• Dec 28, 2023
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The Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) has sent three teams to the USA Flag Football Youth World Championships, representing The Bahamas in San Antonio, Texas, December 30-31, 2023.

The three teams will compete in the 13-and under, 14-and-under and high school divisions

Jayson Clarke, assistant coach of the high school team and BYFFL coordinator, expressed high optimism about The Bahamas’ representation at this year’s championships.

“I am looking for all three teams to do very well this year. They’ve shown tremendous improvement in their level of play, and we even have a few of our players who are now off to school in the United State, rejoining the team during the semester break so we’re that much stronger,” Clarke said.

The teams left yesterday for San Antonio, Texas, and they will play three games each on December 30 to determine seeding for the final day of play on December 31.

• SIMBA FRENCH Guardian Sports Reporter simba@nasguard.com
• Dec 29, 2023
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Bahamian professional basketball player Eric ‘EJ’ Gordon put on an offensive clinic on Wednesday, finishing with a season-high 27 points to propel the Phoenix Suns to a 129-113 blowout road victory over the Houston Rockets in National Basketball Association (NBA) action.

Gordon was able to match Kevin Durant for team- and game-high honors.

Playing at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, for the first time since getting traded in February, Gordon ripped his old team, going 10-for-15 from the field to shoot at a 66.7 percent clip. He was able to go 7-for-11 from deep where he shot 63.6 percent. The shooting guard had an uncharacteristic night on defense as he come away with three blocks in 40 minutes on the floor.

“It was great to be back here,” Gordon said. “I had a lot of good memories and a lot of fun here and it was a major turning point in my career, coming to Houston, and tonight (Wednesday), we did what we’re supposed to do.”

The Suns’ Kevin Durant had his 18th career triple-double when he came away with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 24 points in the loss.

As a team, the Suns shot the ball at a 57 percent clip. The Rockets finished the night shooting 42 percent from the field.

Gordon was a man on a mission in the second quarter as he missed just one of his seven shot attempts, pouring in 17 points in that stanza. Five of his made shots in the second quarter came from deep and he also had two blocks in that period. The Suns as a team were hot in that quarter as they finished 16-for-21 from the field, shooting 76.2 percent.

In that second quarter, the Suns outscored their counterparts, 43-31, to take a 73-55 lead at the intermission. Gordon had 21 points at the half to set his team on the right path.

The Rockets played the Suns close in the second half, but it was not enough to cut into an 18-point first half deficit.https://37a345d68c71b6fede6bc3ccf8c353c1.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

The Suns outrebounded the Rockets, 44-33. They had 27 points off 10 turnovers by the Rockets.

Gordon has played in 26 games this season and was able to start in 19 of those games. He is averaging 32 minutes on the floor in those 26 games. He is averaging 13.8 points, two rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. The 15-year veteran is showing no signs of rust as he is shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep. He is averaging one steal per contest.

Action continues for the Suns today when they return home to the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, where they will host the Charlotte Hornets (7-21), starting at 9 p.m. The Hornets were on an eight-game losing streak before facing the Los Angeles Lakers last night. The result of that game was unavailable up to press time.

• SHELDON LONGLEY SIMBA FRENCH longley@nasugard.com simba@nasguard.com
• Dec 29, 2023
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Charlton holds off a pair of track and field athletes for the top honor

What a year it has been for athletics in The Bahama

Devynne Charlton has had arguably her best year in track and field, running her best of collection of races when it mattered the most – at the world championships of track and field – and coming within an eyelash of winning what would have been her first-ever medal at a global meet outdoors.

She took home The Nassau Guardian’s Senior Female Athlete of the Year honor with 40 points. Finishing one point behind her was javelin thrower Rhema Otabor and she was followed closely by Anthonique Strachan. Bahamian professional female basketball player Jonquel ‘JJ’ Jones finished fourth and former track and field athlete turned fitness athlete Ivanique Kemp rounded out the top five.

Charlton was fourth in the world championships final in Budapest, Hungary, missing out on the medal stand by six one hundredths of a second. She ran a personal best national record time of 12.44 seconds in the heats – the same time as the silver medalist in the final.

Charlton clocked 12.49 seconds in the semis and 12.52 seconds for fourth in the final. It was her best ever finish at the world outdoor championships and the highest-ever finish for any Bahamian in the short hurdles at a major meet outdoors, proving that the country is making strides in the short hurdles.

Following her competition at the world championships, Charlton went on to compete at the Weltklasse Zürich Diamond League Meet in Zürich, Switzerland, and turned in an eighth place finish in 12.75 seconds. It was her 13th race under 13 seconds in 2023, the second-most for her in any calendar year.

She had a series of appearances on the European circuit, running at the FBK (Fanny Blankers-Koen) Games in Hengelo, Netherlands; the 5th Irena Szewińska Memorial in Bydgoszcz, Poland; the 62nd Ostrava Golden Spike Meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic; the BAUHAUS-Galan Diamond League Meet in Stockholm, Sweden; and the Weltklasse Zürich in Zürich, Switzerland.

Indoors, she clocked a season’s best time of 7.87 seconds at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, Massachusetts, just off her national record time of 7.81 seconds.

Otabor was outstanding in the women’s javelin in 2023, setting a new personal best and becoming just the second Bahamian to win a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I title in the women’s javelin, following in the footsteps of national record holder Laverne Eve.

Otabor also became the second Bahamian female behind Eve to toss the javelin in excess of 60 meters (m), turning in a personal best throw of 60.54m (198’ 7”) to finish second at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in November.

She struggled at the Budapest World Championships, but just to qualify for that meet, she made history, becoming the second Bahamian woman to do so in the javelin behind Eve.

Collegiately for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Otabor won the Big Ten title with a throw of 57.85m (189’ 9”), qualified for the NCAAs out of the regionals and then went on to win the NCAA title at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas, in June, with a toss of 59.49m (195’ 2”) a personal best throw at that time.

The following month, Otabor established a new personal best of 59.75m (196’) at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Junior and Senior National Track and Field Championships. She was just getting started.

Following the nationals, Otabor went on to win the under-23 title at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Under-18 and Under23 Championships, turning in a toss of 57.48m (188’ 7”). Otabor went on to compete at the 19th World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, bowing out in the qualifying rounds, and then turned in her massive throw of 60.54m for the silver medal at the Pan American Games.https://95ec8484abd69d874769acb17c2c3eff.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Strachan also had arguably her best year in athletics, running personal best times in both short sprints and culminating the year by advancing to the final of the women’s 200m at the Budapest World Championships. Strachan finished sixth in that world championships final, running 22.29 seconds. She clocked 22.31 and 22.30 in the rounds, running her best collection of 200m races in her career.

In May, Strachan set her personal best time of 22.15 seconds at the Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Athletisme de Rabat, in Rabat, Morocco, solidifying herself as the second-fastest Bahamian woman of all-time over that distance. It was one of four Diamond League appearances for her in the 200m in 2023, setting the stage for a fantastic finish at the Diamond League Final, the two-day Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon. Strachan finished third in the Diamond League Final in 22.16 seconds, just a hundredth of a second off her personal best time.

Strachan was impressive in the 100m in 2023 as well, but chose just to focus on the 200m at the world championships.

She clocked a personal best time of 10.92 seconds in the women’s 100m at the Bislett Games Diamond League Meet in Oslo, Norway, in June. That time has her listed as the fourth-fastest Bahamian woman of all-time over that distance and she is now just eight one hundredths of a second off Chandra Sturrup’s national record of 10.84 seconds.

Strachan qualified for the world championships and the Diamond League Final in both the 100 and 200m in 2023, but chose to focus on the 200m each time.

Jonquel Jones, who led the New York Liberty to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Championship this year before they fell to the Las Vegas Aces, and Ivanique Kemp, who won a gold medal for The Bahamas in women’s wellness at the 50th International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness’ (IFBB) Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships this year, finished fourth and fifth respectively, in voting for the Nassau Guardian’s Senior Female Athlete of the Year.

THE CI Gibson Rattlers came close to bringing home one of the divisional championship titles at the Tarkanian Basketball Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada. But they had to settle for unwrapping the runners-up hardware over the Christmas holiday weekend.

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE CI Gibson Rattlers came close to bringing home one of the divisional championship titles at the Tarkanian Basketball Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada. But they had to settle for unwrapping the runners-up hardware over the Christmas holiday weekend.

#The team, coached by Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, assisted by Wilton Johnson and Shannon Williams, finished with a 3-1 win-loss record in the games they played at the Faith Lutheran High School, one of the six venues where the tournament was played last week.

#In their first game played, the Rattlers won 70-57 over Chino out of California. They came back and beat North Medford out of Oregon in game two. They also won 65-58 over TMI Episcopal out of Texas in their semifinal match.

#But in their finale, they lost 58-49 to Monsignor Scanlan out of New York in the championship.

#“The trip was great. Thank God I had the opportunity to take these young men to Las Vegas to play in the Tarkanian Basketball Classic,” Johnson said. “It was a huge opportunity for our young men to be showcased in front of a lot of coaches. They played extremely well.

#“We played in the Team Athletic Division, which had 16 teams in our pool. We went to the championship game and got beat by nine points. We played some very good teams in the tournament.”

#Chino Hills, according to Johnson, was the alma mater for the Ball brothers, who currently play in the National Basketball Association. Against North Medford, Johnson said they encountered a strong shooting team.

#The team from Texas was coached by former NBA player Bruce Bowen, whose son, along with the son of Tim Duncan, also played on the team.

#“They had two 6-10, 6-9 and 6-8 players on that team,” Johnson said. “We played extremely hard and very fast. We felt we were more athletic than them, so we played extremely fast and organised and controlled and that helped us to win to get into the Team Athletics divisional final.

#“But in the final, we ran into a very strong team from New York. We got beat because we didn’t make our free shots. We missed 21 free shots and got beat by nine. We also missed about 13 lay-ups. So at the end of the day, if we had capitalised on their missed free shots and layups, we would have had an opportunity to win.”

#They didn’t, but Johnson said he was happy and thankful that his Rattlers played at a high level.

#“A lot of the coaches gave our team high praises because of how hard we played and we never gave up,” Johnson stated. “That was the trademark for our team this year in this tournament. We played extremely hard for four quarters and we never gave up.”

#Gerrad Rolle and Tashon Butler were both named to the All-Tournament team as a result of their performances.

#The other members of the team were Charles Maynard, D’Neo Smith, Mario Rolle, Darius Hanna, Dwayne Findley, Sergio Bain, Condae Smith, Joshua Fynes, Osee Olibrice and Zavion Lloyd.

#“The young men bought into what we are doing. They understand the importance of the off-season training,” Johnson pointed out.

#“They prepared themselves for this moment and worked extremely hard to be a part of this moment.

#“I must say, they cherished the time they came and played together. They understood the importance of being ready when the time came for them to play.”

#Right before his eyes, Johnson said he watched as his players grew up and held their own against some of the top ranked high school players out of the United States.

#The Rattlers will now prepare to defend their title in the 24th Providence Basketball Club Yuletide Classic at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. The tournament, which will feature both a junior and senior boys’ division, will get underway today at 9am and wrap up on Saturday. There will be two sessions held each day. The entry fee for the fans is $3 each.

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year. Photo: Dante Carrer

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the 2023 calendar year.

#The softball athletes in attendance were led by New York’s Brandon Barcomb, head coach of the 10U and 12U Electric City Bombers, who passed on various softball skills at the one-day camp.

#The collaborative effort between the two softball programmes proved to be fruitful as I-BAP received softball equipment on Saturday as well.

#Coach Barcomb was delighted to be able to work alongside the young athletes on Saturday morning.

#“It was outstanding. I tend to appreciate folks out of these kinds of places a lot more than some folks out of the United States. It’s a lot of wonderful people when I come down here and it is great for me because the girls are always very motivated and there are a lot of great players down here.

#“I also like the family-nature and community, the way folks are with me and my daughters. I love that aspect,” he said. “The girls were outstanding. They listened very well and a lot of them came and said thanks which I appreciated a ton because they realised they learned a little something here and there. Every time they take the field they get a little better each day so it’s a good thing,” the visiting coach added.

#On Saturday, the 20 athletes in attendance practiced agility, hitting, catching and fielding drills along with coach Barcomb.

#Dachye Stubbs, director of softball for the International Elite (I-Elite) Sports Academy, was grateful to work alongside Barcomb to give the girls an opportunity to learn more skills and gain more exposure.

#“The girls had an opportunity to work on fielding, catching and agility drills. It was a pop up camp, we had three days to put together and we had a good turnout. Coach Brandon donated some equipment to the programme so that is always a plus and he brought a wealth of knowledge to the game. “Some of the stuff the girls have heard before but with his expertise he was able to break down and explain a lot to them that we may not be able to here in The Bahamas. It was pretty good and the girls had fun which is the most important part,” Stubbs said.

#After working under the tutelage of Barcomb, the girls will now have the opportunity to play on his 10U and 12U travel teams.

#“This collaboration with coach Brandon will allow some of the girls to have the opportunity to travel to the USA and play with his travel team.

#“Like any I-BAP event, travel college and high school exposure and any recruiting resources that can help girls get scholarships through the sport of softball is always a plus,” the event organiser said.

#Jaylah Maycock, who plays outfield and is making a return from an injury, was especially happy to shake some rust off at the pop up camp.

#“Personally, I feel like the clinic was very influential to me because coming off an injury, I felt like I was a little rusty at first and nervous but as I came into the environment it was very productive,”

#“Some things I learned today was to work on hitting, my stances in the box and having confidence in the box. I plan to now work hard, take the information given to me and apply it on the field,” Maycock said.

#Along with Maycock at the camp was outfielder Charmia Curtis.

#She thoroughly enjoyed her experience at the camp over the weekend.

#“My experience at the camp was good. I really enjoyed learning new drills and my favourite part about it was hitting. He showed me some great movements to improve my hitting. The skills I learned here today will definitely help me to perform better in games with faster movement and better hitting,” she said.

#The softball season will begin for the girls in January.

I-BAP pop up camp a success

I-BAP pop up camp a success

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year. Photo: Dante Carrer

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the 2023 calendar year.

#The softball athletes in attendance were led by New York’s Brandon Barcomb, head coach of the 10U and 12U Electric City Bombers, who passed on various softball skills at the one-day camp.

#The collaborative effort between the two softball programmes proved to be fruitful as I-BAP received softball equipment on Saturday as well.

#Coach Barcomb was delighted to be able to work alongside the young athletes on Saturday morning.

#“It was outstanding. I tend to appreciate folks out of these kinds of places a lot more than some folks out of the United States. It’s a lot of wonderful people when I come down here and it is great for me because the girls are always very motivated and there are a lot of great players down here.

#“I also like the family-nature and community, the way folks are with me and my daughters. I love that aspect,” he said. “The girls were outstanding. They listened very well and a lot of them came and said thanks which I appreciated a ton because they realised they learned a little something here and there. Every time they take the field they get a little better each day so it’s a good thing,” the visiting coach added.

#On Saturday, the 20 athletes in attendance practiced agility, hitting, catching and fielding drills along with coach Barcomb.

#Dachye Stubbs, director of softball for the International Elite (I-Elite) Sports Academy, was grateful to work alongside Barcomb to give the girls an opportunity to learn more skills and gain more exposure.

#“The girls had an opportunity to work on fielding, catching and agility drills. It was a pop up camp, we had three days to put together and we had a good turnout. Coach Brandon donated some equipment to the programme so that is always a plus and he brought a wealth of knowledge to the game. “Some of the stuff the girls have heard before but with his expertise he was able to break down and explain a lot to them that we may not be able to here in The Bahamas. It was pretty good and the girls had fun which is the most important part,” Stubbs said.

#After working under the tutelage of Barcomb, the girls will now have the opportunity to play on his 10U and 12U travel teams.

#“This collaboration with coach Brandon will allow some of the girls to have the opportunity to travel to the USA and play with his travel team.

#“Like any I-BAP event, travel college and high school exposure and any recruiting resources that can help girls get scholarships through the sport of softball is always a plus,” the event organiser said.

#Jaylah Maycock, who plays outfield and is making a return from an injury, was especially happy to shake some rust off at the pop up camp.

#“Personally, I feel like the clinic was very influential to me because coming off an injury, I felt like I was a little rusty at first and nervous but as I came into the environment it was very productive,”

#“Some things I learned today was to work on hitting, my stances in the box and having confidence in the box. I plan to now work hard, take the information given to me and apply it on the field,” Maycock said.

#Along with Maycock at the camp was outfielder Charmia Curtis.

#She thoroughly enjoyed her experience at the camp over the weekend.

#“My experience at the camp was good. I really enjoyed learning new drills and my favourite part about it was hitting. He showed me some great movements to improve my hitting. The skills I learned here today will definitely help me to perform better in games with faster movement and better hitting,” she said.

#The softball season will begin for the girls in January.

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year. Photo: Dante Carrer

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the 2023 calendar year.

#The softball athletes in attendance were led by New York’s Brandon Barcomb, head coach of the 10U and 12U Electric City Bombers, who passed on various softball skills at the one-day camp.

#The collaborative effort between the two softball programmes proved to be fruitful as I-BAP received softball equipment on Saturday as well.

#Coach Barcomb was delighted to be able to work alongside the young athletes on Saturday morning.

#“It was outstanding. I tend to appreciate folks out of these kinds of places a lot more than some folks out of the United States. It’s a lot of wonderful people when I come down here and it is great for me because the girls are always very motivated and there are a lot of great players down here.

#“I also like the family-nature and community, the way folks are with me and my daughters. I love that aspect,” he said. “The girls were outstanding. They listened very well and a lot of them came and said thanks which I appreciated a ton because they realised they learned a little something here and there. Every time they take the field they get a little better each day so it’s a good thing,” the visiting coach added.

#On Saturday, the 20 athletes in attendance practiced agility, hitting, catching and fielding drills along with coach Barcomb.

#Dachye Stubbs, director of softball for the International Elite (I-Elite) Sports Academy, was grateful to work alongside Barcomb to give the girls an opportunity to learn more skills and gain more exposure.

#“The girls had an opportunity to work on fielding, catching and agility drills. It was a pop up camp, we had three days to put together and we had a good turnout. Coach Brandon donated some equipment to the programme so that is always a plus and he brought a wealth of knowledge to the game. “Some of the stuff the girls have heard before but with his expertise he was able to break down and explain a lot to them that we may not be able to here in The Bahamas. It was pretty good and the girls had fun which is the most important part,” Stubbs said.

#After working under the tutelage of Barcomb, the girls will now have the opportunity to play on his 10U and 12U travel teams.

#“This collaboration with coach Brandon will allow some of the girls to have the opportunity to travel to the USA and play with his travel team.

#“Like any I-BAP event, travel college and high school exposure and any recruiting resources that can help girls get scholarships through the sport of softball is always a plus,” the event organiser said.

#Jaylah Maycock, who plays outfield and is making a return from an injury, was especially happy to shake some rust off at the pop up camp.

#“Personally, I feel like the clinic was very influential to me because coming off an injury, I felt like I was a little rusty at first and nervous but as I came into the environment it was very productive,”

#“Some things I learned today was to work on hitting, my stances in the box and having confidence in the box. I plan to now work hard, take the information given to me and apply it on the field,” Maycock said.

#Along with Maycock at the camp was outfielder Charmia Curtis.

#She thoroughly enjoyed her experience at the camp over the weekend.

#“My experience at the camp was good. I really enjoyed learning new drills and my favourite part about it was hitting. He showed me some great movements to improve my hitting. The skills I learned here today will definitely help me to perform better in games with faster movement and better hitting,” she said.

#The softball season will begin for the girls in January.

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#BEFORE athletes took a break for Christmas festivities, they hit the qualifying mark for the 2024 CARIFTA Games at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Odd Distance Meet on Friday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

#The one-day meet brought out over 300 athletes competing in non-traditional events, including 60m, 150m, 300m and 600m. Athletes ranged from the under-7 age group to the open division.

#Most of the qualifying action took place in the field events.

#Dior-Rae Scott, who earned a silver medal at the 2023 CARIFTA Games hosted on home soil, once again qualified for the regional competition.

#In the girls’ under 17 javelin event, she placed first with a distance of 44.68m. She bested the CARIFTA qualifying mark of 36.00m in the victory. Placing second in the event was Elizabeth Prosper with 13.28m.

#The top CARIFTA performer was grateful to qualify at the first track meet of the season but felt she could improve her technique. “I am grateful that I was able to qualify in the first meet. I went and tried but I did not do as good as I wanted to. That was not my best throw, I did not have the proper technique but hopefully as I go on in more meets, I can improve on it,” Scott said.

#As far as her expectations for the 2024 track season, she is hoping to progress to a throwing distance of 50m.

#Calea Jackson, who was a part of the historic 80-member CARIFTA team, qualified for yet another CARIFTA Games after coming first in the under 20 girls’ discus throw with 46.36m. She beat the qualifying standard of 40.36m.

#Cailyn Johnson, of Triple Threat, notched 39.71m for second and Annae Mackey, of Blue Chip Athletics, finished third with 36.35m. Jackson was pleased to get the early qualification out the way.

#“I just really came out here with the goal to qualify early. I am still in progress with my training. I am not peaking so I am just really taking everything as it is and just focusing on everything as it comes,” she said.

#On her return home from the University of Miami, Jackson said it is a nostalgic feeling.

#“I love being back home, being able to practice with my teammates and competing is really great. I am having a great time and it is very nostalgic,” she said.

#Similar to Scott, Jackson hopes to clear the 50m distance mark as the season progresses.

#Demian Brice, representing X-Treme Athletics, recorded a personal best in the under 17 boys’ triple jump to not only get the victory but meet the standard for CARIFTA. He soared to a distance of 13.83m to pass the standard mark of 12.92m on Friday evening. J’Lin Roberts took second place with a height of 12.22m.

#Brice also secured a first place finish in the under 17 boys’ high jump with 1.62m.

#Alvardo Rolle, of Eleuthera Elites, came second, recording 1.57m in the event. The under 17 competitor was proud of his efforts at the odd distance meet. “It feels very good qualifying, I have been waiting on this for a long time. I have qualified last year and now I just want to build on what I did last year and hopefully I get a gold medal,” he said.

#“The triple jump was good, I only did five steps. I feel like for my full approach, I can go at least 16m so I am just gonna keep working until the next meet. I am just looking to build on what I already did and hopefully I can get a better PR,” he added.

#Antone Smith, representing Leap of Faith, got the job done in the under 20 boys’ triple jump event. The existing CARIFTA qualifying mark in the event is 14.29m and he notched 14.36m to meet the criteria.

#Rollie Hanna, of Jumpers Inc, finished one step behind with 13.99m for second place.

#Smith wants to push himself further but was elated to qualify.

#“It feels amazing, I just want to thank God, my coaches and my family for believing in me.I feel amazing but I feel like I could have done better. My coach was expecting me to do better and I was expecting myself to do better too but I guess it did not work out better luck next time,” he said.

#His expectation for the season is to clear 16m.

#Darvinique Dean, who was recently awarded as the Red-Line Athletics most outstanding athlete, turned in top performances over the weekend. She edged out her competitors in the under 17 girls 150m race in 18.37.

#Khylee Wallace, representing Red-Line Athletics as well, came second and Payton Knowles of Unique Athletics settled for third.

#Dean ran ahead of the field in the under 17 girls’ 300m event. She clocked 40.27 to earn another win. Red-Line Athletics dominated this event with Alexis Roberts and Bayli Major placing second and third respectively.

#Eagan Neely, of Bahamas Speed Dynamics, took care of business in the under 15 boys 150m and 300m events.

#In the former, he ran through the finish line first with a time of 16.47.

#Jahcario Wilson, representing the same track club, followed behind in 16.82. Rohman Rolle, of Fast Forward, trailed for third place.

#Neely calmly sprinted to a time of 35.78 in the 300m race to claim the victory.

#Shevano Nixon, of Red Line Athletics, wrapped up second and Wilson ended in third.

#Everette Fraser, of Fast Forward, collected first place finishes in the under 17 boys’ 60m and 300m events.

#Next up on the BAAAs Athletics calendar will be the T-Bird Flyers Classic January 5-6.

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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#IN the aftermath of the Christmas celebrations and as a prelude to the second half of the regular season in the new year, the Providence Basketball Club Holiday Classic is all set to tip off today at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

#The tournament, originally designed for senior boys’ teams when it got started 24 years ago and now for the second year including the junior boys, will run through Saturday when the championship games will be played.

#Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, the club’s president and tournament organiser, said they are excited to be able to host the young basketball players and keep them active and out of mischief during the Yuletide season. “This year we have 16 senior boys’ teams crossed over in four different pools and also we have 16 junior boys’ teams crossed in four different pools as well,” he said.

#“It’s a four-day tournament and we are ready and excited to play basketball. After eating all of that ham and turkey and going to junkanoo, the fans can come out and enjoy some high level high school basketball competition.”

#The CI Gibson Rattlers, coached by Johnson, are the defending senior boys’ champions, while the DW Davis Royals, coached by Mark Hanna, are the junior boys defending champions.

#Johnson, however, doesn’t feel that it will be a walk in the gym for any of the two teams to successfully hold onto their titles.

#“I think, especially at the junior level, it’s going to be keen and tough,” Johnson said. “The senior level is always tight, so I’m looking forward to some good competition. May the best team win.

#“We have some very good teams entered this year. St George’s is coming down, we also have Blazer Elite out of Grand Bahama and Agape Christian Academy, out of Abaco, will also be in town.”

#The teams will play each other in pool play with the top two teams advancing to the playoffs on Saturday before they get to the final four and eventually the champions being crowned this year.

#“CI Gibson is the defending senior boys’ champions, but CC Sweeting is always tough, so is Charles W Saunders, the private school champions and St George’s, a very strong team that we will have to definitely look out for.

#“In the junior boys’ division, DW Davis is the defending champions, but St John’s usually has a good team, LW Young has a good team this year, so does Prince Will and Teleos. The junior division will be loaded and so whoever comes out on top, they will have to fight for it.”

#Johnson said there will be a lot of excitement and fans can come out and cheer on their respective teams at a cost of $3 for each session, which will include a total of about nine games. There will be two sessions per day.

#• Here’s a look at the brackets and matches to be played in the Providence Basketball Classic from today through Saturday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium:

#Junior Boys’ Division

#Pool 1 – DW Davis, Galilee, Queen’s College and Nassau Christian Academy.

#Pool II – St John’s, LW Young, AF Adderley and Charles W. Saunders.

#Pool III – Agape, SC McPherson, TA Thompson and Freedom Baptist Academy.

#Pool IIII – Jordan Prince Williams, ISBET, Teleos and Anatol Rodgers,

#Senior Boys’ Division

#Pool 1 – CI Gibson A, Blazer Elite, Nassau Christian Academy and Mt Carmel.

#Pool II – Charles W Saunders, Government High, Teleos and St John’s.

#Pool III – CC Sweeting, Galilee, Doris Johnson and Queen’s College.

#Pool IIII – St George’s, CI Gibson B, Jordan Prince Williams and CV Bethel.

#Today’s schedule

#Session one – 9 am St John’s vs Charles W. Saunders. 9:45 am LW Young vs AF Adderley. 10:30 am DW Davis vs Nassau Christian Academy. 11:15 am Galilee vs Queen’s College. Noon Agape vs Freedom Baptist Academy. 12:45 pm SC McPherson vs TA Thompson. 1:30 pm Jordan Prince Williams vs Anatol Rodgers. 2:15 pm ISBET vs Teleos.

#Session II – 3 pm CI Gibson B vs CV Bethel. 4:30 pm CC Sweeting vs Queen’s College. 5:15 pm Galilee vs Doris Johnson.

#6 pm Charles W. Saunders vs St John’s. 6:45 pm Government High vs Teleos. 7:30 pm CI G A vs Mt Carmel. 8:15 pm. Blazers Elite vs Nassau Christian Academy. 9 pm CV Bethel vs St George’s. 9:45 pm CI Gibson B vs Jordan Prince Williams.

SISTERS Sarai and Sydney Clarke with Charlene Gibson, the business and operations manager at the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel. Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN her usual way of giving back, tennis player Sydney Clarke returned to the Bahamas Children’s Hostel for the third consecutive year to provide some much-needed supplies of groceries, toiletries and toys to the 30 residents of the home from nine months to 18 years of age.

#The Christmas gifts were presented on Friday and were received by Charlene Gibson, the business and operations manager, who indicated that they are very appreciative of what she continues to do for the hostel. “She makes a constant effort to call me every time she’s back in town and asks me what the kids need and she puts something together and comes and makes the donation,” Clarke said.

#This has been an annual thing for the past three years. “For the most part, we are very appreciative of whatever we get,” Gibson said. “It’s a donation, so we don’t have to find the funds to go and purchase it. So no matter how big or small the donation is, we appreciate it.”

#Back home on the Christmas break from her final year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Clarke said if there’s one thing on her things to do list, it was making her appearance at the hostel.

#“It was another success. I received a lot of donations. A lot of people chipped in despite it being a short notice,” Clarke said. “It was a great response this year.”

#For the third time, Clarke said she looks forward to doing it. “It’s always an exciting time for me and I enjoy doing it,” said Clarke, who was accompanied by her younger sister Sarai. “Whatever I can do for the kids with the toys, food, cleaning supplies and toiletries, whatever I can do, I will do. I enjoy it.”

#Although her main focus was on competing in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s annual Giorgio Baldacci Tournament at the National Tennis Centre where she lost out in the final to Simone Pratt, Clarke said she was just delighted to fulfil her commitment to the hostel.

#“A lot of people have helped me with my tennis career and life in general, so it’s my duty as a citizen to give back,” Clarke said. “It’s always a great feeling to give back, especially to the community.

#“Just seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids brings me a lot of joy. In this holiday season, I have a lot to be grateful for. I have my parents and those kids, unfortunately, don’t. So with my platform in tennis, this is my way of helping them in any way I possibly can.”

#While the Bahamas Children’s Hostel will continue to be her focal point, Clarke said with further assistance in the future, she will like to extend the Christmas cheer to the other foster homes.

#But she indicated that she was really appreciative of Bahamas Waste for their huge donation, along with her family and friends for their continued support.

#For persons who wish to make their contribution to the home, Gibson indicated that they can reach her at admin@bch242.org or call 807-6155 or 677-0217.

#“We are grateful for what she is doing and we are encouraging others to follow suit,” Gibson said. “She is doing a very good deed.”

Giorgio Baldacci tennis nationals come to a close; spots booked on national teams

• Simba French
• Dec 22, 2023 Updated Dec 22, 2023
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Simone Pratt won the ladies title at the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships, at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre on Thursday.

Baker Newman won the men’s title at the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships, at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre on Thursday.

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After four days of intense competition, seasoned players Baker Newman and Simone Pratt came out on top at the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships, winning in three sets each at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre yesterday.

Newman got the best of Rodney Carey Jr. for the men’s title. On the women’s side, Pratt won against last year’s runner-up Sydney Clarke to lift that title.

“When you lose the first set, you want to change so you could do better. I just started to play a little more loose and free and it worked,” Newman said.

Playing to a third set meant a new can of balls was needed. That means the balls had more bounce to them.

“It is a little tricky starting with new balls and these balls have been giving me a little challenge this week. When they are new, they are bouncier. I was not upset that the first three games were long because the balls got worn out more which helped me out more with my game. I knew Carey was going to come out after losing the second set 6-0 but I was ready,” Newman said.

The two veteran players had some great rallies, putting on a show for the spectators. Newman said he was happy to win the title as he has not been playing much tennis this year.

Like Newman, Pratt had to overcome a first set loss, rallying to win, 6-7(5), 6-3 and 6-1.

“It was a great match. I feel that we both came out playing and it was windy conditions. I just had to go out there and face the wind, but I feel I played my game and was able to come out with the win,” said Pratt.

Pratt committed some unforced errors early in the tiebreaker set as Clarke went up 5-1. Pratt managed to come close to Clarke, winning four of the next five points before Clarke finished it off to win 7-5 in that tiebreaker. Pratt got a 6-3 victory in the second set to tie the match at 1-1. She reached another gear in the third set.

“In the third set, I looked to get a strong start and not make too many mistakes and errors. I played more aggressively, opened up the court and that is what helped me get the win,” she said.

Pratt, who was one of the country’s top junior players during her teenage years, said she was shocked that she won. She last won a national title in 2012.

Newman and Carey secured two of the four available spots on the men’s national team for the 2024 Davis Cup Tournament. Clarke and Pratt secured two of the four available sports on the women’s national team for the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Tournament. The location and date of both tournaments will be announced later.

The four qualifiers are looking forward to representing the country at the regional tennis tournaments next year.

• Simba French
• 3 hrs ago
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The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) staged a successful odd distance meet on Friday, officially getting the 2023-2024 track and field season underway at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. There were three unofficial qualifiers for the 2024 CARIFTA Games, set for the Easter holiday weekend, March 30 to April 1, 2024, in St. George’s, Grenada.

Attaining those CARIFTA standards at the BAAA Odd Distance Track and Field Meet on Friday were Demian Brice, Calea Jackson and Dior-Rae Scott.

“I went out there and tried but I did not do as good as I wanted to. The qualifying throw was not my best throw because I did not have the proper technique but as I go on in more meets I can improve my technique,” Scott said. Finishing a distant second was her teammate Elizabeth Prosper who posted a throw of 13.28m (43’ 6-3/4”).

Scott has a long season ahead of her and is looking to improve as the season goes along.

Jackson, who throws for Blue Chips Athletics, competed in the under-20 girls shot put and discus events and won both. The University of Miami freshman surpassed the standard of 40.36m (132’ 5”) in the discus with a throw of 46.36m (152’ 1-1/4”).

“I just came out here with a goal to qualify early. I am still in progress with the training, and I am not peaking as yet. I have some time to go before the discus season starts,” Jackson said.

Triple Threat’s Cailyn Johnson placed second in the discus with a throw of 39.71m (130’ 3-1/2”). Jackson’s teammate Annae Mackey placed third after recording a throw of 36.35m (119’ 3”).

Jackson will head back to school and train, waiting for the collegiate outdoor season to get underway in March. She said her goal for this season is to throw at least 50m in the discus.

Jackson won the shot put event with a throw of 11.53m (37’ 10”). Mackey was second this time with a toss of 11.35m (37’ 3-1/4). Finishing third was Johnson with a throw of 10.10m (33’ 1-3/4”).

Brice had to juggle between the under-17 boys triple jump and high jump events but was able to provisionally qualify in both. The approaches were modified in both as is the standard at the odd distance meet.

In the high jump, he managed to clear 1.87m (6’ 1-1/2”) to come away as the champion in that event. In doing so, he matched the qualifying height.

“It feels good to qualify at this meet. I have been waiting for this for a long time. I qualified last year and now I just want to build on last year. Now I just want to get the gold. I’m glad I went out there and executed and qualified,” Brice said.

Placing second in the high jump event was Alvardo Rolle who was able to clear the bar at 1.57m (5’ 1-3/4”).

In the triple jump event in that division, Brice was able to hold off Jumpers Inc J’Lin Roberts to win. Brice leapt to 13.83m (45’ 4-1/2”) which was wind-aided. Roberts’ jump was also wind-aided and he posted a leap of 12.22m (40’ 1”). The CARIFTA qualifying standard for that event is 12.92m (42’ 4-3/4”).

Fast Forward’s under-20 girls athlete Koi Adderley won three events on the day, namely the 150m, the 300m hurdles and the long jump. In the 150m, she clocked a time of 18.82 seconds. In the 300m hurdles, she posted a time of 45.85 seconds. She leaped 5.34m to win the long jump event.

The under-11 boys sprint races were dominated by Unique Athletics’ Jayden Jones. In the 60m, he crossed the finish line in 8.67 seconds for the win and took the 150m in 20.73 seconds.

Bahamas Speed Dynamics’ Eagan Neely won both of his races in the under-15 boys division. Neely ran 16.47 seconds to win the 150m. He then got a win in the 300m after running a time of 35.78 seconds.

In the under-15 girls short sprints, Brion Ward, representing the DTSP Wolfpack, picked up a double victory. Ward won the 60m dash in a time of 7.91 seconds. She then came back and won the 150m in 18.62 seconds.

The next event on the local track and field calendar is the T-Bird Flyers Track and Field Classic, set for January 5-6, 2024, at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.