The Belize Basketball Federation hosted the FIBA Americup Pre-Qualifier for Group A which consisted of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Cuba and Belize from February 22-24, 2019, at the Belize City Civic Centre.
On Friday 22nd February, Belize won handily over Antigua and Barbuda by the score of 96-71.
The Belize Team was led by Richard Troyer who scored 20pts for a 24-17 lead in the first quarter. Tyrone Hall and Kirk Smith was a part of the supporting cast to Troyer as each posted 15 points to lead 50-35 at intermission. Jihad right also drained in a 3-pointer to put up 13 points and Edgar Mitchell scored twice from outside the circle; as he and Glency Lopez scored eight points each to lead 70-55 at the end of the third quarter. Devin Daly also scored two three pointers, and Daniel Conorquie followed with a three-pointer of his own to add five points; while Brian White, Elsworth Itza and Matthew Young each contributed a basket to the win.
The Antiguan National Team was led by Duane James who scored 18 points, Joel McIntosh posted 13 points while Vivian Destin, Bryan Matthew and Selassie Braithwaite put up six points each. Jerome Richardson added five points and Clinton Joshua threw in four to narrow the deficit to 10 points in the third quarter, but that was the closest they came.
On Saturday February 23, the Cuban team won a tightly contested game against the Belize national team, with a nail-biter finish: 82-80. The top scorer for Belize was Devin Daly as he led the Belize offensive with 23 points, Daniel Conorquie and Jihad Wright contributed 13 points each to lead 36-34 at the half. Glency Lopez scored 10 points, and Edgar Mitchell also drained in a long 3-pointer; as he and Matthew Young threw in five points each. Richard Troyer hits a single 3-pinter and Kirk Smith Jr, Tyrone Hall, Brian White and Elvis Olivera each chipped in a basket.
The top scorer for Cuba was Jasiel Rivero with 29 points, and Yoanki Mensia struck twice from outside the circle to post 20 points. Yuniskel Molina followed suit from outside the arc to put up 13 points, and Karel Guzman also drained in two 3-pointers for 11 points. Osmel Oliva threw in six points, and their big seven-foot center Javier Justiz scored only three points.
With the game on the line and only 14 seconds remained Belize got to inbound the ball to Devin Daly, who missed his first attempt at a 3-pointer. Daly got another shot at the basket as he recovered his rebound and tried again, but again he hit the rim.
In the final game of Group A qualifier, which was played on Sunday 24th February, 2019, Team Belize did not fare so well against the Bahamas as they moved on to the next round by a 86-72 win. Michael Carey was the top scorer to lead the Bahamians with 21 points for a 22-19 lead in the first quarter. Kentwan Smith contributed 18 points, Shaquile Cleare scored 16points, Lourawls Naim posted 11 point for the win and a spot in the next round of the qualifiers.
Daniel Conorquie led Belize with 26 points Devin Daly hit a 3-pointer to score 11 points before he had to retire with an injured ankle early in the third quarter. Glency Lopez also hit a 3-pointer; as he and Jihad Wright put up 10 points each to tie the score 42-42 at half. Elvis Olivera contributed six points, Richard Troyer was limited to five points, and Tyron Hall hit a single 3-pointer in the lost.
