Jonquel Jones

As of Friday, July 8, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN addition to playing in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star game, Bahamian Jonquel Jones from Grand Bahama has also been selected to participate in Saturday’s WNBA Skills Challenge.

#Jones, the starting centre for the Connecticut Sun, joins Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty and Courtney Vandersloot of the Chicago Sky as a list of eight players who will participate in the 2022 WNBA Skills Challenge as part of the weekend-long series of events at AT&T WNBA All-Star 2022.

# The WNBA Skills Challenge and the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest will air live on ESPN at 3pm ET. Both events will take place inside McCormick Place in front of a special group of participants from the Nike Tournament of Champions and Nike Girls Nationals.

#The WNBA Skills Challenge and MTN DEW 3-Point Contest are closed to the public but can be seen at a special viewing party hosted by DJ Shale outside McCormick Place within the grounds of WNBA Live presented by U.S. Bank.

#Jones, the reigning Kia WNBA most valuable player for 2021, along with Ionescu, who on Wednesday tied a WNBA career record with her third triple-double, and six-time league assists leader Vandersloot, will compete in the WNBA Skills Challenge with guard Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, guards Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces, forward NaLyssa Smith of the Indiana Fever and forward-centre Azurá Stevens of the Sky.

#The Skills Challenge includes eight teams, each consisting of one WNBA player and one athlete from the Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) participating in the 2022 Nike Nationals. The teams will compete head-to-head in an obstacle course relay competition that tests dribbling, passing, agility and shooting skills.

#On Sunday, Jones will play her fourth WNBA All-Star game as a member of “Team Stewart”, led by Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm) and Sue Bird (Seattle Storm) and will take on A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) and her Team Wilson co-captain Sylvia Fowles (Minnesota Lynx).

#The WNBA All-Star game will be played in Chicago at the Wintrust Arena at 1pm and will be carried live on ABC.

#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, join 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 includes: Kahleah Copper (Chicago Sky), Skylar Diggins-Smith ( Phoenix Mercury), Jewell Loyd (Storm), Emma Meesseman (Sky) Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings) and Alyssa Thomas (Sun).

#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 for the week of May 30-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.

#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.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/08/jonquel-jones-selected-wnba-skills-challenge-ahead/?news

As of Friday, July 8, 2022

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DONILLO Culmer

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#DONILLO ‘Donnie’ Culmer, filling in as the head coach in the absence of Yolett McPhee-McCuin, likes what he sees with the make-up of the women’s national basketball team.

#Culmer, assisted by Deven Johnson and Di’Asti Delancy, will take the 12-woman team into Havana, Cuba this weekend for the FIBA Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Women’s Championship.

#Veterans Philicia Kelly (guard), Valerie Nesbitt (guard), Britenique Harrison (centre), Roberta Quant (centre) and Latoya Rolle (forward) will lead the team that will also include Tiffany Wildgoose (forward), Lativia Brennen (forward), Antonicia Moultrie (guard), Valicia Demeritte (guard), Denika Lightbourne (guard), Lorraine Oliver (forward) and Karolyn Baptiste guard).

#The team, which will be managed by Anastacia Sands-Moultrie with Charlis Robbins as the director of basketball operations, Latoya Silver as the head of delegation and Sasha Johnson as the trainer, is scheduled to play in the tournament at the Ciudad Deportivo Coliseum against teams from Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

#It’s still not certain the exact date that the team will travel, but Culmer said they are expected to be in Havana by Monday and will use the next few days to gear up to play Cuba in their first game on Wednesday, July 13.

#Following that game, the Bahamas will face the Dominican Republic at 5pm on Thursday, July 14 and Jamaica at the same time on Friday, July 15. The playoffs will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17.

#“We know that this is going to be a tough tournament and so we have to be ready,” Culmer said. “We feel we have a pretty good team that should be able to represent the Bahamas very well.

#“We have some talented guards and that is going to be our strength. We feel if we can run the ball and wear down our opponents, our inside players will be able to do what they have to do. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re going to be ready.”

#Culmer said he would have liked to have McPhee- McCuin return as the head coach, but after she made a commitment to work as an assistant for the men’s basketball team, he said he still confided in her for her expertise.

#“I invited her to come in and she came and worked with the team. She was able to give us a few plays to work on,” he said. “Anytime you can get a great mind like coach Yolett to work with you, it’s a pleasure.

#“I had the opportunity to work with her as an assistant when the women’s team won the CentroBasket Tournament in 2015 and although she won’t be able to be a part of this team, I was happy that she was able to give us some pointers before we leave on this trip.”

#Culmer, who has also worked under and alongside veteran coach Anthony Swaby, said he welcomes any coach who wishes to come out and assist the programme because, at the end of the day, his only wish is that the Bahamas succeeds.

#He noted, however, that it has been a struggle for the Bahamas Basketball Federation to fund the team and, at this stage, they’re still waiting on confirmation of exactly when they will travel.

#The Bahamas will need to finish in the top three in order to advance to the next round of the championships, but Culmer said their goal is to go to Cuba and win the championship title.

#“We feel we have a good team that can represent the country,” Culmer said. “We had some more veterans who tried out, but because

#of the fact that some of them could only get time off, but not with pay, they opted not to travel because they feel the bills will still be there when they return home.

#“We have to find a method in which we allow these players to play on the national team and still get compensated for the time they take off to represent the country. A lot of our best players can’t afford to travel and not get paid because of their financial commitments.”

#Despite what they’re dealing with, Culmer said the team assembled will represent the Bahamas very well.

#“We have some veterans on our team, but how much of the load they will carry will depend on what we face in Cuba,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons why we have added some of the younger players.

#“We anticipate that the younger players will be able to hold their own, but for the system that we expect to utilise, we will have to rely a lot more on the younger players to carry the load.

#“So, it’s going to be tough, but I feel we will be ready for the challenge,” he added.

#In addition to winning the CBC Championship for Women in 2015, the Bahamas also won the 1998 Caricom Basketball Championship for Women and placed third at the CBC Women’s Championships in 2018.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/08/culmer-fills-womens-national-basketball-team-head-/?news

As of Friday, July 8, 2022

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WILLIS MACKEY JR, of Grand Bahama.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER completing his first year with Mulhouse Basket in France, Grand Bahamian native Willis Mackey Jr is looking forward to returning to Europe in August to continue his professional basketball career.

#Mackey Jr, who averaged 11.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocked shots, is currently in town. He’s assisting former pro JR Cadot with his NEXT Basketball organisation’s inaugural Dream Again Basketball Camp at the Remnant Tabernacle of Praise auditorium on Carmichael Road.

#Now in his fourth year on the pro circuit, Mackey Jr said it has been quite a rewarding experience so far.

#“These countries treat so well, it’s really a good life out there,” Mackey Jr said. “I’ve been playing pretty good out there too, just trying to find my space, so it has paid off for me.”

#As a late bloomer who got started playing basketball at the age of 18, Mackey Jr said he’s seen such a vast improvement in his game from year to year.

#“I just really want to see how far I can go,” he stated.

#Looking back at his tenure, Mackey said a knee injury this year has caused him some setback, which included not being able to suit up and play for the men’s national basketball team that played and lost to the Dominican Republic on Monday in the FIBA Americas Basketball Championship at Baha Mar.

#“I was having a great season and I was really looking forward to things getting even better,” he said. “But it’s life. You get a setback, but you don’t allow it to keep you down.

#“I really would have liked to have played on the national team this year, but the injury forced me to have to sit out. I hope that I will be able to play in the next round in August before I head off to France to play in the upcoming season.”

#Although all of the focus on the international basketball has been centred around the National Basketball Association (NBA), Mackey Jr said Europe is just as competitive, although the salary earned may not be as lucrative.

#“We know that not everybody will get to play in the NBA,” Mackey Jr said. “But in Europe, you get to play a high level of basketball and you make some money. So once I can support my family, I’m satisfied.”

#Mackey, a 28-year-old 6-foot, 8-inch power forward, said he’s just eager to continue to play wherever his talent takes him and he can make a contribution to the growth and development of the sport in the country. He noted that he was just thrilled to have been invited by Cadot to lend his assistance to his basketball camp.

#Hopefully, he can share his expertise with some of the other camps while he’s home. Mackey, who played for Northwestern Ohio Racers in the NCAA college basketball, went on to play for Bordeaux during the 2020/21 season where he averaged 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists before he ended up at Mulhouse.

#On November 05, 2021, Mackey Jr tied his career high in points in a Mulhouse 81-64 win over Besancon with 23 points, shooting 8-for-8 from the two-point line, 1-for-2 from three for a 90.0% from the field. He also shot 4/4 from the free-throw line and added nine rebounds and an assist.

#Mackey came back and established his career high in rebounds with 14 in a 77-69 win for Mulhouse in a home game against Caen. He also produced a double-double with 16 points, an assist, a steal and a block.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/08/mackey-jr-continue-pro-basketball-career-europe/?news

As of Friday, July 8, 2022

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#ISAIAH Joe made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 25 seconds left, his fourth of the game, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 80-79 on Thursday on Day 3 of the Salt Lake City Summer League.

#Tre Mann missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds and Paul Reed secured the rebound to hand the Thunder, who rested No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren in their third game in three nights, their first loss in three games.

#Joe finished with 19 points and Reed had 14 points and seven rebounds for Philadelphia.

#Mann scored 13 points. Josh Giddey, coming off a triple-double, had 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists for the Thunder.

#Oklahoma City scored the first six points of the game but Philadelphia answered with a 19-2 run.

#GRIZZLIES 95,

#JAZZ 84

#Ziaire Williams scored 10 of his 19 points in the third quarter and Memphis closed out the SLC Summer League with a victory over Utah.

#Memphis trailed 50-38 at halftime. Williams scored six straight points to cut the Grizzlies’ deficit to single digits midway through the third quarter and David Roddy — one of Memphis’ two first-rounders in the 2022 draft — had a dunk and a three-point play late to help knot the score at 68 heading into the final quarter.

#Roddy finished with 16 points. Santi Aldama scored 14, while Xavier Tillman added 10 points and 14 rebounds.

#Jared Butler had 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Utah.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/08/joe-leads-76ers-past-thunder-slc-summer-league-80-/?news

KALEB BARNETT, right, and Jules Montair, defensive backs coach at Temple.

As of Thursday, July 7, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE latest Bahamian prospect to enter the South Florida pipeline to gridiron success committed to a major Division I programme.

#Defensive back Kaleb Barnett announced his commitment to the Temple Owls football programme for the fall 2023 season.

#The Jackson Miami High product is reportedly the fifth high school prospect to commit to the Owls in the current recruiting cycle. Barnett was one of several Bahamian prospects to compete for Miami International Academy.

#Standing at 6’1” 185 pounds, Barnett is also a 100m sprinter who has turned in a time of 10.7 seconds.

#“My high school coach said I have a great wingspan for a corner. I’ll be able to stop and get a lot of picks,” Barnett told OwlsDaily. “Coaches want me to play every position because of my athletic ability.”

#The Temple staff looks forward to Barnett’s athletic ability in the defensive backfield.

#“Coach Jules and coach Drayton said they like my speed,” Barnett said. “If I get beat on a route, I’m able to catch up very quickly. And my height for a high school cornerback is good, especially how I’m still growing. I’ll be able to play multiple positions on the field.”

#Both Florida International and Florida Atlantic were in the recruiting process for Barnett who also got an offer from Charlotte before he ultimately chose Temple. Barnett went on a pair of visits to the campus, including to the “Cherry and White” Game last April.

#“When you see him in person, you wouldn’t be able to tell he just started playing football, with how fast he’s grown since he’s been down here,” Barnett’s coach Olin Cushion told Owls Daily. “You could barely tell that he just started playing last year. It’s crazy.”

#Several other Bahamians in the Miami International Academy programme have received offers from programmes at both the NAIA and NCAA levels.

#Dwayne Lewis, a 6’3” 215 outside linebacker and defensive end, has fielded offers from Kentucky Christian Knights in the NAIA and Wagner Seahawks in the Northeastern Conference of NCAA Division I.

#Outgoing seniors Mazio Randall and Amarie Archer have committed to the Dodge City Community College Conquistadors football programme for the upcoming fall semester.

#Miami International Academy finished their inaugural season 2-7 but it was highlighted by a 40-0 South Florida High School Orange Bowl win over Palm Beach Christian Prep.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/07/kaleb-barnett-commits-owls/?news

As of Thursday, July 7, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Team Bahamas delivered several milestone performances at the 2022 Arkas Optimist World Championships.

#Craig Ferguson II was the top performer of the five-member group and highlighted the final day of sailing when he finished first among the silver fleet in race 11 of 12 at the event in Bodrum, Turkey.

#He finished ranked no.70 in the field of 276 sailors, with a net point total of 161.

#Ferguson sailed the first four races on day one in the red fleet. He finished 27th overall in race one followed by a second place finish in race two, 39th in race three, and 24th in race four.

#He sailed races five and six in the green fleet, finishing 34th and 13th respectively. He concluded the competition with his final six races in the silver fleet where he produced four top-five finishes. He finished fourth in race seven, 27th in race eight, 22nd in race nine, fourth in race 10 and concluded with a third place finish in race 12.

#Team Bahamas also included Finley McKinney-Lambert, Patrick Tomlinson, Zane Munro, and Norman Cartwright.

#The team finished 31st overall among 54 teams in the Nations Cup Rankings with 3,835 points. Italy claimed the Jacobsen Trophy World Championship with 743 points.

#Munro was ranked no.75 overall through 12 races with a net point total of 176.

#His top performances in the silver fleet was a fourth place finish in race 11 and a fifth place finish in race seven. He began competition in the blue fleet (26th and 21st), followed by two races in the green fleet (12th and 24th) before a return to the blue fleet (47th and 12th).

#Tomlinson had a net point total of 389 to rank no.171, with a top finish of third overall in race 10 of the silver fleet. McKinney-Lambert had a net score of 407 to rank no.177. His race series was highlighted by a first place finish in race 10 of the silver fleet. Cartwright finished at no.213 in the field. He had a first place finish in the emerald fleet in race seven and a no.3 finish in race 12.

#The Arkas Optimist World Championships is of the most prestigious sailing tournaments organised by the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA).

#It was hosted by the Bodrumspor Sailing Club of Bodrum Municipality, with support of the Bodrum Municipality and in cooperation with IODA International Optimist Dinghy Association and the Turkish Sailing Federation, the 2022 tournament started with the participation of 283 athletes from 62 countries.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/07/team-bahamas-shines-arkas-optimist-world-champions/?news

SENIOR MEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM IN FIBA WORLD CUP 2023 AMERICAS QUALIFIERS

DANRAD KNOWLES, of the Bahamas, dunks last night against the Dominican Republic during the FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers at the Baha Mar resort in Cable Beach.

As of Tuesday, July 5, 2022

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CHAVANO “Buddy” Hield put on a show playing in front of the home crowd for the first time as a pro last night. A fourth quarter rally from Team Bahamas fell just short as they lost the final game in the third window of FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifying opening round. Hield scored a game high 29 points.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Chavano “Buddy” Hield put on a show playing in front of the home crowd for the first time as a pro, but a fourth quarter rally from Team Bahamas fell just short as they lost the final game in the third window of FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifying opening round play.

#Hield scored a game high 29 points on 11-16 shooting from the field (6-11 from three), but the Dominican Republic held on for an 88-80 win last night at the Baha Mar Convention Centre.

#Hield also added a game high eight assists and five rebounds to lead The Bahamas in both categories.

#Travis Munnings scored 14, Danrad Knowles added 12 points off the bench and Franco Miller Jr scored nine. “It was beautiful, it was fun,” Hield said of his first experience at home playing as a member of the national team. “Seeing the crowd there, hearing the horns, the cowbells, people shouting. When we hit a three it sounded like a dunk effect so the energy they brought was amazing.”

#The Bahamas made its first three three pointers of the game, two from Hield and one from Mychel Thompson, to take an early lead but the visitors went on an early 12-0 run to take a 22-11 advantage.

#The DR took a 26-17 lead into the second and led by as much as 15 before Hield scored seven straight to make the score 36-28. Munnings missed a pair of free throws that could have cut the lead to six, but Victor Liz responded with six points of his own to swing the momentum back in favour of the visitors.

#Gelvis Solano followed with a three at the buzzer to give the DR a 46-33 headed into the half. Hield had 21 of his 19 points at the half but, to that point, no other player on the Bahmian roster scored more than five. The Bahamas had its biggest scoring run late in the fourth when Miller made a pair of threes and Hield’s assist to Knowles for a reverse layup made the score 83-74 before the DR was able to seal it late with free throws.

#The visitors had a 43-30 rebounding advantage and shot 63 percent from the field on the night. “Everything is a building process with this team. Coach [Chris] Demarco and his staff have done a tremendous job. Where we came from to now, making it to the second round of the qualifiers – we’ve never done that in Bahamian history so hats off to his staff and to the guys that got that first win over USVI that we needed to get, that was really big,” Hield said.

#“We wanted to win this one in The Bahamas, but it was fun and we qualified. I think the Bahamian people see the progress we have been making, we have some guys that will join us eventually but we are looking forward to August, getting better, and coming back for another homestand here.”

#The Bahamas will take on Venezuela on August 25 in the second round of FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers and will follow with a matchup against Argentina on August 29. In the second window, they are set to take on Panama on November 10, followed by the second matchup against Argentina on November 13. The third and final window will feature the second matchups against Venezuela (February 24, 2023) and Panama (February 24, 2023).

#“There’s a lot of excitement around here for basketball in The Bahamas,” Hield said.

#“Everyone has seen the growth, they have seen the draft picks, young guys are making strides and I’m glad the Bahamian people showed up. We just want you guys to come out again in August, continue to support us and we will do our best to get a win.”

#Victor Liz led the Dominican Republic with 26 points, Angel Delgado scored 17 and Eddy Polanco finished with a double double – 15 points and 11 rebounds.

#Demarco highlighted Hield’s leadership qualities that were on display during the third window, both on and off the court.

#“When your star player is as selfless as he is and as great a person as he is, that’s what wins games and that’s what wins championships. Everyone else follows that lead,” Demarco said.

#“I’ve been lucky enough to have been around some championship-type players with that same type of personality and way about them – Buddy is definitely that.

#“As a national team, we can’t go out and try to find that player, try to sign that player, so for us to have that in him is a lucky thing, it’s incredible.”

#The Bahamas completed a sweep over the US Virgin Islands to finish as a top three team in the group and advance to the second round. Canada finished as the leader of the group at 6-0, The Dominican Republic 4-2, The Bahamas 2-4 and the USVI eliminated with 0-6.

#“Over the four years I’ve been a part of this programme, we’ve tried to find guys that can be effective and learn the system, try to find high IQ players to learn the way we want to play,” Demarco said.

#“I do think we’re headed in the right direction that really understands what we have to do to try and win games.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/05/bahamas-suffers-loss-dominican-republic/?news

As of Wednesday, July 6, 2022

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LORENZO Carter placed third in the time trials on Saturday and sixth in the open road race at the Clifton Heritage Park on Sunday.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#HE could have easily given up any hopes of competing at a highly competitive level again, but after undergoing the first of two scheduled surgeries to remove his kidney stones, versatile multiple sportsman Lorenzo Carter is back in action.

#The 53-year-old Carter completed his first surgery at the end of March at the Baptist Health International Center in Coral Gables, Florida and three months later, he is just delighted to be able to compete again.

#“It set me back by about seven months. I didn’t do any training after I got back here in April,” said Carter, who is self-employed. “I did some slight training to get ready for this race. I’m pretty okay right now, but I have to go back and do another surgery at the end of the summer.”

#Although he competed in a tune-up race a couple weeks ago, this was just Carter’s second race in his recovery. But because it was the nationals, he wanted to make sure that he was in tip-top shape to compete.

#He did, coming in third in the time trials on Saturday and sixth in the open road race on Sunday at the Clifton Heritage Park.

#“I felt good, but I can tell that I am not 100 percent from the races that I competed in,” Carter said. “I could feel the cramps in the road race, which is not normal.

#“The kidneys control the electrolytes in your body, so I suspect that is what is associated with what happened to me today (Sunday). But I believe in time, it would all get back to normal.”

#And once he’s back at full strength, Carter said he will definitely be making his presence felt competing once again in the various sporting disciplines like basketball and softball where he’s been able to hold his own among his peers.

#“I have the Tour of Freeport to do in Grand Bahama this summer and once I’m done with that, I will be doing some basketball and softball and then continue the cycle with cycling,” he projected.

#“Just the love for sports and the motivation to compete is one of the main factors that enables me to continue. By rights, I should be competing in the master’s category, but I prefer to be running with the young bucks because it’s more competition.”

#Looking at his performances over the weekend, Carter said he was quite pleased with his efforts. He noted that it’s a great accomplishment for him in his comeback after the surgery.

#“Next year, I hope to get on the podium in both races in the time trials and the road race,” Cartwright said.

#“I just have to work on my endurance and getting the other surgery done.

#“Once I get that other surgery done, it would help me in getting my endurance done.”

#Having established a GoFundMe for the initial surgery, Carter said he’s still appealing to the general public to lend their support.

#“I am very pleased with the support that I’ve gotten. I want to thank everybody who supported me through their donations, prayers and physical support,” Carter said.

#“Thanks to everybody who reached out and supported me, including my loved ones and my competitors in the various sports.

#“It would not have been possible if it wasn’t for God and for all of the people who reached out and supported me with their prayers, moral support and financial contributions.”

#Bahamas Cycling Federation president Roy Colebrooke said it was such a relief to be able to watch Carter as he made his return, not just to compete in the nationals, but to emerge as one of the top competitors. “It was such a joy to watch Lorenzo compete in the Nationals,” he said. “He’s been an inspiration to all of us to see how he was able to persevere from his surgery to be able to compete out here and compete at such a high level. We wish that he will get back to the level that he was before when he was one of the top cyclists to watch. This was just a start and I believe that in time, he will return to top form.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/06/versatile-sportsman-lorenzo-carter-delighted-be-ba/?news

As of Wednesday, July 6, 2022

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ENTRANCE to the refurbished Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#While workmen are busy completing the final cosmetic work to the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, teams are starting to arrive for the Babe Ruth 12-and-under Caribbean Championships and the 16-and-under Invitational.

#Scheduled for Thursday to Monday, the 12U will feature a tournament and a host team from the Bahamas in addition to teams representing Aruba, Cuba, the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico.

#Aruba, the Netherlands, Saint Maarten, Puerto Rico, the United States and the Bahamas will make up the teams participating in the 16U Invitational.

#On Monday night, the Cayman Islands arrived in town and Greg Burrows Sr, the commissioner of the Babe Ruth Baseball Caribbean Region, said everything is coming into place for the start of the tournament.

#“We had a couple of hiccups, but we are getting things sorted out and we will be ready to go,” Burrows Sr said.

#Although there are some concerns about the weather, Burrows Sr said that’s one thing they can’t control, but they have some contingency plans in place if it rains. “We will make adjustments to the tournament based on the weather,” he said. “That’s just the way it is. Every tournament, you have to adjust to the weather.”

#The Cayman Islands, according to one of their coaches, is eager to play in the tournament.

#“This is the first time in a long time that we had a team that has left the Cayman Islands to compete in a tournament, so we really want to see how they will perform,” he said.

ARUBA’S Under-16 team on their way to the Babe Ruth Tournament today.

#“Despite not being able to travel, we are here with high expectations. We feel that this team will perform very well. The players are all eager to perform and so we are looking forward to making our presence felt here.”

#In addition to the players and coaching staff, there are at least nine parents who are travelling from the Cayman Islands.

#With the Cayman Islands in town, Burrows Sr said they are just waiting on the other teams to come in today. He noted that Cuba was scheduled to arrive last night and the others will be in town just in time for the start of the tournament today.

CAYMAN Islands Under-12 baseball team arrive at Lynden Pindling International Airport.

#The Bahamas 12U host team, coached by Javier Bowe, will comprise of the following: Nathan Fernander (JBLN), Antwon Bain (JBLN), Sean Forbes (JBLN), Nicholas Cox (JBLN), Alijah Butler (Freedom Farm), Crispin Rodgers (JBLN), Sherman Ferguson (Freedom Farm), Crishard Thompson (Grand Bahama Little League), Ralph Burrows (Freedom Farm), Leslie Sands (JBLN), Joel Pratt (Freedom Farm), Khayle Watkins (Freedom Farm) and Caleb Knowles (Freedom Farm).

#The Bahamas 12U tournament team, coached by Lionel Ferguson Jr, Kristian Thompson and Marlon Bostwick, will comprise of Kaizen Dorsette, Jensen Albury, Javez Coleby, Ajay Knowles, Trae Neymour, Mario Dean, Marlon Bostwick, Jordan Archer, Javan Smith, Jordan Miller, Carlton Storr, Caivan Roberts, Merko Gervansini and Doyle Sears.

#Named to the Bahamas’ under-16 team, coached by Gregory Burrows Jr and Albert Cartwright, are the following:

#Andru Arthur, Breyias Dean, Chad Delancy, Daniel Gaitor, Edwin Darville, Tavano Baker, Rashawn Pinder, Raivon Pinder, Brian Johnson, Jahni McPhee, Philando Williams, Dave Neely, Javardo Bain, Lamar Sealy, Tejahri Wilson and Jason Cooper.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/06/teams-arriving-babe-ruth-caribbean-championships/?news

CHAVANO “Buddy” Hield is flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg. Photo by Patrick Hanna/BIS

As of Wednesday, July 6, 2022

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TEAM Bahamas members share a moment with Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and other government officials. Photo courtesy of Patrick Hanna/BIS

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#NATIONAL Basketball Association player Chavano “Buddy” Hield said he couldn’t ask for more support than they got from the Bahamian public for the men’s national team matchup against the Dominican Republic.

#Although the Bahamas lost 88-80 to the Dominican Republic in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifier on Monday night, there was standing room only in the makeshift basketball arena in the ballroom of the Baha Mar resort.

#Hield, now with the Indiana Pacers, led the Bahamas with a game high 29 points, including six three-pointers, with eight assists, five rebounds and three steals.

#“Just seeing the crowd there and all of the buildup and the hype around the game, it was just beautiful,” Hield said. “When you scored a three point, it was like a dunk effect.

#“We got off to a slow start, but we kind of weathered the storm. Some of the guys are not used to playing in this atmosphere and we didn’t match their physicality, but this is a building process for us. From where we came from to now, hats off to coach Chris DeMarco and his staff for where we are today.”

#DeMarco, an assistant of the Golden State Warriors, serves as the head coach of the Bahamas team. He said once the Bahamas team got into their groove, it was a little too late.

#“I’m really proud of our group and the way we fought,” he said. “I think we came a long way as a national team and the progress we made.

#“Overall, we would have liked to have won, but we can take some positive things from this game as we look ahead to the next game when we play again in August in the next window.”

#With the support from Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, Deputy Prime Minister I Chester Cooper and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, to Bahamian celebrities, including former NBA player turned actor Rick Fox, the team couldn’t ask for a better crowd of spectators.

#“It was exciting to me. I’m so glad to have been able to get this opportunity to see the next generation of basketball players do their thing,” Fox said.

#“When it was my turn, it was passed on to me from Mychal Thompson and now I get to watch the future from guys like Buddy Hield.

#“Buddy is now playing the frame work for so many young players who feel like they have the opportunity to be the next. So to watch guys like Buddy and the rest of the team come and represent their country the way they did, I love it.”

#Fox, who won three championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA after he spent some time with the Boston Celtics, said the fans really threw their support behind the team.

#“I don’t watch a lot of basketball for a lot of reasons, but I follow Buddy and Klay and Deandre, even though I am upset with what he’s going through with his contract,” Fox said. “So I was pleased to be home to watch these players who came out and represented the country.”

#Now retired from basketball, but doing some filming gigs as an actor/ director/producer, Fox said as a Bahamian, he will spend as much time as possible at home assisting with the development of the country in any way possible.

#Bowleg, a former coach and president of the federation, said while the team got off to a sluggish start, they picked up the momentum when young point guard Domnick Bridgewater came into the game.

#“The team didn’t have enough to finish Dominican Republic off because of their size. They got punished on the inside,” Bowleg said.

#“But despite all of that, the guys did their best. They were capable of shooting a better percentage than they did tonight.

#“But what was most impressive was that the Bahamian people came out and supported them. We advanced. So as long as we continue to improve and when we play Argentina here in our next window here in August, we hope that we can get the same type of support from the Bahamian fans.”

#Hopefully in that window, Bowleg said the team will have the addition of Phoenix Suns’ centre Deandre Ayton, who is embroiled in contractual negotiations and Charlotte Hornets’ centre Kai Jones, who had to report to Summer League.

#In their absence, Grand Bahamian Franco Miller Jr emerged as one of the bright young stars to watch. He finished the game with nine points with three assists and a pair of rebounds.

#“I feel it was a good experience for me, especially as I prepare to go to college this year,” said Miller Jr.

#“It was good to get on the floor with some NBA talent and pros who play overseas so that I can get ready for next year.”

#As for his performance, Miller Jr said coming off an ankle injury he sustained a few months ago, he did extremely well. After getting in a taste of the competition, he said he would love nothing better than to play again with the team in August.

#Veteran pro player Jaraun ‘Kino’ Burrows, who is still in France playing, said if needed, he will make himself available to play on the team in the next round.

#“I still have one more year on my contract, so I’m contemplating on whether I will continue playing. Or I just concentrate on my development programme,” said Burrows, who is assisting a number of young players like Bridgewater in their transition to the pro ranks.

#“The kids are doing well in Europe and I’m always looking at adding some more talent to the programme. But whatever I could do to help the national team, I am willing and ready to assist, even if it’s just some leadership.”

#The team could certainly benefit from some more seasoned players as they prepare to continue the journey to the Americas Cup in 2023.

#Prior to the game on Monday, the team had just returned from the US Virgin Islands where they were successful in winning 97-80 on Friday night to advance to the next round of the World Cup as Hield finished with a game high 26 points and Miller Jr added 17.

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