James Adderley Buzzer Beating Statistics

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.

Week 6 in the PLB brought a struggle to the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk as Juventus looked to rebound off that 2-zip loss to FC Belize against the undefeated San Felipe Barcelona. Folks we’re only 5 mins into the ballgame when Oscar Acevedo is cynically taken down inside the box by Dean Flowers and Referee Wellington Hall took out the maximum punitive measure by ruling a penalty kick in favor of the visiting San Felipe team. Eliazar Itza steps up and his left foot push gives Howard West no chance at the save as San Felipe Barcelona takes a 1-zip lead. In response, the league’s leading scorer Osmar Duran sets up Oliver Hendricks who launches this beautiful on the run right away full volley that brings out a monster save from the San Felipe goalkeeper, Brayan Hernandez.

It’s still Juventus looking for the equalizer and Oliver Hendricks sets Clifton Hall nicely with this pass and the defense does enough to handle the situation. Things certainly take a turn for the worse for Juventus when referee Hall chases Enrique Castillo off the field with a red card. So we go to 2^nd half and Oliver Hendricks picks out Osmar Duran who opts for the spectacular instead of getting the equalizer for this ballclub. Give Dean Flowers some credit when he digs Acevedo’s header out of the goal after the keeper is beaten—making amends for that penalty he gave up. Lady luck certainly was not with Juventus today because the set piece from Freddy Tun finds Geraldo Patron, Howard West pushes it out to Oliver Hendricks who by going for power instead of accuracy, squanders a real chance to tie.

Meanwhile, Eliazar Itza dances his way through the Juventus defense and sets table perfectly for the unattended Oscar Acevedo who really should have done better with this opportunity. It’s getting late, but even with the numerical disadvantage Juventus is pressing for the equalizer when this header from Clifton West rolls outside the target. Now watch Osmar Duran look for his 7^th goal of the season—it’s a beauty but the save by Brayan Hernandez is even more impressive. It’s a last gap effort by Juventus when Clifton West finds Oliver Hendricks who gets taken down by the goalkeeper and again referee Hall rightly rules penalty. Hendricks steps up to take it himself only to be denied by a save from Brayan Hernandez. San Felipe Barcelona hangs on to the 1-zip W.

In other action from Zone A, the B.D.F. bombed San Pedro Sea Dogs 2-zip at the MCC Grounds and FC Belize handled World FC by that same score inside the Norman Broaster. Thus FC Belize and San Felipe show 12 pts apiece in that order, the B.D.F. has 11, Juventus 7, San Pedro 5 and World FC show 1 point after 6 outings. In Zone B, Police united shook up Placencia Assassins in a2-1 finish, San Ignacio United held Paradise Freedom Fighters to a 1-1 stalemate at Toledo and guess who bust out the champagne; Hankook Verdes got its win of the season with 2-1 home win over Belmopan Bandits. Police United leads Zone B with 16 pts, Placencia has 10, Sa Ignacio 9, Belmopan 6, Freedom Fighters 5 and Hankook Verdes 3. Looking to the weekend, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., World FC will host San Pedro, San Ignacio travels to Belmopan and Police United will host Paradise. On Sunday at 4 p.m., FC Belize will be matched against San Felipe Barcelona in a pivotal showdown. Juventus gets a visit from the B.D.F. and Hankook Verdes plays host to Placencia Assassins.

Turning to the cycling scene, the 31^st Annual Belmopan Cycle Classic took center stage on the Western Highway yesterday under the banner of the Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Fund. Among the 58 elite taking aim at the final big race before the Cross Country are Byron Pope, National Time Trial and Road Champion of Belize, defending Champion Darnell Barrow and up and coming C-Ray Star, Brandon Cattouse. And they’re off in a hundred mile ride from Belize City to Belmopan and back. Coming out of Hattieville, the pelathon is split into 2—with this 16 man unit stepping on the pace including Brandon Cattouse, Darnell Barrow, Byron Pope, Herman Requeña, Edward Reyes, Austin Armstrong, Ron Vasquez, Quenton Hamilton, Erwin Middleton, Jose Choto. At La Democracia, it’s Herman Requeña grabbing his 2^nd station prize in a row as the lead pack enjoys a 1:16 seconds lead over the main pack. Heading into Belmopan, young Peter Choto who held the pace from mile 42 continues to run the show. On the way back, around Cotton Tree, the lead pack has been reduced to some 11 riders with Williams Stewart on the pace followed by Jose and Giovanni Choto. A few minutes later, these 3 riders; Ron Vasquez, Edward Reyes and Erwin Middleton try to run away from the unit. However, the runaway trio is reeled in by around mile 27. Nevertheless, at mile 23, the new wrinkle features Ron Vasquez, brother Shane Vasquez embarking on a solo flight in a serious head win.

At Burton Bridge, it’s still the solitary figure of Ron Vasquez dominating the pace. Around the police checkpoint, this group of 7 riders mounts the final effort to reel in Ron Vasquez. At tape time, it’s Ron Vasquez of Western Spirit showing that he is capable of grabbing the big time winning the 100 mile race in unchallenged fashion in a time of 4 hours, 24 minutes, 41 seconds. 51 seconds later, the defending champion, Darnell Barrow of Santino’s takes 2^nd place edging out Brandon Cattouse of C-Ray, Austin Armstrong of D & D Cycling pulls up 4^th while Byron Pope of Benny’s Megabytes rounds out the top 5. At the Junior level, Oscar Quiros Jr. riding unattached picks up top honors, Aiden Juan of Cayo High Road took 2^nd while Brandon Morgan of C-Ray rounds out the top 3. Only 2 females participated in the female ride. Kirah Eiley of C-Ray credited with the win over teammate Kaya Cattouse. Meanwhile, the 80 Mile Junior Cross Country Cycle Classic comes up this Sunday, March 25^th from Succotz Ferry to Leslie’s Imports. Joel Borland won last year’s event. The Belize Cycling Association is seeking assistance with prizes for this event and the 84^th Annual Cross Country Cycling Classic coming on Holy Saturday.