BEBL Round 5 (Regular Season): Hurricanes hand first defeat to Defenders

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Defenders (3-1) in Belize City on Friday night. Hosts were rolled over by Hurricanes (5-0) 119-72. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Defenders. Hurricanes dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Defenders' 26. They outrebounded Defenders 54-25 including a 38-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Sidibe Bourama who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds. American swingman Victor Evans (193, college: Vanguard) chipped in 16 points and 7 assists. American swingman Nigel Jones (201-1990, college: Talladega) produced 19 points for the hosts. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Undefeated Hurricanes have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 5-0 record. Defenders at the other side keep the second position with one game lost. Hurricanes are looking forward to face Tiger Sharks (#4) in San Pedro in the next round. Defenders' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Belize City Running Rebels.
The game in Belmopan was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Tiger Sharks (3-3) played at the court of 5th ranked Trojans (1-4). Tiger Sharks did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 88-71. The former international guard Daniel Conorque (193-1991, college: Pima CC) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 6 rebounds. Richard Laku contributed with 17 points for the winners. Tiger Sharks' coach Rico Black allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Jayden Lopez answered with 23 points and 7 rebounds for Trojans. Tiger Sharks maintains fourth place with 3-3 record. Trojans lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. Tiger Sharks will play against league's leader Hurricanes in Belize City in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Trojans will play on the road against Dream Ballers (#7) in Dangriga and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

In the last game of round 5 Western Ballaz was crushed by Running Rebels in Belize City 86-67.



Defenders - Hurricanes 72-119

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Defenders (3-1) in Belize City on Friday night. Hosts were rolled over by Hurricanes (5-0) 119-72. It ended at the same time the three-game winning streak of Defenders. Hurricanes dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Defenders' 26. They outrebounded Defenders 54-25 including a 38-16 advantage in defensive rebounds. The best player for the winners was Sidibe Bourama who had a double-double by scoring 16 points and 15 rebounds. American swingman Victor Evans (193, college: Vanguard) chipped in 16 points and 7 assists. American swingman Nigel Jones (201-1990, college: Talladega) produced 19 points and the other American import point guard Lorenzo Dillard (189-1995, college: Dillard) added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists respectively for the hosts. Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Hurricanes have an impressive series of five victories in a row. Defending champion maintains first place with 5-0 record. Defenders at the other side keep the second position with one game lost. Hurricanes are looking forward to face Tiger Sharks (#4) in San Pedro in the next round. Defenders' supporters also look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Belize City Running Rebels.
Top scorers:
Defenders: N.Jones 19+3reb+2ast, P.Shane 12+3reb+1ast, L.Dillard 11+6reb+5ast, D.Daly 10+2reb+1ast, D.Campbell 10+1reb+2ast, A.Baptist 4+2reb+1ast
Hurricanes: B.Sidibe 16+15reb, V.Evans 16+3reb+7ast, T.Orosco 14+8reb+1ast, E.Rene 13+3reb, J.Harris 13+5reb+2ast, G.Lopez 12+2reb+2ast

Running Rebels - Western Ballaz 86-67

There was no surprise in Belize City where 5th ranked Western Ballaz (1-3) was crushed by third ranked Running Rebels (3-2) 86-67. Running Rebels forced 32 Western Ballaz turnovers. Center Matthew Young orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds. American forward James Stanback (198, college: Camden County) contributed with 14 points and 8 rebounds for the winners. Four Running Rebels players scored in double figures. American swingman Mark Gordon (196, college: Keiser) answered with 20 points and 5 rebounds and the other American import JD Weatherspoon (198-1992, college: Toledo) added 15 points and 13 rebounds in the effort for Western Ballaz. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Running Rebels maintains third place with 3-2 record having just two points less than leader Hurricanes. Western Ballaz at the other side keeps the fifth position with three games lost. Running Rebels' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Belize City to the arena Defenders.
Top scorers:
Western Ballaz: M.Gordon 20+5reb+3ast, J.Weatherspoon 15+13reb, J.Montejo 8+1reb, S.White 6+6reb+1ast, A.Aaron 5+1reb+1ast, P.Kerwin 5+6reb+1ast
Running Rebels: M.Young 19+13reb+1ast, C.Woodson 15+1reb+2ast, J.Stanback 14+8reb+2ast, T.Hall 13+4reb+3ast, J.Velasquez 8+1reb, B.White 7+4reb+2ast

Trojans - Tiger Sharks 71-88

The game in Belmopan was also worth to mention about. Fourth ranked Tiger Sharks (3-3) played at the court of 5th ranked Trojans (1-4). Tiger Sharks did not have too big problems and got a relatively easy victory 88-71. Tiger Sharks shot 63.0 percent from the field. The former international guard Daniel Conorque (193-1991, college: Pima CC) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 6 rebounds. American Richard Laku (206-1997, college: CSUSB) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Four Tiger Sharks players scored in double figures. Tiger Sharks' coach Rico Black allowed to play the deep bench players saving starting five for next games. Guard Jayden Lopez answered with 23 points and 7 rebounds and American forward Tramarcus Levi (201-1997, college: Graceland) added 19 points in the effort for Trojans. Tiger Sharks maintains fourth place with 3-3 record. Trojans lost their third game in a row. Newly promoted team dropped to the sixth position with four games lost. Tiger Sharks will play against league's leader Hurricanes in Belize City in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Trojans will play on the road against Dream Ballers (#7) in Dangriga and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Trojans: L.Jayden 23+7reb, T.Levi 19+3reb, J.McKenzie 18+1reb, R.Cruz 4+7reb, B.Dane 3+2reb, R.Roches 2+2reb
Tiger Sharks: D.Conorque 21+6reb, R.Laku 17+4reb, F.Arana 14+5reb+2ast, J.Wright 12+7reb+1ast, B.Arthur-Williams 8+1reb, K.Pollard 6+2reb