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It’s another ‘Freeport vs. Nassau’ battle in the Hugh Campbell championship game

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 27, 2023 248 5 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

For the first time in six years, perennial Hugh Campbell Basketball Champions the C.I. Gibson Rattlers are back in the championship game, and they’ll meet the defending champions waiting on them.

It will be another ‘Freeport vs. Nassau’ battle, pitting two of the top teams in the country against each other. The Rattlers turned back the St. George’s Jaguars, 66-62, in their semifinal game at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium on Sunday night, and in the early game, the Sunland Baptist Stingers pulled off a mini upset, turning back the Tabernacle Baptist Falcons, 66-55.

The championship game between the Rattlers and defending champions Stingers is set for 8 p.m. this evening at the Kendal Isaacs gym.

Rattlers 66, Jaguars 62

The Jaguars never led, but made the Rattlers fight for a chance to represent New Providence in the championship game.

After falling behind by 13 points early, the Jags battled back to trail just 34-28 at the half, and got to within one point, 50-49, at the end of three. They pulled even twice in the third and another time in the fourth but could never get that go-ahead basket to give them an edge.

In the final minute of the game, a huge putback layup from Tashon Butler, a couple of defensive stops, and a free shot from Butler enabled the Rattlers to hold off the resilient Jaguars and end their longest drought in reaching the Hugh Campbell championship game since the early 90s.

Butler and James Delia had 17 points apiece to lead the Rattlers. Dieunel Joseph contributed 12 points and had a game-high 16 rebounds. Devorne Rigby had a game-high 26 points for the Jaguars, including shooting a remarkable 6-for-11 from three-point range. Shamar Davis was their only other player in double figures with 16 and he added 11 rebounds.

“That’s a tough team over there. We forced about two to three clock violations down the stretch and that was key for us,” said Rattlers Head Coach Kevin “KJ” Johnson. “We have to come out and play better against Sunland. They’re a very good team out of Grand Bahama and we have our work cut out for us. There’s always a good rivalry between Nassau and Grand Bahama and we’re just happy to be a part of it. They (Grand Bahama) were very strong this year, and it showed as they had three teams in the final four. We have a lot of work to do in Nassau in terms of our skill development, but there and some good coaches here and we’re going to make it happen. We just have to keep working.”

The Rattlers got off to a quick double-digit lead in the opening quarter as it took the Jaguars a while to get going. They didn’t score their first basket until the 4:34 mark of the opening quarter – a floater in the lane from Rigby. By the midway point of the opening quarter, the Rattlers were ahead, 13-2. The Rattlers were up 21-11 after one and went on to lead 32-19 coming down to the end of the second quarter before the Jags showed some signs of life and started to battle back.

The Jags went on to close the first half on a 9-2 scoring run to get back in the game.

A couple of three-point shots from Rigby pulled the Jags even at 34 in the third quarter and the 

momentum started to shift. The score was tied again at 36, but then a 7-0 run from the Rattlers gave them a little bit of a cushion. However, the Jags came back again. They closed the third quarter on a 13-7 run to get to within one, 50-49, going into the fourth and final period.

The Jags couldn’t get that go-ahead basket to fall in the fourth and the Rattlers held on for the victory, winning 66-62.

Johnson knows that they have their work cut out for them in the final.

“Sunland is a very athletic team. It feels good to be back in the championship but our work is not done yet,” he said. “We have to play the kind of defense that we’re capable of playing in order to come out on top. Once we come out and play Rattlers basketball, I believe we’ll come out on top.”

A key component in the game was points off turnovers. The Rattlers won that battle, 18-4, and also scored 23 fast break points compared to 11 for the Jaguars.

Stingers 66, Falcons 55

In a battle of the “Baptist schools from Grand Bahama”, it would be the Sunland Baptist Stingers who would exempt revenge on the Tabernacle Baptist Falcons for a setback in the Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Association (GBSSAA) senior boys championship series.

This time, the Stingers came out on top, 66-55, winning convincingly in their Hugh Campbell semifinal game on Sunday at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

The Stingers were so dominant that the Falcons led for just 3:50 in the game, including not at all in the second half. In fact, the lead grew to as much as 18 points, 48-30, in the second half.

“We just came out and played our brand of basketball and dictated the pace of the game,” said Stingers Head Coach Jay Phillippe. “We wanted to be physical with them. The message to the guys was to go out there, play hard and have no regrets. We wanted to control the tempo of the game and attack them on the offensive side. I feel like we were able to do that. I think we were able to play our brand of basketball and that worked for us. There is a rivalry between Tabernacle and Sunland. It’s always a back and forth affair between us. Today, we wanted to come out here and execute our game plan and I believe we were able to do that.”

Coming off a two-year break after the tournament was not held, due to the threat of COVID-19, the Stingers are back in the championship game where they will go after another title. They won it all in 2020, right before the coronavirus pandemic shut down sports in the country for more than two years.

“It’s just a privilege to play basketball and to play it at this level,” said Phillippe. “To be able to come back and make it to the championship again speaks wonders about the program that we have at Sunland. We’re not done yet. We have one more game to go, so we’ll go back to the drawing board and come with more intensity in the championship game. Hopefully, we will be able to execute tomorrow night.”

In their semifinal game against the Falcons, the Stingers fell behind, 10-6, early, but they closed the first quarter on a 13-6 scoring run and never looked back. They led 19-16 after the end of one and 37-28 at the half. As mentioned the lead grew to as much as 18 in the third before the Stingers settled for a 51-37 lead after three. There was no comeback for the Falcons in the fourth.

“They’re (Falcons) a very good team and they beat us in Grand Bahama, so it was a revenge game for us. We saw the loss in Grand Bahama as motivation,” said Phillippe. “We put in a lot of work this year and we weren’t prepared to have it end without making it to the championship game.”

The Stingers will defend their Hugh Campbell title against the C.I. Gibson Rattlers tonight.

In their semifinal game, they got a game-high 26 points from Tianno Roberts, including a 5-for-7 performance from three-point range. Jordan Saunders added 11 points and Uriel Delancy scored 10 and pulled down 10 rebounds. Noah Bain had 15 points, four assists and four steals for the Falcons. Aiden Miller and Joshua Williams contributed 13 points apiece.

The Stingers scored 26 points off turnovers compared to 17 for the Falcons and outscored the Falcons, 21-10, on fast break points. They shot 8-for-16 from behind the three-point arc compared to just 3-for-14 for the Falcons.

https://thenassauguardian.com/rattlers-to-battle-the-stingers/

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Five more teams made their exit as the 38th edition of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic continued on Friday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Eliminated after losing their second games in the double elimination format are Bishop Michael Eldon, Kingsway Academy, RM Bailey, Louise McDonald High and Government High.

#In games played on day five of the week-long tournament, Gateway Christian Academy def. Government High 60-33; CV Bethel def. Louise McDonald High 46-37; Charles W Saunders def. RM Bailey 56-31; Sir Jack Hayward def. Kingsway Academy 45-43; Doris Johnson def. Bishop Michael Eldon 50-28; St George’s def. Anatol Rodgers 42-32; Tabernacle Baptist def. CC Sweeting 52-31 and CI Gibson def. Jordan Prince Williams 53-49.

#Rattlers 53, Falcons 49: On a steal and pass from Prince Wheatley, James Delia scored a lap-up with 11 seconds as CI Gibson held on for the win and pushed their record to 2-0. Delia ended up with 13 points and eight rebounds with two steals. Jude Vil had nine points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals.

#It was just the first loss for Jordan Prince William, who came into the marquee game of the day at 2-0. Trevon Clarke had 14 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists and Jakayo Kemp added 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.

#Falcons 52, Cobras 31: The Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Association’s champions Tabernacle Baptist Academy coasted to their third straight win with 17 points, five rebounds, three block shots and two assists from Noah Bain; 14 points and four rebounds from Alex Minus and 10 points and two rebounds from Aiden Miller.

#CC Sweeting got nine points and nine rebounds from Jamerolston Vil and eight points from Emmanuel Adams as they suffered their first loss after winning their first two games to stay alive.

#Jaguars 42, Timberwolves 32: Kevaro Russell came through with 17 points, three rebounds and two steals to lead the way for St George’s to their second straight victory to remain in contention. Shamar Davis added 10 points and five rebounds.

#In the loss for Anatol Rodgers, who dropped to 2-1 to stay alive, Jefferson Bethel had 14 points and six rebounds and Kirkwood Rolle added 10 points.

#Stingers 59, Knights 40: St George’s got three players in double figures as they got the job done in their second straight win to remain a contender.

#Donell Basden led the attack with 13 points, three block shots, three steals and a pair of rebounds; De’Nage Kelly had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists and Gianno Murray chipped in with 10 points, seven rebounds and a pair of steals.

#In a losing effort for CR Walker, who are still alive at 1-1, Jumeo Miller had 21 points and five rebounds.  Carlton Johnson added seven points with 10 rebounds.

#Mystic Marlins 50, Warriors 28: Doris Johnson got a 1-2 punch from Torrien Marshall with 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals and Bredon Williams ended up with 11 points with two rebounds as they stayed alive at 1-1.

#Bishop Michael Eldon were led by Lavon Cooper with six points, five rebounds and a pair of steals and Aaron Forbes also had six points, but it wasn’t enough as they were eliminated at 1-2.

#Wildcats 45, Saints 43: Sir Jack Hayward escaped with a nail biter as Keon Cooper converted a pair of free throws with nine seconds left to seal the deal as they improved their record to 2-1. Cooper finished with six points, but Desmond Hall had a game high 18 points with three steals and two rebounds and Marvin Culmer had a double-double with 14 points and rebounds, a pair of assists and steals and a block shot.

#Evan Cartwright had 16 points and three rebounds and Rayjin Smith added 13 points, eight steals, six rebounds and two assists in the loss for Kingsway Academy as they were ousted with a 1-2 record.

#Cougars 56, Pacers 31: Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools Sports Association’s champions Charles W Saunders stayed alive with their second straight win after losing their opener, thanks to the game high 20 points and three rebounds from DeQuan Strachan and 11 points with five steals and four assists from Treymon Wright.

#RM Bailey didn’t have a player in double figures and they were sent home with a 1-2 record as Joshua Benjamin led their limited attack with just eight points and three rebounds.

#Stingrays 46, LMH 37: Derrick Edgecombe was CV Bethel’s only player in double figures, but his game high 19 points with six rebounds and two steals was enough to keep them alive in the tournament at 2-1. Prescott Stubbs was their next best performer with eight points and nine rebounds.

#Both Javardo Toote and Jasmen Rock had nine points with Toote adding 15 points in a losing effort for Louise McDonald High, who also made their exit at 1-2.

#Marlins 60, Magicmen 33: Paulson Stuart exploded for a game high 29 points with three rebounds and a pair of assists and steals, while Sherrick Ellis had 16 points and a pair of rebounds, assists and steals as Gateway Christian Academy stayed alive with a 2-1 record.

#Rasheed Brennen was the bright spot for Government High with 12 points, four assists and three rebounds and steals for Government High, who dropped their second straight loss to get eliminated.

#The tournament will continue on Saturday, starting at 9 am and with the final game of the day set for 9 pm. That will determine who will move onto the semi-finals on Sunday at 6 and 7 pm before the final is set for Monday at 8 pm.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/five-teams-exit-hugh-campbell/?news

 Home|Sports|Warriors, Marlins stay alive at Hugh CampbellSports

Pool play heating up in double-elimination tournament

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 24, 2023 273 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

After three days of competition at the 2023 Hugh Campbell Basketball Tournament, teams are starting to be eliminated in the double-elimination tournament as pool play heats up at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

The Louise McDonald Marlins, out of Bimini, sent the S.C Bootle Dolphins back to Abaco with a 59-43 victory on Thursday. Grand Bahama’s Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors edged the Akhepran Academy Scarabs, 43-37, to eliminate them from the tournament.

Action continues today and more teams will be eliminated. Tip-off is at noon.

Marlins 59, Dolphins 43

A third quarter turnaround by the Marlins was the difference in the game. They took advantage of the Dolphins 15-6 in that quarter and never looked back. They led 43-31 after three. The Marlins held their first double-digit lead at the 3:15 mark of the third quarter.

Jasmen Rock and Javardo Toote were huge for the Marlins in the victory. Rock had a game-high 23 points as he willed his team to stay in the tournament. Toote had 19 points and a game-high 19 rebounds.

The game was a very tightly contested one early on as the teams traded leads. It was tied 13-13 at the end of the first quarter. The Dolphins were up 25-24 with less than one minute left in the first half but the Marlins were able to end the quarter on a 4-0 scoring run to go into the intermission up, 28-25.

The Dolphins were led by Miguel Sawyer who had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Warriors 43, Scarabs 37

It was a close game with 24.7 seconds left as the Warriors were only up by four, 41-37, and the Scarabs were at the free throw line. The player from the Scarabs missed both shots and the Warriors were able to hold on.

For Theron Smith, the head coach of the Warriors, execution down the stretch was a key component. He said they had to let the team know how important this game was.

“We wanted to mentally prepare the guys and we told them that this is an elimination game. Everything that we put together this year we wanted to bring it and put it together in this game. We wanted to play fast, aggressive and under control,” Smith said.

Lavon Cooper and Javon Basden both had 10 points in the victory.

The Warriors jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead at the start of the game. They did the same thing on Wednesday against the Gateway Christian Academy Eagles but it did not end well.

This time, they pulled away and went up 25-10 heading into the half as they look to avoid a repeat of their loss to the Eagles.

However, the Scarabs found a way to make the game interesting as the Warriors could not handle the defense that was thrown at them. Smith’s side was outscored 16-8 in the third period, and led 33-26 after three.

Coming out of that third quarter, Smith said that he told his players that their destiny was in their hands. They chose to live another day, he said.

“We had a big lead going into the half and they started to press us and we got out of sorts a little. At the end of the game coming down the stretch we figured it out,” Smith said.

Evan Hanna did all that he could to help his Scarabs with a game-high 18 points but it was not enough.

https://thenassauguardian.com/warriors-marlins-stay-alive-at-hugh-campbell/

Day 4 double elimination

GRAND Bahama champions Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons got the win over the Gateway Christian Academy 43-20 yesterday in the 36th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys at Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium. Photos: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#It was the start of the elimination process and the survival round on day four of the 36th edition of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Sent packing after losing their second game in the double elimination format were Queen’s College, Temple Christian, Agape, Eight Mile Rock, Patrick J Bethel, Akhepran Academy and Sherlin C Bootle.

#Here’s a look at how the teams stacked up yesterday:

#Louise McDonald High def. Sherlin C Bootle 59-43; Bishop Michael Eldon def. Akhepran Academy 43-37; RM Bailey def. Patrick J Bethel 51-34; Kingsway Academy def. Eight Mile Rock 55-45; Sunland Baptist def. Study Hall 61-30; Jack Hayward def. Agape Academy 45-41; Charles W. Saunders def. Temple Christian 74-40; Tabernacle Baptist def. Gateway Christian Academy 43-20 and Study Hall def. Queen’s College 53-42.

#Study Hall 53, Comets 42: Edwin Ferguson was one of three players in double figures with 17 points, six steals, five rebounds and four assists to pace the winners as they stayed alive with their second win in three games.

#Trenaz Rigby had 12 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists and Jahmsrion Albury also had 12 points with three rebounds, three steals and two assists. Trevor Forbes contributed six points with four rebounds and three steals.

#Leonardo Burrows had 22 points with 16 rebounds, three assists and two steals, but it wasn’t enough to keep Queen’s College alive in the tournament. They were the seventh team eliminated as their next best scorer was Tayshaun Taylor with eight points. Ethan Forbes had six points and six rebounds.

#Falcons 43, Gateway Christian Academy 20: The Grand Bahama champions Tabernacle Baptist Academy only had one player in double figures as Joshua Williams had a game high 15 points with four steals and two rebounds.

#Aiden Miller contributed eight points with five rebounds, three assists and two steals; Noah Bain had five points, four rebounds and two steals and Ahmad Abraham had four points with three rebounds and Alex Minus also had four points and two rebounds.

#No player was in double figures for Gateway Academy as they stayed alive with a 1-1 record. Paulston Stuart led their attack with seven points. Sherrick Ellis had five points and seven rebounds and Denecko Allen added four points with 10 rebounds.

#Cougars 74, Suns 40: Romial Strachan’s 16 points with eight rebounds and a pair of assists and steals helped the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ champions Charles W Saunders to win their first game after losing their opener to move to 1-1.

#Treymon Wright had 14 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists; Marcian Pickstock had 10 points with three rebounds and two assists and Raymone Woods also had 10 points with four assists.

#For Temple Christian, who suffered their second straight loss and was the sixth team knocked out, Ogden Arahna had 14 points with three assists and steals and a pair of rebounds. Darren Knowles and Kymani Roberts both had six, but it wasn’t enough.

#Wildcats 45, Agape 41: Desmond Hall scored a game high 16 points with three rebounds and as many steals to push Jack Hayward to their first victory after losing their opener as they improved to 1-1. Avardo Williams and Deryl Williams both chipped in with 10 points.

#Anthony Mertil had 15 points with seven rebounds and three steals to pace Agape Academy in their second loss to be the fifth team eliminated. Jvaughntrae Albury added seven points, Canaan Davis had six points and seven rebounds and Deshawn Smith had five points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

#Stingers 61, Study Hall 30: Tianno Roberts led a balanced scoring attack with a game high 16 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists and steals for Sunland Baptist, who remained undefeated in the two games played so far.

#De’Nage Kelly had 14 points, two rebounds and two steals and Jordan Saunders had 13 points, four rebounds and two steals and assists.

#Edwin Ferguson was the only player in double figures for the losers with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists. Trennaz Rigby had nine points and four rebounds as they dropped their first game to sit at 1-1.

#Saints 55, Bluejays 45: Rayjin Smith exploded for a game high 24 points with nine rebounds, four steals and three assists to lead Kingsway Academy as they rebounded from an opening loss in the tournament to improve to 1-1.

#Kenyon Johnson was also in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds.

#Christopher Munroe had nine points with three rebounds; Ethan Burrows had seven points and three rebounds and Evan Cartwright added five points with seven rebounds and two steals.

#Henricus Maycock paced the losers in their second defeat with 21 points, eight rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists, but they became the fourth team ousted. Bruce Balfour had eight points and three rebounds and Jermaine Hall ended up with five points and four rebounds.

#Louise McDonald High 59, Sherlin C Bootle 43: Jasmen Rock scored 23 points with seven rebounds, five steals and four assists and Javardo Toote had 19 points and 13 rebounds to provide a 1-2 punch for Louise McDonald as they stayed alive at 1-1.

#Derek Francis had six points with four rebounds, three steals and two assists and Breon Lindsay also had six points in the win.

#In a losing effort, Miguel Sawyer had 21 points with 10 rebounds; Kendrick Sampre had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists and Alpachino Kemp added seven points and four rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as they got eliminated with their second consecutive loss and emerged as the third team ousted.

#Bishop Michael Eldon 43, Akapheran Academy 37: Lavon Cooper scored 11 points with a pair of rebounds and Javon Basden had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists in the win for Bishop Michael Eldon, who im-proved to 1-1.

#Aaron Forbes had seven points with 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals and Isaac Stuart also contributed seven points with three rebounds.

#Evan Hanna scored a game high 18 points with five rebounds, five steals and two assists in a losing effort. They suffered their second straight defeat to become the second team eliminated. Stephen Mackey had seven points with four steals and Baron Coleby II had six points, four rebounds and three steals.

#RM Bailey 51, Patrick J Bethel 34: Kendrick Emilien had 17 points and four rebounds and Joshua Benjamin added 16 points, five rebounds and three steals in the win for the Pacers, who stayed alive to push their record to 1-1.

#Ladanian McKenzie chipped in with nine points, six rebounds and a pair of assists and steals.

#In the loss, Ivan Brave had nine points and a pair of rebounds and steals. Timothy Davis had six points, seven rebounds and two steals and Christopher Turnquest also had six points and four rebounds and both Trevor Robinson and Matthew Duvreus added five points with six and three rebounds respectively.

#Patrick J Bethel was the first team to be eliminated, losing two straight games.

#Today’s Schedule

#10am – Government High vs Gateway Christian Academy.

#11am – CV Bethel vs Louise McDonald High.

#Noon – Charles W Saunders vs RM Bailey.

#1pm – Jack Hayward vs Kingsway Academy.

#2pm – Doris Johnson vs Bishop Michael Eldon.

#6pm – CR Walker vs Sunland Baptist

#7pm – St George’s vs Anatol Rodgers.

#8pm – CC Sweeting vs Tabernacle Baptist.

#9pm – Jordan Prince Williams vs CI Gibson.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/day-4-double-elimination/?news

The Bahamas’ Livingstone Munnings gets hold of the ball.

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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COACH Moses Johnson gives some instructions to the men’s national basketball team yesterday.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT wasn’t the performance that coach Moses Johnson anticipated from the men’s national basketball team in the opener of their two-game road trip in their final appearance in the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifier.

#The Bahamas, already out of contention for qualifying for the World Cup, had a chance to spoil the chances for Venezuela. But in their match-up last night in Caracas, Venezuela outscored the Bahamas 115-70.

#Behind their roaring fans, Venezuela jumped out to an impressive 33-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.

#They outscored the Bahamas 34-16 for a 67-37 halftime lead. They used another 25-14 spurt in the third and 23-11 in the fourth as they led from start to finish.

#Venezuela had six players in double figures, led by David Cubillan with 16 points.

#The Bahamas had three players in double figures, but it wasn’t enough as Venezuela held a slight 44-42 advantage on the boards and had a huge 31-9 difference in the assists category. The Bahamas also mde 26 turnovers, compared to nine by Venezuela.

#Domnick Bridgewater went 6-for-19 from the field, 2-for-7 from the three-point line and 2-for-4 from the free throw line in 30 minutes and 13 seconds for 16 points with two rebounds and an assist. Ahmad Pratt also had 16 points in 15.05 as he connected on 5-for-8 from the field, 4-for-6 from the trey and 2-for-2 from the foul line with three rebounds.

#Bradley Nairn, in 26:22 minutes on the court, helped out with 10 points as he went 2-for-8 from the field, 1-for-5 from the three-point line and 5-for-8 from the charity stripe. Kentwan Smith had nine points with 11 rebounds and Godfrey Rolle II also added nine points. Kadeem Coleby had six points and eight rebounds and Livingstone Munnings was the only other player to score with four points and six rebounds.

#The Bahamas, 3-8 in fifth place in Group E, will now travel to Panama to play their next game on Sunday. Panama is in sixth place at 2-9.

#Venezuela is in a three-way tie for second place at 8-3 with the Dominican Republic and Argentina behind front running Canada, who are 10-1.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/mens-national-basketball-team-suffers-115-70-loss-/?news

QUEEN’S College Class of 85 paid tribute to their late classmate Frankie Simmons by presenting a cheque to his baseball team.

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN memory of their deceased classmate Frankie Simmons, the class of 1985 of Queen’s College made a cheque presentation to the Freedom Farm Green Parrots to assist in their travel to the Perfect Game Tournament in Sandford, Florida.

#The team, which will be coached by Anfernee Seymour, Wayde Beckford and Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya, will compete in the tournament from today to Monday just outside of Orlando.

#Members of the QC class on hand were Stephen Johnson, Ryan Bethel, Marlene Wells-Fox, Gail Byer-Branon, Renee Hepburn-Davies and Karla Knowles.

#They were joined by Simmons’ wife Sharon Simmons and his father Roger Simmons.

#Naughty and Andrew Thompson, along with some of the players, were on hand to receive the cheque and behalf of Green Parrots, now headed by Anton Newbold, who took over from Simmons after his death.

#“We reached out to coach Naughty and advised him that we the Class of 85 of Queen’s College would like to know if there was anything that we could do to assist his 12-and-under team,” Stephen Johnson said.

#“Coach Naughty mentioned that they have a trip to Sandford, Florida that they were schooled to make. He mentioned to us that a few of the boys were having trouble raising the funds, so we decided to make the contribution towards his team for their travel to the tournament.”

#Johnson said it was an overwhelming support from the class because they knew how much Simmons enjoyed coaching baseball.

#“Frankie loved baseball. Frankie loved developing young boys. Frankie was instrumental in Jazz Chisholm’s baseball career,” added Johnson about the Miami Marlins baseball player.

#“I was happy to see Jazz mentioned that after Frankie’s passing where Jazz gave him a lot of credit for where he’s at today.”

#Naughty, best known as a comedian and radio personality, worked with Simmons prior to his death.

#He noted that they were preparing the team to travel before Simmons passed away. He noted that they decided to continue their preparation for the trip because it would have been something Simmons wanted them to do.

#“A lot of the players were out to the Don’t Blink baseball camp and they were invited to try out for this team that was travelling with Anfernee Seymour,” Naughty said. “This is the tournament that players like Jazz and Lucius Fox, so Frankie wanted to make sure that these guys get that same opportunity.

#“This allowed them to see where they are and what they need to work on so if we wanted to go to the pros or to college and just how much work they need to put in. So he wanted us to make the trip and after he died, we wanted to make sure that the boys could still make the trip.”

#Naughty said they were thrilled when the Simmons’ Class of 1985 at QC stepped up to the plate and made their donation, ensuring that three of the five guys from Simmons’ team will get to travel for free to play with all of the other players on the team.

#Additionally, Naughty said he reached out to John’s Department Store and the family once again came to his assistance and provided their support to the team.

#“It’s something Frankie wanted. It’s something that we talked about,” Naughty said. “It’s a great opportunity for these players to travel to the Perfect Game Tournament in Sandford, Florida, coached by Anfernee Seymour, which will comprise of five of Simmons’ players and the rest who are good enough to play 12-and-under.”

#A total of 14 players are on the team that will be coached by Seymour, Beckford and Naughty. There are also a number of parents who will be travelling to provide the support for the players during the tournament.

#“It’s a good opportunity for the players to get into the Perfect Game system, to get looked at by the high school, college and pro scouts so they can start keeping track of these players,” Naughty said. “We could not have done it without the support of the Class of 85 at QC and John’s Department Store. “We’re very thankful, very appreciative and very humbled. The boys appreciate you all so much. We are going to go over there and represent not just the Bahamas, but what coach Simmons would have wanted them to do and that is to display good sportsmanship, play to the best we can, leave it all on the field, have some fun and conduct yourselves like gentlemen and learn that these are steps to take you from being a boy into a man and so we are definitely excited to carry on his legacy.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/qc-class-1985-remember-frankie-simmons/?news

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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UB long-distance runner Kenold Jean competes in the men’s 5,000m event.

UB sprinter Brianique Strachan competes in the women’s 200 metres.

UB sprinter Fridline Augustin competes in the women’s 400 metres.

UB sprinter Dennis Williamson hands the baton to Donya Roberts in the men’s 4×400 metres.

UB sprinter Jackson Ozias prepares to hand the baton to Lhevinne Joseph in the men’s 4×400 metres.

UB sprinter Donya Roberts prepares to hand the baton to Jackson Ozias in the men’s 4×400 metres.

UB sprinter Dennis Williamson competes in the men’s 400 metres. Photos: UB Athletics

#THE University of The Bahamas Track and Field team won the 4x400m relay at the St. Thomas University Season Opener meet over the weekend.

#The Mingoes also picked up four second place finishes and a third place finishes at the collegiate meet.

#The men’s 4x400m team of Dennis Williamson, Donya Roberts, Jackson Ozias and Lhevinne Joseph won the event in by 0.53 seconds in a time of 3 minutes 23.18 seconds. The Lynn University Knights placed second in 3:23.71.

#“This was an important win for team as this is our first international meet of the season,” head coach Ednal Rolle said. “I have a new team with nine freshman and we needed a win. We had a few second place finishes up to that point and when it came to the relay I told the guys that we need to leave with a win and they went out and made it happen.”

#Brianique Strachan had a great international season opener with two second place finishes. She took second in the women’s 100m 12.25 seconds and the 200m event in 25.57 seconds.

#“I felt good out there but even though I produced a PR in the 200 meters I felt that I could have done better,” Strachan said.

#Besides leading off the winning relay team, Williamson also finished second in the men’s 400m in 49.69 seconds. Donya Roberts finished 4th in 51.17 seconds.

#Joseph, who also anchored the winning relay team, finished third in the men’s 800m in 1:58.07.

#“I went out 56 seconds in the first 400 and that was good but I wasn’t 100 percent out there today so I was pleased with that performance,” Joseph said.

#Jackson Ozias finished 9th in 800m event in 2:04.86.

#High jumper Jaidyn Brown finished second in the event with a best clearance of 1.7m (5-6 15/16th).

#Sprinter Fridline Augustine took fourth in the women’s 400m in 1:01.29 and Gerline Belot finished 1:05.86.

#Sprinter Lakeicia Lewis finished 10th in the women’s 800m in 2:42.79.

#Long distance runner Kenold Jean finished 10th in the men’s 5000m event in 19:55.92.

#Sprinter Tevin Wright finished 13th in the men’s 200m event in 24.55 seconds and 16th in the men’s 100m in 11.69 seconds.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/ub-mingoes-track-field-team-wins-4×400-relay-st-th/?news

THE University of The Bahamas Mingoes men’s soccer team is scheduled to play their next game against the Bears FC at the Roscow A.L. Davies field at 5pm this Sunday. Photo: UB Athletics

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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#THE University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team seemed as if it just could not stop scoring against Baha Juniors Football Club in Bahamas Football Association play on Sunday at the Roscow AL Davies field.

#The Mingoes scored five goals each half against Baha Juniors, including a five-goal performance from Ronaldo Green en route to the 10-1 win for the Mingoes.

#Green scored in the 11th, 44th, 45th, 80th and 90th minutes for the Mingoes. He now leads the league in goals with 24 over nine matches. “We came out tonight and played hard to get the win,” he said.

#“It was great to score so many goals but it’s more important to get the win.”

#Green scored two goals off penalties. Midfielder Marc Ville started the scoring fest off for the Mingoes, connecting with the net in just the second minute of the match.

#Winger Jeremy Holland connected on a toe kick in the 15th minute to put the Mingoes up 3-0.

#Green, in addition to the 11th minute goal, also scored twice in the last minutes of the half to put the Mingoes up 5-0 at the break.

#Out of the break, midfielder Nathan Wells scored after advancing deep in the box for the easy goal in the 58th minute.

#Captain Marlon Barnes was awarded a free kick just out of the box in the 72nd minute of the match. The kick sailed over the wall and pass the opposing keeper for the goal.

#In the 82nd minute, winger Jervane Turnquest had a brilliant bending attack that sailed in the upper right corner of the goal for his first goal of the season. “It was a great goal for me,” Turnquest said. “I’ve been looking for that all season and to get it like that was really great. This sets us up for the harder matches coming up.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/ub-mingoes-men-earn-10-1-win-over-baha-juniors/?news

TOP sailor Joshua Higgins is hoping that he will qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

As of Thursday, February 23, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Growing up on Harbour Island and a lover of water sports, Joshua Higgins said he knew that one day he would follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, the late Jacob Higgins, his father Melvin Higgins and his uncle Dwayne Higgins.

#But instead of competing in the native sloop sailing, which the Higgins clan were renowned for, Higgins decided to venture into the Olympic-style sailing competition and has already established himself as the top Bahamian sailor and is hoping that he will qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

#Higgins, 19, has been a member of the Harbour Island Sailing Club since 2001, but through his British coach, Keir Clarke, he was able to move to Viana do Castelo, Portugal where he is training at the Viana Sailing Performance Club for the past year and-a-half for competition in the ILCA 7 sailing class.

#“I am now doing a lot of training because this is the year that I have to qualify for the Olympics,” Higgins said.

#On a daily basis, Higgins would report to training camp between 8-9:30am for an intense workout with his coach Miguel Andrade.

#After getting lunch, they return between 12-1pm for a short briefing of what the coaches will take them through for the next 2-3 hours.

#After they get off the water, Higgins said they go through a briefing with the coaches, who provide video coverage of what they did in practice. They also do some cycling on the road to help them build up their endurance.

#“Viana is a place where the weather here can get really strong,” said Higgins, who will be in Europe until June before he returns home for the Central American and Caribbean Games, which serves as a qualifier for the Pan American Games.

#Before returning home, Higgins will be back in competition at the PreCamp and Senior Europeans in Andora, Italy, March 7-17 before he competes in another event in Spain at the end of March.

#In April, he is expected to participate in the French Olympic Week in Hyeres, France April 22-29 and the YES Regatta and PreCamp May 25-29 in Germany.

#Higgins is hoping that he can improve on his previous best international competition where he got third place in the Dominican’s Olympic Regatta.

#On the local scene, Higgins has emerged as the top ranked Bahamian in the Bahamas Youth Sailing Club. He has won the Sir Durward Knowles National Sailing Regatta in 2021, only to finish as the runner-up last year.

#The emphasis for Higgins right now is to qualify the Bahamas for the Olympics.

#“That’s a big goal of mine. I want to prove a lot of the doubters wrong,” he said. “A lot of people doubted me, but at the same time, I got some more supporters. I’m going to give it my best shot.”

#In order to qualify for the Olympics, Higgins would have to finish in the top 16 in the ISET Senior World Championships. If he fails there, he can get one of the two spots from the Pan American Games in October, or he will have to wait for the World Championships in Adelaide, Australia.

#Higgins said he doesn’t miss home as he did at first, but he is in constant communication with his parents, Melvin and Gem Clarke, and other family members and friends, so he feels right at home.

#He said he’s on a mission and he wants to achieve his goal and Portugal has turned out to be the right fit for him, thanks to coach Clarke.

#“At first it was pretty hard, being so young and being away from home,” said Higgins, who was 17 when he made the transition to Portugal.

#“Being away from home, getting used to how people do things over here and getting used to the environment, the culture and the temperature, all of that had a big effect. “But having made the adjustment, I love it. I now consider this my second home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. It’s almost like Nassau. It’s like a city, but it’s not a big city. It has its sights and a lot of history, which I’m big on, and the environment is very good for sailing. The people are nice and the food is good.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/23/higgins-aims-qualify-olympics/?news