Home|Sports|Jones has career-high numbers in Hornets’ winSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 29, 2022 150 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Second-year center/forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Kai Jones is coming off a career night on Friday night for the Charlotte Hornets (6-14) and it looks like the Bahamian might be turning the corner in his career. He was instrumental in guiding the Hornets to a 110-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves (10-9).

The 19th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft experienced a career-high 28 minutes on the floor after averaging just 7.2 minutes per game this season. He made the most of those 28 minutes, coming away with a career-highs in points with nine and he pulled down 12 rebounds. He shot at a 60 percent clip, going 3-for-5 from the field. Jones also went 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. Defensively, the big man came away with a block.

“I am glad we got the W (win) and try stay even-keeled. I am going to continue to work on my game, get my shots up and work on everything. I am just glad we got the win and I want to continue to win,” Jones said.

Jones had a few dunks in the game and was highlighted on ESPN’s SportsCenter’s top 10 plays of the night at number three when he completed an alley-oop dunk on a fast break with 11:07 left in the fourth quarter. They went up 93-83 at that point.

“They continue to tell us young guys to stay ready,” Jones said. “We continue to stay in the gym, and it feels good to be able to contribute to winning. That is what I am all about.”

Jones added: “My confidence level has always been high, just believing in myself and the work that I put in over the summer to develop into a complete player. I am just continuing to have faith in God – believing in Him and Him taking me to where I am destined to be.”

Last season, Jones played in just 21 games. He has played in 11 games this season. He is progressing in the right direction, averaging 7.2 minutes per game this season compared to last season’s three minutes per game.

Hornets’ Head Coach Steve Clifford has noticed Jones’ growth and praised his play.

“I don’t see that he’s doing anything that he can’t do every night,” Clifford said. “He’s playing to his real strengths. He’s tough, he’s a terrific athlete, he’s got a good nose for the ball, and he’s playing very smart.”

Jones said that it is huge to have Clifford’s praise.

“I talk to him in his office about what to do in the game and executing those things is huge for me because I gain trust in him and the organization,” Jones said. “For him, I can believe in him with him saying that I listened to him and I get an opportunity. The trust goes both ways and that is huge for any coach-player relationship. It is also huge for the team and building that with everyone on the team.”

Jones said his progression is a testament of his hard work behind the scenes.

Bahamians got to see Jones this summer when he made his debut on The Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team at the Kendal G.L Isaacs 

Gymnasium. He stole the spotlight with his acrobatic plays and energy. He led the team with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 86-81 loss to Venezuela in the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Basketball World Cup Americas Qualifiers. Jones also played in The Bahamas’ next game against Argentina, in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Jones had 16 points and six rebounds in that game, but The Bahamas fell, 95-77.

Jones and the Hornets played the NBA leading Boston Celtics at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, last night, but the result of that game was unavailable up to press time.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jones-has-career-high-numbers-in-hornets-win/

 Home|Sports|Ayton gets first weekly honorSports

Bahamian center named Western Conference Player of the Week

Sheldon LongleySend an emailNovember 29, 2022 168 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian DeAndre Ayton is putting up huge numbers and he was rewarded with his first-ever player of the week honor, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced on Monday.

In three games for the week that covered November 21-27, the Phoenix Suns’ starting center averaged 23.7 points on 67.4 percent shooting from the field, 16.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while recording a double-double in each of the Suns’ three wins.

Ayton climaxed the week with a monster 29-point, 

21-rebound performance in Phoenix’s 113-112 win over the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the second game of a back-to-back on Saturday. His 21 rebounds matched a career-high, and it was the third 20-20 game of his career.

A humble Ayton said afterwards that he just wanted to contribute in whatever way that he could. He signed a four-year, $133 million deal during the offseason after the Suns matched an offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers, and he is showing that he could produce on the floor, earning that money.

“I want to do more, I feel like I can do more,” Ayton said. “I’m just trying to do what I can to 

contribute to my team.”

It’s been a pretty eventful week for the Bahamian big man, starting the week off with a 14-point, 15-rebound effort against the Los Angeles Lakers in which he shot 63.6 percent from the floor, going 7-for-11. He helped the Suns record a 115-105 win on their home court at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

During that game, Ayton was shoved aggressively by Patrick Beverley in the back after it appeared he stood over Lakers’ swingman Austin Reaves. Reaves was fouled hard by the Suns’ Devin Booker and it appeared that Ayton might have stood over Reaves while he was on the floor. He stepped toward Reaves when he was still down, and Beverley responded aggressively and paid the price as he has been suspended for three games without pay.

After the shove, Ayton fell to the floor and quickly got up. He was shielded from responding to Beverley by his teammates and team officials. They were both assessed technical fouls, and Beverley was ejected.

Since then, Ayton has really taken off. The 24-year-old center erupted for 28 points and 12 rebounds – both game-highs – in a 108-102 victory for the Suns over the Detroit Pistons. Following that, Ayton turned in his monster 29-point, 21-rebound effort against the Utah Jazz, scoring a season-high for the second straight night. Ayton was the first player to have at least 28 points and 20 rebounds in a game for the Suns since Amar’e Stoudemire in 2007. He shot 11-for-19 from the field and added three assists and two blocks.

Ayton has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week, and Milwaukee Bucks’ forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has been named the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Week.

After being selected No. 1 overall out of Arizona in the 2018 NBA Draft, Ayton has had four successive seasons in which he has averaged a double-double for the Suns. This season, he is right under that, dropping in 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while averaging a career-high 2.2 assists per game. He is shooting 59.6 percent from the floor.

Ayton has extended his double-double streak to five games, matching another career-high. In those five contests, he is averaging 20.2 points on 66.7 percent shooting from the field, 13.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. Those metrics over a five-game span have only been accomplished by two players since the 2014-15 season – Antetokounmpo (2018-19) and Denver Nuggets’ center Nikola Jokić (2021-22), who both went on to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in those seasons.

Ayton and the Suns boast the NBA’s Western Conference’s best win/loss record at 13-6 and the NBA’s best home record of 11-1. They were set to take on the Sacramento Kings on the road at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, last night, but the result of that game was unavailable up to press time. 

https://thenassauguardian.com/ayton-gets-first-weekly-honor/

As of Friday, November 25, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER a two-year hiatus as a result of COVID-19, the country’s most prestigious Father Marcian Peters Invitational Basketball Tournament for primary and high school basketball teams is back.

#This year’s event is scheduled for December 9-13 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, but will be played without the intermediate boys’ division, according to tournament director Jimmy ‘Joe Black’ Clarke, who noted that the emphasis will be placed on the senior girls’ division.

#Clarke, a consultant in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, revealed that there are already 32 teams confirmed to participate in the event, which will only take place over five days.

#“We have teams from Abaco and Andros and the Majority Special School is entered in the primary boys division and they say they are ready for any public or private school team,” Clarke said. “Woodcock Primary is also looking forward to participating.

#“In the senior girls’ division, the CV Bethel Stingrays are expected to be the top-ranked school. They have about four to five players who are members of the junior girls national basketball team. This time around, it’s going to be interesting.”

#The Ministry of Sports, according to Clarke, has increased the stipend they have provided to the Family Island teams to assist in getting them to New Providence for the tournament and so they are encouraged by what they see.

#Clarke said the ministry will release the team rankings when they hold a press conference on Monday. But he noted that the primary boys and girls and junior boys and girls as well as the senior girls division will be keenly contested.

#Clarke, however, said they eliminated the intermediate boys division from this year’s lineup because of the High School Hoop Fest that will start on December 14 for high school boys between teams coming in from the United States and all-stars teams from New Providence and Grand Bahama. “Our females will be in the spotlight this year,” Clarke said.

#“We feel we have some very exciting teams that will be on display and so we want the public to get ready for the Father Marcian Peters Invitational. It’s on.”

#This is the 34th edition of the Father Marcian Invitational, which is being held in honour of the late ‘Sporting Priest,’ who is known as one of the founders of the establishment of organised basketball in the country.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/25/father-marcian-peters-tourney-back/?news

VIEW of the new Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

As of Friday, November 25, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH just about a week left before the start of the fourth Caribbean Baseball Cup, the Bahamas Baseball Association is putting the final touches on Team Bahamas.

#The BBA national team, headed by Geron Sands and Albert Cartwright, wrapped up a week-long training camp in Grand Bahama. The team is expected to come together in New Providence starting on Monday with practices inside the newly constructed Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

#The stadium, with its artificial turf and scoreboard in place, is having the lighting fixtures installed and all of the cosmetic work in and outside completed in time for the tournament that is scheduled to run from December 4-11. The road leading into the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex is also expected to be paved.

#Team Bahamas will be playing against teams from the US Virgin Islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Curacao as host COBABE will attempt to have the two teams qualified to represent the region at the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador in 2023.

#Sands said after wrapping up practice on Wednesday night at the Emera Baseball Park in Grand Bahama, he noted that they are looking forward to getting together in New Providence for the final stretch before the start of the tournament.

#“We went to Grand Bahama to bring the bond back,” Sands said. “Even though these guys played together as youngsters, we were able to give them some quality time together.”

#On the first night in Grand Bahama, Sands said the team was hosted by Pastor Laquez Williams, a motivational speaker, who addressed the topic of ‘Being the best you.’ Sands thanked him for getting the ball rolling in Grand Bahama. “He was able to get to the guys and allowed them to open up about their life experiences as professional baseball players,” Sands said. “We got that family feeling back again. On the field, the guys got to bond together. We didn’t have to do any teaching, just go over some strategies with them.”

#Sands said the whole idea for the camp was to get the players ready for the task ahead of them because he wants to make sure that they are in the right frame of mind as a team to represent the country.

#“I took this on with a purpose,” he said. “I want to bring back what we once had and make it better. I got tired of us not doing things the way it should be done. As one who is highly involved in baseball internationally, we want to develop a national culture for baseball.

#“Hopefully, I can get the opportunity after this tournament to really get this national programme up and running. I want to see us competing as a team in the World Baseball Classic by 2025 and eventually by 2029 to win the title and even go on to represent the country at the Olympic Games.”

#In addition to Sands and Cartwright, the other members of the coaching staff participated in the camp. They included Dominic Collie, Donovan Cox and Trae Sweeting. The team coordinator is Avard Hart.

#The schedule for the tournament is as follows:

#Sunday, December 4

#11am – Curacao vs Puerto Rico

#5pm – Official opening ceremonies

#7:30pm – US Virgin Island vs Bahamas

#Monday, December 5

#2pm – Cuba vs US Virgin Islands

#Tuesday, December 6

#2pm – Curacao vs US Virgin Island

#7pm – Puerto Rico vs Cuba

#Wednesday, December 7

#2pm – US Virgin Islands vs Puerto Rico

#7pm – Bahamas vs Cuba

#Thursday, December 8

#2pm – Cuba vs Curacao

#7pm – Puerto Rico vs Bahamas

#Friday, December 9

#(Off day)

#Saturday, December 10

#2pm – 3rd seed vs 2nd seed

#7pm – 4th seed vs 1st seed

#Sunday, December 11

#2pm – Third place game

#5pm – Championship game

#8:30pm – Closing ceremony

#• Tickets are priced at $15 for children, $25 for adults and $45 for VIP.

As of Friday, November 25, 2022

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SOUTHERN California’s Tre White (22) shoots over Tennessee’s Julian Phillips yesterday. Photo: Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP

#By AARON BEARD

#AP Basketball Writer

#PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Tennessee has twice played without its leading scorer at the Battle 4 Atlantis. It hasn’t stopped the 22nd-ranked Volunteers from reaching the championship game.

#Julian Phillips scored a season-high 25 points to help Tennessee hold off Southern California 73-66 in overtime in yesterday’s semifinals, setting up a matchup with third-ranked and reigning national champion Kansas for the title.

#Phillips, a first-year forward, made 7 of 13 shots and 10 of 12 free throws to go with eight rebounds for the Volunteers (4-1), with four of those free throws coming in the OT. It was part of a strong and aggressive performance, one with Wilson being active at both ends.

#The Volunteers also got key contributions from Santiago Vescovi, Zakai Zeigler and Olivier Nkamhoua to grind through this one.

#“I think this tournament’s been great for us,” coach Rick Barnes said. “Still haven’t got our feet under us totally, but playing against a team like we did yesterday and coming back today against a zone team … I knew it wouldn’t be easy, and it wasn’t.”

#Tennessee won despite again being without leading scorer Josiah-Jordan James (13.7 points per game) due to soreness in his left knee. He had an offseason procedure on that same joint, and Barnes has said he’s day-to-day.

#Boogie Ellis scored 21 points in his second big output in as many days to lead the Trojans (4-2), but USC committed 20 turnovers — six in the overtime — that the Volunteers converted into 25 points.

#“Our players played hard,” USC coach Andy Enfield said. “They played well for most of the game, a lot of the stretches. But some of the turnovers are us getting sped up and some are bad decision making. But it’s tough to continuously turn the ball over that many times.”

#BIG PICTURE

#Tennessee: The Volunteers pulled away in the second half to beat Butler in Wednesday night’s final first-round game.

#This time, Tennessee won despite shooting just 3 for 18 from 3-point range, with Phillips and Nkamhoua (12 points) leading the offence.

#“We didn’t want to settle for 3s early,” Barnes said of playing against a zone.

#USC: The Trojans beat BYU in Wednesday’s first round behind a big performance from Ellis, who scored 21 of his 27 points after the break. But No. 2 scorer Drew Peterson (15.8) had a mistake-filled performance with more turnovers (seven) than rebounds (six) or made baskets (four) and finished with nine points. Still, USC had two chances to win it late in regulation.

#“We competed today, we had a chance to win,” Enfield said. “Tennessee’s a top-25 team and we were right there, had our chances. We’re developing and getting better.”

#LINE WORK

#Tennessee also had an advantage by getting to the foul line.

#The Volunteers were whistled for 10 personal fouls and got to the foul line for 26 shots, making 22. The Trojans were charged with 23 fouls and got to the line just eight times, making seven.

#“It is frustrating when there’s such big discrepancy in the fouls,” Enfield said. “I guess they played a really good game without fouling.”

#KEY

#CONTRIBUTIONS

#Vescovi finished with seven points on 3-for-13 shooting, but he overcame that rough shooting day to hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:45 left in the extra period.

#Zeigler went 4 for 4 at the line in the final 23.7 seconds left of overtime to seal the win.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/25/no-22-tennessee-beats-usc-ot/?news

As of Friday, November 25, 2022

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KANSAS’ Jalen Wilson (10) and Gradey Dick (4) celebrate during the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas, yesterday.

#By AARON BEARD

#Associated Press

#PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Kansas’ Bobby Pettiford Jr. stood all the way out near midcourt, almost on the Battle 4 Atlantis logo, when he saw his teammate launch a shot for the lead with only a few seconds left in overtime.

#“I mean, I normally don’t crash but that’s the one time I get to crash,” Pettiford said.

#He sprinted all the way under the basket just in time to see a loose rebound pop to him. Pettiford then made a twisting reverse layup with 0.2 seconds left to give No. 3 Kansas a 69-68 win against Wisconsin yesterday in a tournament semifinal game.

#Pettiford’s layup marked his only points of the game, capping a thriller that saw Wisconsin rally from 15 down early in the second half behind a strong performance from Tyler Wahl.

#Trailing 68-67, Kansas’ final play appeared stuck when Jalen Wilson had to kick out a pass to Zach Clemence beyond the 3-point arc with about 5 seconds left.

#Clemence launched the long 3 that banged off the basket, but Wilson kept the play alive by tipping the ball enough to keep Wahl from snagging the rebound. The ball went right to Pettiford. “I had kind of a good angle but I mean, kind of a little bit of luck and skill at the same time,” he said. “So I just kind of hoped it went in.”

#Pettiford landed on the floor as he watched the ball go through the net, then extended his fists in front of him and yelled as he started to sit up. Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit crouched down into a squat, in disbelief.

#By the time Pettiford had gotten on his feet, he had a big smile while his teammates began to hug him near the baseline corner to celebrate.

#The team left the court to chants of “Bobby! Bobby!” as they headed to today’s championship game.

#Wilson scored 29 points and had 14 rebounds for the reigning national champion Jayhawks (6-0), and Kevin McCullar Jr. had 18 points and nine rebounds — and a 3 with 11.8 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.

#“We had nothing going (in the second half) and they had outplayed us totally,” coach Bill Self said. “Obviously we make two plays at the end of regulation and the end of overtime that basically gave us the win. We were not the best team today.”

#Wahl led the Badgers (4-1) with 23 points and 10 rebounds. He scored 14 points in the second half in what was at times a one-man comeback, including a run of nine straight points with his team down eight in the final 3 1/2 minutes of regulation.

#His last score was a spinning drive against a falling Wilson for a layup and the 68-67 lead with 21 seconds left in OT.

#The Badgers just couldn’t get a final stop.

#“We’re not into moral victories, but this group showed me a lot today,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. “And we also learned we have a lot of things we can continue to get better at.”

#BIG PICTURE

#Wisconsin: The same team that struggled to crack 40 points — or make a shot, frankly — in the first round of the tournament against Dayton looked to be on its way to another bad offensive showing. Instead, Wahl and the Badgers showed resilience and climbed back in it, they stayed shot for shot with Kansas down the stretch.

#“He kicked our butt,” Self said of Wahl.

#Kansas: The Jayhawks didn’t have an easy time of their Atlantis debut yesterday, needing to battle to the final minutes against North Carolina State.

#This time, Pettiford was in the right place at the right time after Wilson tipped the ball from Wahl’s reach for a rebound off Zach Clemence’s missed 3-pointer.

#Just like that, Kansas was still unbeaten with a 17-game winning streak dating to last year’s run to Self’s second NCAA title.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/25/no-3-kansas-survives-overtime-scare-wisconsin-69-6/?news

HO Nash Lions celebrate as GSSSA junior girls softball champions.

As of Friday, November 25, 2022

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DORIS Johnson Mystic Marlins celebrate as GSSSA senior girls softball champions.

AF Adderley Fighting Tigers celebrate as the GSSSA junior boys baseball champions.

RM Bailey Pacers celebrate after winning the GSSSA senior boys baseball title.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#It was a double dose of victory as all four pennant winners emerged as the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s softball and baseball champions with clean sweeps across the board on Thanksgiving Day.

#The best-of-three championships were concluded yesterday as the GSSSA played all of the games one after the other at the Banker’s Field instead of using separate fields at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#Junior girls softball

#HO Nash Lions blanked LW Young Golden Eagles 23-0

#In a game that was over from the first inning, the Lions raced out to an impressive 11-0 lead and they added 12 more in the second before the massacre got stopped because the one hour time limit had expired.

#“It’s a great feeling because all of our hard work paid off,” said HO Nash coach April Styles-Rolle.

#“I never underestimate any team. We went out there and played the game. We executed and we were victorious.”

#With her own cheering squad, Jerniah Frazer, the game’s most valuable player, continued her dominance on the mound as she held the Golden Eagles in check. She also aided her own attack with a pair of home runs, one a two-run in-the-parker and the other a grand slam.

#“I feel good about our performance because we came along and we made it to the end to become victorious, winning all of our games and the championships,” Frazer said. “I felt I did awesome. I’m excellent in whatever I do.”

#In addition to Frazer, HO Nash got four runs from Jada Knowles and three apiece from Brenae Hart, Azaria Dean and Aliyah Newton.

#The losing pitcher was Ramona Knowles.

#Frazer came off a stellar performance in game one on Wednesday as she led the Lions to a 16-2 rout.

#Senior girls softball

#Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins def. CR Walker Knights 11-2

#Gathnie ‘Grace’ Chea struck out a pair of batters, but she also scored a pair of runs on as many walks to help lead the Mystic Marlins in their championship sweep.

#Her battery mate catcher Raniqua Delcye was a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

#“The performance was really well. I enjoyed playing with the team this year,” Chea said. “I’m new to Doris this year, so I was glad to help us win the championship. It feels so good to be the champions.”

#Head coach Zania Kemp watched as her Doris Johnson team took advantage of CR Walker’s starter Vanessa Sawyer, who gave up seven runs in the first inning mainly on walks before she was relieved. By the end of the inning, the Mystic Marlins went through two other pitchers to pull off the win.

#“It feels really great winning because this is my first time coaching, so it feels really good, especially going undefeated,” Kemp said. “Our girls made a few mistakes, but they held their own. Now we have to treat them for their effort.”

#Doris Johnson clinched game one 16-2, but CR Walker’s coach Aikia Rose was hoping that they would put up a much better showing in game two.

#“I’m happy, although I think if we had our pitching together in the first inning, we would have been right in the game,” Rose said. “We made a few errors, but we came back and improved on our performance. It is what it is. But we will be back bigger and better next year.”

#Junior boys baseball

#Champions

#AF Adderley Fighting Tigers def. SC McPherson Sharks 8-2

#Tigers’ coach Vincent Sullivan knew he had the best junior boys team and they proved it, knocking off the Sharks to win the title. They did it behind the MVP performance from Mario Dean, who got the job done on the mound.

#AF Adderley won game one 5-1 as Dean was again the winning pitcher.

#Senior boys baseball

#RM Bailey Pacers def.

#CR Walker Knights 8-0

#In another superb pitching performance, Ladanian McKenzie powered the Pacers to victory as they completed their sweep of the senior boys title, much to the delight of head coach Clifton Carey, who was confident that they would do it.

#RM Bailey, avenging their only defeat this season by default to the Knights in the regular season, took game one of the series in another shutout, 1-0, as McKenzie was again the winning pitcher.

#Despite getting off to a late start, GSSSA president Varel Davis said she was pleased with how things turned out. “After not having sports in two years, the kids were really excited to get back out there,” she stated.

#“Softball and baseball was our first sport and we had some rainy days, but all in all, we had a great start to our season.

#“The fans, the parents and the teachers all came out and cheered on their respective teams. I just want to thank all of them, along with our executives and the officials, who assisted us in making this a great season.”

#The GSSSA will now prepare for basketball, which will kick off in January.

#She noted that the teams are gearing up to participate in the Father Marcian Peters Invitational and the other tournaments for senior boys during the Christmas break.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/25/gsssa-champions-crowned/?news

As of Monday, November 28, 2022

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BAHAMAS junior cycling team of Ayden Bain and Livingstone Duncombe with their bicycles.

CYCLISTS Ayden Bain and Livingstone Duncombe with coaches Shirley Mireault and Kenton Roker at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in the Dominican Republic.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#COACH Shirley Mireault liked what she saw from the two cyclists representing the Bahamas this week at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in the Dominican Republic.

#Mireault, who travelled along with Kenton Roker, the federation’s first vice president and head of the delegation, said both Livingston ‘Launy’ Duncombe and Aydan Bain performed to the best of their abilities and that was all they could ask for.

#“The meet was excellent,” Mireault said. “Our boys did a super job. They were the youngest competing and even though this was their very first time competing, they did very well. They finished.”

#The individual time trial was 10 kilometres (riders left one minute apart) and road race was 70 kilometres.

#The federation was hoping to take a larger team, including a couple of girls, but Mireault said because of their examinations they were taking at school, they could not have travelled.

#Mireault said while there, they made sure Duncombe and Bain completed their homework assignments issued by their respective teachers.

#Mireault said one of the good things is the fact that at age 14, Bain will have another two years to compete in the same age group and Duncombe, 15, will be able to participate another year.

#Hopefully, next year, she said they will be able to carry a larger team.

#In the time trials on Wednesday, Duncombe was ninth in a time of 16 minutes and 29.87 seconds and Bain was 10th in 16:37.24. Alonso Rodrigo of the Dominican Republic won the gold in 13:39.29, followed by Gonzalez Jurvin of Aruba in13:39.29 and David Angel, also of the Dominican Republic, in 14:01.74.

#The road race on Thursday was a lot harder, but Duncombe placed 13th in 1:59.30, while Bain was 19th in 2:10.28.

#Rodrigo moved up to claim the gold in 1:907.26, Dominica’s Casimir Ajqniah won the silver in 1:07.26 and Bryan Morrobel of the Dominican Republic picked up the bronze in 1:58.22.

#“They both did very well,” said Mireault on the performances of Duncombe and Bain. “They didn’t get lapped because once you get lapped, you have to get off the course. We were very proud of the performances from these two young men.”

#Next year, because of the performances of Duncombe and Bain, Mireault said the federation will be looking at ensuring that a bigger team gets to travel and gain the international exposure.

#Federation president Roy Colebrooke had nothing but praise for the two cyclists, who hail from Grand Bahama.

#“I think for the two young cyclists, they rode very well,” Colebrooke said. “Keep in mind, they were the two youngest in the field and so we expect some really good things from these two young men next year. I believe they will have a very good showing at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships. It only speaks volumes for the junior programme that the federation has ongoing. So we’re very pleased with their performances.”

#With both cyclists coming from Grand Bahama, Colebrooke said it shows the versatility in the federation.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/28/mireault-our-boys-did-super-job/?news

SKYLER Smith, a member of Alpha Aquatics swim club, posted her double record-breaking feat in the girls 9-10 division in the 400 metre freestyle and 100m backstroke.

As of Monday, November 28, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Grand Bahamian Skyler Smith stamped her name on a part of Bahamas Open records on Saturday to highlight the performances posted as the Lightning Aquatics Swim Club hosted its first Fall Invitational Swim Meet at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.

#Lightning Aquatics Club, an amalgamation of the Dolphins and Orca Swim Clubs just before COVID- 19 struck, hosted the last meet on the Bahamas Aquatics’ calendar for the year. The swimmers will take a break for Christmas and will be back in action in January.

#Smith, a member of the Alpha Aquatics, posted her double record breaking feat in the girls 9-10 division with her record-breaking performances in the 400 metre freestyle in five minutes and 13.98 seconds and clocked a time of 1:17.50 in the 100m backstroke.

#For 11-year-old Smith, a seventh grader at Bishop Michael Eldon High School, she was competing in her final meet in the 9-10 age group. She said it was a good way to prepare herself for her advancement to the 11-12 division in January.

#“I was pretty proud of myself,” said Smith, who emerged with a dominating feat as the high point winner, accumulating 58 points, the most by any swimmer in the meet and 15 points better than her nearest age group rival, Alissa Ferguson of the Barracudas Swim Club with 43 for second place.

#“I enjoyed the 400m free the most because it wasn’t really a sprint and I like long distance races.”

#Already as she looks ahead to 2023, Smith said she would like to make the CARIFTA cut, go on the team to represent the Bahamas in Curacao during the Easter holiday and return home with some medals and possibly some more records in the process.

#• Other divisional winners during the meet are as follows:

#Girls 8-and-under – Delnia Hamilton of the Barracuda with 37, followed by the next four spots from the Blue Waves with Cailyn Dean (33), Kirsten Rolle (25), Makayla Ferguson (21.50) and Rinia Johnson (18.50).

#Boys 8-and-under – Logan Comarcho (52) and Fraser Menzies (32) provided a 1-2 punch for Alpha Aquatics ahead of Mantas Swim & Water Polo’s Asher Bastian (30), Alpha’s Lyall Menzies (23) and Sea Waves’ Anthony Knowles (18).

#Girls 9-10 – Following Smith and Ferguson in order were Alpha’s Isabella Cuccurullo (41), Mako Aquatics’ Helsinki Mitchell (28) and Mantas Swim & Water Polo’s Tiah Seymour (29).

#Boys 9-10 – Alpha Aquatics took the top spot with Blake Comarcho scoring 50 points. Mako’s Nitayo Knowles (34) was a distant second, Blue Waves’ Christon Joseph (34) third and Mako’s Sean Norville-Smith (32) and Benecio Robinson (25) came up fourth and fifth respectively.

#Girls 11-12 – Alpha Aquatics got another leading performance from Adaiah Smith with 42. Barracuda’s Saleste Gibson was runner-up with 36, Alpha’s Siann Isaacs (33) third and Mako’s DF McKenzie (32) and Kimaya Saunders (27) was fifth.

#Boys 11-12 – Alpha picked up another 1-2 feat as Rafael McBroom took the top spot with 44 and Noah Knowles was the runner-up with 40. Blue Waves’ Dijon Simmons (36) was third and the Barracuda got fourth and fifth from Will Farrington and David Singh, both with 31.

#Girls 13-14 – Mako Aquatic got a little greedy and claimed the top three spots behind Zoe Williamson (46), Zarria Watson (43) and Seannae Norville-Smith (30). Lyford Cay Swim Club’s Elina Piaux (29) was fourth and Barracuda’s Chloe Rolle fifth.

#Boys 13-14 – Alpha Aquatics once again had the top spot as Tristen Hepburn picked up 44 points.

#Lightning Aquatics’ Donald Saunders was second with 39, Mako Aquatics’ Ellie Gibson (38) and Ayton Moncur (34) were third and fourth and Alpha’s Caellum Darville (28) was fifth.

#Girls 15-and-over – Lyford Cay got its best showing from Delaney Mizell (41) and Katie Goulandris (34) for the top two spots. Alpha’s Leylah Knowles (33) was third, Mako’s Seannia Norville-Smith (33) fourth and Lyford Cay’s Isabelle Zatarain (31) fifth.

#Boys 15-and over – Shawn Nelly, competing unattached, took the title with 45 points. Black Marlins’ Thomas Bowers was runner-up with 39.

#Alpha’s Daniel Ferguson (37) was third, Barracuda’s Hodari Prince (31) fourth and Barracuda’s Cairo Bastian (25) was fifth.

#Saunders, one of the swimmers from Lightning Aquatic, said he swum very well and he was proud of himself, considering that it was only the second meet for the season. “I performed to the best of my abilities and I really liked what I did,” Saunders said. “I enjoyed my 100m backstroke the most because I was just a couple seconds off my best time.”

#Saunders, a 14-year-old 10th grader at St John’s College, said he plans to go to CARIFTA and win a few more medals like he did last year with a couple of golds in the relay and silver in his individual events.

#Lightning Aquatic’s head coach Shawn Neely said since the merger of the Dolphins and Orca, he’s seen a vast improvement from their 40-plus strong club. “The meet went very well. This was just our first swim meet and I was very pleased with the turnout and the performances from the club and the overall meet itself,” he said.

#“We had some pretty good performances. Most of the kids swum at least two best times so, for the most part, that was what we were looking forward to. Now it’s time to look ahead to the new year.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/nov/28/skyler-11-breaks-two-bahamas-open-records/?news

 Home|Sports|The Bahamas settles for fourth in Santa MartaSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailNovember 28, 2022 95 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

It was not the finish The Bahamas senior men’s national beach soccer team was hoping for but it’s still a major accomplishment as they placed fourth at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Sea and Beach Games which wrapped up on Saturday at the Beach Soccer Stadium in Santa Marta, Colombia. They fell to Mexico, 7-2, in the bronze medal game.

In that game, The Bahamas struck first in the first third when captain Lesly St. Fleur threw the ball in to play to an open and waiting Yvelt Julmis. He bicycle kicked it in past the Mexican goal keeper to put The Bahamas up less than a minute into the game. The Bahamas was in control at that point and it looked like they were going to dictate the pace of the game.

After not scoring a single goal all tournament, Julmis scored early and then struck again – this time in the second third. He capitalized on a defensive blunder by the Mexicans to put The Bahamas 2-0 and give them what seemed at the time, like a good cushion.

Beach soccer is a game that can change quickly and the tide changed against The Bahamas. Mexico quickly scored two goals to make the game competitive. The Bahamas broke down defensively as Mexico poured in five more goals to win 7-2 and avenge a 2-1 loss to The Bahamas earlier in the week.

It was a tough end to The Bahamas’ campaign. They got off to a hot start, winning their two opening matches, but they lost their final three matches to end the competition with a 2-3 win/loss record.

In the final group stage game on Friday, The Bahamas fell 5-3 to Venezuela, who won the silver medal, to set up the bronze medal game against Mexico. In the game against Venezuela, three different Bahamians scored. St. Fleur, goalkeeper Michael Butler and Jaime Thompson all scored for The Bahamas.

After having Wednesday as a rest day, The Bahamas was back in action on Thursday against table leaders El Salvador. That match did not end in The Bahamas’ favor as they were blanked 3-0 against the table leaders and eventual gold medalist, El Salvador.

On Tuesday, the Bahamian side took down Mexico 2-1 in a comeback victory. Finding the back of the net for The Bahamas in that game were captain Lesly St. Fleur and Jaime Thompson. The Bahamas got a 4-3 victory over the host nation on Monday in their opening game. Scoring for The Bahamas in that game on Monday were Dwayne Forbes, Jean Francois, Gary Joseph and Thompson.

This is the inaugural year for the CAC Sea and Beach Games, and there were 650 athletes from 26 countries participating. Also contested were beach wrestling, open water swimming, surfing, beach volleyball, beach rugby, handball, skateboarding and tennis.

It has been a busy few months for the senior men’s national beach soccer team. They geared up for the Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup that was held in The Bahamas from October 21-25. The team went a perfect 3-0 to lift the trophy as they powered their way past Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Colombia.

Against Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas won 7-4. Costa Rica tried to stop them, but The Bahamas took care of them, winning 6-4. In the final match, which was more on the defensive side, The Bahamas won 3-1 to secure the trophy. St. Fleur was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of that tournament.

The Bahamas kept training after that tournament for the inaugural CAC Sea and Beach Games.

Now, they will prepare for the Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifiers set for May.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-settles-for-fourth-in-santa-marta/