Bahamian leads team past the Cardinals; Erald, siblings and Taylor also in action

Simba FrenchSend an emailJanuary 31, 2023 317 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

It was Senior Day for Howard University and Bahamian collegiate swimmer Luke-Kennedy Thompson as he was honored for his four years representing the Bison. He along with four other Bahamians were in action in their dual against Catholic University on Saturday.

Thompson helped the men’s team take down the Catholic University Cardinals, 221-60, in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I action. Erald Thompson III and Mark-Anthony Thompson were also in action for the Howard University Bison men’s team. They have a 6-2 win/loss record on the season. On the ladies side, Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson helped them win 177-101 and they sport a 5-3 record.

Luke-Kennedy Thompson got the Bison off on a winning note when he helped his 200 yards medley relay team win with a time of 1:32.24. The team consisted of himself, Miles Simon, Mark-Anthony Beckles and Arion Solomon.

Placing second was the Cardinals’ A relay team who clocked 1:38.14. Finishing close behind them in third was the Bison’s C team in a time of 1:39.88. That team featured Erald Thompson.

Luke-Kennedy Thompson then led a sweep of the men’s 50-yard breaststroke event when he touched the wall first in 25.87 seconds. Miguel Davis was second in a time of 26.14 seconds. Placing third was Luke-Kennedy Thompson’s brother, Mark-Anthony. He clocked 26.56 seconds.

The senior went on to win the 500-yard freestyle when he clocked 4:59.53. 

Mark-Anthony Thompson was a close second in a time of 5:00.30. The Cardinals’ Aidan Malvey finished third in that race when he recorded a time of 5:08.04.

Luke-Kennedy’s final race of the afternoon was when he and his 200 yards free relay team finished third after they recorded a time of 1:28.19. Howard’s A and C team were first and second respectively, and Luke-Kennedy was on the B team. The A team posted a time of 1:25.1 while the C team swam 1:27.34.

Erald Thompson placed fourth in the 200-yard backstroke. The 18-year-old clocked 2:07.75. Winning that race was his teammate Tristan Stevens with a time of 1:56.04. Erald, a freshman, also swam in the 200-yard individual medley (IM) and placed third. He posted a time of 2:05.22. His teammate Tai Afrik won with a time of 2:00.11.

Luke-Kennedy Thompson’s sister Zaylie-Elizabeth had a great meet winning her relay race and her two individual races. In the 200-yard medley relay, the freshman and her school’s A team won with a time of 1:49.14. Her team included Kali Garcia, Courtney Connolly and Kelsey Roberson. Placing second was the Cardinal’s A relay team with a time of 1:51.80. Howard’s B team was third in a time of 1:51.86.

Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson won the 50-yard breast in 30.19 seconds. Her teammate Belle Fountain was a close second in 30.98 seconds. The Cardinals’ Madeline Douchette was third after clocking 32.02 seconds.

The freshman powered her way to win the 100-yard free in 53.37 seconds. The Cardinals’ Kathryn Herman clocked 54.10 seconds to finish second. Finishing third was Howard University’s Tiffanee Moore who swam 55.77.

The Bison return to the competition February 21-25 when they head to Geneva, Ohio, to compete in the Northeast Conference Championships.

Also in action over the weekend was Henderson State University’s Lamar Taylor. He and the Red Wave were in action against the Ouachita Baptist University’s Tigersharks in NCAA Division II action.

Taylor broke the pool record in the men’s 100-yard backstroke when he posted a time of 48.98 seconds on the first leg of the men’s 400-yard medley relay. He helped his team to win with a time of 3:24.22. His teammates included Jaren Tippett, Jase Pinckney and Tate Sloan.

The Tigersharks team swam 3:30.63 to finish second. Henderson State’s B team was third after clocking 3:31.72.

Taylor had a little fun and swam the 200-yard IM. He won that event in a time of 1:55.37. The Tigersharks’ Noah Smith was second when he swam 1:59.30. Tippett was close behind Smith with a time of 1:59.37.

The Bahamian was also in action in the 200-yard backstroke. The 19-year-old powered his way to touch the wall first with a time of 1:55.64. The Tigersharks’ Anthony Paculba was second when he posted a time of 1:57.97. Finishing third was the Red Wave’s Gabriel Simoes in 1:59.62.

The Red Wave head to Cleveland, Mississippi, for the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference Championships, February 15-18.

 Home|Sports|Media accreditation portal for CARIFTA set to openSports

Media accreditation portal for CARIFTA set to open

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailFebruary 1, 2023 213 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Local Organizing Committee of the CARIFTA Games Bahamas 2023 (LOC) is set and ready to host an exciting championship April 8-10, 2023. The event is expected to be highly viewed globally, and the LOC is inviting local and international media partners onboard to lend coverage.

Although the CARIFTA track and field championships is a junior level competition, media covering this event will be treated to similar facilities and services as accustomed to at professional competitions like the World Athletics Relays.

LOC Senior Director of Event Media Services Tonique Williams has indicated that four of the seven media areas offered during the World Athletics Relays will be at the media’s disposable during the three days of activities. These areas include: the Media Press Center, the Media Tribune or Press Boxes and the Press Conference Room.

The Media Press Center will be a shared space with the Copy Centre. This space will be available for the media to work on their news stories and receive results. The center will be equipped with high speed Wi-Fi internet, concierge check-in service and timely results.

The Media Tribune or Press Boxes, located in the spectator’s stands, will present a direct view of the finish line, offering the best seats in the house for journalists, trackside, just near the finish line. Also, the Mixed Zone allows journalists first contact with the athletes at the end of their competitions.

The Press Conference Room allows journalists to conduct interviews of top finishers and performers.

“We are preparing to host over 100 journalists, photographers and broadcasters. There is a lot of interest from the regional CARIFTA community because these 2023 championships is the second CARIFTA championship since the opening of many Caribbean countries post pandemic,” said Williams. “Additionally, this is the 50th anniversary of CARIFTA and The Bahamas – it is important that the significance of this very important time in history is captured in all its splendor and color.”

Williams and her team are well versed when it comes to delivering a high quality experience for the media. She served as the Senior Director of Event Media Services for the World Athletics Relays 2014, 2015 and 2017 and CARIFTA 2018. Her assistant Rudina Miller, who has gained experience from serving in this area for the world relays of 2015 and 2017 and CARIFTA 2018, joins her.

Media wishing to cover this event are asked to complete the registration process as soon as possible.

To make application, the online Media Application Form is located on the CARIFTA website at https://www.carifta50.com/mediaapplication on the media page. It must be completed. All applications must be submitted with an official letter of employment from the media outlet stamped by the national track and field federation where the outlet has its domicile.

Completion of the application process does not automatically guarantee accreditation. Once the application has been reviewed and approved by the LOC, the applicant will receive a link to apply for media accreditation. The online accreditation process opens February 6, 2023. The deadline to apply for media accreditation is Tuesday March 30, 2023.

Media personnel planning to attend the CARIFTA Games are able to access information via the CARIFTA website at https://www.carifta50.com/media or may contact LOC Senior Director of Event Media Services Tonique Williams at telephone number (242) 376-9295 or by e-mail at media@carifta50.com.

 Home|Sports|Swimmers go under CARIFTA qualifying timesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 1, 2023 325 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Local swimmers were in action for the first time in the calendar year on Saturday and made CARIFTA cuts at the 1st Bert Bell Memorial Meet at the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Aquatics Center. Freeport Aquatics Club was the host club.

The Barracuda Swim Club’s Saleste Gibson, who swam in the 11-12 girls category, made the cuts in five of her six individual races. She also won the high point award for that category with 52 points.

Gibson clocked 1:05.78 in the 100 meters (m) freestyle to go under the 1:06.84 CARIFTA standard. Her teammates Alisson Ferguson and Madyson Julien were second and third, respectively. Ferguson clocked 1:08.06 while Julien swam 1:08.23.

It was another quick time for Gibson in the 50m butterfly when she clocked 31.77 seconds. She led three swimmers under the CARIFTA cut of 32.80 seconds in that event. Her teammate Christin-Alyssa Clarke qualified with a time of 32.72 seconds, finishing second. Lyford Cay’s Violet Saralegui was close behind Clarke in a time of 32.74 seconds.

In the 50m free sprint, Gibson powered her way to touch the wall first in a time of 29.60 seconds, going under the CARIFTA standard of 30.18 seconds. Julien was second in a time of 30.52 seconds. Finishing third was Mako Aquatics’ DNDN McKenzie in 30.67 seconds.

Gibson had to settle for second in the 100m backstroke as Ferguson touched the wall first in a time of 1:16.65. The CARIFTA standard is 1:19.01. Gibson finished in 1:18.85. Clarke was third after posting a time of 1:22.21.

In the 100m butterfly, Gibson powered her way to a time of 1:13.93 to win that event. She went under the standard of 1:15.88. Saralegui swam 1:17.79 to place second and Ferguson swam 1:24.95 to place third.

The Barracuda’s David Singh, a competitor in the 11-12 boys category, had a strong outing on the way to winning the high-point award in that division. He scored 59 points.

Singh comfortably went under the CARIFTA mark of 3:05.91 in the 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:56.31. He finished ahead of Black Marlins Swim Club’s Alexander Murray who swam 3:18.82.

Singh had a strong swim in the 50m back as he outperformed the field with a time of 33.59 seconds to go under the CARIFTA qualifying time of 33.92 seconds. He finished significantly ahead of Mako’s Sean Norville-Smith who was second with a time of 40.45 seconds. The Mantas Swim and Water Polo Club’s Caylen Brown was a close third with a time of 40.84 seconds.

Singh had to settle for second in the 100m breast when he clocked 1:21.64 to go under the CARIFTA standard of 1:24.55. Winning that race with a time of 1:19.52, and also going under the standard, was Mako’s Trace Russell. Murray was third after touching the wall in 1:25.21.

In the 50m free, Singh finished ahead of Russell with a time of 28.53 to dip under the CARIFTA standard of 28.59 seconds. Russell was second in this race as he touched the wall in 28.61 seconds. Murray was third in 28.96 seconds.

Singh and Russell switched places again, this time in the 50m breast with both going under the CARIFTA qualifying time of 37.57 seconds. Russell won with a time of 35.45 seconds while Singh was second in 36.72 seconds. Murray was third when he touched the wall in 37.92 seconds.

Donald Saunders, who has represented The Bahamas at CARIFTA, was in action in two races in the 13-14 boys category and was able to go under the CARIFTA times in both races. The Lightning Aquatics swimmer achieved the standard in the 50m fly with a time of 27.57 seconds. He held off Mako’s duo of Damari Butler and Maxwell Daniels who finished second and third, respectively. Butler swam 30.89 seconds and Daniels swam 31.05 seconds for third. The CARIFTA standard is 28.35 seconds.

Saunders also went under the CARIFTA standard in the 50m back with a time of 30.84 seconds, The standard is 31.10 seconds. Finishing second and third were the Black Marlins Swim Club’s Orion Moss and Malcolm Menzies. Moss posted a time of 33.30 seconds while Menzies clocked 34.35 seconds.

https://thenassauguardian.com/swimmers-go-under-carifta-qualifying-times-2/

 Home|Sports|Ayton helps lift Suns over RaptorsSports

Bahamian now averaging a double-double during the season

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 1, 2023 224 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian professional basketball player DeAndre Ayton notched his second double-double in his third game back from an illness that kept him out for three games. He was instrumental in helping the Phoenix Suns take down the Toronto Raptors, 114-106, on Monday night.

It was the Suns sixth win in seven tries after a tough stretch of losses. Playing at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, Ayton scored 22 points and had 13 rebounds in 31 minutes on the floor. The win gives the Sun their 27th win of the season, lifting them a 27-25 win/loss record. They are back over .500 and sit in the seventh position in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

The game was very competitive. It had 16 lead changes and five tied scores with no team leading by more than 10 points for the entire game. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Raptors held a slim 84-82 lead after the Suns led 62-53 at the half.

Ayton entered the game at the 6:46 mark of the fourth quarter with the Suns holding on to a one-point lead, 95-94. He had two key assists to forward Mikal Bridges with 3:02 and 2:28 left in the game. Those four unanswered points enabled the Suns to take a 103-100 lead – a lead that they didn’t relinquish the rest of the way.

The Bahamian had a putback layup to extend the Suns’ lead with 51 seconds left in the game, tipping in Torrey Craig’s missed shot to give his team a 108-102 lead. Ayton finished the night going 9-for-17 from the field, shooting 52.9 percent. He was a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe and had five offensive boards to go with eight boards on the defensive side of the ball.

He did most of his scoring in the first quarter in which he finished 3-for-7 from the field, scoring eight points.

The number one overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft is now averaging a double-double on the season with 17.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Since returning to the court last Thursday, he has averaged 21.3 points and 13.7 rebounds in 33 minutes per game.

Against the Dallas Mavericks last Thursday, Ayton barely missed out on a 20-20 game with 19 points and 20 rebounds. He also had two blocks and two assists in a 99-95 loss. He played 31 minutes in that game. On Saturday, he helped the Suns to a 128-118 overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He had 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds to go with an assist and a block in that game.

The Suns will look to win their third straight game when they return action with a matchup at home against Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks tonight. Tip-off for that game is at 10 o’ clock and it will be broadcasted on ESPN.

https://thenassauguardian.com/ayton-helps-lift-suns-over-raptors/

 Home|Sports|Birthday boy Chisholm excited to be featured on ‘MLB: The Show’Sports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailFebruary 2, 2023 270 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian professional baseball player with the Miami Marlins Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday, and was flocked by family and friends while fielding questions from the press at Fusion Superplex about his latest accomplishment of being on the cover of the popular baseball video game “MLB: The Show”.

The announcement for the Major League Baseball (MLB) all-star player came this past Monday. For Chisholm, being on the cover of the game is like a dream come true, and he’s ecstatic that it was announced just a couple days before his 25th birthday.

“This is something that you dream of,” said Chisholm. “A lot of people were out to Freedom Farm, saw me play and heard me yelling about how I wanted to be a big leaguer, Hall of Famer, and on the cover of a video game. These are stuff that I was saying from I was a kid. To live it now and see it happen right before my 25th birthday, is probably the greatest thing I could get for a birthday gift.”

He is the first Bahamian-born player in a major sporting league to be featured on a video game. The infielder turned outfielder for the Marlins said they just called him and told him that he was the cover athlete for the game.

“It was not like a match or I was working with them,” he explained. “When the cover athlete came out last year, I signed a deal with them and we were working on a couple things, on the game together, but I was not thinking about me being on the cover. I told them that after last season, I was going to be their cover athlete. They have a video of me telling them they were going to put me on the cover this year because I was going to ball out.”

The Marlins star player knows that being on the cover of the game means a lot, not only to him but to Bahamian kids who see one of their own on the cover of the game. He hopes that they can look at it and be better than him.

“It could make them live out their dream,” Chisholm said. “It made me live my dream and made me become who I am. I was seeing guys like Antoan (Richardson) and Albert (Cartwright) doing it before me. It was like I can do this, too, and I want to do it on a different level. I want to do it at the best level I could do it at. The more I got into it, the more I was like this is possible. Now, the younger kids look at it and say it is possible and they can be better than me one day if they have the same mentality.”

Chisholm’s first baseball coach at Freedom Farm was the late Franklyn ‘Frankie’ Simmons who died almost two weeks ago while coaching. He said it was one of the hardest losses ever for him. Chisholm remembers being by Simmons’ house and playing the very first edition of MLB The Show – MLB 06: The show with the Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz on the cover.

“The crazy part is the first time I ever played this video game, I was at his house. It was with his youngest who was on the same team with me. I’m on the cover of a video game that I got introduced to in his house just because I was at his house. He would pick me up and we were early one day and we were playing video games – the first one they ever had out,” Chisholm said.

The high-energy player added that when he heard he was on the cover, he wanted to show Simmons his latest accomplishment and it hurts him that Simmons isn’t around to see it.

On his birthday, Chisholm was on a baseball field putting in work. He said he was happy to spend the other part of his birthday with family and friends as he does every year.

Chisholm was on his way to having a mega season in 2022 before he suffered a back injury in late June that eventually kept him out for the rest of the season. He became the first Bahamian to be selected to the all-star game in MLB in 2022. It was the fifth time in Marlins history that the club had a player voted in to start the all-star game, but Chisholm didn’t play due to the injury.

Chisholm was having a phenomenal year for the Marlins, batting .254 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs (runs batted in) and 39 runs scored. At the time of his injury, he was in the upper echelon of second basemen in a number of offensive categories and had been a pillar of stability defensively for the Marlins.

Chisholm also had 12 stolen bases. He finished with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .325 and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .860.

Defensively, Chisholm had 93 putouts and 123 assists in 220 total chances. He had helped turn 21 double plays and had a fielding percentage of .982.

This latest version of ‘MLB’ The Show is set to be released on March 28 and can be pre-ordered on February 6.

https://thenassauguardian.com/birthday-boy-chisholm-excited-to-be-featured-on-mlb-the-show/

 Home|Sports|Movi Group comes on board with CARIFTA GamesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 2, 2023 606 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Movi Group of Companies has come on board as the media production partner for the 50th CARIFTA Games. The announcement came at a press conference held at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium yesterday.

The production company has stepped forward to donate $120,000 toward the $3 million goal that the 2023 CARIFTA Games Local Organization Committee (LOC) is seeking to raise. The 50th CARIFTA Games is set to be held April 8-10 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

President of the Movi Group Burton Wallace said from they heard that The Bahamas would be the host country this year, they had an appetite to be a part of it.

“Sports has a huge role to play when it comes to nation building. It helps in elevating qualities like discipline, determination, teamwork and a passion for fitness and the psyche of a nation. Movi has been quietly involved in the broadcast of sports of many international sporting events,” Wallace said.

Wallace said REV TV, who is the communications partner, and the Movi Group will be collaborating to ensuring the production is top notch.

“In collaboration with the other nominated counterparts, we are on target to deliver an exceptionally high-level broadcast above the level ever experienced for CARIFTA. So, I challenge everyone in saying and knowing that this year will set the bar.”

The company has covered the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League, the 2017 CARIFTA Swimming Championships, the 2018 Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup, PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Golf, Battle 4 Atlantis and the Bahamas Bowl. Wallace encourages others to also support the CARIFTA Games.

LOC Chief Executive Officer Lynden Maycock said that it was important to secure the best team and that this CARIFTA Games will be the greatest sports production in the 50 years of the event.

“We are getting ready to put on the greatest sports production that has been seen in the 50 years of the games,” said Maycock. “In order to do this, we need the best team – a team that is capable by skill, passion and desire, to put on the greatest show to ensure this 50th CARIFTA Games is unforgettable. It will be unforgettable for the athletes, our coaches, our supporters, our partners and everyone who will attend or view it.”

Dubbed the ‘Dame of the Games’, Olympic gold medalist and member of The Bahamas’ Golden Girls Pauline Davis-Thompson welcomed Wallace and the Movi Group on board.

“We are so excited that you’ve chosen to be a part of these 50th CARIFTA Games,” Davis-Thompson said. “As a former CARIFTA athlete back in the day, being able to have someone as distinguished as yourself with this amazing company to decide to come and lend a hand and to give back not just to the CARIFTA Games but by extension to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, it means so much.”

Wallace and his company has been in the production business for years and they are looking to add innovative interactions and experiences.

“The arc of what we do I believe is substantially higher than a lot of our counterparts,” Wallace said. “We had the opportunity to work with companies the likes of ABC and Disney as we did just last year with their morning show and ESPN. We’ve been able to obtain a set of skills second to none that we intend to leverage in the upcoming CARIFTA Games to heighten the visual experience of what viewers will be able to digest and watch. We want everyone to be there but for those who won’t be able to physically be there, it’ll be an experience as if you just were there.”

Wallace said they will be enhancing the viewers’ experience and one of the ways is to use a rail camera that will track the races, especially the 100 and 200 meters races up close.

Maycock is encouraging persons from The Bahamas and around the world to use its crowdfunding platform that was done through ArawakX. It can be found on the CARIFTA Games website: www.carifta50.com.

https://thenassauguardian.com/movi-group-comes-on-board-with-carifta-games/

 Home|Sports|Top seeds prevail in the BAISSSports

Cougars come from double digits down to beat the Saints

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 2, 2023 503 5 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The top seeds all came out to play on Wednesday, advancing to the basketball championships of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

In the senior boys division, in particular, it wasn’t an easy task for the pennant-winning Charles W. Saunders Cougars. The Cougars found themselves down by 10 at the beginning of the first quarter, but executed a full court press on the unsuspecting Kingsway Academy Saints which forced turnovers and triggered their offense, particularly in transition.

In total, the Cougars outscored the Saints, 33-13, in the fourth to win going away. They entered the fourth trailing by 10, and ended up winning by 10, 79-69. In the senior girls division, the pennant-winning St. Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine took out the Queen’s College Comets, 48-27, the pennant-winning Jordan Prince William Falcons defeated the St. John’s College Giants in the junior boys division, 48-26, and the Saints completely derailed the Comets in the junior girls division, 31-1.

Junior Girls

Saints 31, Comets 1

The Saints simply outclassed the Comets, winning easily to take their sudden death playoff game and book their ticket for the BAISS best-of-three championships.

The Comets got their only point in the first quarter and were already down by double digits at the end of one, 12-1. A stingy defense held the Comets scoreless in the second, third and fourth quarters. The defending champions, the Saints, led 16-1 at the half, 25-1 after three and closed the game out on a 12-0 scoring run in the fourth.

Andica Curtis paced the Saints with 16 points and Michayla Joseph added 13. Gabriella Allen scored the only point for the Comets.

“We won but I feel like we could have played a lot better,” said Saints Head Coach Tamaro Butler. “We had a lot of mistakes in the first three quarters and then they finally picked it up in the fourth. I think it was nervousness. As long as we correct those mistakes, we should be fine in the championship. We need to execute the game plan and take care of the basketball and we should be fine in the championship.”

The Saints will take on the winner of the other sudden death playoff game between the second-seeded Big Red Machine and the third-seeded Giants in a best-of-three championship series.

Junior Boys

Falcons 48, Giants 26

An 18-0 scoring run covering the second and third quarters enabled the pennant-winning Falcons to pull away from the Giants at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium yesterday afternoon.

The underdog Giants battled fiercely in the first quarter but fell victim to an aggressive pressure defense from the second quarter onward and couldn’t respond. The game was tied at seven at the end of the first quarter, but the Falcons stormed ahead 23-14 at the half. They held the Giants to just two free shots in the third quarter, and went on to lead 40-16 at the end of three. The Giants never threatened the rest of the way.

Michael Munnings paced the Falcons with a game-high 25 points. Convae Smith and Emmanuel Brown dropped in five apiece. Leonardo Rolle paced the Giants with seven points, but went scoreless in the second half. Akai Miller scored all six of his points in the fourth quarter. Mario Bowleg added five.

“The guys came out sluggish, but they settled in and started playing Falcons basketball,” said Falcons Head Coach Philip Hanna. “We came in with the mentality that we’re the underdog and we’re playing every game like it’s our last. We know that whoever we face in the championship, it will be a tough battle. We’re prepared for it and ready to get to work.”

The defending champions, the Falcons, will face the winner of the other sudden death playoff game between the second-seeded Big Red Machine and the third-seeded Comets in a best-of-three championship series.

Senior Girls 

SAC 48, Comets 27

A well-oiled Big Red Machine proved to be too much for the fourth-seeded Comets in the senior girls playoff game on Wednesday.

The game was close early as the Comets trailed just 8-5 at the end of the first quarter, but the pennant-winning Big Red Machine outscored them 12-2 in the second to lead 20-7 at the half. The lead never shrunk to less than double digits the rest of the way. SAC led 34-14 at the end of three and cruised to victory in the fourth quarter.

Junior national team player Dior-Rae Scott and Antonicia Moultrie scored 17 points apiece for the Big Red Machine. Teanna Gibson added six. Ciara Bowe had 11 for the Comets and Kahlia Higgs added eight.

“Right now, we’re just taking it one game at a time. The girls have to come ready to play. Once they do that, I have no doubt that they will be able to bring home a championship,” said SAC’s Head Coach Anastasia Sands-Moultrie. “There are always things that could be worked on. Defense is always the key. We have the offense, but more than anything, we need defense. We can’t go into the championship and believe that because we are the top seed it will just come to us. We have to go out there and work for it. Once we come out with that mindset, and put in the work, we’ll be fine.”

SAC will face the winner of the other sudden death playoff game between the second-seeded Giants and the third-seeded Saints in a best-of-three championship series.

Senior Boys 

Cougars 79, Saints 69

In the most thrilling game of the evening, the pennant-winning Cougars had to battle from behind to prevent a mega upset at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium on Wednesday. They were caught completely off guard for much of the game as the upstart Saints showed no fear, challenging the heavily favored Cougars on almost every possession.

A 10-1 run at the end of the third quarter gave the Saints a 56-46 cushion going into the all-important fourth, but they couldn’t hold off a relentless attack by the Cougars in the fourth. The Saints led by as much as 11, and realizing that their season was on the line, the Cougars came alive in the fourth. They scored the first six points of the fourth to quickly get back in the game. By the 3:37 mark of the fourth, they reclaimed the lead with a three-point shot from the left arc by Tenaj Strachan. Strachan’s huge shot gave them a 65-62 lead at that point and they never looked back the rest of the way.

In total, Strachan scored 11 points in the fourth to lead the Cougars’ big comeback. He finished with 17 for the game.

The game was close for much of the first half with the Cougars leading 19-18 after one but falling behind 31-29 at the half. The Saints went on a tear at the end of the third and it appeared that they would record what would have been a monumental upset. However, as mentioned, the Cougars responded in the fourth.

Ramon Woods paced the Cougars with 23 points, 14 of which came in the final period as the Cougars outscored the Saints 33-13 in the fourth. Strachan finished with 17 for the Cougars and Marcian Pickstock contributed 12.

Evan Cartwright had a strong third quarter for the Saints, dropping in 16 in that period alone. He finished with a game-high 29 to lead the Saints. Kenyon Johnson had the hot hand early and finished with 14 for the Saints and Rayjin Smith was their only other player in double figures with 11. Kenaz Swane contributed nine.

“We were not at our best today – we had to fight for this game,” said Cougars Head Coach Dario Burrows. “We were sloppy in in the first half and the defense waited too long to come around. We picked it up in the fourth and we were able to come back. We still have some growing to do, but we’re getting there. We have to come here in the championship, clean up the defense, clean up the half court offense and rebound the ball. Once we do that, we will be fine.”

The Cougars will face the winner of the other sudden death playoff game between the second-seeded Big Red Machine and the third-seeded Falcons in a best-of-three championship series.

The other four playoff games will be played today at the Kendal Isaacs gym.

https://thenassauguardian.com/top-seeds-prevail-in-the-baiss/

 Home|Sports|Healthy ‘Jazz’ looking forward to new seasonSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 3, 2023 110 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The last time Bahamian professional baseball player Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. was in action in an official baseball game was on June 28 due to injury. Now, he says he is fully healthy entering his second full season in Major League Baseball (MLB), and the sky is the limit for him.

Chisholm was initially to be out for a few weeks with a lower back strain. However, on July 21, after a CT (Computerized Tomography) scan, it was revealed that he had a stress fracture in his lower back and he was forced to shut down his 2022 season. He said that is behind him now, and he is ready to go to camp to put in the work. Lately, he was putting in work at home here in The Bahamas.

“My body feels great every day. It feels like it’s getting stronger and stronger, getting ready to play 160 games,” Chisholm said. “My plan is just to stay on the field. That’s the only thing I feel like I’ve got to work on the most – staying available. Everyday, I’m on the field, even when I’m home like now. I’m still going to the field, training, working out every day, getting my work in, getting my reps in. I could be here for one day and I would still get my reps in on the field. Whenever I fly back the next day, I’m getting my reps in, wherever I’m at, so I never stop working. I’m always ready.”

Chisholm is looking to improve his performance from the 60 games he played in last season. Last year, he had a batting average of .254 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs (runs batted in) and 39 runs scored. He had 12 stolen bases, finished with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .325 and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .860.

While home, Chisholm said he has been getting in his reps, along with a few other Bahamian baseball players at the new Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium. He said he always wanted to play in the new stadium, whenever it was completed, so he is embracing the opportunity to work out there now.

Chisholm’s coach from childhood to now, who he calls his father, International Elite’s (I-Elite) Sports Academy’s Geron Sands, said Chisholm has Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Hall of Fame status on his checklist after being voted in as an all-star last season.

“When he talks about MVP, I believe him because every single thing he said he was going to do, he has done so far in the sport of baseball. So, mainly, this is the only thing left. His accomplishments included him signing, winning MVP in the minor leagues, having 30 home runs in the minors, making the all-star game, make it to the big leagues and recently making it on the cover of a video game. There are two things left – MVP and Hall of Fame and that’s what I’m expecting. I’m looking forward to that. It’s amazing to be here on this journey. It’s been a long and great journey.”

Chisholm, who was recently moved to center field by the Marlins after they acquired American League batting champion and all-star infielder Luis Arráez, said that he is working hard every day and is looking forward to the switch to center field.

“It’s just going to be a lot more running for me,” Chisholm said. “That’s all what I feel is the only difference. I’m not going to be as used to running as much as I’m used to as a shortstop or second baseman. Now, it’s more like I got to condition myself and get myself ready to have all that running up and down.”

Chisholm’s other childhood coach, Albert Cartwright, who is also with I-Elite Sports Academy, admires Chisholm’s drive to do anything he sets out to do.

“I’m the one in ‘Jazz’ life who would say, ‘Come on Jazz that ain’t realistic’. After one of our games we went to a Marlins game and he told me that he would hit a home run on a slider, I said, ‘Come on Jazz’. The next game and first at-bat he hits a home run on a slider. He points up in the stands and ever since then I was like I have to believe everything he says now. So, when he goes out and says he’s going to win a Gold Glove in center field, I believe him,” Cartwright said.

Spring training for Chisholm and the Marlins begin on February 25.

https://thenassauguardian.com/healthy-jazz-looking-forward-to-new-season/

 Home|Sports|Local group calls for recognition for ObedSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 3, 2023 111 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

In a year in which the long awaited Bahamas Games is set to return, the nation celebrates its Golden Jubilee 50th independence, and the CARIFTA Games is hosted here for a record ninth time, a group of Bahamians is petitioning to the government of The Bahamas for recognition of this country’s sports heroes, specifically Everette ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson who passed away four and a half years ago at the age of 66.

Obed, as he is affectionately called, is The Bahamas’ first and, to date, only legitimate world champion in boxing. He defeated Brazilian Miguel de Oliveira, who passed away in 2021, for the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) light middleweight title in Paris, France, in 1975 – two years after The Bahamas’ first year of independence.

Obed ended his career with a win/loss/draw record of 91-22-4 with 60 knockouts (KOs). There were three no contest fights. He started his career with 64 wins in his first 67 decisions including the world title win over de Oliveira.

Former Bahamas Boxing Federation (BBF) President and former Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) President Wellington Miller said praise and recognition for Obed is long overdue.

“People in the region appreciate when their athletes do something for their country and it is time something be named after Obed here in The Bahamas – a lot of people are asking about it and a lot of people want it,” said Miller. “We shouldn’t have to wait 50 and 60 years or for when people die to honor them, and for Obed, this is long overdue. There is a group of us who are starting this movement and we would love for it to happen this year – during the nation’s 50th independence celebrations. Obed was just two years after independence, and he is a national hero, so it’s only fitting that we honor him in some significant way.”

Miller and the group are proposing the naming of East West Highway, from Robinson Road to the juncture of Tonique Williams-Darling Highway to be named after Obed, and he is also proposing that Shaunae Miller-Uibo get some recognition and honor this year – possibly the renaming of John F. Kennedy Drive after her.

“It’s not just Obed. We want accolades and recognition for more Bahamian athletes and heroes. The naming of the stadium after Tommy Robinson and the naming of the highway after Williams-Darling, we appreciate all of that but there is one glaring omission. Something must be done for Obed. We are talking about the first world champion in boxing from The Bahamas. He is a national hero. Unfortunately, he’s no longer with us, but there is still something that we could do for him – something for his family, friends and for the nation to see that we love what he did for the country and we appreciate him.”

Miller, who serves on the technical committee for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, said he has had an opportunity to visit many countries in the region and they all recognize and honor their sports and cultural heroes. He listed names such as Hasely Crawford and Claude Noel, of Trinidad and Tobago; Herb McKenley and Usain Bolt, of Jamaica; Kirani James, of Grenada; and Kim Collins, of St. Kitts and Nevis, as some of the regional heroes who have received special recognition and were honored.

“When you look at what the other countries in the region are doing, they hold nothing back when it comes to honoring their sports heroes. These guys have schools, streets and highways, MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) honors and other honors and, in some cases, an opportunity to be knighted from the British Empire. All we are saying is that Obed deserves something. We would have wanted him to be alive, so that he could have received his flowers while he was able to smell them, but it’s not too late to show our love and appreciation for him, and with this being the 50th year of independence, this is the time to do it.”

The late Everette ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson passed away on June 28, 2018, after a long illness. He was 66. By the early 1908s, he was past his prime, and ended up losing 11 of his final 16 fights. His last recorded bout was against James ‘Killer’ Coakley on March 6, 1988 – a bout he won on points.

https://thenassauguardian.com/local-group-calls-for-recognition-for-obed/

 Home|Sports|Exciting climax to sudden death playoffsSports

SAC junior girls and boys, Giants senior girls and Falcons senior boys make finals

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 3, 2023 185 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) championship teams are now known as the playoffs ended last night in all four divisions at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

The best-of-three championship series gets underway on Monday, starting at 4 p.m., at the same location.

Punching their ticket to face the undefeated Kingsway Academy Saints in the junior girls division was the St. Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine. They held on, taking down the St. John’s College Giants, 28-27.

SAC defeated the Queen’s College Comets, 36-32, in junior boys action and will face the undefeated Jordan Prince William High School Falcons in the championship series.

The Giants were able to easily come away with a 34-6 victory over the Saints to set up the senior girls championship against SAC.

In the senior boys division, the Falcons prevented SAC from having a team in each division in the championships with a 56-50 victory. They will move on to play against the top-seeded Charles W. Saunders Cougars.

Junior Girls

SAC 28, Giants 27

A 12-6 fourth quarter advantage was enough for SAC to come away with the victory. Leading the way for them was Alexis Roberts who scored a game-high 15 points. She had help from Azarria Marshall who scored 10 points. Leading the way for the Giants was Zhyon Wilson with 10 points.

Junior Boys

SAC 36, Comets 32

The Comets attempted a comeback but a huge defensive stop at the end of the game by SAC helped them to hold on for the victory. SAC had a balanced scoring attack as three players scored seven or more points. Leading the way was Tyler Frazier with 10 points. Nathan Rolle had nine points and Keitho Johnson chipped in with eight points.

Senior Girls

Giants 34, Saints 6

The Giants were dominant in this game as they shut out the Saints, 17-0, in the first half, and never looked back. The Saints scored their first points of the night in the third quarter. There was some stifling defense on display for the Giants as they turned a number of forced turnovers into points. At the end of the third quarter, they led 27-3 and cruised to victory in the fourth quarter. Lebronique Demeritte led the way for the Giants with 13 points. Reyannah Green had 12 points as the duo paced the Giants’ scoring on the night. Chanelle Gibbs led the Saints with four points.

Senior Boys

Falcons 56, SAC 50

After finding a rhythm, the Falcons went on a crucial 10-0 scoring run at the 3:21 mark of the first quarter to take a 10-1 lead. SAC kept battling back and took a 45-42 lead on a Quinton Rolle three-point shot with 4:10 left in the fourth quarter. It was their first lead of the game since leading 1-0 early in the first quarter. After that, the Falcons took over. They went on an 8-0 run, taking the lead for good.

Trae Clarke came up big for the Falcons in the fourth quarter, coming away with four made buckets. He finished the night with 16 points. Kamari Minnis scored 10 of his 16 points in the second quarter to help the Falcons. Rolle brought SAC to within two points, 52-50, with under a minute left in the game but the Falcons went on a 4-0 run to end the game and set up a ‘Battle of the Baptist Schools’ in the championship as they will face the Charles W. Saunders Cougars.

Nicholas Bell had 16 points while Rolle finished with 14 points for SAC. Looking ahead to the championship series, Falcons Head Coach Ernest Saunders said they just want to win.

“I must say that C.W. Saunders has improved a lot,” Saunders said. “They are the number one team but we just have to do what we have to do and play our game.”

Both teams finished with a 9-1 win/loss record in regular season but it was the Falcons who handed the Cougars their only loss, 63-62.

The best-of-three championship series gets underway on Monday. Game Two in all four divisions will be played on Wednesday, and the third games, if necessary, will be played Thursday.

https://thenassauguardian.com/exciting-climax-to-sudden-death-playoffs/

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