BEBL Round 12 (Regular Season): Defenders hand first loss to Hurricanes

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Hurricanes (8-1) in Belize City on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Defenders (5-3) 60-56. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Hurricanes. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Defenders made 7 blocks. It was a good game for American swingman Nigel Jones (201-1990, college: Talladega) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward John Kelly (200-1997) contributed with 12 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Mali center Bourama Sidibe (208-1997, college: Syracuse, agency: VM Hoops Agency) replied with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds for Hurricanes. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defenders maintains third position with 5-3 record having four points less than leader Hurricanes. Defending champion Hurricanes still keep top place with one game lost. Defenders' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Belize City to the arena Running Rebels.
The game in San Ignacio supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Tiger Sharks (7-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Western Ballaz (1-7). Tiger Sharks smashed Western Ballaz 81-58. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Francis Arana (180-1997) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 7 assists and 5 steals and Bobby Arthur-Williams who added 13 points and 15 rebounds during the contest. The best for the losing side was American swingman Mark Gordon (196, college: Keiser) with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tiger Sharks have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 7-3 record behind leader Hurricanes. Western Ballaz lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with seven games lost.
The game in Belmopan was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Dream Ballers (4-5) played at the court of 6th ranked Trojans (2-9). Dream Ballers defeated Trojans 91-81 on Friday. The winners were led by Jonathan Guzman who had that evening a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Even 31 points and 5 rebounds by Tramarcus Levi did not help to save the game for Trojans. Trojans' coach A Manzanero rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Dream Ballers moved-up to fourth place. Trojans lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the sixth position with nine games lost. Dream Ballers will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Trojans will play again against Dream Ballers (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

The most impressive performance of 12th round was 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists by Edgar Mitchell of Dream Ballers.



Hurricanes - Defenders 56-60

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Hurricanes (8-1) in Belize City on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by third ranked Defenders (5-3) 60-56. It ended at the same time the eight-game winning streak of Hurricanes. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Defenders made 7 blocks. It was a good game for American swingman Nigel Jones (201-1990, college: Talladega) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Forward John Kelly (200-1997) contributed with 12 points and 9 rebounds for the winners. Jones is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Mali center Bourama Sidibe (208-1997, college: Syracuse, agency: VM Hoops Agency) replied with a double-double by scoring 13 points and 15 rebounds and the former international forward Kirk Smith (203-2000, college: McLennan CC) added 9 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for Hurricanes. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Defenders maintains third position with 5-3 record having four points less than leader Hurricanes. Defending champion Hurricanes still keep top place with one game lost. Defenders' supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Belize City to the arena Running Rebels.
Top scorers:
Hurricanes: B.Sidibe 13+15reb+1ast, A.Ross 11+1ast, K.Smith 9+9reb, V.Evans 8+6reb+2ast, M.Cunningham 6+2reb+1ast, B.Flowers 4
Defenders: N.Jones 14+10reb+6ast, K.John 12+9reb, R.Smith III 7+5reb+1ast, D.Daly 7+4reb+2ast, D.Estes 6+10reb+3ast, T.Everal 5+2reb+5ast

Western Ballaz - Tiger Sharks 58-81

The game in San Ignacio supposed to be also worth to mention about. Second ranked Tiger Sharks (7-3) played at the court of 7th ranked Western Ballaz (1-7). Tiger Sharks smashed Western Ballaz 81-58. Tiger Sharks outrebounded Western Ballaz 60-34 including a 45-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Francis Arana (180-1997) who helped to win the game recording 20 points, 7 assists and 5 steals and American forward Bobby Arthur-Williams (201-1997, college: Pitt St., agency: Starting 5) who added 13 points and 15 rebounds during the contest. Five Tiger Sharks players scored in double figures. The best for the losing side was American swingman Mark Gordon (196, college: Keiser) with a double-double by scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds and guard Aaron Allison scored 13 points and 5 assists. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Tiger Sharks have an impressive six-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 7-3 record behind leader Hurricanes. Western Ballaz lost sixth consecutive game. They stay at the bottom place with seven games lost.
Top scorers:
Western Ballaz: M.Gordon 22+11reb+1ast, A.Aaron 13+3reb+5ast, D.Ryan 7+1reb, P.Kerwin 7+5reb, J.Montejo 4+3reb, S.White 2+4reb+4ast
Tiger Sharks: F.Arana 20+3reb+7ast, T.Raheem 13+6reb+3ast, B.Arthur-Williams 13+15reb+2ast, R.Laku 11+10reb+3ast, D.Penland 11+1reb, J.Wright 8+4reb

Trojans - Dream Ballers 81-91

The game in Belmopan was also quite interesting. Fifth ranked Dream Ballers (4-5) played at the court of 6th ranked Trojans (2-9). Dream Ballers defeated Trojans 91-81 on Friday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Dream Ballers made 7 blocks. The winners were led by American forward Jonathan Guzman (201-1998, college: Antelope Valley) who had that evening a double-double by scoring 20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists and the former international guard Edgar Mitchell (-1993) supported him with 24 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Dream Ballers players scored in double figures. Even 31 points and 5 rebounds by American forward Tramarcus Levi (201-1997, college: Graceland) did not help to save the game for Trojans. Guard Jayden Lopez added 21 points and 14 rebounds. Trojans' coach A Manzanero rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Dream Ballers moved-up to fourth place. Trojans lost fourth consecutive game. Newly promoted team keep the sixth position with nine games lost. Dream Ballers will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Trojans will play again against Dream Ballers (#4) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Trojans: T.Levi 31+5reb+1ast, L.Jayden 21+14reb+2ast, L.Lisanie 9+11reb+1ast, B.Dane 8+5reb, J.McKenzie 8+1reb, G.Ajay 2+1reb
Dream Ballers: E.Mitchell 24+7reb+5ast, J.Guzman 20+10reb+8ast, K.Laurie 15+6reb+1ast, B.Rogers 11+6reb, K.Molina 9+4reb, G.Matt 7+11reb