PARTICIPANTS enjoy the Mario Ford Baseball Camp with Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg. Photos courtesy of Tommy Stubbs

As of Wednesday, July 13, 2022

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PICTURED, from left to right, at the Mario Ford Baseball Camp are Nathaniel McKinney, Linda Ford, Keith Ford, Eddie Ford, Wentia Ford, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and Mario Ford.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SHE was too young to remember the exploits of Wenty Ford as a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Atlanta Braves, but Wentia Ford-Diagne said she’s so glad that there are so many memories of her father that she can still rely on to help keep his legacy alive.

#On Friday as her family celebrated the 42nd year since his death in a car accident on July 8, 1980, Ford-Diagne said she was glad to join her uncle, Mario Ford, in honouring her father at the annual Mario Ford Baseball Camp on Windsor Park.

#On hand for the event was Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, who emphasized the importance of remembering those trail blazers and at the same time put in a plug to have the park renamed after the Ford family in the future.

#Ford-Diagne, a former multiple sporting star for the Kingsway Academy Saints, left the Bahamas in 1995 to pursue her studies at Norfolk State University before she went on to Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School, is now residing in Edinburg, Texas where she is a physician assistant partnering with her husband Dr Thiendella Diagne at Dr Diagne Premier Ob Gyn Practice with emphasis on women’s health and infertility.

#The 45-year-old mother of one daughter, Mareme Evangeline Ford-Diagne, said after she consulted her uncle, Mario, they agreed that since this was the memorable day for her father’s passing, they would make it a special one at the camp.

#“He’s been deceased for 42 years, but in our history, I feel a lot of people don’t really know about the pioneers that set the pavement for sports in the country,” she said. “A lot of people really don’t know the Andre Rodgers, Tony Curry and Ed Armbrister of that era.

#“If they only made it to the minors, it was a great accomplishment because of all of the segregation and everything that they had to go through. These are the people who paved the way and we need to remember them.”

#Ford-Diagne said in remembering dates and putting events on to commemorate the occasion, as a family, they get to keep the memories of their loved ones alive.

#“I never really talk about my dad. When I hear the name Wenty, I know they are talking about him,” she said. “But because I never really had a relationship with him because I was so young when he died, I can only go back on what I hear people say about him.

#“When Ma Flo, my grandmother died, everybody from the former prime ministers, were talking about him. So it just told me that how well respected and loved he was in this country and I’m so proud to be a part of the legacy he created.”

#Mario Ford, putting on the camp for the past 36 years, said when he contacted Ford-Diagne, she was excited about coming on board and giving the assistance to the recognition of her father this year.

#In thanking God for allowing him to do the camp for as long as he has, Ford also expressed his gratitude to Ford-Diagne for partnering with him this year.

#Additionally, he thanked the parents for sending their children out to participate and to his siblings Eddie, Keith and Linda, his son, Nathaniel McKinney and the other instructors for their assistance.

#This year, the campers, ranging from ages 7-15 years, will receive a complimentary shirt with Wenty Ford’s number 45 printed on the back and they will also get a hat with number 42 printed for the years since he died.

#Ford, who also played cricket, signed with the Braves in 1966 as an undrafted free agent and was promoted to the Major Leagues in September 1973 after his eighth season in Atlanta’s farm system, having won 17 of 24 decisions with an earned run average of 2.46 with the Braves’ two top minor league affiliates.

#In his Major League debut on September 10, 1973, Ford started against the San Francisco Giants at Atlanta-Fulton County against future baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Manchal.

#Ford pitched a complete game in a 10–4 triumph, surrendering five hits (four of them singles) and six base on balls (walks), with three strikeouts.

#“Wenty wore the number 45 when he was playing professional baseball,” Ford said. “He said Hank Aaron was the best on the team and he wore 44. And once Hank retires, he would be the next best player on the Braves’ team.

#“He always joked about that, but he never got to live out that dream because when the Braves was thinking about trading him, he said he would prefer to retire before he got traded. After playing with the Braves for 10 seasons, he decided to come home rather than get traded.”

#This is just the first week of the camp, which runs daily from 9:30pm to 12:30 pm, but by the time it finishes on July 29, Ford said the campers would have been impacted about their knowledge of the sport.

#“If the kids are not enjoying it, they won’t get much out of it,” Ford said.

#“So we are trying to let them have as much fun as they can. The hours might seem short, but our instructors take them through the drills and they get to play some games, so it’s been a lot of fun for them so far.”

#Bowleg said it’s important to give respect where respect is due. “Wenty was one of those set of Bahamians, who paved the way for guys coming up like Jazz Chisholm and this Mario Ford camp is showing the kind of respect that he deserves,” Bowleg said.

#“This is 42 years since he passed, so I’m just happy to be here to support his family.”

#If there’s anything that has been more gratifying for Bowleg is that the camp is situated in the inner-city.

#“We need to get the inner-city baseball moving because it reaches those kids who are unable to move it out east (for the Freedom Farm and Junior Baseball League of Nassau),” Bowleg said.

#“It’s of uttermost importance because we need to get these kids under the age of 15 actively involved in some wholesome activities and to move them from the life of crime.

#“Our future rests on the kinds of imput that we make in these young people in youth, sports or culture so that they can have some alternative to crime.”

#As for the Ford family, Bowleg said there’s been consideration to renaming Windsor Park to some connection to the Ford family.

#“The Ford family has had a greater involvement in the past to so many youngsters who have participated in so many events on this park, which is located right across the road from their home,” Bowleg said. “So the opportunity to rename the field the Ford Field or Park or whatever you want to call it, is something that we will be considering,” Bowleg said.

#“It’s something that has to be taken up with my collegiate and stakeholders before a decision of that nature is made.”

#From a personal perspective, Bowleg said with the work, consistent dedication and involvement that the Ford family has contributed to the amount of youngsters they have touched, is one of the reasons why they still bear the Ford name.

#Ford said it’s a public park but their family will be willing to entertain any debate on the renaming of the park in the Ford name. He said whether or not they do it, he and his family will continue to nurture the young boys and girls as they have always done in the past.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/13/wentia-helps-keep-her-father-wenty-fords-legacy-al/?news

Steven Gardiner

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Just days before the start of the World Athletics’ 2022 World Championships, Bahamian quarter-miler Steven Gardiner has announced that he won’t be able to defend his 400 metre title in Eugene, Oregon.

#On his Instagram page yesterday, ‘Speedy Stevie’ Gardiner posted that a UTE tendon inflammation to his right foot will prevent him from representing the Bahamas at the championships, scheduled for July 15-24.

#“Unfortunately, there will be no Eugene ‘22 for me,” he wrote. “Devastated by the news, but I’m thankful to all the blessings in my career so far. “I am also thankful to my team around me for all the love and support during the process.”

#The 26-year-old native of Abaco, whose last race was at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships in June at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, said he will now focus on getting the necessary treatment so that he can be 100 percent.

#“To the people of the Bahamas, my sponsors and my fans around the world, I’m sorry I won’t be able to compete,” Gardiner continued on social media.

#“I wish my rivals good health and the very best. Thanks for the support.”

#Claude Bryan, his manager at On Track Management, confirmed Gardiner’s absence from the team, revealing that Gardiner has been having ongoing issues and it flared up at the trials. Bryan noted that Gardiner subsequently got treatment for it, however, what he is experiencing now is beyond his pain threshold.

#“It is accurate that Stevie will miss the Eugene World Championships. I notified the BAAA President and Stevie would have notified the Eugene team,” Bryan said.

#“He was at the hospital in Oregon and ordered to be booted due to inflammation of the right Achilles. He wanted to still give it a go, however, the pain and inconvenience got the better of him.”

#Bryan said Gardiner will be heading overseas immediately for treatment.

#“We cannot say as of today, anything about his recovery, that is for medical to determine upon direct consultation with and inspection of Stevie,” Bryan said.

#“The decision to not compete was a tough one for Stevie, however, before he is an athlete, he is a human being, his health is the priority.”

#Gardiner, in running 45.32 seconds to take the tape at the nationals over Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell, second in 46, was expected to be a part of a 16-member team that is scheduled to leave today for the championships.

#Efforts to contact BAAA president Drumeco Archer and team head coach Rupert Gardiner were unsuccessful.

#In addition to running the 400m in Eugene, Gardiner was also expected to be a key factor for the Bahamas mixed relay team with Alonzo Russell, Bradley Doreus, Wayna McCoy, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Anthonique Strachan, Megan Moss, Doneisha Anderson, Javonya Valcourt and Janae Ambrose in the pool.

#Gardiner was also named by the Bahamas Olympic Committee to a 28-member team, including 11 track and field athletes, for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Birmingham, England, July 29 to August 7.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/gardiner-out-world-champs-injury/?news

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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Jonquel Jones

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JONQUEL Jones displayed why she is a star among WNBA stars and shined on the brightest stage among the league’s best players at its midseason classic.

#Jones finished with a team high 29 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals, but her Team Stewart lost 134-112 to Team Wilson on July 10 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

#In her fourth All-Star appearance, the Connecticut Sun forward shot 11-20 from the field and 5-11 from three-point range.

#She was the only player in the game to total a double double.

#Wilson and Stewart were named All-Star captains after finishing atop the fan votes for the game. Fowles and Bird, two legends in their final WNBA seasons, joined them for the game.

#Jones was selected by Stewart to start alongside Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces).

#The remainder of the team included Kahleah Copper (Chicago Sky), Skylar Diggins-Smith (Phoenix Mercury), Jewell Loyd (Storm), Emma Meesseman (Sky) Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings) and Alyssa Thomas (Sun). In addition to playing in the All-Star game, Jones also advanced to the semifinal of the WNBA Skills Challenge.

#Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty won the competition.

#In the 2021 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, Jones led Team WNBA All-Stars to a 93-85 victory over Team USA, grabbing a team-high 14 rebounds, while also notching 18 points and four assists.

#She also finished second in the 2021 WNBA Three- Point contest, four points behind the Chicago Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot.

#Jones is leading the Sun in points per game (15.1) and rebounds per game (9.4). She is also third in the league in rebounding and second in second-chance points per game (3.4).

#She was named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week May 30 to June 5, 2022, where she averaged 19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest on the Sun’s 3-1 road trip out west against the Aces, Mercury and Storm.

#The Sun will continue their schedule on July 13 when they host an afternoon matchup against the Indiana Fever at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/jones-posts-double-double-29-points-13-rebounds-wn/?news

 Home|Sports|Bodybuilding nationals set for SaturdaySports

Over 50 athletes expected to compete in the bodybuilding and fitness nationals

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 14, 2022 252 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Local bodybuilding and fitness fans will have an opportunity to watch a show, featuring the sport, after two years of being starved as the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (BBFF) gets ready to host the 49th BBFF National Championship at the Atlantis Theater at Atlantis, Paradise Island on Saturday. Action gets underway at 7 p.m.

There are about 50 athletes who will be competing, and some may register at the last minute. They will compete in men’s physique, men’s muscular physique, women’s figure, women’s bikini, women’s wellness, women’s fit model, women’s fitness, men’s fitness, men’s fit model, men’s classic physique and men’s bodybuilding.

BBFF President Joel Stubbs said that the show is on and the athletes are ready to perform.

“The athletes are all geared up and everyone is in a good mindset. They are ready to battle and compete for this year’s title. They are some 10 divisions up for grabs including the men’s bodybuilding category, which is the most intense of them all. There are also competitors in the softer categories like woman’s bikini, where there will be a lot of female competitors who are not muscle-bound but will showcase a curvy structured shapely body,” Stubbs said.

One of those athletes participating in the men’s physique category this weekend is Our News sportscaster Marcellus Hall.

“I made the decision to do the show less than 12 weeks ago, but I was training all along so it was not much of an adjustment. The last four to five weeks, I had to buckle down and put in the extra workouts and be conscious of nutrition. It began to take a toll on me these last few weeks because the energy level is low. This is the time that I have to focus because it is getting to the nitty-gritty,” Hall said.

Also participating in that same category is Terrion Kemp. He spoke about his preparation for the show.

“For the past 12 weeks, it was very intense training-wise as I trained twice per day and ate about six to seven meals per day on a strict diet. Those were the things I had to do so I can showcase the best on stage,” Kemp said.

Stubbs spoke positively about the show that took place in Freeport, Grand Bahama, earlier this month – the BBFF Northern Bahamas Championships. He is expecting to see some of the athletes who took part in the northern championships on the stage at Atlantis on Saturday night. Some of those athletes expected to compete again are Orick Nesbitt, Andrew Sweeting, Sanadia Smith, Taneka Kemp, Altonique Curtis, Taneka Thompson, Danielle Rollins and Shinaia Pierre.

Some of the athletes from New Providence who will be competing are Andrew Gibson, Giovani Farrington, Gemo Smith, Kaif Young and Wellington Wallace.

The president is pleased that there are some new faces who will be competing. Some of the usual athletes who compete decided to turn to the professional ranks.

“We have seen a lot of new faces stepping up to the plate. On Saturday, persons who come to the show will see competitors who they are not accustomed to seeing at shows over the years. They will be graced with new presence. We are thankful to those individuals for giving it a try,” Stubbs said.

There will be a trophy that will be given to the gym which has the most athletes participating in the show.

The federation is inviting the public to check out the weigh-in of the athletes at J-Line Fitness on Shirley Street. That event stats at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. on Friday.

General admission tickets are $25 each in advance and $30 each at the door. VIP tickets are $40 each in advance and $45 each at the door.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bodybuilding-nationals-set-for-saturday/

 Home|Sports|Ferguson finishes first overall in silver fleet at optimist worldsSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 14, 2022 201 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Young Craig Ferguson continues to make waves for The Bahamas in international sailing.

Ferguson, a 13-year-old ninth grader at St. John’s College, recently made history by becoming the first Bahamian to win the overall title in the silver fleet at the 2022 Arkas Optimist World Championship. The event was held from June 27 to July 7 in the Turkish Aegean tourist hub of Bodrum in Mugla province, Turkey.

The annual world championship regatta in the Optimist class is organized by the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA).

As for Ferguson, he had four top five finishes in the silver fleet and was first overall. He accumulated 200 total points and 161 net points to lead The Bahamas’ five-member team. Out of all of the sailors, in all of the fleets, Ferguson was 70th overall. Zane Munro was sixth in the silver fleet and 75th overall with 223 total points and 176 net points, Patrick Tomlinson was 33rd in the bronze fleet and 171st overall with 451 total points and 389 net points, Finley McKinney-Lambert was 39th in the bronze fleet and 177th overall with 477 total points and 407 net points, and Norman Cartwright rounded out the five sailors from The Bahamas with a sixth place finish in the emerald fleet and was 213th overall.

In the team competition, The Bahamas finished 31st overall with 3,835 points. Italy was the top performing nation with 743 points, Like golf, lowest score prevails. The United States was second with 1,032 points and Greece rounded out the top three nations with 1,080 points.

Bermuda was the top Caribbean-affiliated nation, finishing 29th overall with 3,703 points. The Bahamas finished second among Caribbean-affiliated countries. For The Bahamas, Ferguson scored 614 points, Munro scored 637 points, Tomlinson added 1,279 points and McKinney-Lambert contributed 1,305 points. Just the scores from the top four sailors were counted in the team competition.

In total, 276 sailors from 61 countries took part in the 11-day international regatta.

According to reports, it was an unforgettable experience for all of the sailors, competing in incredible sailing conditions and against a picturesque backdrop. The weather was conducive for sailing as it was sunny throughout the regatta.

In his six races in the silver fleet, Ferguson finished fourth, 27th, 22nd, fourth, first and third. As mentioned, he was first overall and was followed by Alejandro Ferrer Freire of Puerto Rico. Levian Buscher, of Germany, rounded out the top three.

Weka Bhanubandh, of Thailand, was the top sailor overall with 124 total points and 96 net points, edging James Pine of the United States by just one point.

The young Bahamian sailors were welcomed back to the country at Lynden Pindling International Airport by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and a small contingent and were treated to a small Junkanoo rushout.

https://thenassauguardian.com/ferguson-finishes-first-overall-in-silver-fleet-at-optimist-worlds/

 Home|Sports|Denykco Bowles camp stages media daySports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 14, 2022 156 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Being a professional basketball player is more than just playing basketball on a court… it also includes being accommodating to the media, sometimes before and after a game. At the 9th Denykco Bowles Elite Skills Basketball Camp, Camp Director Denykco Bowles ensured that the campers knew how to address the media in the future.

The camp, which is being held at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium, accommodated media personnel with the likes of Marcellus Hall, Renaldo Dorsett, Felicity Darville and yours truly who addressed the campers yesterday. Bowles spoke about why he decided to have members of the media come in and speak to the campers. Also present at the camp yesterday was Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Timothy Munnings.

“Media day is needed for our kids, especially when it comes to public speaking and interviews. We want to teach them the importance on things they need to do and things that they should not do when it comes to interviewing whether it be on the job or not,” Bowles said. “We just want to allow them to be comfortable and make a good impression of themselves. It is about marketing yourself. Once these kids exude that confidence in public, I think it is something that they will use to build themselves, not only as student-athletes, but in character-building as well.”

The media personnel introduced themselves and spoke to the campers before they were broken up into groups for more in-depth instructions about what to do and what not to do when they are being interviewed. At the end of the session, campers were randomly selected for a mock interview.

In its ninth year, Bowles said that the camp has been going well.

“A lot of the kids are excited,” Bowles said. “This is our first year being back after COVID. Everyone was excited to come out and they wanted to learn a sport. Some of the kids came out for the first time who never touched a basketball in their life. We are definitely thankful that we are here. This year has been extremely good for us.”

For 11-year-old Carsyn Smith, he said he was happy to learn about addressing the media.

“I learned how to be confident in interviews, not to have bad energy while talking. I learned to look up and into the interviewer’s eyes. I am very happy I learned that so when I grow up and I get actual interviews, I can know what to say,” Smith said.

Some of the campers wore their favorite player’s jersey yesterday. One of them wore Bahamian basketball player Kai Jones’ jersey, a forward with the Charlotte Hornets. Bowles said Jones came to his camp in the first week to share some knowledge and love to the campers.

The camp ends on Wednesday July 20.

https://thenassauguardian.com/denykco-bowles-camp-stages-media-day/

Steven Gardiner

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Just days before the start of the World Athletics’ 2022 World Championships, Bahamian quarter-miler Steven Gardiner has announced that he won’t be able to defend his 400 metre title in Eugene, Oregon.

#On his Instagram page yesterday, ‘Speedy Stevie’ Gardiner posted that a UTE tendon inflammation to his right foot will prevent him from representing the Bahamas at the championships, scheduled for July 15-24.

#“Unfortunately, there will be no Eugene ‘22 for me,” he wrote. “Devastated by the news, but I’m thankful to all the blessings in my career so far. “I am also thankful to my team around me for all the love and support during the process.”

#The 26-year-old native of Abaco, whose last race was at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships in June at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, said he will now focus on getting the necessary treatment so that he can be 100 percent.

#“To the people of the Bahamas, my sponsors and my fans around the world, I’m sorry I won’t be able to compete,” Gardiner continued on social media.

#“I wish my rivals good health and the very best. Thanks for the support.”

#Claude Bryan, his manager at On Track Management, confirmed Gardiner’s absence from the team, revealing that Gardiner has been having ongoing issues and it flared up at the trials. Bryan noted that Gardiner subsequently got treatment for it, however, what he is experiencing now is beyond his pain threshold.

#“It is accurate that Stevie will miss the Eugene World Championships. I notified the BAAA President and Stevie would have notified the Eugene team,” Bryan said.

#“He was at the hospital in Oregon and ordered to be booted due to inflammation of the right Achilles. He wanted to still give it a go, however, the pain and inconvenience got the better of him.”

#Bryan said Gardiner will be heading overseas immediately for treatment.

#“We cannot say as of today, anything about his recovery, that is for medical to determine upon direct consultation with and inspection of Stevie,” Bryan said.

#“The decision to not compete was a tough one for Stevie, however, before he is an athlete, he is a human being, his health is the priority.”

#Gardiner, in running 45.32 seconds to take the tape at the nationals over Grand Bahamian Alonzo Russell, second in 46, was expected to be a part of a 16-member team that is scheduled to leave today for the championships.

#Efforts to contact BAAA president Drumeco Archer and team head coach Rupert Gardiner were unsuccessful.

#In addition to running the 400m in Eugene, Gardiner was also expected to be a key factor for the Bahamas mixed relay team with Alonzo Russell, Bradley Doreus, Wayna McCoy, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Anthonique Strachan, Megan Moss, Doneisha Anderson, Javonya Valcourt and Janae Ambrose in the pool.

#Gardiner was also named by the Bahamas Olympic Committee to a 28-member team, including 11 track and field athletes, for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Birmingham, England, July 29 to August 7.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/gardiner-out-world-champs-injury/?news

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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Jonquel Jones

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JONQUEL Jones displayed why she is a star among WNBA stars and shined on the brightest stage among the league’s best players at its midseason classic.

#Jones finished with a team high 29 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals, but her Team Stewart lost 134-112 to Team Wilson on July 10 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

#In her fourth All-Star appearance, the Connecticut Sun forward shot 11-20 from the field and 5-11 from three-point range.

#She was the only player in the game to total a double double.

#Wilson and Stewart were named All-Star captains after finishing atop the fan votes for the game. Fowles and Bird, two legends in their final WNBA seasons, joined them for the game.

#Jones was selected by Stewart to start alongside Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks) and Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces).

#The remainder of the team included Kahleah Copper (Chicago Sky), Skylar Diggins-Smith (Phoenix Mercury), Jewell Loyd (Storm), Emma Meesseman (Sky) Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings) and Alyssa Thomas (Sun). In addition to playing in the All-Star game, Jones also advanced to the semifinal of the WNBA Skills Challenge.

#Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty won the competition.

#In the 2021 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, Jones led Team WNBA All-Stars to a 93-85 victory over Team USA, grabbing a team-high 14 rebounds, while also notching 18 points and four assists.

#She also finished second in the 2021 WNBA Three- Point contest, four points behind the Chicago Sky’s Courtney Vandersloot.

#Jones is leading the Sun in points per game (15.1) and rebounds per game (9.4). She is also third in the league in rebounding and second in second-chance points per game (3.4).

#She was named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week May 30 to June 5, 2022, where she averaged 19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest on the Sun’s 3-1 road trip out west against the Aces, Mercury and Storm.

#The Sun will continue their schedule on July 13 when they host an afternoon matchup against the Indiana Fever at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/jones-posts-double-double-29-points-13-rebounds-wn/?news

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#MAKO Aquatics Club, led by some outstanding performances from Erald Thompson II, Lamar Taylor, Isabella Munroe, Tia Isabella and Elle Therberg, won their fourth straight Bahamas Aquatics National Swim Championships over the weekend at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.

#This was the 50th anniversary celebrations for the nationals, which was held in memory of the late John Bradley, a long-time executive of the Bahamas Aquatics – the governing body for swimming in the island nation.

#The four-day meet got started on Thursday and wrapped up on Sunday with Mako Aquatics accumulating a total of 2,011 points, 368 more than Grand Bahama’s YMCA WaveRunners, who came close to ruin the party with 1,643. The Barracuda Swim Club completed the top three with 1,568.

#Rounding out the rest of the field in order were the Alpha Aquatics with 849 for fourth, fifth went to the Blue Waves Swim Club with 725, the Black Marlins Swim Club was sixth with 412, the Lyford Swim Club seventh with 360, the Mantas Swim & Water Polo was eighth with 326, the Lightning Aquatics got ninth with 300 and the Freeport Aquatic Club was 10th with 132.

#Mako’s head coach Travano McPhee said their victory was dedicated to Bradley, who played an integral role, not only in the federation, but at the national team and club levels as well.

#McPhee said he was the backbone of swimming and Mako was appreciative of all of his contributions to the sport.

#With this being a special year for the nationals, which was rescheduled two weeks after its original dates to accommodate the four members who participated in the FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, McPhee said the season was extended a little longer for some of the swimmers, but it didn’t deter Mako from accomplishing their goal. “The team’s performance was outstanding. From day one, we were able to come out of the gate swimming top times and putting a lot of Mako swimmers into the finals,” he said. “Mako would have won five straight if 2020 Nationals was not cancelled because of the pandemic.

#“Four straight means a lot to Mako coaches, swimmers, parents and supporters. It’s never easy in any sport to win four straight. I am very proud of our swimmers and now they already have their eyes set on going for the five-peat next year.”

#In leading the charge for Mako in the four-peat were Thompson III, who captured seven medals in the boys 15-17 division where he was the runner-up to the high point title behind Grand Bahamian champion Marvin Johnson of the YMCA WaveRunners, while Taylor established meet records in the boys 18-and-over division where he too was the runner-up for the high point trophy behind Mark- Anthony Thompson of Alpha Aquatics.

#Isabella Munroe, the girls 8-and-under high point winner, added records in the 50m free and 50m butterfly to her ledger and Adderley and Therberg captured four and three individual gold medals respectively in the girls 13-14 division to finish behind the YMCA WaveRunners’ 1-2 punch from Grand Bahamians Zoe Williamson, Zoe and Mia Patton for the high point award.

#Munroe dominated her age group division with 63 points, leaving her nearest rival Rinia Johnson of the Blue Waves Swim Club behind with 41.

#Cailyn Dean, also of the Blue Waves Swim Club, finished third with 35.

#Asher Bastian of the Mantas Swim & Water Polo Club-took the boys 8-and-under division with 52.

#Fraser Menzies of Alpha Aquatics was second with 40 and Jeremiah Newry of the Freeport Aquatic Club trailed in third with 39.

#Alissa Ferguson of the Barracuda Swim Club had a 10-point edge in winning the girls 9-10 division with 62.

#Skyler Smith of the YMCA WaveRunners-got second with 52 and in third was Tiah Seymour of the Mantas Swim & Water Polo Club-with 47.

#The boys 9-10 division saw Christon Joseph of the Blue Waves Swim Club emerge with 63.

#Nitayo Knowles of the YMCA WaveRunners-was second with 49 and Harold Simmons of the YMCA WaveRunners was third with 46.

#Grand Bahama celebrated its first title as Lelah Lewis of the YMCA WaveRunners captured the girls 11-12 division with 61. Saleste Gibson of the Barracuda Swim Club was second with 55 and Trinity Pratt of the Barracuda Swim Club got third with 51.

#The boys 11-12 division saw Dijon Simmons of the Blue Waves Swim Club clinch the title with 59. Lenin Hamilton of the Mako Aquatics Club was a close second with 56 and David Singh of the Barracuda Swim Club was two points behind with 54.

#In the 13-14 girls division, Zoe Williamson took the title to Grand Bahama with the YMCA WaveRunners-with 57 points. Mia Patton of the YMCA WaveRunners was second with 56 and Elle Theberge of the Mako Aquatics Club was third with 55.

#Grand Bahamian Ellie Gibson of the YMCA WaveRunners sealed the deal in the boys 13-14 division with 56, followed by Caden Wells of the Black Marlins Swim Club with 53 and Tristen Hepburn, also from the YMCA WaveRunners, with 52 for third.

#In another closely contested showdown, Rhanishka Gibbs of the Barracuda Swim Club won the girls 15-17 division with 57, holding off Keianna Moss of the Mako Aquatics Club with 56. Kyana Higgs of the Barracuda Swim Club was third with 50.

#Another Grand Bahamian, Marvin Johnson of the YMCA WaveRunners, secured the boys 15-17 division with 59 over Jake Thompson of the Black Marlins Swim Club with 51. Erald Thompson III of the Mako Aquatics Club was third with 50.

#Anya MacPhail of the Mako Aquatics Club took the girls 18-and-over crown with 56. Her team-mate Kaliyah Albury, also of the Mako Aquatics Club, was the runner up with 50 and Katelyn Cabral of the YMCA WaveRunners was third with 49.

#And in the boys 18-and-over division, Mark- Anthony Thompson won the title for Alpha Aquatics with 47. Lamar Taylor of Mako Aquatics Club was the runner-up with 43 and Luke Thompson, also from Alpha Aquatics, was third with 43.

#McPhee, who is now preparing to head to Birmingham, England at the end of the month as a coach on the Bahamas’ 28-member Commonwealth Games team (with seven swimmers), said the competition was extremely tough, which shows how hard the coaches have been working with their swimmers.

#He also commended the Bahamas Aquatics, headed by president Algernon Cargill, for producing one of the best nationals ever. He noted that swimming in the country continues to improve and it was evident by the performances at the nationals.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/mako-wins-4th-straight-swimming-nationals/?news

As of Tuesday, July 12, 2022

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#THE Bahamas Basketball Federation women’s national team will be competing at the Centrobasket Tournament in Havana, Cuba, this week.

#Team Bahamas will play their opening game on Wednesday against Cuba.

#Following that game, the Bahamas will face the Dominican Republic at 5pm on Thursday and Jamaica at the same time on Friday.

#The playoffs are scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17.

#Donillo ‘Donnie’ Culmer, assisted by Deven Johnson and Di’Asti Delancy, will coach the team.

#The team manager is Anastacia Sands-Moultrie and the trainer is Sasha Ferguson.

#• Here’s a brief

#profile of the players

#selected to the team:

• #Philicia Kelly – 32-year-old 5-9 shooting guard.
• #Roberta Quant – six-foot forward. Graduate of St Augustine’s College and an attorney-at-law/ engineer.
• #Valerie Nesbitt – 23-year-old 5-foot, 6 ½-inches point guard.

#Three-time national team member, having played in 2007 and 2021. Currently a pro hooper.

• Latoya Role – 34-year-old 5-foot, 11-inch small forward.

#Graduate of CR Walker and Henderson Community College.

• Lorraine Oliver – 30-year-old 5-foot, 8-inch guard.

#Graduate of Francis University and is currently an entrepreneur and investor.

• #Karolyn Baptiste – 19-year-old 5-foot, 4-inch guard. Currently attends the University of Maine where she is studying kinesiology.
• #Antonicia Moultrie – 16-year-old 5-foot, 10-inch shooting guard. Currently attends St Augustine’s College and one day aspires to become a pilot.
• #Britenique Harrison – 29-year-old 6-foot, 3-inch forward/centre. 2010 graduate of St Augustine’s College and 2015 graduate of Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Banker by profession.
• #La’Tavia Brennen – 22-year-old 5-foot, 11-inch power forward/ centre. Student of St Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, who hopes to become a physical therapist.
• #Denika Lightbourne – 17-year-old 5-foot, 8-inch point/shooting guard.

#Currently attends Tallulah Falls School and hopes to eventually become a computer technician.

• Tiffany Wildgoose – 31-year-old 5-foot, 10-inch power forward.

#Currently a high school physical education teacher.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/12/womens-national-basketball-team-set-centrobasket/?news