From a crowded field of 24 of Belize’s best basketball players, only 12 will be chosen to represent Belize in the Cocaba Central American Champions Tournament next month in Mexico. 12 of the 24 prospects are Belizean Americans. At the top of that list are of course the proven talents – Milton Palacio, Alex Carcamo, Darwin Carter and others who’ve been playing professional ball internationally. But there are also new faces competing for a spot on the roster and a chance at glory. We met four of them today who’ve played college ball and in European leagues. They all told Keith Swift that this is their first trip to Belize since childhood.

Charlie Burgess, from New York City
“I am Charlie Burgess from New York City, when to Texas Tech University and then I was overseas one year. I went to Uruguay and then I was back and now I am here in Belize hopefully to defend the title that we had won previously so hopefully we could bring it back to the level that it needs to be at.”

Keith Swift,
“How do you feel to be playing for the national team?”

Charlie Burgess,
“Oh it feels great, especially seeing the smile on my mother’s face because I haven’t seen my mother in a long time and she is actually here in Belize so it is a great opportunity. Not many get this chance so I am just blessed.”

Colleen Burgess, Mother
“Oh my God, I can’t even explain how I feel. I feel pretty good. I am so excited. Very excited about this young man.”

Keith Swift,
“What can we expect from you?”

Charlie Burgess,
“I am just going to go out there and give it my all. Play every game like it is last. I love winning more than I love lo lose.”

Herbie Allen, from New York
“I was born in Brooklyn New York. First eight years in my life I lived in California and then I moved back to New York, played ball in New York most of my life. My parents are both born in Belize. My mom is from Dangriga, my father is from Belize City. I feel really appreciated. I feel I owe something to this country. My parents always talk about Belize. I feel it is my duty to learn more about this country and be more involved in this country because I am 100% Belizean blood and I am looking forward to experiencing…”

Keith Swift,
“What can be expected from you?”

Herbie Allen,
“A lot of effort. Effort, playing hard – I always give 100%.”

Gene Myvett, From California
“I was born in Belize. I left here and went to the States when I was three or four years old. I lived in California all my life.”

Keith Swift,
“First time back?”

Gene Myvett,
“Yes first time back. 23 years, yes I left in ’86 and now it is time, its been a long time.”

Kyron Stokes, Milton Palacio’s Nephew
“It is a privilege to be out here. Man I’m excited. I haven’t been out here since I was one so its really cool to come out here and play for my country and just play basketball, what I love doing.”

Keith Swift,
“So it is your first time back in a long long time.”

Gene Myvett,
“Very long time from since like 1990.”

Keith Swift,
“Why do you want to be on the team?”

Gene Myvett,
“Well I met coach last summer and he asked me if I would be interested in playing and anytime you can play basketball at this top level, it is a great opportunity. So I love playing ball and I jumped on it as soon as I could.

I didn’t really know anyone here except for one person. I don’t even know him, Milt Palacio, he is my uncle so it will be good to play and learn from him.”

Keith Swift,
“So you’re excited about playing with him?”

Gene Myvett,
“Like I said I don’t know him but I’ve heard about it and it is really cool and it is kind of exciting to be playing with him.”

Keith Swift,
“Anybody you’d like to play with on the team that you’ve heard of?”

Charlie Burgess,
“Palacio I heard about and just everybody period because I never got a chance to meet or play with them so it is just going to be an experience of a lifetime.”

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie, From Belize
“We the local guys have been waiting because we want to see also what they got and we want to compete against them so the workout can be more intense. We’ve been playing against one another at the local level so we was anticipating these guys to come in so it is going to be fun. The last time they came I was 17 years old. That was eleven years ago so I definitely can’t wait to just meet these guys.”

And you did hear correctly, 20 year old Kyron Stokes is the nephew of Milton Palacio though the two have never met. They will meet for the first time next week when Milt along with Sony Watson, Marlon Garnett, Darwin Carter, and Alex Carcamo are expected to arrive.