Month: July 2020

Olympics one year out…again!

The Summer Olympics Games is less than a year away, set for July 23 to August 8, in Tokyo, Japan. So far, just six Bahamian athletes have qualified outright. AP

July 31, 2020

Sheldon Longley

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If not for the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the world’s best athletes would be at the Olympics right now.

This is the time when they would have gathered in Japan’s capital city of Tokyo for the grandest sports spectacle in the world, but that was before COVID-19 hit, forcing a stoppage of sports across the globe.

As a result, the Summer Olympics Games is set for an odd year for the first time in its 124-year history – postponed to July 23 to August 8, 2021, still in Tokyo. The training schedules for thousands of athletes have been disrupted, and additionally, training venues and facilities were closed for a significant period of time. A number of those places have since opened, but now a second wave of the coronavirus is upon us.

For some athletes, this is an opportunity to get healthy and fine-tune their bodies for 2021. For others, it’s an opportunity lost as they get older and out of prime condition as the days and months go by.

For the most part, Bahamian athletes support the decision to postpone the Olympics, particularly given what is going in the world today with COVID-19. Even the qualifying period has been suspended, and as a result, The Bahamas finds itself in the same position it was in 12 months ago as no additional Bahamian athlete has qualified.

Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) President Romell Knowles said he feels confident that The Bahamas will be well represented at the Olympics and the chosen few will once again make a tiny nation of just under 400,000 people proud.

“I can tell you that our athletes are coping as best as they can with COVID-19 to prepare themselves for the Olympics. It’s been challenging with the protocols and restrictions that are in place but mentally I believe that our athletes are up to the task at hand,” said Knowles. “They are being responsible and taking care of themselves and have pride in the representation of our country. We are optimistic that they will perform at a very high level. They’re excited, motivated and they’re going to give it their all. We’re not challenging them to win medals, but rather to do the best that they can and if that lands them on the podium, then we’ll be excited for them and excited for the country. Once the all clear is given, hopefully a vaccine will be found for this coronavirus, putting everyone’s minds at ease, and I believe our athletes will rise to the occasion.”

So far, a total of six Bahamian athletes have qualified outright for the Tokyo Olympic Games – all in track and field. A couple of Bahamian female swimmers have achieved “B” cut qualifying times.

The track and field athletes who have qualified outright are Shaunae Miller-Uibo in both the women’s 200 and 400 meters (m), Steven Gardiner in the men’s 400m, Tynia Gaither in the women’s 100 and 200m, Samson Colebrooke in the men’s 100m, Pedrya Seymour in the women’s 100m hurdles and Jamal Wilson in the men’s high jump. Laura Morley and Joanna Evans have achieved “B” cut qualifying times in swimming in the 200m breast and 400m free events respectively. Miller-Uibo and Gardiner were fantastic this past weekend, the former with a pair of world leads in the 100 and 200m, and Gardiner with a sub-20 mark in the men’s 200m – the second-best time in the world this year.

Knowles said the Olympic movement in the country is doing what it can to get the best representation possible for The Bahamas in Tokyo, providing Olympic development grants and Olympic scholarships and facilitating national federations where possible.

COVID-19 has turned the world upside down, and this period continues to create setbacks in sports. World Athletics has suspended the qualifying period for track and field events for the Olympics until December 1, 2020, and the International Swimming Federation (FINA) has postponed or canceled all qualifying meets. It appears that those two disciplines will account for the bulk of Team Bahamas in Tokyo.

One Bahamian athlete who would have qualified if not for the suspension of the qualifying period is Anthonique Strachan. She won the women’s 200m at the Velocity Fest 2020 event in Kingston, Jamaica, in 22.72 seconds, this past weekend – her fastest time in five years. The qualifying time in that event for the Olympics is 22.80 seconds.

Knowles said there is nothing that can be done about the pandemic; it’s here and we just have to navigate around it in preparation for Tokyo. The BOC chief said he foresees no additional setbacks once the spread of the virus dies down and the world returns to a state of normalcy.

At the last Summer Olympics in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, The Bahamas was represented by a 26-member squad in three sporting disciplines – athletics, swimming and rowing. Miller-Uibo won gold in the women’s 400m, and the men’s 4x400m relay team of Alonzo Russell, Michael Mathieu, Steven Gardiner and Chris Brown, in that order, won a bronze medal.

Knowles remains confident that more Bahamian athletes will qualify for Tokyo, and at the end of the day, The Bahamas will have one of its better collective performances at the Olympics.

Hield, Ayton resume NBA season today

July 31, 2020

Simba French

0185 Views

It has been just over four months since Bahamian professional basketball players Chavano “Buddy” Hield and DeAndre Ayton played a regular season game in the National Basketball Association (NBA). That is about to change for both players as they prepare for game action today.

Ayton and the Phoenix Suns will be up first when they look to get a win over the Washington Wizards. That game will be played at 4 p.m. Hield and the Sacramento Kings will play a crucial game against a conference foe, the San Antonio Spurs, who are also fighting for the eighth seed in the Western Conference of the NBA. That game will get underway at 8 p.m.

Bahamian sharp shooter Hield missed some time in training camp before the scrimmage games started last week. He told reporters on Wednesday that he feels conditioned heading into the match-up tonight.

“I feel I am there now. Of course, preseason (scrimmage) is different form a real game,” Hield said. “The anxiety and the mental preparation is different but we will go out there and just compete. I am ready to go out there and compete for everything we worked for. When my number gets called, I will go out there and produce for my team. The goal is to take threes and score as [many] points as I can score or get my teammates involved as much as I can and play on both sides of the floor.”

The Kings sit tied for 10th in the Western Conference with a 28-36 win/loss record – three and a half games behind the 32-33 Memphis Grizzlies who occupy the eighth and final spot in the west. Sitting six games behind the Grizzles at 26-29 are the Suns.

If the team with the eighth-best record in its conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best record in the same conference, no play-in tournament would be necessary. The final playoff berth would simply go to the team with the eighth-best record, regular season games plus seeding games, in the conference. There are just eight seeding games remaining for each team.

If the team with the eighth-best record in its conference is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best record in the same conference, then there will be a battle for the final spot between those two teams.

The tournament would be a two-game series, where the number nine seed would have to win two head-to-head match-ups to take over the number eight spot. If the number eight seed wins just one of the two games, they advance to the playoffs. The playoffs will take the traditional format.

Both the Kings and the Suns will have to get close to an unblemished record in order to get a chance to advance to the playoffs.

The Kings had a 1-2 record during the scrimmage portion of the restart over the past week. Held, the 2020 Mountain Dew Three-Point Champion, said that he and his teammates have switched it on and are ready to go out there and compete.

“The guys have picked up the intensity level. I think we are competing now, and we know what is at stake. It’s an eight-game tournament and every game is serious so we have to go out there and compete every possession… We are going to try be mistake-free and play Kings basketball. Every game we are going to try win,” said Hield.

The Suns had a better scrimmage portion, winning two games and losing one. Ayton had a quiet scrimmage experience, but he is looking forward to the restart, particularly after missing 25 games due to a violation of the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Anti-Drug Program this season when he tested positive for a diuretic.

During the scrimmage games, the big man flashed a little of his arsenal when he went a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point territory. He is averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds per game – both career highs. He is also averaging a career-high in blocks at 1.7 per contest. Ayton became the fastest Suns player to reach 1,000 rebounds in team history.

Hield is averaging 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. The Grand Bahamian has connected on 244 three-point shots this season, second in the league, and 34 three-pointers shy of his career-high and franchise record of 278 from a year ago. The 278 threes was the seventh most prolific shooting performance from downtown in NBA history in a season. Hield is also the fastest player in league history to reach 800 made three-pointers. He accomplished that in 296 games.

Players from the 22 teams selected for the NBA restart are housed in a bubble at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida as the league enforces strict COVID-19 prevention protocols. They are away from their family and friends as they look to complete the 2019-2020 season. Hield is away from his toddler daughter and says it is not only difficult for him but for everyone.

“It is something that nobody has been through before and we have to adjust but it is life. We are blessed to be here,” he said. “We may not get to see our families, but we get to provide for them, giving them food on the table and a roof over their heads and that is the main point. I am thankful to God for this opportunity to resume the NBA season, so we are able to make money to help our families. It sucks right now but it will all be better in the long run.”

After today, Hield and the Kings will return to the court on Sunday to play the Orlando Magic. The Suns’ next match-up will be against the Dallas Mavericks at 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Jump Line – Both players will be back in action on Sunday

Cargill impressed by senior swimmers

Algernon Cargill.July 31, 2020Simba French0202Views

The swimming season was cut short this year but Bahamian swimmers who managed to get some meets under their belts performed admirably, said Bahamas Aquatics Federation (BAF) President Algernon Cargill.

Female swimmers such as Joanna Evans, Laura Morley and Albury Higgs were looking forward to qualifying for this year’s Summer Olympics. However, the season was cut short due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the Olympics has been postponed back to July 23 to August 8, 2021, still in Tokyo, Japan.

“The female swimmers continue to excel. Laura Morley already has her Olympic ‘B’ cut. Joanna Evans and Albury Higgs are the female swimmers who are out front in the program but The Bahamas is certainly well-positioned to have a great year in 2021. Hopefully we can restart the program very quickly,” Cargill said.

Morley made the Olympic “B” cut in the 200 meters (m) breaststroke with a national record time of 2:27.83 back in December 2019 when she competed at the US Open Swimming Championships at the Georgia Tech McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia. That time smashed her old national record of 2:30.21.

Multiple national record holder Evans has a “B” cut time of 4:11.06 in the 400m freestyle and was hoping to lower that time later in the season. Evans also has a top time of 2:01.55 in the 200m free, and the “B” cut qualifying time is 2:00.80. She holds the national record in both of those events, and with the Olympics being pushed back, she now has additional time to lower both of those times and outright qualify for the games.

The “A” cut time in the 400m free is 4:07.90 and in the “B” cut time is 4:15.34.

Higgs had an impressive season for her University of South Carolina Gamecocks. She was able to qualify in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke events for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI) Swimming Championships in March. However, that event was canceled due to the pandemic.

She is close to the “B” cut qualifying time in the 200m breast with a time of 2:30.50. The “B” cut time is 2:29.89.

On the male side, Cargill mentioned swimmers such as Jared Fitzgerald, Izaak Bastian and Vereance Burrows as some of the Bahamian male swimmers who are looking to qualify for next year’s Olympics.

“Unless someone achieves a qualifying time, we have three male swimmers who are vying for one spot on the Olympic team. We have Jared Fitzgerald who had an outstanding year at the University of Tampa (UT). He is ahead in FINA points as we speak. Izaak Bastian also had an outstanding year at Florida State University (FSU). DaVante Carey, Vereance Burrows and Kohen Kerr are all outstanding swimmers who want to represent The Bahamas at the Olympic Games and had terrific seasons. We expect it to be an intense battle,” said Cargill.

Fitzgerald, the 100m free national record holder, has 786 FINA (International Swimming Federation) points – the highest among the Bahamian male swimmers. He swam 50.81 seconds at the 2019 Pan American Games last year in Lima, Peru. Fitzgerald had a great season in the pool for UT, qualifying individually for the NCAA Division II (DII) Swimming Championships in the 100-yard freestyle event.

Breathing down Fitzgerald’s back by five points is Bastian with 781 points. The 200m breast national record holder has those points for his efforts in the 100m breast. His top time in that event during the qualifying period is 1:01.99 and the “B” cut time is 1:01.73. The FSU swimmer was impressive this season, qualifying for the first time in an individual event for the NCAA DI Swimming Championships. He qualified in the 100-yard breast.

Carey holds the national records in the 50 and 100m backstroke events. The freshman at McKendree University qualified for the NCAA DII Swimming Championships for his performance in the 100-yard backstroke.

If no Bahamian male swimmer qualifies, Fitzgerald is the swimmer who will be called upon to represent The Bahamas at the Olympics because he has the highest FINA points and will get in because of the universality standard of the Olympics which allows a country to enter one male and one female swimmer regardless of time.

For those elite swimmers like Fitzgerald and Carey who were in The Bahamas in recent weeks, they had a chance to get back into the pool in early May after Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced that elite and professional athletes would be allowed to resume training, as highlighted in the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Orders.

“I am happy that the government allowed for the training of elite and professional athletes,” Cargill said. “We contacted the National Sports Authority (NSA) to see if they can give permission to those in school because some of these athletes have commitments to their colleges and they have a very stringent program that they had to adhere to.”

Cargill, who sits on the FINA board as a regional representative, has a key input on approving some of the COVID-19 protocols in swimming. He said he adopted those same protocols for the federation.

“One thing that I am happy about is that with Bahamas Aquatics, we have developed protocols based on FINA best practices… We provided each recommendation for the NSA that they have adopted outright. We have been a pacesetter for all federations in that regard. From what we understand, some of our protocols were adopted as a part of the standard operating practices. It can be used by the other federations in terms of required social distancing in their programs,” Cargill stated.

A number of Bahamian swimmers will be looking to lower their times in preparation for next year’s Summer Olympics. Unfortunately, FINA has canceled a number of regional and international qualifying meets due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Jones could be paid despite opting out

Jonquel Jones.July 30, 2020Simba French0231Views

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season got underway this past Saturday without a familiar face – Bahamian professional player with the Connecticut Sun Jonquel “JJ” Jones, who has developed into one of the better players in the league over the past four seasons.

Jones opted out of the 2020 season back on June 22, citing new coronavirus concerns. As a result of her opting out and not being “at-risk”, Jones was not eligible to receive her salary.

On Monday, Brooklyn Nets guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Kyrie Irving announced that he has created a $1.5 million fund to supplement the income of WNBA players, like Jones, who are sitting out the season and are not receiving a salary. To qualify for the fund, a player has to explain her reason for opting out and not be receiving financial help from any other institution.

“Whether a person decided to fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health or simply connect with their families, this initiative can hopefully support their priorities and decisions,’’ Irving said in a statement.

The league and players agreed that players who are “at-risk” for the virus and opt out would receive full pay. Those who opt out and are not “at-risk” would not be penalized but would not receive their salary throughout the season.

There have been 14 players, including Jones and one coach, who opted out of the 2020 season. Other WNBA players who opted out who are not “at-risk” are Renee Montgomery, Liz Cambage, Tiffany Hayes, Chiney Ogwumike, Natasha Cloud and Jewel Lloyd. Seattle Storm Head Coach Dan Hughes also opted out.

Irving along with Cloud and Lloyd discussed challenges the players face in opting out.

Players will have a chance to apply for the funds through the KAI Empowerment Initiative’s website and must do so by August 11. Those who will receive some of the money will be told on August 24.

The Grand Bahamian made the announcement on her Instagram account to opt out, thanking the Sun organization for supporting her decision.

“After careful thought and consideration, I’ve decided to forego the upcoming WNBA season and use this time to focus on personal, social and familial growth. This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve made but the resurgence and unknown aspects of COVID-19 have raised serious health concerns that I do not feel comfortable competing in,” Jones posted. “I’d like to thank the Connecticut Sun organization, my teammates and fans for their unwavering support and understanding. While I won’t be competing this year, I’m looking forward to lacing up with my teammates in 2021 and continuing the pursuit for a WNBA championship. Wishing the entire league and everyone involved a healthy and enjoyable season. Go Sun!”

Jones has been busy on Twitter, showing her support for the WNBA. Over the weekend, NBA players showed their support for the WNBA with their pre-game and game attire. The Bahamian showed appreciation for their support.

“Don’t support us because everyone else is doing it. Support us because you actually care, because you watch games and love the style of play, because you have daughters, sisters, mothers and other members of your community who can look at us and see themselves. Thanks NBA,” Jones posted.

The league cut down its 34-game regular season format to 22 games with its normal playoff format. Like the NBA, they are in a bubble, playing all of their games at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The Sun officially tipped off its season on Sunday against the Minnesota Lynx. Jones showed support for her team before the start of the game.

“Safe to say, this is the energy I’m bringing today! Good luck Connecticut Sun as we start our season today! I’ll be yelling at the TV and telling the refs off all game long,” Jones posted on Instagram.

The Sun fell to the Lynx, 77-69, falling apart in a fourth quarter in which they were outscored 27-12. Alyssa Thomas led the Sun in that game with 20 points.

In their second game on Tuesday, they fell to the Washington Mystics in a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals. The Mystics won that game 94-89. DeWanna Bonner finished with 29 points in the loss for the Sun.

The Sun return to action tonight when they play the Los Angeles Sparks at 10 p.m. They will look to avoid opening the season in a 0-3 winless hole.

Jones is currently on Grand Bahama riding out a two-week lockdown as COVID-19 cases spike on that island. That lockdown started on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. and ends on Friday, August 7 at 5 a.m. It looks like she is picking up a new hobby – flying drones, according to her posts.

Jones finished third in voting for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award last season, and in February, inked a multi-year deal to remain with the Sun. She led the team in points, rebounds and blocks last season, and proved to be one of the top stars in the league, leading the Sun within one game of winning the WNBA title.

The sixth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft averaged 14.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and two blocks a year ago – 12th in the league in scoring, leading the way in rebounds for the second time in her four-year career, and tied with Brittney Griner in blocks. Jones shot 44.8 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from three-point land. She raised her level of play in the playoffs, averaging 17.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

Jones could be paid despite opting out

Jonquel Jones

.July 30, 2020

Simba French

0231 Views

The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season got underway this past Saturday without a familiar face – Bahamian professional player with the Connecticut Sun Jonquel “JJ” Jones, who has developed into one of the better players in the league over the past four seasons.

Jones opted out of the 2020 season back on June 22, citing new coronavirus concerns. As a result of her opting out and not being “at-risk”, Jones was not eligible to receive her salary.

On Monday, Brooklyn Nets guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Kyrie Irving announced that he has created a $1.5 million fund to supplement the income of WNBA players, like Jones, who are sitting out the season and are not receiving a salary. To qualify for the fund, a player has to explain her reason for opting out and not be receiving financial help from any other institution.

“Whether a person decided to fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health or simply connect with their families, this initiative can hopefully support their priorities and decisions,’’ Irving said in a statement.

The league and players agreed that players who are “at-risk” for the virus and opt out would receive full pay. Those who opt out and are not “at-risk” would not be penalized but would not receive their salary throughout the season.

There have been 14 players, including Jones and one coach, who opted out of the 2020 season. Other WNBA players who opted out who are not “at-risk” are Renee Montgomery, Liz Cambage, Tiffany Hayes, Chiney Ogwumike, Natasha Cloud and Jewel Lloyd. Seattle Storm Head Coach Dan Hughes also opted out.

Irving along with Cloud and Lloyd discussed challenges the players face in opting out.

Players will have a chance to apply for the funds through the KAI Empowerment Initiative’s website and must do so by August 11. Those who will receive some of the money will be told on August 24.

The Grand Bahamian made the announcement on her Instagram account to opt out, thanking the Sun organization for supporting her decision.

“After careful thought and consideration, I’ve decided to forego the upcoming WNBA season and use this time to focus on personal, social and familial growth. This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve made but the resurgence and unknown aspects of COVID-19 have raised serious health concerns that I do not feel comfortable competing in,” Jones posted. “I’d like to thank the Connecticut Sun organization, my teammates and fans for their unwavering support and understanding. While I won’t be competing this year, I’m looking forward to lacing up with my teammates in 2021 and continuing the pursuit for a WNBA championship. Wishing the entire league and everyone involved a healthy and enjoyable season. Go Sun!”

Jones has been busy on Twitter, showing her support for the WNBA. Over the weekend, NBA players showed their support for the WNBA with their pre-game and game attire. The Bahamian showed appreciation for their support.

“Don’t support us because everyone else is doing it. Support us because you actually care, because you watch games and love the style of play, because you have daughters, sisters, mothers and other members of your community who can look at us and see themselves. Thanks NBA,” Jones posted.

The league cut down its 34-game regular season format to 22 games with its normal playoff format. Like the NBA, they are in a bubble, playing all of their games at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The Sun officially tipped off its season on Sunday against the Minnesota Lynx. Jones showed support for her team before the start of the game.

“Safe to say, this is the energy I’m bringing today! Good luck Connecticut Sun as we start our season today! I’ll be yelling at the TV and telling the refs off all game long,” Jones posted on Instagram.

The Sun fell to the Lynx, 77-69, falling apart in a fourth quarter in which they were outscored 27-12. Alyssa Thomas led the Sun in that game with 20 points.

In their second game on Tuesday, they fell to the Washington Mystics in a rematch of last year’s WNBA Finals. The Mystics won that game 94-89. DeWanna Bonner finished with 29 points in the loss for the Sun.

The Sun return to action tonight when they play the Los Angeles Sparks at 10 p.m. They will look to avoid opening the season in a 0-3 winless hole.

Jones is currently on Grand Bahama riding out a two-week lockdown as COVID-19 cases spike on that island. That lockdown started on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. and ends on Friday, August 7 at 5 a.m. It looks like she is picking up a new hobby – flying drones, according to her posts.

Jones finished third in voting for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award last season, and in February, inked a multi-year deal to remain with the Sun. She led the team in points, rebounds and blocks last season, and proved to be one of the top stars in the league, leading the Sun within one game of winning the WNBA title.

The sixth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft averaged 14.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and two blocks a year ago – 12th in the league in scoring, leading the way in rebounds for the second time in her four-year career, and tied with Brittney Griner in blocks. Jones shot 44.8 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from three-point land. She raised her level of play in the playoffs, averaging 17.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

Swimming nationals very unlikely this year

Bahamas Aquatics Federation (BAF) President Algernon Cargill said swimming nationals will likely not be held this year. At this time, the meet is not officially canceled as yet. FILE

July 30, 2020

Simba French

0209 Views

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas continues to rise, planned local sporting events are looking less likely to happen this year as the days and months pass by. One such sporting event is the Bahamas Aquatics Federation’s (BAF) REV National Swimming Championships that were originally slated for June before being pushed back to a later date because of the new coronavirus pandemic. Now, it is unlikely that it will be held this year.

BAF President Algernon Cargill said that they wanted to stage a competitive and exciting competition later this year, but that is very unlikely with the surge in confirmed cases locally.

“As you know, our nationals were moved down to later in the year but if it (surge) continues at this rate, particularly The Bahamas being in the second wave of the coronavirus, I doubt that we will have a nationals at all this year,” Cargill said. “The health and safety of our athletes, their families and the extended swimming community, is much more important than putting on a swim meet. We have not yet worked out what the new norm, in terms of competition, will look like, but there is certainly nothing that I will ever support that will compromise the health of the athletes or the extended swimming community.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, The Bahamas had 380 active cases and 484 confirmed cases of COVID-19 along with 11 related deaths.

The Betty Kelly-Kenning National Aquatics Center comes to life for the four-day nationals. Swimmers from eight-and-under to seniors look forward to the meet that also attracts international swimmers who look to qualify for FINA (International Swimming Federation) sanctioned meets.

Last year, the Mako Aquatics Swim Club repeated as champions. This year, other clubs were looking to stop a three-peat. It has been a rough season for the swimming community which was looking to take part in several regional and international meets this year.

“The current season didn’t go anywhere near planned,” Cargill said. “Our season here was reflective on what the entire world is experiencing, particularly the CARIFTA region and the Americas and even FINA. We had to cancel all of the regional meets this year because with all of the uncertainties there is no confirmation that any of those meets can be held.”

He noted that the CARIFTA team was already selected and the cancelation was a bit depressing for those athletes.

“That was disappointing for the athletes who train so hard at the beginning of the year, and we went through the process of selecting the CARIFTA team. The team was unable to travel because that was when the pandemic first started and it has pretty much been downhill since then,” Cargill stated.

The Bahamas was looking to secure a fourth straight CARIFTA Swimming Championship title, and sixth in the last seven years, this year.

FINA has canceled all of its meets this year, inclusive of the short course world championships that were scheduled to be in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, in December. The Olympic Games were postponed until next year.

Restart Ready

Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield. (AP)

Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield. (AP)

Thursday, July 30, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Following successful debuts in their return to basketball, Deandre Ayton’s Phoenix Suns and Buddy Hield’s Sacramento Kings gear up for a playoff push and a race for the final spot in the Western Conference when the NBA officially restarts its season.

#The league will resume regular season play today at the Disney Resort’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, but both the Suns and Kings will make their return to the court tomorrow.

#The Suns are scheduled to face the Washington Wizards at 4pm while the Kings will take on the San Antonio Spurs at 8pm.

#In three scrimmages, Hield led the Kings in scoring at 18.3 points per game. He also added five rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as the team finished 1-2.

#Ayton averaged 10.3 points and seven rebounds per game. He also shot 2-2 from three-point range.

#The remainder of the Kings’ schedule includes matchups against the Orlando Magic (August 2), Mavericks (August 4), New Orleans Pelicans (August 6), Brooklyn Nets (August 7), Houston Rockets (August 9), Pelicans (August 11), and Los Angeles Lakers (August 13).

#The Suns will go on to face the Dallas Mavericks (August 2), Los Angeles Clippers (August 4), Indiana Pacers (August 6), Miami Heat (August 8), Oklahoma City Thunder (August 10), Philadelphia 76ers (August 11) and the Mavericks for a second time (August 13).

#The NBA restart will feature the 16 teams currently in playoff position and six teams (five Western, one Eastern) currently within six games of eighth place in each conference. Each team will play eight “seeding games” followed by the traditional playoff format.

#In the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Kings are No.10 at 28-36 and 3.5 games behind the No.8 Memphis Grizzlies at 32-33. The Suns are 26-39, six games behind the Grizzlies.

#If the No.9 seed is more than four games behind the No.8 seed, No. 8 will make the playoffs. If they are fewer than four games behind, the teams will compete in a play-in tournament for the final spot.

#Ayton said the team’s isolation in the bubble at the Disney resort has created a bonding experience.

#“I feel like we’re the fastest pace team right now, or one of the fastest paced teams. We have a great pace, we’re not slowing down at all. We’re starting out games pretty strong, no matter how our offence is looking we’re playing defence, we’re very active, talking, communicating, very different from the beginning of my second season and when I came back from the suspension. Very different chemistry as well,” Ayton said.

#“Ricky has everybody in their positions on the offensive end and pushing the ball for us. I just feel very comfortable. Being here, we’ve been playing a lot of basketball, we’ve been around each other so it just feels great. On the court, off the court, we’re just a family now.”

#In his second NBA season, Ayton is averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 54 per cent from the field in just 30 games. According to Basketball Reference, his player efficiency is ranked at No.35 in the league at 20.5. He was suspended 25 games this season due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

#Through 64 games this season, Hield is averaging 19.8 points per game and is shooting 40 per cent from beyond the arc, making 3.8 three-point field goals in about 10 attempts per game. Hield also added 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

#He continues his adjustment from COVID-19 recovery but said the entire league has adjustments to make life under the new restrictions.

#“Trying to get my legs under me. I was out the last three weeks but I’ve been putting in extra work in the gym back and forth, just trying to find my groove, get right and be comfortable out there,” he said.

#“I’m just happy to be able to hoop. Yea, the fans might normally control the momentum of a game but in this environment, I think you have to be more mentally tough, more mentally locked in.

#“You can hear yourself on the court, so the more we talk, the more we communicate the better we can be closing out games and be better defensively, better offensively. We have to be locked in each and every play, every play matters and it’s a different element out there playing but you have to adjust, these are new times we live in.”

Rolle: ‘I Think The Nfl Should Delay The Sport Or Cancel It This Year’

Thursday, July 30, 2020

photo

Myron Rolle

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMIAN Rhodes Scholar, former NFL player, and future neurosurgeon, Myron Rolle offered his unique perspective on the upcoming NFL season.

#Rolle appeared on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 yesterday to discuss the way forward for the NFL and its plans to return to the field amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

#“I do not think it’s safe to return right now. I think the NFL should delay the sport or cancel it this year to allow the wonderful women and men on the front lines to really get ahead of this pandemic and make it safe for everyone to come back to the sport,” Rolle said.

#“If the NFL wants to be part of the community, I think it needs to be responsible and think about what is actually happening in the community right now. A pandemic happening and infection rates going up and hospitalisations occurring, PPE at high demand.”

#For the NFL to have a safe return, Rolle suggested that the numbers of cases would have to dramatically decrease and proper protocols in place for the league to become “a leader at the forefront and put the players’ safety and their families’ safety as a premium.”

#He said: “When you have states that are hot beds and players coming from these places, I think it’s very difficult to sort of say, ‘I want to social distance,’ in a sport that’s inherently close. There is a “need to be cohesive in the locker room and in the huddle and walk-throughs close together. It’s very difficult.”

#The NFL and its Players’ Association agreed in principle last week on adjustments to make the new collective bargaining agreement official. Training camp commenced earlier this week.

#Thus far, 25 NFL players have announced their decision to opt out of the upcoming season – the first to do so was Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

#Like Rolle, Duvernay-Tardif balanced football and the medical profession and holds a doctor of medicine and master of surgery from McGill University.

#Duvernay-Tardif spent the offseason working on the frontlines at a long-term care facility in his native Quebec, Canada.

#“Being at the front line during this offseason has given me a different perspective on this pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and our healthcare system,” he said in a statement.

#“I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus to our communities simply to play the sport I love. If I am to take risks, I will do it caring for patients.”

#Rolle was also on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic at Massachusetts General Hospital. He detailed his experience for several major media outlets to bring further awareness and bridge the gap between the worlds of sports and medicine.

#In his third-year as a MGH neurosurgery resident, Rolle said the dedication and approach he took to the field has carried over in the field of medicine. “Football has never left me,” Rolle said. “I still wake up in the morning and think of the operating room like a game, like it’s showtime, let’s perform. I gotta do what I gotta do because people are counting on us right now. This is our time to help very sick people. So that motivation continues to drive me every single day.”

#Locally, he was on the ground in Grand Bahama to assist the Hurricane Dorian relief effort with his area of expertise.

#Rolle was a team member of the MGH Office of Global Disaster Response (GDR) when they travelled to the Bahamas to provide medical support.

#Through his foundation, Rolle previously established his “Play-4-Progress” programme in the Bahamas and aimed to introduce three basic principles to its participants – the fundamentals of American Football, education and personal development.

#Rolle played three seasons with the Florida State Seminoles and won the Rhodes Scholarship. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft. In 2012, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and announced his retirement from the NFL in 2013.

#He went on to graduate from FSU’s College of Medicine in 2017 and was matched to a neurosurgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Concacaf Has New Calendar For Its Events

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#CONCACAF has restructured its qualification process for several events and announced a new calendar for its regional events amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

#The organisation revealed a new format for the CONCACAF Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and updated the way forward for both the Nations League and 2021 Gold Cup.

#The Qatar 2022 qualification will feature three rounds vying for three and a half World Cup spots. The First Round (30 teams) will feature CONCACAF teams ranked 6-35 based on the FIFA rankings as of July 16, 2020.

#The Bahamas is currently ranked No. 30 based on the aforementioned rankings. The draw will feature six groups of five teams. Each team will play every other team in their group once, playing a total of four matches; two home and two away. These games will be played in the FIFA match windows of October 2020 and November 2020.

#At the end of the first round the six group winners will progress to the Second Round. The second round (six teams) will be played between the group winners from the First Round in a home-and-away in a direct elimination format in the FIFA match window of March 2021.

#The three winners will progress to the Final Round. The final round (eight teams) of the qualifiers will feature the three winners from round two and teams based 1-5 on the FIFA rankings as of July 16, 2020. The Final Round will begin June 2021 and continue in the FIFA match windows of September, October, November 2021 and January and March 2022.

#The top three teams will advance to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the fourth placed team will qualify for the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff, scheduled to be played in June 2022.

#The 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup is now tentatively scheduled to commence July 10, 2021 to August 1, 2021.

#The CONCACAF “Road to Gold Cup Qualifiers” were originally scheduled to take place March 2020 and June 2020, however, play was suspended due to COVID-19.

#The Bahamas will be one of 12 teams to participate in a centralised Gold Cup preliminary round that will take place in the United States a week prior to the Gold Cup group stages.

#Other participating teams will include Barbados, Bermuda, Cuba, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Montserrat, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

#The Bahamas returned to regional competition last year in the CONCACAF Nations League and emerged as the top group team in League C, Group B.

#The Bahamas finished as group winners with 10 points, and earned a berth in both League B and the 2021 Gold Cup qualifiers.

#They began the series when they defeated Bonaire 2-1 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium back in September, the first game of the home-and-away series. The Bahamas topped the British Virgin Islands 4-0 on October 9 at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis.

#The Junkanoo Boyz returned home on November 14 with a 3-0 win over BVI. They closed out the stage with a 1-1 draw against Bonaire at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad, Curacao, to solidify the top spot in League C, Group B.

#“Many communities across the CONCACAF region continue to face very difficult circumstances due to the current public health situation and my thoughts and prayers go out to them,” said CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani.

#“Given the suspension of the March, June and September FIFA match windows, and with so many of our member associations unable to complete a full FIFA rankings cycle, the previous CONCACAF Qualifiers were compromised, and a new approach was required.

#“We have some great football to look forward to later this year and in 2021,” added Montagliani. “Our next priorities are to continue progressing plans for the resumption of our club competitions and to ensure we finalise a women’s international calendar for the coming years which supports the continued development of women’s football in our region.”

Major To Join Arizona State Sun Devils In Pac-12

Thursday, July 30, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#ALLBRY Major will transfer to the West Coast to join PAC-12 powerhouse, the Arizona State Sun Devils.

#Major was a standout two way player for the Xavier Musketeers in the Big East for the first few years of his collegiate career where he garnered numerous accolades.

#Major has been one of several transfers incoming into the Sun Devils programme , including Kai Murphy (Oregon State), Conor Davis (Auburn) and Jay Baggs (Boise State).

#Arizona was off to a 13-4 start to the season before it was preempted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While at Xavier, Major was sidelined. D1 Baseball ranks Major at No. 55 in its 2020 Preseason College Prospects list.

#As a freshman in 2018, Major won BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, was Second Team All-BIG EAST and was also named Baseball America’s Preseason BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, He hit .291 with a pair of home runs and 21 RBI.

#Defensively in centrefield, he did not make an error in the outfield all season. On the mound he posted a 4.96 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 16 appearances, including eight starts.

#As a sophomore, he started 51 games and hit .281 with seven home runs and 34 RBI.

#Major told SB Nation that he wants to build closer ties with baseball in the Bahamas by participating in the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby In Paradise or participating on a national team.

#His father, Ken Major, ran track and field locally before he went on to star for Indiana State. “Yes, I’m always trying to go back,” Major said.

#“I haven’t been back since baseball took off, I think I was eight or nine. I was planning on playing for their national team in the Pan American games last summer (2018). They didn’t end up qualifying so it fell through, but I was really looking forward to that experience.”