As of Tuesday, October 18, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#CHICAGO Cubs prospect BJ Murray has limited opportunities in the Arizona Fall League thus far, but continued his power hitting from the regular season in his last plate appearance.

#In his third game for the Mesa Solat Sox, Murray hit a two-run home run to help lead his team to a 9-7 win over the Glendale Desert Dogs.

#In seven appearances Murray has an .821 OPS and scored two runs.

#The Solar Sox are now 6-5 in the standings, second to Tahnaj Thomas and the Surprise Saguaros.

#The 22-year-old infielder has made a successful transition to High-A baseball and his progression within the Cubs organisation. Murray and his South Bend Cubs claimed the Midwest League Championship series in High A baseball. He hit .545 for the series.

#In 56 games with South Bend, Murray hit .273, slugging .406, with a .794 OPS, with 51 hits, 22 runs scored, eight doubles, five home runs, 28 RBI and eight stolen bases.

#The struggles have continued on the mound for Thomas in his AFL season thus far.

#In his latest appearance, Thomas allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits, a walk and two strikeouts in 2/3 of an inning. Thomas owns a 17.18 ERA in 3.2 innings pitched in the AFL. He spent his regular season with the Altoona Curve at the AA level.

#In 37 games this year, he finished with a 5-4 record and three saves. He pitched 50.2 innings, with a 3.02 ERA and 52 strikeouts.

#The league attracts many of the top prospects in the minor leagues.

#Late in the minor league seasons, MLB clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will participate in the AFL. Most are Double-A and Triple-A players.

#The league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives who are in attendance at almost every game.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/oct/18/bj-murray-hits-2-run-homer-afl/?news

SHOWN, from left to right, are Hadassah Knowles, women’s national team player, Daria Adderley, women’s national team head coach, James Gomez, chief Aliv officer, Fred Lunn, BFA secretary general, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg, Gavin Christie, men’s national team head coach, Kelsie Johnson, director of sports, Lesly St Fleur, men’s national team head coach and Anya James, BFA executive vice president.

As of Tuesday, October 18, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Beach soccer returns to the shores of The Bahamas as the country’s men’s and women’s teams will compete against their counterparts throughout the region this weekend.

#The Bahamas Football Association and Beach Soccer Worldwide will host The Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup, October 21-23 in the National Beach Soccer Stadium at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge.

#The men’s division includes The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and Costa Rica while in the women’s division The Bahamas will compete against Trinidad and Turks and Caicos.

#Gates open at 4pm each day and the first match begins at 6pm. Admission to the general public is free of charge.

#Both head coaches of Team Bahamas called it an exciting moment for local beach soccer as the players anticipate an eager return to the pitch.

#Head coach of the women’s team, Daria Adderley, said the event is an opportunity to showcase the budding programme, ranked no.18 by BSWW.

#“This is our first international tournament here in The Bahamas so for the women here that will be playing, they are very excited to have the country see them perform,” she said.

#“We played in a tournament in El Salvador a few months ago and we had a very good showing. We want the country to know that the women are just as good as the men, even better in some respects.”

#Forward Hadassah Knowles added: “We’ve been training very hard, team chemistry is at its peak so we have nothing but high hopes for this tournament. “I’m very happy to be playing for my country in front of country and it’s an amazing opportunity so I’m very excited.”

#The team will face Turks and Caicos on October 22 and Trinidad and Tobago on October 23.

#The men’s national team programme is currently ranked no.38 by BSWW. Colombia is ranked the highest in the tournament at number 26 while Costa Rica is no. 52. Trinidad and Tobago is at no. 54.

#They will open competition on October 21 against Trinidad and Tobago, followed by a matchup against Costa Rica the following day and concludes on the final day against Colombia.

#Gavin Christie has moved from the sand to the sidelines and will serve as head coach for the first time.

#“Beach soccer is finally back to The Bahamas. Unfortunately with all that happened with COVID, the sport had to sit back for a while, we’ve been off for nearly two years, so now finally coming back to our shores we are excited,” he said.

#“This is my first moving away from being a player, headed into a coaching role and I’m excited as a new venture. This team is excited, they’ve been begging for an opportunity to play. Last time we played was abroad and was prior to COVID, so we haven’t played at home at this level since the World Cup. The team is ready, we’re at the fine-tuning stage just a few days left working on tactical stuff to ensure that we are ready to go.”

#Veteran striker Lesly St Fleur said: “We’ve been preparing. We’ve trained but haven’t played enough games. Happy to have the games here and we get to showcase in front of the country.”

#ALIV will serve as the Conch Shell Title Sponsor for the event.

#“As the home of entertainment in the Bahamas, we consider it our business to support local entities such as the BFA. We are proud to offer premium content to our subscribers via Our TV and also our Direct TV platform. We are providing in kind sponsorship by way of WiFi so persons attending the event can be able to share their experiences live with friends and family members who are not here with them,” said chief Aliv Officer John Gomez. “We are proud to always support organisations such as this, and we will continue to invest in the community so we want to encourage the public to come out because it is so meaningful to encourage, give back and support our athletes.”

#Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg said he hopes for this event to be a catalyst for the growth of the sport throughout the country.

#“It is expected that the event will be exciting for all and we should all support our national teams in their return to international competition. The Bahamas has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This sport, that showcases both our stunning nature and athletic expertise – we hope that this event can be a catalyst for this sport to grow throughout the family islands and that beach soccer can be enjoyed by Bahamians on every island,” he said.

#“The country also has the only world-class beach soccer stadium in the region, and as Bahamians, we should hope that our country can continue to put on world-class events in paradise.”

#The Bahamas has hosted the 2017 World Cup event as well as the 2018 Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup.

#BFA secretary general Fred Lunn said the continued legacy of hosting these marquee events provides unparalleled exposure.

#“This event will be broadcast to 130 countries around the world so we are going to get tremendous exposure. Other countries will be watching what is happening here, particularly those in the CONCACAF region. We are looking to be one of the countries submitting a bid to host the World Cup Qualifiers here in 2023. We did it several years ago and it was a tremendous success. It was the biggest viewership of any event CONCACAF has ever put on, so we are hoping to repeat that. When we hosted the World Cup here in 2017, we had some 54,000 local people attend that event,” he said. “We are so thankful for the consistent support of the government of The Bahamas, corporate Bahamas, the sporting community – made up of our coaches, our players, our fans, the BFA team has worked around the clock, to ensure the success of this upcoming event.”

 Home|Sports|Chess players participate in 2022 Heroes Day BlitzSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailOctober 18, 2022 145 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

After a two-year hiatus, the Bahamas Chess Federation’s (BCF) Annual Heroes Day Blitz Chess Tournament resumed on Saturday, October 8.

Chapell Whyms emerged as the champion.

There were 26 chess players who competed in the fast-paced tournament which was held at the Student Union Building Lounge on the University of The Bahamas campus. The annual tournament is held to celebrate local great heroes of the past and our modern-day heroes, including our chess heroes who have dedicated many years to help develop the cognitive skills of our people.

Avian Pride secured second place and Kendrick Knowles placed third. In the junior division, Chika Pride came out on top. Joshua Rolle placed second and Taivan Thompson secured third place.

“The response for the 2022 Heroes Day Blitz was encouraging. I was particularly excited to see the number of young chess players participating and to learn of the emergence of so many chess clubs in schools throughout The Bahamas,” said Knowles, president, BCF.

“I would like to express my gratitude once again to the University of The Bahamas for hosting the tournament. The blitz is a great learning experience for new players and those attempting to improve their chess skills. I encourage all players, particularly less experienced players, to participate in more tournaments. I also encourage chess clubs to partner with the BCF as we all work together to grow the sport of chess in The Bahamas.”

The blitz-style format of the tournament requires that players think quickly and keep a cool head. The term blitz describes chess games with a time control of 10 minutes or less.

https://thenassauguardian.com/chess-players-participate-in-2022-heroes-day-blitz/

 Home|Sports|Bain defends ITA titleSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailOctober 18, 2022 208 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian collegiate tennis player Jacobi Bain successfully defended his title at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) consolation bracket, on Saturday in the ITA Cup Tennis Championships at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

The Xavier University of Louisiana player went up against the 27th ranked NAIA player, Soufiane El Meshabi from Keiser University. To get here, Bain defeated Daniel Vishnick from Cardinal Stritch 6-2 and 6-1 in the first round. Saturday saw him taking down El Mesbahi in two sets. Bain was victorious with a 6-2 and 7-5 scoreline.

Bain lost in the main draw quarterfinals to Georgia Gwinnett’s number-two seed, Alex Gurmendi. He lost 4-6 and 3-6.

Next on the calendar for Bain and his team is a stop in New Orleans at the Dillard Invitational on October 28-29.

In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I ITA Southern Regional, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers’ Sydney Clarke was eliminated in the 32nd round in the singles on Saturday. Clarke and her teammate Maggie White made it to the quarterfinals of the doubles, but did not get any further.

In the singles, Clarke went up against Jackson State University’s Anna Syrova. The match needed three sets to determine a winner. Clarke lost the first set 1-6 before bouncing back in the second set to win 6-4. In the third set, Clarke was unable to take down Syrova, as the Bahamian lost 3-6.

It was a close battle in the doubles, as Clarke and White went against Mississippi State University’s Emmanouela Antonaki and Gia Cohen. The Blazers duo fell 7-8.

Clarke returns to action in the Roberta Allison Fall Classic, set for October 28-30 at the University of Alabama’s Alabama Tennis Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

In action on Sunday was national team member Elana Mackey. She and her Mars Hill University Lions took on Converse University, but fell 3-4 in a close battle.

Playing at home at the Hart Tennis Complex, Mackey and doubles partner Amanda Kadiri took down Tonya Glogowski-Watson 6-3 to help the Lions secure the doubles point. Mackey then played at the number one singles slot and took down the Valkyries’ Glogowski-Watson in two straight sets, 6-1 and 6-4. However, the visitors won four of the six singles matches to win the matchup 4-3.

This was the end of the Lions’ fall portion of the season, as they head into the winter season with a 4-1 record. The winter season gets underway on February 10 against Belmont Abbey College.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bain-defends-ita-title/

 Home|Sports|Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup set for this weekendSports

Bahamas men’s national beach soccer team will face Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica

Simba FrenchSend an emailOctober 18, 2022 228 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Football Association (BFA) announced that it will be hosting the Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup at the Beach Soccer Stadium at Malcolm Park, at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. The event is set for this Friday through Sunday.

The official announcement was made at a press conference held at the stadium yesterday, as the BFA also introduced its title sponsor and partner.

The Bahamas men’s national beach soccer team will face Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago and Costa Rica. Members of the women’s national team, who will be playing for the first time at home, will play host to Trinidad and Tobago and neighboring Turks and Caicos Islands.

Head coach for the women’s team, Daria Adderley said that it is great to finally be playing at home after playing outside the country in international tournaments.

“This is our first international tournament here in The Bahamas. We are going to be playing on Saturday and Sunday. We are very excited for the tournament and happy that the country will get to see us perform,” Adderley said.

The team is ranked at number 18 in the world. Their two opponents come into the tournament unranked.

Gavin Christie, former men’s national beach soccer player, who will now be coaching the team, is elated to be back in the stadium.

“Beach soccer is finally back in The Bahamas,” Christie said. “Due to COVID, the sport had to sit back for a while and we were off for the past year and a half to two. We finally have it back on our shores, we are excited. I am excited in the new venture where I move from player to coach. The team has been begging for an opportunity to play.”

The Bahamas is ranked at number 38 in the world. Colombia is ranked the highest in the tournament at number 26, while Costa Rica is at number 52. Trinidad and Tobago is positioned at number 54.

Playing at the forward position for the women is Hadassah Knowles. She will be looking to score her first international goal.

“I am very excited to be playing in this tournament. We have been training very hard and team chemistry is at its peak, so nothing but high hopes for this tournament. I’m very happy to be playing for and in front of my country,” Knowles said.

Knowles will be joined on the women’s squad by Gina Stubbs, Jade Thelamour, Jada Thelamour, Janeka Edey, Angel Williams, Samina Moss, Taleah Thompson, Karina Almonor and Rondrica Paul.

The assistant coach is LaShane Dean and the equipment manager is Ariell Rolle.

Lesly St. Fleur, a veteran on the men’s team, was recently shortlisted as one of the 100 best male beach soccer players in the world. He said the team has been working hard in practice.

“The team is prepared for the tournament this weekend. We have been preparing very hard even during the pandemic but not playing enough games. We are happy that we finally get the games here and we get to showcase our talents in front of our country. We hope to be victorious and make the country proud,” St. Fleur said.

Making up the men’s team other than St. Fleur, are Brandon Adderley, Michael Butler, Ivan Rolle, Kyle Williams, Gary Joseph, Evelt Julmis, Ian Winder, Peter Julmis and Jean Francois.

The team manager is Julian Smith.

The title sponsor of the event is Aliv. Chief Aliv Officer John Gomez, who considers it Aliv’s mandate to support local entities like the BFA, announced the company’s role at the event. They will be providing premium content to its subscribers to enjoy via the Our TV and Rev TV platforms. They will also be providing free Wi-Fi for patrons at the game.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg is excited about the attention The Bahamas will receive from this event.

“It is great that beach soccer is coming back to The Bahamas. It is a growing sport that has continued to excite fans across the world. The acrobatic and fast plays provide entertainment for even the casual fans. It is expected that the event will bring excitement for all and we should all support our national teams and their return to international competition.”

Games will get underway at 6 p.m. on the three days. The Bahamian men will play at 8:30 p.m. each day, while the Bahamian women play at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamas-beach-soccer-cup-set-for-this-weekend/

As of Monday, October 17, 2022

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RASHIELD WILLIAMS

#RASHIELD Williams took on a new opponent on short notice and suffered his first loss at the professional level in over two years.

#Williams suffered a loss via split decision to Elijah Flores Saturday night on the BoxLab Promotions card at the Caribe Royale Center in Orlando, Florida.

#Flores outscored Williams 58-56, 56-58 and 59-55 to win the welterweight bout.

#Williams, 33, was originally scheduled to face undefeated Jeovanny Estela (9-0, 3KOs) in a six-round bout, while Flores, 18, was scheduled to face Dylan Hale.

#Williams’ last loss at the professional level also came via a split decision, at the hands of Javaune James in March 2019 at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami, Florida.

#The veteran welterweight now has a record of 6-2 with 5KOs. Prior to this weekend, he last appeared in the ring with a TKO win over Daniel Arriaga on September 17 at the Alessi Fitness Gym in Tampa, Florida. He began 2022 with a TKO win over Daniel Molina on January 28 at the Hialeah Park Racing & Casino in Hialeah, Florida.

#In August, Williams returned to the national team level and represented the Bahamas at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/oct/17/rashield-williams-loses-split-decision/?news

As of Monday, October 17, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#MANAGER Darren Stevens liked what he saw from his C&S Hitmen in game one of their New Providence Softball Association men’s best-of-five championship series at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex on Saturday night.

#Veteran Edney ‘the Heat’ Bethel was in vintage form, spinning a three hitter with 16 strikeouts and designated player Hosea Hilton and pinch hitter Rudy Fox came through with a pair of clutch hits to seal the deal.

#Those performances enabled C&S to pull off a close 3-1 victory over the Cyber Tech Blue Marlins to snatch the initial lead in the series that will continue with game two at 9pm on Tuesday night.

#“This was a hard-fought game. We didn’t expect anything less,” Steven said. “Edney did his job, He came out with 16 strikeouts and we were able to muster a few runs. That was all we needed.”

#The Hitmen didn’t score until the bottom of the second when they pushed a pair of runs across home plate from right fielder Edron Knowles and left fielder Martin Burrows Jr, thanks to a two-run single from Hilton.

#Losing pitcher Thomas Davis held their bats in check until the sixth when Fox came in to pinch hit for Bethel. He ripped a shot to right-centre field for a lead off triple.

#But after he failed to score on Sherman Ferguson’s fly ball to centre field, Stevens brought Johnson back to run for Fox. On a wild pitch, he managed to race home with their insurance run.

#“We just have to be consistent and cash in on the runs when we need them,” said Stevens as they needed the run on Fox’s stand up triple that saw Johnson scoot home.

#“We have to be able to score the runs and cash in on when the opportunities arise. But once our defence stays steady and our pitching is steady, we should be able to pull off the win.”

#Davis ended up giving up four hits with eight strikeouts.

#The Blue Marlins drew first blood, scoring their only run in the top of the second when with one-out, catcher Garfield Bethel got a single off Bethel.

#After moving up to second on a wild pitch, Bethel eventually scored from second on a passed ball.

#Cyber Tech blew a pair of scoring opportunities after that, the first coming in the fourth as right fielder Winston Seymour got a lead off double, but was left stranded as C&S got the next three batters out.

#Then in the seventh with one out, left fielder Lamar Watkins singled, stole second and reached third in a ground out, but Bethel struck out second baseman Stephen Russell to end the game.

#As they prepare for game two on Tuesday, Stevens said there’s no doubt that their ace Alcott Forbes, who started at third base, will be on the mound for the Hitmen.

#“We are looking for the same hard-fought effort from them from that aspect of the game, but they will have to do it against our ace Alcott Forbes,” Stevens said.

#“It’s no secret, he will get the ball.

#“So as long as we stay consistent like we did tonight (Saturday), we will be alright.”

#The Marlins, with Marcus Pratt handling the managerial chores, are expected to counter with Eugene Pratt on the mound. Pratt played third base in game one.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/oct/17/npsa-best-5-hitmen-take-game-1/?news

As of Monday, October 17, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE Sunshine Auto Lady Wildcats had their hands full with the R&B Lady Operators, but they showed why they are still considered the best team in the women’s New Providence Softball Association.

#In game one of their best-of-five championship series on Saturday night in the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the Lady Wildcats held off the Lady Operators 7-5 to take the opener.

#Game two of the series will be played at 7pm on Tuesday with game three on Thursday.

#Winning pitcher Thela Stevens helped her own cause with a 1-for-3 night with three runs batted in, while scoring a run.

#Third sacker Lynette Kelly was 2-for-3 with a RBI, shortstop Larikah Russell was 1-for-2 with a RBI and a run scored, left fielder Tyrice Davis was 1-for-3 with a run and scratcher Aaliyah Ferguson was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

#How she feels about the team’s performance in Game 1?

#“I am elated about the mindset and the performance of my team going into game 1,” Russell said.

#“There was a lot of excitement and appreciation leading up to tonight, but we were able to channel that energy and nerves positively.

#“Our game plan was to be aggressive, swing at strikes and control the middle of the plate. In my view, I felt like we executed that extremely well and our defence was strong as expected.”

#Despite giving up 10 hits, Stevens struck out four batters to outduel Diva Burrows, who had a pretty good night on the mound with a seven-hitter and three strikeouts.

#It was a night for Sunshine Auto as proprietor and Lady Wildcats’ sponsor Deanza ‘Sonny’ Cox hosted a charity night on behalf of women battling breast cancer with proceeds going to the Sister Sister Organisation.

#There were also a lot of prizes given away as another sponsor Bommer George joined in the festive occasion.

#On the field, the Lady Wildcats took the spotlight as well, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning as Stevens highlighted the attack with a three-run home run.

#That was followed by an RBI double from Kelly and a run-producing fielder’s choice from first sacker Crystal Finley.

#Sunshine Auto added two more runs in the fifth with Russell coming through with a RBI sacrifice fly.

#The Lady Operators, however, made it close when they responded with two runs in the third on first sacker Jeanette Hilton’s RBI double for a 5-2 deficit. They came up with another run in the sixth on an error that got right fielder Francheska McBridge on base.

#She eventually scored on another miscue to cut the deficit to 7-3.

#And in the seventh, R&A put two more runs on the scoreboard, thanks to catcher Brianna Knowles’ one-out RBI triple and McBridge’s RBI groundout.

#The Lady Wildcats were just two runs ahead of them every time they made a run at it.

#Knowles finished with a 2-for-4 night at the plate with a RBI and a run scored, Hilton was 2-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored and left fielder Sheryl Evans was 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Lady Operators, who will have to regroup for game two on Tuesday.

#“For game two, people should prepare to see us win again once we remain focused on our goals, improve upon mistakes made in the first game and be prepared to have fun,” Russell told the Lady Operators.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/oct/17/npsa-women-wildcats-win-opener/?news

As of Monday, October 17, 2022

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#SOFTBALL/BASEBALL GSSSA SEASON OPENING

#THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) will begin its 2022/23 sports calendar with softball and baseball on Monday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

#• Here’s a look at the games on the schedule starting at 4pm:

• Anatol Rodgers vs LW Young junior girls softball.
• Anatol Rodgers vs LW Young junior boys baseball.
• RM Bailey vs CV Bethel senior girls softball.
• RM Bailey vs CV Bethel senior boys baseball.
• TA Thompson vs HO Nash junior girls softball.
• TA Thompson vs HO Nash junior boys baseball.
• CI Gibson vs DW Doris Johnson senior girls softball.
• CI Gibson vs Doris Johnson senior boys baseball.

#BASKETBALL CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS LEAGUE

#After opening up its regular season Friday at Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road, the Catholic Diocesan Primary Schools will continue its basketball competition on Friday at 3:30pm with another series of games.

#St Francis/Joseph Shockers will play St Cecilia’s and Xavier’s Giants will face St Thomas More Sparks.

#BASKETBALL TEMPLE CHRISTIAN TOURNEY

#THE Temple Christian Academy Basketball Tournament is back. The tournament for mini and primary girls and boys got started on Monday and will continue with games every day from 4pm until Friday when the championships are played.

#The tournament is back after a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19.

#VOLLEYBALL BSAA VOLLEYBALL

#THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association will continue its regular season action in volleyball today at the Tom ‘the Bird’ Grant Community Center in Yellow Elder at 4pm.

#Games will be played every day with competition in the junior and senior boys and girls divisions.

#VOLLEYBALL NPVA ACTION

#The New Providence Volleyball Association is back in full swing with games being played at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

#After opening up the season yesterday, the league will continue with games every Wednesday and Friday at 7:30pm and on Sundays at 3pm.

#SOFTBALL NPSA FINALS

#The New Providence Softball Association will continue its best-of-five championship series at 7pm on Tuesday night with the ladies’ opener between the defending champions Sunshine Auto Lady Wildcats and the R&B Lady Operators.

#The men’s encounter between the defending champions C&S Hitmen and the Cyber Tech Blue Marlins will follow.

#Game three of both series will be played on Thursday.

#If necessary, the fourth game will take place on Saturday.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/oct/17/sports-notes/?news

As of Monday, October 17, 2022

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Zane Knowles

Lashann Higgs

TRAVIS MUNNINGS

KENTWAN SMITH

WILLIS Mackey Jr

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#BAHAMIAN pro basketball players across various leagues in Europe produced season highs in early season play for their new clubs.

#In Bulgaria’s National Basketball League, Zane Knowles was dominant for the CSKA Sofia Reds in their narrow 70-68 win on the road over Shumen on Saturday night.

#Knowles finished with 17 points, a game high 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. He shot 6-9 from the field and 5-6 from the free-throw line.

#The Reds moved to 1-1 after an opening night loss to Spartak Pleven, 91-65.

#Knowles finished with 14 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench.

#The Reds earned a promotion to the NBL after winning the BBL, Group A title last season and will play in the Bulgarian basketball elite for the first time after a 13-year hiatus.

#Knowles returned from injury last season to conclude the year with Levski Sofia and helped the team reach the NBL semifinal.

#In five regular season games, he averaged 10.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

#Lashann Higgs scored a season high 19 points to lead Hozono Global Jairis to an 83-75 win over her former club Bembibre PDM in Spain’s Liga Femenina Endesa.

#She shot 3-5 from beyond the arc, 4-5 from the free throw line and also added five assists in 31 minutes.

#The third-year guard is the early scoring leader for Jairis in her first season with the club at 10.7 points per game.

#Higgs opened the season with nine points and grabbed five rebounds in her club’s 64-51 win over Cadi La Seu. She concluded last season in the Liga Femenina Endesa with Lointek Gernika Bizkaia. In 25 games she averaged 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

#Jairis head coach Lucas Fernández said he has lofty expectations for the impact Higgs will have on the club for the 2022-23 campaign.

#“Lashann Higgs is a player who, within her humility and effort, has a great capacity to generate advantages from her one on one skills, with the ability to finish, to assist, and with great physical abilities in defence,” he said.

#“She is a player who from the beginning has shown us great enthusiasm for joining our team and who I am sure will work hard to offer us her best version.”

#Several players in France made their respective season debuts.

#It was a winning debut for Travis Munnings in his promotion to the French ProB League with his Boulazac Basket Dordogne basketball club. He finished with five points and three rebounds in an 82-75 win over Lille Métropole in the opener.

#Munnings has averaged 10.6 points, four rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the preseason Leaders Cup.

#Last season, Boulazac finished 13th in league standings at 13-19. The front office has been optimistic about the impact they expect Munnings to have.

#“Munnings is a small forward that is very versatile. He is able to evolve and play shooting guard but also a power forward.

#“He will bring volume to the team,” they said in a press release issued by the team.

#“Munnings is an athletic player by his physicality. He plays on both sides of the ball with a lot of intensity and he knows how to adapt and put himself at the service of his team.”

#Munnings previously played in France when he made his pro debut with La Rochelle Stade Rochelais of France’s NM1 League. He averaged 17.5 points, eight rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in his brief stint with the club.

#Willis Mackey also made his regular season debut with Lyon in the French Nationale Masculine 1 League.

#He finished with 11 points, a team high three steals, two rebounds and two assists in his club’s 87-84 win over Kayserberg.

#Mackey joined the club as a medical transfer for the next three months.

#“His arrival will compensate for the prolonged absence of our American interior Michael Craion,” the club said of Mackey’s signing. “It is therefore a high quality reinforcement that joins Team Lyon for the next few months.”

#Mackey spent last season with another NM1 club, Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration.

#In 33 games, the fourth year forward averaged 11.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 62 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from three-point range.

#Also in the NM1 League, Davis and Vendee Challans Basket ended a brief two-game skid with two consecutive wins.

#He finished with a season high 16 points and six rebounds in an 81-77 win over Tarbes Lourdes and added eight points and five rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench last night in an 81-77 win over Rueil.

#The second year pro has averaged 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game through five games thus far.

#The NM1 is the professional level third-tier division in France. The two top teams from each season of the competition are promoted to the LNB Pro B, which is the French second division

#Kentwan Smith had a game high scoring effort and near double double in his debut for the Svendborg Rabbits of the Basketligaen – the top division in the country.

#Smith scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds – both team highs – in his team’s 78-76 loss to Vaerlose. Smith shot 8-13 from the field, including 3-4 from three-point range.

#Smith spent the last two seasons with Garonne ASPTT in France’s NM2 league.

#In 23 appearances, he averaged 15.4 points per game. In the previous season, he averaged 12.9 points per game and Garonne ended the regular season with the second-best record in the league.

#In addition to Denmark and France, Smith’s pro career has taken him to Finland, Mexico, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/oct/17/bahamian-pro-basketball-players-euro-spotlight/