The Bulldogs

The Belize Bank Ltd., being a market leader in the banking and commerce industry, also intends to be an integral part of the local community's recreational and sporting activities. This passion for community activities meant that it was imperative on our part, and a responsibility as a leader, to become a franchise owner in Belize's Semi-Pro Basketball; thus, the "Bulldogs" was born.

The Belize Bank "Bulldogs" franchise is new, energetic, full of excitement, and committed to excellence. In only its first year in the league, the "Bulldogs" basketball team has been able to capture the hearts of a growing number of fans, including many primary school and high school students who have been captivated by the energy and aura of the "Bulldogs". And as a means of giving back to the community, the team players plan to visit several schools during the year and in addition, hold mini basketball camps in the Belize City area which are geared towards improving the fundamental basketball skills as well as emphasizing the need for healthy living, exercise, good sportsmanship, and a sound education.

The "Bulldogs" basketball team is presently in second place in the league, having won 7 games while losing 3. The "Bulldogs" however, is currently the league's hottest team, having won four games in a row after starting the season with a 0-2 record. The "Bulldogs" who suffered through two heartbreaking losses in the early part of the season at the hands of the "Nets" and the "Tigersharks", showed remarkable resilience by winning a huge game on the road at Orange Walk Town against the "Eagles" by the score of 84-78. They then came back home and started a rigorous three-game home stand which saw them defeating league powerhouse, the UB "Black Jaguars" by a score of 67-61. They then followed up this win with a convincing 90-83 win over the "Northern Uprising" club, a team hailing from Corozal, and then, avenged their earlier loss to the "Nets" by defeating them 95-88. This magnificent spurt, however, was overturned by the "Tigersharks" of La Isla Bonita by the score of 78-73.

Many pundits thought that this loss would have broken the stride of the "Bulldogs", but instead, it elicited a never before seen appetite in the "Bulldogs", so insatiable, that they went up to the capital City of Belmopan on May 4 and once again defeated the Black Jaguars, this time by a score of 76-69. The feasting wouldn't stop there, as the "Bulldogs" then returned home to the City Center on Friday, May 12 and blew out the Sugar City Eagles by a score of 97-77 in what was their last home game of the regular season. In light of this, the night was dubbed "Fans Appreciation Night" and featured a number of Belizean Poets performing at the half.

Keeping this momentum, the "Bulldogs" then headed up north to Corozal on Saturday, May 27 and snuffed out the Northern Uprising team by a score of 105-77 in their final game of the regular season. With this, the "Bulldogs" presently boast a 4-1 record at home and a 3-2 record on the road.

Consequently, the "Bulldogs" are now poised and confident heading into the playoffs seeded at #2, and facing in best of three series, the "Black Jaguars" from the University of Belize - a team that they are very familiar with, having defeated them twice during the regular season. This series is schedule to commence on Friday June 2 at 9:00 pm at the City Center.

Starters
Bart Sanchez - Point Guard
Aubrey Lopez - Shooting Guard
Eric Cheers - Small Forward
Darwin Leslie - Power Forward
Leon Williams - Center

Reserves
Roscoe Rhys - Point Guard
Ronald Rivers - Shooting Guard
Ian Ferrera - Small Forward
Earl Johnson - Power Forward
Jason Hyde - Center
Jerome Williams - Center