Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin commands her Ole Miss Lady Rebels, who make their return trek to The Bahamas for another Thanksgiving tournament.

As of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#After coming off a 10-point loss in their last game, coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin hopes to get her Ole Miss Lady Rebels back on track tonight before they make their return trek to The Bahamas for another Thanksgiving tournament.

#The 23rd ranked Lady Rebels, with eight new players on their roster, won their season opener 91-44 over Queen’s North Carolina on Monday, November 6, and suffered an 80-70 defeat at the hands of the No.25th ranked Oklahoma Sooners last Thursday.

#Ole Miss, with Bahamian rookie forward Rhema Collins sidelined with a concussion before the season started, will be back in action tonight when they take on Temple.

#Then, it’s time to prepare for their trip to Atlantis to compete in the women’s segment of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament from Saturday, November 18 to Monday, November 20.

#The teams participating are the University of Arkansas, DePaul University, the University of Michigan, Middle Tennessee University, the University of South Dakota, Howard University and the University of Memphis.

#Grand Bahamian native McPhee-McCuin, who was the first Bahamian female to earn a female division one basketball scholarship to attend Miami Dade Community College from 2000-2002, said she’s looking forward to her Lady Rebels performing in the Battle 4 Atlantis. They open play against Temple on Saturday at noon. “We played a top 25 team and we lost to them after we played so well against a non-ranked team for the win,” McPhee-McCuin said. “Our non-conference games are going to be our test to see where we’re at as a team and where we want to go.”

#As they prepare to come back for their first appearance in the Battle $ Atlantis, having played here last year in another tournament at Baha Mar, McPhee-McCuin said they’re still trying to figure things out as a team.

#“We lost Rhema before our first game after she suffered a concussion the day before we played,” McPhee-McCuin said. “So we’re still trying to figure things out with her. She won’t play in the Bahamas either.

#“She’s okay. She will see if it makes sense to red-shirt her this season or allow her to play whenever she gets back playing with the team. I know a lot of people wanted to see her come home and play with us, but she will be there. She just won’t play.”

#Despite her absence on the floor, McPhee-McCuin said she hopes that doesn’t diminish the local crowd support for her Ole Miss team in the stands.

#“We want as many people to come out and watch us play,” McPhee-McCuin stressed. “We know this is a high-level competition, much higher than the tournament we played in Baha Mar. So we want as many Bahamians to come out and support us, support me as a Bahamian and support our team, even though Rhema won’t play.

#“This is our second year in a row coming home to play and this time it’s going to be some top tier competition. So we will need all of the support we can get to get through this tournament. It will definitely be a good opportunity for us to see where we are at so we know what to expect when we return to play our conference games.”

#With eight new players on their roster, McPhee-McCuin said the Battle $ Atlantis will be a very good opportunity for her and her players to come together and gel before they pick things back up in the United States

#“We gave up 80m points in our last game. We can’t give up 80 points and expect to be in the game,” McPhee-McCuin stated. “We have to be able to defend the ball a lot better than we did in that game. But everybody is still trying to figure out their places on the team.”

#She admitted that there’s a lot of expectations for her team, but she encouraged the fans to be a little more patient as they try to figure things out.

#“We just want the Bahamian people to come out and support us. That’s going to be important,” McPhee-McCuin summed up.

#Having missed what she calls “valuable time,” McPhee-McCuin said when they return from the Bahamas, the team’s doctors will further assess Collins’ medical condition and make a determination on her status for the remainder of the season.

As of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association (BSAA) volleyball championships saw the Teleos Christian Schools’ Cherubims senior girls and Mt Carmel Preparatory Academy junior boys advance to a 1-0 lead yesterday evening at the Tom “The Bird” Grant Sporting Complex in Yellow Elder.

#Two best-of-three championship series were played as well as the final remaining playoff games to determine the competitors in the junior girls’ division.

#For the championship round, the first-seeded Lady Cherubims knocked off the second-seeded Mt Carmel in game one of their series. Additionally, the Mt Carmel junior boys bested the Cherubims to lead the series.

#Championship Round

#The Lady Cherubims meant business when they stepped on the court to face the senior girls of Mt Carmel. They comfortably defeated their opponent in two straight sets to earn the first win in the BSAA senior girls volleyball finals. The pennant winners opened the first set 8-2 which turned into a 10-4 lead. Mt Carmel managed to add two more points to their total but the Lady Cherubims closed out the first set 25-7.

#In the following set, Mt Carmel refused to go down without a fight. Set two opened tied at 2 apiece but Teleos pushed the lead to 10-5 on the scoreboard. It looked to be another comfortable win for the Cherubims until Mt Carmel scored five points and made the score 12-10. The team collectively locked in and evened the score at 14 then claimed the lead 15-14. Despite Mt Carmel building some momentum late in set two, the Lady Cherubims poured in six straight points and changed the score to 21-16. After that point in the match, it was all the Lady Cherubims who won set two 25-17.

#Pastor David Adams, head coach of the Cherubims, was impressed with the play of the senior girls to win the first game of the three.

#“The last game the key to our win was Victoria Ferguson, and Jada. The captain and co-captain were very good and it was service again that did it for us especially with the wind that is blowing,” Adams said.

#He added that they are looking to finish off Mt Carmel in game two today.

#The Mt Carmel junior boys needed three sets to achieve the victory but they got it done. In set one, Mt Carmel had the advantage and emerged with a narrow 21-18 win. The Cherubims were laser focused in the following set and stormed out to a 9-0 lead. Mt Carmel got on the scoresheet at 12-6 but then their opponents dominated the rest of the way. They were up 18-10 and took the second set 21-11. In the final set of the match, Mt Carmel wasted no time and dropped the Cherubims 15-8.

#Dante Clarke, head coach of Mt Carmel, was elated to see her junior boys team grab the first win against the defending champions, Teleos.

#“It feels really good knowing that my boys and I have put in the effort and it feels good to defeat the reigning championships…tomorrow I am just gonna pray for no injuries on either side and that my boys play to the ability that I know they can,” Clarke said.

#The junior girls championship series will feature the Lady Cherubims versus Genesis Academy. The latter booked their ticket to the BSAA volleyball finals after blasting Mt Carmel in consecutive sets 21-9, 21-12. Meanwhile, Teleos ousted the International School of Business Entrepreneurship & Technology (ISBET) in three sets. The Cherubims’ junior girls claimed set one 21-19 but their opponents got revenge in set two, 21-10. In the final set, Teleos capitalised on the opposing team’s weaknesses and came away with a 15-8 victory.

#Shanell Carey, head coach of Genesis Academy, said her girls are ready for the Lady Cherubims.

#“It feels awesome we are really ready for the championships and ready to just come and show out. I am expecting to win tomorrow and the day after,” Carey said.

#The championship games continue today at 4pm.

Patrick Mactaggart, left, and Tatyana Madu have advanced to the finals of the U-14 Junkanoo Bowl Finals at the National Tennis Centre.

As of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMIANS are all set to play in the under-14 (U14) Junkanoo Bowl finals at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) today.

#The venue has been quite busy following the first ever hosting of the International Tennis Federation (ITF)- COTECC regional training camp for English-speaking countries.

#The four-day event is scheduled to conclude today after singles and doubles matches wrap up.

#Among the top Bahamian juniors in action this morning are Tatyana Madu, Patrick Mactaggart and Briana Houlgrave.

#Madu, the number one seed, packed her bags for the finals after overcoming Curaçao’s Keziah Fluonia in two sets.

#The opening set went down to the wire for the Grand Bahama native but she won 7-6(3). The 14-year-old then collected a comfortable win in set two (6-1) to secure her place in today’s finals.

#One of the three Bahamian representatives said she made some errors but was able to regain her composure for the win in yesterday’s singles semifinals.

#“My match was pretty good. I had to overcome some unforced errors I was making but once I overcame that, the second set was a breeze,” she said.

#She added that for this morning’s match, she wants to be patient, wait for the short ball and take her time.

#Madu will face Makeda Bain of Trinidad and Tobago, who upset the second seeded Sarai Clarke in the semifinals.

#The latter and the former had a gruelling and competitive match at the NTC. In the first match of three, Bain gained the advantage and won 6-4.

#Clarke made good on her efforts in set two and dropped the visiting opponent 7-6(2). However, Bain outplayed her in the final set for a 6-1 victory.

#She was a bit winded after her long match but was ready for today’s finals.

#“It was a good match and a great experience. In set one, I was being consistent and then in the second set it was 5-1 and I just started to lose consistency. In the third set I just stayed consistent,” she said.

#Bain was happy to be in today’s finals and kept her strategy simple – stay consistent and do not get upset.

#Mactaggart, the second seed, is slated to battle against Barbados’ first seed Dimitri Kirton in the boys’ singles finals.

#Kirton ended the third-seeded Alhil Cyril’s hopes in yesterday’s semifinals in two sets.

#He reeled in the win in consecutive sets, 6-2, 6-2.

#Kirton talked about what led to the victory to earn a spot in the boys’ singles finals. “I played well and I was hitting my shots. I was playing well but another thing was he started to get mad and that was boosting me,” he said.

#The 12-year-old continued to say that he was happy to be in the finals but is not overly happy because he now wants to win.

#Mactaggart worked hard for his finals spot against Brandon Bridgewater. He fought his way to a win after three tough sets.

#His opponent nabbed set one 6-4.

#However, the Bahamian turned in a 6-2, 6-0 win to shut down Bridgewater’s finals ambitions.

#In the doubles matchups, fellow competitors Bain and Madu will pair up to take on Fluonia and Houlgrave for the girls’ finals.

#Curaçao’s Bridgewater and Barbados’ Kirton team up to play against Alec Hooper and Mactaggart for the boys’ doubles finals.

#The Bahamas’ Caitlyn Pratt and Ayai Bethel took home the trophies for the boys and girls consolation finals. Due to impending inclement weather, the finals are set to begin at 8am.

As of Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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#THE New Providence Basketball Association continued its regular season action with a double header at the AF Adderley Gymnasium on Monday night.

#• Here’s a summary of the games played:

#Island Development Rebels 96,

#Brandon Deli Kings 69

#Five players scored in double figures as the Rebels crowned the Kings in this men’s division one feature contest.

#Both Toureque Cartwright and Theo Ferguson produced 15 points to lead Island Development’s scoring attack.

#Cartwright also pulled down 15 rebounds, while Ferguson had eight rebounds and three steals.Martin Conliff (three rebounds) and Demeako Saunders (four rebounds) contributed 14 points apiece with Conliff also dishing out eight assists.

#Arnold Stubbs helped out with 10 points and four rebounds.

#Marques Cooper added nine points with two rebounds and as many assists and Chadwin James had seven points and two assists.

#Jarad Richardson paced the way for Brandon’s Deli with a game high 22 points with 167 rebounds. Two other players were in double figures with Levanti Roberts scoring 20 points with nine rebounds, four steals and two assists and Kevin Wright Jr chipped in with 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and steals.

#Heatwaves 65, Island Development Construction Rebels 63: With about 12 seconds left on the clock, Quebell Martin canned a jumper to break a 63-63 tie and pushed the Heatwaves out front for the win.

#Martin finished with a game high 26 points with 16 rebounds, four steals and two assists. Jousha Forbes ended up with 12 points and six rebounds. Johnacy Augustin added nine points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Marco Beckford chipped in with six points and eight rebounds and Rhameeko Butler had five points, four assists and three rebounds and steals.

#In a losing effort for the Rebels, Mateo Taylor had 14 points, six rebounds and a pair of assists and steals; Andrew Strachan had 11 points, nine rebounds and two assists, steals and block shots. Shavnno Johnson had 10 points and 13 rebounds and Dario Dean (eight rebounds) and Prince McPhee (nine rebounds) both had nine points and Jude Vil had eight points, six rebounds, six steals and four assists.

#Tonight’s schedule

#7:30pm – Mekaddish Millionaires vs Produce Express Rockets (DII).

#8:30pm – TMT Giants vs Sunlight Cottage Stampers (D1).

#Friday

#7:30pm – Cyber Tech Blue Marlins vs Rythm Rebels (DII).

#8:30pm – Tucker Boys vs Brandon Deli Kings (D1).

#Saturday

#7:30pm – Your Essential Store Giants vs Javon Medical Rockets (DII).

#8:30pm – Zulu Medical & Symphony vs Caro Contractors Shockers (D1).

SWEET VICTORY: The Grand Bahama All-Stars carted off the ladies’ championship title in the Bahamas Softball Federation’s All-Star Classic on Sunday. Photo: Dante Carrer

As of Tuesday, November 14, 2023

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CHAMPIONS: The Grand Bahama All-Stars carted off the ladies’ championship title in the Bahamas Softball Federation’s All-Star Classic on Sunday. Photos: Dante Carrer

THE Cyber Blue Marlins kept the men’s title in New Providence in the Bahamas Softball Federation’s All-Star Classic.

MVP Larikah Russell, left, celebrates.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Despite playing in the wee hours of the morning, the Bahamas Softball Federation completed its 2023 All-Star Classic on Sunday with the Cyber Blue Marlins keeping the men’s title in New Providence while Grand Bahama carted off the ladies’ crown.

#The tournament was staged as a follow up to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s 6th Bahamas Games in July. And with not that many islands participating in any type of fast-pitch competition, the entry list was limited but there were still keenly contested matches over the four days in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#• Here’s a look at how things turned out at the end of the competition:

#Men’s Championship

#Cyber Blue Marlins 8, Grand Bahama 3

#Winning pitcher Thomas Davis, with 15 strike outs on five hits, was named the most valuable player as he sparked the Blue Marlins to victory.

#It took two extra innings after the game ended up tied at 2-2 at the end of the seven innings before Cyber opened the flood gates in the sixth, scoring six runs in the eighth to push the game out of reach for Grand Bahama.

#Shortstop Austin Hanna had a pair of hits, scored as many runs and drove in another, centre fielder McKell Bethel was 2-for-5, scoring two runs for Grand Bahama. Marvin Rolle, coming in to pinch run in the sixth, scored their only other run. Chris Tynes was the losing pitcher.

#Ladies’ Gold medal game

#Grand Bahama 22, Long Island Scorpions 4

#With just about every batter in their line-up making a contribution offensively in their 18-hit barrage.

#MVP Larikah Russell, playing shortstop, ignited the fuel as she enjoyed a 3-for-5 night with three RBI and two runs scored. Terah Evans was 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored; third sacker Kenya Forbes was 2-for-5 with two RBI and four runs scored and second sacker Tamika Davis was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.

#Romona Hanna was the winning pitcher and Mia Turner suffered the loss.

#Outfielder Vashawna Bastian and infielder Kendalia Turner both scored a pair of runs in a losing effort. Deante Colebrooke helped out with a pair of RBI.

#Men’s Bronze medal game

#Titans 10, Columbus Isles’ Mighty Mitts 7

#Micah Bethel, playing center field, rode a perfect 3-for-3 production at the plate with four RBI, including a three-run homer in the first inning and a RBI triple to pace the Titans.

#Shortstop Dino Sweeting was 1-for-32 with two runs scored and Angelo Dillet helped his own cause by going 1-dfor-2 two runs scored.

#Dillet, who suffered an eye injury during the game, was the winning pitcher before he left to be treatment. Alphonso ‘Chicken’ Albury was tagged with the loss.

#Catcher Kenneth Curry was 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored for the Mighty Mitts.

#Ladies’ Bronze medal game

#Wildcats 14, UB Mingoes 9

#First sacker Dachye Stubbs went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored to help the Wildcats clinched the bronze. Daria Cumberbatch, who started on the mound, but ended up at second, was 1-for-03 with three runs scored.

#Second sacker Adonya Stanislous and ri8ght fielder Brenna Hield both had a hit and scored a pair of runs in the loss for the Mingoes.

#Thela Stevens was credited with the win, while Keishana Coakley was tagged with the loss.

#Here’s a look at the team’s win-loss records going into the playoffs”

#Men’s Division

#Trams W L Pct.

#New Providence Cyber Marlins 3 1 .750 –

#Grand Bahama 3 1 .750 –

#Columbus Isles 2 2 .500 1

#Atlantis Titans 1 3 .250 2

#Eleuthera All-Stars 1 3 .250 2

#Ladies’ Division

#Teams W L Pct.

#Long Island Scorpions 3 0 1,000 –

#UB Mingoes 2 1 .666 1

#Eleuthera Briland 1 2 333 .2

#Grand Bahama 0 3 .000 3

Dekel Nesbitt, Briceston Anderson follow suit

Serena Decius-Norius, joined by her husband Jimmy Norius (far right), is presented with her awards on stage.

As of Tuesday, November 14, 2023

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BJ Anderson posing with his award.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THREE more Bahamians, including Serena Salis Decius-Norius, have earned their professional cards after winning their respective divisions at the MCP Worldwide Caribbean Grand Prix at the Atlantis resort, Paradise Island, on Saturday

#While Decius-Norius emerged as the overall women’s physique champion, fitness instructor Dekel Nesbitt earned her card as the women’s figure overall champion and Briceston Anderson joined them by clinching the men’s physique overall title.

#A number of other Bahamians also participated in the show. Here’s a look at how they finished: Dawn Charlton won the women’s bikini Class C category, Dorcas Cox got third in the women’s figure masters 50-and-over, Jomar Farquharson was third in the men’s bodybuilding light heavyweight and Gemo Smith was second in the men’s physique masters 40-and-over.

#Also, Godfrey Stephen Robinson took first in men’s bodybuilding 50 years and over category, Ricardo Mitchell placed first in the men’s classic bodybuilding novice division, Wellington Wallace and DeAngelo Edmund got second and third respectively in the men’s physique category and Edmund also won the men’s physique novice division.

#For Decius-Norius, her victory was very special as she joined her husband Jimmy Norius as the only Bahamian couple to hold their pro cards at the same time. “I surprised myself because I was training for figure, but on Friday night, I decided to go for the physique,” she said.

#“So when I signed up, I signed up for the two categories. I won my pro card in the physique, so I am so happy that I decided to go in the physique.

#“I cut my routine short in the figure because I wanted to save myself for the physique. Now me and Jimmy are the first husband and wife in the Bahamas to have earned their pro card. Now my confidence is in the roof.”

#Decius-Norius, however, said she still prefers to compete in the figure category because she can maintain her physique. She said she will continue to work on her performances so that she can compete in that category more than the physique where it’s so much harder because of the competition she will face.

#“I decided to try them both because when you lose one time, you want to be able to see if you can do anything different in the other,” she said. “I have some time to get some rest and get my body ready for next month, so hopefully I can see how well I can compete in both figure and physique.”

#Her husband, Jimmy, said it now makes it so much easier for the two of them to travel together and compete on the same stage in the same show.

#“Sometime when we travel, she can only get to compete because she was a still an amateur and there were no pro segments, so I couldn’t compete,” Norius said. “But when that she gets her pro card, we can both train to compete in the same show. I am happy for her It feels so good.”

#in critiquing his wife’s performance, Norius said she delivered a complete package.

#“Her symmitry, her posing, her harmony, her balance, her density, everything just came together at the right time,” he pointed out. “She went up against bigger girls in the physique, but she was more proportionate.

#“They placed her in the middle immediately and they kept her in the middle. Anybody who knows anything about bodybuilding, when they place you in the middle during a pose down, you automatically win it.”

#Now that they both can enjoy the benefits of being professionals in the sport, Norius said their next goal is to qualify for Mr. Olympia or Masters Olympian.

#“So we will regroup, reset and work on getting ready for our show, hopefully in May or June,” Norius said. “I’m no longer on the subvention from the government, so we have to change our budget. I don’t know why they took me off, but I have to change the way we approach our training and competition without the subvention.”

#Norius, however, said he’s not too concerned about it because at least his wife is now a pro builder just like him, which makes it so much better for them as they continue in the sport.

As of Tuesday, November 14, 2023

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#BAHAMAS SCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION VOLLEYBALL

#AFTER playing its sudden death volleyball playoffs on Monday at Tom ‘The Bird’ Grant Community Center, the Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association will begin its championship series today, starting at 4pm.

#Tuesday

#JG – PLAYOFF 1 – Genesis Academy 2 vs 3 Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy

#JG – PLAYOFF 2 – Teleos Christian School 1 vs 4 ISBET

#JB – CHAMPIONSHIP 1 Teleos Christian School vs Mt. Carmel Prep. Academy

#SG – CHAMPIONSHIP 1 Teleos Christian School vs Mt. Carmel Prep. Academy

#BAHAMAS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

#THE Bahamas Football Association has determined the matchups for the under-10 boys and girls divisions for this year’s Dawn Knowles Primary School Soccer Tournament.

#The format this year was modified so that emphasis was more on development and it surely has proven that this was the right formula as the players have improved week after week.

#Games kick off at 10am sharp this morning at the Roscow AL Davies Soccer Complex. Schools and parents are invited to come on down and cheer on your favourite school to victory.

#Today’s schedule

#U-10 Boys and Girls Championships

#Wednesday

#U-12 Boys and Girls Championships

Coach Patrice Curry with her L W Young Golden Eagles’ cross country top finishers.

As of Tuesday, November 14, 2023

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L W Young Golden Eagles celebrate their junior boys and girls titles in the GSSSA volleyball and cross country championships.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN a special ceremony yesterday morning, the faculty and staff of L W Young Junior High School celebrated its impressive performances from its Golden Eagles’ boys and girls teams in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s volleyball championships.

#As the only school to place two teams in the championship series, the Golden Eagles boys’ team soared to a 2-1 victory over the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves on Friday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

#The Golden Eagles’ junior girls, however, fell short after they were swept 2-0 by the HO Nash Lions.

#Principal Deborah Thompson said they wanted to ensure that their student-athletes know that LW Young will continue to give them the accolades that they are due for their performances.

#“We appreciate them for all that they did,” she said. “Too often, we only hear about the negativities, but we want them to know that we celebrate our champions whenever they are successful.”

#Thompson added that although the girls didn’t win the title, they wanted them to feel just as celebrated as the boys because they did a fantastic job in advancing to the championship just as the boys did.

#“That’s is something to celebrate because no other school had two teams in the championship,” Thompson stated. “We are very proud of both of our teams.”

#Players from both teams were introduced individually during the school’s assembly and after they ascended from the back of the room to the stage in the front, much to the cheers of the student-body, they received their trophies for their performances.

#Patrice Curry, the head of the physical education department at LW Young, said despite the girls falling short, she too was proud of their accomplishment.

#“It was a lot of hard work and determination and I think we gave it our best,” Curry said. “We didn’t win, but I am so very proud of them.”

#Having spent the past six years at LW Young, Curry said they haven’t had a celebration like this for their Golden Eagles’ programme, so they are elated to have both teams in the championship at the same time. “Since 2018 when we won the bantam girls division in the GSSSA track and field championships, we haven’t won anything. We’ve made the playoffs, but we haven’t won anything until now,” Curry said.

#“So this is a really great accomplishment, not just for the Golden Eagles’ athletic department, but for the entire school population. They did extremely well and we are so glad to be able to celebrate them today.”

#Boys’ head coach Rashad Brice gave God all the praise for allowing him to find the “diamonds in the rough” and was able to refine them to secure the victory for LW Young.

#“My boys said to the principal that if they win the championship, they wanted a special assembly and to hear their names called one by one,” he said.

#“All through the mid-term break, every break we had, Monday through Saturday, we were here preparing for this.

#“We just did what we do best. We focused on winning the championship and next year we want to come back and celebrate with another victory.”

#If the Golden Eagles are successful, they will have to do it without two important pieces in Calvin Severe and Kendrick Miller, who are both graduating this year.

#Nonetheless, they both cherished the performances this year.

#“We worked hard for it, so we are very pleased to win it,” said Severe, the tallest member of the team. “Last year, we lost, so it was good to come back and win it. We haven’t won again in a long time, so it was good to get this one and to celebrate the way we did today.”

#“I feel that we have it. It really was something when we won it in the third set,” he started. “It feels so good.”

#At the same time, four of their athletes were also recognised for their accomplishments in the GSSSA’s Cross Country Championships that was staged on Saturday in front of the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#Honoured were Kaden Newbold, who was second in the under-13 boys’ division, Jaynaz Pratt and Anilyah, who were third and fifth respectively in the under-13 girls, and Deontry Rave, third in the under-15 boys.

Bahamas under-14 co-ed team bringing home the medals

Team Bahamas celebrate with their CARIFTA under-14 gold and bronze medals in Miami, Florida.

As of Monday, November 13, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#With some highly-spirited performances, the Bahamas under-14 co-ed water polo team captured a gold and bronze medal at the CARIFTA Championships over the weekend in Miami, Florida.

#Team Bahamas, coached by Laszlo ‘Lotty’ Borbely assisted by Wandalee Burrows, won the gold in the CARIFTA tournament and they ended up with the bronze in the local tournament that included teams in CARIFTA and teams out of Florida.

#Yesterday in the CARIFTA tournament, Team Bahamas held off Bonaire 10-8 to clinch the gold medal as Shanterro Knowles struck for four goals and Jamar Bienamie added three more.

#The victory came after Team Bahamas lost 14-11 to the Orlando United for the bronze in the local tournament as both Bienamie and Knowles scored three goals apiece.

#At the end of the dual tournament at the Belen Jesults Preparatory School, Knowles was selected as the best scorer, while Isaiah Colon was named as the best goalkeeper.

#It was the performances that Borbely felt sparked the team to its successful showing.

#“It was a gruelling tournament. We played eight matches in three days,” Borbely said. “The Bahamas under-14 team performed extremely well.

#“The first day, we won three matches and drew one. The second day, we got one victory and lost one match. The last day we barely lost again to Orlando (for the bronze in the local tournament) and in the final against Bonaire, we crawled back from a 7-4 deficit to win the gold medal (in CARIFTA).”

#As the CARIFTA tournament got underway on Friday, Team Bahamas won their opener 18-6 over Trinidad & Tobago as Bienamie had eight goals, Jahmahl Wilson five and Knowles three before they played to an 8-8 tie with Bonaire with Bienamie, Knowles and Jayden Smith producing a pair of goals each.

#Team Bahamas came back and demolished Trinidad & Tobago in their rematch 22-8, thanks to Knowles’ 12 goals and Bienamie’s five. Paityn Burrows contributed three.

#As they commenced play in the local tournament, Team Bahamas knocked off South Florida 19-11 with Bienamie scoring eight times, while Knowles scored six goals and Smith added four.

#On Saturday, in their other matches played in the local tournament, Team Bahamas blew out the Whitecaps 16-6 behind six goals from Bienamie and four from Knowles, But the team lost 16-8 to Riptide as Bienamie led the attack with five goals.

#“The team showed a lot of character to focus on each match,” Borbely said. “Our strength is a tight defence where everyone helps each other and always has two defenders who crowd the attacker with the ball. From this solid defence, we drive dangerous attacks.”

#Borbely said Knowles was the spark of the team with his counter attacks. He also noted that Jayden Smith helped to establish their solid defence and he passed many accurate passes to the counter attackers, while his sister Chelsea was a capable defender.

#Burrows, according to Borbely, was the team’s best female player, who defended the ball very well, while Bienamie was their penalty shooter, whom they relied on constantly. As their goalie, Borbely said Colon kept their opponents at bay and Asher Bastian did a tremendous job as his back up.

#The other members of Team Bahamas were Joyelle Brown, Chelsea Smith, Landon Sumner, Indiya Jones, Jayden Turner, La’Mya Bodie, Jacob Johnson and Caylen Brown.

#Borbely said he was so proud of all the players, calling them the future of water polo in the Bahamas.

#Also traveling with the team was Erma Turnquest, who served as a referee during the tournament.

#With their mission accomplished, Team Bahamas will return home today at 1:55 pm on Western Air from Fort Lauderdale.

TUREANO Johnson has his arm raised by the ring referee in one of his victories.

As of Monday, November 13, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER a glaring amateur and professional boxing career that fell short of a world title, Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson is coming home for his final fight next month before he officially retires from the sport.

#Johnson, who has only had one fight at home during his 25-fight campaign that began with his successful debut on March 5, 2010 over American Cleoney Fuqua in Atlanta, Georgia, to last match on October 30, 2020 when he lost to Jamie Munguia in Indio, California, said he wants nothing better than to go out with a bang, despite reports that he had retired since 2020.

#Having fought during his tenure as a middleweight, Johnson will move up to compete as a cruiserweight against Colombian Samuel Miller on Saturday, December 15, at a venue yet to be determined.

#After losing his last fight to Munguia for the vacant World Boxing Organisation’s Inter-Continental Championship belt, Johnson said he was offered a fight in Miami, Florida against Miller, who once fought Grand Bahamian Sherman “The Tank” Williams.

#Johnson, however, declined the offer.

#But now that he’s getting ready to retire, he decided to negotiate to have the fight staged here at home as a farewell to Johnson. “He challenged me for whatever reason, I don’t know. Maybe, it’s for redemption for Sherman Williams,” Johnson said. “So we’re just trying to get a venue here in Nassau locked in. We will have at least five bouts on the card, featuring some of the guys I trained with in my camp in the United States.

#“It’s a big deal for me headlining a card at home, knowing that this is the last time that I will be stepping in the ring as a competitive fighter.”

#At the age of 39 and his dreams of becoming a world champion diminished, Johnson said he just thought it’s time for him to hang up his gloves and to venture into coaching and the administration of boxing in the country.

#“With the zeal and interest to fighting virtually gone, I decided to call it quits,” Johnson said. “I’ve found that my passion is now towards helping the younger folks and be more of a natalist, one who is more focused on the young men and young in the country.

#“I do have a bug brother ministry that I cater much of my time too and now I want to expand that. With the focus on boxing and outreach ministry, it does take a toll on you and so my focus is more on the outreach ministry and my boxing club, the Marlins Boxing Club in the south.”

#With so much to accomplish in the amateur boxing programme, Johnson said he want to help groom the next Bahamian boxer to compete at the Olympic Games and other international events like the Pan American Games and the Commonwealth Games.

#“I think it’s time for me to hang up the competitive gloves and help the younger boxers, who have the interest in becoming a world boxing champion,” said Johnson, who admitted that it was dream of his before it was shattered.

#As he looks back at his career, Johnson, who accumulated a 21-3-1 win-loss-draw record, said he was very pleased to set the bar as a young fighter.

#“I guess I could say I was a trailblazer in my own rights,” he reflected. “I am very proud of my accomplishments, having qualified for the Olympics as an amateur and made it to the quarterfinals. I believe that was a feat in itself.

#“But there are stronger, faster and much more talented young fighters out there and even more than that, I believe that there are some out there who are much more hungrier than I am or was and so I want to contribute, not only boxing in the country, but to the young men and women who want to make a positive impact in the sport.”

#As a professional, although the world title slipped out of his grasp, Johnson said he has no regrets about his past because he was once ranked as the number one contender in all four of the major boxing organizations – WBO, World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Federation (WBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC).

#“I am proud and I am satisfied with the work that I’ve done, thought I was not able to obtain the world title,” he said. “But I can say I’ve done extremely well with my career. I really can’t complain at all. I had a good time over the years.”

#Johnson’s only fight home was on December 5, 2014 when he secured s technical knockout over Humberto Toledo at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. It was his third straight victory after he suffered his fight loss of his career to Curtis Stevens on Philadelphia.

#Prior to the loss, Johnson was a 14-0-win streak. After his victory at home, Johnson went back to the USA where he extended his winning streak to six. He suffered his second defeat at the hands of Sergiy Derevyanchenko in Maimi on August 25, 2017.

#On February 9, 2019, Johnson drawn with Fernando Castaneda before he won over Jason Quigley on July 18, 2019 before he suffered his final loss to Manguia after he was unable to complete the fight because of a severe cut to his mouth.

#Back home after spending about five weeks in Cuba where he started his preparation for the fight, Johnson said he’s looking forward to putting on sparring sessions every Saturday on Goodsman Bay from noon for about two hours to any Bahamian who wish to support him. He said every competitor will get a free ticket for fight night.

#In preparing for his retirement, Johnson thanked his parents George and Ikenna Johnson, along with his wife Natania Johnson and the rest of his family for their tremendous support. He also expressed his delight to AquaPure Water, KS Moses, Food Kingdom, Original Patties, Transformations Landscape Development and Commonwealth Fabrics for their financial support over the years.