Belize Loses to Honduras in CODICADER Basketball Games
The Central American Council of Sports and Recreation, better known as CODICADER, is hosting its 2023 Games here in Belize. The tournament kicked off on Wednesday and the u-fifteen national male and female basketball teams have been going head-to-head in matches against teams from Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras. While the team started off with a loss, they were able to get a win on Thursday. Today, they lost once again, but they are not losing hope. News Five’s Duane Moody was at the boys’ game today between Belize and Honduras and files this report.
Duane Moody, Reporting
On Thursday afternoon, the Belize National U-fifteen Basketball team was successful in its match against Nicaragua as the CODICADER Games continue inside the SCA Gymnasium here in Belize City. The win comes after a crushing loss to Panama. But late this afternoon, the team lost once again – this time against Honduras in a fifty-two to forty-one finish.
Linberth Moody, Head Coach, Belize National U-15 Basketball Team
Linberth Moody
“The game yesterday was a very well-worked for game. It was a win that we really needed to set the tone. We really dig down yesterday as a team. I mean we suffered a real huge loss to Panama the opening night. I mean we took fifty points from Panama; that was really devastating. So the previous day, we went into a lee group session and realised that we really needed to dig down. I mean Nicaragua was one of the teams we anticipated for really the most. So we won that game with a really great performance by my captain Mister Gary Nicholas. Today we tried the same remedy. We faced the powerhouse, Honduras. I mean they have a fourteen-year-old who is six feet four inches. So today was a challenge. I mean we couldn’t get the job done. I don’t know if the boys underestimated themselves or overplayed themselves. But it would have been great for us; it would have placed us in the second place with great contention for a medal.”
Fourteen-year-old Gary Nicholas is starting point guard, but also holds the post as captain of the team. It’s his first time playing in a regional tournament, but speaks of the experience and the recent games.
Gary Nicholas,
Gary Nicholas, Captain, Belize National U-15 Basketball Team
“We worked really hard for that so the next game we started the game hot. The game got close, but we were still motivated to win and we tried and tried and we won.”
Duane Moody
“Today what happened?”
Gary Nicholas
“I don’t know. The ball movement, I’d say, boxing out the big guy. He was a little problem back there and some shots were dropping and my stuff – it wasn’t happening today. It is a little more pressure, but I noh really make it get to my head cause then I wah get outta place and stuff.”
Duane Moody
“First time international competition?”
Gary Nicholas
“Yes sir.”
Duane Moody
“How has it been so far for you?”
Gary Nicholas
“The experience has been amazing and stuff, but the court, it’s been iffy, iffy. So I like it though, I like it.”
Coach Linberth Moody says that all hope is not lost for the team, as they go head-to-head with Honduras once again on Saturday. This game will determine their placement in the tournament.
Linberth Moody
“We still play tomorrow semi-finals against Honduras once again to fight a change to get a chance at the first place actually. It would be something great to get that first place, but first of all we just have to get through Honduras once again.”
Duane Moody
“So tomorrow we are aiming for a win?”
Linberth Moody
“Tomorrow it is definitely a win. I mean if we lose, we don’t want to play for third place. Third is nowhere in our vision.”
Duane Moody for News Five.