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SHORT SEASON – The West Grand Bahama (WGB) Community Basketball League will commence its now shortened season, beginning Tuesday (June 30).Sports  June 29, 2020  FN Sports Reporter Shayne Stubbs

With the recent announcement for re-openings of parks by the Prime Minister Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, the West Grand Bahama (WGB) Community Basketball League will commence its now shortened season, beginning Tuesday. 

Moving into its 12th year of ‘Summer League’ action, the WGB League’s schedule will run from Tuesday, June 30 until August 8, at the Fritz Forbes Community Park in Pinedale, Eight Mile Rock. 

League President Ross Burrows spoke with The Freeport News and informed that this year’s games were almost cancelled due to the global pandemic known as COVID-19. The summer basketball season is no doubt a fixture for residents of West Grand Bahama and Burrows expressed gratification that the season could resume. 

“With the sporting world shut down due to the global pandemic we were considering not having the league on this year. But, with the kids asking about the league every day, that lets you know that you were doing a good thing and they anticipate the league every year.

“Going into our 12th season of hosting this league, we decided to play this season after the prime minister announced that parks are to. This keeps the kids off the streets and keeps something positive going in the community,” Burrows shared.

With the season shortened, Burrows disclosed that games will have to be played daily, Monday – Saturday, weather permitting. Safety protocols and social distancing will also be enforced for players and fans. 

“We’re going to try and control the crowds, whereby only the teams that are playing at the time will be allowed to be on the court. For the fans we will use the bleachers to keep the six-feet social distancing enforced,” he said. 

Teams have already committed to playing in the Under 13, Under 15, Under 17 and Open Divisions. Four teams will be featured in the Under 13 Division; six teams each are registered for both the Under 15 and Under 17 Divisions; and eight teams are expected to compete in the Open Division.

The teams, likely, would also travel throughout the community of EMR. Burrows disclosed that plans are in motion to play games on the various parks in EMR.

“It’s a relief for us (executives) as well as the players and fans. Everyone’s been asking about it and everyone’s been anticipating doing something for the summer months.

“The community is very excited. We were thinking of going from park-to-park on Saturdays. Hopefully, we can still use that avenue. Once we can get some commitment from the communities where the parks are located, we’ll bring the games to them.”

Parks anticipated to be used along with the Fritz Forbes Park are, the ones in Hannah Hill, Sea Grape and Jones Town.

With players already choosing which teams they are joining and teams having equal time away from practicing, Burrows predicted that this season will be very competitive. 

“We expect a very competitive league, because players have the option to leave one team and enhance another. We’ve already seen where some players have switched teams, but we’re going to keep the league as competitive as possible, whereby one team won’t dominate by having all the good players.

“In the end, the team in the best shape, or which has the best chemistry, will probably win. Anything can happen because rosters on paper don’t determine whether you win or lose,” he concluded. 

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WORKING – Ritchie Adderley (with ball) working with HOYTES players at the Gladstone “Moon” McPhee Park.  (PHOTO: TFN FILES)Sports  June 18, 2020  FN Sports Reporter Shayne Stubbs

Legendary point guard Richie Adderley is now a coaching fixture in the HOYTES program.

The Helping Our Youth Through Education and Sports (HOYTES) program, founded by the great Gladstone “Moon” McPhee, is documented as one of the island’s fundamental pillars in developing young men and women through basketball, also with a strong focus on education. 

Many renowned figures, like Sacramento Kings’ guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield, Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones, and Stephen F. Austin University’s Nathan Bain, have spent weekends developing their basketball skills during the adolescent years, in the HOYTES program.

Quite a number of current local executives have also spent weekends training under Moon McPhee and in the HOYTES program. McPhee’s coaching resume is a lengthy one, earning him the recognition as a pioneer of Bahamian basketball. The HOYTES Founder spent years as the head coach of the Grand Bahama Catholic Academy (GBCA) Crusaders, and played a role in the creation of the Hugh Campbell Basketball Tournament, founded the Crusaders’ Christmas Basketball Invitational, and the Geneva Rutherford Girls’ Basketball Tournament.  

Now, McPhee has begun the phase of handing over the HOYTES program to a trusted source. That source is one of the many players McPhee coached over the years. He’s none other than Adderley. Locally, Adderley is revered as a “living legend” among basketball enthusiasts.

Arguably the country’s best point guard during his playing years, Adderley has been described by many of his peers as one who easily could have made it to the National Basketball Association. 

Adderley made it as far as the collegiate ranks playing Division-I Basketball at Indiana State University. Later, he transitioned to coaching girls high school basketball at Terre Haute South in Indiana. He was the school’s first black coach.

After spending years coaching high school basketball in Indiana, Adderley returned home last year and began assisting with HOYTES. He shared with The Freeport News that teaching is something he loves and finds great joy in helping young people progress. 

“This is a blessing. This is what keeps me going. I love teaching and I wouldn’t trade it for nothing. Just to see the improvement in the kids from when you first start working with them- not that I want credit – you just want to make sure when you work with a kid that he/she gets better. “

Adderley returned to The Bahamas back in April, 2019. Since that time he admitted that it has been difficult landing a job but working with the young talent here on the island has helped to keep his mind at ease.

Chief among the knowledge Adderley wants to share is the dedication to hard work, and he pointed out that work ethic will be what separates some players from others around them. 

“Nonetheless, this is home. There is nothing like it. I’ve been away for 33 years and a lot has changed since I came back. I have skills I know that could be an asset to somebody. Any opportunity I can get, they (prospective employers) would not be disappointed.

“I want these kids to understand work ethic. I know what it takes to get to that next level and it’s the fundamentals. We try to gloss over the small things and I always tell players the small things will show you whether they’ll make it or not.

“They may think they have it down pat, but just keep repeating to the point where you react naturally, opposed to a coach always having to say when to do it.”

Growing up playing basketball in his era, Adderley credited a number of players for making him elevate his skills. He admitted he always had talent but it was not until he began playing for McPhee, that he started to see his truest potential. 

“Playing against guys like Basil “The Kid” Sands, Derek “Bookie” Nesbitt, Denzil “Inch” McGuire, those are some of the players that made me a better player. I knew if I wanted to take my talents to another level I had to do it against those guys,” he said.

He then shared that the experiences he had playing Division-I basketball and coaching in America made him an even better person.

“Those guys pushed me to where I had to get. Even in high school against Milo Greene, Duncan Hines, “Cheese” Pinder, those individuals pushed me to a point where I had to compete hard. I’m a competitor. I’m not the type to get embarrassed so I always stepped my game up.

“Playing under coach McPhee was a blessing. I had talent when I went to Catholic High, but he helped me to take my talent to another level. A lot of people don’t understand that. He’s an excellent coach and he didn’t take it easy on me because he knew if I wanted to get to the next level I would have to be tough.

“That helped with college, playing at Indiana State University, which was where the great Larry Bird played college ball. I got to play with this brother, Eddie, but getting the exposure at the Division-I level was a blessing.

“My experiences from all those different programs not only helped me to be a better coach, but a better person,” Adderley concluded. 

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WORKING – Ritchie Adderley (with ball) working with HOYTES players at the Gladstone “Moon” McPhee Park.  (PHOTO: TFN FILES)Sports  June 18, 2020  FN Sports Reporter Shayne Stubbs

Legendary point guard Richie Adderley is now a coaching fixture in the HOYTES program.

The Helping Our Youth Through Education and Sports (HOYTES) program, founded by the great Gladstone “Moon” McPhee, is documented as one of the island’s fundamental pillars in developing young men and women through basketball, also with a strong focus on education. 

Many renowned figures, like Sacramento Kings’ guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield, Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones, and Stephen F. Austin University’s Nathan Bain, have spent weekends developing their basketball skills during the adolescent years, in the HOYTES program.

Quite a number of current local executives have also spent weekends training under Moon McPhee and in the HOYTES program. McPhee’s coaching resume is a lengthy one, earning him the recognition as a pioneer of Bahamian basketball. The HOYTES Founder spent years as the head coach of the Grand Bahama Catholic Academy (GBCA) Crusaders, and played a role in the creation of the Hugh Campbell Basketball Tournament, founded the Crusaders’ Christmas Basketball Invitational, and the Geneva Rutherford Girls’ Basketball Tournament.  

Now, McPhee has begun the phase of handing over the HOYTES program to a trusted source. That source is one of the many players McPhee coached over the years. He’s none other than Adderley. Locally, Adderley is revered as a “living legend” among basketball enthusiasts.

Arguably the country’s best point guard during his playing years, Adderley has been described by many of his peers as one who easily could have made it to the National Basketball Association. 

Adderley made it as far as the collegiate ranks playing Division-I Basketball at Indiana State University. Later, he transitioned to coaching girls high school basketball at Terre Haute South in Indiana. He was the school’s first black coach.

After spending years coaching high school basketball in Indiana, Adderley returned home last year and began assisting with HOYTES. He shared with The Freeport News that teaching is something he loves and finds great joy in helping young people progress. 

“This is a blessing. This is what keeps me going. I love teaching and I wouldn’t trade it for nothing. Just to see the improvement in the kids from when you first start working with them- not that I want credit – you just want to make sure when you work with a kid that he/she gets better. “

Adderley returned to The Bahamas back in April, 2019. Since that time he admitted that it has been difficult landing a job but working with the young talent here on the island has helped to keep his mind at ease.

Chief among the knowledge Adderley wants to share is the dedication to hard work, and he pointed out that work ethic will be what separates some players from others around them. 

“Nonetheless, this is home. There is nothing like it. I’ve been away for 33 years and a lot has changed since I came back. I have skills I know that could be an asset to somebody. Any opportunity I can get, they (prospective employers) would not be disappointed.

“I want these kids to understand work ethic. I know what it takes to get to that next level and it’s the fundamentals. We try to gloss over the small things and I always tell players the small things will show you whether they’ll make it or not.

“They may think they have it down pat, but just keep repeating to the point where you react naturally, opposed to a coach always having to say when to do it.”

Growing up playing basketball in his era, Adderley credited a number of players for making him elevate his skills. He admitted he always had talent but it was not until he began playing for McPhee, that he started to see his truest potential. 

“Playing against guys like Basil “The Kid” Sands, Derek “Bookie” Nesbitt, Denzil “Inch” McGuire, those are some of the players that made me a better player. I knew if I wanted to take my talents to another level I had to do it against those guys,” he said.

He then shared that the experiences he had playing Division-I basketball and coaching in America made him an even better person.

“Those guys pushed me to where I had to get. Even in high school against Milo Greene, Duncan Hines, “Cheese” Pinder, those individuals pushed me to a point where I had to compete hard. I’m a competitor. I’m not the type to get embarrassed so I always stepped my game up.

“Playing under coach McPhee was a blessing. I had talent when I went to Catholic High, but he helped me to take my talent to another level. A lot of people don’t understand that. He’s an excellent coach and he didn’t take it easy on me because he knew if I wanted to get to the next level I would have to be tough.

“That helped with college, playing at Indiana State University, which was where the great Larry Bird played college ball. I got to play with this brother, Eddie, but getting the exposure at the Division-I level was a blessing.

“My experiences from all those different programs not only helped me to be a better coach, but a better person,” Adderley concluded. 

Coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, second from right, is pictured with members of his CI Gibson Rattlers senior boys’ basketball team.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstiubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH a greater emphasis on exposing his players to the potential basketball scholarships, coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson has decided to skip the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic and will be going to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the Tip-off Classic (Super Regional) instead.

#Johnson and his Rattlers were scheduled to play their first game in the Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic, organised by the AF Adderley Junior High School, yesterday against the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves.

#But that game was never played as the Rattlers are preparing to leave town on Thursday.

#“I had coaches on my back because they wanted to see some of my players, so I just decided to take them to the Tip-off Classic this year,” Johnson said. “The objective is to give our players the exposure because there will be a lot of college coaches at the tournament.

#“I want to get my players to be seen and showcased because we have a few players who are eligible for college, both athletically and academically. We want to do whatever we can to try and help them to get sorted out with any college offers that they can get. Next year, I have a bunch of guys who have the potential to sign also.”

#Johnson, whose Rattlers fell short of winning the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association senior boys title after they lost out to the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins last week at Loyola Hall, said their decision had nothing to do with the GSSSA or the organisers of Hugh Campbell, but it was purely to get the exposure for his players.

#Since the inception of the tournament, CI Gibson has been the most dominant school in New Providence and Johnson has collected five titles as a head coach.

#In their departure this year, he said he wishes every team that participates a successful tournament, which is also expected to be played this week without Grand Bahama’s Tabernacle Baptist Falcons, who have also indicated that they will not be participating this year. “I pray that it goes well and whoever is the champion this year is a true champion,” Johnson said.

#“I hope that all of the teams play to the best of their abilities and may the best team win. You have Doris Johnson, the defending champions, who should make a good run for it. There are some other schools like Anatol Rodgers, CR Walker and Queen’s College.

#“And then there’s a number of schools coming out of Grand Bahama like Sunland, St George’s and Sir Jack Hayward, so I think it will still be a great tournament. I think it will boil down to who wants it the most, so we will see what happens. I think there’s a lot of teams that have the potential to win it this year.”

#Having last won the title in 2017, Johnson said he expects that his Rattlers will be back in the tournament next year.

#It all depends on how well things go for them when they participate in the Tip-off Classic this weekend in Orlando.

#The Rattlers will return on Monday as they complete their mid-term break and get ready to report to CI Gibson on Tuesday.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

WILKENSON “Kenny” Isnord has signed a three-year deal with Get Better Academy to continue his basketball career in Europe.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#WILKENSON “Kenny” Isnord will officially join Get Better Academy (GBA) in Prague, Czech Republic, as he makes his transition to pro basketball.

#Isnord, a prospect of the Raw Talent organisation, signed a three-year deal with GBA to continue his basketball career in Europe.

#“I am very excited about this opportunity with GBA Academy,” he said. “It has been a very rough year but amidst all the adversity, I never lost my trust and faith in God. It is truly a blessing and I can’t wait to get to work and see what the Lord has in store for me.“

#According to the organisation, GBA is “a private international basketball academy which through effective training programmes specialises in maximising basketball potential of its players.” Their mission statement is geared towards helping players “individually develop players and based on their goals provide them with opportunities to either sign a professional contract or receive a full scholarship to American University.”

#GBA has facilitated over 25 players through its programme to NCAA Division I programmes and professional leagues throughout Europe in recent years.

#An athletic 6’9” forward known for playing above the rim on both ends of the floor, Isnord said his game has grown exponentially since he transitioned to the US and looks for even further development at GBA.

#Director of GBA Julien Betko looked ahead to what he expects Isnord to provide the programme. “We are tremendously excited that we signed a three-year contract with Bahamian prospect Wilkenson Isnord. He is bringing world class athleticism to our team and I think he will be a force for us on both ends of the floor,” he said.

#“Kenny spent three months with GBA last season and his improvement was incredible. It convinced us that he is not only physically talented but also extremely hard working, ambitious with great character. This combined with our developmental programme makes us thrilled about Kenny’s future.”

#In early 2019, Isnord was a fast-rising prospect in the Florida AAU circuit. He committed to join the Florida International University Panthers out of DME Academy in Daytona, Florida. Isnord chose FIU over Appalachian State, Florida Gulf Coast and Virginia Commonwealth University. He also drew interest from Virginia Tech, Masachusettes and Louisiana Tech.

#Eligibility issues prevented Isnord from taking the opportunity with FIU and he had to re-evaluate the next step in his career, prior to joining Raw Talent.

#During this time period, he was at home in Abaco and survived the ravages of Hurricane Dorian along with his family. Like many residents of the island, the Isnords lost their home in the storm.

#“I’m super excited for Kenny. He’s a laser focused young man and the sky’s the limit for him. My work with Kenny started about early 2019 when [Bahamas Basketball Federation] President Bowleg asked if I can assist because he was having issues returning to America for his D-I Scholarship. I invited him to my Raw Talent summer programme and he also competed with us in the Summer of Thunder Invitational,” Raw Talent founder, Kino Burrows, said.

#“He’s a high character young man and he’s a workhorse. First in the gym, last to leave. He can do everything on the floor. They have high expectations of him because they’ve raved about his growth over the past few months.

#Isnord received several tryout opportunities where Burrows currently plays professionally in the French LNB League.

#“I had coach Quentin Demeritte come to France to train with Kenny while we sought an opportunity. We found that opportunity in the Czech Republic,” Burrows said, “He was there longer than expected because of COVID but we were looking for a long term development based opportunity where Kenny could play high level basketball and grow at the same time.”

#Isnord first started to receive high major offers from Division I programmes, following his standout summer on the AAU circuit when he reclassified to the 2019 class and joined Showtime Ballers during his junior season.

#Isnord concluded his high school career with the Blanche Ely Tigers in Pompano Beach, Florida before transitioning to DME Academy for a prep season. He was named All-Broward Third Team for Boys’ 9A-7A Schools by the Sun Sentinel, and through 30 games he averaged 6.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as the Tigers claimed the Class 8A state title.

THE BAHAMAS’ Byron Ferguson coming through for the kill in the victory over Trinidad & Tobago in five sets yesterday. Afterwards, the Bahamas played Suriname in the championship game.

As of Wednesday, August 15, 2018

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas men’s national volleyball fell short in their bid to regain the CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) Championships that they last held in 2012, losing to host Suriname in the championship game on Tuesday night at the Ismay Van Wilgen Sporthal in Parimaribo, Suriname.

#Team Bahamas, coached by Lloyd Davis and Kurkwood Greene Sr, suffered their second consecutive loss in the tournament to the gold medal winners, this time in the final, 25-20, 13-25, 25-22, 25-23, in a match that lasted one hour and 43 minutes as they settled for the silver.

#Two days ago Suriname handed the Bahamas their first loss in a marathon 42-40, 23-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11 match that took 2:29 to be completed.

#Renaldo Knowles was the Bahamas’ best scorer with 15 points, including 12 spikes. Byron Ferguson also had 12 spikes with two blocks, while Je’Vaughn Saunders also came up with a pair of blocks. Keven Sporkselde led the home team with 20 points as they secured the five setter that last for almost three hours.

#Other members of Team Bahamas were Princtanique Wilson, Kyle Wilson, Jamaal Ferguson, Donavan Wilmott, Eugene Stuart, Tonny Simon and Shonari Hepburn.

#Earlier in the day, the Bahamas advanced to the final by dethroning the defending champions Trinidad & Tobago, 26-24, 22-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-12, in a match that was originally supposed to be played on the first day of competition. But, after the Bahamas were delayed in getting to the tournament because of financial difficulties, a decision was made to play the game on the final day of competition.

#Trinidad & Tobago, winners of the last two and three of the last four editions of the tournament, played Barbados for the bronze medal.

#In their playoff match-up, the Bahamas had to go through their second five setter in the tournament, but only trailed once, at 6-5, against Trinidad & Tobago before prevailing with a hard fought victory in 113 minutes.

#Wilson, the team captain, once again led by example with 19 points and said it was revenge for the Bahamas after losing to Trinidad & Tobago eight years ago in the semifinal. Trinidad went on to secure the gold that year.

#“We played an amazing game this morning,” added coach Davis. “I am so proud of this team in what we are doing down here. It’s us doing battle against the odds.”

#The Bahamas opened the tournament with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-22 sweep over Barbados. After losing the first encounter to Suriname, the Bahamas bounced back and knocked off Haiti in four sets 25-20, 22-25, 25-21 and 25-23 before closing out the round robin with their 26-24, 22-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-12 win over Trinidad.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FOR the second time in two straight games, the Bahamas met Barbados, this time losing the bronze medal as the CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) Women’s Championship concluded at the Ismay van Wilgen Sport Hall in Paramaribo, Suriname, on Monday night.

#The Bahamas lost a marathon 25-23, 21-25, 25-19, 24-26 and 16-14 decision to finish fourth – carting off four individual titles as Brittany Deveaux and Ashley Webb were awarded the number one and two blockers respectively, while Rachel Knowles was the best opposite player (right side hitter) and best digger was Chandra Mackey.

#Trinidad & Tobago won the gold medal, beating host Suriname in three straight games.

#Head coach Covance Mortimer said it could have easily been the Bahamas playing for the gold, but they are content with their fourth place finish, considering that it was a relatively young team that they took to Suriname for the tournament.

#Despite the make-up of the team, Mortimer said the players performed at their best. “The team performed at a very high level, especially since we got off to a slow start,” Mortimer said. “We came back with a lot of resilience and was able to fight right to the end. So I’m very happy with the team effort.”

#With a team averaging about 19-20 years of age, Mortimer said it showed in their performances in certain game situations.

#But he said they kept their composure and even though they didn’t get into the final, they will enjoy the third place finish.

#He said they will now have to go back to the drawing board and get prepared for the Caribbean Volleyball Championships.

#The team returned home yesterday and Knowles said they will enjoy the fourth place finish. “I felt we did well, considering the circumstances because a lot of us are in school and so it took us a little while to get used to playing with each other again,” she said.

The Bahamas men’s volleyball team receive their silver medals.

As of Friday, August 17, 2018

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AS the 17th edition of the Men’s CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) Championships closed out on Tuesday night in Parimaribo, Suriname, the men’s national team had to settle for the silver.

#The team arrived home late Wednesday night and head coach Lloyd Davis said they accomplished their mission, which was to medal, although it wasn’t the colour they anticipated.

#“The team performed awesomely,” said Davis, who was assisted by Kurkwood Greene Sr.

#“We only had ten players, but we went down there with a mission. We didn’t accomplish what we wanted, but we came out with the silver against all odds.”

#In a re-match of their marathon round robin showdown, the Bahamas fell victim to hosts Suriname, who claimed the title before a packed Ismay Wilgen Sporthal with a 25-20, 13-25, 25-22, 25-23 decision.

#“We only had 13 people down there pulling for each other. That was one referee, two coaches and ten players,” Davis said. “Nobody else, but we were able to overcome all of the adversities, all of the fatigue and come home with the silver medal.”

#Renaldo Knowles, Byron Ferguson and captain Princtanique Wilson had 15, 14 and 13 points respectively.

#Other members making up the Bahamas team were Kyle Wilson, Je’Vaughn Saunders, Jamaal Ferguson, Donavan Wilmott, Eugene Stuart, Tonny Simon and Shonari Hepburn.

#Lanza Miller also attended the tournament where he served as a game official.

#Davis commended Tim Munnings, the Director of Sports at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, who provided a grant for the Bahamas Volleyball Federation to get a draft from the bank to cover their expenses to travel.

#“I told him that we would have medalled and I told you (Tribune) that we could have won the title,” Davis said.

#“We just fell short. Our biggest thing was fatigue. We played Trinidad & Tobago that morning to get into the final and beat them in five sets.

#“Suriname were in the hotel resting and they came right back and played us in the final at 8pm that night with a crowded gym. Fatigue set in. This was the first tournament that we went to and had to play two games every day, but we were still able to overcome that.”

#Davis said it was a pretty good learning experience for the team because the players realise that practice is very important from start to finish.

#“From the time we started practicing to when we cut the squad to travel, we need a full squad,” he stated.

#The Bahamas won three of their five matches in the tournament, but lost both times to Suriname, including their classic five-set marathon that lasted almost three hours. The final score was 42-40, 23-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11.

#Trinidad & Tobago, who were dethroned by the Bahamas in their semifinal match, had to settle for the bronze medal as they knocked off ten-time champions Barbados 26-24, 25-22, 28-30, 25-22.

#During the awards presentation, the Bahamas got its lone individual award from Renaldo Knowles, who was named the best receiver.

#Suriname collected five of the 12 awards as Keven Sporkdslede captured three, including best outside hitter, top scorer and the most valuable player.

#Despite losing all of their matches, Haiti took home three individual awards, the same as Trinidad & Tobago. Barbados was the only team not to collect any individual awards.

TEAM Bahamas at the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association Women’s Championship in Paramaribo, Suriname.

As of Tuesday, July 3, 2018

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FOR the second time in two straight games, the Bahamas met Barbados, this time losing the bronze medal as the CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) Women’s Championship concluded last night at the Ismay van Wilgen Sport Hall in Paramaribo, Suriname.

#The Bahamas lost a marathon 25-23, 21-25, 25-19, 24-26 and 16-14 decision to finish fourth – carting off four individual titles as Brittany Deveaux and Ashley Webb were awarded the number one and two blockers respectively, while Rachel Knowles was the best opposite player right side hitter) and best digger was Chandra Mackey.

#Trinidad & Tobago won the gold medal, beating host Suriname in three straight games.

#Head coach Covance Mortimer said it could have easily been the Bahamas playing for the gold, but they are content with their fourth place finish, considering that it was a relatively young team that they took to Suriname for the tournament.

#Despite the make-up of the team, Mortimer said the players performed at their best.

#“The team performed at a very high level, especially since we got off to a slow start,” Mortimer said. “We came back with a lot of resilience and was able to fight right to the end. So I’m very happy with the team effort.”

#With a team averaging about 19-20 years of age, Mortimer said it showed in their performances in certain game situations.

#But he said they kept their composure and even though they didn’t get into the final, they will enjoy the third place finish.

#He said they will now have to go back to the drawing board and get prepared for the Caribbean Volleyball Championships.

#The team is expected to return home today and Knowles said they will enjoy the fourth place finish.

#“I felt we did well, considering the circumstances because a lot of us are in school and so it took us a little while to get used to playing with each other again,” she said. “But I felt that everybody did the best that we could. We didn’t get the gold that we came here to achieve, but we wanted to take the bronze.”

#On winning her award, Knowles said she was pleasantly surprised.

#“I wasn’t thinking about it, so it was good,” she admitted. “Everybody felt it would have been better playing in the championship, but we just missed it.”

#Prior to the playoffs, Team Bahamas lost its first two games to Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname before rebounding to close out the round robin with a win over Barbados.

#In the tournament opening game against Trinidad & Tobago, the Bahamas was beaten 25-16, 25-12 and 25-12 in a game that assistant coach Margaret ‘Muggy’ Albury had to fill in for head coach Covance Mortimer, who had a flight delay into Suriname.

#Mortimer arrived in time for their second match-up against Suriname, but the Bahamas still suffered a 25-12, 25-23 and 25-19 as Melinda Bastian led the way with 10 points for her outside hitting attacks.

#And after the two losses, Team Bahamas took their frustration out on Barbados with their 25-14, 25-20 and 28-26 decision as Bastian once again paced the attack with 11 points and four passes and digs.

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER losing a marathon five setter to hosts Suriname the night before, the Bahamas men’s national volleyball team regrouped and took care of Haiti in four sets on Monday to keep their hopes alive for a shot at the gold medal at the CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association) Championships at the Ismay Van Wilgen Sporthal in Parimaribo, Suriname.

#Coming off that hard fought 42-40, 23-25, 21-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11 loss in the feature game that lasted almost three hours on Sunday, Team Bahamas bounced back to beat Haiti in four sets, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 25-22 and push their record to 2-1 heading into their final game in the round robin today against Trinidad & Tobago.

#“We performed pretty well. We didn’t play as well as we could have, but we were still able to win the match,” said head coach Lloyd Davis, who is being assisted by Kurkwood Greene Sr.

#“We just had a slow start and (were) making adjustments to the conditions.

#“Other than that, it went fairly well because we still were able to win.”

#The team was led by the 1-2 punch of Byron Ferguson and Prince Wilson.

#Other members of the team are Renaldo Knowles, Kyle Wilson, Je’Vaughn Saunders, Jamaal Ferguson, Donavan Wilmott, Eugene Stuart, Tonny Simon and Shonari Hepburn.

#“These guys are giving it their all,” Davis said. “Yesterday (Sunday), we had two matches and tomorrow (today) we will have two. We play Trinidad at 9am in the morning to go to the gold medal round. If we beat Trinidad, we automatically go to the gold medal round that evening. If we lose, we play for bronze.”

#Despite losing to Suriname, Davis said it turned things around because Suriname came back on Monday and suffered their first loss of the tournament to Trinidad. Those three teams all have one loss, but Suriname was scheduled to play Barbados in the featured game last night, while the Bahamas will play Trinidad today.

#The outcome of those games will determine who plays for gold and silver and who plays for bronze and fourth place. Haiti, having lost all of their games, have been eliminated from the playoff picture.

#In their game against Suriname, three players from the host country – Gino Nardeen (28), Keven Sporkslede (26) and Zefano Breinburg (24) – each scored in excess of 20 points, while captain Princtanique Wilson led from the front for Bahamas with 24 points.

#Suriname had the advantage in kills (74-68) and blocked shots (12-7), but Bahamas led 4-2 in service winners.

#Davis said it was just a nail biter that could have gone either way.

#“After losing the first set, that carried over until the fifth set when they won 15-11,” he said. “It took it’s toll on us, but we were able to rebound and beat Haiti in four. Unfortunately, we wore down Suriname and they got beat by Trinidad. Hopefully we can come back and take care of Trinidad and go to the gold medal round.”

#As they prepare for that early match today, Davis said Team Bahamas have one simply game plan.

#“All we have to do is pass the ball,” he insisted. “If we pass the ball and execute, we should win it.”

#Davis said the team is in high spirits and looking forward to the final day of competition today.