Escazu 84 Grecia 80

The Costa Rican basketball season is split into three parts: a worthless Torneo de Copa, and then the regular season split into Apertura and Clausura. These are two halves of the same season: a national final brings together the winner of each half. This is the same way the local soccer tournament is set up, so naturally this is the way the basketball federation has done it for years.

There are different paths to winning a title. Win Apertura, come up short in Clausura and win the National Final. Or improve enough in Clausura to win, go into the national final with momentum and take the title. Or better yet, dominate from wire to wire, taking both Apertura and Clausura, eliminating the need for a National Final. San Ramon won the title last year that way, leaving no doubt. 

This was the first game of Apertura. A new beginning for the season, at least the parts that count. We made some roster changes following the end of the Torneo de Copa. Nick Leon, who played his college ball at St. Peter's, assumed point guard duties, while Dave Milliner came to shore up the post rotation. The group was excited to get on the court after a couple of weeks of practice. 

Our first game was a trip to Grecian, where we lost a foul-marred game in the Copa tournament at the buzzer. Grecia got out to an early big lead. We came back behind some timely shooting from Clifford Smith. Grecia was able to go on another big run in the second quarter with Michael Jackson on the bench. A 2 point deficit became a 14 point breach at the half as Grecian got hot from the three point line to close the first half. 

The third quarter saw an improved defensive effort. A double technical foul got Michael engaged; he reeled off 8 points to help close the gap and flip the lead. Clifford continued his hot shooting with timely basket, while Diego Loria contributed with a pair three pointers and some intense defense. 

Grecia added an American guard, Korey Fisher who had a hot shooting night with 34 points. Amir Alvarado chipped in 26 of an array of shots all over the court.

Michael Jackson led our scoring with 26 points while Nick Leon scored 22 in his debut. Our next game is Tuesday agains Ferreteria Brenes Barva.