Month: August 2022

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

Bahamas suffers ‘a heartbreaking loss’

GOOD EFFORT: Chavano “Buddy” Hield (7) in action for The Bahamas last night in their World Cup Americas Region qualifying game against Venezuela at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The Bahamas lost by five points – 86-81. Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Friday, August 26, 2022

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Before a jammed-packed Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium last night, the Bahamas men’s national basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 86-81 loss to Venezuela in the first game of their fourth window of the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifier.

#The Bahamas got a game high 20 points with 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots from Kai Jones of the Charlotte Hornets in his debut for the team and Chavano “Buddy” Hield of the Indiana Pacers contributed 19 points with six rebounds, four steals and three assists. But when it counted down the stretch, Venezuela just wanted it a little more and it showed.

#Holding onto a slim 84-81 lead with less then 10 seconds left, the Bahamas came out of a timeout and with the clamp on Hield, Mychel Thompson Jr made an errant pass that Venezuela picked up and secured the final basket at the other end to seal the deal just before the buzzer sounded.

CHAVANO “Buddy” Hield (7) and Kai Jones (23) in action for The Bahamas last night in their World Cup Americas Region qualifying game against Venezuela at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The Bahamas lost by five points – 86-81. Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff

#Bahamas head coach Chris DeMarco said it was just a miscommunication on their part that resulted in the turnover that sealed the fate of the team down the stretch.

#“I thought we played a great first quarter. We had a pretty good lead in the first half,” said DeMarco. “Things didn’t go our way. They got some easy transition points. We took some tough shots and made some turnovers. We just have to learn how to close out close games.”

#Both teams committed a total of 14 turnovers in the game, but after holding a slim 17-16 advantage in rebounds at the half, the Bahamas finished one behind Venezuela, who won the battle on the boards, 34-32.

#The difference in the game, however, was the mini spurts that Venezuela took advantage of in the second half.

#Trailing by one (60-59) at the end of the third, Jones beckoned to the crowd to cheer on the team.

#Venezuela, however, went on a mini 6-0 run to take an early 65-60 margin to start the period.

#With eight minutes and 21 seconds on the clock, Hield and Franco Miller Jr converted a pair of free throws to get the Bahamas back into the game.

#Hield hit another three-pointer to give the Bahamas a 67-65 lead at 8:05 as Venezuela was forced to call a timeout.

#Tied a couple of times, Venezuela got two straight baskets to go up 73-69 with about five minutes left, but Jones answered with a three-pointer for a 74-72 deficit at 4:32.

#With another mini-run, Venezuela again went ahead 78-72. Each time the Bahamas tried to get back in the game, Venezuela had an answer to stay ahead.

#At 1:33, Jones ignited the crowd as he powered up for a layup pointing to the sky as Venezuela called a time out. He missed the free throw on a three-point attempt for an 82-78 deficit.

#Venezuela, however, worked the ball around in the last minute as they milked the clock. Then on a steal from Hield, Thompson canned a three-pointer with 10.6 remaining for an 82-81 deficit.

#With 5.4 on the clock Heissler Guillent hit 1-of-2 free throws on a foul by Hield for an 83-81 lead. Hield got another foul on Gregory Vargas, who also hit 1-of-2 free throws for Venezuela’s 84-81 lead.

#Out of their timeout, Thompson threw an errant inbound pass as Hield couldn’t get free as Venezuela got the fast break and a dunk to end the game.

#“I think in general, when it gets tough, we have to find a way to still compete,” DeMarco said. “It just seems like it comes in waves when we turn over the ball and take a bad shot. We have to do a better job as a staff to get the right combination out there and go from there.”

#Team Bahamas will now head to Argentina to play their second game on Monday night and DeMarco said the coaching staff that includes Mikhail McLean and Moses Johnson won’t be making any changes to the roster. He said they just have to be ready to compete.

#While the NBA players led the way for Team Bahamas, Thompson, a former NBA player, finished with 12 points, while Kentwan Smith added 10.

#Franco Miller Jr had six, Garvin Clarke Jr, in his debut, had five, Rashad Davis had four, Willis Mackey Jr had three and Lourawls ‘Tum Tum’ Nairn had two. Danrad Knowles and Kadeem Coleby didn’t score and Jaraun ‘Kino’ Burrows didn’t play.

#For Venezuela, Garly Sojo and Michael Carrera had 17 points in the win. Windi Graterol chipped in with 12 and Nestor Colmenares helped out with 11.

#Despite the loss, Jones said he was delighted to be playing in front of the Bahamian crowd that included Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and other government officials and a cross section of the Bahamian community.

#“It was the best game of my life. From the jump, just coming in and seeing everybody out there, people who were there from when I was small, so it was just a blessing,” he said. “I had a lot of gratitude for that.

#“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, but it was still a huge blessing to play at home in front of such great people.”

#Team Bahamas got off to a great start as Jones got free for a drive and two-handed slam dunk before Hield Jr canned a three-pointer to push the lead to 5-2. The Bahamas, using a combo of an inside and outside game, surged ahead 29-21 at the end of the period.

#Using a smaller line-up with a three-guard rotation to start the second quarter allowed Venezuela to surge back for a 33-33 tie. But as the Bahamas got back to their bigger line-up, they managed to regain the momentum and a 42-35 lead at the half.

#At that point in the game, Hield had led the scoring attack with 11 points, while Jones and Kentwan Smith, who played well in spurts, both had 10 points apiece. The Bahamas also held a slim 17-16 rebounding advantage.

#Venezuela didn’t have a player in double figures at the half, but Graterol paced their attack with eight, while Michael Carrera and Colmenares both contributed seven points.

#With 7:14 into the third quarter, Hield slipped after Venezuela came back for 50-45 deficit.

#At 6:12, Thompson drove the baseline for a layup and at 5:14, he canned a three-pointer for a 55-47 lead. At 4:41, Venezuela answered with two consecutive three-pointers for a 55-53 deficit.

#At 3:47, they got another basket for a 55-55 tie and they took a 57-55 lead, prompting the Bahamas to call a timeout.

#Jones picked up his third foul within the last minute, but Clarke was left wide open at the other end for a three-pointer to push the Bahamas up 60-59 before Jones got a sky rocket one-handed dunk off a missed Hield jumper at the buzzer, bit it was called off.

#As they look ahead to Monday’s game, Jones said they just have to have a “forward thinking mindset.”

#And just “put this loss behind them, learn from it, take care of the ball and be more organised in our sets and get good shots as an overall group and continue to stay positive.”

#He predicted that they will get it together.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/26/bahamas-suffers-heartbreaking-loss/?news

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

Boxers arrive in Guyana for High School/Junior Boxing Championship

DUKES UP: Members of the High School/Junior Boxing Championship team. Shown, from left to right, in the back row are Jailen Young, assistant coach Vincent Deleveaux, Jaiden Young, Vincent Strachan, Keano Cox, head coach Carl Hield and Elijah Smith. In the front row is Andrew Curtis.

As of Friday, August 26, 2022

#THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas’ team arrived in Georgetown, Guyana, yesterday for the High School/Junior Boxing Championship.

#The team went from Nassau to Miami, Florida to Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, before they got into Guyana.

#Upon their arrival, the team went through their light workout sessions before they go through the registration, medical clearance, inspection and weigh-in processes today. The competition is expected to start on Saturday and will be completed on Sunday.

#The team is scheduled to return home on Monday.

#According to federation president Vincent Strachan, the team is confident and in high spirits. “They are a cohesive unit,” Strachan said.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/26/boxers-arrive-guyana-high-schooljunior-boxing-cham/?news

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

University of the Bahamas men’s soccer team to play second pre-season scrimmage this weekend

LEFT: University of The Bahamas midfielder Oakland Duncan moves the ball during the match against Renegades FC at The Roscow R.L. Davies field in the Blue Hills Sporting Complex. RIGHT: University of The Bahamas defender Jervane Turnquest fields a ball in their match against Renegades FC. Photos: UB Athletics

As of Friday, August 26, 2022

#THE University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team will play its second pre-season scrimmage this weekend at The Roscow R.L. Davies field in the Blue Hills Sporting Complex against Dynamos FC.

#The Mingoes won the first pre-season scrimmage against Renegades FC 3-1 August 20 at the same venue.

#Mingoes newcomer Ronaldo Green scored twice for the team (34th and 53rd minute) and Resean Rolle scored one goal (28th minute).

#Mingoes assistant coach Adam Miller said the team didn’t stick to the plan in the first half of the match but eventually came around.

#“In the second half we readjusted and started keeping the ball a lot better and moving the ball a lot better,” he said. “We were trying to work with a team that is learning some new concepts while we are bringing in new players so for the very first game I think it was pretty good.”

#Miller added that the team was able to take advantage on the field and created many opportunities for the team.

#“The chances that we did create were really good,” he said. “From the offensive I think it was pretty good considering we have not worked on anything in particular. So it was raw nature of the players and that’s a good sign for us.”

#The Mingoes play Dynamos FC 6pm August 27 at The Roscow R.L. Davies field in the Blue Hills Sporting Complex.

#The Dynamos club was the last Bahamas Football Association champion before the COVID-19 pandemic.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/26/university-bahamas-mens-soccer-team-play-second-pr/?news

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

First annual Cocodimama Basketball Camp starts today in James Cistern

As of Friday, August 26, 2022

#THE Eleuthera Amateur Basketball Association and the Cocodimama Charming Resort have joined forces to establish the first annual Cocodimama Basketball Camp.

#The two-day camp will take place at the Eleuthera Bible Training Center in James Cistern today and Saturday August 27 and will run from 4:30pm to 7pm daily.

#Cocodimama will be teaming up with coach Kevin Clark and fellow coaches from Tabernacle Christian Academy in Freeport to run the two-day camp in partnership with coach Andrew Johnson (Harbour Island), coach Tanya Lord (Lower Bogue) and coach Laron Taylor (Governor’s Harbour to South Eleuthera).

#The camps featured guest will be Romad Dean from the Fordham University men’s basketball team and former student athlete of the Tabernacle Christian Academy of Freeport, Bahamas.

#The goal of the camp is to create opportunities for student athletes in Eleuthera, who demonstrate the talent, discipline and hard work ethic that sets them apart from their peers.

#This past winter Cocodimama teamed up with Norris Bain and Kevin Clark of the Tabernacle Christian Academy in Freeport to create a sponsorship for a student athlete out of Governor’s Harbour by the name of Kayden Bowles.

#Kayden enrolled at Tabernacle for the 2022 winter/ spring semester and joined the basketball team, where he not only excelled on the court but in the classroom as well.

#“We see the camp as a platform for coaches to demonstrate how they assist young men in their maturity as students and players.

#“We look forward to the annual event as a means to create more opportunities for young players just has it has for Kayden.

#“With the full endorsement and support of the president of the Eleuthera Amateur Basketball Association – Derek Smith, Cocodimama looks forward to building something together in partnership with Eleuthera’s youth leaders that can grow and prosper for the kids and community.

#“And we thank all of the coaches, who’ve agreed to contribute their time, players and expertise to make the camp a success.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/26/first-annual-cocodimama-basketball-camp-starts-tod/?news

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

Bahamas Sailing Association wraps up its summer sailing programme

ALMOST 60 children aged eight to 16 years old participated in the Bahamas Sailing Association’s summer sailing programme.

As of Friday, August 26, 2022

#THE Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA) has just finished its summer sailing programme which took place over the past six weeks at the Nassau Yacht Club.

#Almost 60 children aged 8-16 years old participated, the majority of whom were students from a number of Nassau’s government schools. Most of them had never sailed before and the feedback we have received from so many of them is awesome.

#The summer camp is an introductory 2 week course, teaching new comers all the basic skills required to handle a sailboat. Each child is designated a boat which they sail and look after for the duration of the course. Once they have acquired a basic level of competence, we allow them to race against each other out in Montagu Bay, which is always a popular highlight to the course! Our only entry requirement is that participants have basic swimming skills.

#Several of them had so much fun, they repeated the course and had almost an entire summer of sailing, many commenting it was the best summer experience they’d ever had and would certainly recommend it to their friends.

#“It’s been tremendous to finally run our summer schedule since the last couple of years which have been badly affected by Covid restrictions and it’s great to welcome so many new sailors to our program,” said head coach Paul de Souza.

#A presentation was held on Saturday August 20th, each sailor receiving a certificate for completion of the course. Mr Barry Wilmott, Regatta Desk Manager at The Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, presented the certificates.

#“We wish to gratefully thank Mr Wilmott and his team for their invaluable continued support of our sailing programmes. We also wish to thank LGM Maritime Academy,” de Souza said.

#“Bahamas Charitable Giving Foundation and a host of private individuals who, through our “Sponsor a Child” initiative, have made this and our year round programs accessible to so many children who would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of attendance.”

#Quite a number of this year’s summer sailors have already signed up for weekly lessons with our year round program which takes place after school and on Saturdays at The Nassau Yacht Club with the fall term commences on Saturday September 3rd. Anyone interested in registering or receiving further information are asked to contact the BSA at bahjrsailing@gmail.com.

#Further info will be available on their Facebook page and website: www.bahsailingschool.org

ALMOST 60 children aged eight to 16 years old participated in the Bahamas Sailing Association’s summer sailing programme.

As of Friday, August 26, 2022

#THE Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA) has just finished its summer sailing programme which took place over the past six weeks at the Nassau Yacht Club.

#“We wish to gratefully thank Mr Wilmott and his team for their invaluable continued support of our sailing programmes. We also wish to thank LGM Maritime Academy,” de Souza said.

#Further info will be available on their Facebook page and website: www.bahsailingschool.org

August 28, 2022February 5, 2024

Golf teams feeding the needy in inaugural BFN Golf Tournament

SHOWN, from left to right, are Recina ‘Scully’ Ferguson, volunteer, Bahamas Feeding Network, Crestwell Gardiner, vice president of lending, Fidelity Bank, Quatrenda Sears, senior administrative assistant, Fidelity Bank, Ashley Bethel, marketing manager, Better Homes and Gardens MCR Bahamas, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Felix Stubbs, chairman, Bahamas Feeding Network, Timothy Munnings, Director of Youth, Sports and Culture, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Archdeacon James Palacious, executive director of the Bahamas Feeding Network.

As of Friday, August 26, 2022

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the demand increasing on a daily basis for those in need for food, the Bahamas Feeding Network is making an extra effort to raise at least $100,000 to be able to assist as much as they can by hosting its inaugural Golf Tournament on Sunday, September 25 at the Ocean Club Golf Club.

#A press conference was held yesterday at the Paradise Island complex where Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, along with principal sponsors Fidelity Bank, endorsed the event alongside the organisers from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and members of the Bahamas Feeding Network.

#In his absence, Mario Carey, the chief executive officer of Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, said the idea for the tournament is to raise more funds for the Bahamas Feeding Network and to bring more awareness to the public through events like this to try to eradicate hunger in the Bahamas.

#“We have a real problem here about feeding,” said Carey in a video presentation. “With the cost of living, the cost of food and the idea that children, mothers and families and the elderly can go daily without a meal is not something that we seem to be aware of, but the hard work that we do, make sure that every dollar that comes in is adequately spent towards feeding people.”

#As a director, Carey said he wanted to find ways to assist the Bahamas Feeding Network and one idea that came to mind right away was the golf tournament. He noted that they are still seeking the support from corporate Bahamas to come on board and make their financial contribution to the programme.

#Felix Stubbs, the chairman of the Bahamas Feeding Network since its inception in 2013, said their organisation supports a total of 98 feeding programmes and they are expecting that number to soar to 101 in the next few weeks as they assist in feeding people across the country.

#“We serve now about 70,000 meals a month and in that, we find that we can’t reach all of the people who are in need,” Stubbs said. “In order to continue to meet this need, we need to find additional resources and so I would like to thank all of our supporters who have been with us from day one financially, morally and spiritually.

#“But in addition to that, we need to have additional funding, so we’ve looking at this golf tournament. In this tournament, we’re hoping to raise as much as $100,000 and if we could raise that money, that would mean a few thousand additional meals and families who could go without hunger.”

#Stubbs thanked Fidelity for coming on board as their title sponsor and will be willing to assist them each year. But this year’s initial tournament is expected to attract about 124 golfers in a two-man scramble at a cost of $500 per team. There are a number of prizes, some of which is being solicited by Fred Paul, who next year will be the president of the United States Golf Association.

#A new Mercedes car provided by Tyreflex will be offered for the hole-in-one shot on the 12th hole and there are two seven-day cruises, one to Alaska and another in the Mediterranean, both provided by Royal Caribbean International, for the winning teams.

#There will also be raffle prizes for the public with the top prize being golf at Albany with a celebrity golfer. Additionally, Jason McDowall of Bahamas Local.com will conduct a silent auction with the top prize being a sportsman’s weekend to Dallas for four people with two rounds of golf and a suite to watch a Dallas Cowboys football game, valued at $12,000.

#Crestwell Gardiner, the vice president of retail at Fidelity Bank, said they have always been committed to physical and financial fitness. “We understand that the needs are great now during this challenging time for most Bahamians,” he said. “We know the programme, we know the people and we know the need, so Fidelity is here.”

#Bowleg, noting the importance sports plays in the development of the nation, said the beneficiaries of the tournament will not go to bed fantasizing about the facilities at Ocean Club, but rather their child or children going to bed having had a proper hot meal.

#“The Government of the Bahamas and other organisers such as the Bahamas Feeding Network are working hard to bring relief to people, who through no fault of their own, fall through the cracks,” he said.

#“I applaud the Bahamas Feeding Network through the chairmanship of Felix Stubbs for their incredible work. The food parcels you pack every week and distribute now to nearly 100 churches, soup kitchens and feeding centres. I commend you for providing over two million since your start-up in 2013. You have come a very long way since the first gathering with the handful of churches and of soup kitchens. You have lived up to the promise that seemed so ambitious at the time and now I’m told that you are doing 70,000 a month.”

#He also commended Carey for the role he’s playing in leading the charge for the tournament and he confirmed the government’s commitment to helping to support the event and to help eradicate the need for food hunger in the Bahamas.

#Bowleg was joined by Tim Munnings, the director of sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, “Golden Girl” Pauline Davis, a consultant at the ministry, Rev Father James Palacious, the new director of the Bahamas Feeding Network and Ashley Bethel, who represented Better Homes & Gardens.

#Entry forms for the tournament are available on the Bahamas Feeding Network’s website and on Better Homes and Gardens MCR Bahamas Facebook page.

Golf teams feeding the needy in inaugural BFN Golf Tournament

As of Friday, August 26, 2022

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Entry forms for the tournament are available on the Bahamas Feeding Network’s website and on Better Homes and Gardens MCR Bahamas Facebook page.

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

Pushing for sports tourism in Grand Bahama

SPORTS TOURISM PUSH: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg speaks during a press conference earlier this week ahead of Team Bahamas’ game against Venezuela in the FIBA Americas Cup Qualifier at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium tonight. Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Thursday, August 25, 2022

#By DENISE MAYCOCK

#Tribune Freeport Reporter

#dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

#AS the government aims to push for sports tourism in Grand Bahama, Sports Minister Mario Bowleg revealed that another sports event is in the pipeline for the first quarter of 2023.

#While he did not disclose any details, the minister indicated that they are looking at the month of March.

#“We have a few events just for track and field to come, and one is in the pipeline for March, but I would not want to make mention what that is yet,” he told The Tribune at the NACAC Championships, which closed out on Sunday.

#The Minister indicated that there are plans to further develop the Grand Bahama Sports Complex to attract other sport disciplines.

#Close to $300,000, according to Mr Bowleg, was spent to get the track (complex) back up and running for the Anita Doherty NACAC Area Open Championships held August 19-21.

#“At the end of the day, we are going to make sure we maintain it, and we are going to continue to develop this whole complex,” he said.

#“We are going to have many activities that can come about from the world sporting disciplines, and so I am hoping in the next 36 months that this complex will be something even greater when people come here. “Again, GB is an island that cannot be compared with Exuma, Bimini, or New Providence on how they are able to maintain visitors to the island. It is an industrial island and I believe, speaking to Minister for GB, we believe and all our colleagues that it can be the entertainment, sporting capital.”

#“If we can build the facility they will come, he said. And you can get professionals, college teams, and world teams and lead athletes to come here and perform during the off season and get them ready for the season.

#“And this is why the plan is to build an indoor (swimming) pool, and a multi-purpose facility with some tennis and racquet courts to get professional tennis players in here. That is just a few, and a baseball diamond – all of those are going to be coming in phases,” said Mr Bowleg.

#“And so, we are in discussions and hopeful we will do this with a public private partnership, and get it done. And we want it to be maintained. If we can get sports tourism to come here then it makes GB the destination for sports tourism,” he said.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/25/pushing-sports-tourism-grand-bahama/?news

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

Team Bahamas named

CHAVANO “Buddy” Hield (right) of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers, and former pro player Mychel Thompson Jr look on during a press conference ahead of Team Bahamas’ game against Venezuela tonight in the FIBA Americas Cup Qualifier at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Thursday, August 25, 2022

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemdedia.net

#After a lengthy process of elimination from the training camp, the Bahamas Basketball Federation released the names of the 12 players selected to represent the Bahamas tonight at the Kendal GL Issacs Gymnasium against Venezuela.

#The two teams are playing in the first game of the fourth window of the FIBA 2023 World Cup Qualifier.

#Team Bahamas, coached by Chris DeMarco and assisted by Mikhail McLean and Moses Johnson, is made up of the following: Garvin Clarke Jr, Rashad Davis, Jaraun “Kino” Burrows, Kadeem Coleby, Chavano “Buddy” Hield, Kai Jones, Danrad “Chicken” Knowles, Willis Mackey, Franco Miller Jr, Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn, Kentwan Smith and Mychel Thompson Jr. “Very confident in this team,” Johnson said. “The coaching staff is poised for a very good showing. The last 4-5 games, the team continues to grow and we’ve gotten better. So we are very confident that this team will do very well against Venezuela.”

#Looking at the make-up of the team, Johnson said the coaching staff has assembled a very cohesive unit and that will be one of their strengths. “We have added Kai Jones, who will certainly help out on the boards, along with Kadeem Coleby,” said Johnson.

#“That was one of our downfalls in our game played and I think we have addressed that issue so you should see a much better game from Team Bahamas.”

#Venezuela just arrived in town yesterday and the coaching staff didn’t get to size them up, but Moses said it’s not a concern because their focus is on the 12 players the Bahamas will put on the court, led by Hield and Jones in their quest to win.

#“We’re not concerned about Venezuela until they step on the court,” Johnson said.

#Before finally submitting the team roster to the technical meeting last night, Johnson said they had left the door open for Deandre Ayton, the third Bahamian currently playing in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns, along with Hield from the Pacers and Jones from the Hornets.

#But Johnson said they could only “wait” for so long, so they had to complete the roster without Ayton.

#“We feel that whenever he’s ready to play with the team again, he will come out,” Johnson said.

#“We have a game to play and without or without him, we will play. We are concentrating on putting the best team out there to win.”

#Tonight’s game will get started at 8pm.

#Following the game, Team Bahamas will travel to Argentina to play their second game in this window on Monday night.

#All of the players are expected to travel with the exception of Burrows, who will be replaced by Bradley Nairn, who is currently playing in the NBA’s G-League with the Stockton Kings.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/25/team-bahamas-named/?news

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

22-member triathlon team looks to make a splash at CARIFTA

As of Thursday, August 25, 2022

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemdedia.net

#WITH the fifth edition of the CARIFTA Triathlon already set for the Bahamas in 2023, the Bahamas Triathlon Association is hoping that their 22-member team will make a splash at the fourth edition of the games next month.

#The team, which was announced today by the BTA, will be leaving on Wednesday, September 21 and will compete from September 24-25 in Bermuda and, according to head coach Cameron Roach, they are looking at finishing in the top three.

#“The team is doing very well. We started training a few weeks ago and we’ve seen a lot of improvement, especially the younger swimmers,” Roach said. “Everybody is stepping up and getting ready to compete.

#“We have a number of competitors, who were involved in swimming, but now that swimming is over, we are getting ready to perform in cycling and running. So as long as they can continue to improve, we should be able to do very well.”

#Roach noted that after competing in the first championship with two members, the association has been able to field a full team, which should increase the Bahamas’ chances of moving up from sixth place last year to taking one of the top three spots.

#“This team is much better than the team we had last year,” Roach said. “Our goal is to finish in the top three. We have a lot of talent on the team, so we are confident that we will do very well in both the individual competition and the team competition.

#“As the host country, Bermuda always brings a big team and boasting of the number one female triathlete in the world, the sport has really taken off on the island. Guadeloupe also come with a big number as well as Trinidad & Tobago. So we hope to be right in the mix with these countries for the top three spots.”

#The team selected are the following: 11-12 division, competing

#The team selected are the following: 11-12 division, competing in 200m swim, 71/2kilometre bike ride and 11/2km run – Lauchian Menzies, Sibby Potter, Jadian Smith, Callum Pritchard, Kristan Johnson, Taylor Knowles and Paityn Burrows.

#13-15 division, competing in the 375m swim, 10KM bike and 2 ½ Km run – Ayden Bain, Gervasini Eneas, Malcolm Menzies, Launy Duncombe, Eric Pritchard, Anjaleah Knowles, Issa Bournas and Lenin Hamilton.

#16-19 division, competing in a 750m swim, 20Km bike and 5km run – Jason Cates, Barron Musgrove, Sienna Culmer-Mackey and Kami Roach.

#Under-21, competing in a 750m swim, 20Km bike and 5km run – Ralph Wood.

#While there are 14 members of the team in New Providence, Bain and Duncombe are in Grand Bahama. Hamilton, a native of Grand Bahama, will be coming in from the Turks and Caicos Islands to represent the country. The other competitors are in the United States.

#Kami Roach, who has swum in all three previous CARIFTA triathlons, said she’s looking forward to leading the team this year. The 16-year-old 11th grader at Windsor Academy said it’s going to be a wonderful experience for Team Bahamas.

#“I just had a (left) foot surgery about two and-a-half months ago, so I’m just trying to get back into it,” said Roach, who has been competing in the sport since she was eight years old.

#“This probably won’t be my best race, but I’m going to try my hardest. “There’s not that many participants in my age group, so I just hope that I can finish in the middle of the field.

#“If I can do that coming off the surgery, I would be very satisfied with my performance.”

#To her teammates, Roach said she knows they will be nervous, but she would encourage them to “just don’t be nervous. Go out there and have fun.”

#For Barron Musgrove Jr, this is his first time competing on an international team.

#But he said with the support of his father and coach Barron “Turbo” Musgrove and swimming coach Shirley Mireault, he’s confident that he will do well.

#“My expectations is to do well and keep up with everybody,” said the 17-year-old 11th grader at Temple Christian Academy. “This is my first time, so I’m not going to try and outdo everybody. I just want to be able to do my best.”

#Looking at the team, Musgrove said it’s a good one and they have been pushing him with his swimming and running, his two weakest areas in the sport. But he feels that with the work he has put in, he will be prepared for the challenge ahead of him.

#And Kristan Johnson, an 11-year-old 7th grader at Genesis Academy, said the team is a pretty good one and should represent the Bahamas very well.

#“I feel like I’m in a good place, but I can still work on it,” Johnson said. “My running is definitely my weak area, but if I can get a good time, I would feel very good about it.”

#Cameron Roach will be assisted by coach Sylvia Bateman. The team’s manager is Lori Roach, the doctor is Dr Kathryn DeSouza and the chaperones are Grant Menzies and Orazio Defilippis.

#Roach said they are appealing to the public to assist in covering the expenses for the team to travel to Bermuda, taking into consideration the cost for their airlines and transporting their equipment to compete in the various segments of the event.

#“We are really looking forward to hosting the CARIFTA Triathlon next year,” Roach said. “So this is a good opportunity for our sponsors to come on board and get a feel of what is expected for next year. We’re a relatively new organisation so we need all of the financial support that we can get.”

#The BTA wishes to thank Atlantis, Westside Construction and Albany for coming on board as sponsors for the team heading to Bermuda for next month’s CARIFTA triathlon.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/25/22-member-triathlon-team-looks-make-splash-carifta/?news

August 28, 2022August 28, 2022

McLean: ‘The expectations are high because we have better players coming out’

As of Wednesday, August 24, 2022

ASSISTANT coaches Mikhail McLean and Yolett McPhee-McCuin chatting on the bench.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FORMER Bahamian basketball player Mikhail McLean is happy to take a break from his duties as an assistant director of player development at the University of Houston to serve as an assistant coach on the men’s national basketball team.

#McLean is in town for his third appearance on the coaching staff, this time as the Bahamas prepares to face Venezuela 8pm Thursday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium in the first game of the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifier before they head off on Monday to face Argentina in their second game.

#“The expectations are high because we have better players coming out,” said McLean, who will assist Golden State Warriors’ assistant coach Chris DeMarco, who will serve as the head coach for Team Bahamas.

#“We’ve been having a training camp and not just showing up to play, so the expectations is high to win for sure.”

#Although the team has not been formally named, McLean said they have some talented players to carry the team in this round, including the return of Grand Bahamian Chavano “Buddy” Hield from the Indiana Pacers and Kai Jones from the Charlotte Hornets.

#“It’s a different learning opportunity coaching the pros. Scouting and coaching against pros is a completely different ball game, but it helps to sharpen my game so when I get back to college, I can use some of the tip bits from that to my advantage.

#“So, it’s been a great experience being out here learning from Buddy and Chris DeMarco and some of the players. It’s been a rewarding experience for me so far. I’m really enjoying it.”

#McLean has also enjoyed a great deal of success as a player turned coach at the University of Houston.

#He competed for the Cougars men’s basketball team in 101 games during his collegiate career with 34 starts. He scored a career-high 14 points against crosstown-rival Rice as a senior and grabbed 10 rebounds at TCU in 2012 before being sidelined with a foot injury.

#In the classroom, he was a four-time member of the conference Commissioner’s Honour Roll/All-Academic Team during his career and received the Conference USA Winter Spirit of Service Award in 2013.

#McLean received his bachelor’s degree in health promotions in three years from the University of Houston in 2013.

#He followed that with his master’s degree in health education from UH in 2015.

#As part of the Houston basketball staff, McLean played a key role in the program’s resurgence.

#The Cougars won 20+ games in four consecutive seasons and captured back-to-back American Athletic Conference championships for only the second time in school history.

#The Cougars also enjoyed NCAA Tournament appearances in 2018 and 2019, including a Sweet 16 berth in 2019, and were poised for a third straight NCAA appearance in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic cut the season short.

#The programme has also reached national prominence by being ranked in the Top 25 in the Associated Press and Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll for three consecutive years.

#Three starters and seven lettermen return from the Cougars’ 2021-22 team, which posted a 32-6 overall record, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight, swept the American Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles and finished among the nation’s Top 10 for the second straight season. “We had a tough year last year in our rebuilding stage.

#“This year, we’re really excited about what to expect from this team,” he said.

#In the meantime, McLean said he’s still keeping his eyes open for the next Bahamian talent to join him and suit up to play for the Cougars men’s basketball team in the very near future.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/24/mclean-expectations-are-high-because-we-have-bette/?news