Posted: Saturday, September 6, 2025. 5:20 am CST.
Jihad Wright led San Pedro Tiger Sharks with 17 points. File Photo: Shot by Iz
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The San Pedro Tiger Sharks drew first blood in the BPBL Toucan Cup Finals, defeating the EZ Investments Dangriga Dream Ballers 84–73 in Game 1 at the Belize City Civic Center on Friday night.
San Pedro’s balanced attack was led by Jihad Wright, who posted 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in a complete performance. Tyrell Griffith added 15 points off the bench, shooting 70% from the field, while Brian White dominated the glass with 16 rebounds and 13 points. Francis Arana orchestrated the offense with 7 assists and 5 steals, despite shooting just 25% from the field.
The Tiger Sharks shot 42.7% overall (32/75), but struggled from deep, hitting only 3 of 20 three-point attempts. They made up for it with aggressive rebounding (61 total boards), 26 fast break points, and 17 points off turnovers. Their defensive rotations and second-chance efforts (15 points) kept Griga from gaining momentum.
EZ Investments Dangriga Dream Ballers were led by Daniel Conorque and Kirk Smith Jr., who each scored 21 points. Smith added 12 rebounds and shot 58.3% from the field, while Conorque hit 3 of 12 from beyond the arc. Deshawn Brackett contributed 12 points, but Griga’s shooting woes—just 34.2% overall and 20% from three—limited their comeback chances.
Griga’s bench added only 10 points, and despite matching San Pedro in steals (11), they couldn’t overcome the Tiger Sharks’ physicality and transition game. San Pedro led by as many as 15 and closed out the fourth quarter with a 24–22 edge.
With the win, San Pedro leads the best-of-three series 1–0. Game 2 heads to the Russell ‘Chiste’ Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga next Friday, September 12, where the Dream Ballers will look to defend home court and stay alive.
Earlier in the night, the Mayan Cup Finals also tipped off in dramatic fashion. The Cayo Western Ballaz edged the Belize City Thunderbolts 86–83 in a tightly contested battle at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium. Arik Nicholas led the Ballaz with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Jamell Harris added 22 points and nine boards. The Thunderbolts, powered by Tyrone Hall’s 19-point burst off the bench, fell just short in the final minutes.
With both conference finals underway, the race to the BPBL Jaguars Cup Final is heating up.
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The post Tiger Sharks take Game 1: San Pedro outlasts Dream Ballers 84–73 in BPBL Toucan Cup Finals opener appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, September 6, 2025. 5:20 am CST. Jihad Wright led San Pedro Tiger Sharks with 17 points. File Photo: Shot by Iz By Rubén Morales
The post Tiger Sharks take Game 1: San Pedro outlasts Dream Ballers 84–73 in BPBL Toucan Cup Finals opener appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.