Home|Sports|Warriors, Marlins stay alive at Hugh CampbellSports

Pool play heating up in double-elimination tournament

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 24, 2023 273 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

After three days of competition at the 2023 Hugh Campbell Basketball Tournament, teams are starting to be eliminated in the double-elimination tournament as pool play heats up at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

The Louise McDonald Marlins, out of Bimini, sent the S.C Bootle Dolphins back to Abaco with a 59-43 victory on Thursday. Grand Bahama’s Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors edged the Akhepran Academy Scarabs, 43-37, to eliminate them from the tournament.

Action continues today and more teams will be eliminated. Tip-off is at noon.

Marlins 59, Dolphins 43

A third quarter turnaround by the Marlins was the difference in the game. They took advantage of the Dolphins 15-6 in that quarter and never looked back. They led 43-31 after three. The Marlins held their first double-digit lead at the 3:15 mark of the third quarter.

Jasmen Rock and Javardo Toote were huge for the Marlins in the victory. Rock had a game-high 23 points as he willed his team to stay in the tournament. Toote had 19 points and a game-high 19 rebounds.

The game was a very tightly contested one early on as the teams traded leads. It was tied 13-13 at the end of the first quarter. The Dolphins were up 25-24 with less than one minute left in the first half but the Marlins were able to end the quarter on a 4-0 scoring run to go into the intermission up, 28-25.

The Dolphins were led by Miguel Sawyer who had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Warriors 43, Scarabs 37

It was a close game with 24.7 seconds left as the Warriors were only up by four, 41-37, and the Scarabs were at the free throw line. The player from the Scarabs missed both shots and the Warriors were able to hold on.

For Theron Smith, the head coach of the Warriors, execution down the stretch was a key component. He said they had to let the team know how important this game was.

“We wanted to mentally prepare the guys and we told them that this is an elimination game. Everything that we put together this year we wanted to bring it and put it together in this game. We wanted to play fast, aggressive and under control,” Smith said.

Lavon Cooper and Javon Basden both had 10 points in the victory.

The Warriors jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead at the start of the game. They did the same thing on Wednesday against the Gateway Christian Academy Eagles but it did not end well.

This time, they pulled away and went up 25-10 heading into the half as they look to avoid a repeat of their loss to the Eagles.

However, the Scarabs found a way to make the game interesting as the Warriors could not handle the defense that was thrown at them. Smith’s side was outscored 16-8 in the third period, and led 33-26 after three.

Coming out of that third quarter, Smith said that he told his players that their destiny was in their hands. They chose to live another day, he said.

“We had a big lead going into the half and they started to press us and we got out of sorts a little. At the end of the game coming down the stretch we figured it out,” Smith said.

Evan Hanna did all that he could to help his Scarabs with a game-high 18 points but it was not enough.

https://thenassauguardian.com/warriors-marlins-stay-alive-at-hugh-campbell/

Day 4 double elimination

GRAND Bahama champions Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons got the win over the Gateway Christian Academy 43-20 yesterday in the 36th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys at Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium. Photos: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#It was the start of the elimination process and the survival round on day four of the 36th edition of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Sent packing after losing their second game in the double elimination format were Queen’s College, Temple Christian, Agape, Eight Mile Rock, Patrick J Bethel, Akhepran Academy and Sherlin C Bootle.

#Here’s a look at how the teams stacked up yesterday:

#Louise McDonald High def. Sherlin C Bootle 59-43; Bishop Michael Eldon def. Akhepran Academy 43-37; RM Bailey def. Patrick J Bethel 51-34; Kingsway Academy def. Eight Mile Rock 55-45; Sunland Baptist def. Study Hall 61-30; Jack Hayward def. Agape Academy 45-41; Charles W. Saunders def. Temple Christian 74-40; Tabernacle Baptist def. Gateway Christian Academy 43-20 and Study Hall def. Queen’s College 53-42.

#Study Hall 53, Comets 42: Edwin Ferguson was one of three players in double figures with 17 points, six steals, five rebounds and four assists to pace the winners as they stayed alive with their second win in three games.

#Trenaz Rigby had 12 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists and Jahmsrion Albury also had 12 points with three rebounds, three steals and two assists. Trevor Forbes contributed six points with four rebounds and three steals.

#Leonardo Burrows had 22 points with 16 rebounds, three assists and two steals, but it wasn’t enough to keep Queen’s College alive in the tournament. They were the seventh team eliminated as their next best scorer was Tayshaun Taylor with eight points. Ethan Forbes had six points and six rebounds.

#Falcons 43, Gateway Christian Academy 20: The Grand Bahama champions Tabernacle Baptist Academy only had one player in double figures as Joshua Williams had a game high 15 points with four steals and two rebounds.

#Aiden Miller contributed eight points with five rebounds, three assists and two steals; Noah Bain had five points, four rebounds and two steals and Ahmad Abraham had four points with three rebounds and Alex Minus also had four points and two rebounds.

#No player was in double figures for Gateway Academy as they stayed alive with a 1-1 record. Paulston Stuart led their attack with seven points. Sherrick Ellis had five points and seven rebounds and Denecko Allen added four points with 10 rebounds.

#Cougars 74, Suns 40: Romial Strachan’s 16 points with eight rebounds and a pair of assists and steals helped the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ champions Charles W Saunders to win their first game after losing their opener to move to 1-1.

#Treymon Wright had 14 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists; Marcian Pickstock had 10 points with three rebounds and two assists and Raymone Woods also had 10 points with four assists.

#For Temple Christian, who suffered their second straight loss and was the sixth team knocked out, Ogden Arahna had 14 points with three assists and steals and a pair of rebounds. Darren Knowles and Kymani Roberts both had six, but it wasn’t enough.

#Wildcats 45, Agape 41: Desmond Hall scored a game high 16 points with three rebounds and as many steals to push Jack Hayward to their first victory after losing their opener as they improved to 1-1. Avardo Williams and Deryl Williams both chipped in with 10 points.

#Anthony Mertil had 15 points with seven rebounds and three steals to pace Agape Academy in their second loss to be the fifth team eliminated. Jvaughntrae Albury added seven points, Canaan Davis had six points and seven rebounds and Deshawn Smith had five points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

#Stingers 61, Study Hall 30: Tianno Roberts led a balanced scoring attack with a game high 16 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists and steals for Sunland Baptist, who remained undefeated in the two games played so far.

#De’Nage Kelly had 14 points, two rebounds and two steals and Jordan Saunders had 13 points, four rebounds and two steals and assists.

#Edwin Ferguson was the only player in double figures for the losers with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists. Trennaz Rigby had nine points and four rebounds as they dropped their first game to sit at 1-1.

#Saints 55, Bluejays 45: Rayjin Smith exploded for a game high 24 points with nine rebounds, four steals and three assists to lead Kingsway Academy as they rebounded from an opening loss in the tournament to improve to 1-1.

#Kenyon Johnson was also in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds.

#Christopher Munroe had nine points with three rebounds; Ethan Burrows had seven points and three rebounds and Evan Cartwright added five points with seven rebounds and two steals.

#Henricus Maycock paced the losers in their second defeat with 21 points, eight rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists, but they became the fourth team ousted. Bruce Balfour had eight points and three rebounds and Jermaine Hall ended up with five points and four rebounds.

#Louise McDonald High 59, Sherlin C Bootle 43: Jasmen Rock scored 23 points with seven rebounds, five steals and four assists and Javardo Toote had 19 points and 13 rebounds to provide a 1-2 punch for Louise McDonald as they stayed alive at 1-1.

#Derek Francis had six points with four rebounds, three steals and two assists and Breon Lindsay also had six points in the win.

#In a losing effort, Miguel Sawyer had 21 points with 10 rebounds; Kendrick Sampre had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists and Alpachino Kemp added seven points and four rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as they got eliminated with their second consecutive loss and emerged as the third team ousted.

#Bishop Michael Eldon 43, Akapheran Academy 37: Lavon Cooper scored 11 points with a pair of rebounds and Javon Basden had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists in the win for Bishop Michael Eldon, who im-proved to 1-1.

#Aaron Forbes had seven points with 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals and Isaac Stuart also contributed seven points with three rebounds.

#Evan Hanna scored a game high 18 points with five rebounds, five steals and two assists in a losing effort. They suffered their second straight defeat to become the second team eliminated. Stephen Mackey had seven points with four steals and Baron Coleby II had six points, four rebounds and three steals.

#RM Bailey 51, Patrick J Bethel 34: Kendrick Emilien had 17 points and four rebounds and Joshua Benjamin added 16 points, five rebounds and three steals in the win for the Pacers, who stayed alive to push their record to 1-1.

#Ladanian McKenzie chipped in with nine points, six rebounds and a pair of assists and steals.

#In the loss, Ivan Brave had nine points and a pair of rebounds and steals. Timothy Davis had six points, seven rebounds and two steals and Christopher Turnquest also had six points and four rebounds and both Trevor Robinson and Matthew Duvreus added five points with six and three rebounds respectively.

#Patrick J Bethel was the first team to be eliminated, losing two straight games.

#Today’s Schedule

#10am – Government High vs Gateway Christian Academy.

#11am – CV Bethel vs Louise McDonald High.

#Noon – Charles W Saunders vs RM Bailey.

#1pm – Jack Hayward vs Kingsway Academy.

#2pm – Doris Johnson vs Bishop Michael Eldon.

#6pm – CR Walker vs Sunland Baptist

#7pm – St George’s vs Anatol Rodgers.

#8pm – CC Sweeting vs Tabernacle Baptist.

#9pm – Jordan Prince Williams vs CI Gibson.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/day-4-double-elimination/?news

The Bahamas’ Livingstone Munnings gets hold of the ball.

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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

COACH Moses Johnson gives some instructions to the men’s national basketball team yesterday.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT wasn’t the performance that coach Moses Johnson anticipated from the men’s national basketball team in the opener of their two-game road trip in their final appearance in the FIBA Americas World Cup Qualifier.

#The Bahamas, already out of contention for qualifying for the World Cup, had a chance to spoil the chances for Venezuela. But in their match-up last night in Caracas, Venezuela outscored the Bahamas 115-70.

#Behind their roaring fans, Venezuela jumped out to an impressive 33-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.

#They outscored the Bahamas 34-16 for a 67-37 halftime lead. They used another 25-14 spurt in the third and 23-11 in the fourth as they led from start to finish.

#Venezuela had six players in double figures, led by David Cubillan with 16 points.

#The Bahamas had three players in double figures, but it wasn’t enough as Venezuela held a slight 44-42 advantage on the boards and had a huge 31-9 difference in the assists category. The Bahamas also mde 26 turnovers, compared to nine by Venezuela.

#Domnick Bridgewater went 6-for-19 from the field, 2-for-7 from the three-point line and 2-for-4 from the free throw line in 30 minutes and 13 seconds for 16 points with two rebounds and an assist. Ahmad Pratt also had 16 points in 15.05 as he connected on 5-for-8 from the field, 4-for-6 from the trey and 2-for-2 from the foul line with three rebounds.

#Bradley Nairn, in 26:22 minutes on the court, helped out with 10 points as he went 2-for-8 from the field, 1-for-5 from the three-point line and 5-for-8 from the charity stripe. Kentwan Smith had nine points with 11 rebounds and Godfrey Rolle II also added nine points. Kadeem Coleby had six points and eight rebounds and Livingstone Munnings was the only other player to score with four points and six rebounds.

#The Bahamas, 3-8 in fifth place in Group E, will now travel to Panama to play their next game on Sunday. Panama is in sixth place at 2-9.

#Venezuela is in a three-way tie for second place at 8-3 with the Dominican Republic and Argentina behind front running Canada, who are 10-1.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/mens-national-basketball-team-suffers-115-70-loss-/?news

QUEEN’S College Class of 85 paid tribute to their late classmate Frankie Simmons by presenting a cheque to his baseball team.

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN memory of their deceased classmate Frankie Simmons, the class of 1985 of Queen’s College made a cheque presentation to the Freedom Farm Green Parrots to assist in their travel to the Perfect Game Tournament in Sandford, Florida.

#The team, which will be coached by Anfernee Seymour, Wayde Beckford and Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya, will compete in the tournament from today to Monday just outside of Orlando.

#Members of the QC class on hand were Stephen Johnson, Ryan Bethel, Marlene Wells-Fox, Gail Byer-Branon, Renee Hepburn-Davies and Karla Knowles.

#They were joined by Simmons’ wife Sharon Simmons and his father Roger Simmons.

#Naughty and Andrew Thompson, along with some of the players, were on hand to receive the cheque and behalf of Green Parrots, now headed by Anton Newbold, who took over from Simmons after his death.

#“We reached out to coach Naughty and advised him that we the Class of 85 of Queen’s College would like to know if there was anything that we could do to assist his 12-and-under team,” Stephen Johnson said.

#“Coach Naughty mentioned that they have a trip to Sandford, Florida that they were schooled to make. He mentioned to us that a few of the boys were having trouble raising the funds, so we decided to make the contribution towards his team for their travel to the tournament.”

#Johnson said it was an overwhelming support from the class because they knew how much Simmons enjoyed coaching baseball.

#“Frankie loved baseball. Frankie loved developing young boys. Frankie was instrumental in Jazz Chisholm’s baseball career,” added Johnson about the Miami Marlins baseball player.

#“I was happy to see Jazz mentioned that after Frankie’s passing where Jazz gave him a lot of credit for where he’s at today.”

#Naughty, best known as a comedian and radio personality, worked with Simmons prior to his death.

#He noted that they were preparing the team to travel before Simmons passed away. He noted that they decided to continue their preparation for the trip because it would have been something Simmons wanted them to do.

#“A lot of the players were out to the Don’t Blink baseball camp and they were invited to try out for this team that was travelling with Anfernee Seymour,” Naughty said. “This is the tournament that players like Jazz and Lucius Fox, so Frankie wanted to make sure that these guys get that same opportunity.

#“This allowed them to see where they are and what they need to work on so if we wanted to go to the pros or to college and just how much work they need to put in. So he wanted us to make the trip and after he died, we wanted to make sure that the boys could still make the trip.”

#Naughty said they were thrilled when the Simmons’ Class of 1985 at QC stepped up to the plate and made their donation, ensuring that three of the five guys from Simmons’ team will get to travel for free to play with all of the other players on the team.

#Additionally, Naughty said he reached out to John’s Department Store and the family once again came to his assistance and provided their support to the team.

#“It’s something Frankie wanted. It’s something that we talked about,” Naughty said. “It’s a great opportunity for these players to travel to the Perfect Game Tournament in Sandford, Florida, coached by Anfernee Seymour, which will comprise of five of Simmons’ players and the rest who are good enough to play 12-and-under.”

#A total of 14 players are on the team that will be coached by Seymour, Beckford and Naughty. There are also a number of parents who will be travelling to provide the support for the players during the tournament.

#“It’s a good opportunity for the players to get into the Perfect Game system, to get looked at by the high school, college and pro scouts so they can start keeping track of these players,” Naughty said. “We could not have done it without the support of the Class of 85 at QC and John’s Department Store. “We’re very thankful, very appreciative and very humbled. The boys appreciate you all so much. We are going to go over there and represent not just the Bahamas, but what coach Simmons would have wanted them to do and that is to display good sportsmanship, play to the best we can, leave it all on the field, have some fun and conduct yourselves like gentlemen and learn that these are steps to take you from being a boy into a man and so we are definitely excited to carry on his legacy.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/qc-class-1985-remember-frankie-simmons/?news

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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

UB long-distance runner Kenold Jean competes in the men’s 5,000m event.

UB sprinter Brianique Strachan competes in the women’s 200 metres.

UB sprinter Fridline Augustin competes in the women’s 400 metres.

UB sprinter Dennis Williamson hands the baton to Donya Roberts in the men’s 4×400 metres.

UB sprinter Jackson Ozias prepares to hand the baton to Lhevinne Joseph in the men’s 4×400 metres.

UB sprinter Donya Roberts prepares to hand the baton to Jackson Ozias in the men’s 4×400 metres.

UB sprinter Dennis Williamson competes in the men’s 400 metres. Photos: UB Athletics

#THE University of The Bahamas Track and Field team won the 4x400m relay at the St. Thomas University Season Opener meet over the weekend.

#The Mingoes also picked up four second place finishes and a third place finishes at the collegiate meet.

#The men’s 4x400m team of Dennis Williamson, Donya Roberts, Jackson Ozias and Lhevinne Joseph won the event in by 0.53 seconds in a time of 3 minutes 23.18 seconds. The Lynn University Knights placed second in 3:23.71.

#“This was an important win for team as this is our first international meet of the season,” head coach Ednal Rolle said. “I have a new team with nine freshman and we needed a win. We had a few second place finishes up to that point and when it came to the relay I told the guys that we need to leave with a win and they went out and made it happen.”

#Brianique Strachan had a great international season opener with two second place finishes. She took second in the women’s 100m 12.25 seconds and the 200m event in 25.57 seconds.

#“I felt good out there but even though I produced a PR in the 200 meters I felt that I could have done better,” Strachan said.

#Besides leading off the winning relay team, Williamson also finished second in the men’s 400m in 49.69 seconds. Donya Roberts finished 4th in 51.17 seconds.

#Joseph, who also anchored the winning relay team, finished third in the men’s 800m in 1:58.07.

#“I went out 56 seconds in the first 400 and that was good but I wasn’t 100 percent out there today so I was pleased with that performance,” Joseph said.

#Jackson Ozias finished 9th in 800m event in 2:04.86.

#High jumper Jaidyn Brown finished second in the event with a best clearance of 1.7m (5-6 15/16th).

#Sprinter Fridline Augustine took fourth in the women’s 400m in 1:01.29 and Gerline Belot finished 1:05.86.

#Sprinter Lakeicia Lewis finished 10th in the women’s 800m in 2:42.79.

#Long distance runner Kenold Jean finished 10th in the men’s 5000m event in 19:55.92.

#Sprinter Tevin Wright finished 13th in the men’s 200m event in 24.55 seconds and 16th in the men’s 100m in 11.69 seconds.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/ub-mingoes-track-field-team-wins-4×400-relay-st-th/?news

THE University of The Bahamas Mingoes men’s soccer team is scheduled to play their next game against the Bears FC at the Roscow A.L. Davies field at 5pm this Sunday. Photo: UB Athletics

As of Friday, February 24, 2023

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

#THE University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team seemed as if it just could not stop scoring against Baha Juniors Football Club in Bahamas Football Association play on Sunday at the Roscow AL Davies field.

#The Mingoes scored five goals each half against Baha Juniors, including a five-goal performance from Ronaldo Green en route to the 10-1 win for the Mingoes.

#Green scored in the 11th, 44th, 45th, 80th and 90th minutes for the Mingoes. He now leads the league in goals with 24 over nine matches. “We came out tonight and played hard to get the win,” he said.

#“It was great to score so many goals but it’s more important to get the win.”

#Green scored two goals off penalties. Midfielder Marc Ville started the scoring fest off for the Mingoes, connecting with the net in just the second minute of the match.

#Winger Jeremy Holland connected on a toe kick in the 15th minute to put the Mingoes up 3-0.

#Green, in addition to the 11th minute goal, also scored twice in the last minutes of the half to put the Mingoes up 5-0 at the break.

#Out of the break, midfielder Nathan Wells scored after advancing deep in the box for the easy goal in the 58th minute.

#Captain Marlon Barnes was awarded a free kick just out of the box in the 72nd minute of the match. The kick sailed over the wall and pass the opposing keeper for the goal.

#In the 82nd minute, winger Jervane Turnquest had a brilliant bending attack that sailed in the upper right corner of the goal for his first goal of the season. “It was a great goal for me,” Turnquest said. “I’ve been looking for that all season and to get it like that was really great. This sets us up for the harder matches coming up.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/24/ub-mingoes-men-earn-10-1-win-over-baha-juniors/?news

TOP sailor Joshua Higgins is hoping that he will qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

As of Thursday, February 23, 2023

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

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Growing up on Harbour Island and a lover of water sports, Joshua Higgins said he knew that one day he would follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, the late Jacob Higgins, his father Melvin Higgins and his uncle Dwayne Higgins.

#But instead of competing in the native sloop sailing, which the Higgins clan were renowned for, Higgins decided to venture into the Olympic-style sailing competition and has already established himself as the top Bahamian sailor and is hoping that he will qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

#Higgins, 19, has been a member of the Harbour Island Sailing Club since 2001, but through his British coach, Keir Clarke, he was able to move to Viana do Castelo, Portugal where he is training at the Viana Sailing Performance Club for the past year and-a-half for competition in the ILCA 7 sailing class.

#“I am now doing a lot of training because this is the year that I have to qualify for the Olympics,” Higgins said.

#On a daily basis, Higgins would report to training camp between 8-9:30am for an intense workout with his coach Miguel Andrade.

#After getting lunch, they return between 12-1pm for a short briefing of what the coaches will take them through for the next 2-3 hours.

#After they get off the water, Higgins said they go through a briefing with the coaches, who provide video coverage of what they did in practice. They also do some cycling on the road to help them build up their endurance.

#“Viana is a place where the weather here can get really strong,” said Higgins, who will be in Europe until June before he returns home for the Central American and Caribbean Games, which serves as a qualifier for the Pan American Games.

#Before returning home, Higgins will be back in competition at the PreCamp and Senior Europeans in Andora, Italy, March 7-17 before he competes in another event in Spain at the end of March.

#In April, he is expected to participate in the French Olympic Week in Hyeres, France April 22-29 and the YES Regatta and PreCamp May 25-29 in Germany.

#Higgins is hoping that he can improve on his previous best international competition where he got third place in the Dominican’s Olympic Regatta.

#On the local scene, Higgins has emerged as the top ranked Bahamian in the Bahamas Youth Sailing Club. He has won the Sir Durward Knowles National Sailing Regatta in 2021, only to finish as the runner-up last year.

#The emphasis for Higgins right now is to qualify the Bahamas for the Olympics.

#“That’s a big goal of mine. I want to prove a lot of the doubters wrong,” he said. “A lot of people doubted me, but at the same time, I got some more supporters. I’m going to give it my best shot.”

#In order to qualify for the Olympics, Higgins would have to finish in the top 16 in the ISET Senior World Championships. If he fails there, he can get one of the two spots from the Pan American Games in October, or he will have to wait for the World Championships in Adelaide, Australia.

#Higgins said he doesn’t miss home as he did at first, but he is in constant communication with his parents, Melvin and Gem Clarke, and other family members and friends, so he feels right at home.

#He said he’s on a mission and he wants to achieve his goal and Portugal has turned out to be the right fit for him, thanks to coach Clarke.

#“At first it was pretty hard, being so young and being away from home,” said Higgins, who was 17 when he made the transition to Portugal.

#“Being away from home, getting used to how people do things over here and getting used to the environment, the culture and the temperature, all of that had a big effect. “But having made the adjustment, I love it. I now consider this my second home. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. It’s almost like Nassau. It’s like a city, but it’s not a big city. It has its sights and a lot of history, which I’m big on, and the environment is very good for sailing. The people are nice and the food is good.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/23/higgins-aims-qualify-olympics/?news

 Home|SportsSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 23, 2023 220 1 minute read

Bahamian Dakarai Turnquest continues to excel in billiards internationally, moving through the rounds of the double elimination 2023 BCA (Billiard Congress of America) Pool League World Championships at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The mega pool event got underway on Wednesday in Las Vegas, and the 16-year-old pool shark from Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, wasted little time in establishing himself as one of the top shooters in the tournament.

Up to press time last night, Turnquest had already won his first three matches, taking down Americans Roger Geary, Steve Ellsworth and Jeremiah Huskey. In the race to six, Turnquest won 6-2, 6-5 and 6-3 over the three Americans, and was set to take on Willy Lucero, another American, last night. The result of that match was unavailable up to press time.

It certainly doesn’t get any easier for the young Bahamian as the competition is expected to stiffen in the coming days.

Competing in one of the toughest segments of the tournament, Nine-Ball Singles – Platinum Division, Turnquest is battling, continuing to validate his standing among the top junior shooters in the region. He made the quarterfinals of the SVB (Shane Van Boening) Junior Open segment of the US Open Pool Championships, and was fourth at the 32nd Annual Valley National Eight-Ball Association (VNEA) World Junior Championships last year.

Following the Nine-Ball Singles competition, he will compete in Eight-Ball Singles, Eight-Ball Doubles and is looking to qualify for the professional segment of the 10-day tournament which is now into Day Two in Las Vegas.

About 12-15 pool shooters from The Bahamas are competing in the 

international tournament, but just a handful in the platinum division. In total, there are 148 competitors in the platinum division and more than 600 in the entire tournament.

The Billiard Congress of America (BCA) is the governing body for cue sports in the United States of America (USA) and Canada, and a regional member organization of the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

Turnquest continues to make a name for himself in the game of pool, and by extension cue sports. He is the youngest pool master in the country and is regarded as one of the top junior pool shooters in the region.

https://thenassauguardian.com/turnquest-moving-through-the-rounds-at-world-championships/

 Home|SportsSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailFebruary 23, 2023 106 2 minute read

The 50th CARIFTA Games are just six weeks away and anticipation for the event continues to grow.

Last Thursday, Pauline Davis, dubbed the Dame of the 50th CARIFTA Games, commenced her roadshow, visiting as many of the schools within New Providence as possible, and stirring up support for the young athletes as they prepare for the upcoming event, scheduled for April 8-10, at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Davis encouraged the students to pursue a career in athletics, which had opened many doors for her and gave her something positive to focus her gifts and life on.

In preparation of the upcoming 50th CARIFTA Games, the CARIFTA Trials is set for March 25-27, at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium.

Davis began her school visits with her alma mater, Government High School (GHS). At GHS, she inspired the young students and athletes to remember their pride and legacy as a school and as Bahamians.

Davis shared her story about the triumphant race that propelled her to recognition. In 1984, she won the Austin Sealy Award for most outstanding athlete, and helped The Bahamas to win CARIFTA that year with her final leg of the under-20 girls 4×400 meters (m) relay.

Davis encouraged the students to remember that this year, they are chasing “gold” at the 50th CARIFTA Games.

“Remember that our 242 pride runs deep,” she said.

According to Davis, the 50th CARIFTA Games Local Organizing Committee (LOC) looks forward to each school participating in the cheer competition, in which the details will be released shortly, and is headed by event partner DasQuay of DasQuay Entertainment. It will be an opportunity for each school to show their support for their fellow athletes and Bahamians as they carry the pride of a nation on their backs on the track.

Davis’ most recent school visit was to C.I. Gibson Senior High School where she continued to encourage the students to remember to support their fellow students and athletes. One athlete she highlighted and thanked for his dedication as a young man was Johnathon Rodgers – bronze medalist for The Bahamas for 2022 CARIFTA Games.

“I am happy and grateful that you decided to pick up a pair of cleats instead of a knife or gun and do something positive,” she said.

Davis’ school visits, on the ‘Road to CARIFTA’, will continue with her stopping at several schools on New Providence, encouraging athletes and young persons to do their best.

“Whether you are on the track or in the stands cheering your fellow Bahamians this CARIFTA, come gold with us,” she said.

Tickets for CARIFTA are now available for purchase online at www.carifta50.com or at the box office for CARIFTA at the Western Grandstand entrance of the Thomas. A. Robinson National Stadium.

For more information, interested persons can visit www.carifta50.com or follow CARIFTA on its social media pages – @carifta2023 or on Facebook.

https://thenassauguardian.com/dame-of-carifta-pauline-davis-visits-schools/

 Home|SportsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 23, 2023 109 2 minute read

The Bahamas’ senior men’s national basketball team is set to continue its play in the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Americas World Cup Qualifiers, with a rematch against Venezuela, this time at the Poliedro de Caracas in Caracas, Venezuela, this evening.

The game gets underway at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and can be viewed live on FIBA’s YouTube page.

The team arrived in Venezuela from early in the week and got some practices in with the head coach from the last window, Moses Johnson. This is the first half of the final window of competition. The second half will be against Panama in Panama City, Panama, on Sunday, in which The Bahamas will go after a sweep of that nation.

“The guys have started to build some cohesion,” Johnson said. “I like the energy from the guys and they seem to be getting along well. The coaching staff is pleased with what we have seen so far. We will be ready for Venezuela.”

Making up the squad are Kadeem Coleby, Dominick Bridgewater, Godfrey Rolle III, Ahmad Pratt, Robert Nortmann, Kentwan Smith, Livingston Munnings, Roosevelt Whyley, Qyemah Gibson, Bradley Nairn and Jean Rony Cadot.

“The selection was an arduous process,” Johnson said. “We had several injuries, guys stuck in their playing town where they could not get visas, some players could not travel at the last minute but we are here. I always stick with my guns because the team that we have is the team that is supposed to be here. We are going to prepare them for Thursday and I am sure that we are going to give a great effort.”

The last time The Bahamas played Venezuela was back in August here at home at the Kendal G.L Isaacs National Gymnasium. In that game, Bahamian National Basketball Association (NBA) players Chavano “Buddy” Hield and Kai Jones suited up for The Bahamas, but Venezuela’s fourth quarter surge earned them an 86-81 win.

“We are telling the players to stay resolute, connected, together and focused. We do not want them to mind the noise in the market. This place is going to be rocking with people screaming and being negative but we have to stick together. We have to worry about what we can control and not worry about the rest,” Johnson said.

The Bahamas cannot qualify for the FIBA World Cup anymore as the team sits in fifth place in Group E with a 3-7 win/loss record. However, they can play spoiler to Venezuela who has an identical 7-3 record with the Dominican Republic and Argentina.

“We have an opportunity to rank in the top 10 in the Americas. It is something that we have never done, so this is important. We cannot qualify but Venezuela is on the cusp of qualifying. They are tied with the Dominican Republic and Argentina, so we can come in here in a hostile environment and send them home packing from qualification and add them to the pools in future tournaments in the summer. This is very important for us, especially against Venezuela to put out our best effort forward and go out there and win both of these games, and help ourselves in the world rankings,” Johnson said.

The Bahamas’ play in the November window moved them up three spots to number 57 on the global scale with 188.9 points. They are at number 13 in the Americas.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-takes-on-venezuela-tonight/