Belize City, August 31, 2013

The Mexicans came ready to rumble and their mixed martial arts fighters of Chetumal, Quintana Roo won 5 of 8 fights on the Belize Shotokan Karate Academy’s fight card in the caged octagon at the Belize Elementary School auditorium on Saturday night.

Belize won the 1st fight, when Ashton Tasher put a chokehold on Mexican Jonathan Calalo.

In the 2nd fight, Mexico’s Emmanuel Ku won by a technical knock-out against Belizean Ralph Hulse.

Belize also won the 3rd fight, when Alex Salam got Mexico’s Ury Gambino’s training side to throw in the towel.

In the 4th fight, Mexico’s Eric Manzanero won by judges’ decision against Belize’s Jonathan Mitchell.

Mexico’s Eddy Pech also won the 5th fight against Belize’s William Nduka, who had tried to box Pech in the early rounds. Pech wrestled Nduka to the canvas and pounded him. Nduka managed to reverse the hold and pin Pech to the canvas, but Pech gripped Nduka right arm and pinned him to the canvas, forcing him to tap out.

Belize won the 6th fight, as Frank Vasquez took the fight to the Mexican Juan Carlos Nah from the getgo, punching him until he could not defend himself he was out of it, and his trainer had to throw in the towel.

In the 7th fight, Mexico’s Juan Rojas succeeded in pinning Joel Meyers to the canvas forcing him to tap out.

The 8th fight was the main event, a rematch, as Mexico’s Alberto Galera was out for payback for the judges’ decision that went against him in his first fight against Belize’s Jamal “Iceman” Smith in April. Galera got the Iceman’s right arm behind his back and Smith had no choice but to tap out. Galera took home the champion’s belt.

Shalini Zabaneh

Belize City, September 1, 2013

Kent Gabourel Jr., Shalini Zabaneh, Dr. Ramon Figueroa and Jordan Santos won the Men’s open, Female, Masters and Junior categories of the 14th annual Lionman Triathlon held along the Marine Parade in Belize City on Sunday morning.

The event featured a 1.5 km swim, a 40 km bike ride – laps over a course from Celebrity Restaurant on the Marine Parade to Duke Marine on the Philip Goldson highway and back, and a 10 km run of 6 laps over a course from Celebrity Restaurant to Fisheries.

Kent Gabourel’s winning time was 2:33:39 for which he won a cash prize from Belize Telemedia and cases of Belikin beer and Guinness Stout from Bowen & Bowen.

In 2nd place was 3x Lionman champ Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden for which he won a cash prize and cases of Belikin beer and stout.

Masters winner Dr. Ramon Figueroa clocked 2:44:42 to finish 3rd overall for which he took home cases of Belikin beer and stout and a case of Guinness Stout.

In the female category, 7-time female champ Shalini Zabaneh faced a strong challenge from Australia’s Dimity Gannon of Melbourne, Queensland, who finished the swim 1st in 26:27. Shalini overtook her on the ride and run, clocking 2:56:25, to finish 5th overall to win cases of Lighthouse beer.

In 2nd place Dimity Gannon clocked 1:54:21 to also win a case of Lighthouse beer. In 3rd place was Kerah Eiley and Denise Diaz finished 4th.

The 1st junior winner, Jordan Santos, 15, a 3rd former at San Pedro High School, was 4th in the swim clocking 31:31 and clocked 3:14:18 to finish 10th overall. He won a trophy and a case of Bowen & Bowen products.

Kent Gabourel

Belize City August 31, 2013

The Belmopan Triple B’s will host the Ladyville Jaguars for Game 2 of the Atlantic bank football championship finals at the Football Federation of Belize Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday, September 7.

Game 1 of the finals ended in a nil-zip draw at the swampy MCC last Saturday.

The Belmopan girls looked to get on the scoreboard early when Kaina Martinez set table for Iris Centeno, but Ladyville’s goalie Claudia Martinez coolly collected Centeno’s try. The Ladyville Jaguars won a free kick but Marcelina Ramos’ execution posed no threat to the Belmopan goalie Idania Ramirez.

Miriam Villamil tried to work the ball up the sideline and the defensive tackle by Ladyville’s Brithney Nuñez earned her a yellow card. Kaina Martinez tried to avenge the insult with a left foot shot, but Claudia Martinez let the ball pass; as it was wide of the sticks.

In the 2nd half, Belmpan’s Jenisha Scott looked to impress the scoreboard but again Claudia Martinez came up with the save. Iris Centeno got an open look at the goal but squandered the opportunity. KainaMartinez kept trying but to no avail. Even when the referee sent off a Ladyville player for a dangerous play, the Belmopan girls could not exploit the numerical advantage to get a goal.

Both sides refreshed their attack lineups with Ladyville’s Nancy Bainton, Veronica Flores and Mertell Bailey replacing Marcelina Mai-Ramos, Gloria Garcia and Shameika Franklin. Belmopan’s Noemi

Magaña and Beatrice Alfaro took over from Joslyn “Chu-chu” Cadle and Shandy Vernon. But the long whistle sounded to a nil-zip draw.

Belmopan, September 7, 2013

The Belmopan Triple B’s won the 2013 Atlantic Bank female football championship, blowing away the Ladyville Jaguars 8-0 in Game 2 of the finals at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan last Saturday.

Kaina Martinez and Miriam Villamil led Belmopan’s attack with the help of Iris Centeno, Joslyn “Chu-chu” Cadle, Kaya Cattouse and Jennisha Scott at midfield. Ladyville’s defense had a big gap left by Shinelle Gentle, who was sitting out a one-game red card suspension from the first final. Star sweeper, Lieutenant Sara Arzu had other career commitments in the BDF and also had to miss the game.

Alma Alarcon led the Jaguars’ defense with the help of Mercedes Choc and Sheryann “Baby” Tracy, but Kaina Martinez soon escaped their marking to score the first goal. Villamil added a 2nd goal, then Kaina scored her 2nd and 3rd goals to complete her personal hat trick to give Belmopan a 4-0 at the half.

Ladyville’s Georgia Vaccaro and Kara Kisling tried to get an attack going, but the Belmopan defenders Rose Ogaldez, Shadalee Ho, Beatrice Alfaro and Shandy Vernon shut down the visitors the entire game. The Belmopan keeper Idania Ramirez handled all other challenges.

In the 2nd half, Kaina brought the ball into the goal area and crossed to Jennisha Scott, whose left foot tap was enough to score a 5th goal. Kisling’s efforts to put Ladyville on the scoreboard resulted in her getting hurt, and she had to be carried off the field. Veronica Flores relieved Shamieka Franklin, while Belmopan’s Noemi Magana took over from Joslyn Cadle.

Kaina escaped the last defenders and took on Claudia Martinez solo to blast the ball into the net from point blank range: 6-0. Ladyville’s Dawn Bainton replaced Mercedes Choc, but Miriam Villamil now mounted a solo effort to lob the ball over Claudia to the far corner of the vee: 7-0.

Rose Ogaldez now moved up from defense to join the goal-shooting derby and escaped the last defenders. Sheryann Tracy tied to close her off, but not before Ogaldez blasted a shot into the back of the net: 8-0 final score.

Atlantic Bank’s Belmopan branch manager Carlos Moreno presented the team trophies to the champions.

The Dangriga Pumas won the consolation game for 3rd place: 5-4 over the 4x champions, Gentle Touch of Esperanza.

Individual Awards:

Triple B’s Kaina Martinez – Most Valuable Player Award

Triple B’s Shandy Vernon – Best Defense Award

Triple B’s Iris Centeno – Best Midfielder

Ladyville Jaguar’s Claudia Martinez – Best Goalie

Ladyville Jaguar’s Kara Kisling – Most Goals Award

Triple B’s Kent Gabourel – Best Coach

Triple B’s – Jean Trapp-Gabourel – Best Manager

Tamira Orellano hits

Camalote, September 8, 2013

The Camalote Blazers put themselves on the good foot to take the 2013 Cayo Softball Association’s female softball championship by hammering Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy in Game 1 of the finals at the Denbeigh Fuller Stadium in Camalote on Sunday, September 8.

The Blazers’ pitcher Francine Salazar struck out 4 batters and walked 1 batter, but gave up 5 hits. The Camalote diamond made 1 error, but no one from Roaring Creek came home as the visitors left 6 runners on base.

Roaring Creek’s Leyandra Guy struck out 1 batter, walked 2, and gave up 5 hits. The Blazers left 8 runners on base, but Roaring Creek made 2 errors, which allowed Francine Salazar to score the winning run in the 4th inning.

Game 2 of the finals is set for the Denbeigh Fuller stadium on Sunday, September 15. Both the champions and the sub-champions will represent the Cayo district in the national softball championship tournament scheduled for the weekend of September 27-29, at the Roger’s Stadium in Belize City.

Belize City, September 7, 2013

The Allied Sports Club of Belize City dominated the September track and field meet held at the still incomplete Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City on Saturday, September 7.

Here are the results:

Junior 100m

1st place – 16-year-old G’anne Humes of Pallotti High School

2nd place –15-year-old Zhanae Jex

3rd place – Shanicka Augustine of Anglican Cathedral College

Female Senior 100m

1st place – Brenda Gutierrez

2nd place – Zish Ramos

3rd place – Anahi Riverol

Male Senior 100m

1st place – Auburn Rivero of Anglican Cathedral College

2nd place – Ron Martinez

3rd place – Calvin Reneau

Senior 100m

1st place – Mark Anderson

2nd place – Linsford Avila

3rd place – Brandon Flores

Senior 200m

1st place – Mark Anderson

2nd place – Linsford Avila

3rd place – Kenneth Brackett

Senior 200m

1st place – Jervis Myvette of Ladyville Technical High School

2nd place – Martin Flowers

3rd place – Frederick Usher

Junior 200m

1st place – Zhanae Jex

2nd place – Shanicka Augustine

3rd place – Sadie Rowland

Female Senior 200m

1st place – Tishelle Solis

2nd place – Tisha Solis

3rd place – Zisha Ramos

Junior 800m

1st place – Kenia Flores of Dangriga

2nd place – Brenda Gutierrez

3rd place – Rose Gonzalez

Senior 1500m

1st place – Kenia Flores of Dangriga

2nd place – Isela Cob

3rd place – Rose Gonzalez

Junior 1500m

1st place – Ashton Cleland

2nd place – Sherwin Lambey

3rd place – Edwin Coleman

Senior 1500m

1st place – Ernesto Villafranco

2nd place – Albert Davis

3rd place – Harold Zuniga

Junior 800m

1st place – Brandon Santos of San Pedro Ambergris Caye

2nd place – Kevin Valle of Corozal Community College

3rd place – Melvin Valero

Team Belize

Belize City, September 16, 2013

Belizean Eric Stamp won Gold in the 65 and over age category; while Hector Lopez and Davis Huang won bronze medals in the 60-64 years category; when Belize Table Tennis Association hosted the XV Central American table tennis masters singles championships at the Belize Elementary School auditorium over the weekend.

68 players signed up in the Round Robin competition followed by Knock Out finals for 2 players from each group who advances to the Knock Out Final round.

Costa Rica’s Carlos Velazquez won the 30-39 category. Mexico’s Sergio Blanco won the 40-49 category. El Salvador’s Jose Ramos won the 50-59 category. Gerardo Villagra of Costa Rica won the 60-64 category in 1st place while Belize’s Hector Lopez and Davis Huang were 3rd place.

Trophies were awarded to all Individual winners.

Medal count by country

1st – Costa Rica = 11 Medals

2nd – El Salvador = 9 Medals

3rd – Mexico = 8 Medals

4th – Belize = 6 Medals

5th – Guatemala = 1 Medal

6th – Panama = 1 Medal

Easy Does It team

Belize City, September 15, 2013

Easy Does It of Flowers Bank and the UB Jaguars both won Game 1 of the Belize Rural women’s softball semifinals in Lord’s Bank on Sunday.

Winning pitcher Amber Wade led Easy Does It to an 18-17 win over Lord’s Bank Sunrise, whose pitcher Stacey Smith was credited with the loss.

Winning pitcher Herlette Clarke led the UB Jaguars to a 16-6 win by mercy rule over Double Head Cabbage Mel’s United, whose pitcher Annett Morey was credited with the loss.

Easy Does It will take on Lord’s Bank Sunrise and the UB Jaguars face off with Mel’s United in Game 2 of their series in Lord’s Bank at 9 AM Sunday, September 22.

Jose Choto

Belize City, September 15, 2013

Benny’s Megabytes’ Byron Pope won the elite category of the Belize Cycling Association’s annual September criterium sponsored by Bowen & Bowen Ltd on Albert and Regent Streets in downtown Belize City on Sunday, September 15.

Jose Choto won the Masters category, while Kerah Eiley won the Female category and Oscar Quiros won the junior category.

Pope was 1st in the 30-lap race to win 5 cases of Belikin beer and stout from Bowen & Bowen Ltd and the 1st place trophy as well as 3 lap prizes of $25 each at the 9th, 24th and 27th laps.

Team Capital City cycling’s Erwin Middleton was 2nd. Team Belize Telemedia’s Joel Borland was 3rd place. Benny’s Megabytes’ Mark Staine was 4th place. Mexico’s Team Depredadores’ Manuel Ayala Balam was 5th place. 6th place was Jose Choto of Belikin Western Spirits.

Masters Division

1st place – Jose Choto

2nd place – Scotiabank’s Barney Brown

3rd place –Team BelCal Dwight Lopez

Weekend Warriors Division

1st place – Barney Brown

2nd place – Ernest “Tangalang” Thurton, Team Santino’s

3rd place – Wilbert Jones, Team Digicel 4G

Junior Division (15 laps)

1st Oscar Quiros – Team Xibalban, clocked 38:15 to win 3 cases of Real Fruit juices from Bowen& Bowen Ltd and a trophy.

2nd Giovanni Lovell – Team Telemedia won 2 cases of Real Fruit juices and a trophy.

3rd Brandon Morgan – Team Benny’s Megabytes, won 1 case of juice and a trophy.

Female Division (15 laps)

1st Kerah Eiley – Team BECOL

2nd Patricia Chavarria – Team BECOL

Police’s Lennox Castillo

City of Belmopan, October 19, 2013

The Belmopan Bandits made a comeback when they defeated Police United FC, 1-0, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday night, October 20.

Harrison “Kafu” Roches looked to get the Police on the scoreboard early after getting past the last defender, but he was denied by goalie Woodrow West who beat him to the ball.

Lennox “Criminal” Castillo also tried to injure the Bandits when he robbed the Bandits’ defense of the ball and blasted off a right foot shot but it unfortunately sailed over the crossbar.

Down at the other end, Police goalie Jamie Brooks continued to live dangerously when Jerome “Jaro” James failed to finish a forward push from Elroy Kuylen and Dion McCauley failed to catch up to a cross to the goal mouth from David Trapp. However, McCauley made amends when he connected to a pass from Elroy Kuylen, beat the last defender and drilled a shot into the back of the net to give the Bandits a 1-zip lead in the 45th minute.

The Police responded immediately as Bernard Linares executed a free kick with deadly intentions, but West punched out the ball to secure the 1-0 lead at the half.

Kuylen tried for an encore with another wonderful pass to McCauley, but this time Dion’s shot was outside the sticks. Danny Jimenez tried to get the equalizer for the Police but his shot to the center of the goal was an easy save for West. The Police won another free kick and again Bernard Linares tried to float it in under the crossbar, but West was there.

The Bandits are No. 3 with 7 points from 2 wins and a draw, coming back from a 2-0 loss to the Paradise Freedom Fighters.

The Police are at the bottom of the standings with only 1 point from a draw and 2 losses.

Other match:

Verdes FC vs. Paradise Freedom Fighters – 1-0

Goal by Nahjib Guerra

Upcoming match:

Freedom Fighters vs. Police United, Toledo Union Field, Punta Gorda, Sunday

San Ignacio United vs. B.D.F, Norman Broaster Stadium, Sunday

Verdes vs. FC Belize, MCC Garden

Images of 2012 competition

Belize City, October 30, 2013

The Bliss Center for the Performing Arts will be the venue for the 2013 Belize Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships featuring the Mr. Belize and Ms. Body Figure competitions.

The event will feature Men’s Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Figure and Bikini Fitness.

Over 18 competitors have signed up for the event, including defending champs Mr. Belize Rigo Vellos and Ms. Body Figure Gina Lovell.

Both veteran and upcoming bodybuilding athletes will be competing for the top prize.

The event starts at 7:00pm on Friday November 1st.

Second from Left, Jerdon Anderson, Second from Right, Jorge Olivarez at Bacalar Regatta MX.

Bacalar, Quintana Roo, October 25, 2013

Two optimist Sailors, Jerdon Anderson and Jorge Olivarez from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, captured 1st and 3rd place respectively in the Regatta “Laguna de 7 Colores” hosted by Associacion de Veleristas president, Miguel Ángel Pani in Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

This was the first time that optimist sailors from Belize have attended a regatta outside Belize.

Anderson and Olivarez were 2 of 25 Optimist sailors racing and after 6 grueling races over 2 days. The two young sailors that are known for their hardworking attitude, showed their skill and the level of performance. Bringing home these wins made the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club (SPJSC,) San Pedranos and Belize proud.

Commodore Graham Verralls, Vice Commmodore Jeff Bella, SPJSC Coach David Verralls and SPJSC Chairperson Tammy Peterson expressed their gratitude to the hosts from Mexico, Delia Rojas, Daniele Gracis and Gustavo Ambriz, welcomed the invitation and appreciated their warm hospitality.

Peterson commented, “We are very happy with the positive forward movement of the SPJSC.  We are grateful for the invitation and thrilled with the accomplishments of the two sailors.  We look forward to the opportunity to return the hospitality shown to our sailors when we host the first ever Western Caribbean regatta on Ambergris Caye in August 2014.  We also thank Janet Martinez, SPJSC Secretary, for taking the time to chaperone these young men at this event.”

It should be noted that Kevin Velasquez, also of SPJSC took first place in the Corozal Bay Regatta hosted by the Corozal Bay Sailing club October 12 and 13th, 2013.

SCA’s Xiomara Quan with a serve

Belize City, October 11, 2013

The defending national female volleyball champs, the St. Catherine’s Academy girls, defeated the Belize High School girls in Game 1 of the high school’s volleyball championship regional finals at the Bird’s Isle on Monday, October 28.

The undefeated SCA cruised past the BHS girls in 3 sets, with Xiomara Quan setting the ball for Sherika Burton, Leandra Betson and Gianna Brown to hammer kills at the net, while Karina Bernard and Nayala Tun received and served to win the 1st set 25-12.

BHS’ Mia Miles, Lian Herrera and Shania Williams counterattacked furiously, scoring points on plays set by Chelsea Williams with Nour Safa and Ashonti Carr receiving and serving, but SCA’s Alexis Burn

took the court to help the SCA girls win the 2nd set: 25-12.

Mya Musa, Karen Quand and Juel Lewis came off the SCA bench in the 3rd set to help SCA dominate 25-7. Game 2 of the series comes up on Wednesday.

The BHS girls won through to the finals by 3 successive wins last week. They had to go to 3 sets to win over the Nazarene High School girls last Wednesday: 25-18, 22-25, and 15-10 and they dominated the Nazarene girls in their 2nd encounter last Thursday: 25-12, 25-15.

The SCA girls had also entered the finals with back to back wins last week: 25-7, 25-14 over the Wesley College girls last Wednesday and 25-14, 25-10 over the Ladyville Tech girls last Tuesday.

This year’s Belize District champs will take on the Northern and Southern regional champs at Birds Isle next Friday and Saturday, November 8-9.

The Stann Creek Ecumenical College girls won the Southern championship at the Ecumenical College court in a tournament hosted by the Agriculture and Natural Resource Institute, ANRI on Saturday, October 26.

The San Pedro High School girls won the northern regional championship over Muffles High School.

Belize City, November 1, 2013

Rigo Vellos won the Mr. Belize bodybuilding championship organized by the Belize Body Building Federation at the Bliss Institute held last Friday night. Ben Mckoy, the seven-time Mr. Belize champ, presented the trophies and prizes.

Meanwhile, Cricel Castillo won the Miss Body Figure title, outdoing defending champ Gina Lovell.

The night’s results are:

Mr. Belize overall

1st – Rigo Vellos

2nd – Clayton Greenidge

3rd – Edgar Rogers

Light Heavyweight

1st – Rigo Vellos

2nd – Ernest Broaster

3rd – Deon Banner

Masters

1st – Clayton Greenidge

2nd – Deon Danderson

3rd – Guy Neal

Middleweight

1st – Clayton Greenidge

2nd – Chris Carter

3rd – Delvan Palacio

Welterweight

1st – Edgar Rogers

2nd – Dion Ortiz

3rd – Dion Danderson

Female Bodybuilding

1st – Kaya Cattouse

Miss Body Figure

1st – Annlyn Apolonio

2nd – Christina Requeña

3rd – Charlyn Flowers (2012 winner)

Miss Body Fitness

1st – Cricel Castillo

2nd – Gina Lovell

3rd – Josephine Gault

Men’s Body Fitness

1st – Clinton Tucker

2nd – Kevin Griffith

3rd – David Requeña

Belmopan, November 2, 2013

The Belmopan Bandits lead the Premier League of Belize after they came from behind to win 2-1 against the up-to-then undefeated Belize Defence Force at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga on Saturday night.

Vallan Symns’ perfectly executed a free kick in the 22nd minute to beat Bandits’ goalie Woodrow West and give the BDF a 1-0 lead before the half.

The 2nd half was all Bandits, as Denmark Casey caught up to a pass from Jerome “Jaro” James and his rocket of a shot in the 47th minute delivered the equalizer for the Bandits. Jerome “Jaro” James headed in the game winner in the 76th minute.

Other matches:

Police United vs. FC Belize – 1-1

Goals by Jarret Davis, Harrison “Kafu” Roches

Verdes FC vs. San Ignacio United – 2-0

Goals by Norman “Tilliman” Nunez, Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton

Upcoming matches:

Bandits vs. Verdes, Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Saturday

San Ignacio United vs. Police United, Norman Broaster Stadium, Sunday

BDF vs. Paradise Freedom Fighters, Toledo Union Field Sunday

Belize City, October 30, 2013

19-time defending national champ St. Catherine’s Academy and the 3-time defending champ St. John’s College will represent the Central Region at the high school volleyball championship hosted by St. John’s College at the SJC Gym on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9.

The SJC boys won their 3rd regional championship over the Ladyville Technical High School boys: 27-25, 25-20, and 25-22.

On Wednesday, October 30, the SCA girls won their 19th consecutive Belize District championship, crushing the Belize High School girls: 25-11, 25-17 and 25-22.

The Western champs, the Sacred Heart College girls will take on the Southern champs, Stann Creek Ecumenical College girls, in Game 1 on Friday afternoon; while the SCA girls face off against the Northern champs, San Pedro High School girls, in Game 2 on Friday evening.

The Western champs, Mopan Technical High School boys, take on the Southern champs, Georgetown Technical High School boys, in Game 1 on Friday afternoon; while the SJC boys challenge the Northern champs, San Pedro High School boys, on Friday night.

Belize City, November 9, 2013

The St. Catherine’s Academy volleyball team won their 6^th consecutive high school volleyball championship and 20^th title when the national tournament was hosted by their school at the St. John’s College gym over the weekend.

SCA girls crushed the Ecumenical girls in 3 sets in the championship final on Saturday afternoon. SCA’s star hitters: Sherika Burton, Leandra Betson and Gianna Brown led the attacks, spiking on plays set by Xiomara Quan and Karine Bernard, with Nayala Tun serving to win the 1^st set: 25-10.

Ecumenical’s Avery Sanchez, Tyler Williams and Trinity Caliz counterattacked, while Yorleni Robinson, Trycelin Choc and libero Leann Gongora received and kept the ball in play. Mya Musa, Alexis Burns and Hanna Diskin came off the SCA bench to help win the 2^nd set: 25-20, and Juel Lewis, Karen Quan and Zakiyah Young reinforced the SCA offensive in the 3rd set to win: 25-4.

SCA principal Mrs. Tillett presented medals to the champs, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners; but the team trophies will be presented at a later date. The back to back winner of the Most Valuable Player award was SCA’s Sherika Burton.

3^rd place went to the Belmopan Comprehensive School girls who won over the San Pedro High School girls 25-6, 25-12 and 25-17.

Belize City, November 9, 2013
The San Pedro High School boys are the 2013 volleyball male championship after they defeated the Mopan Technical volleyball team for the title.

The Mopan Tech boys were no easy contest. They took the game to 4 sets. MVP Gabriel Eduardo Nunez, Damien Pollard, Alex Roache and Alfrie Black led the island team with attacks, spiking home points on plays set by Joshua Marin and Giomar Marin.

San Pedro won the 1^st set 25-15. The Mopan boys recovered to win the 2^nd set: 26-24, powered by Denver Chan, Justin Alas, Luis Chan and Christian Lopez who hammered kills at the net on plays set by Denny Can and Justin Aguirre. San Pedro won the next two sets: 25-19 and 25-20.

SCA principal Mrs. Tillett presented medals to the champs, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners; but the team trophies will be presented at a later date. The Most Valuable Player award went to San Pedro’s Gabriel
Nunez.

Georgetown Tech won over SJC for 3^rd place on Saturday morning. The Georgetown boys played a hard fought duel that went to 5 sets. Georgetown Tech won the 1^st set 25-19. The SJC boys recovered and had to go to extra points to win the 2^nd set: 29-27, led by Andrew Vasquez, Jared Marin, Anthony Marin and Nayeem Mckoy on plays set by Mishek Musa and Richard Khatwani. Georgetown Tech won the 3^rd set 25-23, but again SJC tied the series in the 4^th set: 25-20. Georgetown Tech took the final set: 15-12.

Belize City, November 7, 2013

The Gwen Liz girls blew out the Ladyville Technical High School girls: 34 – 27 in the high school basketball competition last Tuesday. Gwen Liz’s Ann Ma Chang top-scored with 14 points, and KeKee Requeña scored 10 points. Ladyville Tech’s Dejeanne Noralez scored 24 points.

The Wesley College girls posted their first win – a 31-9 blowout of the Pallotti High School girls last Tuesday. Wesley’s Breanne Meighan scored 13 points and Shanice Neal added 9 pts.

The ACC boys bombed the Excelsior High School boys: 76 – 40 last Wednesday. Douglas Valley top-scored with 19 points.

The St. John’s College boys defeated the defending champs, Sadie Vernon Technical High School boys, in a 74-54 blowout last Wednesday. SJC’s Dudley Erskine top-scored with 24 points and Javier Lopez added 14 points.

The Gwen Liz boys also have 2 wins: 54-53 over the Nazarene High School boys last Monday and an overtime win: 56-51 over the Wesley College boys.

Belmopan, November 19, 2013

The Belize U-16 national team played a spirited game against Guatemala’s national team but couldn’t score enough goals for the win in the UNCAF under-16 football tournament hosted by the Football Federation of Belize at the FFB football Institute Stadium in Belmopan.

Guatemala had Belize down 2-0 after the first half, and while they felt that Belize would roll over and give up, that wasn’t the case. Belize’s midfield converted two goals, one from a corner kick and the other from an offensive play.

But by the time Belize scored its 2nd goal, Guatemala had scored their 3rd, and our national team just couldn’t get the needed final goal.

Belize still has two games left, versus two of the tournament’s top contenders: Honduras and Costa Rica.

Belize won their first match over Nicaragua 2-1, in their debut on Monday night. The Jaguars were awarded 2 penalties, which Rogi Solorzano converted to lead 2-0, but Nicaragua scored a consolation goal.

The team suffered their first loss 2-0 to El Salvador in the nightcap. Jose Melendez scored in the very 1st minute of play to lead 1-0 up to the half. In the 2nd half Carlos Menendez came off the Salvador bench to score with a header to finish a corner kick in the 21st minute of the 2nd half. The Jaguars got their chances, winning several corner kicks, but they had played defensively for much of the 1st half. Brandon Cante changed the momentum of the game when he came on in the 2nd half, but they filed to impress the scoreboard.

In this tournament, there will be no semifinals or finals, it’s a round-robin competition where every team plays all the others once, team rankings are based on points earned.