As of Monday, June 19, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

RASHIELD Williams celebrating his victory.

RASHIELD Williams evading a punch in the bout.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#RASHIELD Williams, fighting his first eight round bout of his professional career, went the distance to pull off a decision on points over Ramon de la Cruz Sena from Argentina on Saturday night.

#In what he described as an early Father’s Day gift to himself, Williams said head difficulty shaking off his crafty opponent, known as ‘El Correntino’, but he was committed to securing the win at the Alessi Gym Fitness Center in Tampa, Florida.

#“He was a veteran fighter, who had been in many fights, so it was difficult to shake him off,” said Williams, who dedicated the fight to his son Reagan, “He knew exactly what he was doing, so I couldn’t knock him out. I had to our-box him.”

#With the win, his second straight for the year, the 29-year-old Williams improved his win-loss record to 8-2. The 37-year-old de la Cruz Sena fell to 23-36-5.

#Compared to his previous fight when he stopped American Walter Raul Saravia at the same venue on March 18, Wiliams said he was in much better shape because he knew his opponent was no pushover.

#“I was in tip top shape,” he explained. “I usually go into the ring heavy, but I was much lighter. That made the difference in my performance.”

#Williams, who trains at the Contenders Boxing Gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is now preparing to head to the Central American and Caribbean Games where he hopes to get even lighter than he was Saturday night.

#“I have to go running now. Coming off a fight like I had last night, I’m excited about what I can do,” Williams proclaimed. “But I know fighting against amateurs, you have to throw my punches because it’s only three rounds.”

#The 24th edition of the CAC Games is scheduled for June 23 to July 8 in San Salvador, El Salvador, and will allow professional boxers to fight against amateur boxers.

BAHA Juniors celebrate their triumph. Photos: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

As of Monday, June 19, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

BAHA Juniors in action against Dynamos FC.

A CAVALIERS player fires in a ball against United FC.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Baha Juniors women’s team will now join the Western Warriors men’s football club (FC) as Hummel Cup title winners. The team secured their championship hardware after defeating the defending champions, United FC at the Roscow AL Davies new soccer field.

#Despite a delay due to inclement weather, the matches rolled on and saw the Western Warriors finish fifth, Dynamos FC in fourth place, Cavaliers FC claim third, and United FC as runner ups this time around.

#First place

#In a tightly contested match, the Baha Juniors women’s team was able to topple the defending champions United FC. Both teams battled for a score in each of the 15-minute halves.

#However, neither were able to score a goal which led to a penalty shootout.

#Annisa Albury, first Bahamian woman to officiate at CONCACAF Beach Soccer Pre-World Cup, was the first to sink the ball to the back of the net for her team.

#The next score came from Alyssa Franklin. Hadassah Knowles of United FC was able to put a point on the scoreboard for her team to keep their championship window open. However, the Baha Juniors’ Sydney Hector shut out the defending champions after nailing the final penalty kick. The penalty shootout ended 3-1.

#Julian Smith, Baha Juniors head coach, said the team’s goal was to limit the passing ability of United FC.

#“The whole point of the game was to try and contain them as much as we could because they are really good at making passes so we just had to keep holding on,” Smith said.

#The head coach added that he would have liked the team to score but he was confident in his team’s ability to win the penalty shootout because they are good with spot kicks.

#Ellianne Higgs, goalkeeper for the Baha Juniors, played an integral role in the team’s win. She talked about how it felt to contribute to the victory.

#“I think my team played really well United [FC] has always been one of our top competitors so we tried really hard to play them today and beat them… I was really glad I got those shots because I know my team wanted this cup so I worked as hard as I could to save them,” Higgs said.

#After failing to repeat as Hummel Cup title winners, Samuel Thibaud, head coach of United FC, talked about the loss.

#“It feels terrible because the game was set up to be 20 minutes-20 minutes. We had a strategy to play our second team in the first game and save our energy for the championship game but we didn’t get a chance to wear them down,” Thibaud said.

#He added that the loss was also disappointing because they fell to the team in the Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) Women’s Futsal Championship as well.

#Third Place

#In the battle for bronze, the Cavaliers FC took down the Dynamos FC, last year’s runner ups, 2-0. The Cavaliers’ Jankea Edey was instrumental in the team’s win over their competitors. In the first half of play, Edey sank her first goal of the contest to put the team up 1-0 going into half-time.

#Although the Dynamos tried to score on multiple occasions, they remained scoreless. Ultimately, the midfielder scored again off an assist by her teammate late in the second half to solidify the victory for her club.

#She said the win was a tough one due to the frequency of games.

#“This game was a rough game considering we had two games prior to this so our team was tired so it took them a lot to keep pushing through to get to win… I am really proud of them because we came a long way and we did good as a team,” Edey said.

#Another bright spot for the Cavaliers was the play of their coach, goalie, and BFA vice president Daria Adderley. She said being in the trenches and knowing what the players want helps with the guidance of the executives in the BFA. She added that it’s fun to wear multiple hats in soccer and it’s a joy for her.

#The Western Warriors secured fifth place in the BFA’s women’s football Hummel Cup after defeating the Future Stars 3-0 this past Saturday. The men’s Western Warriors FC earned their Hummel Cup victory after beating United FC 2-0 in April.

As of Monday, June 19, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

JONQUEL Jones

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas’ Jonquel Jones posted her first double-double of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) season this past Sunday. Jones also turned in her second highest point total of the season as the second leading scorer in the New York Liberty’s win against the Phoenix Mercury. Although the Liberty team was without their All-Star guard Sabrina Ionesecu, the third-seeded team routed the Mercury 89-71.

#Liberty opened the first quarter on a tear going up 30-17 on the Mercury who played without their star centre Britney Griner. The Mercury star was sidelined with a hip injury sustained last week Tuesday. Jones’ teammate Breanna Stewart had her worst game of the season against the Atlanta Dream in the previous game as she only amassed 12 points in 37 minutes of action. However, on Sunday Stewart collected her seventh double-double of the season with 28 points, and 14 rebounds to pair nicely with seven dimes. Jones stepped up to the plate in the 23 minutes she played at the Barclays Center, the Bahamian forward coming away with 13 points, a season-high 11 boards, and three assists on 50% shooting. Jones also finished the game shooting 100% from the charity stripe.

#After taking control in the first quarter, the Liberty went into halftime with a 53-34 lead over the 2-7 (win/loss) Phoenix team. Jones’ teammate Stewart poured in 23 of her 28 points in the first half making it a big difference from the last game’s lone field goal she scored. In the third period, the last-seeded WNBA team matched the Liberty’s 16 apiece in the quarter. Jones’ Liberty went into the final quarter with a comfortable 19-point lead over their opponents.

#However, the Mercury erased the 19-point deficit to 72-64 with 6:01 left in the game following an 11-0 run. Stewart stopped the unanswered run, hitting a free throw followed by a field goal from Liberty forward Betnijah Laney. Despite a fourth quarter push by the Mercury, the New York team held onto their double-digit advantage leading to their bounce back win.

#Although the Liberty are 6-3 in their last 10 games and are enjoying a relatively good start to the season, Jones has had some struggles. However, the forward seems to be headed in the right direction after Sunday’s second highest point total and season-high in rebounds translated to her first double double of the year. Jones and the Liberty will look to keep the early season momentum going and take the edge in the season series versus the Atlanta Dream this Friday. The Liberty will take on the Dream for the third time this month at 7pm in the Gateway Center. Both teams will be eager for the win after splitting victories in the last two weeks.

Nia Richards, of Star Elite Athletics Bahamas, receives gold after winning the 17 and 18 year olds 200m finals.

As of Monday, June 19, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

Action from the track at the Speed Capital event. Track photos: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamian athletes collected a few gold medals at the inaugural Speed Capital International Championships. The three-day meet got underway on Friday and wrapped up on Father’s Day at the Thomas A Robinson. Speed Capital hosted 600 athletes between 72 clubs from seven countries outside of The Bahamas. Competitors from ages 5-18 put on a show for Grenada, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Canada, United States of America, and Barbados.

#Luke Robinson, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Speed Capital, said it was amazing to host the International Championships in The Bahamas for the first time.

#“It’s been absolutely amazing one of the best things that we have gotten to see here is the pure excitement on the faces of the kids, I think the coaches are enjoying themselves and not so surprisingly I think the parents are having a blast seeing their kids enjoy themselves,” Robinson said.

#Mr Robinson was also impressed with the level of competitiveness from the young and older athletes.

#“They never cease to amaze me I think every Speed Capital event that we conduct athletes come and give everything that they have these kids look at it like their job and they come out here and give everything they have,” he said.

#Among some of the athletes that gave it their all on the final day of competition was none other than Grand Bahama’s Keyezra Thomas.

#The 13-year-old brought home the win for Speed Begins Track Club in the 13 year olds 200m dash. Zara Fraser of Fast Forward Athletics followed behind and third place finish went to Brion Ward of DTSP Wolf Pack Track Club.

#Thomas talked about the comfortable win.

#“The first 50m I knew I just had to get out and maintain my pace for the next 50m and then run as hard as I can on the last 100m,” she said.

#The North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) qualifier said sprint races were not really warm ups for her but the long jump helped to prepare for the age group championships. Overall, she was proud about completing the season injury-free.

#For the boys, Shawne Ferguson of Roadrunners Track Club capped of the event in first with 24.20. Swift Athletics Jireh Woodside placed second in 24.28. Meanwhile, Nathan King of Red-Line Athletics trailed behind for third.

#Eagan Neely, winner of the 14 year old boys 200m dash, clocked 23.11 to finish first. Rohman Rolle of Fast Forward Athletics wrapped up second in 23.83. Red-Line Athletics’ Shavano Nixon ran 24.21 for third.

#For the girls, Jasmine France from My Brother’s & Sister’s Keeper blitzed past the competition for first. Red-Line Athletics’ Caitlyn Smith claimed second position and Savannah Fraser of Fast Forward Athletics came third.

#France traveled to the meet from Florida and said she felt confident coming into the event.

#“It felt fine I felt pretty confident coming out here knowing that I had one of the fastest times so I felt pretty good and relaxed,” she said.

#Jamiah Nabbie, continued her track momentum at this past weekend’s Speed Capital International Championships. Nabbie outran her competitors with a time of 24.99 in the 15 and 16 year olds 200m dash. Red-Line Athletics Darvinique Dean followed behind in 25.74 and K’Leigh Davis of Fast Forward Athletics claimed third.

#Nabbie said it was not her best race but her focus now shifts to the junior nationals set for July 5-7.

#“It was bad in my opinion because the wind is very powerful right now and same with the 100m but I just Thank God for a safe race and I still came out on top,” she said.

#Nabbie added that she is looking to achieve a personal best in all events with 23.30 in the 200m and 11.50 in the 100m.

#For the boys, Michael Merritt of My Brother’s & Sister’s Keeper notched first place after clocking 22.42. Second position was claimed by Andrew Brown who ran unattached in 22.70. Meanwhile, Jalen Cooper of Quiet Storm Track Association captured the bronze with 22.82.

#Nia Richards, of Star Elite Athletics Bahamas, edged out her opponents with a time of 25.67 in the 17 and 18 year olds 200m race.Sage Connor of Heart and Soul Track Club finished second and Nya Wright of Red-Line Athletics finished third.

#“It felt really good it is very windy right now I am just grateful it didn’t rain again I really wanted to run the 200m now I have two weeks until nationals,” Richards said.

#Despite being unable to qualify for NACAC due to the windy conditions, she said it is her goal to use her final opportunity to qualify.

#Richards also was grateful for a new experience than she was not accustomed to at the Speed Capital meet.

#“It was a very different experience [that] I was exposed to a lot of new people and networking to form new friendships in the future…something I found particularly interesting is they have barcodes on our numbers and I have never experienced that anywhere else,” she said.

#For the boys, Jeremiah Adderley of DTSP Wolf Pack Track Club claimed victory. Samalie Farrington of Swift Athletics followed behind for second and Taryll Thompson of Fast Forward came in third.

#In the 200m open event, Brianique Strachan came first for the girls with 26.46.

#For the boys, Adam Musgrove finished first with 21.95 for Bahamas Speed Dynamics. Stephen Newbold ran unattached for second place. Quinton Ellis of Phoenix Track Club wrapped up in third.

#Musgrove said it felt good despite the weather not being the best. His main focus was to execute in the race. He said he enjoyed the Speed Capital meet because it was an efficient process that did not involve a lot of waiting.

#In the long distance events, Edney Russell of Hurry Murray Athletics was the lone competitor in the boys 3000m race walk. He finished the technical race in 21:07.81.

#After a long race, he talked about how it felt to compete.

#“It was painful and hard and no one did it with me so it was even worse ….I was just trying to move my arms as much as possible because your arms carry your legs,” he said.

#Track Results

#1500m Run girls/boys 13-18

#1500m 14 year old girls- Breyteisha Kemp (Hurry Murray), Ramonique Mclennon (Hurry Murray), Breynice Kemp (Hurry Murray)

#1500m 15 and 16 year old girls-Erin Barr (GB Athletics Track Club) 5:11.23

#1500m 14 year old boys- Jenico Gibson (GB Heats Athletics Track Club) 4:57.35, Rion Larrimore (Hurry Murray) 5:03.29, and Joel McPhee (Hurry Murray)

#1500m 15 and 16 year old boys- Ross Martin (Hurry Murray) 4:19.11, Wyndel Beyde (Aruba) 4:20.45, Breck Kemp (Hurry Murray) 4:47.10

#1500m 17 and 18 year olds- Christopher Saintus (Swift Athletics) 4:18.40, Raywind Winder (Hurry Murray) 4:20.80, Yeshua Dabian (Aruba) 4:21.32

#100m girls/boys 6u-open

#100m dash girls 6 and under – Tamorrah Manning (Honest Runners of North Miami) 18.11, Dillon Williams (Delray Track Club) 19.42, Keanna Smith (Roadrunners Track Club) 26.20

#Boys – Devin Small (Cobb PAL) 16.98, Jakoby Williams (Running Fire Track Club) 17.85, and Kaden Bullard (Swift Athletics) 18.24

#Girls 7 and under – Jazmyn Demeritte (Red-Line Athletics) 16.38, Ava McCall (NVA Track) 16.41, and Harmony Rolle (Andros Heats Athletics) 17.21

#Boys – Claudius Burrows (unattached) 15.53, Daythan Ingraham (Swift Athletics) 15.54, and Jose Solano (Phantom Athletics Club) 15.85

#Girls 9 year olds – Chrissi Love (Milwaukee Mustangs Track Club) 15.10, Tanaz Davis (Unique Athletics) 15.19, and Trinity Callis (unattached) 15.32

#Boys – Judah Thomas (Honest Runners) 14.14, George Brown (Swift Athletics) 14.30, and Zyheir Darks (Austin Steelers Track Club) 14.57

#• For remaining track and field results http://milesplit.live/meets/561623/events.

Gaither is battling back

As of Monday, June 19, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

TYNIA GAITHER

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AN illness she sustained at the end of last season has prevented veteran sprinter Tynia Gaither from competing in any meets so far this year on the international circuit.

#But after getting the all-clearance to train at the end of February, she’s working on coming home to make her season debut at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations National Championships next month.

#Still not in tip top shape, Gaither said she’s looking forward to defending her title in the women’s 100m during the championships, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#“Towards the end of February after I got healthy, I started training right away,” Gaither said in an interview over the weekend. “So I haven’t been able to do much. I’m not in the best shape, but I will be home for the Nationals.”

#After enduring Covid-19 at least three times last season, Gaither said when she took the vaccine, she got worse and since then, she continued to develop the symptoms that kept her away from the track.

#“I was home seeing a lot of doctors, but nobody could tell me what was wrong. They were telling me it was sinus affectation, a bacterial infection, but it was literally the same Covid-19 sickness that I was having before,” she pointed out.

#“I went to a new doctor at the end of February and he gave me one shot and it knocked it right out.”

#Not being in the type of condition that she want to be in, Gaither said if she can make the women’s relay team for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungry, she will be contended with her comeback,

#“After the Nationals, I hope to compete in some more meets and try to end my season strong,” he proclaimed. I know I should be able to do something worthwhile.”

#Now in her second season with coach Tonja Buford-Bailey in Austin, Texas, the 39-year-old Gaither said without any off-season training, it’s harder to get to the level of competition that she needs be coming home for the Nationals.

#“We started off kind of slow, but it’s too late to try and build that off season strength,” Gaither said. “We just jumped right into training and so it was really hard.

#“I’ve gained a few pounds since I missed training nd so it was difficult, but it’s one of those seasons where you just have to make due with what you have.”

#Gaither said she would love to team up with some of the younger athletes, along with veteran Anthonique Strachan, to provide a presence for the Bahamas in the 4x100m relay in Budapest in August.

#But she admitted that she will have to see what happens when she lines up against them.

#“These girls are running so well. Anthonique, Anthaya (Charlton), Charisma (Taylor) and Devynne (Charlton), there are so many of them on their A game and I’m so proud of what they have accomplished.

#“Even if I don’t make the trip to Worlds, I will be there cheering on everybody else. I think the time is now for the women to get back out there, even the men, especially the men.”

#The Grand Bahamian native, who graduated from the university, is coming off her second appearance at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, last where she didn’t advance out of the preliminaries of the 200m, but got to the semifinals of the 200m.

#She also went to the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC)) Championships in Grand Bahama where she closed out her season at double silver medalist in the 200m on the women’s 4x100m relay team.

#Her 200m lifetime best of 22.41 was done at the World’s in Eugene and she clocked her personal best of 11.02 in Miami, Florida, in 2021. She is pegged as the seventh fastest Bahamian female of all-time in both events.

ANTHONIQUE Strachan in action. (File photo)

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bsetubbs@tribujnemedia.net

#SPRINTER Anthonique Strachan has her sights set on the World Championships in August and she’s already starting to make a statement to her rivals going into the biggest global international meet this year.

#Strachan, in continuing to turn her career around after she was plagued by a series of injuries a few years ago, placed second in the women’s 100 metres at the Oslo Diamond League on Thursday in another lifetime best achievement.

#Her time of 10.92 seconds came behind Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou, the winner in a world leading and meet record of 10.75. But for Strachan, it improved on her previous personal best of 10.98 that she ran at last year’s World Championships at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon where she ended up as a semifinalist in the century. 

#“I’m very content to get a personal best despite making some mistakes in the race,” said Strachan, who ran on the inside of the field in lane two and made up enough ground in the middle of the race to hold onto her spot. 

#In the process, she held off her Jamaican training partner Shericka Jackson, who ran 10.95 for third. 

#Also in the race were Great Britain’s duo of Dina Asher-Smith, fourth in her season’s best of 10.98, the same time for Daryll Neita, who joined her compatriot in a photo finish for fourth place. 

#“It’s a great confidence boost to best some of these women so I’m excited and I hope to run some more PBs this season,” said Strachan, the only Bahamian to compete in the meet. 

#The 29-year-old could face these same competitors at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary from August 19-27th, where she hinted that she could contest the sprint double for the first time in her career on the senior circuit. 

#“I may run the double in Budapest,” she stated. “Medals are nice, but I always want to take stock of the progress that I’ve made and take the Champs step by step.”

#She’s also still looking for her first major individual medal on the international stage since capturing the sprint double at the World Junior Championships in 2012, Not only has she already dipped under the World Championships qualifying standard of 11.15 in the 100m, but she also did the mark of 22.8 in the 200m when she ran a personal best of 22.15 at the Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on May 28th. 

#Before she decides on whether or not she will go for the sprint double in Budapest, Strachan will be coming home to go after the feat at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

Daalan Adderley with some of his latest awards.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#UNLIKE many of his peers from the Junior Baseball League of Nassau who took the direct route, signing professional contracts to play baseball, Daalan Adderley decided to go through the collegiate ranks.

#He’s reaping the benefits of his decision to play for Texas Southern University where he was just named a 2023 National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) Third Team All-American and a member of the NCAA Div. I Central All-Region Second Team.

#“I’m extremely happy to be honoured in this manner,” Adderley said. “When I heard that they were honouring me, I couldn’t believe it because I’ve never heard of any Bahamian achieivng what I did.”

#The former Queen’s College student, who went on to complete high school at McCallie Preparatory School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, finished the 2023 season ranked sixth nationally in batting average as he sported a .421 average. He also ranks third in the NCAA in on-base percentage (.541) and 21st in runs per game (1.25).

#He was also named as the 2023 SWAC Player and Hitter of the Year and selected to The Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award (BBNCSA). He became TSU’s first All-American since Kamren Dukes in 2018. Also in 2018, Dukes and Gaudencio Lucca were named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I All-Central Region team.

#“This means a whole lot to me because, as a Bahamian, I am here representing the entire country,” said Adderley, the only Bahamian playing on the team. “I realise that I am representing the country and so I was very happy to be able to accomplish what I did.”

#Not only was he ranked nationally in the USA top 10, but Adderley finished sixth in the batting average; he was fourth in on base percentage; awarded the SWAC Player and Hitter of the Year awards; made the SWAC 1st team All-Conference; made the All-region and All-American teams; was the first captain on the MBP HBCU All-Star team; was on the 2023 Bobby Bargain Slugger Award list and was invited to participate in the HBCU swingman Classic.

#Additionally, the 21-year-old was named to the NCBWA Division One All American team and ABCA NCAA Division One Rawlings All Region Team.

#Looking back at his season, Adderley said it was beyond his expectations.

#“I think I was able to achieve the goals that I set out and I got to do a lot more,” said Adderley, who just completed his junior year. “It was much more than I anticipated, so I’m really pleased with what I did this year.”

#In the classroom, Adderley produced a 3.6 grade point average as he pursues his degree in General Science.

#He is the son of Lisa Adderley-Anderson and Dwight Adderley. He has an older brother, Dr Shae Adderley, whom he considers to be one of his role models. He also has another brother and two sisters.

#When asked why he decided to go through the collegiate ranks rather than signing a pro contract like the majority of his peers here at home, Adderley said he thought it was the best way for him to get to the Major Leagues.

#“The goal, hopefully if it comes my way, is to play in the Major League,” Adderley said. “But me and my mom just decided that going to college and getting my education first was the best way for us to go and to get a chance to play in an international environment.

#“I have no regrets.

#“I have made the decision to go to college and as you can see, it’s working out very fine for me, so I’m pleased with the decision that I made.”

#Adderley, however, said with the opening of the new Andre Rodgers National Stadium, he hopes that he can one day come home and reunite with some of his teammates and represent the Bahamas in an international tournament.

#For now, he’s just going to enjoy his collegiate experience as he goes through summer school and gets prepared to play in the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 7 during the Major League Baseball All-Star Classic weekend in Seattle, Washington.

#No doubt with the statistics he’s produced during the season, Adderley is hoping to make an impact in front of the MLB scouts in his bid to become one of the next pro players for The Bahamas.

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

Anya James, president of the Bahamas Football Association (BFA).

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) second edition of the Hummel Cup will continue for the women’s division this Saturday at the Roscow A L Davies Field. The women’s soccer teams started their games last weekend as teams from Group A and B battled against each other. The Group A teams included Cavaliers FC, Future Stars, and the defending champions United FC. Teams in Group B are the Baha Juniors, Dynamos FC, and Western Warriors. Ultimately, the women’s 2023 Hummel Cup winner will be crowned after this weekend.

#Anya James, president of the BFA, talked about how impressed she was with crowd turnout and the play of the women soccer teams.

#“I am very impressed with the turnout at the tournament and the level of support for our women’s programme and also the level of female players we have that are excited to be back on the pitch playing,” James said.

#The Hummel Cup tournament is played based on the rankings of the Group A and B teams. The winning teams earn three points, if a match ends in a draw, one point, and no points are rewarded for losses. In Group A, United FC leads both groups with nine points after defeating the Western Warriors (2-0), Baha Juniors (1-0), and Dynamos FC (1-0). The Cavaliers FC are right behind them in the Group A rankings with six points. The team wrapped up the Dynamos FC (2-0), and the Western Warriors (1-0). The Future Stars remain the only scoreless team in the rankings.

#For Group B, the Baha Juniors lead with six points after winning against the Cavaliers FC (2-0), and the Western Warriors (9-0). Dynamos FC sits second in the rankings with three points after earning a 6-0 over the Future Stars last weekend. The Western Warriors are tied with the latter also with three points after beating the Future Stars 2-0.

#James talked about the women shining on and off the Roscow A L Davies soccer field.

#“I expect the crowd to be even bigger this weekend and the games to be even more competitive I am proud of the girls who are happy to be playing on the new field and proud of BFA council member Daria Adderley who is an inspiration to the young women of the Cavaliers FC,” she said.

#The games start at 5pm this Saturday as the second-ranked Group A Cavaliers FC will match up against the third-ranked Future Stars. Meanwhile, last year’s runner ups Dynamos FC will take on the Western Warriors.

#United FC will take on the winner of the group A match at 6pm and the Baha Juniors will await the group B winner.

#The finals will get underway at 8pm as the defending champions will aim to win two consecutive Hummel Cup titles.

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

The newest officials from the two-day umpires training course will put their newfound knowledge to the test this weekend at the 2023 junior tennis national championships at the National Tennis Center (NTC).

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) will continue their 2023 junior tennis national championships for the older division starting today. Juniors of the under 12 through 18 divisions will battle at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) starting at 2pm today.

#The event will continue from Friday, June 16 until Wednesday, June 21 and will feature singles and doubles competition in all divisions. The Automotive Industrial Distributors Ltd (AID) sponsored event will include 150 matches between 100 tennis players from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Exuma, and Eleuthera.

#Perry Newton, president of BLTA, talked about the level of competition expected to be on display this weekend.

#“We expect a very competitive tournament. We look especially to the 14 and 16 girls and boys – the competition is going to be very fierce. Everybody is vying to be at the top and earn high ranking points, ” Newton said.

#He added that the weather will definitely play a role in the competition especially if it is hot because it will test the overall conditioning and stamina of the athletes which can potentially lead to some upsets.

#The 2023 junior tennis nationals will not only allow athletes to compete for the championship but they will also have the opportunity to earn the highest ranking points for the BLTA calendar year.

#Unlike the younger division which featured shorter sets, the older players will battle in the best of three tiebreaker sets. Last week at the NTC there were 13 new players that competed in the under 8 and under 10 divisions and there are more newcomers expected to play this weekend as well. With the sport growing more with every competition, Newton said it is a collective effort that goes into it.

#“It is not one person that can take the credit,” the president said. “There is a lot of thanks that has to be given to parents for staying committed to the success of their kids and we have to look at the athletes who want to play tennis…it’s a lot of persons that go into this and without one portion it’s hard to have success so we are working to continually grow each area.”

#The 2022 defending champions Patrick MacTaggart, Dentry Mortimer Jr, Kaylah Fox, Sarai Clarke, and others will also be in action to defend their championship hardware.

#With over 150 matches scheduled and 20 set to take place today starting at 2pm, the efforts of the newly-trained umpires have been greatly appreciated. Following a two-day umpire training course in May, the newest umpires were finally able to showcase their officiating abilities at last weekend’s junior nationals for the under 8 and 10 divisions.

#After two days of competition at the NTC last weekend, Eden Storr was crowned champion for the under 8 girls.

#Her runner up was Christin McWilliam. For the under 10 girls, Londyn Mortimer came away as the champion and Rebecca Bitan was the runner up. Meanwhile, Cory Conyers won the under 10 boys division and Max Shick was the runner up.

#The event is sponsored by AID, Coca Cola, and RMS Insurance Agents. The next event on the BLTA calendar will be the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament from June 24 to July 1.

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

Alexis Gray

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SINCE completing her tenure at Texas Southern University in 2019, Alexis Gray decided to make the transition to wrestling.

#In January, she signed a three year NXT contract with World Wrestling Entertainment and is in Orlando, Florida where she is in training for her professional debut as “Bahama Mama” – her official stage name.

#“It’s a great, great environment and great people from around the world,” said Gray about her experience in training camp so far. “It’s fun and very refreshing to be taking up a new style of competition.”

#The 25-year-old Gray, who stands at 5-feet, 3-inches, was ranked second in the 2019 SWAC Outdoor T&F Championships, running a lifetime best of 11.68 seconds in the 100 metres. 

#She has also largely been ranked in first place during the Howie Ryan Invitational held in February 2019. And she has already reflected the changes on her official Instagram account, as she now has the tags for both WWE as well as NXT on her handle. 

#She admitted that the WWE was a better fit for her future aspirations and she’s now done with running track.

#“I’m an exciting person and a thrill seeker,” she pointed out.

#“So when I got the opportunity to become a part of NTX branch of WWE, I jumped at it. Definitely was the calling for me and I felt it in my bones.”

#WWE has recently placed added emphasis on the signing and development of former college athletes, and it has used the NCAA’s new name, image and likeness (NIL) rules to its advantage.

#The company started a new NIL programme called Next In Line,  which allows it to sign athletes who are still competing collegiately. It puts the athletes under the WWE umbrella and allows them to learn about the world of sports entertainment before WWE decides on whether to commit to them with an official contract.

#Gray joined Raw women’s champion Bianca Belair, a collegiate track athlete before signing with WWE, as she starred at the University of Tennessee, Texas A&M University and the University of South Carolina.

#Belair was a natural for pro wrestling from the start, and she has gone on to become one of WWE’s top stars as a one-time Raw women’s champion, one-time SmackDown women’s champion and one-time women’s Royal Rumble winner.

#Gray said she decided to make the transition from track to wrestling because of the success rate.

#“I can see myself going much further and much faster under conditions that allow me to maximum everything I’m capable of,” Gray pointed out. “Also, I’m being compensated good for my skills.”

#The St John’s College standout and former member of the TWD Athletics Track, headed by Golden Girl Tonique Williams, she said she had no regrets running away from track.

#“I went out there and gave it my all,” she stated. “I learned and got so much discipline from each and every one of my coaches and now that I’m here in WWE, I see why I needed it. It was all a preparation.”