Jorret Jones with a lay up

Belize City, July 5, 2013

The undefeated defending champs Tuff e’Nuff won their 4th interoffice basketball championship in 7 years as they ran over Oceana No Limits: 91-80 in Game 3 of the finals to take the 2013 title at Bird’s Isle

last Friday night.

With 2 losses in Games 1 and 2, Oceana No Limits was struggling against the ropes as they tried to go to a Game 4. Brandon Rogers wanted it bad enough to score 21 points and 11 rebounds. No Limit’s chances improved as they led 25-21 at the end of the 1st quarter.

But Tuff e’Nuff would not let it be. Farron “Far-D” Louriano led Tuff e’Nuff with 25 points, 4 rebounds while Tyrone “Joker” Edwards had 20 points and 6 rebounds. Tuff e’Nuff led 48-45 at the half.

Ashton Edwards added 13 points and Densmore Edwards added 4 points. Winston “Air Jun” Pratt and Raul Roches each added 10 points for Tuff e’Nuff to push their lead 71-59 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Tuff e’Nuff captain Rico Black hit a trey and Jorret Jones scored 2pts to punctuate the 91-80 win. It was championship gold rings all round in the awards ceremony after the final game, and we say congratulations.

San Ignacio, July 6, 2013

The Ladyville Jaguars enjoyed a big win at the Norman Broaster Stadium when they toppled the 4-time national champs, Esperanza’s Gentle Touch Girls, 3-2 on Saturday, July 6.

Shameika Franklin created the Ladyville girls 1st opening when she lured keeper Myreinne Drysdale out of her goal and into a foul situation in her favour inside the 18-yd box. A penalty was called and Drysdale got an early red ticket to the showers. Left with only 10 players on the field, Gentle Touch defender Eden Gentle donned the keeper’s jersey and stepped into the goal, but she could not stop Shinelle Gentle’s shot which gave Ladyville the 1-0 lead.

Gentle Touch won a free kick when Shinelle took down Kim Perez just outside the goal area and Abby Halliday easily beat the Ladyville keeper Imelda Alarcon with her execution to tie the ball game 1-1. The Esperanza girls tried to go on the offensive, but Kara Kisling embarrassed Eden Gentle with a 2nd goal for Ladyville to lead 2-1 at the half.

Cynthia Salazar and Cindy Fuentes came off the Gentle Touch bench to substitute for Indira Spain and Shannon Gentle, and both squads were down to 10 players when Shinelle got a 2nd yellow card and was sent off with a red ticket.

The Esperanza defense gave up a 2nd penalty when Marsha “Ninja” Stevens took down Sara Arzu inside the 18, and again the referee ruled penalty. Again Eden Gentle could not stop the conversion, executed by Kisling to give Ladyville the 3-1 lead.

Ethlene Gentle connected to a forward pass from Abby Halliday to drill a 2nd goal past Imelda Alarcon, but that was all she wrote, as Ladyville went on to post the 3-2 big W.

Upcoming matches:

Toledo Scorpions vs. Dangriga Pumas, Carl Ramos Stadium, Saturday, July 13

Sugar City Girlz vs. Ladyville Jaguars, Ladyville, Sunday, July 14

Double Head Cabbage, July 13, 2013

Double Head Cabbage Excellence became repeat SMART Harrison Parks cricket champs, bowling out the 4x national champs, Crooked Tree Brilliant, in the championship finals on Saturday.

Brilliant batted first but Excellence’s bowlers Orson “Big Dawg” Flowers took 5 wickets, while MVP Marlon “Camala” Nicholas, aka “Beach Body”, and Ian Broaster took 2 wickets each to hold the visitors to 124 runs all out.

Young Jermaine Smith led Brilliant with 24 runs, Brandon Lewis batted 23 runs, Landis “Ciego” Wade added 17 runs, while Rodwell Conorquie scored 14 runs.

Eldon “Pia” Wade and Lawrence Banner scored 8 runs each and Varron Westby batted 7 runs.

The Brilliant bowlers tried to hold them down as Lawrence Banner and Brandon Lewis took 3 wickets each and Rodwell Conorquie took 2 wickets for zero runs.

Emmanuel “Tweety” Mcfadzean Jr was the Man of the Match for Excellence as he partnered with Burke Howard to score 33 runs each and both remained not out. Excellence captain Ian Broaster scored 24 runs; while Kenny Broaster batted 10 runs and Brandon Broaster hit a single six to score 128-124 win.

Alburn Rivero sponsored this year’s trophies. Marlon “Camala” Nicholas won the Most Valuable Player award.

Top 3 winners

Belize City, July 14, 2013

Team Scotiabank’s Barney Brown, Digicel 4G’s Anwar Barrow and Team Zitro’s Salvador Alvarado won the A, B and C division respectively of the Weekend Warriors’ 40-mile race from Cotton Tree to Leslie’s

Imports in Belize City on the George Price Highway on Sunday morning. Here are the Division Top 5 results:

A Division

1st place – Barney Brown – Scotiabank – 1:44:02

2nd place – Fitzgerald “Palas” Joseph – Team Santino’s

3rd place – Mark Gentle – British Caribbean Bank/F.T.Williams

4th place – Wilbert Jones – Digicel 4G

5th place – Kirk Sutherland – Digicel 4G

B Division

1st place – Anwar Barrow – Team Digicel 4G – 1:55:00

2nd place – Andrew Ordonez – Team Digicel 4G

3rd place – Eustace Ireland – Team Scotiabank

4th place – Maurice Kelly – B.C.B./F.T.Williams

5th place – Isaiah Willacey – Digicel 4G

C Division

1st place – Salvador Alvarado – Team Zitro team – 1:22:29

2nd place – Sean Duncan – Team Zitro

3rd place – Curtis Bradley – B.C.B./F.T.Williams

4th place – Dennis Mckoy – Truckers Posse

5th place – Lawrence Craig – Truckers Posse

There will be 4 more races in the series. The next is set for Sunday, July 21, from mile 21 to the Busman Arnold Bridge at mile 60 on the George Price highway.

All winners

Belize City, July 14, 2013

Carlos Cui and Sen Sen won the 2013 Brodies Strong & Weak table tennis tournament held under the auspices of the Belize Table Tennis Association at “the home of table tennis”, the Belize Elementary School Auditorium this past Sunday, July 14, 2013.

The tournament began with a double elimination format with 16 Doubles pairs participating and continued throughout the day for a total of 32 matches played. Cui and Sen won 1st place, while Tux Vasquez and Aaron Stock were 2nd; Harim Ochaeta and Hollis Parham were 3rd; and Tyrone Tun and Willie Chang came in 4th.

Billy Musa Jr., representing the sponsor BRODIES, awarded prizes to the winners and delivered the trophies to the winners along with cash prizes. He thanked the association for their work and promised to make it an annual event. The sponsors also provided free Monster energy drinks throughout the day to all participants.

Kenny Gladden won 1st place in A Division

Belize City, July 21, 2013

Team Scotiabank continues to dominate the Weekend Warriors’ races as Barney Brown won the Cotton Tree race last week and now his teammate Kenny Gladden won the 49-mile “A” Division race from Crooked Tree on the Philip Goldson and George Price Highways on Sunday morning.

Gladden clocked 2:12:40 as he won the sprint over Team BWS’ Derick Smith at the finish line by Leslie’s Imports in Belize City.

Team Digicel 4G’s road champ Isaiah Willacey clocked 2:21:59 to win the “B” division race in uncontested fashion.

Truckers Posse’s Manuel Esquiliano clocked 1:44:11 won the 27-mile “C” Division race from CD’s Gas station on the Burrell boom bypass road.

Rigo Vellos & Edgar Rogers (Pic from 2013 Corozal Bodybuilding competition)

Placencia Village, July 24, 2013

The best in muscle and beauty took to the stage when the first ever Summer Muscle and Bikini Splash was held at the Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bar this weekend under the guidance of the Belize Body Building and Fitness Federation.

The competition featured male bodybuilders in the 165lb and under, and 165lb and over category, while females competed the Bikini Fitness competition.

In the 165lb and under category, 1st place went to Placencia’s very own Edgar Rogers, while 2nd place went to Farid Patt and 3rd place to Calbert Castillo.

In the 165lb and over, current Mr. Belize Rigo Vellos won 1st place, while Deon Banner won 2nd place and Ervin Cabrera took 3rd place.

In the beauty and fitness category, Ms. Ann Lyn Apolonio won the top prize, while Tamara Dadockvina won 2nd place and Liane Chung took 3rd place.

Belize City, July 19, 2013

The Belize City women’s softball championship finals have heated up leading to a hot Game 5 this coming Friday, July 26.

The Fresca Lady Rebels ratcheted up the drama after tying the best of 5 series 2-2 by a 5-4 win over Belize Telemedia in the Game 4 of the finals at the Roger’s Stadium on Friday night.

Kenisha Sutherland replaced Mary Flowers on the mound after Flowers allowed the Rebels’ Carla Robinson to score from 2nd base on a hit by Doreth Young in the 2nd inning. Doreth Young soon added a 2nd run in the 3rd inning and Lisa Jones also came home from 2nd on a hit by Patricia Thimbrel in the 3rd inning.

Kimani Williams scored Telemedia’s 1st run in the top of the 5th, Kaylie McFadzean scored a 2nd run on a hit by Lydia Cacho. A wild pitch by Lanisha Jones allowed Norecia Frazier to score from 3rd base and tie the ball game 3-3.

Rebels’ Sharette Vernon drove in a run scored by Doreth Young to give Fresca a 4-3 lead and Ashanti Anderson hit a pop up fly that was caught but Clarencia Jones came home as the Lady Rebels led 5-3 in the bottom of the 6th inning.

In the top of the 7th, Earlene Belisle’s hit brought home Lydia Cacho for a 5-4 score, but Lanisha Jones’ pitch to Mary Flowers resulted in another pop up fly ball for the easy catch by Doreth Young and the 5-4 Fresca Lady Rebels win.

Lady Jaguars’ Sara Arzu

Ladyville, July 28, 2013

The Ladyville Jaguars salvaged a 1-1 draw out of the jaws of defeat when they hosted Sugar City Girlz for a back match of the ongoing Atlantic Bank national female football competition at the Ladyville field on Sunday afternoon.

Sheree Gillette looked to put the Jaguars on the scoreboard early with a grass burner shot but Sugar City’s Jenny Cantun handled the challenge. The Jaguars remained on the attack as Kara Kisling stole the ball from Sugar City’s Ruby Mai but again Cantun denied Kisling.

Sugar City was also on the attack as Giselle Baeza got off this shot at goal only to be denied by Ladyville’s goalie Imelda Alarcon. The Jaguar’s defender Britney Nunez blundered into giving up a penalty when she took down Sugar City’s Noreilly Terry inside the 18, but Karen Garcia’s attempt to convert was denied by Imelda Alarcon for a nil-zip ball game at the break.

In the 2nd half Giselle Baeza outran Kara Kisling to slice the ball past Alarcon and give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 68th minute.

Ladyville pressed for the equalizer when Sarah Arzu set table for Kara Kisling who missed the target.

The Jaguars won a free kick and Sarah Arzu blasted in a long range cruise missile that embarrassed Cantun with the equalizer in the 79th minute and the long whistle sounded to a 1-1 draw.

Belize City, July 27, 2013

It was standing room only at the Belize Elementary School auditorium last Saturday night when the Lady Jaguars won their 2nd Volleyball championship, taking Game 3 of the finals in 5 sets.

The Jaguars’ Tichelle Solis, Shantel Arnold, Zaira Garbutt and Marissa Williams spiked the Stars into submission, on balls set up by Sherylee Thurton, Tanesha Encalada and libero Tisha Solis, taking the 1st set 25-22.

The Stars’ Kelsey Balderamos, Shelmadine Cacho, Sherika Burton and Emma Hoare counterattacked with a fury, as Jashema Saunders and Nerisa Ramirez received and blocked at the net, and the Stars led 2-1 when they won the 2nd set: 25-23 and the 3rd set: 25-20!

The Jaguars refreshed their attack lineup with Alina Scott and Roberta Usher who took the court for Encalada and Garbutt to deny the Stars the 4th set, the Jaguars won: 25-18.

It was a whole new ball game in the 5th set, the Jaguars took it away 15-10 to win the championship, but will have to wait for the men’s and firms competition to conclude before the trophy ceremony.

In the “Jungle rules” interoffice competition, the Belize Bank prevailed 25-16, 25-13 over the First Caribbean Investment bank. The Simon Quan Co. Ltd arrested the Police Enforcers: 25-20, 25-23.

In the men’s competition, defending champs Rebels tamed the S.Q. Dragons: 25-22, 25-22 and 25-22.

The competition continues on Saturday, August 3.

Belize City, July 26, 2013

The Belize Telemedia women’s softball team are the Belize City women’s softball champions for 2013, after shutting out Fresca Lady Rebels 6-0 in Game 5 of the finals at the Roger’s Stadium last Friday night.

Telemedia’s Kenisha Sutherland struck out 3 batters and walked 1 batter but gave up no runs to the Rebels in the entire game. In the bottom of the 1st inning, Telemedia had 2 outs with Earline Belisle on 3rd and Mary Flowers on 1st when Ruth Lamb walloped Lanisha Jones’ pitch for a line drive to Rebels’ MVP shortstop Sharette Vernon, whose errant throw to 1st base allowed Belisle and Flowers to come home.

Sutherland gave up no hits to the Rebels in the top of the 2nd inning and Telemedia now led 2-0 in the 2nd when the league’s best hitter Lydia Cacho (batting average 0.475) stepped up to the plate and

walloped Jones’ pitch over the infield, bringing home Kaylie McFadzean from 2nd base.

Telemedia’s catcher Earlene Belisle then smacked Jones’ pitch to bring home Cacho from 2nd base as Telemedia led 4-0 going into the 3rd inning.

Sutherland continued to shut out the Lady Rebels as she got Lanisha Jones to pop up a fly for Elaine Humes’ easy catch, Clarencia Jones’ hit to infield got her nowhere, and Sharette Vernon did no better.

Lanisha Jones also got out of the 3rd inning without conceding any more runs when she got Mary Flowers to pop up for the easy catch by Sharette Vernon.

Telemedia extended their lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the 4th inning when Earlene Baptist hit Jones’ pitch to bring home Kaylie McFadzean from 2nd base, and Barbara Cadle’s hit to outfield brought home

Belisle as Telemdia led 6-0 entering the 5th inning.

Sutherland shut out the Rebels for the next 3 innings to clinch the title. Most Valuable Player award went to Sharette Vernon, who also won Most RBI’s: 8 and Most Stolen Bases: 3. Rebels’ pitcher Lanisha Jones won Most Wins and Most Strikeouts: 28. Lydia Cacho won Best Batting Average: 0.475 and Telemedia’s Norecia Frazer won Most Home Runs: 1. The champions and sub-champions also received team trophies and individual trophies to each player.

Belmopan, August 4, 2013

The San Martin Aguilas won the Cayo 1st Division football championship at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Sunday afternoon, bombing Roaring Cree: 2-0 in the 2nd half.

The best efforts of San Martin’s strikers, Giovanni Lopez and Henry Nino Gomez and midfielders Santiago Cruz, Carlos Tzalam Bandido Gutierrez and Nicolas Caliz did not impress the Roaring Creek’s

defenders and goalie Jose Mangar handled all other challenges for a scoreless 1st half.

In the 2nd half, Roaring Creek’s Ajani Banner fired a left foot shot at goal, but only served to make the San Martin goalie look good.

San Martin’s Giovanni Lopez responded with a shot on goal but Roaring Creek’s Jose Mangar handled the challenge. But when the Roaring Creek defenders tried to clear the ball out of goal, they gifted the ball back to Giovanni Lopez fired right back at goal, and Mangar never had a prayer of stopping the shot.

The next Roaring Creek press forced San Martin’s goalie to put his body on the line, and the resulting tension caused a Roaring Creek player to start a fight on the field. The referee chilled the situation with red cards for the Roaring Creek and San Martin players who displayed unsportsmanlike conduct.

When the dust settled, the game resume and San Martin’s Santiago Cruz got off a shot at goal that Mangar managed to deflect to Henry Gomez, who beat the last defender and fired back a shot to the back of the net to give San Martinez the title, even though the Aguilas finished with only 9 men on the field as Giovanni Lopez also got sent off with a late red card.

FFB program coordinator Cruz Gamez presented team trophies to the champs, 2nd place: Roaring Creek and 3rd place: Cotton Tree. San Martin’s Robert Sutherland won the Most Valuable Player award, while

San Martin goalie Marco Hernandez won Best Goalkeeper and Roaring Creek’s Darrel Myvett won Most Goals award.

Telemedia team

Belize City, August 1, 2013

Belize Telemedia’s Digicel 4G team won over Simon Quan Co. Ltd in 3 sets in the playoffs at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium last Thursday, August 1.

Victor Hernandez, Eros Dawson, Otis Clother and Rasheed Pollard led the Telemedia attacks hammering kills at the net on plays set by Emily Turner and Shanti Roches to win the 1st set 25-23.

The Simon Quan crew proved that they are no pushovers as Shelmadine Cacho, Sherelene Johnson and Crisel Ramirez spiked home points on balls set by Lupita Quan and Karen Quan, while Peter Quan and Alex Quan received the ball and sometimes tricked it over the net to win the second set 26-24.  Telemedia prevailed in the 3rd set: 15-12.

In Game 2 of the evening, Scotiabank also made the Belize Bank Bulldogs fight for it. Veteran Oscar Arnold, Michael Hernandez, Arthur Neal and Robbie Gongora served, blocked and hit at the net to win the 1st set 25-23. Belize Bank’s Martin Gongora and Cody Kuylen counterattacked with Judith Hoare setting the plays to win the 2nd set: 25-21, they also took the 3rd set 15-12.

Belize Bank team

The defending champs, Rebels, had to go to 4 sets to put away their arch rivals, the Scorpions who won the 1st set: 25-18. Stung by this insult, Rebels’ captain Tariq Campbell rallied his forces with Elton Moore, Jason Carvajal, Elton Middleton and libero Robbie Gongora. The Rebels took 2nd and 3rd sets 35-33 and 25-22, and the Scorpions’ tried to take the game to a 5th set, forcing the Rebels to go to extra points to win the 4th set: 26-24. The playoffs continue on Thursday, August 8.

Belmopan City, August 3, 2013

Belikin Western Spirits’ Choto brothers Jose, Peter and Rafael won 1st, 3rd and 5th places respectively in the final sprint to the finish line after completing 20 laps on the Ring Road from Belmopan Methodist

High School to the Curl Thompson building and back.

Jose Choto won the 1st place trophy, a $325 prize, and also the $150 1st prize in the Master’s Division for over-35 riders.

Team Capital City’s Erwin Middleton won the $225 2nd prize, while Peter Choto claimed the $150 3rd prize. Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden, riding unattached, won the $100 4th prize and Rafael Choto collected

the $50 5th prize. Henry Moriera was 6th.

The 1st Junior rider Giovanni Lovell had been leading the race from the 5th lap in a 3-man breakaway with Peter and Giovanni Choto, but Lovell’s fast pace soon dropped Giovanni Choto, but Peter hung on for the next 10 laps. Jose and Rafael Choto were sitting in the back of the main peloton over a minute behind the lead breakaway, saving their energy for the sprint.

Lovell was caught by the main peloton on the 16th lap and Peter Choto and Erwin Middleton took over the pace on the final lap, but Jose won the final sprint. Lovell – 7th overall, won the $150 1st prize among

the juniors; while Team Xibalban’s national junior road champ Oscar Quiros won the $100 2nd prize and Philip Mencias won the $50 3rd prize. Team BECOL’s Joslyn Chavarria was 4th in the Junior category.

Oceana team

Belize City, August 9, 2013

The Bombers and Oceana Strikers posted wins when in the Belize City softball competition kicked off at the home of softball at the Rogers Stadium in Belize City on Friday night.

In Game 1, the Bombers got 9 hits off Roy Briceno pitching for the Belikin Stout team to win 7-0 by mercy rule in 5 innings, even though Briceno struck out 5 batters and walked 2 batters. The Belikin batters got no hits off Bombers’ Milton Flores, who also struck out 10 batters, though he walked 5, while the Bombers’ diamond made only one error and forced Belikin to leave 6 runners on base.

Bombers’ Carlyon Flores scored 2 runs, while Shaquille Moody and Alex Flores each hit a home run. Milton Flores, Michael “Shilling” Middleton and Shane Williams made the most of Belikin’s 6 errors to also come home. The fifth for the 8-0 win. The Bombers left 6 runners on base. Milton Flores also led the Bombers to a 12-3 win over the Ocean Striker son Monday night.

In Game 2, Oceana Strikers spanked the Princess Dantos 8-7 as they got 6 hits off Dantos’ pitcher Jason Belisle, who struck out 5 batters and walked 12 batters while the rest of the Dantos’ diamond made 4 errors Strikers’ when Calbert Jefferies scored 2 runs, while Oscar Rios, Orefra Myvette, Brandon Bood, Floyd Flowers Jr, Marconi Leal and Alex Roache came home once. The Strikers left seven runners on base. The Dantos got 6 hits off Strikers’ starting pitcher Konrad Gonzalez who Konrad struck out 9 batters, and walked 7 before he got help from Brandon Bood in the 6th inning. Belisle scored Dantos’ 1st run and he hit a home run in the 5th inning, Harold Nava also scored 2 runs for Dantos, while Kevin Flores, Harold Nava Sr and Ronald Jui came home once. The Strikers’ made only 2 errors, and the Dantos left 8 runners on base.

Dangriga, August 11, 2013

The Ladyville Jaguars made the Atlantic Bank women’s football championship finals by a 2-1 win against the Dangriga Pumas in Game 2 of the semifinals at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga on Sunday.

The jaguars had settled for a 2-2 draw when they hosted the Pumas in Ladyville the week before, so it was winner takes all. The Pumas seemed not to want to win since they started with only 11 players and no bench even though it was their home game.

The Jaguars drew first blood in the 17th minute when Shameika Franklin outran the Pumas defense of Patricia Marin, Jackeline Arzu, and Bernadine Gonzalez to blast the ball past the Pumas’ goalie Shereen Vasquez. Pumas’ Shayamah Quniah Caliz and Tyra Hernandez counterattacked furiously with the help of midfielders Naomi Gamboa, Ireini Lopez,Ilkiei Swazo and Cindy Flores, but the Jaguars’ defenders Alma Alarcon, Sara Arzu, Shinelle Gentle and Mercedes Choc shut them down to hold them scoreless for 70 minutes.

Jaguars’ Kara Kisling embarrassed Vasquez with a 2nd goal, ricocheting a shot off the far gol post into the net in the 35th minute of play to take a 2-0 lead into the half time break. In the 2nd half Anigi Welch and Celine Saravia entered the ball game for the Pumas, and Jackeline Arzu went on the attack, finally getting a consolation goal for the Griga Dang girls in the 70th minute. Encouraged by this success Quniah Caliz and Naomi Gamboa pressed for the equalizer to take the game into overtime, but it was not to be.

The Jaguars’ defense got fresh legs in the form of Britney Nunez, Noemi Saavedra and Mertell Bailey; and goalie Claudia Martinez handled all other challenges to secure the win. The Jaguars take on the undefeated Belmopan Triple B’s in the finals at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday, August 31.

Belize City, August 10, 2013

Belize Bank Bulldogs, Atlantic Bank and Ports Belize Ltd remain undefeated in the Belize District firms’ basketball competition which continued at Bird’s Isle in Belize City over the weekend, the Bulldogs and Atlantic each have 3 back to back to back wins, while Ports are 2 and 0.

In Game 1 on Friday, BWS posted their first win: 55-42 against the Heritage Bank Heatz; Karim Thompson leading with 18 pts. Jamir Enriquez and Lindbergh “Prince” Graham added 11pts each scored 11pts, Charles Armstrong Jr was good for 6pts and Godwin Bowen – 4pts. Heatz’ Kurt “Chengo” Burgess and Felix Martinez had 13 pts each, and Devon Defour added 10pts.

In Game 2 Atlantic Bank ran over 71-58 over Readycall 71-58;Evan Rene leading with 20 pts. Dave Apolonio  and Ervin “Poty” Orozco and each scored 13pts each, while Keith Sutherland added 6pts and Brandon Castillo – 5pts. Readycall’s Josiah Brown had 13pts, Hubert Baptist scored 10 pts, andGeorge Smith added 8pts.

In Game 3, COURTS Belize posted their 2nd win: 66-49 against winless Bowen & Bowen Sprite. Tyron Myvett scored 22 pts, Delroy Caliz added 15pts and Fidel Blair tossed in13 pts, while Leroy Gentle had 10pts, and Rennan Pandy – 6pts. Sprite’s Deon Symns had 18 pts, Michael Staine added 14pts, and Troy Williams scored 12 pts.

Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras, August 20, 2013

The Belize national under-18 female volleyball team has a 2-1 record as it won its first two games against Honduras and El Salvador in the Under-20 Central American Championships in Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras.

The Belize girls’ only loss so far was against Nicaragua on Wednesday evening. The team lost all 3 sets but not without a fight: 25-22, 25-11, and 25-21.

On Tuesday, August 20, Belize dominated El Salvador 3-1, taking the 1st and 2nd sets 25-18 and 25-18. El Salvador won the 3rd set 25-21, but Belize rallied to win the 4th set 25-23. Sherika Burton led with 17 points from 15 kills and 2 blocks; and Jahshema Saunders added 13 points from 12 kills and she served an ace. Maurissa Williams added 11 points from 6 kills, 4 blocks and serving an ace, while Leandra Betson had 6 points from 4 kills, a block and serving and 1 ace.

Belize dominated against Hondurans impressively, winning all 3 sets of their opening game against the host team: 25-17, 25-13 and 25-20 on Monday. Sherika Burton led Belize’s attack with 14 points from 10 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces, while Jahshema Saunders scored 13 points, hammering 6 kills at the net and serving 7 aces. Maurissa Williams added 8 points with 4 kills and 4 blocks at the net.

Setter Xiomara Quan served up 4 aces, while Leandra Betson and Kandyce Burn scored 2 points each, and Libero Nayala Tun rotated into the game on to help with serves, receiving and defense.

Belize’s lineup includes Leyia Hernandez, Gianna Brown, Balyn Gordon, and Kevanna Sebastian, under the direction of head coach Lupita Quan, assistant coaches Sherlene Johnson and Shelmadine Cacho, and manager Mrs. Sharon Tun.

Team Belize rested on Thursday and takes on Panama on Friday.

Belize City, August 20, 2013

Belize bombed Grenada 6-1 in their 4th and final match to finish with a 3-1 record at the first ever CONCACAF under-15 football championships in the Cayman Islands.

Mark Samuels scored Belize’s 1st winning goal against Grenada in the 5th minute of play and man of the Match Randy Augustine scored a 2nd goal in the 19th minute. Rene Leslie added a 3rd goal in the 30th minute, while Augustine completed his hat trick with 2 more goals in the 36th and 38th minutes.

Alvin Sifontes, who had scored Belize’s first winning goal in Belize’s 1-0 win over St. Lucia, scored a 6th goal in the 73rd minute. Chelon Edgehill scored Grenada’s only consolation goal equalized.

Belize ranked 2nd in Group B with 9 points from 3 wins and a 0-1 loss to Guatemala on Sunday, and a goal differential of 10 goals for and 3 against.

The Belize boys had run over Jamaica’s young Reggae Boys 3-1 on Friday, August 16. Alvin Sifontes scored his second goal of the competition in the 5th minute for Belize to lead 1-0. Randy Augustine doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 7th minute and Mark Samuels added a 3rd goal in the 53rd minute.

The tournament had 24 countries participating, until the Dominican Republic withdrew. The countries were divided into 4 groups and Belize was in a group B that included St Lucia, Jamaica, Grenada, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Only the top team from each group moved on to the semifinals, and Belize did not qualify out of its group as Guatemala led with 12pts from 4 wins.

The entire country is proud of this historic achievement from the U-15 National Selection.

Belize City, August 20, 2013

Belize’s Female U-20 Selection left Tuesday for Comayagua, Honduras to participate in the UNCAF U-20 Female Championship.

The team lost to host country in the first match 2-1.

Representing Belize in Honduras are: Beatrice Alfaro Captain – Santa Elena, Cayo; Erica Vallecio – Independence Village, Stann Creek; Myrenie Drysdale, Independence Village, Stann Creek; Zulma Ortega, Bella Vista Village, Stann Creek; Leonie Fernandez, Independence Village, Stann Creek; Nisha Augustine, Independence Village, Stann Creek; Sabrina Eiley, Placencia, Stann Creek; Corby Rhaburn, Placencia, Stann Creek; Shayama Caliz, Dangriga, Stann Creek; Naomi Gamboa, Dangriga, Stann Creek; Tyra Hernandez, Dangriga, Stann Creek; Dorlene Salam, Armenia, Cayo District; Anijay Quiroz, San Ignacio, Cayo District; Erica Milligan, Mahogany Heights, Belize District; Kursha Pollard, Belize City; Sophia Diego Caye Caulker, Belize District; Shandy Vernon, Biscayne Village, Belize District; Gisel Baeza, Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District; Ana Mendoza Paraiso, Corozal District

Accompanying the Selection is also Head of Delegation Cruz Gamez, Director of Female Football Georgina Zabaneh Freeman and Physiotherapist Denys Belisle. The Technical Staff which consist of Team Manager David Griffith, Head Coach Kent Grey, Assistant Coach Tyrone Young and Equipment Manager Edwardo Gongora travelled to Honduras yesterday where they are awaiting the arrival of the selection.

Belize is in Group A along with Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.