Megan Moss in action as coach Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene cheers her on.

As of Monday, January 27, 2020

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT was a phenomenal day on the track for quarter-miler Megan Moss and hurdler Devynne Charlton at the Rod McCravy Memorial in Lexington, Kentucky.

#Moss, in her freshman year at the host University of Kentucky, picked up a fourth-place finish in the women’s 400 metres in a personal best of 52.85 seconds to trail her Wildcats’ team-mate Alexis Holmes, who was second in 52.27.

#The significance of their times was that they turned out to be the fastest for Holmes and the fourth fastest in the NCAA this year. While Holmes leads the pack, Moss trails Texas’ Kenndy Simon, who ran 52.81 at the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Collegiate Invitational this weekend as well, and Bahamian Doneisha Anderson from the University of Florida, who did 52.83 at the Gamecock Opener on January 17.

#Moss was also eighth in the 200m in 24.17 as her Kentucky teammates Abby Steiner and Dajour Miles got first and second in 23.06 and 23.39 respectively.

#Before they were done, Moss also ran the pop-off leg and Holmes anchored the Wildcats’ 4 x 400m relay team that included Steiner and Miles as they clocked 3:31.29 for the second-fastest time in school history and the No. 1 time in the world currently.

#“It was just amazing,” said Moss, who also surpassed the qualifying standard of 52.90 for the World Athletics’ 2020 World Indoor Championships.

#“I definitely wanted to run fast, but I wasn’t worried about the time.

#“So it was good to go out there and run as fast as I did.

#“I still can’t believe that I ran that fast. I just wanted to set myself up for the break and get out as fast as possible and try to bring it home.”

#Moss said her goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in August and hopefully she can also double up on the women’s 4 x 400m relay team with fellow St Augustine’s College graduates Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Doneisha Anderson as the two top prospects.

#Kentucky’s head coach Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene said he wasn’t surprised at Moss’ performance at all.

#“I told Megan she was ready to run 52 seconds her first meet,” said Greene, who is assisted by Bahamian “Golden Girl” Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie on the Wildcats’ coaching staff.

#“It was her first indoor meet and (her father) Tito (Moss) was here to watch it.

#“I told her I needed her to come through in 25 flat in the first lap and 37-38 and she did exactly what I told her. This is just my humble opinion, but she should have won the race. I just think she gave the other two individuals too much room and then she closed down.”

#Before the indoor season is completed in March, Greene said he anticipates that Moss will clock 51 seconds. Greene, however, said Moss will not be making the trek to the World Athletics’ 2020 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, because it will conflict with the Southeastern Championships, scheduled for February 28-29 at the Gilliam Indoor Stadium in College Station, Texas.

#Kentucky will now take next weekend off and will be back at it February 7-8 at the Doc Hale Elite Meet in Blacksburg, Virginia. The distance runners are scheduled to compete February 8 at the Camel City Invitational in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

#Charlton picks up a victory

#As she makes her comeback and in her bid to regain her prominence on the international scene for the Bahamas, Devynne Charlton took the women’s 60m hurdles in 8.12. Cortney Jones, a senior at Arizona State, was second in 8.22.

#Charlton, who was also 30th in the 200m in 25.03, said she was quite pleased with her performances as she gets set to compete in the World Indoor Championships, having done the standard of 8.16 for the fourth time this season.

#“It was a pretty good meet consistency wise. I think it was a pretty good meet because I’m right where I need to be,” Charlton said. “I came down with the flu, so going into this meet, I wasn’t sure if I would even compete, but I started to feel better and I decided to give it a try.”

#Also at the meet, Warren Fraser, representing the Bahamas, got second in the final of the men’s 60m in 6.68 behind Langston Jackson, a junior at Kentucky, who did 6.61.

#Fraser advanced with the second-fastest time of 6.69 behind Jackson’s best of 6.61 in the semi-final.

#In the preliminaries, Langston posted the fastest time of 6.66 with Fraser second with 6.67 and Purdue’s senior Samson Colebrooke third with 6.72.

#Colebrooke, however, didn’t compete in the semi-final. Samson’s team-mate Tamar Greene was 26th in 7.05.

#And in the men’s 4 x 400m relay, Puma MVP International team of Martin Manley, Akeem Bloomfield, Bahamian Teray Smith and Nathon Allen came in second in 3:09.27 behind Kentucky in 3:09.06.

Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm’s series of career milestones in 2020 was highlighted by becoming just the seventh Bahamian to play Major League Baseball. The historic feat earned him The Tribune’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

#The 22-year-old Miami Marlins infielder’s major league callup in September and his ensuing performance for the remainder of the season became the biggest Bahamian sports story in a year obstructed by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

#The Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, Chisholm was expected to start the season with the Marlins’ AAA affiliate, the Wichita Wind Surge of the Pacific Coast League.

#However, the pandemic cancelled minor league baseball in 2020 and shortened the major leagues to a shortened 60-game season. The Marlins were one of the teams hit by the pandemic early in the season and had the highest roster turnover of any team in the league with 17 players eventually placed on the COVID reserve list.

#While the team got off to a slow start, Chisholm said his focus was to stay mentally ready in preparation for a major league callup.

#“My expectations never went down, when the shutdown happened I was just thinking, I have to prepare to play in the big leagues. They already said that we weren’t having a minor league season so I was just getting ready to play in the big leagues. Even when we were locked down I was just running around the neighbourhood, getting my miles in just to be ready,” he said.

#“It was the day the 17 guys went down and I thought to myself ‘Oh my goodness, what’s going to happen right now am I ready to go to the big leagues?’ I had to check myself to make sure that I was ready every day because it could happen every day. It gave me the instant shock that I could get the call any day so I was preparing every day like it could happen.”

#The call did happen and Chisholm made his historic major league debut on September 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. He entered the game as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for shortstop Miguel Rojas and officially became just the seventh Bahamian to play in the major leagues.

#In 21 games this season he hit .161 with a .563 OPS a .242 OBP, nine hits, two home runs, nine runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases.

#He recorded the first hit of his MLB career on September 5 with a single against the Tampa Bay Rays and scored the first run of his career the following day against the Braves on September 6.

#Chisholm’s breakthrough at the plate came on September 9 against the Braves when he recorded his first major league home run, RBI, triple and multi-hit game. He became the third youngest Marlins player to have a game with a home run and a triple. The only players to do it at a younger age were Giancarlo Stanton and Jeremy Hermida.

#Chisholm had his best game of the year in the regular season finale when he blasted his second home run of the season and finished 2-4 with three RBI and scored two runs.

#The Marlins were one of the most improbable stories in the 2020 season. They were the worst team in the National League a season ago at 57-105 and returned in 2020 to finish 31-29 for their first winning season since 2009 and earned their first playoff berth since 2003.

#Once they reached the postseason, the No.6 seeded Marlins advanced with a two-game sweep of the No.3 Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round before they were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

#Chisholm made his postseason debut in the final game of the season for the Marlins. He started at second base in the Marlins’ 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and became just the second Bahamian player to play in the MLB postseason following Ed Armbrister’s run with the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s.

#“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas.

#“We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID- 19 and I got called up to play on September 1st which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” Chisholm said. “Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and I believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing. I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield.

#Runner-Up: Chavano “Buddy” Hield

#Hield’s 2020 included a career highlight on All-Star Weekend, several milestones to establish himself as one of the most proficient shooters in NBA history and a new career high scoring night to honour his NBA childhood hero.

#As the NBA continued to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant in January, Hield paid tribute to the player he credits as his NBA inspiration with the best game of his five-year career.

#In his first game since Bryant’s tragic death, Hield led the Kings to an historic comeback and scored a career-high 42 points for the Kings in their 133-129 overtime win over the Timberwolves on January 27.

#The Kings overcame a 27-point deficit and Hield made five of his nine three pointers in the final 4:34 in the fourth quarter.

#“That’s the reason I wanted to play in the NBA because of Kobe,” Hield said following the game. “I feel that he was with me. He never gives up. That’s always his mentality. Never give up. No matter what the stakes was, he was always pushing, always pressing. He’s making sure guys feel him. That’s what I did tonight.”

#Hield said that continuing to wear the number and compete at the highest level is a fitting way to honour the memory of the Los Angeles Lakers great.

#Inspired by Bryant, Hield has worn No.24 at the high school level at Sunrise Christian, three of his four years in college with the Oklahoma Sooners and throughout his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

#Hield went on to set another milestone on February 8 when he shot 9-10 from beyond the arc, scored 31 points in the Kings’ 122-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs and simultaneously became the fastest player in NBA history to make 800 career three-point field goals. He accomplished the feat in just 296 games to surpass the mark set by Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry, who did it in 305 games.

#Just over a week later, Hield became one of the headliners of NBA All-Star Weekend when he became the league’s new three-point shootout champion on February 15.

#He posted a final round of 27 points and clinched the title on his final shot to defeat the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in the final round of the Mtn Dew Three Point Shootout at State Farm All-Star Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

#“I just wanted to come out and represent the Bahamas as best as I can, represent my family and I thank God for giving me the win. I was happy to be here and I was happy to show out. Everyone knows I have been a shooter since I was a little kid. This one was on my bucket list and I’m happy to get it,” Hield said.

#He finished the season with 873 threes, more three-point field goals than any other player in his first four NBA seasons. He surpassed the previous record of 828 set by Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

#This month, Hield’s late-game heroics helped the Sacramento Kings open the 2020-21 campaign with a thrilling win in the first overtime game of the season.

#Hield scored a team high 22 points and tipped in the game winner as time expired to give the Kings a 124-122 win over the Denver Nuggets December 23 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

#He scored 19 of his 22 in the second half, none bigger than the final field goal in overtime. Harrison Barnes deflected the Nuggets inbound pass and had an opportunity to score the go ahead basket but his dunk attempt was blocked by the Nuggets’ Will Barton.

#Hield was trailing on the fastbreak and was perfectly positioned for the tip in as time expired.

Steven Gardiner

#Third Place: Steven Gardiner

#There were few opportunities for Gardiner to compete in 2020, but when he did, he added a new national record to his prolific résumé.

#Gardiner set a new 300m national record on July 5 at the V12 Summer Games in a blistering time of 31.83 seconds.

#In the meet hosted at the Sante Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, his time surpassed Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown’s previous national record of 31.91 that he posted in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

#Gardiner’s time also headed the World Athletics top list for 2020 and ranked 23rd on the all-time list.

#Gardiner opened his season at the B3R Sports Invitational just short of Brown’s record time in 31.95. His list of Bahamas national records also includes the 200m straight in 19.88 at the Adidas Boost Boston Games on May 20, 2018, the 200m in 19.75 at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida on April 7, 2018 and the 400m in 43.48 to win the gold medal at the World Athletics’ 2019 World Championships on October 4 in Doha, Qatar.

#“I feel good about it. I feel we are right on track to where we could have been if we didn’t go through the coronavirus pandemic,” Gardiner said.

#“I know it was tough for us in training, but we were still able to train and do what we have to do.”

#In August, Gardiner completed what turned out to be the climax of a shortened track and field season at the American Track Meet in Georgia.

#Gardiner, who didn’t get a chance to compete in any 400m races this season, won the men’s 200m in a time of 20.19.

Jasrado Chisholm The Tribune’S Senior Male Athlete Of The Year

Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm’s series of career milestones in 2020 was highlighted by becoming just the seventh Bahamian to play Major League Baseball. The historic feat earned him The Tribune’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

#The 22-year-old Miami Marlins infielder’s major league callup in September and his ensuing performance for the remainder of the season became the biggest Bahamian sports story in a year obstructed by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

#The Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, Chisholm was expected to start the season with the Marlins’ AAA affiliate, the Wichita Wind Surge of the Pacific Coast League.

#However, the pandemic cancelled minor league baseball in 2020 and shortened the major leagues to a shortened 60-game season. The Marlins were one of the teams hit by the pandemic early in the season and had the highest roster turnover of any team in the league with 17 players eventually placed on the COVID reserve list.

#While the team got off to a slow start, Chisholm said his focus was to stay mentally ready in preparation for a major league callup.

#“My expectations never went down, when the shutdown happened I was just thinking, I have to prepare to play in the big leagues. They already said that we weren’t having a minor league season so I was just getting ready to play in the big leagues. Even when we were locked down I was just running around the neighbourhood, getting my miles in just to be ready,” he said.

#“It was the day the 17 guys went down and I thought to myself ‘Oh my goodness, what’s going to happen right now am I ready to go to the big leagues?’ I had to check myself to make sure that I was ready every day because it could happen every day. It gave me the instant shock that I could get the call any day so I was preparing every day like it could happen.”

#The call did happen and Chisholm made his historic major league debut on September 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. He entered the game as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for shortstop Miguel Rojas and officially became just the seventh Bahamian to play in the major leagues.

#In 21 games this season he hit .161 with a .563 OPS a .242 OBP, nine hits, two home runs, nine runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases.

#He recorded the first hit of his MLB career on September 5 with a single against the Tampa Bay Rays and scored the first run of his career the following day against the Braves on September 6.

#Chisholm’s breakthrough at the plate came on September 9 against the Braves when he recorded his first major league home run, RBI, triple and multi-hit game. He became the third youngest Marlins player to have a game with a home run and a triple. The only players to do it at a younger age were Giancarlo Stanton and Jeremy Hermida.

#Chisholm had his best game of the year in the regular season finale when he blasted his second home run of the season and finished 2-4 with three RBI and scored two runs.

#The Marlins were one of the most improbable stories in the 2020 season. They were the worst team in the National League a season ago at 57-105 and returned in 2020 to finish 31-29 for their first winning season since 2009 and earned their first playoff berth since 2003.

#Once they reached the postseason, the No.6 seeded Marlins advanced with a two-game sweep of the No.3 Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round before they were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

#Chisholm made his postseason debut in the final game of the season for the Marlins. He started at second base in the Marlins’ 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and became just the second Bahamian player to play in the MLB postseason following Ed Armbrister’s run with the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s.

#“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas.

#“We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID- 19 and I got called up to play on September 1st which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” Chisholm said. “Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and I believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing. I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield.

#Runner-Up: Chavano “Buddy” Hield

#Hield’s 2020 included a career highlight on All-Star Weekend, several milestones to establish himself as one of the most proficient shooters in NBA history and a new career high scoring night to honour his NBA childhood hero.

#As the NBA continued to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant in January, Hield paid tribute to the player he credits as his NBA inspiration with the best game of his five-year career.

#In his first game since Bryant’s tragic death, Hield led the Kings to an historic comeback and scored a career-high 42 points for the Kings in their 133-129 overtime win over the Timberwolves on January 27.

#The Kings overcame a 27-point deficit and Hield made five of his nine three pointers in the final 4:34 in the fourth quarter.

#“That’s the reason I wanted to play in the NBA because of Kobe,” Hield said following the game. “I feel that he was with me. He never gives up. That’s always his mentality. Never give up. No matter what the stakes was, he was always pushing, always pressing. He’s making sure guys feel him. That’s what I did tonight.”

#Hield said that continuing to wear the number and compete at the highest level is a fitting way to honour the memory of the Los Angeles Lakers great.

#Inspired by Bryant, Hield has worn No.24 at the high school level at Sunrise Christian, three of his four years in college with the Oklahoma Sooners and throughout his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

#Hield went on to set another milestone on February 8 when he shot 9-10 from beyond the arc, scored 31 points in the Kings’ 122-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs and simultaneously became the fastest player in NBA history to make 800 career three-point field goals. He accomplished the feat in just 296 games to surpass the mark set by Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry, who did it in 305 games.

#Just over a week later, Hield became one of the headliners of NBA All-Star Weekend when he became the league’s new three-point shootout champion on February 15.

#He posted a final round of 27 points and clinched the title on his final shot to defeat the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in the final round of the Mtn Dew Three Point Shootout at State Farm All-Star Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

#“I just wanted to come out and represent the Bahamas as best as I can, represent my family and I thank God for giving me the win. I was happy to be here and I was happy to show out. Everyone knows I have been a shooter since I was a little kid. This one was on my bucket list and I’m happy to get it,” Hield said.

#He finished the season with 873 threes, more three-point field goals than any other player in his first four NBA seasons. He surpassed the previous record of 828 set by Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

#This month, Hield’s late-game heroics helped the Sacramento Kings open the 2020-21 campaign with a thrilling win in the first overtime game of the season.

#Hield scored a team high 22 points and tipped in the game winner as time expired to give the Kings a 124-122 win over the Denver Nuggets December 23 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

#He scored 19 of his 22 in the second half, none bigger than the final field goal in overtime. Harrison Barnes deflected the Nuggets inbound pass and had an opportunity to score the go ahead basket but his dunk attempt was blocked by the Nuggets’ Will Barton.

#Hield was trailing on the fastbreak and was perfectly positioned for the tip in as time expired.

Steven Gardiner

#Third Place: Steven Gardiner

#There were few opportunities for Gardiner to compete in 2020, but when he did, he added a new national record to his prolific résumé.

#Gardiner set a new 300m national record on July 5 at the V12 Summer Games in a blistering time of 31.83 seconds.

#In the meet hosted at the Sante Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, his time surpassed Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown’s previous national record of 31.91 that he posted in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

#Gardiner’s time also headed the World Athletics top list for 2020 and ranked 23rd on the all-time list.

#Gardiner opened his season at the B3R Sports Invitational just short of Brown’s record time in 31.95. His list of Bahamas national records also includes the 200m straight in 19.88 at the Adidas Boost Boston Games on May 20, 2018, the 200m in 19.75 at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida on April 7, 2018 and the 400m in 43.48 to win the gold medal at the World Athletics’ 2019 World Championships on October 4 in Doha, Qatar.

#“I feel good about it. I feel we are right on track to where we could have been if we didn’t go through the coronavirus pandemic,” Gardiner said.

#“I know it was tough for us in training, but we were still able to train and do what we have to do.”

#In August, Gardiner completed what turned out to be the climax of a shortened track and field season at the American Track Meet in Georgia.

#Gardiner, who didn’t get a chance to compete in any 400m races this season, won the men’s 200m in a time of 20.19.

Jasrado Chisholm The Tribune’S Senior Male Athlete Of The Year

Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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• DiscussComment, Blog about
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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm’s series of career milestones in 2020 was highlighted by becoming just the seventh Bahamian to play Major League Baseball. The historic feat earned him The Tribune’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

#The 22-year-old Miami Marlins infielder’s major league callup in September and his ensuing performance for the remainder of the season became the biggest Bahamian sports story in a year obstructed by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

#The Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, Chisholm was expected to start the season with the Marlins’ AAA affiliate, the Wichita Wind Surge of the Pacific Coast League.

#However, the pandemic cancelled minor league baseball in 2020 and shortened the major leagues to a shortened 60-game season. The Marlins were one of the teams hit by the pandemic early in the season and had the highest roster turnover of any team in the league with 17 players eventually placed on the COVID reserve list.

#While the team got off to a slow start, Chisholm said his focus was to stay mentally ready in preparation for a major league callup.

#“My expectations never went down, when the shutdown happened I was just thinking, I have to prepare to play in the big leagues. They already said that we weren’t having a minor league season so I was just getting ready to play in the big leagues. Even when we were locked down I was just running around the neighbourhood, getting my miles in just to be ready,” he said.

#“It was the day the 17 guys went down and I thought to myself ‘Oh my goodness, what’s going to happen right now am I ready to go to the big leagues?’ I had to check myself to make sure that I was ready every day because it could happen every day. It gave me the instant shock that I could get the call any day so I was preparing every day like it could happen.”

#The call did happen and Chisholm made his historic major league debut on September 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. He entered the game as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for shortstop Miguel Rojas and officially became just the seventh Bahamian to play in the major leagues.

#In 21 games this season he hit .161 with a .563 OPS a .242 OBP, nine hits, two home runs, nine runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases.

#He recorded the first hit of his MLB career on September 5 with a single against the Tampa Bay Rays and scored the first run of his career the following day against the Braves on September 6.

#Chisholm’s breakthrough at the plate came on September 9 against the Braves when he recorded his first major league home run, RBI, triple and multi-hit game. He became the third youngest Marlins player to have a game with a home run and a triple. The only players to do it at a younger age were Giancarlo Stanton and Jeremy Hermida.

#Chisholm had his best game of the year in the regular season finale when he blasted his second home run of the season and finished 2-4 with three RBI and scored two runs.

#The Marlins were one of the most improbable stories in the 2020 season. They were the worst team in the National League a season ago at 57-105 and returned in 2020 to finish 31-29 for their first winning season since 2009 and earned their first playoff berth since 2003.

#Once they reached the postseason, the No.6 seeded Marlins advanced with a two-game sweep of the No.3 Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round before they were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

#Chisholm made his postseason debut in the final game of the season for the Marlins. He started at second base in the Marlins’ 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and became just the second Bahamian player to play in the MLB postseason following Ed Armbrister’s run with the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s.

#“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas.

#“We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID- 19 and I got called up to play on September 1st which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” Chisholm said. “Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and I believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing. I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield.

#Runner-Up: Chavano “Buddy” Hield

#Hield’s 2020 included a career highlight on All-Star Weekend, several milestones to establish himself as one of the most proficient shooters in NBA history and a new career high scoring night to honour his NBA childhood hero.

#As the NBA continued to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant in January, Hield paid tribute to the player he credits as his NBA inspiration with the best game of his five-year career.

#In his first game since Bryant’s tragic death, Hield led the Kings to an historic comeback and scored a career-high 42 points for the Kings in their 133-129 overtime win over the Timberwolves on January 27.

#The Kings overcame a 27-point deficit and Hield made five of his nine three pointers in the final 4:34 in the fourth quarter.

#“That’s the reason I wanted to play in the NBA because of Kobe,” Hield said following the game. “I feel that he was with me. He never gives up. That’s always his mentality. Never give up. No matter what the stakes was, he was always pushing, always pressing. He’s making sure guys feel him. That’s what I did tonight.”

#Hield said that continuing to wear the number and compete at the highest level is a fitting way to honour the memory of the Los Angeles Lakers great.

#Inspired by Bryant, Hield has worn No.24 at the high school level at Sunrise Christian, three of his four years in college with the Oklahoma Sooners and throughout his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

#Hield went on to set another milestone on February 8 when he shot 9-10 from beyond the arc, scored 31 points in the Kings’ 122-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs and simultaneously became the fastest player in NBA history to make 800 career three-point field goals. He accomplished the feat in just 296 games to surpass the mark set by Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry, who did it in 305 games.

#Just over a week later, Hield became one of the headliners of NBA All-Star Weekend when he became the league’s new three-point shootout champion on February 15.

#He posted a final round of 27 points and clinched the title on his final shot to defeat the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in the final round of the Mtn Dew Three Point Shootout at State Farm All-Star Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

#“I just wanted to come out and represent the Bahamas as best as I can, represent my family and I thank God for giving me the win. I was happy to be here and I was happy to show out. Everyone knows I have been a shooter since I was a little kid. This one was on my bucket list and I’m happy to get it,” Hield said.

#He finished the season with 873 threes, more three-point field goals than any other player in his first four NBA seasons. He surpassed the previous record of 828 set by Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

#This month, Hield’s late-game heroics helped the Sacramento Kings open the 2020-21 campaign with a thrilling win in the first overtime game of the season.

#Hield scored a team high 22 points and tipped in the game winner as time expired to give the Kings a 124-122 win over the Denver Nuggets December 23 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

#He scored 19 of his 22 in the second half, none bigger than the final field goal in overtime. Harrison Barnes deflected the Nuggets inbound pass and had an opportunity to score the go ahead basket but his dunk attempt was blocked by the Nuggets’ Will Barton.

#Hield was trailing on the fastbreak and was perfectly positioned for the tip in as time expired.

Steven Gardiner

#Third Place: Steven Gardiner

#There were few opportunities for Gardiner to compete in 2020, but when he did, he added a new national record to his prolific résumé.

#Gardiner set a new 300m national record on July 5 at the V12 Summer Games in a blistering time of 31.83 seconds.

#In the meet hosted at the Sante Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, his time surpassed Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown’s previous national record of 31.91 that he posted in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

#Gardiner’s time also headed the World Athletics top list for 2020 and ranked 23rd on the all-time list.

#Gardiner opened his season at the B3R Sports Invitational just short of Brown’s record time in 31.95. His list of Bahamas national records also includes the 200m straight in 19.88 at the Adidas Boost Boston Games on May 20, 2018, the 200m in 19.75 at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida on April 7, 2018 and the 400m in 43.48 to win the gold medal at the World Athletics’ 2019 World Championships on October 4 in Doha, Qatar.

#“I feel good about it. I feel we are right on track to where we could have been if we didn’t go through the coronavirus pandemic,” Gardiner said.

#“I know it was tough for us in training, but we were still able to train and do what we have to do.”

#In August, Gardiner completed what turned out to be the climax of a shortened track and field season at the American Track Meet in Georgia.

#Gardiner, who didn’t get a chance to compete in any 400m races this season, won the men’s 200m in a time of 20.19.

Higgs And Club Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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LASHANN HIGGS

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Harbour Island native Lashann Higgs and her Club Baloncesto Bembibre kept their hopes alive for a playoff spot in the Spanish Women’s Professional Basketball League with a 66-63 victory over the Casedemont Zaragoza.

#In the beginning of the new year with a victory on Sunday at home, Club Baloncesto Bembibre used a 22-14 surge in the fourth quarter to seal the deal after trailing for the first three quarters. Casedemond Zaragoza led 22-12 at the end of the first quarter and 31-26 at the half. By the end of the third, they were holding onto a 48-44 advantage.

#“It feels great,” said Higgs of their victory after closing out the year on a losing note on December 27. “We just have to continue to work and get better every game and practice and try to continue on with the same energy and focus.”

#In the win, Higgs contributed nine points in 31 minutes on the court. The 25-year-old connected on 3-for-6 for 50 percent from the field and 1-for-4 (25 percent) from the three-point line, but she didn’t get to the free throw line.

#“I’ve had a decent performance,” said Higgs, who also had eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in the game. “I always feel like I do more so I will continue to rewatch the game and see what I can improve on for the next game.”

#The 5-foot, 9-inch shooting guard, playing in her first pro season after graduating last year from the University of Texas, is currently averaging 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

#With the win, Club Baloncesto Bembibre improved their win-loss record to 4-14 for 14th place in the 16-team standings. They will play their next game on Saturday against the Ciudad de La Laguna Tenerife.

#“We just have to keep building upon the progress we have already been making and keep improving,” she said.

#With 10 more games after that left in the regular season that will wrap up on March 27, Higgs said they are still in the hunt for the playoffs.

#“I think we might be four games away from making the playoffs,” said Higgs when asked about the chances of Club Baloncesto Bembibre, coached by Pepe Vazquez, getting into the postseason.

KADEEM COLEBY

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#KADEEM Coleby and the Akita Northern Happinets extended their winning streak to five games and have won 10 of their 12 games in the month of December to re-enter the playoff picture.

#Coleby finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists in just 20 minutes of the Happinets’ 97-57 win over Mark St Fort and the Hiroshima Dolphins on Sunday. St Fort finished with just three points, four rebounds and two steals.

#The Happinets swept the weekend series after a 72-70 win on Saturday. Coleby finished with nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot.

#With their torrid pace in December, the Happinets improved to 18-9 and are now fourth place in the East standings, tied with the Toyama G. Dragonflies.

#Akita will return to the court January 23 for a two-game series against Kawasaki BT.

#Travis Munnings and Shaquille Cleare have helped UD Oliveirense overcome a three-game losing streak and rise to No.6 in the LPB standings at 8-6 with a 90-79 win over third ranked Immortal.

#Cleare had his best game since he joined the team and finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Munnings finished with a near triple double – 10 rebounds, seven points and seven assists.

#Tavario Miller and his Boca Juniors completed the first portion of Argentina’s Liga Nacional de Básquet season at 10-5 after an 83-72 win over Olimpico.

#Miller averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in the 13 contests since he joined the club.

#“The form of dispute is totally atypical, obviously many matches have to enter into a tight schedule, which means that teams have to prepare and plan the competition in an unusual way,” said Boca head coach Gonzalo García on the team’s website.

#“The team’s preparation was very atypical, we never had the chance to join in due to countless inconveniences, but they all gave their best for the team to roll as such. The players had ups and downs, the foreigners had little time to adapt. Surely with the running of the tournament they will find their best version.

#“The irregularity has been a constant, except for some teams in particular, it has been very difficult for the majority to stay regular.”

#The season resumes on January 7.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE T-Bird Flyers are expected to be the first out of the gate for 2021 when they host their Annual Track Classic at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Saturday.

#The event, which is expected to be staged without any fanfare, will begin at 9am and will be used as a qualifier for the postponed 2020 CARIFTA Games.

#Meet director Foster Dorsett said they are anticipating a great time as athletes get adjusted to the new norm for sports, not just in the Bahamas but around the world.

#“The athletes are edgy and excited to get back on the track,” said Dorsett of the meet that comes on the heels of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance Track Meet on December 19.

#“Now that we have permission to have a meet, we will do it without any spectators, but the athletes and coaches are excited to have the first regular track meet. So we are excited about that.”

#With the protocol measures in place, Dorsett said they intend to utilise the spacing on the track by using alternate lanes in events such as the 100 and 400 metres, while the distance runners will be limited to the amount of participants in each race.

#Unfortunately, Dorsett said they have decided not to stage the 200m, an event that he said normally has an abundance of entries. Instead, he said the focus will be on the 100-400 combo.

#In each age group, Dorsett said there will also be a limited amount of events contested so as to not allow the meet to run too late into the evening, considering that there is a national 10pm curfew still in place. “All of the CARIFTA events for the under-17 and under-20 divisions we will have so they can see if they can qualify,” Dorsett said. “We need the coaches to get an understanding of where their kids are. “We usually have a two-day meet, but because of COVID-19, we have to reduce it to one day. “At the Odd Distance, we had about 400 athletes compete, but with all of the clubs indicating that they are going to compete, I’m looking for more than that.” With so much uncertainty over COVID-19 and whether or not the Competent Authority and the Ministry of Health will put a halt to sporting events again, Dorsett said they just want to ensure that the athletes get a chance to compete again. “I’m looking for a real good turnout,” he said. “I wish that we could have some fans so the parents and family members can come out and see what their relatives are doing. “But they can encourage them to come out to the meet and put on a good performance. Hopefully we can get a good start to the new year in this COVID-19 environment.” Athletes will also get a chance to qualify for the other major international meets, including the postponed 2020 Olympic Games, which is being rescheduled for July in Tokyo Japan.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

JOEL STUBBS, president of Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#COMING off their appearance at the 47th Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships in the Dominican Republic last month, president Joel Stubbs said the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation is looking forward to a competitive season this year.

#“The positive energy and enthusiasm for the sport of bodybuilding is on the rise once again,” he said. “Many athletes, officials and organisers have already announced their participation to the 2021 seasons.

#“I am hopeful that there will be renewed beginnings for everyone involved. As for our athletes, many of them have returned from the CAC games pumped and energised to train and make the necessary efforts to accomplishing their short coming and placements this year.”

#Following the Bahamas’ sixth place finish with four medals, led by the husband-wife team of Jimmy and Serena Salis Decius-Norius at the CAC Championships, it was announced that the 48th CAC Championships will take place in Bridgetown, Barbados in June, 2021.

#As a result of the championships being pushed forward, Stubbs said the BBFF has adjusted its schedule to include the Novice Championships on May 15, the Northern Bahamas Championship in Grand Bahama on May 29 and the Nationals June 12.

#“We’re doing all of this in an effort to have our locals settle rivalries and to bring back the competitive spirit and to also pick a national team to represent our country at this year’s CAC Championships and any other world or international event,” Stubbs said.

#“I am optimistic that with the gyms being re-opened and remaining open, this will allow our athletes to train harder and prepare better, and do it with the same intense level of focus, determination, dedication and commitment that they once had.”

#Stubbs, one of about 10 professional bodybuilders, said the Bahamas has always had great genetically-gifted athletes here and with the right atmosphere, tools and financial assistance, the sky will be the limit for them. “I say this with pride and a humble sense of boasting. Proper preparation is key,” said Stubbs, a Bahamas pilot by profession, but who also works as a personal trainer for a number of athletes.

#“We will be back in the winning circle this year, that’s guaranteed.”

#Stubbs also noted that there are a few international competitions scheduled that will enable some of the pro bodybuilders to compete as they try to qualify for the World Games in Europe later this year.

#All in all, Stubbs said they anticipate a very productive year for both the amateur and pro bodybuilders and the federation will be doing all it can to ensure that everybody is ready to go.

DELVIN Moss presents uniforms to coach James Rolle and jumpers Tamara Myers, Andira Ferguson, Stoney Duncanson, Stephan Farquharson and Daejha Moss.

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

COACH James Rolle with (l-r) Daejha Moss, Andira Ferguson and Tamara Myers as they display their Leap By Faith uniforms.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#EVER since James Rolle formed the Leap of Faith Jumpers track club for jumpers in 2010, he did so without the support of a legitimate sponsor until businessman Bommer George added them to his brand of sporting organisers.

#Rolle and five of his 14-plus athletes showed off their aquamarine uniforms with gold and white writing as they received them from Bommer George’s agent, Delvin Moss, at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#Rolle said through the sponsorship, his club members can now concentrate on competing in as many meets as they can so that they can try and qualify for the various international meets this year, including the postponed 2020 Olympic Games and the regional junior CARIFTA Games.

#“We have some elite athletes in college like LaQuan Nairn, Daejha Moss, Charisma Taylor and Jyles Etienne and local athletes like Ryan Ingraham, Tamara Myers, Holland Martin and Kaiwan Culmer, who need to get into the meets to qualify for the Olympics,” Rolle said.

#George Armbrister, better known as Bommer George, in making his first commitment to a track team, said it goes with his philosophy of winning.

#“Anything I put my hand into, I want to win, or at least be well represented,” said Bommer George, who has been successful with teams in the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association and the New Providence Softball Association.

#“I don’t like to be a loser. I like to win.”

#With this being an Olympic year, the 2020 games being postponed from last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Bommer George said he’s prepared to work with Rolle in providing whatever assistance his assistants need either in the United States or here at home.

#“I want to be a major contender for athletes making the Olympic team,” he said.

#“So whatever I can do for the athletes, I will do it. It ain’t no big deal. I want to help them as much as I can.”

#Rolle thanked Bommer George for coming through at a critical stage in the club’s existence.

#“We really appreciate it and we will perform and make you want to come back again and again,” he said.

#Daejha Moss, a long and high jumper who has been a member of the club for the past eight years, said she has accomplished so many goals, but having an official uniform sponsored by Bommer G will go a long way.

COACH James Rolle and jumpers Stephan Farquharson and Stoney Duncanson in their uniforms.

#“I like the colours,” said the 21-year-old Moss, a 2017 CARIFTA Games high jump silver and long jump bronze medallist.

#“Blue and yellow was always our colour. I like it. It fits well, great material. It’s a good quality too, so I’m very pleased with it.”

#As she headed back to school at North Dakota State on Monday after spending Christmas here at home, Moss said she would like to produce her personal best in both the long and high jump, including breaking the Bahamian national record in the high jump.

#The Queen’s College graduate has a PR of 1.74m (5-8 1/2) in the high jump and 5.87m (19-3 1/4) in the long jump. She has also done 10.88m (35-8 1/2) in the triple jump and ran 7.70 seconds in the 60 metres and 12.60 in the 100m.

#Myers, a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the Bahamas women’s national triple jump record holder, has been home for the past two years competing for Leap of Faith and she too was impressed with the sponsorship and the uniforms.

#“The colours are amazing. They are bright and vibrant. They are definitely different from the other track teams, so we will stand out,” Myers said.

#“So I’m looking forward to competing under the Bommer George brand. It just adds to the touch.

#“With the amount of jumpers we have on the team, I think we will really stand out.”

#Myers, a member of the Bahamian national team at all international events from the CARIFTA Games to the Commonwealth Games, said the only thing missing from her résumé is the Olympics.

#“Last year was a trying time for all of us, so we’re just getting back into the groove,” she pointed out. “Certainly for me, I want to qualify for the Olympics, whether it be the long or the triple jump or both. So I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.”

#Myers, 27, has a lifetime best of 6.51m (21-4 1/4) in the long jump and 14.03 (46-0 1/2) in the triple jump outdoors and 6.33m (20-9 1/4) in the long jump and 13.40m (43-11 3/4) in the triple jump indoors.

#Stoney Duncanson, a 2016 graduate of St John’s College now attending the University of the Bahamas, has been a part of Leap of Faith since 2014.

#The 21-year-old said he loves the uniforms as well. “I love the uniforms. This is my favourite colour and it’s just a blessing to be sponsored by Bommer George,” said Duncanson, who has done a lifetime best of 2.05m (6-8 3/4).

#“I plan to show off the uniform this Saturday when I compete. Hopefully it will be a very good showing in it.”

#Stephan Farquharson, another high jumper who is proud to be a part of Leap of Faith for the past three years, said the uniforms are striking and appealing.

#“I now have a chance to represent my club proudly and put our name out there,” said the St Augustine’s College 12th grader. “This year, I’m looking forward to turning in my PRs in the high, long and triple jumps.”

#Farquharson, a fourth place finisher at the 2019 CARIFTA Games, is aiming to clear 2.13m (7-0) in the high jump, 15m (49-2 1/2) in the triple jump and 7m (22-11 3/4) in the long jump.

#“I love coach Rolle as a coach. From day one, I felt we had a connection. He’s such a positive coach and a great guy to bring me up through the ranks,” he said. “He’s just an awesome coach.”

#For the past seven years, Andira Ferguson has been a part of Leap of Faith, but it’s the first time that she’s going to be able to compete in an official team uniform.

#“I’m glad that Bommer George has decided to trust us with their name and to represent them, not only in the Bahamas, but whenever we go abroad to compete,” she said.

#Ferguson, who is preparing to head back to Fresno State, said her goal this year is to stay healthy and hopefully she produces her best performances, not just distance-wise, but technically in this process. “I just want to be mentally focused in everything,” said the 22-year-old Ferguson, who has a PR of 5.82m (19-1 1/4) in the long jump and ran 12.11 in the 100m.

‘Buddy’ Hield Scores 10 In Blowout Loss To Warriors

KINGS guard Buddy Hield in action against the Warriors. (AP)

As of Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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#SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — (AP) — Chavano “Buddy” Hield scored 10 points for the Sacramento Kings in a 137-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors Monday night.

#Hield also grabbed six rebounds, dished out one assist and a blocked shot in 30 minutes on the hardwood. Before tonight’s game, he was at 73 straight games with at least one 3-pointer dating to November 3, 2019, the NBA’s longest active such streak.

#The Kings host the Chicago Bulls Wednesday to begin a season-long stretch with seven straight home games.

#Stephen Curry followed up his career-high 62 points a night earlier with another 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Curry had 23 points at halftime on 7-for-11 shooting, including 4 of 7 on 3-pointers — nine fewer than his total at the break the night before but impressive nonetheless on a winning back-to-back. He finished with five 3s.

#Golden State jumped to a 19-7 lead and the Kings called a timeout after Curry’s first 3 of the night at the 5:24 mark in the opening quarter. With Draymond Green back and healthy playing his third game this season, the Warriors again showed more effort and energy on the defensive end as they did Sunday to split a two-game home set against Portland.

#The Kings, coached by former Warriors top assistant and Kerr close friend Luke Walton, dropped their third straight.