Home|Sports|The Bahamas ends Centrobasket with a win over TurksSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailJune 23, 2022 156 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas ended its participation at the FIBA Americas Under-15 (U15) Centrobasket Championships on a strong note on Wednesday, but the sting of its first three losses lingered as they failed to qualify for the 2023 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship.

Altogether, The Bahamas finished fourth with a 2-3 win/loss record.

On Wednesday, they got their second consecutive convincing win of the tournament, turning back the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), 79-56, at the Coliseo Fernando ‘Rube’ Hernandez in Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

TCI started aggressively, scoring the game’s first points on a successful three-point shot by Roldjudson Lacossade, and took a five-point lead in the early going, but Team Bahamas responded, orchestrating a 9-2 scoring run, never looking back.

Team Bahamas stretched its lead to 24-15 after the first quarter, and continued to keep TCI at bay in the second. They led 36-27 at the half.

The Bahamas pushed the lead to double digits early in the third period and went on to lead 61-45 at the end of three. TCI got no closer than 14 points in the final period as Team Bahamas coasted to the easy win.

After being slaughtered by 65 and 50 points, respectively, in their first two games against the host nation Puerto Rico and Mexico, The Bahamas went on to lose by 11 to the Dominican Republic, then defeated Costa Rica and TCI in their final two games. It’s safe to say they got better as the five-day tournament progressed. However, as a result of the slow start, they failed to qualify for next year’s FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship.

On Wednesday, Desmond Hall paced The Bahamas with 25 points on 9-for-19 shooting. He added four steals and had a +/- of plus-21 in the game. Joshua Williams added 16 points, 10 rebounds and four steals for The Bahamas – recording the country’s first double-double of the tournament. 

Condae Smith was the country’s only other player in double figures, scoring 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting.

Dylan Morris scored a game-high 28 points on 12-for-19 shooting for TCI, and added 10 rebounds and three assists but also had a whopping 12 turnovers. Lacossade was the only other player in double figures for TCI with 13 points.

Overall, The Bahamas forced 30 turnovers while committing just 14 and outscored TCI 27-13 off those turnovers. They dominated in the paint, winning that battle 52-38 and shut out TCI in bench points, 13-0.

The Bahamas shot 38.4 percent from the field (33-for-86), while limiting their opponents to 34.3 percent shooting (24-for-70). As shown, turnovers certainly played a factor as The Bahamas put up 16 more shots than their opponents.

Team Bahamas was coached by former national team player Quentin ‘Three Ounce’ Hall. As mentioned, the tournament served as a qualifier for the 2023 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship. FIBA Americas is one of five regional bodies under FIBA (International Basketball Federation) – the world’s governing body for basketball.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-ends-centrobasket-with-a-win-over-turks/

 Home|Sports|BCF ratifies 10-member team for Chess OlympiadSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJune 23, 2022 171 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF) has ratified a 10-member team that will represent The Bahamas at the 2022 FIDE (International Chess Federation) Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India. The 44th edition of the competition is set for July 28 to August 10.

Representing The Bahamas on the open team are Fide Master (FM) Cecil Moncur, Candidate Master (CM) Kendrick Knowles, Woman Fide Master (WFM) Polina Karelina, Dr. Kenville Lockhart and Noah Albury. They will be coached and captained by Grandmaster (GM) Renier Gonzales.

Moncur, Knowles and Karelina make their return to the Olympiad. Albury, who is 16-years-old, is the youngest player to qualify for the open team.

The woman’s team will be represented by WCM Antoinette Seymour, WCM Daijah Johnson, Nelissa Thomas, Jayla Cargill and Chika Pride. The coach is Gonzales and the captain for the women’s team is Dr. Joseph Ferguson.

Seymour and Johnson make their return to the Olympiad. At age 11, Pride is the youngest Bahamian to qualify for the Olympiad team.

BCF 2nd Vice President Curtis Pride Sr. said that choosing the team was not an easy task.

“A lot of chess players were not active during COVID. Some of our chess players took advantage of COVID and trained very hard and that is why some are sitting here today – because they took advantage of that time and practiced. We have seen tremendous growth over the two years that we have been limited due to COVID,” he said.

It is the first time that there is a face-to-face Olympiad since 2018. It was slated for Russia but India stepped up to host after war surfaced between Russia and Ukraine earlier this year.

Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Timothy Munnings spoke about the relationship that the ministry and the federation has.

“We are very excited at what the BCF and its athletes are doing. The ministry has been assisting the federation for some time now. Based on the results that we are seeing and the increasing number of chess masters, I can tell you that we are committed to continuing to assist the federation in its efforts,” Munnings said.

BCF Treasurer Elton Joseph, who has played in two Olympiads for The Bahamas, said that it is an experience that involves living away from home, having a roommate, hours of competition and practice and staying healthy.

“It is a great honor to represent one’s country at the Chess Olympiad. Only 10 players from a country can represent the country regardless of population size. The 10 players who will represent The Bahamas have done a great job and this is a great accomplishment. It is the pinnacle of chess competition to represent one’s country at, but it is also a unique experience,” said Joseph.

Knowles, who is also BCF President, said that it is fit and proper to ask for support from the community, country and Corporate Bahamas.

“From the administrative side of things, I know that resources are limited and we need your financial support,” Knowles said. “As a player, who competed in prior Olympiads, it was always amazing to see neighboring countries in front of the chess board. They will have a few things – their flag and some form of representation of some form of corporate sponsorship on the chest of the jacket or shirt that they wear. It was a beautiful thing to see as it shows they have the national and civic commitment from their country, but they also have the economic commitment from the corporate sponsors within the country.”

Interested persons can donate by sending an e-mail to the address bahamaschessofficial@gmail.com or contribute on the federation’s donation page – togetherbahamas.com, then search Bahamas chess to find the campaign.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bcf-ratifies-10-member-team-for-chess-olympiad/

 Home|Sports|‘Jazz’ at center stage during Bahamian Heritage CelebrationSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJune 23, 2022 210 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Miami Marlins are gearing up to host the second edition of the Bahamian Heritage Celebration at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, USA, this Saturday.

The celebration will center around Bahamian professional baseball player Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. when he and the Marlins take on the New York Mets at 4:10 p.m. on Saturday. The evening will be recognized as ‘Jazz’ Chisholm’s Bobblehead Day at the park.

Chisholm, a 24-year-old infielder with the Marlins, is the seventh Bahamian to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). He is having a productive season with the Marlins who are 13 games behind the league-leading Mets in the National League East Division of MLB. The Mets have a 45-25 win/loss record while the Marlins are at 30-36.

The celebration is a collaborative initiative by the Marlins; Bahamas Consulate General Miami; Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; National Sports Authority (NSA)  and the Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA), shining a spotlight on Chisholm while simultaneously introducing ticket holders to varying aspects of Bahamian culture.

Against the backdrop of Bahamian themed colors – aquamarine, gold and black – the celebration will feature a pregame Junkanoo rushout led by The Bahamas’ Junkanoo Revue of Miami and legendary Junkanooers Quentin ‘Barabbas’ Woodside and Langston Longley, as well as a postgame concert featuring popular rhythmic Bahamian music.

Bahamians throughout Florida, the wider USA and across the Bahamian archipelago are encouraged to bring their Bahamian flags, goatskin drums and other paraphernalia to the special Bahamian heritage celebratory game. It is to be noted, however, that noise makers such as cowbells and wind instruments are strictly prohibited in the stadium.

The purchase of a Bahamian Heritage Celebration ticket package includes an exclusive Bahamian Heritage Marlins jersey and access to the pregame and postgame events. This year, spectators will also have a chance to receive a collectible ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. bobblehead souvenir, presented by loanDepot.

Part proceeds from the special ticket package will go to the BBA to increase investment in local baseball. General game tickets do not grant attendees access to the exclusive Bahamian Heritage Celebration T-shirt or events. Tickets for the game and celebration can be found at https://www.mlb.com/marlins/tickets. Direct bookings are also available for groups of 10 or more through Brad Johnson at brjohnson@marlins.com or by calling the telephone number (305) 480-1548.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jazz-at-center-stage-during-bahamian-heritage-celebration/

Team loses two matches to one to open Davis Cup play

Simba FrenchSend an emailJune 23, 2022 184 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas’ men’s doubles team of Baker Newman and Marvin Rolle played a tough match to stop Paraguay from a sweep in Davis Cup competition on Wednesday. They won that match, but lost the tie 2-1 at the Costa Rica Country Club in Escazo, Costa Rica.

The match lasted a little over two hours. Rolle and Newman battled back after dropping the first set 6-2, and pulled off a tough three-setter 2-6, 7-5 and 7-6. The Bahamas won the first game of the second set but Paraguay won the second. It was a back and forth as the score was tied at 5-5. Rolle and Newman won the next two games to win the set 7-5.

The third set was tougher as it went to 6-6 before Rolle and Newman took the final game in a tiebreak to win the set 7-6 and take the match.

Earlier in the day, Spencer Newman was up first against Juan Borba. He had a good start as the set was tied at three. Newman lost the next three games as Borba won the first set 6-3.

The second set was more competitive, going 5-3 in favor of Borba. Newman won one more game to make it 5-4 but Borba won the next two games to win 6-4 and take the match. Paraguay went up 1-0 with that result.

In the number one singles spot was Kevin Major Jr. He went up against Adolfo Vallejo. It was a tightly contested match as each set was tied in the later stages. It was tied 5-5 in the first set before Vallego won the next two games. Vallego won that set 7-5.

The second set did not occur as Major was forced to retire with a foot injury. It is unclear if he will be able to play today.

The Bahamas is set to play Jamaica today. Jamaica won its first tie against Costa Rica yesterday. The Bahamas will be looking to win its first tie.

The Bahamas is in Group B with Paraguay and Jamaica. In Pool A are Venezuela, Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Panama. Venezuela, Jamaica and Paraguay were all relegated from Group II to Group III this year. Three teams from this tournament are expected to advance to the Americas Zone Group II Playoffs and two teams will be relegated to the Americas Group IV. The top country in the pool obtains an automatic promotion. The second-place finisher will have to play the second-place finisher in Pool A and the winner of that match will advance.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-falls-to-paraguay/

BECOMES THE FIRST BAHAMIAN JUNIOR RIDER TO QUALIFY FOR FEI NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS

KACY Lyn Smith and Chicago M in action at the Upperville Horse Show in Middleburg, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Maddie Valenzuela

As of Tuesday, June 21, 2022

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KACY Lyn Smith and Chicago M in action at the Upperville Horse Show in Middleburg, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Maddie Valenzuela

#KACY Lyn Smith and her horse Chicago M rode a double clear round at Loudoun County, Virginia, this weekend and, in doing so, made history as the first Bahamian junior rider to qualify for the FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships.

#The event is set to be held at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival in Traverse City, Michigan, in August.

#The prestigious FEI Youth Jumping Championships provides an exciting opportunity for young equestrians to compete against their peers, mirroring the format of senior championships such as the Olympic Games.

#Team and individual competitions in each age category are held over multiple days.

#Sixteen-year-old Smith, who lives in Virginia and trains with Kama Godek of Capital Area Premium Sporthorses, will compete for The Bahamas as an individual in the Pre-Junior Championship category.

#This category is for riders 14-16 years old and features courses at fence heights of 1.30 metres.

#Qualifying for the championships wasn’t even on Smith’s radar a month ago. When discussing qualification scenarios with federation officials back in mid-May, Smith was honest – it might not be an option.

#Qualification deadlines were fast approaching, but she had just started riding a new horse (Chicago M, a 17.1 hh, 12-year-old Holsteiner recently imported from Germany). As a team, they were just getting to know one another.

#“I’d only jumped him for the first time three days before,” said Smith. “I [was] still figuring him out.”

#Yet Smith and her trainer Kama Godek believed it could be done. They began campaigning to immediate success. After clear rounds at 1.15m, 1.20m and 1.25m at Swan Lake, the pair travelled to the prestigious Upperville Horse Show in Middleburg, VA. The weekend started inauspiciously when Smith suffered a fall: “He jumps extremely athletically and tends to jump me out of the tack,” she noted.

#Luckily neither horse nor rider were hurt, and the pair finished the weekend strong, going double clear and placing 9th in a competitive field in the $2,500 1.25m Classic. At that moment Smith and her trainer made the decision to move up to the 1.30m class at Loudoun. It was the right decision. Smith and Chicago jumped double clear, finishing 5th overall, winning a share of the prize money…and securing the coveted certificate of capability for qualification to the FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships.

#As the lone rider representing The Bahamas, Smith will ride in the Pre- Children’s Championship as an individual competitor. The prospect leaves her unfazed, declaring, “I will be proud to be the singular rider representing The Bahamas.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jun/21/equestrian-kacy-lyn-smith-makes-history/?news

Kai Jones (AP Photo)

As of Tuesday, June 21, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#KAI Jones returned home for the first time since he completed his rookie season in the NBA and already has his sights set on the offseason and improvement headed into year two.

#“It was a season of growth, I learned so much about myself and about the game of basketball. So much about my soul,” Jones said. “I grew so much as a person and a player and I made some great relationships.”

#At the NBA level with the Hornets, Jones appeared in 21 NBA games this past season but played sparingly in few moments off the bench. He excelled at the G-League level on assignment with the Greensboro Swarm, averaging 16.5 points on 61.4 percent shooting from the field – 32 percent from three-point range – 9.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.1 blocks in 32 total G League games. He also posted 15 total double-doubles.

#“I bought in out of the gate. I love basketball, so once I was told about the opportunity to play 30 minutes (in Greensboro) because I wasn’t playing up here (in the NBA), I was jumping. I was so excited and ready to go. It gives me extreme confidence. Coming in, I believed I could have an impact on this team on both ends.

#“Now, it’s just that I think I can have a greater impact. I know there’s no ceiling for me. Just continue to work,” Jones said in his postseason exit interview.

#“Coming into the season, I didn’t think I was going to be down there, but God had a plan and I’m glad that I did go. I learned so much about myself and grew so much.

#“It’s a blessing. The biggest thing for me was walking in gratitude. I think that’s huge. Learning how to be so grateful for playing the game every day and with the opportunity you have in front of you, making the most out of it.”

#The no.19 pick in last year’s draft, Jones and the other members of the Hornets’ rookie class have played sparingly as the Hornets have chased a spot in the NBA playoffs.

#Jones highlighted the season with a career high 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds in a 139-119 win over the Long Island Nets on March 27 at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina.

#“I got so much better just with my efficiency there, especially from 3-point range because I was taking the right shots and finding the balance. “Defensively, playing in the post, my positioning, being able to absorb contact and understanding it’s a battle, really. I just got so much stronger throughout the season, so I became more comfortable with boxing guys out, hitting guys and imposing my will on people. I got a lot stronger really, mentally and physically,” he said.

#“I think I’ve improved in every aspect of the game. From my overall feel for the game, my knowledge, my patience, my pace, my physicality and on the defensive end, learning how to play in coverages and in the post. I’ve just improved so much, just continuing to take steps in the right direction and build championship habits.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jun/21/kai-jones-returns-home/?news

As of Tuesday, June 21, 2022

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#IT was a weekend of exciting and competitive tennis matches at The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) Junior Nationals.

#The event was held June 16-20 at the National Tennis Centre. Juniors participated in U10-U18 categories for the coveted junior national champion.

#On Sunday, the following national junior champions were crowned:

#Girls singles U-10

#Champion: Marina Bostwick.

#Runner Up: Victoria Sandi-Aguilar

#Boys singles U-10

#Champion: Kingston Rees.

#Runner Up: Harrison Van Onselen

#Girls singles U-12

#Champion: Kaylah Fox.

#Runner Up: Briana Houlgrave

#Boys’ singles U-12

#Champion: Patrick Mactaggart. Runner Up: Atharva Hombal

#Boys’ singles U-18

#Champion: Dentry Mortimer Jr.

#Runner Up: Sharano Hanna

#The event offers the highest ranking points on the BLTA’s calendar and based on the performance in this event and others national team representation in international team competitions is determined.

#Over 100 matches were played across the singles and doubles categories by the end of tournament play.

#The BLTA expresses appreciation to Equity Bank and Trust Bahamas Limited, Limeade Bahamas, St Global Markets Limited and The Trophy Case who sponsored this prestigious event. The tournament referee was Everette Munroe, tournament director Esther Newton and assistant tournament director Denise Mortimer.

#All tournament information results can be found on the BLTA’s website https:// www.blta.net/blta-junior-nationals-tournament/ .

#The tournament wrapped up with the girls and boys U-14 and U-16 singles finals and the doubles semis and finals.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jun/21/champions-are-crowned-blta-junior-nationals/?news

SAM Nichols shares a moment with his visiting instructors from the United States.

As of Tuesday, June 21, 2022

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BASKETBALL Smiles Sam Nichols, left, and coach Patty Johnson.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SAM Nichols and his cadre of American coaches from Basketball Smiles are back for its 23rd year, bringing a lot of smiles to the faces of Bahamian girls and boys basketball players during the camp that opened up yesterday at the HO Nash Junior High School.

#Unlike in the past where the instructors spent the entire week training the youngsters, this year’s camp, coordinated by coach Patricia ‘Pattie’ Johnson, will run through Wednesday, but Nichols said they are just delighted to be able to return to impact their knowledge. “I love the coaches and the friends we’ve made and the boys and girls, whose lives we have been able to impact,” Nichols said. “We had over 11,000 kids who have gone through our programme over the past 23 years. This is like our second home. That’s why we continue to come back.”

A BASKETBALL Smiles instructor cheers on a young camper.

#Adopting the quote “if you want to live a full life, give yourself to the next generation,” Nichols said he’s thrilled to be able to assist in the development of the next generation of Bahamian citizens as he and his coaches try to point them into the right direction.

#“What I’ve found out is that 90 percent of these boys and girls want to be coached,” Nichols said. “They want somebody to care for them, they want somebody who will teach them the right specifics and that is why they are so coachable.”

#Nichols is back with a coaching staff that includes a seven-year returnee, one with six years, another with five, two with just two years experience under their belt and two more who are making their debut. “There’s a networking in the coaching profession and I told them that we just don’t take any coach to come to the Bahamas,” Nichols said. “We want them to represent Basketball Smiles in a positive way and they have to come for the right weekend, which is pour themselves into these kids for a week.”

#The coaches are focusing on the fundamental skills of the girls in the morning sessions and the boys in the afternoon. They also go through some 3-on-3, 4-on-4 and 5-on-5 drills and group participation.

#“The kids really make it happen,” said Adam Young out of Lubbock, Texas, where he works for a television company as well as Texas Tech. “They really enjoy learning the game and they are so enthusiastic, which helps me in my drive to get back over here every year.”

#As for working with Nichols, Young said he has been a mentor, who helps him through the rough and the good times in and outside of basketball. He noted that he’s even been impressed with how Nichols has worked with an amazing woman in Johnson, who is now going through her challenges.

#And Xavier Jackson, a basketball coach at Ward High School in Houston, Texas, is back for his fifth year.

#“I love the people and the kids and the energy that everyone brings to the camp,” said Jackson, a good friend of Bahamian Olympic bronze medallist Frank Rutherford. “We are able to do something for kids who are less fortunate, so I get to remember that when I get back home.

#“Many of the campers I’ve seen every year since I came here. So just knowing that everything you do and say, they get to put it into action. So we’re just delighted to be able to make an impact on so many lives here.”

#Having met Nichols for the past nine years, Jackson said he could call him on any subject matter before, during and after the season and when he was introduced to Johnson, she inspired him a lot. But he noted that once he met Rutherford, he learned so much more about the Bahamas.

#Johnson said she’s so grateful for coach Nichols and his cadre of coaches returning to plant a seed in the lives of the young Bahamian people.

#“They are dropping the seeds, but we have to take it and put it in the soil and water it,” Johnson said. “What they learn, they can go home and do these drills, they can do them in their neighbourhood and when they go back to school, they can do these drills with their team-mates to help them to become better ball players.”

#Along with their attitude, their academics and their availability, she said it’s her hope that some of these players will be able to secure athletic scholarships and go on to become better basketball players but, more importantly, productive citizens of the Bahamas.

#At least two of the players noted the impact Basketball Smiles has had on their lives.

#Alencia Brice, a 16-year-old CI Gibson student, has been attending the camp for the past few years and she’s eager to see what the instructors have to offer this year.

#“A wise person once told me that once you give, you will receive, so I’m just happy to be able to give back some of the knowledge I’ve learned to helping some of the youngsters in the camp,” Brice said.

#“The camp has taught me how to be more aggressive and strong and coming here will only help me to be better when I go off to college on a basketball scholarship to become a veterinarian.”

#One of Brice’s “very good friends,” Terrell McCoy said it’s good to be back in the camp environment after they missed the past two years because of COVID- 19. “I really needed this again and I really wanted to see coach Nichols because I missed him,” McCoy said. “I get to hone my dribbling skills, my shooting skills and they give me new drills to do at home when I’m bored so that I can get better on my own.”

#McCoy, a 14-year-old student at Windsor Academy, has also been making her presence felt in track and field as one of the up and coming shot putters, but she’s not sure exactly which sport she will be leaning more towards yet.

#Nichols said Basketball Smiles has been able to grow by leaps and bounds in the Bahamas because “no child will never pay and no child will ever be turned away. But he said what Johnson did over the years and now that she is experiencing her own personal and medical challenges, they all just want to be here for her. “She’s my sister. We carry Patty in our heart all the time because people don’t really see or know what she’s done for this country,” Nichols said. “We are coaches. She is solid as gold and we will continue to support her in all that she’s going through in life.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jun/21/basketball-smiles-back/?news

Four Walls owners Michael Fields and Noelle Nicolls prepping for the start of service.

As of Tuesday, June 21, 2022

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SQUASH players Jon Hope, left, and Chadbourne Rolle.

#THIRTY local squash players are set to compete in the inaugural Four Walls Squash Open Championship tournament, starting Wednesday at Four Walls Squash and Social Club.

#Matches will be held daily, starting on Wednesday at 6pm at the Village Road facility, which has three regulation size squash courts.

#The public is welcome to watch matches from the indoor stadium on the Keith Parker Championship Court, or inside the member’s bar and lounge, which has glass window viewing galleries.

#The finals will be held on Sunday afternoon, June 26, followed by an awards and after-party.

#“Most of our members play the game to de-stress and exercise, but they are competitive people at heart. Whenever we have tournaments, it’s an opportunity to let that competitive spirit out, while winning prizes and having a lot of fun,” said tournament director Michael Fields, who thanked platinum sponsors Rubins, John Bull and Technical Adjusters Bahamas Limited.

Four Walls squash player Adrian Burrows.

#“We had a very successful beginner’s tournament last year, and now we are hosting our first open championship, which will feature the top local players, in addition to beginner and intermediate levels. In the future, we expect to attract amateur players from the region to participate in the open championship,” said Mr Fields.

#Gold and silver tournament sponsors include Fortress Insurance, TCBY, Pump It All and International Private Banking Systems.

#“For friends of squash it will be an exciting week, so we invite the community to come out. For curious members of the public, who want a taste of what we have to offer, this week is a great time to take in some competitive play and discover the sport.

#“Every night, the kitchen will be open and guests can meet new people and socialise in our member’s bar and lounge,” he said.

#Under new ownership and management, Four Walls renovated and reopened the Village Road Squash Club during the pandemic, bringing fresh energy to a niche sport that is not widely known.

#Played indoors on a court with four walls, squash is known as the “chess of racket sports”, given the importance of strategy and mental fitness in addition to flexibility, strength and endurance. Unlike tennis where players rally across a net, squash players hit the ball off the walls as they rally to keep the ball away from their opponent.

#“Local interest in squash continues to soar, and we invite the public to take advantage of our affordable membership, learn-to-play programme for adults, and our summer camp for kids.

#“Guests can learn more and sign up for all of our sessions online at www. fourwallsbahamas.com,” said Mr Fields.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jun/21/top-squash-players-hit-walls-swinging/?news

FIBA UNDER-15 CENTROBASKET CHAMPIONSHIPS

As of Tuesday, June 21, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas junior boys’ basketball team suffered their third straight loss at the FIBA Under- 15 CentroBasket Championships in Puerto Rico.

#Playing their third straight game in three days, the team played much better than they did in their first two encounters, losing 70-59 to the Dominican Republic on Monday at the Coliseo Fernando ‘Rube’ Hernandez.

#Team Bahamas, coached by Quentin Hall, Denykco Bowles and Kevin Clarke, suffered two embarrassing losses on the first two days of competition – 107-42 to host Puerto Rico on Saturday and 99-49 to Mexico on Sunday.

#Like they did in their previous two games, Team Bahamas still had some difficulty getting out of the gate. They trailed 26-14 at the end of the first quarter and were outscored 13-9 for a 39-23 deficit at the half.

#But for the first time, Team Bahamas came out of the locker room with some sense of urgency and went on a 20-14 rout to cut the deficit to 10 (53-43) at the end of the third.

#And they made it a contest in the fourth, getting outscored at the end by one, 17-16.

#Richard Fernandez lit up the nets for a game high 28 points, the most points Team Bahamas gave up to any one player so far in the tournament. Fernandez, in leading the Dominican Republic, also had seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. No other Dominican Republic scored in double figures.

#For Team Bahamas, Noah Bain had a game high 14 points with five steals, a pair of rebounds and as many blocked shots to lead a balanced scoring attack.

#Desmond Hall had 12 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and a block. Bradleon McDonald added 10 points, nine rebounds and a block and Joshua Williams also contributed 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. The other members of Team Bahamas are Trevor Clarke, Kenyon Johnson, Michael Munnings, Condae Smith, Christopher Brown, Justin Hanna, Aiden Miller and Romial Strachan Jr.

#Team Bahamas has two more games to play to complete the round robin play. They are slated to face Costa Rica today and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday – both at 3pm.

#Costa Rica was also winless going into their game against Mexico last night.

#Turks and Caicos, who is 1-1, played Puerto Rico in the featured match last night.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jun/21/junior-boys-suffer-third-straight-loss/?news