BAHAMAS Davis Cup team, from left to right, of captain Marvin Rolle, Donte Armbrister, Denali Nottage and Kevin Major Jr.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#It was another heartbreaking loss yesterday for Team Bahamas at the American Zone III Davis Cup Tie in Asuncion, Paraguay.

#After dropping a 2-1 decision to the Dominican Republic in their opening match in pool B on Monday, the Bahamas suffered a 3-0 whitewashing against the host Panama yesterday.

#In the first match against Paraguay, Denali Nottage of Grand Bahama went the distance, losing 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 to Martin Antonio Vergara del Puerto in a match that lasted two hours and 26 minutes.

#Kevin Major Jr, the top seeded player, played against Paraguay’s top seed Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, losing in identical set scores of 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 29 minutes.

#With the tie already wrapped up in favour of Paraguay, the Bahamas played in doubles with veteran Marvin Rolle teaming up for the second time with Donte Armbrister.

#But after winning the only match for the Bahamas on day one against the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas was unsuccessful against Paraguay, who came off a 3-0 sweep over Costa Rica in their opener on Monday. Rolle and Armbrister lost 6-4, 6-2 to Paraguay’s duo of Vallejo and Vergara del Puerto. Paraguay wanted to make sure that they didn’t give the Bahamas a chance against them.

#Rolle, the team captain, said despite the loss, the team played well.

#“Denali played a guy with points, so that gave him some confidence that he could go the distance,” Rolle said. “It was definitely a tough match with long points, very emotional. He was giving it his all. He made the Bahamas proud.”

#Reflecting on his performance, Nottage said as a rookie on the team, he felt he held his own.

#“I felt I played better than yesterday. I was nervous, overthinking from the start,” he stated. “But today, I felt a whole lot more comfortable.”

#As for Major Jr’s match, Rolle said he was steady and solid.

#“It just wasn’t his luck on his opponent’s serve. Most games, KJ was up 30-0 and the guy just got lucky on a few points,” Rolle said.

#“KJ is playing so well, but it’s just those key points.”

#Major Jr said it was a difficult time playing against Paraguay before their home crowd.

#“The guy came up with some really good shots in some key moments,” Major said. “I did what I could. I just fell a little short.”

#Against Costa Rica, Major said he’s looking forward to getting the Bahamas in the win column.

#“From here on it, it’s do or die. We can’t afford to give away any more matches,” he said. “We just have to keep on fighting.”

#In their doubles match against Paraguay, Armbrister said he and Rolle played well.

#“The first set, it was very competitive. We ended up losing the first set by a few points,” Armbrister said. “The second set, we started off good, but we got broken early to give our opponents the advantage.

#“But I was pretty happy with our performance. It was good playing with Marvin Rolle in these Davis Cup competitions. He’s just a veteran in doubles, which makes my job easier., He just knows what shots to hit.”

#Rolle said he enjoyed the experience playing with Armbrister as well.

#“We had a tough one. The guys played well. They got revenge from last year because I beat them last year. They say they were going to beat us to get their revenge,” Rolle pointed out.

#“But it was a good match overall. We had our chances.”

#Against Costa Rica today, Rolle said they just have to come out strong because they can’t take any team for granted. He said they will definitely try to get in the win column.

Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association Jr Tennis Nationals wraps up today

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Chase Newbold (under 12 boys singles champion) with the runner up Khai Rees and Patrick Mactaggart (under 14 boys singles champion) alongside runner up Ayai Bethel yesterday at the National Tennis Centre.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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

GIRL POWER: Vonteneke Rolle, winner of the under 12 girls singles competition, is alongside runner up Caitlyn Pratt.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THREE junior champions were crowned after their finals matchups at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) Junior Tennis Nationals.

#Patrick Mactaggart, Chase Newbold, and Vonteneke Rolle were among the first champions to be crowned as the remaining finals matchups and doubles competition will continue today at the National Tennis Centre (NTC).

#The championships got underway on Friday last week and will wrap up today after hosting 100 tennis players in singles and doubles matches for the under 12 through 18 divisions.

#Mactaggart vs Ayai Bethel

#Mactaggart took down one of Eleuthera’s top junior tennis players, Ayai Bethel. He came into the junior tennis nationals fresh off a win in the under-14 boys category at the Spring Classic tourney.

#Mactaggart defeated Bethel in the under-14 boys singles matchup in two sets 6-0, 6-0 to once again win the championship of his age group.

#The newest champion talked about his comfortable win. “I played pretty well it’s always good finishing off with a 6-0,6-0 but overall I had a pretty good tournament,” he said. He added that his game plan was to keep the ball in play, do not push it, and hit it.

#Bethel, the under 14 boys runner up, said despite it being a tough loss it was a great match and he credited Mactaggart for simply being a better player in the matchup. Overall, he said it was a good time making it to his first finals and he will hope for a better showing next time.

#Newbold vs Khai Rees

#Similar to Mactaggart, Newbold not only left the Spring Classic tourney as a champion but followed it up with another win at the junior tennis nationals this week. Newbold closed out Rees in the under 12 boys singles matchup in two sets. He ended the match 6-3 in set one and 6-1 in set two.

#Newbold talked about adding another championship hardware to his collection.

#“In the first set I don’t think I did as well as the second set I had to push myself and push my energy also but overall in the tournament I think I did good,” he said.

#He added that it felt good to be the champion of his age group because he felt that he worked hard enough in practice to put it into play on the tennis court. He said the feeling was indescribable winning two straight titles in his final year of primary school. He will now look to continue his success at St Andrew’s next.

#Rolle vs Caitlyn Pratt

#In one of the more competitive matchups on the day, Rolle versus Pratt was must-see action at the NTC. The two competitors gave it their all and seemed evenly matched most of the game with Pratt taking the first set 6-0. However, Rolle was determined to stay in the under 12 girls singles competition. In a tightly-contested second set Rolle finished 7-6 over Pratt. With one tiebreaker set remaining, Rolle collected another win after scoring 6-4 to topple Pratt in set three.

#The under 12 girls champion talked about how it felt to earn a comeback victory over the Spring Classic champion for their age group.

#“I just had confidence and I pushed my way back…I started putting a spin on my ball and just hitting with more power,” she said.

#With the remaining finals resuming today including the doubles competition, Jerald Carroll will look to come out on top as a triple crown champion. Carroll will compete in three matches, including doubles competition, today to complete the triple crown feat once again.

#“I am excited I have to prepare for my match tomorrow get some good sleep and just come out and play my game and I know I can win if I play how I usually play,” Carroll said.

#Matchups get underway 9am this morning at the NTC.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the opening of the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, the Bahamas Baseball Association has decided to bring its G-Ball Andre Rodgers National Baseball Championships back to New Providence.

#The event, which was moved to Grand Bahama about 10 years ago, will be in New Providence for the second consecutive year and will be played from Thursday to Sunday at the new stadium for teams in the youth under-16 and senior 20-and under divisions. The coach pitch for 8-and-under, minors 10-and-under, the majors 12-and-under and the juniors 14-and-under will get started on Friday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#BBA secretary general Theodore ‘Teddy’ Sweeting said this will be the 20th edition of the championships that got started back in 2003.

#This year’s honoree will be the late Calvin ‘Cow’ Martin of Grand Bahama, who passed away last year.

#Martin was instrumental in assisting the BBA in the formation of the championships.

#“We just want to show our respect to him as his daughter will be there to receive an award from us during the opening ceremonies on Thursday night at the new Andre Rodgers Stadium,” Sweeting said.

#The ceremonies will get started at 6:30pm with an awards presentation, led by Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

#The featured game in the youth 16-and under division will be played between Freedom Farm and the Legacy Baseball League out of Grand Bahama.

#“It will be a very interesting matchup because Legacy has a very strong team, composed of a lot of players who are playing in the various academies and high schools in the United States,” Sweeting said.

#“They feel they are very strong and feel they deserve to be highlighted in that area. But they will no doubt have their hands filled with Freedom Farm, who also boast of having some very talented players of that age group who are also playing overseas.”

#Tickets are priced at $7 for children and $12 for adults for the one day pass, but persons purchasing their ticket for Thursday’s opening will be allowed to use their band for Friday’s action, which will get started at 8am at both the new stadium with the under-18 and at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with the other age group competition.

#Tickets for the three days combined are priced at $30 for adults and $15 for children, which will allow them access into both the new stadium and the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#Teams will be participating from the Abaco Youth Baseball and Softball League, North Abaco Big Nige Baseball League, Community Baseball League, Ed Armbrister Baseball League, Freedom Farm Baseball League, Junior Baseball League of Nassau, Grand Bahama Little League, Grand Bahama Amateur Baseball League and Legacy Baseball League.

#The Brice-Newball Foundation is this year’s title sponsor. They will be joined by other sponsors, including Vitamalt, Global Sun, G-Ball, Reloaded Baseball, Insurance Management, Gatorade, Focol out of Grand Bahama and Bahamasair, the national airline of the Bahamas.

#Sweeting said the sponsors are banding together to help the association put on a spectacular show as they christen the new stadium during this year’s championships.

#“It’s going to be a wonderful time for everybody to come out and watch us as we celebrate baseball in this country during our national championships,” Sweeting said.

#The championships was originally staged in New Providence for 10 consecutive years, but it was switched to Grand Bahama, which became the home of the championships for almost a decade.

#“The fans can expect a lot of competition from our top leagues, Freedom Farm, JBLN and Grand Bahama Aamateur League as well as Legacy Baseball League,” Sweeting projected.

#“They will be providing a lot of competition for the scouts who will be in town. We will have some college coaches in town as well as they get to see some of our best talent compete and do their evaluation.”

#On Thursday, Sweeting said there will be a College Showcase in the stadium from 10am to 4pm where at least 10 players coming from the United States will be joining a number of local players.

#And the action will be viewed by about four college coaches coming in for the championships.

#“We want to do it every year before the nationals so that we can give our young men the opportunity to be exposed to the visiting college and pro scouts who come down for the championships,” Sweeting said.

#The championship will conclude on Sunday with the bronze and gold medal games. In the event that there is rain this weekend, Sweeting said there have been some provisional plans to play at various sites at Freedom Farm and the JBLN’s Field of Dreams.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the sixth edition of the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games set to take place in less than three weeks, the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) released the schedule for the sport this past weekend.

#The games will feature two pools ( A and B) and continue from July 11 to July 15. The games will be played by the 10 men’s basketball teams and the six women’s teams at both the DW Davis Gymnasium and Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Eugene Horton, president of the BBF, talked about the excitement surrounding the return of The Bahamas Games for the 50th year of Independence.

#“I am excited to see the Bahamas Games returning as a former participant I experienced good, friendly competition and camaraderie I am sure this year’s will not disappoint,” Horton said.

#With the last Bahamas Games taking place in 2001, nearly 22 years ago, the Olympic-style competition will have some surprise elements for the basketball sporting discipline starting 9am on Tuesday, July 11.

#Bahamians were able to get a sneak peek of the competition-level of the Family Island teams at the round robin tournament in April.

#“If the round robin in April was any indication the Bahamian public is in for a treat as the competition is expected to be better…. we will have the opportunities to see the ladies in action which we didn’t get to see,” Horton said.

#The BBF president added that the women’s games will be highly competitive as they will feature a good mix of veteran players, current national team players along with current and upcoming national standouts.

#The teams expected to battle on the court are the Abaco Survivors, Andros Chiccharnies, Bimini and Berry Islands Marlins, Columbus Isles Arawaks (Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador), Eleuthera Adventurers, Exuma and Ragged Island Navigators, Grand Bahama Lucayans, Long Island Sheep Runners, MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay) Flamingoes and the New Providence Buccaneers.

#With the countdown for the Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games drawing closer to July 7-15 for the 16 sporting disciplines, the BBF is trying to stay ahead of the game for basketball.

#“After speaking with the coaches and island associations preparations are going very well we are on target, schedule is completed, and Freddie Brown and team are starting initial dialogue with teams on rules and what is expected,” Horton said.

#The basketball games will be played for five consecutive days leading up to a championship game for both the men and women on July 15 at the Kendal G L Isaacs gymnasium.

#The BBF are anticipating high crowd turnouts for the games and for individuals unable to attend in-person due to time conflicts the games can be followed online at https://bbfbasketball.com/.

#The Bahamas Games were established in 1989 by Peter J Bethell and previously took place in 1991, 1995, 1998, and 2001. This year’s return coincides with the celebration of the 50th year of independence with the slogan ‘Our Nation, Our Islands, Our Games’. The sixth edition of the Olympic-style event will showcase 16 sporting disciplines at 16 different locations July 7-15

RAINING BUCKETS: Over 200 girls and boys combined gathered at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium yesterday to learn basketball fundamentals courtesy of the Basketball Smiles summer camp. Photos by Tenajh Sweeting

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Basketball Smiles camp returned to The Bahamas for the 24th year this week.

#The basketball camp from the United States got underway on Monday at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium and will wrap up by the end of this week.

#The camp hosted over 200 girls and boys between ages 4-16 with the aim of teaching them the basic fundamentals of basketball.

#Sam Nichols, retired head coach of women’s basketball at McMurry University, talked about the success of the 24th edition of the camp so far.

#“It has been great, we have been fortunate enough to have Kendal G L Isaacs [gym] which helps because what makes for a great camp is coach to player ratio and having adequate facilities.

#“The coaches that came with me from Texas are great coaches and with the facilities here it has allowed us to have a quality camp with more kids,” Nichols said.

#With more than 200 boys and girls in attendance at Basketball Smiles, the retired Hall of Famer women’s coach said the coaching experience of his team has helped them to manage the different personalities at the camp.

#“Our coaches have a lot of experience, we have coaches that have won state championships, collegiate championships, and they have kids from different ethnicities and backgrounds at home [and] we view this as a sacrifice so when we come here it is not about us, it’s about that boy or that girl,” he said.

#Although he acknowledged that it can be difficult at times, he knows that kids are just being kids so his team of coaches practices an adequate amount of grace but discipline at the same time. Among some of the basketball skills to be acquired at this year’s camp are footwork, ball-handling and shooting skills, and defensive abilities.

#Accasico Nottage, a two-time returning camp participant, talked about his experience this year.

#“I am enjoying it a lot. I learned that the game of basketball is a lot more about teamwork. And I have learned how to dribble a lot better and it has helped me to slim down a bit,” Nottage said.

#The 16-year-old credited coach Patricia “Patty” Johnson for encouraging him to join the camp over the years.

#Although there were few return participants due to COVID-19, Reonardo McKenzie was one of the first timers to join Basketball Smiles this time around.

#He said his first time felt great and everything has been going good so far.

#The 14-year old decided to join after being referred by a friend and has learned better ball-handling skills.

#The girls usually practice at Basketball Smiles between 9am to noon.

#Coach Nichols believes that this year has been one of the best years talentwise for the ladies.

#In attendance was Bahamian junior women’s basketball player and CARIFTA bronze-medallist Terrell McCoy.

#She said she has been attending the camp since knowing coach Johnson and it has been very helpful to her.

#“Basketball Smiles is a very good camp. I have been here about five years, it’s an amazing camp for them to come down and teach us new things and be very patient and hardworking with us,” McCoy explained.

#She added that she is working on her ball-handling skills to complement her abilities as a post player.

#The Basketball Smiles camp is scheduled to resume at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium today at 9am.

SHOWN, from left to right, are Agatha Mona Delancy, Flamingos Women’s Golf Club 242 Founder and Executive Coordinator; Laurie Bethel Lightfoot, Executive Committee Member/ Constitutionalist; Diane Miller, Club Treasurer/ Membership Chair; and Anja Charles, Executive Committee/ Coordinator, Special Events.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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

#THE Flamingos Women’s Golf Club 242 celebrated Women’s Golf Day this month, hailing the women who are blazing trails in the sport, and encouraging new members to join.

#Women’s Golf Day is more than just one day; it’s a week-long celebration that takes place around the world, highlighting women and girls playing golf and learning skills that last a lifetime.

#This year’s week was commemorated from May 30 to June 6.

#Flamingos president Agatha Mona Delancy rallied club members to celebrate one another and to never forget the path laid in a sport that will ultimately grow with women’s participation in the future.

#“For this year, Flamingos Women’s Golf Club 242 decided that a most fitting way to honour some of the movers and shapers of women’s golf in The Bahamas was to present them to those of us who are a part, or desirous of becoming a part of this community of golfers,” Delancy said.

#The list includes more than 40 women in New Providence, and seven Grand Bahama women – all who have made significant contributions to women’s golf in The Bahamas.

#Among those recognised were Georgette Rolle-Harris, founder of Fourteen Clubs, Inc., which includes about 100 skilled tournament golfers as well as some 800 juniors from public schools.

#Other women who were highlighted for Women’s Golf Day include National Amateur Championship Golfers Raquel Riley, Ingrid Black and Alena Hutchinson.

#National team members and golf administrators were also highlighted, including: Paula Newchurch-Cooper; Giselle Pyfrom; Jamecia Duncombe; Jaqueline (Jackie Longley); Pauline Curry; Gina Rolle-Rodriguez; Jenna Bayles; Inecia Rolle; Anja Charles; Sharon Cleare; Ann-Marie Hepburn; Janet (Jan) Pyfrom; Dr. Patti Symonette; Stephanie Carey; Vanria Munnings; Ethelyn Davis; Danielle Roninson; D’Andrielle Robinson; Michelean Poitier; Donnett Bain; Paula Von Hamm; Fran Dillett; Maria Campbell; Sheila Taylor; and Beryl Higgs. Posthumously, Muriel Eneas; Eloise Lochkart-Pinder; Gerry Smith; Yvonne Shaw; and Bettye Stubbs were recognised.

#President Delancy was also lauded for her immeasurable contributions to the sport of golf in The Bahamas. Sixteen years ago, she was elected as president of the Bahamas Golf Federation.

#It marked the first time in history that this position was held by a woman. With her leadership and guidance, the federation grew by leaps and bounds, and more women were inspired to take up the sport of golf.

#Paula Newchurch Cooper was celebrated as a repeat outstanding member of the CAGC George Teale Cup Team.

#Her phenomenal performances earned her the distinction as one of the best women competitors of the game.

#She accomplished the feat of being the only female player to make a hole-in-one on a Par Four Hole (the former Cable Beach Golf Course).

#Flamingos have plans in the works to help increase the amount of golf players in the country, rally support for young golfers, and advance the sport nationally.

TEE-OFF THIS SUNDAY: The 21st annual Duke of Edinburgh Cup, the Bahamas’ semifinals of the Charity Golf Tournament, is all set for Sunday at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island.

As of Wednesday, June 21, 2023

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

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE 21st annual Duke of Edinburgh Cup, the Bahamas’ semifinals of the Charity Golf Tournament, is all set for Sunday at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island.

#And according to Viana Gardiner, the vice president of public affairs and special projects for the host Atlantis resort, they are anticipating one of the most exciting events staged so far.

#The event, which supports the Governor General’s Youth Award Programme, will tee off at 8am. It will close out with the awards ceremonies, which will be attended by Governor General CA Smith.

#“We put on this tournament every year so that the proceeds can go to the Governor General’s Youth Award Programme,” Gardiner said. “They are like a youth organisation.

#“Their sole purpose is to empower young people. They do a lot of outdoor physical activities and camping. So it’s their way of trying to prepare these young people to be world ready and to take on life changes and so we have partnered with them to help raise some funds.”

#The tournament is designed for teams of four, which is broken down into a pair of teams where the top twosomes of the winning team get an all-expense paid trip to England to participate in the finals, which is the top prize.

#Tireflex is offering a brand new Mercedes Benz for a hole in one; Atlantis will provide multiple weekend stays at its resort and dinners at various restaurants; John Bull gives an assortment of jewellery and there’s also dinner prizes at Graycliff.

#This year, as a part of the 50th anniversary of the Bahamas, Gardiner revealed that Fidelity Bank & Trust and Doctor’s Hospital are both coming on board as gold sponsors, providing $15,000 each.

#Cable Bahamas silver sponsors at $10,000 and there are several bronze sponsors.

#“A really important aspect of the tournament this year is the fact that we have added a special day on Saturday where we will once again host a student golf clinic for the students of the GGYA,” Gardiner said.

#“Last year, we entertained about 70-75 students from the programme, who got to come over to the golf course and they were instructed by the golf course pro instructor.”

#Gardiner said they intend to host their second GGYA clinic on Saturday starting at 10am.

#“Some of them have never been exposed to the game of golf and don’t understand the game,” Gardiner said.

#“So it’s like a tutorial introduction to the game. This gives us a chance to spend some time with them because the tournament on Sunday is for the adult golfers.

#“So this gives them a chance to get their chance to enjoy themselves.”

#So far, more than 108 players have already registered to participate in the tournament on Sunday.

#“The tournament could not take place without corporate sponsors and so we are so very grateful for all of the corporate sponsors, who assist us year after year,” Gardiner said.

#“The funds go directly to the students of the GGYA programme.”

 Home|Sports|Three more champions crowned at tennis junior nationalsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJune 21, 2023 56 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Three more champions were crowned at the 2023 AID Junior National Tennis Championships at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre yesterday. The 12-and-under boys and girls divisions along with the 14-and-under boys division had champions crowned.

The 12-and-under girls division matchup between Vonteneke Rolle and Caitlyn Pratt needed three hours and three sets to determine a champion. In the end, it was Rolle who showed resilience, winning after dropping the first set 6-0.

“I just had confidence,” Rolle said. “I just pushed myself the rest of the match. I started to put some spins on my ball in the second set and began hitting it with more power.”

Rolle, who had a huge smile on her face after the victory, started the second set up 3-0. Pratt, who is from Grand Bahama, bounced back to tie the second set at six games apiece but Rolle won the tiebreaker and the set, 7-6.

In the third, Rolle played loose. She won the third set, 6-4.

Defending his title in the 12-and-under boys division was Chase Newbold. He took care of Kingston Rees in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-1.

“I did not do well in the first set like I did in the second set. I had to push myself and get some energy in that first set but I am happy with my performance in the tournament,” Newbold said.

Newbold said he was happy to see his hard work during practice pay off as he lifted the trophy for a second consecutive year in his final year in that age category.

Patrick Mactaggart played a near perfect match against Ayai Bethel out of Eleuthera to win the 14-and-under boys division. Mactaggart dominated the match, 6-0 and 6-0.

“I played well,” Mactaggart said. “It is always good to finish off with a 6-0, 6-0 scoreline but, overall, I had a good tournament. Coming into the match, I wanted to keep the ball in play heavy, don’t push it and remain positive.”

The finals for the 14-and-under girls, 16-and-under boys and girls, and the 18-and-under boys and girls are set for today. The doubles portion of the tournament also wraps up today.

Playing in the 18-and-under boys final is Jerald Carroll and Dentry Mortimer. Carroll is also playing in the 16-and-under final, taking on Khai Rees. Carroll is teaming up with Jackson Mactaggart to play against Mortimer and Khai Rees in the semifinals in doubles in the 18-and-under category. Carroll won all three divisions last year and will be looking for a replay of the triple crown this year.

“I am excited. I need to prepare for all of the matches and get some sleep. I have to come out and play my game, and I know that I can win if I play how I usually play. I have conditioned my body well enough to take it once I recover well,” Carroll said.

In the 18-and-under girls final, Saphirre Ferguson will take on Takaii Adderley. The 16-and-under girls division will feature Breann Ferguson going up against Adderley in the final. Sarai Clarke goes up against Tatyana Madu in the 14-and-under girls final.

Champions were already crowned in the 10-and-under boys and girls, and 8-and-under girls divisions. There was no 8-and-under boys division this year.

 Home|Sports|Taylor leads top swims at nationalsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJune 21, 2023 156 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian swimmer Lamar Taylor broke a 14-year-old national record in the men’s 50 meters (m) freestyle at the 51st Bahamas Aquatics Federation’s National Swimming Championships at the Betty Kelly-Kenning National Swim Complex over the weekend, highlighting some very strong individual performances at the four-day meet.

World Aquatics, the new name for FINA (International Swimming Federation), uses a FINA points system as an official method to relate race times to the current world record.

Taylor, who already owns the 100m free national record, powered his way to touch the wall in 22.35 seconds in the 18-and-over men’s 50m free for the new national record. The Mako Aquatics swimmer lowered the record of 22.39 seconds that was held by fellow Grand Bahamian Vereance Burrows, set in 2009 in Rome, Italy. Taylor scored 818 FINA points for that swim and had four of the top five best swims at the meet.

“I felt that time was coming. I knew the work that I put in was sufficient. I just had to produce and swim my times,” Taylor said of the record-breaking swim. “I came into the race relaxed and got very focused when I got on the blocks. It felt good to do it at home in front of people who I know. They hear and see me do other good swims on the news or social media but I feel bad that they never get to see it in person so I am glad to do it at home. It would me amazing to always swim with the support of the Bahamian people in the stands at all my meets.”

Placing second in that event was Alpha Aquatics’ Darren Laing who swam 24.35 seconds. The Black Marlins Swim Club’s Thomas Bowers was third in 24.55 seconds.

Taylor was coming off a time of 24 seconds flat in the preliminaries on Sunday morning. It was off from what spectators are used to from him but he was up late Saturday night into Sunday morning taking care of the student part of his student-athlete title at Henderson State University.

“I was up late doing homework as I am taking classes in the summer. I felt a little tired coming into the preliminaries,” he said.

In the 18-and-over women, Delaney Mizell secured the FINA high point award for her swim in the 50m free. The Lyford Cay Swim Club swimmer won that race in 26.83 seconds to secure 686 FINA points.

Mizell, who swam in that age group for the first time at nationals, held off Mako’s Victoria Russell who swam 27.23 seconds. Alpha Aquatics’ Ariel Weech posted a time of 27.44 seconds to place third.

Mako’s Marvin Johnson swam away with the 15-17 boys best swim for his performance in the 100m free, scoring 787 FINA points. The 16-year-old won that race with a time of 50.80 seconds.

Alphas Aquatics’ Ellie Gibson was Johnson’s closest competitor. Gibson finished the race in 53.25 seconds. Finishing third was Johnson’s teammate, Tristin Ferguson, in 54.99 seconds.

Securing the highest FINA points in the 15-17 girls division was the Barracuda Swim Club’s Rhanishka Gibbs. The 16-year-old swam a new nationals record of 26.29 seconds in the 50m free, scoring 729 points. In that race, her teammate Lauren Bridgewater touched the wall in 28.08 seconds for second. Lyford Cay’s Isabelle Zatarain was third in 28.41 seconds.

Coming away with the top FINA points in the 13-14 boys division was Lightning Aquatics’ Donald Saunders. He scored 627 points. He won the 100m free in a time of 54.78 seconds. The Black Marlins’ Malcolm Menzies settled for second after recording a time of 57.90 seconds. Mako’s Lenin Hamilton took third in 58.97 seconds.

Mako’s Zoe Williamson swam a strong 50m race to win that event in the 13-14 girls division and turned in a FINA score of 615 points. Williamson clocked a time of 27.82 seconds to win that race. She finished ahead of her teammate Jordyn Rolle who posted a time of 28.38 seconds for second. Alpha Aquatics’ Adaiah Smith finished third with a time of 29.23 seconds.

The swim nationals began on Thursday and wrapped up on Sunday. Mako amassed 2,689 points to swim away with the title. Finishing a distant second was the Barracuda Swim Club which scored 1,569 points. Securing the third position was Alpha Aquatics which finished with 1,524.50 points.

 Home|Sports|The Bahamas falls to ParaguaySports

Davis Cup team faces Costa Rica today and Honduras tomorrow

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJune 21, 2023 32 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas’ chances of moving out of Americas Group III and into group two in Davis Cup action for 2024 took a serious hit on Tuesday, as they dropped their second consecutive matchup in the regional tournament at the Club Internacional de Tenis in Asuncion, Paraguay.

The Bahamas fell to the host nation, three matches to none, and is now winless in five tries against Paraguay in Davis Cup history.

In the first match of the day, Denali Nottage played in the number one position in singles for The Bahamas and lost in three sets to Martin Antonio Vergara del Puerto, 6-3, 5-7 and 6-2, in a match that lasted two hours and 16 minutes. Nottage won just 62 percent of his first serves (29-for-47) compared to 73 percent for his opponent (47-for-64). He was also broken six times in the match and broke service just three times, and his opponent won 103 total points compared to 92 for Nottage.

In the second match, playing in the number two position in singles for The Bahamas, Kevin Major Jr. suffered a straight sets loss to Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, 6-4 and 6-4, in a match that lasted an hour and 29 minutes. Major won just 67 percent of his first serves (24-for-36) compared to 81 percent for his opponent (29-for-36). He was broken twice in the match and came up empty in five break point opportunities of his own and won 55 total points compared to 65 for his opponent.

In the third match of the day, The Bahamas’ doubles team of Donte Armbrister and player/captain Marvin Rolle lost to the team of Vergara del Puerto and Vallejo in straight sets, 6-4 and 6-2, in a match that lasted an hour and four minutes. Vergara del Puerto and Vallejo won 87 percent of their first serves (20-for-23) compared to 60 percent for Armbrister and Rolle (18-for-30). The Paraguayans won 56 percent of their second serves (15-for-27) compared to 53 percent for Armbrister and Rolle (8-for-15) and also broke Armbrister and Rolle four times while being broken just once. Vergara del Puerto and Vallejo won 54 of the total 95 points.

Rolle is the veteran of the team, making his 19th appearance in Davis Cup action. Major is making his seventh appearance at Davis Cup, Armbrister is on the team for the second time, and Nottage is the rookie.

Now down two ties to none, The Bahamas finds itself in a must-win situation over the next two days of competition if they want to be promoted to the Americas Group II for next year. The team faces Costa Rica today and Honduras tomorrow.

Just the top two teams in each pool will have a chance at promotion. They will play a crossover playoffs against the top two teams from the other pool with the winners of those games playing for the gold and the losers playing for the bronze. All three of the medal finishers will be promoted to the Americas Group II for next year. 

The Bahamas is in Pool B with the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Costa Rica and Honduras. The teams in Pool A are Bolivia, Venezuela, Bermuda and Panama. The bottom two teams will be relegated to the Americas Group IV for next year.

The Bahamas fell to the Dominican Republic on Monday and host nation Paraguay yesterday.

The event is being played on outdoor clay courts and wraps up on Saturday.