William Stanford Jr. led the Running Rebels with 18 points. Photo Credit: Orange Walk Running Rebels Basketball Club
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Orange Walk Running Rebels opened their 2026 NEBL campaign with an impressive 82–65 victory over the Belize City Defenders on Friday night at the Belize City Civic Center, closing out the league’s opening‑night double‑header.
The Defenders edged the first quarter 20–19, but Orange Walk seized control in the second, outscoring Belize City 22–12 to take a 41–32 halftime lead. The Rebels maintained their advantage throughout the second half, using a balanced attack and strong bench production to pull away before a crowd of about 1,000 fans.
William Stanford Jr. led Orange Walk with 18 points, shooting 8‑for‑20 from the field, while Kenneth Perkins Jr. delivered a perfect shooting night, scoring 18 points on 7‑for‑7 from the floor and 4‑for‑4 from three‑point range. Tevaughn Dawson added 18 points off the bench, and Luis Sosa Jr. chipped in 10 as the Rebels’ reserves combined for 37 points.
Orange Walk also dominated the paint with 42 points inside, and their biggest lead reached 18 points.
The Defenders struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting 35% from the field and just 15% from three‑point range. Nigel Jones led Belize City with 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Darius Miles scored 10 and John Kelly added 8 points and 8 rebounds. Belize City committed 20 turnovers, which Orange Walk converted into 14 points.
The NEBL’s opening weekend continues on Saturday night when the Belmopan Trojans host the Corozal Spartans at the UB Gymnasium. The EZ Investments Griga Dream Ballers are inactive this weekend.
The post Orange Walk Running Rebels defeat Belize City Defenders 82–65 in NEBL Opening Night appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
William Stanford Jr. led the Running Rebels with 18 points. Photo Credit: Orange Walk Running Rebels Basketball Club By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Orange Walk Running Rebels opened their 2026 NEBL campaign with an impressive 82–65 victory over the Belize City Defenders on Friday night at the Belize City Civic Center, closing out the league’s
The post Orange Walk Running Rebels defeat Belize City Defenders 82–65 in NEBL Opening Night appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.