After much delay, the 2004 semi-pro basketball season will tip-off Friday night at the City Center.
Confirmation came today that the five teams: Belmopan Blue devils, BTL Nets, Corozal, Orange Walk Warriors, and Cruisers will battle it on the Basketball court. Notably missing from the line-up is 7 time champ Kremandala Raiders who last year vowed to bow out. That leaves last year's sub-champions the BTL Nets with the mantle.
So what will this year's semi-pro lineup look like? Well three days before the first game a lot remains uncertain. First there is the BTL Nets which have yet to re-sign their star forward Keith Acosta. Acosta told 7NEWS this evening he will make a decision as to which jersey he will be wearing this semi-pro season tomorrow. In Belmopan, the Blue Devils which is sponsored by Area Representative Hon. John Saldivar will use a yet unnamed international coach and that team's anchors will be Claude "too tall" Jones and Aubrey Lopez. There is even less information about the two teams from the north: warriors and the Corozal team. Back to the city and the cruisers: that team will be coached by Fred Gabourel who will be assisted by former Raiders' coach Mathew Smiling. The Cruisers' went to length to distance themselves from the legacy of the Raiders saying they are two completely different team. A spokesman for the team said they are starting from scratch though they will use the services of former Raiders like Kevin Seroki.
Of note is that no imports will be allowed this year. All the teams' loose ends will hopefully be tied up by Friday at 9 p.m. when the first game begins.