Belize Heads to Central American and Caribbean Games with Gold in Sight

Belize basketball has been chasing another golden moment for nearly three decades. Now, a new generation of players believes this could be their time. The junior national team is preparing for the Central American and Caribbean Games with confidence, discipline, and one clear mission: bring home gold. News Five’s Paul Lopez stopped by a training session at the Civic Center, where he found a hungry young squad ready to build on the legacy of Belize’s famed “Golden Boys” and write a new chapter in national basketball history.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Three decades ago, Belize’s men’s national basketball team made history when they won the gold medal in the CARICOM Men’s Basketball Championships. The men captured in this 1998 image were dubbed the “Golden Boys”. Since then, Belize’s male national basketball team has been unable to establish a formidable regional presence. That is until now.

 

Jacob Leslie, President, Belize Basketball Federation

“In the Central American and Caribbean Games, we have not been here since the golden boys. You know the CARICOM boys who won gold for us, since then we have been unable to get back to this point. So, it has almost been almost thirty years, since 1998. So for Belize to be back on the basketball stage is a historic moment for us.”

 

Today, we joined President of the Belize Basketball Federation inside the Civic Center to witness Belize’s junior national team train for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games. Captain Douglas Langford is the anchor that holds this young team together on and off the court.

 

Douglas Langford, Captain, Junior National Team

“We will go shock a couple countries and like really win gold for our country and put on for Belize and give recognition for out country and give youths that want to be like us opportunities we are having right now.”

 

Defensive and offensive strategies are being drafted by the coaching staff, led by seasoned Coach Bernie Tarr. He has placed emphasis on ensuring that the team is the best version of itself during the upcoming tournament.

 

Bernie Tarr, Coach, Junior National Team

“Of course you want to win. Our goal is to get to the podium. We are kind of in unprecedented waters where basketball has not been here since 1998 and we will see how we accept the challenge.”

 

Point Guard Devin Moody plays an integral roll when on the court. He is responsible for initiating offensive plays and controlling the game’s tempo.

 

Devin Moody, Point Guard, Junior National Team

“It is just straight winning. The President Mr. Jacob Leslie gave us a reality check and told us what he expects of us. And, we are just willing to execute.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What do you expect of this team?”

 

Devin Moody

“Gold is the mindset for this tournament. We just have to take it one game at a time and fulfill that goal.”

 

The eight competing countries were divided into two groups. Belize was selected to play in group A, against Nicaragua, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Their first game is on Sunday. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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