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Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 23, 2023 220 1 minute read

Bahamian Dakarai Turnquest continues to excel in billiards internationally, moving through the rounds of the double elimination 2023 BCA (Billiard Congress of America) Pool League World Championships at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The mega pool event got underway on Wednesday in Las Vegas, and the 16-year-old pool shark from Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, wasted little time in establishing himself as one of the top shooters in the tournament.

Up to press time last night, Turnquest had already won his first three matches, taking down Americans Roger Geary, Steve Ellsworth and Jeremiah Huskey. In the race to six, Turnquest won 6-2, 6-5 and 6-3 over the three Americans, and was set to take on Willy Lucero, another American, last night. The result of that match was unavailable up to press time.

It certainly doesn’t get any easier for the young Bahamian as the competition is expected to stiffen in the coming days.

Competing in one of the toughest segments of the tournament, Nine-Ball Singles – Platinum Division, Turnquest is battling, continuing to validate his standing among the top junior shooters in the region. He made the quarterfinals of the SVB (Shane Van Boening) Junior Open segment of the US Open Pool Championships, and was fourth at the 32nd Annual Valley National Eight-Ball Association (VNEA) World Junior Championships last year.

Following the Nine-Ball Singles competition, he will compete in Eight-Ball Singles, Eight-Ball Doubles and is looking to qualify for the professional segment of the 10-day tournament which is now into Day Two in Las Vegas.

About 12-15 pool shooters from The Bahamas are competing in the 

international tournament, but just a handful in the platinum division. In total, there are 148 competitors in the platinum division and more than 600 in the entire tournament.

The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) is the governing body for cue sports in the United States of America (USA) and Canada, and a regional member organization of the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

Turnquest continues to make a name for himself in the game of pool, and by extension cue sports. He is the youngest pool master in the country and is regarded as one of the top junior pool shooters in the region.

https://thenassauguardian.com/turnquest-moving-through-the-rounds-at-world-championships/

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The Nassau GuardianSend an emailFebruary 23, 2023 106 2 minute read

The 50th CARIFTA Games are just six weeks away and anticipation for the event continues to grow.

Last Thursday, Pauline Davis, dubbed the Dame of the 50th CARIFTA Games, commenced her roadshow, visiting as many of the schools within New Providence as possible, and stirring up support for the young athletes as they prepare for the upcoming event, scheduled for April 8-10, at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Davis encouraged the students to pursue a career in athletics, which had opened many doors for her and gave her something positive to focus her gifts and life on.

In preparation of the upcoming 50th CARIFTA Games, the CARIFTA Trials is set for March 25-27, at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium.

Davis began her school visits with her alma mater, Government High School (GHS). At GHS, she inspired the young students and athletes to remember their pride and legacy as a school and as Bahamians.

Davis shared her story about the triumphant race that propelled her to recognition. In 1984, she won the Austin Sealy Award for most outstanding athlete, and helped The Bahamas to win CARIFTA that year with her final leg of the under-20 girls 4×400 meters (m) relay.

Davis encouraged the students to remember that this year, they are chasing “gold” at the 50th CARIFTA Games.

“Remember that our 242 pride runs deep,” she said.

According to Davis, the 50th CARIFTA Games Local Organizing Committee (LOC) looks forward to each school participating in the cheer competition, in which the details will be released shortly, and is headed by event partner DasQuay of DasQuay Entertainment. It will be an opportunity for each school to show their support for their fellow athletes and Bahamians as they carry the pride of a nation on their backs on the track.

Davis’ most recent school visit was to C.I. Gibson Senior High School where she continued to encourage the students to remember to support their fellow students and athletes. One athlete she highlighted and thanked for his dedication as a young man was Johnathon Rodgers – bronze medalist for The Bahamas for 2022 CARIFTA Games.

“I am happy and grateful that you decided to pick up a pair of cleats instead of a knife or gun and do something positive,” she said.

Davis’ school visits, on the ‘Road to CARIFTA’, will continue with her stopping at several schools on New Providence, encouraging athletes and young persons to do their best.

“Whether you are on the track or in the stands cheering your fellow Bahamians this CARIFTA, come gold with us,” she said.

Tickets for CARIFTA are now available for purchase online at www.carifta50.com or at the box office for CARIFTA at the Western Grandstand entrance of the Thomas. A. Robinson National Stadium.

For more information, interested persons can visit www.carifta50.com or follow CARIFTA on its social media pages – @carifta2023 or on Facebook.

https://thenassauguardian.com/dame-of-carifta-pauline-davis-visits-schools/

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Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 23, 2023 109 2 minute read

The Bahamas’ senior men’s national basketball team is set to continue its play in the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Americas World Cup Qualifiers, with a rematch against Venezuela, this time at the Poliedro de Caracas in Caracas, Venezuela, this evening.

The game gets underway at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and can be viewed live on FIBA’s YouTube page.

The team arrived in Venezuela from early in the week and got some practices in with the head coach from the last window, Moses Johnson. This is the first half of the final window of competition. The second half will be against Panama in Panama City, Panama, on Sunday, in which The Bahamas will go after a sweep of that nation.

“The guys have started to build some cohesion,” Johnson said. “I like the energy from the guys and they seem to be getting along well. The coaching staff is pleased with what we have seen so far. We will be ready for Venezuela.”

Making up the squad are Kadeem Coleby, Dominick Bridgewater, Godfrey Rolle III, Ahmad Pratt, Robert Nortmann, Kentwan Smith, Livingston Munnings, Roosevelt Whyley, Qyemah Gibson, Bradley Nairn and Jean Rony Cadot.

“The selection was an arduous process,” Johnson said. “We had several injuries, guys stuck in their playing town where they could not get visas, some players could not travel at the last minute but we are here. I always stick with my guns because the team that we have is the team that is supposed to be here. We are going to prepare them for Thursday and I am sure that we are going to give a great effort.”

The last time The Bahamas played Venezuela was back in August here at home at the Kendal G.L Isaacs National Gymnasium. In that game, Bahamian National Basketball Association (NBA) players Chavano “Buddy” Hield and Kai Jones suited up for The Bahamas, but Venezuela’s fourth quarter surge earned them an 86-81 win.

“We are telling the players to stay resolute, connected, together and focused. We do not want them to mind the noise in the market. This place is going to be rocking with people screaming and being negative but we have to stick together. We have to worry about what we can control and not worry about the rest,” Johnson said.

The Bahamas cannot qualify for the FIBA World Cup anymore as the team sits in fifth place in Group E with a 3-7 win/loss record. However, they can play spoiler to Venezuela who has an identical 7-3 record with the Dominican Republic and Argentina.

“We have an opportunity to rank in the top 10 in the Americas. It is something that we have never done, so this is important. We cannot qualify but Venezuela is on the cusp of qualifying. They are tied with the Dominican Republic and Argentina, so we can come in here in a hostile environment and send them home packing from qualification and add them to the pools in future tournaments in the summer. This is very important for us, especially against Venezuela to put out our best effort forward and go out there and win both of these games, and help ourselves in the world rankings,” Johnson said.

The Bahamas’ play in the November window moved them up three spots to number 57 on the global scale with 188.9 points. They are at number 13 in the Americas.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-takes-on-venezuela-tonight/

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Teams will be eliminated this afternoon as the tournament moves into Day Four

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 23, 2023 115 3 minute read

The Grand Bahama and Family Island teams tipped off play at the Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium yesterday.

Securing a victory in their first-ever tournament play was the Study Hall Academy Knights out of Grand Bahama. They took down the S.C. Bootle Dolphins out of Abaco, 65-32. The Patrick J. Bethel Marlins out of Central Abaco had a tough time against the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves, falling 54-18.

Grand Bahama’s Eight Mile Rock Blue Jays easily won over Abaco’s Agape Christian Eagles, 50-35. In the final game of the early session, the Gateway Christian Academy Eagles, out of Bimini, got a 49-31 win over Grand Bahama’s Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors.

Action continues on Day Four today at noon. Teams will be eliminated in the afternoon session.

Knights 65, Dolphins 32

The Knights only had six active players because of flight availability but that did not stop them from getting a blowout victory against a full squad from the Dolphins.

A 15-5 first quarter advantage was enough for the Knights to gain momentum and they kept the pressure on for the rest of the game. They ended the game with 18 steals and had an eye-popping 26 points off turnovers.

Leading the way for the Knights was Edwin Ferguson who went 7-for-11 from the field to finish with a game-high 27 points. Trenaz Rigby and Jahmarion Albury each added 10 points.

Knights’ Head Coach Denzel Knowles said they had some trouble getting everyone on the plane from Grand Bahama, so he had to bring his core guys and the rest will come later.

“It was a good warm-up game playing against a team that we felt we were more athletic and faster than. It was good for us to get our feet wet and get prepared for what’s to come,” Knowles said.

Miguel Sawyer scored 16 points in the loss.

Timberwolves 54, Marlins 18

Playing their second game on consecutive days, the Timberwolves hardly broke a sweat as they welcomed the Marlins to New Providence with a drubbing.

The Government Secondary Schools Sporting Association (GSSSA) runners-up went up 29-8 at the half. They then held the Marlins to 10 points in the second half to get a wire-to-wire victory.

Jefferson Bethel led the Timberwolves with 15 points in just 13 minutes of play.

“We played a solid game for four quarters,” said Timberwolves’ Head Coach Denycko Bowles. “The main focus of this game was defense. We had to make sure we had the proper rotations on defense. We had the intensity. We are working on a lot of things going forward.”

The Timberwolves had 26 steals and had 32 points from the Marlins’ turnovers.

Blue Jays 50, Eagles 35

Andre Jones had a double-double with game-highs of 16 points and 12 boards for the Blue Jays and Shemeco Albury chipped in with 15 points as they got a double-digit victory.

It was a slow start for both teams as the first quarter ended with the Blue Jays holding a slim 8-6 lead.

The Blue Jays figured out the Eagles and was able to outscore them 19-10 in the second period to go into the intermission up 27-16. A strong defensive third quarter enabled the Blue Jays to extend their lead to as much as 24 points. That quarter ended with them up 44-22. They were outscored 13-6 in the final period but it had little effect on the final outcome.

Head Coach for the Blue Jays Justin Munroe said they wanted to see where they were at on the court and wanted to get the first game out of the way.

“The tournament will get easier as we get the jitters out and the boys know where they are. We can be better going forward,” Munroe said.

They out-rebounded the Eagles 44-29.

Dashawn Smith led the Eagles with 12 points.

Eagles 49, Warriors 31

The Eagles went into the half down 29-28. Eagles’ Head Coach Gilbert Rolle Jr. may have said something to his team that resulted in a different Eagles team in the second half as they overpowered the Warriors 37-13 in that half to pull off the victory.

Paulston Stuart played 20 minutes and scored 18 points to go with five steals.

According to Rolle, coming out of the half, his team turned up its intensity on defense.

“We put on our full-court press in the third quarter and along with some press packages, we were able to get some easy turnovers. We were able to get the momentum shifted. Stuart had three or four back-to-back steals for us. Everyone fed off that energy and we were able to put the game away,” Rolle said.

The Eagles went into an early 8-0 hole to start the game, something Rolle attributed to his team flying into New Providence after noon, checking into the hotel immediately and then coming straight to the gym.

He is looking forward to his team making a deep run in the tournament.

Hugh Campbell action continues today at noon at the Kendal Isaacs gym.

https://thenassauguardian.com/out-island-teams-hit-the-floor-at-hugh-campbell/

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Hugh Campbell Classic moves into second day at Kendal Isaacs gym

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 22, 2023 335 2 minute read

The featured matchup on Day Two of the 2023 Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic was between the champions of the private schools here on New Providence and the runners-up of the government schools.

It certainly didn’t disappoint as it was a back and forth game until the government schools runners-up pulled away late. The Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves fell to the C.I. Gibson Rattlers in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) championship last week, while the C.W. Saunders Cougars outlasted the Jordan Prince William High Falcons in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) championship.

They gave the fans in attendance at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium a hard-fought battle, but in the end, the defensive pressure from the Timberwolves in the fourth quarter proved to be too much for the private school champs.

The T-wolves won, 42-35, and will move into the winner’s circle of the double-elimination tournament. They will move on to play the Patrick J. Bethel Marlins out of Central Abaco on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

“We thank God for the victory. They guys came here hungry, and the way we played, exhibited that,” said two-time GSSSA winning coach with the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins Denykco Bowles, now the head coach of the Timberwolves. “Our boys played extremely hard on both sides of the ball. We came into this tournament with a mindset of playing hard and taking it one game at a time, one possession at a time. Once we stay focused and stay poised and dedicated to what we need to do, we’ll be good to go,” he added.

The Cougars were down 13-10 after the first quarter, but went ahead 25-24 at the break. The Timberwolves re-took the lead early in the third quarter and never looked back. Down 28-29, a three-point shot from Kirkwood Rolle gave them the lead for good, and a basket in transition from Stephano Farrington padded the lead to four points. They ended the third ahead 33-31.

The Timberwolves continued to keep the pressure on, leading by as much as seven in the fourth quarter. The Cougars simply ran out of steam as they couldn’t get anything to fall in the all-important fourth. Given the caliber of the opponent, Bowles said he was grateful for the win.

“That’s a tough team over there. I’m glad we got the win, but we have a long way to go,” he said. “A lot of my guys never played this caliber of basketball before, so it’s a learning experience for us. It’s up to them now to want it and go out there and work for it. Hats off to them for the work they put in today, but we have to continue doing it. This is just the beginning. I just want them to give me 110 percent at all times. As a coach, that’s all I could ask for.”

Jefferson Bethel paced the Timberwolves with a game-high 17 points yesterday. Rolle, Farrington and Elton Pickstock scored five apiece. Nakero Brown and Romial Strachan scored eight points apiece for the Cougars and Raymone Woods dropped in seven.

The Timberwolves will play the Patrick J. Bethel Marlins on Wednesday evening while the Cougars won’t play again until Thursday night when they take on the loser of the St. George’s Jaguars and Temple Christian Suns game, in an elimination contest.

Action at the 2023 Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic continues today. The Grand Bahama and Family Island teams will hit the court for the first time.

https://thenassauguardian.com/t-wolves-devour-the-private-school-champs/

 Home|Sports|T-wolves devour the private school champsSports

Hugh Campbell Classic moves into second day at Kendal Isaacs gym

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 22, 2023 153 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The featured matchup on Day Two of the 2023 Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic was between the champions of the private schools here on New Providence and the runners-up of the government schools.

It certainly didn’t disappoint as it was a back and forth game until the government schools runners-up pulled away late. The Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves fell to the C.I. Gibson Rattlers in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) championship last week, while the C.W. Saunders Cougars outlasted the Jordan Prince William High Falcons in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) championship.

They gave the fans in attendance at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium a hard-fought battle, but in the end, the defensive pressure from the Timberwolves in the fourth quarter proved to be too much for the private school champs.

The T-wolves won, 42-35, and will move into the winner’s circle of the double-elimination tournament. They will move on to play the Patrick J. Bethel Marlins out of Central Abaco on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

“We thank God for the victory. They guys came here hungry, and the way we played, exhibited that,” said two-time GSSSA winning coach with the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins Denykco Bowles, now the head coach of the Timberwolves. “Our boys played extremely hard on both sides of the ball. We came into this tournament with a mindset of playing hard and taking it one game at a time, one possession at a time. Once we stay focused and stay poised and dedicated to what we need to do, we’ll be good to go,” he added.

The Cougars were down 13-10 after the first quarter, but went ahead 25-24 at the break. The Timberwolves re-took the lead early in the third quarter and never looked back. Down 28-29, a three-point shot from Kirkwood Rolle gave them the lead for good, and a basket in transition from Stephano Farrington padded the lead to four points. They ended the third ahead 33-31.

The Timberwolves continued to keep the pressure on, leading by as much as seven in the fourth quarter. The Cougars simply ran out of steam as they couldn’t get anything to fall in the all-important fourth. Given the caliber of the opponent, Bowles said he was grateful for the win.

“That’s a tough team over there. I’m glad we got the win, but we have a long way to go,” he said. “A lot of my guys never played this caliber of basketball before, so it’s a learning experience for us. It’s up to them now to want it and go out there and work for it. Hats off to them for the work they put in today, but we have to continue doing it. This is just the beginning. I just want them to give me 110 percent at all times. As a coach, that’s all I could ask for.”

Jefferson Bethel paced the Timberwolves with a game-high 17 points yesterday. Rolle, Farrington and Elton Pickstock scored five apiece. Nakero Brown and Romial Strachan scored eight points apiece for the Cougars and Raymone Woods dropped in seven.

The Timberwolves will play the Patrick J. Bethel Marlins on Wednesday evening while the Cougars won’t play again until Thursday night when they take on the loser of the St. George’s Jaguars and Temple Christian Suns game, in an elimination contest.

Action at the 2023 Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic continues today. The Grand Bahama and Family Island teams will hit the court for the first time.

https://thenassauguardian.com/t-wolves-devour-the-private-school-champs/

 Home|Sports|Mingoes look to build off experience at Skinner ClassicSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailFebruary 22, 2023 99 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

NORTH MIAMI, Florida — The rebuilding University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes men’s basketball team picked up valuable experience at the Skinner Classic in North Miami, Florida, over the weekend.

The Mingoes dropped three games – to Florida Palms, 77-71; Atlantis University, 93-61; and Fort Lauderdale University, 101-45, at the tournament at the Scott Galvin Community Center in North Miami.

Mingoes Assistant Coach Lavar Johnson said the team showed one quality, in particular, throughout the tour – a willingness to fight.

“All three teams pressured us and pressed us hard straight through for all 40 minutes,” he said. “They were bigger, and, in some cases, stronger than us, but our guys never gave up. They continued to play and they continued to dig deep and execute everything we asked them to do.”

Johnson chalks up the losses to the youthfulness of the team.

“This is how it is with such a young team,” he said. “We are going to see some games like this where they are down and they have to keep on fighting and keep on clawing. This is how we build and grow. We are going to see a lot from them in the future.”

Dave Lindsey showed out throughout the tournament, averaging 20 points per game with a game-high 25 points against Florida Palms University. He had 14 points against Atlantis University and 13 points against Fort Lauderdale University.

Theodore Grant averaged 10 points per game for the Mingoes with his highest production coming in the Florida Palms game with 15 points. He also led the team in assists, averaging 4.3 assists per game and added 3.3 steals per game.

Erquantae Edgecombe was close to double-digit scoring as he averaged 9.7 points per game.

Delano Armbrister contributed an average 2.7 steals per game.

The Mingoes are next expected to play Sand Dollar in New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the A.F. Adderley Gymnasium. They sit in third place of the Vince Ferguson Division of the NPBA Division I with a 4-5 win/loss record.

Florida Palms 77, UB 71

Dave Lindsey led the Mingoes with 25 points in the 77-71 loss to the Florida Palms University Owls. Guard Theodore Grant put up 15 points to go along with five assists and five steals. Timothy Grant contributed 10 points for the Mingoes.

The Mingoes and the Owls were tied five times in the game, including at 42 at the half. The game had 11 lead changes. The Mingoes were close in the final minutes but a late surge by the Owls stopped the Mingoes from picking up a win.

Atlantis University 93, UB 66

Dave Lindsey and Erquantae Edgecombe each had 14 points for the Mingoes but it was not enough for the fast break play of Atlantis University. They defeated the Mingoes convincingly, 93-66, despite the Mingoes leading by 11 points at one point.

Theodore Grant added 11 points and four assists in the loss.

Fort Lauderdale University 101, UB 45

The Mingoes never led in the matchup against Fort Lauderdale University and were taken down 101-45 to close out the tournament.

Dave Lindsey was the only Mingoes player with double-digit scoring as he had 13 points. 

https://thenassauguardian.com/mingoes-look-to-build-off-experience-at-skinner-classic/

 Home|Sports|Ferguson finishes third at ILCA Mid-Winters East RegattaSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 22, 2023 122 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian junior sailor Craig Ferguson continues to shine both locally and internationally in sailing.

Representing the Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA), the 14-year-old youth sailor finished third in the Laser 4.7 Class of the ILCA (International Laser Class Association) Class 4 Mid-Winters East Regatta in Clearwater, Florida, over the weekend. There were 46 sailors in the fleet.

Ferguson, who has emerged as one of the top youth sailors locally, had one first-place finish, two seconds and two thirds in the seven-race series, finishing with a net total of 23 and a grand total of 29. He also had a fifth and a sixth, but the sixth was thrown out for being the lowest score. Representing Team Happy of the South Carolina Yacht Club (SCYC), on board the boat Dogger on da Water, 

American James Pine claimed the top overall spot, finishing significantly ahead of the rest of the competition. He was second overall at the optimist worlds last year.

Pine had four first-place finishes, a second and two thirds in the seven-race series, finishing with a net total of 12 and a grand total of 15. He was followed by his teammate at SCYC Nathan Pine on board Shark!! with a net total of 21 and a grand total of 29.

Ferguson, who finished first overall in silver fleet at the 2022 Arkas Optimist World Championship, was one of five sailors to compete for The Bahamas in the regatta.

Also competing were Enzo Godoy, Zachery Knowles, Katie Kelly and Ellieann Higgs, all in the ILCA Class 6.

They finished 73rd, 78th, 79th and 84th, respectively. In total, there were over 170 registered participants in the regatta, and the event was hosted by the Clearwater Yacht Club in Clearwater, Florida.

https://thenassauguardian.com/ferguson-finishes-third-at-ilca-mid-winters-east-regatta/

Yolett McPhee-McCuin

As of Tuesday, February 21, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin and her University of Mississippi Lady Rebels had their chances in regulation on Sunday, but they blew it and lost in overtime as the NCAA top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks stayed undefeated.

#Playing before a record crowd of 65,630 fans at The Pavilion at Ole Miss, the Lady Rebels managed to close out the regulation tied at 55-55, but in the extra five minutes, they couldn’t contain South Carolina, who went on to secure a 64-57 win. While the Gamecocks, coached by Dawn Staley, improved to 27-0 overall and 14-0 and need one more win at Tennessee on Thursday to clinch the Southwestern Conference (SEC) regular season title, McPhee-McCuin and her Lady Rebels are 20-6 and 9-4 with two more games to play this week to at least match or improve on their 10th SEC winning season last year.

#“I think it was great. They’re the number one team in the nation. A lot of people have tried to take them down and have been unsuccessful,” said McPhee-McCuin of the live nationally televised game.

#“We had a chance to take them down in regulation, but just couldn’t figure it out. “It’s a learning experience for us and we will only get better as a result of it.”

#With Ole Miss scheduled to play Missouri at 7pm on Thursday and close out their regular season on Sunday against Alabama, McPhee-McCuin said they are on the verge of surpassing last year’s 10-6 SEC season. “It’s been great. I think we are playing good basketball, but not our best basketball yet,” she said.

#As they work on getting to that level, McPhee-McCuin said if they are more efficient on the offensive end scoring the baskets rather than making the costly turnovers, as they did against South Carolina, they will be right where she wants them to be.

#“We have to be able to capitalise on our free throw shooting or a two-on-one situation and stuff like that. So I would like to see us do that.

#“If we do that, we will be in good shape. Defensively, we’re one of the best in the country. We just need our offence to start catching up.”

#Following in the footsteps of her legendary basketball coach Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee, McPhee- McCuin said she was quite pleased to hear the compliments she continues to receive from the media and her peers as they consider her to be one of the top coaches in the NCAA.

#“I think it’s well earned. There’s been a lot of work put into this,” McPhee- McCuin said.

#“I come from a coaching tree, so it’s pretty cool. But I work hard every day. I’m humble. I learn a lot. I’m a student of the game and for us to go back-to-back 20-plus seasons and go to the NCAA Tournament is a blessing.”

#This is the 18th year for McPhee-McCuin as a coach after she made the transition from playing as a point guard.

#She is now in her 10th year as a head coach and the fifth at Ole Miss, having just signed on a four-year deal.

#“You know they will have to run me my money after this season right,” McPhee-McCuin joked.

#McPhee-McCuin is even more excited about what next season holds as she will get the opportunity to coach her second Bahamian player in Rhema Collins, who will be joining Ole Miss after completing her high school career at Weber School.

#“We’re really excited about Rhema and what she will be bringing to Ole Miss,” said McPhee- McCuin, who a few years ago coached point guard Valerie Nesbitt on her Lady Rebels’ team.

#“You haven’t seen her best performances yet. Rhema is a special talent and honestly, I think her best talent is ahead of her. I don’t think you have seen the best of her yet.

#“We hope to help bring that out of her when she comes.”

#With Collins being on the team, McPhee-McCuin hopes to come back home in November to play in a tournament at Atlantis, similar to what they did last November when they played in a tournament at Baha Mar.

#On Saturday, Collins helped Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, clinch their third regional championship title.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/21/mcphee-mccuin-and-lady-rebels-fall-short/?news

LET THE GAMES BEGIN – Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg shoots a basketball yesterday to signify the official opening of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys. The opening ceremonies were held at AF Adderley Gymnasium but the games will be played at the Kendal Isaacs Gym. Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

As of Tuesday, February 21, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WALKING back into the AF Adderley Gymnasium for the opening ceremonies of the 36th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic brought back some fond memories for Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

#Bowleg, who started out as a basketball player for the AF Adderley Fighting Tigers when they were a high school, ventured into coaching, before he became the president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation and eventually emerged into politics.

#Bowleg, who captured a pair of back-to-back titles with the CC Sweeting Cobras in 2012 and 2013 and again in 2015 and 2016, said he’s been constantly asked if he misses coaching and he would consistently say “no.”

SHOWN, from left to right, are Alsworth Pickstock, one of the tournament founders, Belinda Wilson, president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, Mrs Hugh Campbell, wife of the late Hugh Campbell, Kenneth Rolle, vice principal of AF Adderley, and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

#But upon hearing the roar of the crowd in the mystique AF Adderley Gymnasium on Monday morning, Bowleg said he felt the adrenaline that he experienced in the past and had a change of heart about whether or not he missed coaching.

#He stated empathically that he “did.”

#Bowleg was declaring the weeklong tournament for senior boys open.

#In its return after not playing for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the games will be played at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Bowleg commended Alsworth “Whitey’ Pickstock, who convinced Fighting Tigers’ head coach Doug Collins that they should start the tournament to raise funding for their athletic programme.

#The idea was accepted by principal Hugh Campbell and gave birth in 1992 when the LW Young Golden Eagles, also a high school team then, won the first title under coach Walter Rand and led by most valuable player Bernard.

#It was during one of the tournaments that he was playing in, Bowleg said he found his wife on the basketball court in AF Adderley Gym and they have been married for the past 18 years.

#In his brief address, Bowleg said he’s also delighted to have been able to serve as a coach for some of the coaches, who will be coaching their respective teams in the tournament. Among the list were Dario Burrows of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ champions Charles W Saunders, Dastyn Baker, now coaching at CC Sweeting and Ernest Saunders, the head coach, of the Jordan Prince Williams Falcons.

#With teams from Jordan Prince Williams, Government High, RM Bailey, Charles W Saunders, CC Sweeting, CV Bethel, Anatol Rodgers and CI Gibson all in attendance, Bowleg declared the tournament open. He also shot the ceremonial shot from the free throw line, but missed the first two before converting the final one.

#Pickstock, who was also among the list of dignitaries on hand, said he was pleased to see the tournament return because it provides an opportunity for the young men to develop their skills, especially against their counterparts who come in from Grand Bahama and some of the Family Islands.

#“The whole idea for establishing this tournament was for the players to have some camaraderie among themselves,” Pickstock said. “The advent of bringing in Freeport was to take the tournament to another level from a national perspective.”

#Grand Bahama teams participated in the tournament for the first time the following year in 1983 when the Catholic High Crusaders, coached by Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee, won. In fact, Grand Bahama teams won the next two with the Hawksbill High Hawks, coached by the late Errol Bodie and the Eight Mile Rock Bluejays, coached by Gary McIntosh, were the 1994 and 1995 champions.

#The tournament was cancelled in 1986 when there was a dispute with the high school coaches, forcing a split with the government and private schools and the formation of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) and the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS).

#When the tournament resumed in 1987, the host AF Adderley Fighting Tigers, coached by Collins, went on to become the first two-peat champions before there was a dominance of the Grand Bahamian teams up to 1997 when the CR Walker Knights, coached by Trevor Grant, returned the title to New Providence.

#In that span of Grand Bahama success, Jimmy Clarke coached Hawksbill High to the first of three-peats from 1992-1994.

#The only other team to three-peat was the CI Gibson Rattlers, coached by Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, with their feat from 2004-2007.

#Following Bowleg’s two-straight from 2012-2014 with CC Sweeting, the Tabernacle Baptist Falcons, coached by Kevin Clarke, won it consecutively in 2017-2018.

#Clarke also played for the Falcons, whose coach then was Norris Bain when they won it back-to-back in 2009-2010.

#Bain, who won his first two straight in 1995 and 1996, is listed as the winningest coach in the tournament, having won six titles. Bowleg, Johnson and Clarke have each captured four crowns, albeit Clarke is the first to win with two different teams after he came to New Providence and led the Knights to their victory in 1997.

#The defending champions of the tournament are the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins, coached by Denycko Bowles.

#Since then, Bowles has been moved to Anatol Rodgers where he is coaching the Timberwolves.

#The Mystic Marlins are now coached by Kevon Spence.

#Comedian Das Quay served as the master of ceremonies for the opening, which featured entertainment by the AF Adderley School Band and cheerleaders, the Royal Bahamas Police Pop Band and musician Julian Believe.

#Theophilus Claridge, a former principal at AF Adderley and now the Southern District superintendent, brought remarks on behalf of Dominique Russell, the director of education, science and technology.

#Also in attendance was Belinda Wilson, the president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers.