As of Monday, July 17, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AS they prepare for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August, national champions sprinter Anthonique Strachan and high jumper Donald Thomas got in some competition at the Chorzow Diamond League Meet.

#In the final event to close out the meet yesterday, Strachan placed sixth in the women’s 100 metres in a time of 11.005 seconds. Strachan, coming off her 100m victory at the BAAA National Championships a little over a week ago, was short of her lifetime and season’s best of 10.92.

#American Sha’Carri Richardson took the title in 10.76, just shy of her personal best of 10.71 she also ran this year. Strachan’s training partner Jamaican Shericka Jackson came in second in 10.78 as Eva Swoboda was third in a personal best of 10.94.

#In the men’s high jump, Thomas finished seventh with a best of the day of 7-feet, 5 1/4-inches or 2.27 metres, which was below his season’s best of 7-5 3/4 (2.28m) and well behind his lifetime best of 7-9 1/4 (2.37m).

#The world’s best high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar took the victory in a meet record of 7-8 3/4 (2.34m).

#Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy, the co-Olympic gold medallist with Barshim, was second and Tobias Potye of Germany got third, both with 7-8 (2.34m).

#Meanwhile, in Canada at the 40th Harry Jerome Classic at Langley Township in British Columbia, Shakeem Hall-Smith, competing for Allstarz MGMT, won the men’s 400m hurdles in a personal best of 49.25. Roxroy Cato out of Ontario was next at the line in 50.02.

As of Monday, July 17, 2023

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Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AS the curtain came down on the sixth Bahamas Games, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said he was pleased with what he saw from the nine days of competition.

#“This was a great Bahamas Games,” said Bowleg, who was in attendance for the final event on Saturday night in the men’s softball gold medal game in the Bankers’ Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#“The games started off pretty slow, but as the momentum started to build, we started to see the development of sports in the length and breadth of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”

#Although it was a showdown between the Grand Bahama Lucayans and the New Providence Buccaneers for the most medals accumulated, Bowleg said he was pleased to see the parity from the other islands participating.

#Unofficially, Grand Bahama collected 91 gold, 59 silver and 41 bronze for a total of 191 medals. New Providence had 77 gold, 74 silver and 60 bronze for 211 medals.

#The Abaco Chickcharnies got 25 gold, 31 silver and 27 bronze for 83 medals, Columbus Isles Flamingos had 21 gold, 20 silver and 37 bronze for 78 total and the Long Island Sheep Runners followed with 17 gold, 17 silver and 17 bronze for 51 total.

#In softball where the Eleuthera Adventurers claimed the men’s gold over Grand Bahama, Long Island stunned New Providence for the bronze and Grand Bahama took the women’s gold over New Providence with MICAL snatching the bronze over Andros.

#Bowleg, who just came from watching Eleuthera also win the men’s gold in basketball, said he was able to notice how the talent was spread across the islands in the various disciplines.

#“I’m hoping that all federations and associations would see the diamonds in the rough and be able to develop them,” Bowleg said. “These games are uniting the nation through sports. “But it also gives us an opportunity to see some of the talent that we haven’t seen before and hopefully that can help us to remain as one of the top sporting disciplines in the world.”

#With the seventh Bahamas Games already pegged for 2026, Bowleg said they intend to introduce the regional games where there are northern, southern and central games where the islands can be better prepared for the actual games.

#“We want these islands to know that we haven’t forgotten about them,” Bowleg said. “We will continue with the development of those islands, just as we just completed the facilities in Cat Island.

#:We will be in Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Andros and all of the other major islands and we hope by the next games, all of these islands will have the proper facilities so that they can improve on their performances at these games.”

#Despite the fact that everybody focuses on the overall champions, Bowleg mentioned the fact that teams from Eleuthera, Columbus Isles, Andros and Exuma were among the different winners.

#As for the games itself, Bowleg said he saw a lot of excitement from the family and friends of the athletes competing. The support, according to Bowleg, was fantastic by the general public.

#“As we continue to be united through sports, we will be able to move upward, forward and onward to continue to make this nation great over the next 50 years.

#“And then we put on the aquamarine, gold and black colors to represent the country at the international level, we can truly mark our bearings as a sporting nation.”

#In reviewing what transpired on and off the playing fields, ‘Bowleg said the GamesSecretariat through his Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture will ensure that whatever went wrong this year will be corrected and improved upon for 2026.

As of Monday, July 17, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#FOLLOWING the conclusion of the sixth Bahamas Games on Saturday night, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg announced the seventh edition is scheduled for 2026.

#The games returned this year to coincide with the country’s 50th year of Independence, fielding 10 teams representing the islands of the Bahamas across 16 sporting disciplines. After a successful return following a 22-year hiatus, Bowleg is optimistic about the future of sports in The Bahamas and has some new initiatives on the ministry’s agenda.

#“The games are scheduled to be held every three years. We are going to try and see if we could implement regional games in The Bahamas which will be the year before the Bahamas Games,” Mr Bowleg said.

#If implemented, the games will feature the Northern Islands competing against each other, the Central Islands squaring off, and the Southern Islands battling head-to-head.

#“It will be a warmup for these Bahamas Games so that in the absence of the three years they do not feel that long wait but they have something regional that they could compete [in] that will also now prepare them for the Bahamas Games,” the minister said.

#Bahamas Games

#One of the main purposes of the Bahamas Games when it was initially established in 1989 by Minister of Sports Peter J Bethell was the unification of the Family Islands through sports and discovery of new talents throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

#According to the MOYSC, after watching competition from July 7-15, he felt the games had reached its true purpose.

#“I thought the games went pretty well, we might have had some loose ends here and there but we tightened up…after 22 years to bring these games back, what was most important for us was to not only unite the country together through these various sporting disciplines but to unite these young people [and] give them an experience they have not experienced before in their life,” he said.

#He added that one of the many benefits of the sixth Bahamas Games was that persons got to meet new people from the Family Islands that they can keep relationships with, especially for inter-island travelling to regattas.

#Additionally, the different sporting federations along with the minister were impressed with the talent pool of the Family Island teams.

#“It also tells us about how the various sporting federations can find those diamonds in the rough because all have said the games have allowed them to see some talent in the Family Islands that they did not know existed,” Mr Bowleg said.

#He expressed that in order to sustain and maintain our level as the best country per capita on the Olympic level, we have to be able to find those diamonds.

#The Minister was pleased with the distribution of wins in the sporting disciplines across the different Bahama Islands. The New Providence Buccaneers collected gold in soccer and track, Andros Chiccharnies took home gold for golf, Long Islands’ Sheep Runners made waves for gold in sailing, and Exuma and Eleuthera claimed the gold for basketball.

#Despite the 2023 Bahamas Games winner being the Grand Bahama Lucayans with 91 gold medals, the Minister said the talent was so widespread that each island’s victory is what they want to highlight from The Bahamas Games because each of the islands were able to accomplish something.

#Overall, Mr Bowleg said that he is very confident in the future of sports in the country and will look to have the different sporting federations establish associations on 4-5 of the major islands.

 Home|Sports|Sixth Bahamas Games comes to a closeSports

Softball brings down the curtain; Eleuthera, Grand Bahama lift softball titles

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 17, 2023 56 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The last gold medal game of the 6th Bahamas Games came down to a slugfest between the Grand Bahama Lucayans and the Eleuthera Adventurers in the men’s softball competition on Saturday night on the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. In the end, it was Adventurers who took the gold, taking care of the Lucayans 21-15 to win the title.

It was a classic rivalry in the ladies championship game as Grand Bahama Lady Lucayans and the New Providence Lady Buccaneers went head-to-head. The visitors from the north lost control of the game but managed to get a 9-8 victory to take the gold medal to Grand Bahama (GB).

In the men’s game, the Adventurers’ pitcher Sheldon Pinder finished as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Adventurers were up 11-3. It looked like it was going to be a dominant performance by the Adventurers, but the Lucayans scored five runs as the Adventurers got sloppy on the mound and the field. The game quickly became an interesting one as the score became 11-8.

Heading into the top of the sixth inning, the Adventurers wanted some separation and they got it. Shortstop Gee Bethel stepped up the plate with the bases loaded and sent the ball over the fence in right center field for a grand slam home run, putting them up 15-8. Centerfielder Sheldon Neymour followed Bethel with a solo home run to take them up 16-8. Right fielder Teran “Pooh” Wood came into the plate and blasted a two-run home run to put them up 18-8. It was Wood’s second home run of the game. Relief pitcher Norman Bastian added a two-run home run in that inning to give the Adventurers a 20-8 lead.

The Lucayans put five more runs on the scoreboard to creep to within 20-13 heading into the top of the seventh inning. The Adventurers a run to go up 21-13 and the Lucayans added just two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning as the game came to an end with the Adventurers winning 21-15.

The Long Island Sheep Runners won the bronze medal, defeating the New Providence Buccaneers, 16-2, in the bronze medal game.

In the ladies game, the Lady Buccaneers went up 3-2 through four but the Lady Lucayans came alive in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring six runs to take an 8-3 lead.

That lead dwindled in the top of the sixth inning when the Lady Buccaneers scored three runs. The Lady Lucayans led 8-6 after they came up empty in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Lady Buccaneers scored another two runs to tie the game at eight runs.

It set up for an entertaining bottom of the seventh inning and the Lady Lucayans came through as left fielder Adonia Rolle came home on a hit by first baseman Tanika Davis with the bases loaded for the game-winning run. With that walk-off hit, the Lady Lucayans won the gold medal.

Lucayans’ pitcher LaBrea Sands was the MVP.

Winning the bronze medal was the MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay) Flamingos. They defeated the Andros Chiccharnies, 11-2, in five innings.

 Home|Sports|Adventurers, Navigators win basketball titlesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 17, 2023 52 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

It took former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Dexter Cambridge 20-plus years, but he finally got the elusive Bahamas Games gold medal for his home island of Eleuthera when he coached them to a 72-71 nail-biter victory over the New Providence Buccaneers at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium on Saturday to end the 6th Bahamas Games.

Before that featured game at the same location, the Exuma and Ragged Islands Navigators got a 65-64 comeback victory over the Abaco Survivors to win the women’s gold medal in basketball.

Cambridge, who could not put on a poker face after the game, was all smiles after winning a gold medal for his home island. He said that it took 22 years to get vindication as he helped to finally bring the gold medal to Eleuthera. In the last Bahamas Games, in 2001, the Eleuthera Adventurers settled for silver.

“After competing in five Bahamas Games as a player, to win three bronze and a silver, I am now going home with a gold. This one feel great. It was a tough game from start to finish but the guys fought and we were victorious. I think the officiating was terrible but we stuck with our game plan,” said Cambridge, the head coach of the Adventurers.

Jaraun “Kino” Burrows, who plays professionally for Andrézieux-Bouthéon in Andrézieux-Bouthéon, France, was the men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) with 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. He fouled out late in the fourth. He got some help from guard Dominick “Nardo” Bridgewater, who plays professionally for US Avignon/Pontet in Avignon, France, finished with a team-high 21 points.

The men’s game did not disappoint the packed gym as it came down to the final play to decide a winner. With just over a minute and a half left in the game, Eleuthera went up 69-66. The Buccaneers’ Kenvon Farrington was fouled at the 1:25 mark in the fourth quarter. He split the free throws and the Adventurers’ lead was trimmed to 69-67.

Bridgewater sank two free throws with just over a minute left to put his team up 71-67. Ten seconds later, the Buccaneers’ Garvin Clarke got fouled by Burrows and he made the layup for an and-one opportunity. He completed the and-one play as Burrows fouled out and was forced to watch the remaining 53 seconds from the bench. Eleuthera led 71-70 at that point.

The crowd was up on their feet for the rest of the game. Bridgewater split a pair of free throws with 24 seconds left on the clock and his team led, 72-70. The Buccaneers’ Kemsey Sylvestre, who finished with 15 points, had a chance to even the game with 16 seconds left, but missed one of two free throws, cutting the deficit to one point, 72-71.

The Adventurers’ Dominique Fernander was fouled with three seconds left in the game. He missed both but the Adventurers still lead by one, 72-71. The Buccaneers grabbed the rebound and sprinted down the court to get a last second shot, but Fernander got back on defense and got a key defensive stop that dashed the Buccaneers’ hopes.

The Buccaneers’ Dylan Musgrove finished with a game-high 25 points.

Burrows, who cradled a pineapple as the press interviewed him, said the win was sweet for him as he reminisced about his summers in Eleuthera.

“Them summers growing up by my grammy in Governor’s Harbour on Cupid’s Cay was sweet. I don’t know if that’s sweeter than this but this is what that’s for. I have so many childhood memories, friends and family. To bring that gold back is special and I cannot wait to drive through Eleuthera and stop in every bar and feel the love,” Burrows said.

The Grand Bahama (GB) Lucayans won the bronze medal, defeating the Abaco Survivors, 94-91.

The women’s game was one to remember as well as the game went down to the final three seconds to determine a winner. The Navigators Leashja Grant won the MVP Award, finishing with 19 points and 20 rebounds. She got help from Adena Webster who had 19 points and 10 rebounds and Marvia Dean who had 11 points and a game-high 21 rebounds.

Head Coach for the Navigators Glen Davis said he was relieved to walk away with the victory.

“After we got Walteia Rolle in foul trouble, we knew it was over. Our bigs went to work and were able to get the rebounds and easy baskets. It was great to make the free throws at the end because we were not good from there all game. It feels great to win the title and the Bahamas Games tournament was good,” Davis said.

The Navigators looked dead in the water as the Survivors went into the final period up 50-42 and in control. The Navigators could not stop former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player Rolle who had a team-high 19 rebounds. However, Rolle fouled out at the 5:33 mark of the fourth quarter with her team up 53-49.

In the absence of Rolle, the Navigators put pressure on former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I guard with the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels Valerie Nesbitt who had a game-high 22 points. Grant made it a one-point game with 2:25 left, 60-59. Webster gave the Navigators their first lead of the second half with a made layup, putting her team up 61-60 with 1:43 remaining in the game.

Cedricka Sweeting-Badmus made a free throw to put the Navigators up 64-61 with 12.1 seconds left in the game, but the Survivors’ Aisja Strachan became a savior when she tied the game at 64 with a huge three-point shot with five seconds left in the game.

Both teams had no timeouts remaining so the Navigators inbounded the ball. Strachan inexplicably intentionally fouled Sweeting-Badmus while she was bringing the ball up the court. It was a costly mistake on Strachan’s behalf as the Navigators was in the bonus. Sweeting-Badmus split the free throws. The Survivors inbounded the ball but could not get a shot off in time and the Navigators celebrated winning the title.

Grant said she hasn’t picked up a basketball in three years, and it was a good feeling to come out with a win.

“To be back on the court and doing what I love, feels good. It was challenging. Rolle had a great game before she fouled out so that was our advantage at the end. We had a great team with some young and veteran players and it worked out for us,” Grant said.

The Navigators outrebounded the Survivors, 68-50, in the game.

The Buccaneers won the bronze medal, defeating Eleuthera convincingly, 104-62.

Home|Sports|Andros wins golf title at Bahamas GamesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 17, 2023 77 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Andros Chiccharnies led for all three rounds, winning the golf portion of the 6th Bahamas Games at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island, on Friday.

With a strong lead over the field coming into the second day, the Chiccharnies played it safe and held on for the victory. They finished with 568 Stableford points over three rounds of competition. Their best round came in the second round on Thursday in which they scored 194 points.

Finishing second to the Chiccharnies was the Grand Bahama Lucayans who used a strong third round scoring 182 points to pass the New Providence Buccaneers for the silver. They finished with 543 points. The Buccaneers finished the third round scoring 173 points to finish the competition with 541 total points.

The Chiccharnies’ Richard Gibson helped them to win the adult male division with a score of 158 total points. The Abaco Survivors’ Keathen Stuart placed second individually with 151 points to help his team place second in that division. The Long Island Sheep Runners’ Raymond Gibson was third overall with a score of 142 points, but his team placed fourth. The Lucayans finished third in that division and their top player Broderick Pinder was fourth individually with a score of 141 points.

The Buccaneers was first in the adult female division with Tynesha Tynes scoring 129 points. The Lucayans’ Michelean Poitier had 117 points to finish second 

individually and help the Lucayans to finish second in that division. Her teammate Nordaina Martin was third individually with a score of 96 points. The Sheep Runners placed third in that division with 97 points. Kyshna Radnetter helped the Sheep Runners finish third, scoring 92 points to place fourth individually.

In the junior boys’ division, the Lucayans’ Adrian Stan-Busuioc powered them to victory with 149 points. He won the division individually. The Buccaneers finished second with 144 points. Alexander Dupuch was second in that division individually with 144 points. The Eleuthera 

Adventurers placed third in that division with 137 points. Zion Taylor led the way for the Adventurers when he got a bronze medal with 137 points.

The Buccaneers won the junior girls’ division with 144 points. Tyesha Tynes came away with the gold medal in that division with 144 points. The Chiccharnies was second with 137 points. Haley Hall, who swung for the Chiccharnies, was second individually with 137 points. The MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay) Flamingos finished third in that division with 135 points. Maddison Carroll scored 135 points to finish third individually in that division.

Jump Line – 

 Home|Sports|Athletics gets underway in Bahamas GamesSports

There are just two days remaining; closing ceremony set for tomorrow night

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 14, 2023 145 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The sixth Bahamas Games continued into day seven as track and field got underway at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and sporting disciplines like basketball, golf and softball continued.

The New Providence Buccaneers lead the track and field portion in points and medals as they look to tighten the gap between them and Grand Bahama Lucayans. The Buccaneers picked up 31 medals on the first day, including 13 golds, eight silver and 10 bronze medals. They also lead in the points standings with 301 points. The Lucayans have the second most medals with 12 in total that includes four gold, seven silver and one bronze medal. They are second in points with 167 points. The Andros Chickcharnies also have 12 medals – four gold, three silver and five bronze medals. They are close behind the Lucayans in the points standings with 160 points, sitting in third place.

Ishmael Rolle was outstanding for the Buccaneers in the under-17 boys 100 meters (m) and he came back and ran in the 4x100m relay, securing victories in both. In the 100m dash, Rolle powered his way to a personal best time of 10.59 seconds to cross the finish line first. The Lucayans’ Aiden Kelly was second in 10.83 seconds. Rolle’s teammate, Everette Fraser, was third in 11.11 seconds.

Rolle teamed up with Fraser, Rolinney Labranche and Christopher Roker in the 4x100m relay. They stopped the clock at 42.01 seconds. The Lucayans placed second when they stopped the clock at 42.42 seconds. The Eleuthera Adventurers were third in 45.44 seconds.

Jamiah Nabbie was also outstanding for the Buccaneers, winning the under-17 girls 100m dash and then helping her team win the 4x100m relay. She won the 100m dash in a time of 12.10 seconds. Her teammate Shyann Demeritte clocked 12.49 seconds to place second. Rounding out the final podium position was the Chickcharnies’ Tanaj Turnquest in 12.70 seconds.

Nabbie teamed up with K’Leigh Davis, Rache Pantry and Demeritte in the 4x100m relay and they stopped the clock at 47.57 seconds to get the win. The Lucayans were second in 50.50 seconds and the Chickcharnies crossed the finish line in 51.91 for third.

Erin Barr was unstoppable in the under-17 girls 1500m for the Lucayans as she clocked 5:22.40. Her teammate Zion Musgrove ran 5:44.27 for second. Placing third was the Buccaneers’ Breyniece Kemp who ran 5:57.25.

The Chickcharnies won four out of 10 field events. Tylah Pratt won the under-17 girls high jump with a height of 1.55m (5’ 1”). Anthonya Papageorge won the under-17 girls shot put with a distance of 11.02m (36’ 1-3/4”). Tamara Myers won the open women’s triple jump with a leap of 12.54m (41’ 1-3/4”). Carnitra Mackey won the open women’s shot put with a throw of 12.32m (40’ 5”).

Over at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island, the Chickcharnies extended their lead in the second road of golf. They have 380 total Stableford points. There was a swap between second and third place the Buccaneers jumped up to second place and the Lucayans dropped to third. The Buccaneers have 368 points while the Lucayans have 361 points.

In basketball action at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium and the D.W. Davis Junior High School Gym, the Adventurers men’s team played two games and won both. They took care of the Chickcharnies, 73-62. They came back afterwards and dominated Exuma and Ragged Island, 93-65, in their second game. The Columbus Isles Arawaks took care of the MICAL Flamingoes (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay), 72-58. The Arawaks played their second game of the day and took care of Long Island, 70-59. Grand Bahama took care of Bimini and the Berry Islands, 75-65.

The Abaco Lady Survivors played two games and won both games. They took care of the Exuma and Ragged Island Navigators, 45-40. They returned to action and won, 51-28, over the Lady Lucayans. The Lady Adventurers also won both of their games. They got a 59-41 win over the Arawaks. They then got the best of the Lady Buccaneers with a 63-59 victory. Grand Bahama got the best of the Lady Navigators, 49-46.

The Bahamas Games continues today with softball, basketball, optimist sailing, track and field, golf and boxing. The games will wrap up tomorrow with the closing ceremony at 8 p.m.

 Home|Sports|Jones, Liberty advance to Commissioner’s Cup finalSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJuly 14, 2023 27 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian women’s professional basketball player Jonquel “JJ” Jones scored 12 points to help the New York Liberty clinch its first Commissioner’s Cup championship appearance as they scored a 95-87 overtime win over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday.

Two days after celebrating The Bahamas’ 50th independence at the Empire State Building in Manhattan, New York, Jones was with her team as they were on the road at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. She grabbed seven rebounds in 21 minutes on the floor to help her team pull off the win. The Liberty head into the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star Break with a 14-4 win/loss record. They are tied for their best 18-game start in franchise history. They also head into the break with the second best record in the league and on a four-game winning streak.

In the Commissioner’s Cup final, the Liberty will take on the league’s best Las Vegas Aces at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 15.

On Wednesday, Jones made five of her eight attempts from the field, shooting 62.5 percent. She went 2-for-3 from deep and was able to get a steal and a block each. The Grand Bahama native did most of her offensive work in the second half and overtime, scoring nine points including two points in a 15-7 overtime 

advantage by the Liberty.

After the Liberty went up 70-53 with 9:30 left in the fourth quarter, the Fever chipped away at the lead, bringing it to single digits with 3:37 left in the game. The Liberty led 74-66 at that point. With six seconds left in the game, the Liberty went up 80-77, but the Fever’s Aliyah Boston, the number one overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, connected on a three-point shot as time expired to send the game into overtime. The Fever outscored the Liberty, 27-12, in the fourth quarter to pull even at the end of regulation.

It was all Liberty in overtime as Sabrina Ionescu scored eight in the extra session to outscore the Fever by herself. She led all scorers with 35 points in the game, helping the Liberty reach the all-star break on a winning note.

Boston led the Fever with 23 points in the loss.

Jones did not make the all-star team for the first time since 2018. The 2017 WNBA Most Improved Player, 2018 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year and 2021 WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) is averaging 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, improving her play as the season goes along.

Jones is averaging her lowest minutes on the floor since 2018 at 22.6 minutes per game. The center is shooting at a 53.6 percent clip but shooting almost three shots less per game than last season.

Jones and Liberty return to action against the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, July 19 at home at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. That game gets underway at 1 p.m.

 Home|Sports|Wilson’s heroics secures national title for IMG AcademySports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJuly 14, 2023 36 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

In a thrilling finale to the Elite 64 United States Youth Soccer League Championships, Bahamian Jordin Wilson, wearing the captain’s armband, led the IMG Academy Under-19 (U19) team to an undefeated run through the national championships in Oceanside, California, USA.

The talented Bahamian striker’s exceptional run through the championship was topped off by scoring two crucial goals in the championship game, leading the IMG Academy team to a hard-earned 3-2 victory over the PDA Academy team out of New Jersey. Wilson, son of Simone and John Wilson, completed the championship as the top scorer among all teams with seven goals and one penalty won.

In the first match of the knockout championship format, IMG Academy defeated Legends FC, 7-0, with Wilson scoring twice in only one half of play. This was followed up by a 5-0 win against the Colorado Rapids with Wilson again coming through with two goals. In the semifinal match against the Stickers FC club out of Southern California, who were playing on their home turf, the IMG Academy won in a very physical game, 5-1, with Wilson notching one goal and winning a penalty which resulted in an additional goal.

In a hard-fought championship match, IMG Academy found themselves trailing PDA Academy late into the first half after PDA Academy scored the first goal of the championship. Wilson hit the equalizer for IMG Academy before the half-time break with a lightning strike from the right side of the goal after weaving his way through defenders.

The game remained tied until Wilson put IMG Academy ahead late in the second half with a precise volley strike inside the penalty box. An additional goal from an IMG teammate provided the insurance goal needed to withstand a late rally. A penalty conversion by PDA Academy resulted in the 3-2 scoreline.

PDA Academy played a strong defensive game and were able to thwart several attempts from IMG Academy, including turning away two additional shots on goal from Wilson to keep the margin at one goal. As the referee blew the final whistle, the young striker was engulfed by his ecstatic teammates, their joy and gratitude for his heroic performance evident in their embraces.

In the post-match interview, Wilson adverted to how difficult the tournament was and that he and his teammates worked all year for this moment.

Top athletes burn up the track and field

COMING IN HOT: Athletes from the various islands of the Bahamas brought the action to the track and field yesterday during the sixth edition of the Bahamas Games. Photos: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Friday, July 14, 2023

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Camille Rutherford, winner of the women’s 100 metres open finals and 4 x 100 metre open finals event.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Day one of the Bahamas Games track and field got underway yesterday at the Thomas A Robinson national stadium. All 10 teams representing the islands of The Bahamas came out the gate with strong performances.

#With Grand Bahama leading the overall rankings for the sixth Bahamas Games, New Providence turned up the heat on the track and field on day one.

#The Buccaneers lead the sporting discipline with 31 medals, including 13 gold. The Lucayans of Grand Bahama are tied for second with the Andros Chickcharnies for 12 medals in track and field.

#TRACK

#CARIFTA double gold medallist Jamiah Nabbie, along with CARIFTA silver-medallist Shayann Demeritte, pulled out the one-two punch in the under 17 100-metre (m) finals.

#Nabbie finished with a time of 12.10 and Demeritte followed behind with 12.49. The two are expected to shut it down until the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) under-18 and under-23 championships in Costa Rica, starting next week Friday.

#Both sprinters talked about how it felt to represent the Buccaneers at the sixth Bahamas Games.

#“It feels amazing we didn’t want to push too hard because we have competition next week for NACAC so we had fun doing what we love,” Nabbie said.

#Demeritte shared the same sentiment that it was a fun race to compete in to represent the island. She said she did not expect the event to be this big but was happy to see the turnout.

#Both ladies were selected along with 17 other girls for the NACAC U18 team. They are both ready to compete hard in Costa Rica but, most importantly, they look forward to having a fun time.

#The duo also claimed a gold medal for the home team in the 4x100m under 17 relays.

#The team of K’Leigh Davis, Nabbie, Rache Pantry and Demeritte clocked 47.57, leaving the competition behind in the win.

#The Lucayans finished second with 50.50 and the Chickcharnies secured bronze.

#Ishmael Rolle, a member of the U18 boys NACAC team, ran a new personal best with 10.59 in the under 17 100m finals for New Providence.

#Aiden Kelly represented the Lucayans for second and Everette Fraser also came away with a bronze medal for the Buccaneers.

#Rolle said it felt good to run for his hometown to show them what he could do for New Providence at the Bahamas Games.

#He added that his goal was to improve and do better and at NACAC he will look to achieve another personal best and do well for Team Bahamas.

#Rolle also ran the anchor leg in the under 17 4x100m relays to add another gold medal to New Providence’s count. The relay team included Everette Fraser, Rolinney Labranche and Christopher Roker.

#Camille Rutherford came second in the 100m finals at last week’s national track and field championships. One week later, she walked away with a gold medal win in the 100m women’s open finals. Rutherford notched 11.65 in the sprint.

#She talked about how it felt to compete at the Bahamas Games.

#“The competition was easy. I was practicing on my start because I am trying to improve on that for the Under-23 championships that are coming up,” she said.

#Her goal is to record a personal best at the championships and run a time in the low-11 range.

#Overall, she said she enjoyed the opening ceremony and all the different sporting disciplines involved in the return of the Bahamas Games, this year being the Golden Jubilee and marking 50 years of Independence.

#Rutherford along with Denisha Cartwright, Koi Adderley, and Printassia Johnson came away with gold in the 4x100m open relays.

#The Buccaneers also emerged as winners in the under 17 and open 1500m race. Ross Martin ran a time of 4:26.31 for under 17 and the latter went to Christopher Santil with 4:14.96.

#Santil said it felt great and he was proud of himself and the team that he represents. He said the Bahamas Games are awesome now that people from the Family Islands can also watch and support him.

#Additionally, the win by Karon Dean in the men’s 100m open helped the Buccaneers to sweep the event with all gold medals.

#FIELD

#The Buccaneers discovered gold on the field at the Bahamas Games.

#Koi Adderley emerged victorious in the women’s open high jump. She leaped to 1.65m. Meanwhile, Buccaneers’ Zoe Adderley notched 10.33m in the under 17 girls triple jump event.

#Lynwood Brown claimed victory in the under 17 boys discus throw with 30.60m. Meanwhile, in the boys javelin throw for the same age group New Providence nabbed silver and gold. Kenny Moxey put up 46.97m for first and Ashton Moxey threw a distance of 35.39m for second.

#Day two begins with the field events at 4pm at the TAR national stadium.