victory against the improving Verdes that saw another promising performance from burly big man Martevuius Adams. Adams and the Sharks buried Verdes in the 3rd quarter, which severely cheapened the 32 point scoring outburst from veteran Richard Troyer. Orange Walk may already be looking forward to next season, as their team suffered another blow out at the hands of the Griga Dream Ballers. The lowly Rebels have not shined in any facet of the game this season, as they are only scoring 68.86 ppg and giving up a whopping 85.43 ppg. As the Rebels will officially be eliminated with one more loss, the remainder of the season will be all about PRIDE!
With that said, let’s take a look at the action for Week 9….
Friday (9:00 p.m.) March 16th 2018 – Griga Dream Ballers vs Digicell Belize City Defenders – Russell Chiste Garcia Auditorium
The short season offers the opportunity for fans to see the best matchups in quick turnarounds. In their showdown in the city, the Defenders (3-2) suffered the tough loss after choking a ten point lead over the game’s last quarter. While Griga was making its run throughout the fourth, the dynamic Defenders duo of Nigel Jones and Darwin Leslie were uncharacteristically quiet by scoring only eight points combined. Both of them were unable to match the intensity and brilliance of Griga Captain Edgar “Boogie” Mitchell, who led the way down the stretch for the Griga boys with ten huge fourth quarter points. Mitchell’s emergence as the clear cut second option on the Dream Ballers will make this game a test of will as opposed to skill, with both teams knowing each other’s pecking order. The Defenders should remain confident knowing that they gave away a game they were in control of for the first 32 minutes. It will be interesting to see who Head Coach Troy Gabb starts their defensive ace Ty Bradley on, as he has consistently locked up opposing guards when given the opportunity.
X- Factor: Will Defenders find a third scorer?
Friday (9:00 p.m.) March 16th 2018 – Orange Walk Running Rebels vs San Pedro Tiger Sharks – OW Multipurpose Complex
The last time these two teams faced provided an unexpectedly exciting matchup in San Pedro, with the Tiger Sharks narrowly escaping with a 92-86 win. It was a big man affair for the Tiger Sharks, as the trio of Andrew Ortiz, Raul Roches and Martevuius Adams combined to score 46 points against the Rebels. The Sharks shot a scorching 53% from the field, which helped to alleviate the challenge of giving up twice as many offensive rebounds to the Rebels. MVP candidate Jihad Wright has shown the ability to bounce back after bad scoring games, so his engines should be revved up to take on the Rebels Roger Reneau and Dwayne Cummings. For the Rebels, a win in Friday’s game would be huge for the fan base. While they have remained loyal throughout the season, the potential of a winless season could put the future prospects of the team in doubt with fan support reducing after every agonizing defeat. American big man James Ewing will try to lift his team once again, but he must be assisted with an efficient performance from Reneau and Cummings. This could be the end of the Rebels season…. Let’s remain optimistic
X Factor: Running Rebels interior defense