By Karim Juan, NEBL Commissioner
Sunday, February 16, 2020. The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) bounced into its fifth weekend with 3 games on the schedule. All scores, standings, schedule and player stats can be found on our website at neblbelize.com All games can also be followed live online on our webpage by clicking on the game at the top of the website. When fans click on the game the live stats for that game will be accessible.
Orange Walk Running Rebels sends Bandits reeling
On Friday night Orange Walk Running Rebels hosted Belmopan Bandits at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex, as both teams were 1 – 2 and battling to reach .500 after this game, rather than falling to 1 – 3. The home squad had a 26 – 22 lead at the end of the first quarter which extended to 49 – 40 at the half. However, Belmopan Bandits was providing an answer for all the surges of the home team, hanging in the game 66 – 62 going into the last quarter. In the fourth quarter Orange Walk Running Rebels had a 14-point lead, but Belmopan Bandits were able to cut into the lead and keep the game close, trailing by only 3 points. Rebels was able to seal the 94 – 86 lead down the stretch with some key buckets. Running Rebels was led by Brian White who had a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds while Dajuan Cooper also tallied a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Sidney Bradley chipped in 16 points while Roger Reneau and Isaiah Thomas finished with 12 and 11 points respectively. Point guard Khalil Jhabbie from Belmopan Bandits had the game high with 27 points to go with 6 assists while Richard Smith III tallied 25 points and 1o rebounds. Brandon Flowers finished with a double-double tallying 13 points and 10 rebounds. With the win Orange Walk Running Rebels is now 2 – 2 while Belmopan Bandits are 1 – 3, losing their last 2 games.
Digi Defenders has 4 game winning streak after defeating PG Panthers
Riding a three-game winning streak and sharing the top record with the defending champions, the Defenders traveled down south to take on Punta Gorda Panthers on Saturday night. Punta Gorda Panthers controlled the tempo of the game in the first quarter, holding on to a 20 – 18. In the second quarter Defenders went on a 18 – 7 run to take a 36 – 27 lead going into the half. Defenders extended that lead to 57 – 44 by the end of the third quarter and comfortably sealed the 75 – 65 win. With the win Digi Belize City Defenders are riding a 4 game winning streak going into week 6 as they face off with the defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks at the Civic Centre, where the winner will have sole control of first place. Luther Page was the top scorer for the Defenders with the game high of 22 points to go with 12 rebounds while Devil Daly tallied 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. There were complemented by Nigel Jones who had another double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds while Farron Louriano finished with 10 points and 4 boards. The top scorer for Punta Gorda Panthers was Jevonte Hughes who netted 18 points to go with 6 caroms while Julien Travis sank 15 points and D’Von Campbell and Elvert Ariola chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively. With the loss Punta Gorda Panthers is staring down a three game losing streak, faltering in the 4th quarter in these games.
Tiger Sharks wins again in San Pedro
On Saturday night the defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks hosted Griga Dream Ballers who are coming off their first win of the season. The home team, Tiger Sharks, jumped out to an early 21 – 12 lead at the end of the first quarter which was extended to 43 – 22 at the half. Griga Dream Ballers were unable to put together any run in the game and San Pedro handily defeated them 93 – 56. With the win, San Pedro Tiger Sharks are now 4 – 1 and will face off with the other 4 – 1 team, Digi Belize City Defenders at the Civic Centre on Friday night. San Pedro Tiger Sharks was led by Antone Robinson Jr. who had the game high of 17 points to go with 15 rebounds while Jihad Wright also recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 reboudns to go with 7 assists. Martevious Adams scored 16 points and Winston Pratt finished with 12 points. Griga Dream Ballers top scorers were Edgar Mitchell and Donell Arzu who tallied 13 points each while Branden Sheppard and Vince Young chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively. With the loss, Griga Dream Ballers are now 1 – 3 with 3 of their losses being games that they were trailing by 20+ points.
