Home|Sports|Tomlinson wins title at Fidelity Opti NationalsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailOctober 3, 2022 302 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

A number of Bahamian junior sailors were on the waters at Montagu Bay this past weekend, competing in the 2022 Fidelity Optimist National Championships.

Emerging with the top finish among the local sailors was Patrick Tomlinson. He sailed for the Lyford Cay Sailing Club and finished with 53 net points in the Championship Fleet, placing sixth overall, but first among the local sailors. Tomlinson’s highest finish was third place in the second race on Saturday.

There were 64 entries in that fleet as they sailed six races. Sailors from the United States of America and Puerto Rico were also on the water.

American Isabel Veiga, who sailed for the Lauderdale Yacht Club, was the overall winner with 30 points.

Placing as the second-highest Bahamian sailor was Craig Ferguson II from the Nassau Yacht Club. He finished with 60 net points, placing ninth overall. He won the fifth race which was yesterday.

Zane Munro finished as the third-highest local sailor with 71 net points, finishing 13th overall. His best finish was a seventh-place finish in the third race which was the first race on Sunday. Munro will be traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this week, for the Optimist South American Championships that start on Saturday.

In the Green Fleet, which were for the novices, Tyreese McKenzie from the Exuma Sailing Club won with eight net points. He won three of the six races. Hope Town’s Preston Thompson, of Abaco, was second with 19 points. Finishing third in that fleet was the Nassau Yacht Club’s Mateo Theberge with 20 net points.

Chairperson of the regatta Emma Tinkler said they were able to pull through despite inclement weather.

“Saturday saw very little wind,” Tinkler said. “We had postponements but we were able to have two races in the championship fleet and three races in the green fleet. Sunday saw a little bit more wind and a total of six races completed over the two days.”

She added, “Any large-scale regatta is a great experience for all of our sailors when you compare them with the American kids who are used to sailing in a huge fleet on a weekly basis. This is a great experience for Bahamians. We are five weeks away from the OPTINAMs (Optimist North American Championships) that takes place in November, so this is a great training ground for the OPTINAMs. That will see about 160 sailors from around the world competing.”

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Fidelity Bank Bahamas, the title sponsor, Gowon Bowe, said it is key to have young persons involved in sports and they are glad to be a part of it.

“We need to encourage the younger generation to start to be a part of sports, so this is a part of our heritage and it is a part of what we are as an identity as a country. When we see this opportunity here, not only for Bahamian participants, we have participants coming from all across the region; it is a huge thing. They were just recently proud that they had Grand Bahama and Abaco again along with Exuma and Eleuthera. When we talk about national events having all islands participating in that regard, it is a proud moment and we are happy to be a part of it,” Bowe said.

Bowe was out on the water on Sunday watching the races and was impressed with how the sailors performed. He is hoping more corporate sponsors get on board to support the junior athletes and sports in general.

“Going out and having an opportunity to be up close and personal with them – I can tell you the agility of these young kids, I wish I had that again. Seeing them spiral underneath the sails and pull up and have tactics to tackle the wind is a good thing. The discipline, training and instructions are aspects we do not appreciate as to why sports is so important to youth development,” Bowe said.

There were 101 registered sailors and 98 who raced overall. Tinkler said she was happy to see sailors from Grand Bahama and Abaco sailing, particularly after Hurricane Dorian destroyed their equipment three years ago, and the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their participation in competitions.

The Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA) will host the 2022 Optimist North American Championships (OPTINAMs) from November 13-20. It was also hosted in The Bahamas in 2019.

https://thenassauguardian.com/tomlinson-wins-title-at-fidelity-opti-nationals/

 Home|Business|Heat wrap up training camp in The BahamasSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailOctober 3, 2022 303 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Miami Heat completed a five-day training camp with an open practice in front of local basketball fans on Saturday in the Grand Ballroom at Baha Mar.

The five-day camp began on Tuesday with closed practices through Friday. The team also got the youth involved with its Jr. Heat clinic.

For team captain and veteran Udonis Haslem, this is his final year as a player in the NBA. He said it was a dream come to The Bahamas to start off his final year in The Bahamas.

“It was a great week,” Haslem said. “We got some work in. There was a little bit of rain. It held up pretty good. The young guys went out on the water slides while the older ones were able to get in some golf. It was a good balance of hard work and a mental break. There was a little solitude where you can go to your room and be by yourself, and tap in, or whatever. We had everything here that we needed to be successful and get a good start to the season.”

FTX Digital Markets, a partner of the Heat, facilitated the trip. The Heat also held training camps in The Bahamas in 2013 and 2016. Making the trip to The Bahamas this year were star players Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro, among others.

Haslem, who was at the first two training camps here, came suited up for the open practice session but did not go through the drills. However, he was vocal. At 42 years old and entering his 20th season, he said that some small injuries come with the age. As local fans watched and cheered them on as they went through fast break drills, half-court set plays and a full-court mini game, Haslem said that the atmosphere felt like a home game.

“When we come to The Bahamas it is so much love. They know our backgrounds, our history, my history with the Heat. They know my history of coming to The Bahamas and just spending time with the locals and hanging out under the dock (bridge). Also, doing the local things and enjoying the city and being a regular person, not separate myself, and always being able to be touched by the people, is something I embrace. They embraced me and I embraced them – its a match made in Heaven for both of us,” Haslem said.

Vice President of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for FTX Digital Markets Valdez Russell spoke about the community efforts by the Heat.

“Young people experienced an incredible opportunity as they participated in the Jr. Heat clinics,” Russell said. “The clinic’s coaching staff spoke highly of the talent they saw and expressed optimism about future collaborations in The Bahamas. At FTX, we recognize and commend individuals who give of their time and talent to harness and nurture Bahamian student-athletes.”

Haslem said their main goal this season is to win an NBA title. They lost in seven games to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals last season – one game away from advancing to the NBA Championship.

“We always have championship expectations. We do not come into a season thinking about anything else. We understand there is a long way to go before we get there. There are steps we have to take, and we have continued to bank that equity to stay healthy. Championship is always the goal for us. We don’t come with any other expectation – we don’t like to waste our time,” Haslem stated.

Russell stated that FTX Digital Markets will continue to do their part in collaborating with international partners and local stakeholders in developing sports in The Bahamas.

In the 2021-2022 season, the Heat finished with a 53-29 win/loss record. The team, which is coached by Erik Spoelstra, secured the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, but lost to the number two seeded Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Heat left The Bahamas on Saturday afternoon after its open practice session. They returned to Miami to get their preseason underway. They will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 7:30 p.m. at the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday.

https://thenassauguardian.com/heat-wrap-up-training-camp-in-the-bahamas/

 Home|Sports|Joseph wins open division at UB InvitationalSports

Inaugural cross country event for UB deemed a complete success

Simba FrenchSend an emailOctober 3, 2022 184 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

University of The Bahamas (UB) had 700-plus athletes participate in its inaugural UB Cross Country Invitational at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre on Saturday.

The meet featured races between one to four kilometers with the courses starting and ending at the sports center. The open division encompassed a four-kilometer course. The under-17 division featured a three-kilometer course. The under-15 and under-13 athletes had to push through a two-kilometer course and the under-11 athletes ran a one-kilometer course.

Head coach at UB Ednal Rolle was happy with the great showing from the high schools, primary schools and the clubs.

“Cross country is the new thing, and we are trying to develop distance runners here in The Bahamas. I have a cross country team and I am looking for new recruits and looking for the best just like other colleges. This is a great showing,” Rolle said.

The open men’s division title was won by UB’s Lhevinne Joseph in a time of 13:59. The freshman won over decathlon national record holderKen Mullings, and Ramon Miller – a member of The Bahamas’ ‘Golden Knights’ from 2012.

“My goal was to win. Coach told me that I should win this race, so I came out with the mindset of winning. I came here mostly to have fun but on the other hand, it is competitive, so I had to keep that competitive aspect. The whole plan of the race was to get out as comfortable as possible. As the race go on, you pick up the pace until time to finish,” Joseph said.

Miller from Unique Athletics was second in a time of 14:36. Joseph’s teammate Kenold Jean was third in a time of 14:59.

Joseph had previously run cross country in the United States this season but, this time, he got to run in front of family and friends.

“It was fun to run at home because you get family support – my mom was here. When you are abroad, you only have one or two people cheering you on. I also had other persons cheering me on because they like what they see. I like the environment and the energy. I would do this next year and as much as I could,” Joseph sad.

UB also secured a victory in the open women’s category as freshman Lakeicia Lewis crossed the finish line first in 18:49.

“I’m happy with the victory,” Lewis said. “This morning, I started to get a little down because of the slight late start. All I kept telling myself was not to pick the pace up too much and stay in it. Coming around the first kilometer, I started to slip and fall behind. I had to motivate myself and push through.” Lewis’ teammate Nancy Joseph was the only other competitor in that division, finishing in a time of 22:13.

The event started with the open runners, so the younger athletes could observe them and hopefully gain motivation.

“I allowed my team to run first, so the kids could see the collegiate athletes run. We won the open men and women, so that is a good showing for my team. They are used to running eight kilometers and they are running four kilometers here, so it was like a walk in the park for them,” said Rolle.

Lewis said running abroad prepared her for the meet on Saturday.

Red-Line Athletics’ Daveigh Farrington ran a brilliant race, jumping ahead of the pack in the under-13 girls division. She never relinquished the lead, and won in 8:31.

“I was very surprised because it was my first cross country race and I placed first. I got out first at the beginning of the race and I just kept the same pace. I am very happy, and it is an accomplishment that I will remember,” she said.

Neveah Mackey from 3PA Stallions was second in 8:31. Shakinah Lewis from A.F. Adderley Junior High School was third with a time of 9:07.

Farrington, a seventh-grade student at St. Augustine’s College (SAC), said she is looking forward to running more cross country races.

Assistant Athletics Director at UB Sean Bastian said the meet was in the making for quite a while.

“This is our first cross country meet, but this is something that we have been planning for the last five years,” said Bastian. “Coach Rolle put on a well-organized meet. We are happy and pleased to have over 700 entries who participated in this meet. It is an awesome start.”

Bastian added, “It was a good support from what I saw and from what I heard from the other physical education instructors, they are excited to have this because they use these cross country meets as a mean of conditioning for their athletes for the remainder of the track and field season. This is something very positive for UB Athletics Department.”

Ezthza Maycock from Red-Line Athletics won the under-20 girls division with a time of 13 minutes flat. Swift Athletics’ Chris Salaslis convincingly won the under-20 boys division in 14:50.

The under-13 boys winner was Velocity Track Club’s Cordell Munroe, clocking 7:28. C.R. Walker Senior High School’s Aden Taylor won the under-17 boys title in a time of 5:55. It was 3PA Stallions’ Jasmine Mackey who finished first in the under-17 girls division when she crossed the finish line in 13:21.

Rolle is already looking at expanding the meet for next year as he looks to give athletes more exposure.

“I am looking for this to grow. Next year, we intend to bring in some colleges to be able to come in and compete against us as well as watch the high school athletes compete. It’s an opportunity for them to get scholarships as well,” he said.

UB’s cross country season is just about over, and they will gradually turn their attention to the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.

https://thenassauguardian.com/joseph-wins-open-division-at-ub-invitational/

 Home|Sports|Miller, Wallace-Whitfield back in the poolSports

Both Bahamian collegiate athletes were in action in water polo this past weekend

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 29, 2022 212 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian collegiate water polo players Saequan Miller and Nicholas Wallace-Whitfield were once again competing in the pool in the sport of water polo for their respective schools this past weekend.

Miller was in action for his team, the Salem University Tigers at the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference Crossover on Saturday and Sunday. They finished with a 1-2 win/loss record.

Wallace-Whitfield competed for the Mount St. Mary’s University Mountaineers. He had a busy weekend as he played in four games. They were 

perfect, going 4-0. They also had a mid-week game against Navy on Tuesday, and their five-game winning streak was snapped as they lost 16-13.

Both Miller and Wallace-Whitfield played in Erie, Pennsylvania. Miller was in action at the Prep-Villa Event Center while Wallace-Whitfield was in action at the Junker Center Pool.

On Friday, the Mountaineers took down the Pennsylvania State University Behrend Lions 28-14 with Wallace-Whitfield coming away with two goals. The 28-goal outburst was a new school record for goals in a game.

They then played two games on Saturday, taking down Mercyhurst University, 18-8, and Gannon University, 24-21. On Sunday, they pummeled McKendree University, 22-14. All three of these matches were conference games.

On Tuesday, against Navy in Annapolis, Maryland, Wallace-Whitfield scored another goal for his team, but they could not pull off a comeback in the conference game despite scoring five goals in the fourth quarter. They put themselves in a tough position in the second quarter when they gave up six goals to go into the half down, 9-4.

The Mountaineers sport an 8-4 win/loss record on the season, including a 3-3 record in conference play.

Miller, who plays defense, had four shots in their first game over the weekend which was against Bucknell University, but they were all saved and Bucknell won 15-8. He had two exclusions in the match.

The Tigers regrouped, went back in the pool and were able to get a favorable outcome in their next game. They took down Johns Hopkins University, 18-15. Miller had a shot on goal and one steal in that contest.

On Sunday, the Tigers fell to George Washington University, 23-9. Miller had three shots but could not find the back of the net.

All three games were conference games for the Tigers. They now have a 5-6 record on the season and a 2-2 record in conference play.

The Mountaineers head to the west coast to play in the Gary Troyer Tournament in La Verne, California. Their first game is tomorrow against Chapman University.

Salem University returnS to action this weekend at the Penn State Behrend Invite in Erie, Pennsylvania. This time, they will play at the Junker Center Pool. Action for them starts on Saturday when they take on Washington and Jefferson College.

https://thenassauguardian.com/miller-wallace-whitfield-back-in-the-pool/

 Home|Sports|Bahamian ‘JTalon’ advances to IESF World ChampionshipsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 29, 2022 383 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian Johnathon Lucius, whose username is “JTalon”, qualified to represent The Bahamas at the International ESports Federation (IESF) World Esports Championships, set for December 1-12 in Bali, Indonesia. He will be competing in Tekken 7. Lucius will have a chance to compete for the IESF Tekken title and a $25,000 prize pool.

To get to this point, Lucius had to compete in the IESF Pan American Regionals. In the end, he finished fourth overall with a 6-4 win/loss record in the competition to land a spot in Bali.

“When we got the news that we were able to qualify, I was shocked because when I lost I was down on myself because I know I could have played much better in my final match. I was ecstatic that I qualified because I saw it as a second chance. It feels good to represent The Bahamas because I never got a chance to do so in my entire time gaming,” Lucius said.

President of the Bahamas Esports Federation (BESF) Michael Armogan said that Lucius is a hard worker, and he has been for years.

“We’re ecstatic about how far we made it, with even the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg calling it ‘great works’ for the country. Lucius has been putting in the work for years now, even ranking in the highest tier of players in the world for Tekken,” Amorgan said.

The 24-year-old Lucius wins came against countries such as Colombia, Guadeloupe, Ecuador, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama. His losses came against Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. He said his easiest win was against Jamaica and his toughest victory came against Guadeloupe.

“I was a little saddened because I was expecting to place a little higher than that,” Lucius said. “I normally play much better than how I did but I am still happy with the overall results. My easiest match was Jamaica because he used characters that I was knowledgeable about. Guadeloupe was my most difficult victory because the way he used the character that I had knowledge on forced me to get a deeper analysis on how to take him down. I had to change character to take him down.”

His primary character to use in the game is Ling Xiaoyu while his secondary character is Zafina.

To qualify for the IESF Pan American competition as the representative from The Bahamas, Lucius had to win a local tournament. Normally, the winner of the regionals would be the person or persons to represent the region against the other regions around the world. This year, the IESF had to host them online, so even though the regionals happened, all players for our region in select titles like Tekken and eFootball will get a pass directly to the World ESports Championships.

Lucius plays Tekken 7 on the computer. The computer platform is not his first platform as his Tekken journey began with Tekken 3 on PlayStation 1. He said he was introduced to it from when he was five years old. When Tekken 7 was released in 2017, Lucius said he decided that he wanted to be good at it so he can be competitive internationally.

“I never saw myself at this point competing. I competed before in another competition Combo Breaker in Chicago, Illinois, and there were people from around the world competing, but my results were not as good as in the IESF Pan American competition. It was my first big event and I enjoyed it,” Lucius said.

He said he will look to sharpen his skills between now and December by playing online or against his friends. Lucius will head to Bali at the end of November.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamian-jtalon-advances-to-iesf-world-championships/

 Home|Sports|ORU hires Andretti Bain as an assistant coachSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 29, 2022 275 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

TULSA, Oklahoma — Oral Roberts University (ORU) Golden Eagles Athletics Head Coach Alick Musukuma has announced the addition of Bahamian Andretti Bain to the track and field/cross country staff as an assistant coach. In his role with the Golden Eagles, Bain’s main responsibilities will include recruiting and evaluating talent.

“We are proud to have Andretti Bain be a part of the track and field/cross country programs,” said Musukuma. “We are rebuilding the programs and need someone like Andretti to be on board. Andretti has done amazing things for ORU as he is the only track and field athlete from ORU to win an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Indoor and Outdoor Championship and an Olympic silver medal in the same year, 2008. This will inspire other alumni to see that the ORU track and field/cross country programs are going to be great.”

A 2014 ORU Hall of Fame inductee, Bain is the most decorated track athlete in program history. He claimed the program’s first national championship, winning the 400 meters (m) title at the 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships. Later that year, Bain captured the title in the same event at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships. During his career at ORU, Bain was a three-time All-American, 11-time conference champion and a nine-time Summit League Athlete of the Week.

After his career with the Golden Eagles, Bain went on to win a silver medal as a member of The Bahamas’ men’s 4x400m relay team at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. The other members of the team were Michael Mathieu, Andrae Williams and Chris Brown. Avard Moncur and Ramon Miller were the alternates.

Bain, 36, has personal best times of 21.15 seconds in the 200m, 44.62 seconds in the 400m, and 50.83 seconds in the 400m hurdles. He is yet to officially end his career, but is listed as the fourth fastest in Bahamian history in the men’s 400m, trailing just national record holder Steven Gardiner, and former national record holders Brown and Moncur.

Bain has won medals at CARIFTA in the open 400m, the 400m hurdles and the relay, medals at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships and the CAC Games in the 400m and the relay, a gold in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Pan American Games, and a silver in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Commonwealth Games to go along with the Olympic silver medal.

Additionally, Bain was a member of The Bahamas’ men’s 4x400m relay team at the 2004 World Indoor Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The team of Bain, Brown, Timothy Munnings and Dennis Darling finished fifth in the final.

https://thenassauguardian.com/oru-hires-andretti-bain-as-an-assistant-coach/

 Home|Sports|UB Mingoes participate in anti-doping seminarSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailSeptember 29, 2022 171 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

University of The Bahamas (UB) student-athletes learned about the dangers of doping in sports during an anti-doping seminar in conjunction with the Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission (BADC) at the Michael Eldon Complex at UB.

Executive Director of BADC Petra Haven and her team informed the student-athletes about the substances on the prohibited lists, how tests are conducted, doping control and how athletes can assist in fighting doping in sports.

“It’s important for our student-athletes to understanding what is doping and why it’s important to fight against doping to keep sports clean,” UB Head Athletics Trainer Sasha Johnson said. “A violation is more than just taking a prohibited substance. It’s refusing a test, or having a prohibited substance and even giving someone else a prohibited substance. I’m glad our student-athletes got to learn about how far-reaching doping is in sports and how to fight it.”

The BADC, which is an independent body, promotes, coordinates and monitors the fight against doping in all sports in the country.

The student-athletes also heard about how it is possible to actually take a prohibited substance with a therapeutic use exception or TUE. Sometimes athletes can use a prohibited substance for a 

legitimate medical reason and the commission can grant these exceptions.

“These are rare but it’s important they know how to get this exception if they are sick,” Johnson said. “Even more important is the procedure to get this exception because it is not simply a case of having a doctor say it’s okay, there is a procedure and the athletes have to follow the procedure so as not to get a doping violation.”

UB Athletics holds educational seminars for its student-athletes throughout the academic year.

https://thenassauguardian.com/ub-mingoes-participate-in-anti-doping-seminar/

YOLETT McPhee-McCuin

As of Thursday, September 29, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#EXPECTATIONS loom large for Yolett McPhee-McCuin and her Ole Miss Rebels women’s basketball team for the upcoming 2022-23 campaign.

#The Rebels have improved each year under McPhee-McCuin’s tenure and, after a season that produced the programme’s first NCAA Tournament berth in 15 years, that continued development, that continuous improvement was a major talking point of media day.

#“We are just continuing to rebuild not as much as like at first, we were trying to rebuild completely. Now we are just trying to reconstruct,” McPhee-McCuin said. “I think that is the goal to expand from where we were and to where we are trying to go. Which is to be a programme that is expected to go to the NCAA tournament every year and beyond.”

#The 2021-22 season came to an end for Ole Miss in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament with a loss to South Dakota.

#Ole Miss concluded the season 23-9, 10-8 in the SEC to earn an at-large bid and the no.7 seed in the Wichita Region. It was their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years.

#McPhee-McCuin led Ole Miss to its first top 25 ranking since 2007. The season was highlighted by a 13-game win streak, the third longest win streak in programme history. It also included wins over three ranked opponents.

#In conference postseason play, Ole Miss earned its first SEC Tournament Semifinal game appearance in 29 years.

#The Rebels also found themselves slotted in the national polls with its first AP Poll appearance since 2007, when Ole Miss came in at No. 24 on January 24.

#On the heels of a record-setting season and a new contract extension, McPhee-McCuin has landed another star-studded recruiting class for her Ole Miss Rebels women’s basketball programme.

#McPhee-McCuin’s incoming class includes highly touted freshman prospects and some of the top rated transfers in the portal.

#“This group has a quiet confidence. I think my teams in the past have been very loud. This group is more so quiet, they do believe in themselves. One thing that is unique with this group too is that they have experience in the NCAA Tournament here at Ole Miss so that is the expectation. Last year we were trying to paint the picture and say this is what it’s going to be like, and this group is like ‘coach we are going to the tournament’ that is the expectation,” she said. “This group works pretty hard as well and they get along pretty well. I think every year if I were to bring the same team it would be a different group you know the same people. Because you know time, maturity, experiences so I don’t think it’s much different from any team because every group would bring their own personality and character. But we definitely have a solid blend of personalities and characters you all will meet.”

#The class was recently bolstered by the signing of highly touted 6’4” freshman centre J’Adore Young. The class also includes four star freshman Ayanna Thompson along with transfers Marquesha Davis, Elauna Eaton, Rita Igbokwe, Broke Moore, Tyia Singleton, Myah Taylor and international prospect Marta Ostojic from Croatia.

#Ole Miss also returns a solid trio of experience, including starters Madison Scott and Snudda Collins, as well as the SEC’s Sixth- Woman of the Year in Angel Baker.

#McPhee-McCuin joined the Rebels in 2018 with expectations to rebuild a programme that struggled in recent years and was in the cellar of the SEC. This offseason, she signed a contract extension that will see her remain at the helm through the 2026 season.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/29/mcphee-mccuin-and-rebels-look-go-ncaa-tournament-e/?news

As of Thursday, September 29, 2022

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PHOENIX Suns’ Deandre Ayton, of The Bahamas, poses for a photo during an NBA basketball media day in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE relationship between Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton and head coach Monty Williams continues to be a point of contention for the franchise.

#Following a bitter end to the 2021-22 season and a lengthy contract negotiation in the offseason, Ayton addressed the relationship between the two on the first day of training camp.

#Ayton appeared in only 17 minutes of the Suns’ 123-90 elimination loss to the Dallas Mavericks in game seven of the Western Conference semifinals last season.

#He finished with just five points, four rebounds and Williams told reporters postgame that Ayton’s limited playing time was the result of an “internal” decision. “I haven’t spoken to him at all, ever since the game,” Ayton said when asked about the relationship between the two. “I can show him better than I can tell him. It’s life. Nobody cares about the uncomfortable nature of it, it’s how you perform and what you bring to the table. What’s said is already said.”

#Following a lengthy restricted free agency process, Ayton officially inked a four-year, $133 million contract in July to return to the Suns.

#A highly coveted restricted free agent target, Ayton signed a maximum offer sheet on July 14 with the Indiana Pacers and within moments, the Suns matched the offer to retain the no.1 overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.

#“Yea I’m alright,” Ayton responded when asked if he’s happy to be back with the Suns. “When I’m in between those lines, man, I just work. I know I’m not playing for myself. I have an organisation across my chest and a name on my back I have to represent, I’m just here to work.”

#Williams downplayed any perceived tension between the two and indicated it was a standard practice this offseason to give his players “space” during the offseason. “I think one on ones are always needed between guys I’ve been around for awhile. “Some guys need it and some guys don’t. I’ll identify that as the season progresses,” Williams said.

#“I’ll talk to everybody as I always do during camp and it won’t be an issue at all.”

#In his fourth season, Ayton averaged 17.2 points on a career high 63 percent from the field and 10.2 rebounds per game in 58 appearances.

#Both sides reiterated that the improvement on the court will be the most important thing for the upcoming season.

#“I think the thing that people don’t see is how much he’s been in the gym and how much better he’s gotten this summer. I think having all that stuff behind him has given him a sense of relief. I think when players know you want them around and value them, it gives them confidence. That doesn’t mean you don’t have situations that come up — that’s part of coaching and part of being on a really good team with competitive players,” Williams said.

#“There wasn’t a scenario where we felt like he wasn’t going to be around. He’s too good of a player and he’s a good dude. There’s times where you bump heads on certain issues, but that doesn’t define a person in totality. I think sometimes that stuff just gets blown out of proportion and rightfully so when you don’t know all the facts.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/sep/29/deandre-ayton-whats-said-already-said/?news

As of Thursday, September 29, 2022

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STEPHEN Sears Jr

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#STEPHEN Sears Jr got his first start of the season and his St Francis Xavier X-Men won an early matchup of undefeated teams in Atlantic University Sport Football.

#The X-Men, currently ranked no.8 in Canada’s U Sports standings, improved to 4-0 with a 26-7 win over Mount Allison to hand the Mounties their first loss of the season last weekend.

#Sears, in his debut season with the programme, got the start at left tackle to anchor an offensive line that gained 434 total yards. “I got the news the Monday before the game, they said that I would have an opportunity to compete for the starting spot and I secured it,” he said.

#“I knew I was ready for the challenge so I had a strong mindset, and was not going to hang my head down if I messed a play up.”

#The X-Men allowed just a single sack and X-Men Silas Fagnan passed for 309 yards and two touchdowns while Malcolm Bussy rushed for 80 yards.

#“The first two drives of the third quarter stood out to me where we scored on passing touchdowns. The pass protection held up,” Sears said. “USports is a bit more fast-paced and physical. But it’s football at the end of the day. It was fun out there to be honest.”

#Both drives concluded in deep touchdown passes to wide receiver Zachary Houde.

#St FX head into a bye this weekend and will next see action on October 8 as they host Bishop’s for a 3pm tilt in Antigonish.

#“The season is going great so far,” Sears said, “Our running game is solid and passing is coming along on offence.

#Our defence has been holding it down.”

#Sears is the latest collegiate football prospect to follow the pipeline from The Bahamas to playing the game at the highest level in Canada.

#He committed to the X-Men of the Atlantic University Sport Conference following his standout tenure with the Holland College Hurricanes.

#Sears was named the Hurricanes’ 2021 Offensive Lineman of the Year when the team announced its annual athletic awards in the postseason.

#The business administration major was also named an Atlantic Football League All-Star offensive lineman after his second season with the programme.

#He said the transition to competing at a higher level has been a welcome challenge thus far.

#The X-Men are the reigning 2021 AUS football champions and have advanced to the national semifinal.

#“It’s been great, a bit more fast-paced, a tough schedule football wise with more meetings and practices and as always learning a new system is a bit challenging.

#“But I’m used to everything now and I love it,” he said.

#“A lot of talented athletes on one team going at it in practice and games.”

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