Posted: Monday, July 14, 2025. 6:45 pm CST.
Matthew Young, 6, led the Thunderbolts with 22 points. Photo Credit: Shot By Iz
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize City Thunderbolts kept their playoff hopes alive with an electrifying 87–81 win over the Cayo Western Ballaz in front of a lively home crowd on Saturday, July 12, at the Sacred Heart Auditorium in San Ignacio. The tightly contested Belize Premier Basketball League clash delivered high energy and standout performances, moving the Thunderbolts to third in the standings with a 5–4 record.
Forward Matthew Young lit up the scoreboard with a game-high 22 points and 9 rebounds. Young’s inside dominance and steady free-throw shooting (4/6 FT) proved pivotal, especially in the final quarter when Cayo threatened to close the gap.
Veteran Charles Garcia chipped in 13 points on an efficient 71.4% shooting, while Victor Evans added a versatile 15-point, 7-assist effort, keeping the Thunderbolts offense flowing. Tyrone Hall and Eyan Rene each contributed clutch threes to maintain momentum late in the game.
Cayo Western Ballaz battled hard, led by the sharpshooting duo of Jahiem Ciego and Dennis Flowers III, both scoring 20 points. Arik Nicholas provided hustle and grit, collecting 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, but the Ballaz’ overall shooting woes (38.2% FG, 25.7% from deep) hampered their late-game execution.
Though Cayo’s defense generated 6 steals and some strong rim protection from Kerwin Palacio and Aaron Allison, they couldn’t contain the Thunderbolts’ inside scoring and transition game.
| Stat | Thunderbolts | Western Ballaz |
| Field Goal % | 50.0% | 38.2% |
| Rebounds | 49 | 45 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 14 |
| Assists | 17 | 11 |
| Free Throws Made | 12/26 (46.2%) | 14/22 (63.6%) |
| Three-Point % | 23.8% | 25.7% |
With the win, Belize City Thunderbolts improve to 5–4, sitting behind the Dream Ballers (6–3) and undefeated Tiger Sharks (9–0). Cayo Western Ballaz fall to 3–4 and remain in fourth, still in striking distance as the season hits a crucial stretch.
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The post Belize Premier Basketball League: Thunderbolts charge past Cayo Western Ballaz in tight battle appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Monday, July 14, 2025. 6:45 pm CST. Matthew Young, 6, led the Thunderbolts with 22 points. Photo Credit: Shot By Iz By Rubén Morales Iglesias:
The post Belize Premier Basketball League: Thunderbolts charge past Cayo Western Ballaz in tight battle appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.