Home|Sports|Operators, Hitmen win in NPSA actionSports

Games continue on Thursday at Banker’s Field

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 15, 2022 175 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The RAB Operators and the C&S Hitmen added to their win columns as New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) action continued Saturday at Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

The Hitmen picked up their sixth win of the season, taking down the Chances Mighty Mitts, 6-3, in the men’s division. The Hitmen now sport a 6-1 win/loss record on the season. The Mighty Mitts are at 2-3. Hitmen shortstop Sherman Ferguson was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game.

There was a rematch from two weeks ago in the ladies game as the Operators battled the Johnson’s Lady Truckers. The Operators dominated with an 8-1 victory. Brendia Ferguson was the MVP of the game. When these two teams faced each other two weeks ago, they gave the fans their money’s worth as they engaged in a three-hour thriller that went the full seven innings. In the end, the Operators were victorious, 24-23.

Most of the action in the Hitmen and Mighty Mitts game took place in the bottom of the first inning. In that inning, the Hitmen’s first five batters scored. Those batters were catcher Phillip Johnson, centerfielder Richard Bain, first baseman Hosea Hilton, Ferguson and second baseman Martin Burrows.

Ferguson is known to hit balls out the park and Saturday night was no different. He ripped one to left field to bring home Hilton, Bain and himself in the first inning, going deep on an 0-2 count. Ferguson went 1-for-3 on the night with that three-run shot. He put his team up 4-0 in the first inning.

The Mighty Mitts had no answer for the Hitmen in the first inning. The Mighty Mitts got their first run of the game in the third inning as leadoff batter Jewel Bain crossed home plate. He got on base with a double.

Both teams struggled offensively after the first inning. The Hitmen scored again in the fourth inning when Bain came home on a single by Hilton to right field. The Mighty Mitts scored two runs in the sixth inning to get back in the game. Third baseman Kenneth Curry and shortstop Norman Bastian came home for them.

https://thenassauguardian.com/operators-hitmen-win-in-npsa-action/

As of Friday, August 12, 2022

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MARTIN BURROWS, centre, with two of his fellow umpires in Branson, Missouri.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FOR the fourth time this year, one of the country’s top baseball/softball umpires Martin ‘Pork’ Burrows has gone off to officiate in an international baseball tournament.

#Burrows is currently at the Cal Ripken World Series Tournament hosted by Ballparks of America, which features two Bahamian teams, one managed by Javier ‘Sonic’ Bowe and the other by Marlon Bostwick.

#The local teams are a part of the eight international teams from Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Aruba, participating in the 12-and-under tournament.

#There are also 20 teams from across the United States playing in the tournament that will wrap up on Saturday.

#The tournament returns with a full slate of international teams, which was limited to its participation last year because of COVID-19.

#The teams are staying in the Major League-style team suites on the Ballparks of America campus and have a chance to experience numerous attractions throughout the Branson community.

#“The tournament is going very well,” Burrows said. “We have two teams from the Bahamas, including the team that won the Caribbean Open in July and another team from Freedom Farm.

#“This is my third time here. I was first here in 2019, then I came back in 2021 and now I’m back here again in 2022. It’s a big deal when you get invited back. It means that you must be doing something right for them to invite you back. That’s always good.”

#Burrows started his journey in January when he participated in the US Men’s Fastpitch Open in Fort Myers, Florida. Before, he went to West Palm, Florida in March along with four other umpires – Andrew Burrows and Ainsworth Beckford from New Providence and Wayne Basden and Oscar Green from Grand Bahama – to participate in the CBUAO College Baseball Recruitment and Refresher Clinic. After that, Burrows was invited to officiate in another baseball tournament at Cooperstown Dream Park. In addition to that, Burrows was a part of a seven-man international officiating crew for the Babe Ruth Caribbean Baseball Tournament here at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex in July.

#Before the year is out, Burrows is expected to officiate at another international baseball tournament in New Providence before he heads to Grand Bahama for the Greg Christie Memorial Softball Tournament.

#If the new baseball stadium is completed, there is also an under-23 international tournament that is being planned for the Bahamas in December to close out what he called an extremely busy year as an umpire.

#“It’s a pretty full year for me,” Burrows said. “I might have a chance to go back to Fort Myers in October to officiate at another tournament. I’m just excited to be here.”

Umpire Martin ‘Pork’ Burrows officiating at the Cal Ripken World Series

As of Friday, August 12, 2022

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MARTIN BURROWS, centre, with two of his fellow umpires in Branson, Missouri.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FOR the fourth time this year, one of the country’s top baseball/softball umpires Martin ‘Pork’ Burrows has gone off to officiate in an international baseball tournament.

#Burrows is currently at the Cal Ripken World Series Tournament hosted by Ballparks of America, which features two Bahamian teams, one managed by Javier ‘Sonic’ Bowe and the other by Marlon Bostwick.

#The local teams are a part of the eight international teams from Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Aruba, participating in the 12-and-under tournament.

#There are also 20 teams from across the United States playing in the tournament that will wrap up on Saturday.

#The tournament returns with a full slate of international teams, which was limited to its participation last year because of COVID-19.

#The teams are staying in the Major League-style team suites on the Ballparks of America campus and have a chance to experience numerous attractions throughout the Branson community.

#“The tournament is going very well,” Burrows said. “We have two teams from the Bahamas, including the team that won the Caribbean Open in July and another team from Freedom Farm.

#“This is my third time here. I was first here in 2019, then I came back in 2021 and now I’m back here again in 2022. It’s a big deal when you get invited back. It means that you must be doing something right for them to invite you back. That’s always good.”

#Burrows started his journey in January when he participated in the US Men’s Fastpitch Open in Fort Myers, Florida. Before, he went to West Palm, Florida in March along with four other umpires – Andrew Burrows and Ainsworth Beckford from New Providence and Wayne Basden and Oscar Green from Grand Bahama – to participate in the CBUAO College Baseball Recruitment and Refresher Clinic. After that, Burrows was invited to officiate in another baseball tournament at Cooperstown Dream Park. In addition to that, Burrows was a part of a seven-man international officiating crew for the Babe Ruth Caribbean Baseball Tournament here at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex in July.

#Before the year is out, Burrows is expected to officiate at another international baseball tournament in New Providence before he heads to Grand Bahama for the Greg Christie Memorial Softball Tournament.

#If the new baseball stadium is completed, there is also an under-23 international tournament that is being planned for the Bahamas in December to close out what he called an extremely busy year as an umpire.

#“It’s a pretty full year for me,” Burrows said. “I might have a chance to go back to Fort Myers in October to officiate at another tournament. I’m just excited to be here.”

COMMONWEALTH Games long jump gold medallist LaQuan Nairn made a surprise visit to the Percy Munnings Park yesterday where the Corey Francis Community Tennis Summer Camp was held in Sunset Park.

As of Friday, August 12, 2022

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#FRESH off his gold medal performance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, last week, long jumper LaQuan Nairn surprised the participants of the Corey Francis Community Tennis Summer Camp.

#Nairn showed up at the camp yesterday at the Percy Munnings Park in Sunset Park where he displayed his medal, and talked and interacted with more than a dozen of the campers.

#Francis, the camp organiser, said it was a real treat to have Nairn in attendance.

#Francis, a certified tennis coach, noted that he was able to reach out to the campers in such a meaningful way because many of them got to be around a gold medallist for the first time.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/12/laquan-nairn-makes-surprise-visit-summer-tennis-ca/?news

Nelissa Thomas, Trinity Pinder and Noah Albury all earn conditional title nominations

Shown, from left to right, are Nelissa Thomas, Noah Albury and Trinity Pinder, who have all earned conditional title nominations after a successful 2022 FIDE Olympiad in Chennai, India.

As of Friday, August 12, 2022

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THE OPEN Team competed against Cape Verde in Round 9, CM Kendrick Knowles and Dr Kenville Lockhart won their games gaining the team’s two points.

THE BAHAMAS Ladies’ Team rebounded slightly with Chika Pride winning a game and Jayla Cargill securing a draw in Round 10. As a result of their strong play in the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad, Nelissa Thomas, Trinity Pinder and Noah Albury were all awarded conditional FIDE titles.

#TEAM Bahamas departs Chennai, India to head home after a successful 2022 FIDE Olympiad on Wednesday.

#Round 9 was a tough one for the ladies’ team as all members lost to the Trinidad team. The Open Team competed against Cape Verde in Round 9, CM Kendrick Knowles and Dr Kenville Lockhart won their games gaining the team’s two points.

#The ladies’ team was pitted against Kuwait in Round 10. In Round 10 the ladies’ team rebounded slightly with Chika Pride winning a game and Jayla Cargill securing a draw. Noah Albury got a draw in Round 10, the Open Team played against Bahrain.

#In Round 11 The Bahamas Open Team faced Mali. FM Cecil Moncur and WCM Polina Karelina both picked up draws.

#Noah Albury secured the only win for the Open Team in Round 11. The ladies’ team played their final round of the Olympiad against Timor-Leste.

#Nelissa Thomas, WCM Daijah Johnson and Jayla Cargill won their last round games, securing three points for Team Bahamas. As a result, the ladies’ team secured two match points. As a result of their strong play in the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad, Nelissa Thomas, Trinity Pinder and Noah Albury were all awarded conditional FIDE titles. Nelissa Thomas won 5.5 games out of a total of 9 games, she earns a WCM (Women’s Candidate Master) title.

#Trinity Pinder won 3.5 points out of a total of 8 games played and added 29.2 point to her personal rating. Trinity also earns a WCM (Women’s Candidate Master) title.

#Noah Albury, a member of the Open Team, won a total of 4.5 games out of a total of seven games played and added 92.4 points to his rating.

#Noah earns a conditional Candidate Master (CM) title. “The 2022 Bahamas Olympiad Team scored the highest amount of total points of any Bahamas Chess Olympiad Team.

#“All players gained considerable experience and improvement in their games. BCF will continue to support our players and we look forward to great accomplishments as they continue towards improving their ratings in the sport of chess.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/12/bahamas-chess-olympiad-team-scores-record-number-p/

As of Friday, August 12, 2022

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#THR Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers will be the next stop on the NCAA basketball journey for Shavaul Butters.

#Butters, who played sparingly last season at the Division I level for Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, will join the Rangers and head coach Robbie Harman.

#The Rangers compete in the Great American Conference of NCAA Division II. They finished 20-9 last season and concluded their season with a loss in the opening round of the Great American Conference playoffs.

#The 6’8”, 210-pound freshman forward was the first commit of the first class for Vaqueros head coach Matt Figger last offseason but injuries derailed the start of his collegiate career.

#Butters recovered from tibial stress fractures and finished with five rebounds in his collegiate debut. He averaged just 0.5 points and 1.2 rebounds per game in six appearances.

#Listed as a two-star recruit by Verbal Commits, Butters completed his high school career at Elevation Prep in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

#The Grand Bahama native spent the previous season with Aspire Academy in Louisville, Kentucky.

#Butters began to garner attention from major Division I basketball programmes and received his first offer of what is expected to be an active recruiting process last summer.

#He was officially offered by the Austin Peay State University Governors. Butters also received high interest from UNLV, Maryland, Eastern Kentucky, North Carolina- Greensboro, and several others.

#At the local level, Butters was a member of the St George’s Jaguars programme, headed by Darell Sears.

#“He was just excited to get back on the floor. He’s still got to learn, because he was out for a long time but he was just excited to play again,” Sears said after Butters returned from inury. “He has an extra year of eligibility and is still a redshirt so we look forward to his growth and development with the programme.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/12/butters-transfers-rangers-ncaa-division-2/?news

As of Friday, August 12, 2022

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MELEEK Pierre

BRYAN Rolle

DON Stuart Jr

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#SEVERAL International Basketball Academy (IBA) Bahamas players are preparing to take their academic and athletic careers to the next level this fall.

#The organisation recently announced that Bryan Rolle, Don Stuart Jr and Meleek Pierre each recently committed to new programmes.

#Rolle will join the Northeast Community College Hawks, an Iowa Community College Athletic Conference in NJCAA Division I.

#The 6’5” swingman will join the contingent of Bahamians on the Hawks’ roster last season that led the team to a 5-23 record.

#The 2021-22 Hawks roster included Saheed Sanusi, Emaniel Alexandre, Jaden Strachan, Collin Storr and Charles Joseph. They led the team to the ICCAC Region XI Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament play-in game.

#Head coach Dan Anderson leads a Hawks programme that has already announced four signees for his 2022-23 incoming class.

#In addition to his leading role as one of IBA Bahamas’ top prospects, Rolle was recently selected to Buddy Hield’s “Buddy Buckets” AAU team.

#Hield hosted scores of aspiring basketball players between the ages of 15-18 this summer at the AF Adderley Gymnasium and Rolle was one of the top performers.

#Stuart and Pierre will head to Western Canada and join Panther Hoops International Basketball Academy in British Columbia, Canada.

#“Panther Hoops is excited to announce the addition of 6’4” 2023 guard Don Stuart Jr. Don at 194 pounds, a tremendous wingspan, matched with outstanding athleticism is going to be trouble! Beware, the Bahamians are back!” the organisation said in a release to announce the additions.

#“Another great addition to our 2022-2023 Roster. Meleek Pierre is a 5’10” point guard with a tremendous sense for the game and the speed and athleticism to make things happen. “We are looking forward to the exciting brand of basketball that this guard has in store for the Panthers this season.”

#The Panthers have produced a number of Bahamian alumni in recent years including Akron Zips forward Sammy Hunter, Kansas City Community College guards Bradley Lightbourne and Joshua Dames, Ranger College forward Denardo Adderley, Peninsula Pirates guard D’Ante Dean, Okanagan Coyotes forward Kendrick Russell and pro player Detarrio Thompson.

#The BC Panthers’ International Prep programme includes elite players around North, Central and South America and around the globe.

#According to the organisation, “Panther Hoops International Basketball Academy’s mission is to impact players, families and communities, both on and off the basketball court, through faith-based programming, events and coaching. We strive to provide elite level programming and training for athletes both locally and globally.

#“Whether the player is grassroots or elite international prep, all players will experience an elite basketball experience through positive coaching and an encouraging team environment while they learn to play hard, play together and play for Him.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/12/iba-bahamas-players-earn-scholarships/?news

BLOWOUT: The Appalachian State University Mountaineers men’s basketball team last night routed the Bahamas Select Team 111-65 in at Summer of Thunder basketball tournament in the Imperial Ballroom of the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Friday, August 12, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Head coach Dustin Kerns likes what he saw from his Appalachian State University Mountaineers men’s basketball team in their 46-point rout over the Bahamas Select Team yesterday at the Summer of Thunder in the Imperial Ballroom of the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

#The Mountaineers, with a balanced scoring attack with five players scoring in double figures, took advantage of the Bahamas Select Team 111-65 in one of two games played.

#The other game saw the Fordham University knock off the House of Hoops 92-58.

#“We played well. It’s an honour to be down here in the Bahamas and to have our players experience this great culture,” Kerns said. “It’s been a great experience.”

#Kerns, however, admitted that the outcome of the games was not what he anticipated.

#“We expected them to play a lot harder, but we realised that they were short-handed” he said. “We played well. We did a lot of good things, so we have a lot of good things to build on.”

#After a close encounter in the first quarter in which the Mountaineers came from a slow 6-0 start, they took a 19-10 margin at the end of the break. They slowly pulled away, cruising to a 44-30 advantage at the half. But coming out of the locker room, the Mountaineers managed to go on a scoring spree in the third quarter as they mixed it up with their inside and outside game to surge ahead 80-45 at the end of the final break.

#From there, Appalachian State continued to apply the pressure as they dominated in the paint, controlling both the offensive and defensive rebounds, to maintain their sizeable lead over the local team.

#Zocko Littleton Jr, a 6-foot, 3-inch guard, canned a side high 14 points with four steals, two rebounds and two assists, while both Michael Eas Jr, a 6-4 guard, and Terance Harcum, another 6-3 guard, had 11 points each. Tamell Pearson, a 6-10 forward and Donovan Gregory, a 6-5 forward, added 10 points apiece.

#For the Bahamas Select Team, coached by John Nutt, Joshua Dames exploded for a game high 24 points with three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Keno Burrows was the only other player in double figures with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists.

#Kadeem Coleby chipped in with eight points and six rebounds and Demari Thompson finished with seven points and three rebounds. Jacob Jackson had just four points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal.

#Burrows, who came to coach the team as he did with his Raw Talent Elite, who won the first game of the tournament by one point over the University of South Alabama, said when he realised how short-handed the team was, he decided to play.

#“It was a good one today because we had to use some 25 and 16-year-old players, who got some good exposure against a high level division one team,” he said. “So I feel great coming out here and just showing some leadership and encouraging the young fellows at this level.”

#In stressing to the players to always put their best foot forward, Burrows said you never know who is in the gym because it could be the next scholarship or coaching job, so they should always be prepared to play their best.

#Nutt, a member of the Bahamas national team management staff, said the whole idea was to get the players some playing time – win, lose or draw. He said once they realised that they didn’t have all of the firepower needed, they knew it would have been a difficult task against the Mountaineers.

#“It’s pretty tough when you don’t have all of your players show up,” he said. “It’s difficult to get people to come out at 4pm to prepare for a game at 5pm because they are working. But we still tried to put in a good showing with what we had.”

#Nutt, however, said the Bahamas Basketball Federation is using the games played so far to determine who will be the best 12 players to assemble to play against the University of Kentucky Wildcats in the finale at Baha Mar at noon Sunday on ESPN. “I believe that with the group of players that we have, we have seen enough to pick the best 12 that we can to play against Kentucky on Sunday,” he said. “Hopefully we will be able to put in a very good showing in that game.”

#The Wildcats, coached by John Calipari, played against the Mexican Pro Team last night after they opened up against the Dominican Republic men’s national team on Wednesday. They are scheduled to play Carleton University at 6pm on Saturday before they close out their trip here against the Bahamas Select Team on Sunday.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/12/mountaineers-rout-bahamas-team-46/?news

 Home|Sports|Back to the 400m, Shaunae wins in MonacoSports

Bahamian two-time Olympic Champion cruises to victory; Thomas competes in the high jump

Sheldon LongleySend an emailAugust 11, 2022 291 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian two-time Olympic Champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo was back at the event she has run most of her career on Wednesday, and back to her winning ways, at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille, Monaco.

Competing in the women’s 400 meters (m) at the 2022 edition of the Herculis EBS Meeting, the 10th stop on the Diamond League circuit, Miller-Uibo was graceful as ever, winning comfortably in 49.28 seconds. The time was just off her season’s best time of 49.11 seconds and strengthens her position as the number one female quarter-miler in the world. No other athlete has run under 49.49 seconds in the one-lap event this year.

In the absence of the Olympic and World Championships silver medalist Marileidy Paulino, of the Dominican Republic, Jamaican Candice McLeod rose to the occasion, taking the silver medal in a season’s best time of 49.87 seconds. Commonwealth Games Champion Sada Williams, of Barbados, finished third in 50.10 seconds.

For Miller-Uibo, she has indicated an intention to move away from the women’s 400m to focus on the shorter 200m race, and possibly do a heptathlon or two in the not too distant future, but she is in contention for the Diamond League title in the 400m and is certainly taking advantage of that.

In the Silesia Diamond League press conference over the weekend, Miller-Uibo said now that the world championships is over and she has finally won a world title, the goal for the rest of the season is just to let loose and have fun.

She certainly seemed as she was going after a fast time at the start of the race yesterday as she exploded out of the blocks and quickly caught up to the lanes ahead of her. By the midway point of the race, Miller-Uibo was already strides ahead of the rest of the field. She came into the homestretch about seven to eight meters ahead of the nearest competitor and cruised into the tape. Miller-Uibo appeared top ease up about 20-30 meters from the finish line and coasted to the sub 50-seconds clocking.

It might not have been the jaw-dropping time that Miller-Uibo was looking for, but there is still time for her break new barriers in the women’s 400m. It appears she will certainly go after the Diamond League title in that event and there is also the 4th North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Track and Field Championships, set for next weekend at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Miller-Uibo has been named to the 30-member team for The Bahamas and is listed for the 200 and 400m in that event.

The Wanda Diamond League Final is set for September 7-8 in Zurich, Switzerland.

Miller-Uibo said she is just trying to enjoy the rest of the season and will likely look to finish strong in what could be her last year running the 400m competitively. She has already stated that she will not attempt to be the first woman to go after a third straight Olympic title in the women’s 400m as her focus has shifted toward the 200m and possibly doing the multi events.

It remains to be seen how the transitional period will go.

Meanwhile, also in action in Monaco on Wednesday was Donald Thomas in the men’s high jump.

The former World Champion failed to clear a height, knocking down the bar all three times at his opening height of 2.20m (7′ 2-1/2″). Just two days earlier, Thomas finished tied for sixth in the men’s high jump at the Gyulai István Memorial Hungarian Grand Prix Meet, in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, clearing 2.14m (7’ 0-1/4”).

Thomas has also been named to the NACAC team for Team Bahamas and is expected to come home to compete

https://thenassauguardian.com/back-to-the-400m-shaunae-wins-in-monaco/

 Home|Sports|Large number of children took part in tennis summer campsSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailAugust 12, 2022 50 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

A number of successful tennis programs were held this summer.

There were a number of tennis camps staged at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre (NTC), and around the country, that allowed children to learn tennis in a fun-filled environment. The participants included first-timers and active players.

Forehands, backhands, serves, volleys and overhands were just a few of the skillsets taught. The kids were also taught to work together in teams and to exhibit good sportsmanship.

During camp, there were opportunities to teach life lessons that the campers can carry with them.

“We thank all those who assisted with the NTC camps – Nolan Johnson, Paula Whitfield, Esther Newton, Mateo Smith, Elana Mackey, Donte Armbrister, Anthony Burrows, Marva Conyers and President Newton,” said a representative from the NTC.

Also, Coach Steve Taylor held a tennis summer camp at the NTC. Coach Taylor is consistently impacting the lives of children through tennis.

In addition, Coach Cory Francis held summer sessions at the NTC. Coach Francis’ positive contribution to the sport continues to be felt.

Also, the Abaco Tennis Association (ATA) and Coach Artie Johnson held very successful summer camps in Abaco and Eleuthera, respectively. The ATA welcomed youngsters from ages 7-17 to the courts in Forrest Heights, Abaco, while Coach Johnson organized his camp under the theme ‘Grip and Rip’ at the Knowles Court, in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera.

At the end of the camps in New Providence, and on the islands, there were improvements in the skills of the children. The camps were exciting and will spark the tennis journey of many.

The BLTA congratulates all the organizers, coaches and assistants on a job well done.

https://thenassauguardian.com/large-number-of-children-took-part-in-tennis-summer-camps/

 Home|Sports|Wildcats, Jackrabbits, Puerto Rico win at ‘Summer of Thunder’Sports

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 12, 2022 40 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The University of Kentucky Wildcats, the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits and Team Puerto Rico all secured victories as the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s (BBF) ‘Summer of Thunder’ continued inside the Baha Mar Convention Center and the Atlantis Imperial Ballroom on Wednesday.

In the only game at Baha Mar, the Wildcats easily took care of the Dominican Republic national select team, 108-56. Daimon Collins and Cason Wallace had 15 points apiece to lead the Wildcats’ balanced scoring attack. Six players scored in double figures.

The Dominican Republic’s Justin Minaya led his team with 11 points.

It was a hot shooting game for the Wildcats as they connected on 56.8 percent of their shots from the field, including going 11-for-26 from deep to shoot 42.3 percent from long distance. They missed just one shot from the charity stripe where they went 13-for-14. Defensively, the Wildcats came away with 13 steals and 10 blocks and the Dominican Republic had 18 turnovers. Kentucky scored 23 points off those turnovers.

The game had two lead changes with the Dominican Republic leading for just 24 seconds in the first half of the game. At the end of the first half, the Wildcats led 43-25. They turned up their offense in the second half as they scored 65 points and held the Dominican Republic to 35 points.

It was the first game for the Wildcats in their ‘Big Blue Bahamas’ tour that wraps up on Sunday against a Bahamian select team.

At Atlantis, the Jackrabbits finished their final game in the Summer of Thunder showcase on a strong note, taking down House of Hoops, 105-57. All 13 Jackrabbits players got on the scoreboard. Matthew Mors led all scorers with 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the field.

Rolante Knowles led the House of Hoops team with 14 points and was the only one who scored in double digits.

It was a great shooting game for the Jackrabbits as they shot the ball at a 55 percent clip from the field and made 14 three-pointers. They finished at 43 percent shooting from three-point range.

House of Hoops scored first, going up 2-0 at the 9.28 mark of the first quarter. The Jackrabbits used a 12-3 scoring run to surge in front for good.

In rebounding, the Jackrabbits had a huge advantage with 48 rebounds compared to the House of Hoops’ 26 rebounds.

The Jackrabbits scored 29 points from 22 House of Hoops turnovers.

In the battle of the nations, Puerto Rico got the better of Egypt with a 76-62 victory.

It was a very close game in the first quarter as the Egyptian side was able to come out with a slim 22-21 lead. However, they lost focus in the second and third quarters as Puerto Rico outscored them 38-28 during that span to take a 59-50 lead going into the fourth. A 17-12 advantage in the fourth quarter by Puerto Rico gave them enough to win the game.

Summer of Thunder action continued last night at Atlantis and Baha Mar. Tomorrow night’s game will feature the Wildcats going up against Carleton University at Baha Mar. That game gets underway at 6 p.m.

https://thenassauguardian.com/wildcats-jackrabbits-puerto-rico-win-at-summer-of-thunder/