Lourawls Nairn Jr assistant coach for Mokan Peach Jam title team

As of Wednesday, July 27, 2022

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LOURAWLS Nairn Jr is now starting to build his résumé on the sidelines as a coach on the staff of his former AAU club. He served as an assistant coach for the latest Mokan Elite team that captured the 17U title at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam, hosted at the Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, Georgia.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#LOURAWLS Nairn Jr achieved many milestones as a player for Mokan Elite Basketball and is now starting to build his résumé on the sidelines as a coach on the staff of his former AAU club.

#Nairn served as an assistant coach for the latest Mokan Elite team that captured the 17U title at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam, hosted at the Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, Georgia.

#Mokan Elite edged out Team Takeover 53-52, and ends the summer circuit for the club with a record of 26-4.

#Nairn reflected on his days as a player at the same event a decade ago when his title chase came up just short.

#“Ten years ago, I was on the first Mokan EYBL final four team as a player. We lost that final four game,” he said. “Yesterday I was on our third peach jam championship team as an assistant coach! I have a word for you. Just because you didn’t accomplish something in one season of your life, doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish it in another!! Don’t get off the treadmill first! To God be the glory! Peach Jam Champs!”

#The Nike EYBL circuit traditionally showcases the top players and programmes throughout the United States culminating in a week long competition at the Peach Jam.

#Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and University of Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari were among the many current and future Basketball Hall of Famers in attendance.

#Nairn’s post playing career has taken him to the NBA, NCAA and prep levels. He currently serves as the head coach of the post graduate basketball programme at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas.

#He spent the 2018 season in a role with the Phoenix Suns as a member of the coaching staff with a focus on player development and also made his debut as an author with an autobiography entitled “Purpose Driven.”

#After two years, he returned to his prep alma mater for the first head coaching appointment of his young career.

#During his playing days at Sunrise, Nairn rose from a little known recruit to a highly sought after Division I prospect.

#In his senior season with the Buffaloes, he averaged 17.6 points, 5.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game to lead SCA to a 16-3 record.

#He shot 52.4 percent from the field, including 38.9 percent from three-point range and started every game over his final two seasons.

#Sunrise Christian Academy retired Nairn’s no.11 jersey in 2021.

#He went on to play four seasons for the Michigan State Spartans and was part of two Big Ten championship teams while reaching the Final Four in his freshman season of 2015.

#“It is such a blessing to be able to start my coaching career at my high school alma mater, a place that is so close to my heart,” Nairn said at the time of his appointment.

#“Like being a graduate manager the past two seasons for coach Izzo and the Michigan State men’s basketball team, this opportunity is another depiction of the grace of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I’m ready to learn, lead, motivate, inspire and, most importantly, serve.”

#Nairn was one of several players in the pipeline from The Bahamas to Sunrise Christian.

#These players also included Indiana Pacers guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (Oklahoma) along with Division I talents Nathan Bain (Stephen F Austin), Travis Munnings (Louisiana-Monroe), and Radshad Davis (UT-Arlington/FIU) among others.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/27/lourawls-nairn-jr-assistant-coach-mokan-peach-jam-/?news

Bahamas wins Billie Jean King Cup opener

Player captain Simone Pratt, Sydney Clarke, Sierra Rodgers and Elana Mackey pose from left to right.

As of Tuesday, July 26, 2022

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Sydney Clarke shows her victory display.

Elana Mackey after her opening victory.

Doubles winners Simone Pratt and Sydney Clarke.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association ladies team made a spectacular showing on day one of the prestigious Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup Americas Group II in the Dominican Republic.

#The Bahamas, sponsored by Fidelity Bank and Trust Bahamas Limited, took advantage of their top seed ranking in their impressive 3-0 win over El Salvador yesterday at the Centro Nacional de Tenis Parque del Este.

#Playing in her first singles match as the team’s No.2 seed, Elana Mackey made it look so easy, disposing of Daniela Aguilar of El Salvador in straight sets 6-2, 6-0 in a match that lasted just one hour and eight minutes.

#National champion Sydney Clarke, playing as the team’s top-seeded player, needed one minute more than Mackey in following with her 6-3, 6-1 decision over Michelle Irigoyen in one hour and nine minutes.

#And with the tie secured, Clarke teamed up with player/captain Simone Pratt of Grand Bahama and used one hour and five minutes to put the icing on the cake with their 6-0, 6-3 win over Irigoyen and Santos Marmol in the doubles match for a clean sweep.

#When contacted in the Dominican Republic, the team noted that they were extremely pleased with the way they played on day one. “In the beginning of the match, I had a slow start and me and my opponent were alternating games until the score was 3-2,” Mackey said. “Then after that, I was warmed up and I started to play looser.”

#After a rain delay, Clarke said she was able to get the job done. “I think that helped me because I was able to clear my mind,” Pratt said.

#“The first three games was pretty rough for me. I really had to relax, calm down and find myself. When I did, my performance got better as the match went on.

#“Overall, it was what I expected. I just got off to a slow start. Once I got into it, things were looking up.

#“In doubles, we met the expectations. We played pretty well. The chemistry was great and I’m just looking forward to what is in store for us going forward.”

#Mackey, a tennis player and cross country runner at Mars Hill University, said she expected the team to pull off the win and she was just elated that she was able to contribute to the teams’ success.

#“I’m hoping that we are able to beat the rest of the teams in our pool,” Mackey said.

#“I’m looking to build on my performance and playing better each match.”

#Clarke, one of the top players at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said after getting off to such a good start, she expects them to get better. “I just hope that we all push ourselves and just get through those tough moments, whether mentally or physically and just be able to defy the obstacles and challenges and don’t give up on things when they are not going our way.”

#The 20-year-old Clarke said their performances yesterday was a clear indication of how they can overcome any obstacle and that is what they need to be successful for the rest of the tournament.

#Also on the team is rookie Sierra Rodgers who, at age 16, is the youngest player to play for the Bahamas.

#Hopefully before they are done, Rodgers will get a chance to get on the court.

#The Bahamas is expected to play against Bermuda today. They will wrap up on round robin play against the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/26/bahamas-wins-billie-jean-king-cup-opener/?news

As of Tuesday, July 26, 2022

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LASHANN Higgs will remain in Spain this upcoming season but will sign with Hozono Global Jairis for the 2022-2023 campaign of the country’s second division of women’s basketball.

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#LASHANN Higgs will remain in Spain this upcoming season but will sign with a new club in the LF Challenge league.

#Higgs signed with Hozono Global Jairis for the 2022-2023 campaign of the country’s second division of women’s basketball.

#Jairis head coach Lucas Fernández said he has lofty expectations for the impact Higgs will have on the basketball club.

#“Lashann Higgs is a player who, within her humility and effort, has a great capacity to generate advantages from her one on one skills, with the ability to finish, to assist, and with great physical abilities in defence,” he said.

#“She is a player who from the beginning has shown us great enthusiasm for joining our team and who I am sure will work hard to offer us her best version.”

#Jairis finished last season 24-6, second in the standings.

#“From the club, we welcome Lashann to Alcantarilla and we hope that her adaptation will be the best possible,” Fernández said. “We have no doubt that she will bring all of her quality, effectiveness, and experience to this exciting season ahead.”

#A release from the club describes the 26-year-old guard as: “A very physical and explosive player, extraordinary in the open court and on the run and with a good shot from the perimeter. She is also very versatile and, being able to occupy the positions of both guard positions.”

#Higgs spent her rookie season of pro basketball with Bembibre PDM in the Liga Femenina Endesa – the top division.

#Higgs, the team’s most valuable player, earned several Player of the Week honours and finished as the third leading scorer in the league at 15.8 points per game on 54 percent shooting from the field. She also shot 33 percent from three-point range, 76 percent from the free throw line and was third on the team at 4.2 rebounds per game.

#The Harbour Island native made the move to Germany the following season. She played just two games with Rutronik Stars Keltern Damen-Basketball-Bundesliga (DBBL), the premier women’s basketball league in Germany.

#Higgs averaged just 10.5 minutes per game in the two contests and scored 3.5 points per game for a Rutronik team that claimed the 2020-21 title with a 21-3 regular season record and an undefeated 7-0 run in the playoffs.

#She spent last season with Lointek Gernika Bizkaia of Liga Femenina Endesa. In 25 games she averaged 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

#Higgs, the former Texas Longhorn, signed with Sports International Group (SiG) following an accolade-filled collegiate career.

#She played in 137 games as a Texas Longhorn with 52 as a starter. She ranked as the seventh all-time in the Longhorns’ history for games played and 28th in career points scored with a total of 1,288.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/26/lashann-higgs-signs-basketball-club-spain/?news

Armando Moss earns right to represent Bahamas in triathlon at the Commonwealth Games

ARMANDO Moss kisses his trophy after winning the Bahamas Triathlon Association’s national championship title at Jaws Beach in May. As a result of his performance, Moss has earned the rights to represent the Bahamas in triathlon at the Commonwealth Games that will be staged from July 27 to August 7 in Birmingham, England.

As of Wednesday, July 27, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#MAKING the switch from swimming has certainly paid off for Armando Moss.

#The former national team swimmer used his experience to help him to win the Bahamas Triathlon Association’s National Championship title at Jaws Beach in May with a personal best time of one hour, six minutes and 54 seconds, inclusive of 10:17 in a 750 metre swim, 30:28 on a 20-kilometre bike ride and a 4:30 in a 5K run.

#As a result of his performance, Moss has earned the rights to represent the Bahamas in triathlon at the Commonwealth Games that will be staged from July 27 to August 7 in Birmingham, England.

#“I feel proud. It’s been 6 years since I’ve been on Team Bahamas and even longer since I’ve competed abroad,” Moss said.

#“I also feel grateful that The Bahamas is in a position to develop newer sports like triathlon.

#“Lastly, I’m fairly happy that the sacrifices that I’ve made have given me this opportunity.”

#Moss, who is currently based in Cincinnati, Ohio where he is an advisory manager specialising in financial due diligence at Price Waterhouse Coopers, said his preparation for the championships has been very stressful.

#“An endurance sport such as this requires countless hours,” he said. “I switched from swimming to triathlon because I didn‘t have the capacity in my work schedule to train for swimming not knowing that tri-training would be a drastic increase in training hours.”

#With this being just the third triathlon for Moss, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on the day of his competition on July 29, he’s not putting any high expectations on himself, but he admitted that he has a strategy and a goal and he’ll just see how he’s able to respond on race day.

#Cameron Roach, another former national team swimmer turned triathlete, will be travelling with Moss as the team coach. He said as the lone competitor to compete in the triathlon for the Bahamas, they are just looking for him to complete the course, hopefully in the peloton at the end.

#“The professionals he will be competing against are very good, so to make podium is not realistic,” Roach admitted. “But to be somewhere in the middle of the pack is certainly a reality.

#“As a former swimmer, we expect for him to get out there with the top swimmers and, of course, he’s a pretty good cyclist, so if he can be right up there with the rest of the field, he should be able to hold his own in the run.”

#Moss concurred, noting that his swimming experience should really be a plus for him heading into the bike and the run segment.

#“Typically I say that I’m at a disadvantage because the swim portion of the race is generally much shorter (distance and time to complete) than the other sports,” Moss pointed out.

#“Therefore typically cyclists and runners have more of an advantage, however, given the importance of drifting while cycling in this race, it is extremely important to be well-positioned out of the water and onto the bike therefore favouring my swimming ability.”

#Moss, however, threw caution to the wind, adding that the open water is very different than swimming in a pool, so it could be a subject for another topic after his appearance at the games. But the single father of a son, Armando Moss Jr, assured the public that he’s going to Birmingham to give it his best shot, not just in the swim, but the bike and the run as he makes a successful international debut in the triathlon.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/27/armando-moss-earns-right-represent-bahamas-triathl/?news

Bahamas water polo team qualifies for CAC Games

As of Tuesday, July 26, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamas Water Polo achieved another milestone and earned a berth to one of the most advanced levels of play in the region.

#They defeated Guatemala 8-6 yesterday as play continued in the open men’s category of the Central American and Caribbean (CCCAN) Water Polo Championships, being hosted in Wildey, Barbados.

#The win placed Team Bahamas in the 5th-6th reclassification game for the tournament.

#However, irrespective of the final result, the team has qualified for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games to be held in El Salvador.

#This marks a first for Bahamian water polo following years of success at the junior level through CARIFTA, CCAN and Junior Pan Ams. The Bahamas opened the CCAN competition earlier this week with a 27-2 loss to Puerto Rico in their opening match in Barbados.

#The 24th Central American and Caribbean Games are scheduled to take place in 2023. They were planned to take place in Panama City, Panama, until the government announced on July 24, 2020 that it had decided to withdraw as the hosts as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic in Panama.

#In May, 2021, San Salvador, El Salvador was chosen to replace Panama City as host. The event will feature a total of 37 disciplines.

#The last time Bahamas Water Polo competed in El Salvador, they delivered a silver medal finish at the 2018 CCCAN tournament and qualified for the UANA PanAm Championships. This is the fourth time Bahamas Water Polo has participated at the CCCAN level following the 2016, 2018 and 2019 editions.

#The tournament is expected to host 50 matches over the eight days from July 19-26. The event will feature 20 women’s and 30 men’s games. In preparation for CCCAN, the team travelled to St Louis, Missouri to participate in a training camp with Club SLAP.

#They also participated in the Wally Lundt Senior Open where they finished with a 4-1 record.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/26/bahamas-water-polo-team-qualifies-cac-games/?news

 Home|Sports|Finally, a World Outdoor Champion!Sports

Miller-Uibo secures 400m gold; moving away from that event to focus on 200m and multi events

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 25, 2022 346 5 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Shaunae Miller-Uibo is truly in a class by herself.

She made history on Friday, becoming just the second woman, and second athlete ever, to win all the global titles in an individual event in athletics, joining former great Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva in accomplishing that feat. They have both captured world youth, world junior, world indoor, world outdoor and Olympic titles, in the same event.

Miller-Uibo, 28, is now also just the second athlete worldwide to win the world youth, world junior and world outdoor titles, leading off with the world junior title. She joins Jamaican legendary athlete Usain Bolt in accomplishing that feat.

Prior to this past weekend, the world outdoor title was the only one missing from Miller-Uibo’s résumé, and she took care of that with one gallop around the track at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA, as the 18th World Athletics Championships continued.

Sporting the long green hair on Friday, Miller-Uibo ran a world-leading time of 49.11 seconds to win the world title in the women’s 400 meters (m), leaving no doubt as to who is the absolute best female quarter-miler in the world. Marileidy Paulino, of the Dominican Republic, took the silver medal in 49.60 seconds. It was her second straight global silver behind Miller-Uibo as she also settled for second at the Tokyo Olympics last year. Sada Williams, of Barbados, was the first woman from her country to advance to the women’s 400m final and held on for the bronze, finishing in a national record time of 49.75 seconds. It was the Caribbean’s first ever sweep of the medals in that event, and also the first world championships win for Caribbean women in that event since Tonique Williams-Darling, another Bahamian, accomplished the feat in Helsinki, Finland, in 2005. Remarkably, six of the eight women in that 400m final on Friday were from the Caribbean, and there was no American woman in the final for the first time since 2003.

“I feel like I waited too long for it, but I just give God all the thanks and praise,” said Miller-Uibo to reporters afterward. “It’s been a long time coming. The main thing for us this season was to make sure secure the gold medal and I’m just happy that I was able to do that and I’m proud of myself right now. The time really didn’t matter to me – it was all about just securing the gold medal. That’s the one thing that has been missing. I ran a very tactical race and I was able to get the gold. It’s an overjoyed feeling – just to come out here and be able to perform and get the gold. I’m glad that I was able to come out and finish strong, and to grab the gold medal is a true blessing.”

Sadly, it’s shaping up to be her last global title in that event. The Bahamian superstar track and field athlete said she is content to move away from the 400m after this season to focus her attention on the 200m and to also compete in a few heptathlon events. In essence, she will not attempt to become the first woman to win three consecutive Olympic titles in an individual running event.

“I’m putting it to rest. I’ve accomplished it all in the event,” said Miller-Uibo to reporters about her journey in the 400m. “Perfect way (to go out). I’ve checked all the boxes. This is the last one to check off (in the 400) and I did. I’m very proud of myself. The 200 is my first love and the plan is to train for that and to also dabble into the multi a bit. This is my last year running the 400, so we wanted to make sure focus on it and bring home the gold medal. Now, we could properly train for the 200. It’s my original sweetheart, so I definitely want to get back into it. I put down a 21.7 without really training for it, so once I properly go after it, I believe that I could put down some great times.”

For now, she is content to bask in the glory of finally being world outdoor champion.

Miller-Uibo got out to her usual fast start on Friday, was smooth on the backstretch, taking command of the race, and was the clear leader at the 200m mark. The upstart Sada Williams, of Barbados, appeared to be stride for stride with Miller-Uibo as they came into the home stretch, but as the two-time Olympic Champion opened up, she pulled away from Williams and the rest of the track to win comfortably. Miller-Uibo said afterward that when she saw she was in first place coming off the bend, she knew that it was going to be hard for the rest of the track to catch up with her. Paulino passed Williams on the home stretch and took the silver medal, and Williams held on the for bronze.

Prime Minister Philip Davis congratulated Miller-Uibo on her victory.

“I join Bahamians everywhere in congratulating Miller-Uibo on winning the gold medal in the open 400 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on Friday,” said the prime minister. “Mrs. Miller-Uibo is the most accomplished female quarter miler in athletic history and, yes, she is a Bahamian – she is one of us. The source of national pride and inspiration Shaunae has become over a relatively short period, not only to a generation of Bahamian youth and athletes, but to all Bahamians both at home and abroad, cannot be overstated. I am personally inspired, and my government’s resolve strengthened to ensure that sports tourism as an integral component of the orange economy becomes a significant pillar of the national economy. We owe this to our youth, the cultural community and our athletes.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg also had congratulatory remarks for Miller-Uibo.

“It was the one title missing from Miller-Uibo’s résumé. The talented Bahamian quarter-miler cruised to her first World Outdoor Championships title running 49.11 seconds out of lane three. She was in a class of her own,” he said. “I am honored to have witnessed such a historical feat in person and congratulated Miller-Uibo on her major accomplishment. She is indeed a stellar athlete and a great ambassador for our country. The Bahamas is indebted to Miller-Uibo.”

If it is Miller-Uibo’s last competitive race in the women’s 400m, she leaves a tremendous legacy in that event alone with a national and area record of 48.36 seconds, two Olympic titles and a Diamond League title to go along with her four world titles – youth, junior, indoor and now outdoor. Miller-Uibo was the world leader in the women’s 400m for three straight years from 2016-2018, and again in 2021 and 2022. She is the sixth-fastest woman in history in the women’s 400m.

Miller-Uibo is no stranger to running the 200m though. She won three straight Diamond League titles in that event and also has a world outdoor bronze. She was the world leader on two occasions in the women’s 200m. However, Shericka Jackson, of Jamaica, just ran the second-fastest time ever on her way to gold in the women’s 200m on Thursday night.

“They’re setting the stage pretty high,” Miller-Uibo said to reporters. “I’m so proud of the girls and I think that they’re really showing out right now and showing the world exactly what we can do. I can’t wait.”

There will be another world outdoor championships in 2023 and it will be interesting to see what Miller-Uibo focuses on. The 19th World Athletics Championships takes place from August 18-27, in Budapest, Hungary.

With Miller-Uibo’s gold, The Bahamas has won at least one medal at four straight world outdoor championships, and has won 26 medals in the history of the championships – nine gold, nine silver and eight bronze.

https://thenassauguardian.com/finally-a-world-outdoor-champion/

 Home|Sports|Roadmasters makes donation to autism support group R.E.A.C.H.Sports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJuly 26, 2022 191 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club (BRRC) is making strides toward a better life for Bahamians and residents who face various types of physical and social challenges. BRRC accomplishes its objective by supporting established NGOs (non-government organizations) which are already “on the ground” working to provide for the social needs in local communities.

The organization recently donated $2,500 to the autism support group R.E.A.C.H. (Resources and Education for AUTISM Related Challenges). BRRC President Anastasia Turnquest made the presentation to R.E.A.C.H. Board Chairman Dwayne Gibson at the support group’s administration office on Village Road.

The funds were raised from BRRC’s popular mid-year event ‘Midnight Madness Fun Run & Walk’. After a two-year hiatus due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was reactivated this year with a successful in-person race.

Over 100 persons lined up on Western Esplanade for the 12:01 a.m. start on June 3, 2022. The course took runners and walkers along West Bay Street to Go-Slow Bend in the route for the 5K (five-kilometer) trek, and further west to Baha Mar Blvd. in the route for the 10K (10-kilometer) race.

“BRRC promotes safety among runners and walkers. Therefore, we required all participants to wear flashing safety lights along the route, which created a spectacular scene,” said recently elected president Turnquest. She extends their gratitude to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) for providing police outriders who gave an extra measure of safety and protection to participants.

Turnquest also highlighted the success of the former executive committee led by Immediate Past President Marcel Major on leading the organization for the past two years in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasized, “The success of our flagship events hinges significantly on the support of our dedicated sponsors who believe in our mission. We are grateful to corporate leaders like Bahamian Brewery, Caribbean Bottling Co., Global Insurance Agency, Lignum Advisors, Suntee, J.S. Johnson, Discount Distributors, Bahamas Waste, Bahamas Welding & Fire (BWF), BreAnt Services and Hanna’s Enterprises for partnering with us.”

Chairman Gibson said, in accepting the donation, “This is a generous contribution which will help us to ensure that persons challenged with Autism Spectrum Disorder are afforded every opportunity to reach their maximum potential.”

The Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club is dedicated to promoting a healthy and wholesome lifestyle through long-distance running. Next up on BRRC’s calendar is the Bahamas Half, 10 & 5K Race Series, scheduled for November 20, 2022. For more information,

interested persons are asked to contact the club at e-mail address bahamasroadmasters@gmail.com or visit the website www.bahamashalf242.com.

 Home|Sports|The Bahamas takes down El Salvador at BJK Cup tourney Sports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 26, 2022 266 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas’ senior women’s national tennis team is drawn into Pool A of the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup Americas Group II Tournament in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, and they’re already off to a hot start.

Playing at the Centro Nacional de Tenis Parque del Este in Santo Domingo, the team took on El Salvador yesterday and came out on top three matches to none. The ream is vying to be promoted to the Americas Group I for 2023, and to do so, they will have to finish in the top two in the week-long tournament.

The Bahamas is in the same pool as host country Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Bermuda. In their opening match in pool play, Sydney Clarke and Elana Mackey won in singles and the team of Clarke and player/captain Simone Pratt came out on top in doubles.

 The other member of the team is 16-year-old Sierra Rodgers – the youngest of the quartet. Mackey is 19, Clarke is 20, and player/captain Pratt is the senior player of the team at 26.

In the first match of the day on Monday, Mackey took down Daniela Aguilar, of El Salvador, in straight sets, winning 6-2 and 6-0. Mackey wasn’t broken and won 58 of the 86 points in the match that lasted just an hour and six minutes. Clarke kept the ball rolling, taking down Michelle Irigoyen, of El Salvador, also in straight sets. She prevailed 6-3 and 6-1. She had a more difficult time than Mackey but still managed to win 58.4 percent of the total points in the match (66-of-113). Finally, in doubles, the team of Clarke and Pratt won over the team of Irigoyen and Raquel Alejandra Santos Marmol, also in straight sets, 6-0 and 6-3. They won 65 of the 108 total points.

The Bahamas leads the all-time series against El Salvador, 5-1.

Today, the country will face off against Bermuda.

There are 17 teams split into four groups in the tournament as three groups have four teams and the other has five teams.

The other teams participating in the tournament are Aruba, Barbados, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, the US Virgin Islands and Venezuela. It was 18 teams initially, but Trinidad and Tobago withdrew.

The Bahamian team arrived in the Dominican Republic on Friday and Pratt said the team settled in nicely.

“We arrived three days before the tournament start date, so that gave us all sufficient time to get accustomed to the courts and our surroundings. We have had about five solid workouts. We are seeded number one in the Pool A and we believe it’s a great draw. We’re confident that we can come out on top in our pool,” Pratt said.

This is Pratt’s sixth appearance on the national team, having played for The Bahamas in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2018. Clarke is making her fourth appearance in the tournament, also competing in 2017, 2019 and 2021. Mackey played for The Bahamas in the 2017 and 2021 editions and is making her third appearance. Rodgers is the youngest on the team and is making her senior national team debut.

The countries will play in a round-robin format. The winners of each pool will compete in two promotional playoff matches and the two winners will advance to the Americas Group I for 2023. All other teams will play for positional placement. No teams will be relegated to the Americas Group III for 2023.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-takes-down-el-salvador-at-bjk-cup-tourney/

Young Bahamian pool master finishes fourth at VNEA World Junior Championships

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 26, 2022 416 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Young Dakarai Turnquest, from Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, continues to make a name for himself, not just on his home island or in The Bahamas, but worldwide, in the game of pool.

Turnquest went up against the world’s best juniors in the game of pool over the weekend, and finished fourth overall at the 32nd Annual Valley National Eight-Ball Association (VNEA) World Junior Championships at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. Over 300 young players from all over the world competed in three age divisions for the right to be crowned junior world champions in their respective brackets.

In singles, Turnquest finished with an 8-2 win/loss record in the double elimination tournament, falling in the bronze medal game in the 12-15 age bracket. There were 61 athletes in his division. The talented young pool master, who continues to put The Bahamas on the map in cue sports, said he was pleased with his result and is looking forward to continued success.

In addition to placing fourth in singles, Turnquest won the ‘Speed Pool’ competition in his age group, was first in ‘Artistic Pool’ and third in doubles. The four-day tournament wrapped up on Sunday.

“I’m very proud of myself for my fourth-place finish and I know that my family and friends are proud, too,” said the 15-year-old 11th grader at NGM Major High School in Buckley’s, Long Island. “I’m also proud that I got first in my division in two other events, the speed pool challenge and the artistic pool challenge. I have received a lot of support the last couple of days, and I just wanted to represent The Bahamas the best way I could’ve.”

Despite being just 15, Turnquest is no stranger to international tournaments in pool. He is coming off a 13th place finish out of more than 200 participants in the nine-ball West Coast Challenge Florida Pool Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida, where he competed against shooters from all around the United States much older than himself.

Turnquest said he fell in love with the game from an early age and just continued to progress. His parents, Dania and Dominic Turnquest Sr., said they continued to push him, encouraging him to work on his craft while at the same time maintaining good grades in school. Turnquest is a 3.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) student at NGM and also excels in basketball, softball and sailing.

Turnquest spoke about the level of competition he faced in the world juniors tournament in Erie.

“The competition was extremely tough, and there was a lot of pressure, but I just went out there and gave it my best shot,” he said. “I want to some day become a professional, and my biggest goal is to be the world champion. I am committed to pool and with enough practice and perseverance, hopefully I can turn those dreams into reality.”

Turnquest is already regarded as the youngest pool master in the country, obtaining the title after finishing third at the ‘Battle of the Titans’ Tournament at Lloyd’s Sporting Lounge and Entertainment Center in Deans, Long Island, at the end of March 2021. He finished third in that tournament, and today, is regarded as one of the top pool shooters in the country. Ingrid and Ellis Major are the proprietors of Lloyd’s Sporting Lounge and are a couple of the chief supporters of Turnquest. They are strong contributors of the game of pool on Long Island, and in The Bahamas, and young Turnquest said he is grateful to them for the part they played in his development.

“I want to thank my parents for all the support and my dad for training me and for always rooting for me, and also my friends and family,” said Turnquest. “I also want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Major from Lloyd’s. The support is appreciated and has gone a long way.”

Now back in The Bahamas, the young pool master said he gained a lot of experience from playing in the world juniors and is looking forward to taking part in his next international tournament which he anticipates will be later this year.

The young Long Island native is passionate about the sport and looks to excel at the highest level. He is aiming to become the first professional pool shooter from The Bahamas and also wants to win a world title.

Fourth in the world!

Sports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJuly 27, 2022 219 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Team Bahamas continued its impressive start at the Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup Americas Group II Tournament in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, taking down Bermuda in three straight matches yesterday.

Elana Mackey was the first to see action for The Bahamas at the Centro Nacional de Tenis Parque del Este in Santo Domingo on Tuesday, wasting no time with her opponent. Mackey took down Asia-Leigh Hollis, of Bermuda, in straight sets, winning 6-1 and 6-1.

She won 56 of the 84 total points and wasn’t broken in the one-sided affair that lasted just 52 minutes.

Up next for The Bahamas was Sydney Clarke, taking on Shelby Madeiros. Clarke won easily, 6-0 and 6-2. Clarke won 56 of the 86 total points in the match. She won 66 percent of her first serve points (27-of-41) and was broken just once in the match that also lasted 52 minutes.

In doubles, the team of player/captain Simone Pratt and Clarke took on the Bermudian team of Nadhira Durham and Kumaini Jackson. They prevailed in straight sets, winning 6-1 and 6-0. Pratt and Clarke won 56 of the 76 total points and were not broken in the match that lasted just 43 minutes. They had five aces compared to none for their opponents and didn’t double fault in the match compared to nine for their opponents.

The Bahamas leads the all-time series against Bermuda, 4-0.

The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) congratulates Team Bahamas on the 3-0 victory and looks forward to more promising results in the coming days.

The Bahamas defeated El Salvador, 3-0, on Monday, and then turned around and did the same thing to Bermuda on Tuesday.

The only member of the team yet to see action is 16-year-old Sierra Rodgers – the youngest of the quartet. Mackey is 19, Clarke is 20, and player/captain Pratt is the senior player of the team at 26.

The Bahamas is seeded at number one in its pool which also includes the host country Dominican Republic (DR). They will play the DR today.

The team is vying to be promoted to the Americas Group I for 2023, and to do so, they will have to finish in the top two in the week-long tournament.

There are 17 teams split into four groups in the tournament as three groups have four teams and the other has five teams.

The other teams participating in the tournament are Aruba, Barbados, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, the US Virgin Islands and Venezuela.

The countries will play in a round-robin format. The winners of each pool will compete in two promotional playoff matches and the two winners will advance to the Americas Group I for 2023. All other teams will play for positional placement. No teams will be relegated to the Americas Group III for 2023.

Team Bahamas is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and Trust.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-shuts-out-bermuda/