Team Belize Falls Short, But Makes a Statement

Belize did not get the win, but it may have earned something just as important: respect. On Tuesday night, Team Belize pushed tournament host Dominican Republic to the brink at the Central American and Caribbean Games, coming within one possession of a historic upset before falling 78-75 in the final moments. The loss was painful, and social media had plenty to say. But for those close to the program, the bigger story is not what Belize failed to do, but how far the national basketball team has come. News Five’s Shane Williams reports.

 

Shane Williams, Reporting

After a slow first quarter on Tuesday night, Belize put the host nation on the ropes, the Dominican Republic team backed by one of the region’s strongest basketball programs. Belize battled possession for possession before falling by just three points, seventy-eight to seventy-five.

 

The defeat stung. But so did the reaction that followed online. Some questioned player’s performance. Others criticized coaching decisions. But missing from much of the conversation was the bigger picture. And the growth is hard to ignore. Three years ago, this Belizean squad, minus Josiah Mosely, fell to the Dominican Republic by seventeen points on Belizean soil. Fast forward to Tuesday night, and Belize was trading blows with the regional powerhouse until the final seconds in Santo Domingo.

 

For Belize Basketball Federation President Jacob Leslie, Tuesday night’s performance wasn’t an isolated result. It is the payoff of four years of building chemistry, experience and belief.

 

Jacob Leslie, President, Belize Basketball Federation

“I think what you’re seeing is a culmination of what we’ve been doing over the past four years, and I think Belize should be proud of these young men. They have came to represent our country for the past four years, and every time they have showed up they have demanded the respect of their opponents. And I think we should be proud of them. Regardless of the outcome, we should be proud of them because they play with… They play together, they play with heart, and they are very aware of what it means to put on that Belize in front of their chest. And so they play with pride.”

 

The challenge facing Belize extends far beyond the hardwood. Belize is a nation of fewer than four hundred and thirty thousand people. The Dominican Republic has a population of more than eleven-point-six million. Then there’s the investment.

Belize’s annual budget for all sports programs is around five hundred thousand dollars, plus two million dollars added from lottery sales. Dominican Republic’s budget for the Central American and Caribbean Games alone is 370 million dollars. Despite that disparity, Belize stood toe-to-toe with one of the tournament favorites. Leslie says that accomplishment deserves encouragement, not condemnation.

 

Jacob Leslie

“I hope that, the Belizean public can be supportive of them. And when they’re commenting on Facebook and posting on Facebook, always try to show that support and love for them because they’re still young and sometimes the negative feedback it does impact them. We try our best to keep them focused and locked in but I would encourage our Belizean people to be supportive of these young men because they have always represented us and they will continue to do so.”

 

For a young team wearing “Belize” across its chest, every game is bigger than basketball. And while Tuesday night’s result goes down as a loss, the message from those closest to the program is that respect isn’t earned only through victories. Sometimes, it’s earned by proving you belong. Belize’s next game is Thursday against Guatemala. Shane Williams for News Five.

 

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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