toucan Tournament Preview

Toucan Cup Finals Preview – Tiger Sharks vs. Dangriga Dream Ballers

25th August 2025

The stage is set for the Toucan Cup Championship, and it doesn’t get bigger than this: the storied San Pedro Tiger Sharks against the surging Dangriga Dream Ballers. Two franchises with very different legacies, one trophy on the line. The Tiger Sharks bring championship pedigree and playoff toughness, while the Dream Ballers ride into the finals with swagger, depth, and the energy of the league’s most passionate fan base.

This isn’t just a series — it’s a clash of cultures, styles, and wills.

San Pedro Tiger Sharks

Record: 11–1 (only loss in Dangriga)
Head-to-Head vs Dream Ballers: 3–1 (including an OT win in Dangriga)

The Tiger Sharks are no strangers to this stage. Led by Jehad Wright and MVP candidate Francis Arana, they thrive in half-court battles, leaning on physicality, experience, and defensive grit. Jehad was unavailable for the first two and last two games of the season, and his absence was felt most in their lone loss against Griga. When he is on the floor, he is clearly the leader and best player they have. When he is not, the Sharks remain solid, but are they truly elite — especially on the defensive end? Their biggest asset is knowing how to win close playoff games. San Pedro’s challenge will be keeping pace with Dangriga’s athleticism and finding reliable scoring outside their primary stars. What makes them even more dangerous is their youth pipeline — the Sharks boast two of the top three candidates for the Jaguar Cub Award in Keon Rowland and Tyrell Griffith, a duo that brings energy, speed, and an edge off the bench. Tyrell is no on a college campus in the US and may not be available for the cup run or will he? And don’t forget big man Malik Hunt. He was in the MVP conversation before a toe injury sidelined him for five weeks. Now back in action, Hunt looked sharp in his last two games, but all eyes remain on his big toe (no pun intended) as the Sharks lean on him in the Finals.

Key storyline: Can the Sharks’ experience and composure slow down the free-flowing pace of the Dream Ballers?

X-factor: Bench production. If the Sharks’ role players deliver double-digit scoring nights, San Pedro becomes much harder to beat.

Dangriga Dream Ballers

Record: 8–4
Head-to-Head vs Tiger Sharks: 1–3

Dangriga has been a revelation this season. They started strong with Deshawn Brackett’s MVP-level play, survived his injury dip, and then surged again with the arrival of Kirk “Shabba” Smith. Now Brackett is back to his preseason self and seems poised to make a deep playoff run as one of the most dangerous open-court guards in the league. With Brackett healthy and Smith consistent, the Dream Ballers look like a juggernaut. Add the rise of Kevon Lourie, recently appointed as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year after a breakout campaign. His lockdown performance in the playoffs, where he shut down the league’s second-leading scorer Kyle Stewart, cemented his status as Dangriga’s defensive anchor. Alongside Lourie’s dominance, the resurgence of Boogie Mitchell has been key. His last three games have seen the return of the ball-handling playmaker who can hit timely three-pointers and calm the offense in the final two minutes. With Mitchell providing that composure, Dangriga is a nightmare matchup. Add to that the late-season surge of Daniel Conorquie, who has shown the ability to create his own shot by using his physicality in the paint and attacking off the dribble.

Key storyline: Can Dangriga’s stars deliver under the finals spotlight, especially in San Pedro’s hostile waters?

X-factor: The crowd. No home-court in the BPBL shakes like Dangriga’s, but how will they respond when the series shifts to San Pedro?

Final Word

The Tiger Sharks bring history; the Dream Ballers bring momentum. Expect a physical, emotional series where every possession matters. One side defends a dynasty, the other chases a first crown. The Toucan Cup Finals are here — and the jungle is watching.

 

BY: Coach jamel wagner