By William Ysaguirre
(Freelance Writer)
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Aug. 21, 2025
The Belize City Thunderbolts secured their berth in the Belize Premier Basketball League (BPBL) semifinals by consecutive victories to eliminate the Belmopan Capital City Kings in the play-in round, 98-68, at the St. Catherine Mercy Center auditorium in Belize City last Friday night, and 89-79 at the University of Belize gymnasium in Belmopan on Saturday night, August 16.
On Friday, Victor Evans struck twice from outside the circle for 26 pts, and Eyan Rene followed suit thrice outside the arc for 22 pts, for the Thunderbolts to lead 26-13 in the first quarter and 48-35 at the half. Matthew Young dominated the glass with 18 boards, and Luis Sosa, Jr. snagged 6 rebounds, as each scored 13 pts to lead 69-55 by the end of the 3rd quarter. Rasheed Reneau put up 8 pts, 7 boards; Alejandro Baptist shot 6 pts; and Michael Caceres scored 4 pts. Greg Fisher and Glency Lopez tossed in a bucket apiece for the 98-68 Thunderbolts win.
Brandon Flowers led the Kings with 19 pts, John Kelly and Jamaal Harris posted 10 pts each, and the rookies Jayden Lopez and Shane Pratt shot 7 pts each. Jeremiah Toney and Elvert Ariola added 6 pts apiece, and Jevaughn McKenzie threw in a bucket.
At the UB gym on Saturday, the Thunderbolts’ Victor Evans scored 27 pts and handed out 8 assists, and Matthew Young added 13 pts, grabbing 9 boards and 4 steals for the 89-79 win. John Kelly led the Kings with 24 pts, 9 boards; Brandon Flowers posted 16 pts, 6 boards; and Pratt put up 15 pts, 6 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Punta Gorda Panthers made Belize basketball history as they bounced the EZ Investment Dangriga Dream Ballers, 88-73, at the PG Sporting Complex on Saturday night! Kyle Steward struck twice from outside the circle for 29 pts, Marquise Cunningham posted 15 pts, and Dane Bradley put up 14 pts, to take over the lead, 61-57, at the end of the 3rd quarter. Kevin Hamilton and Jayden Sutherland scored 13 pts each and Chance Leslie and Kelvin Cumberbatch each threw in a bucket for the Panthers’ 88-73 win.
The Dream Ballers had led, 27-19, in the first quarter, powered by Deshawn Brackett’s 21 pts and Kirk Smith, Jr. shot 12 pts, with Daniel Conorquie netting 11 pts, to lead, 41-37, at the half. Antonio Flowers scored 9 pts, Gabriel Taylor and Raheem Thurton added 6 pts each, and Edgar Mitchell and Kevon Laurie threw in 4 pts apiece; but it was not enough to contain the second half surge from the Panthers, as the hosts delighted PG fans with the 88-73 win.
The Dream Ballers had enjoyed a 74-61 win over the Panthers on their home court at the Russell “Chiste” Garcia auditorium on Friday night, where Conorquie struck twice from outside the circle for 18 pts. Brackett put up 17 pts, Mitchell posted 13 pts and Laurie shot 10 pts. Thurton scored 7 pts, Smith netted 6 pts and Flowers added 3 pts in that Dream Ballers victory.
The Panthers had led, 25-15, in the first quarter, and 40-35 at the half, as Sutherland scored 14 pts, Cunningham posted 12 pts, and Leslie had 10 pts. Steward shot 8 pts, Bradley netted 7 pts, Jonathan White added 5 pts, and Cumberbatch – 3pts; but the Dream Ballers came back strong in second half to clinch the 74-61 win.
The stage is set for a big showdown at the Russell Garcia auditorium on Friday night, August 22, to decide who goes through to the semifinals.
