Home|Sports|‘Jazz’ goes deep on Mother’s DaySports

Marlins lose on dramatic walk-off three-run home run by Padres’ pinch hitter

Sheldon LongleySend an email2 days ago 343 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The spectacular sophomore season of Bahamian professional baseball player Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. in the majors continued on Sunday as he belted his fifth home run of the year, giving the Miami Marlins a 2-0 lead against the San Diego Padres in Southern California, but they couldn’t hold on as they fell 3-2 on a dramatic walk-off three-run home run from Jorge Alfaro.

The Marlins were an out away from salvaging the final game of a four-game set with the Padres as a shutout was in order for the second day in a row, but Alfaro had other plans. The Padres’ pinch hitter jumped on the first pitch he saw, with two out in the bottom of the ninth, an 85.4 miles per hour (mph) slider from Marlins’ right handed reliever Cole Sulser, and deposited it over the wall in left center field for the dramatic three-run walk-off home run.

Up until that blast, Marlins’ pitching were shutting out the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego with scattered hitting through eight and two third innings, and the Padres hadn’t scored in the series for 20 consecutive innings. Still, the Padres managed to win the weekend series three games to one and trailed the Los Angeles Dodgers by just a game in the standings in the National League West Division of Major League Baseball (MLB) up to press time. They have a 19-10 win/loss record, while the Dodgers were 18-7 up to press time, with a game against the Chicago Cubs pending.

The Marlins (13-15) dropped to third in the National League East Division, six games behind the front-running New York Mets (20-10) and just percentage points behind the World Series Champions Atlanta Braves (14-16). They suffered three hurtful one-run losses to the Padres over the weekend, 2-1 on Thursday, 3-2 on Friday and 3-2 again on Mother’s Day on Sunday on Alfaro’s walk-off home run. They won 8-0 on Saturday.

As for Chisholm, the Bahamian now has an 11-game hitting streak, and has hit safely in each of the Marlins games in May. In his last 13 games, Chisholm is batting .340 – 18-for-53 with two home runs, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored.

In the series over the weekend, he batted .235, going 4-for-17 at the plate with one home run, two RBIs (runs batted in) and three runs scored. On Mother’s Day on Sunday, Chisholm finished with a solo home run in four at-bats.

The flashy Bahamian was adorned in pink paraphernalia in celebration of Mother’s Day on Sunday, as all MLB players were. For the season, the 24-year-old left-handed slugger is batting .310 with five home runs, 21 RBIs and 16 runs scored. 

Chisholm’s first at-bat wasn’t a good one on Sunday as he struck out on three pitches. He struck out again in the top of the third before connecting for his fifth home run of the year in the top of the sixth. In his final at-bat of the day, one inning later, Chisholm flew out to Padres’ center fielder Trent Grisham.

Chisholm is among the leaders in a number of offensive categories in the majors.

The Marlins’ leadoff hitter leads the league in triples at three, he’s tied for sixth in steals with six, tied for sixth in slugging percentage (SLG) at .621, eighth in on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) at .975, in a four-way tie for eighth in RBIs at 21, and he’s top 20 in batting average at .310.

Chisholm’s unique combination of power, speed, hand-eye coordination, athleticism and overall game awareness has him recognized as one of the more impactful players in Major League Baseball. His name is now a household one across the United States, excelling in America’s favorite pastime.

The Bahamian was recently recognized as the most electrifying player in the majors by Ben Verlander of FOX Sports and as the best second baseman in the game by National MLB Columnist Joel Reuter. He is already a frontrunner for a spot in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game, the 92nd edition of the classic, on Tuesday July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

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On the field,Chisholm is just as flashy as he is at the plate. He has 43 putouts and 58 assists in 103 total chances this season. He has helped turn 14 double plays and has a fielding percentage of .981.

It was hurtful loss for Chisholm and the Marlins on Sunday, but now they have to put that behind them and prepare for the Arizona Diamondbacks who they face in a three-game series, stating this evening at Chase Field, in Phoenix, Arizona. They will be off on Thursday and then return to LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, for a nine-game homestead – three against the Milwaukee Brewers, three against the Washington Nationals and then three against the Braves.

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The Nassau GuardianSend an email1 day ago 214 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian Ashley Michel continues to excel in collegiate golf.

She was rewarded for a progressive season, as she was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XI All-Region First Team. The all-region teams were announced by the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) on Monday, and featured four members of the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) women’s golf team.

Michel, a freshman, was the only one of the quartet named to the first team. Taylor Balsley of Ames, Iowa, also a freshman, was named to the second team, and honorable mention went to COVID-19 freshmen (CoFR) Krista Swenson of Story City, Iowa, and Quinn Eslinger of Afton, Iowa.

A COVID-19 freshman simply means the student-athlete is in his or her first year of collegiate eligibility due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michel shot a career-low 77 in earning medalist honors at the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Spring Invitational in Mason City, Iowa, at the end of April. She finished tied for third in that tournament, helping her team, the DMACC Bears, finish third overall with a 341 posting. Waldorf University took the team championship with an 18-hole score of 325, Iowa Lakes Community College finished second with a 337 and the DMACC Bears were third.

Prior to that tournament, Michel had two strong two rounds of 85 and 81 for a 166 total to help the Bears finish fourth with a 36-hole score of 729 at the Jimmie Spring Swing at the Ames Golf & Country Club in Ames, Iowa. In individual play in that tournament, Michel finished tied for second with Annie Balduzzi of the University of South Florida (USF). She was seven strokes behind the winner.

Michel closed out the regular season with a seventh-place finish at the NJCAA North Plains District Championship. She now goes on to play in the NJCAA National Championships which will be contested through May 12 in Sanford, Florida.

DMACC is a public institution serving the educational and career training needs, and is committed to the lifelong successes of its students.

Ayton notches double double as Suns falls on Mother’s Day; series tied 2-2

Simba FrenchSend an email1 day ago 223 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

It’s a new series for Bahamian professional basketball player DeAndre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns as they fell 111-101 to the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Mother’s Day. Now, the National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference semifinal best-of-seven series is deadlocked at two games apiece.

Ayton dropped his first double-double of the series in a losing effort on Sunday, but it’s now a best-of-three series with the scene shifting back to the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Playing in front of his mother, Andrea Ayton, for the the first time in his four-year career on Mother’s Day, the Bahamian big man scored 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in 32 minutes on the floor. He went 7-for-12 from the field, shooting a blistering 58.3 percent. He was great on the offensive and defensive glass.

The Suns were out of sync for both games three and four, especially the fourth game, as they dug themselves into a hole early, giving up eight three-point shots in the first quarter. Also, they turned the ball over 17 times on Sunday compared to just 11 for Dallas.

All-Star point guard Chris Paul was a non-factor in this game as he was fouled out for the fourth time in his postseason career, finishing with more fouls than points. He had just five points in the game, and had four fouls in the first half alone. On Friday night, the Suns’ leader turned the ball over seven times in the first half.

Booker stepped up and scored 35 points and had seven boards on Sunday, but it was not enough.

Luka Dončić led the way for the Mavericks with 26 points and 11 assists despite shooting 9-for-25 from the field. Coming up short in the first two games of the series was Dončić’s supporting cast. However in the fourth game, Dorian Finney-Smith stepped up for his team with a playoff-career high 24 points. He shot 8-for-12 from deep for those 24 points.

The game had just one lead change and was tied three times as the Suns could not get a game-changing run.

Ayton had four shot attempts in the first quarter and made two of them. His first made shot, a layup, gave the Suns their only lead of the game, 7-5, with 9:43 left in the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks led 37-25.

In the second quarter, both teams scored 31 points. The Suns cut their deficit to seven points, 57-50, with 3:36 left in the first half. The Mavericks fought back and went up 68-56 at the intermission.

Coming out of the intermission, the Suns went on a 7-0 scoring run to get to within 68-63 at the 8:50 mark. The Mavericks, like they did in the first half, found a way to shake off the Suns with a 7-0 run of their own. They led 75-63 at the 7:20 mark in the third quarter. The Suns outscored the Mavs 22-19 to go into the fourth quarter down 87-78.

Paul checked into the game with five fouls at the 10:28 mark of the fourth quarter and looked to breathe some life into the Suns. However, at the 8:58 mark he fouled out of the game with the Mavericks up 89-81. It was all Mavericks for the remainder of the game.

The Suns shot better than the Mavericks from the field at a 46.4 percent compared to the Mavericks’ 44.7 percent, and also out-rebounded the Mavericks for the fourth straight time in the series, 44-37. The biggest difference was the long-range shots where the Suns only had nine compared to the Mavericks’ 20.

Ayton is averaging 16 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in the series and is shooting 54.6 percent from the field.

The series now heads back to Phoenix deadlocked at two games apiece. Ayton and company will look to take the 3-2 lead on the Mavs. Game Five is set for tonight, getting underway at 10 p.m. That game will be televised on TNT.

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The Nassau GuardianSend an email9 hours ago 152 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

For the past 14 years, the Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC) Bahamas Ltd. and Sprite have supported basketball initiatives around the country as a way to provide positive activities for young Bahamian men and women in the summer months.

This year, the company will once again support a number of basketball tournaments, camps and community outreach programs, inclusive of the Kevin Johnson Basketball Camp.

CBC has supported the Kevin Johnson Basketball Camp for a number of years, and Coach Johnson will once again help to develop the talents of young players as they hone their skills and become more disciplined in the sport. The camp has been around for over two decades, and aims to instill lifelong skills such as discipline and positive attitudes, in the kids.

“Each summer, we proudly support various summer camps, youth groups, and community outreach programs,” noted CBC Communications Marketing Manager Nikia Wells. “We are always impressed by the sportsmanship, excitement, and level of athleticism displayed by the young athletes who take part.”

CBC will be keeping the players hydrated and refreshed with Dasani water and Sprite during the camp, which will take place from June 27 to July 15, 2022.

Sports

Simba FrenchSend an email8 hours ago 173 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian collegiate basketball player Ahmard Harvey has left the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers program and is now headed to High Point, North Carolina, to play for the High Point University Panthers after using the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) transfer portal.

Harvey spent the last three years playing for the Chanticleers in the Sun Belt Conference of NCAA Division I basketball and will now be taking his talent to the Big South Conference in division one.

The Grand Bahama native made the announcement on social media this past weekend. Harvey joins Bahamians such as Sammy Hunter and Lathaniel Bastian who took the bold step for a change of scenery through the NCAA transfer portal.

The Panthers finished last season with a 14-18 win/loss record and were 7-9 in the Big South Conference. Their season ended with a 68-51 quarterfinal loss to Winthrop University in the Big South Tournament. While at High Point, Harvey will be playing for Panthers’ Head Coach G.G. Smith who has been there since 2017.

The 6’7” forward played in just seven games last season due to an injury and not being in Head Coach Cliff Ellis’ rotation some games. He averaged just 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. Harvey was able to score a season-high six points in two games. This highlight of his season was him playing here in New Providence at the Baha Mar Convention Center in the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship. Although he played sparingly, just two minutes in one game and a minute in the other, he said he was happy to be home, seeing and spending time with his family members.

In his sophomore season, Harvey played in 21 games – his most in a season. He averaged 2.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game and shot 55 percent from the field. In his freshman season, he was on the floor 17 times. He averaged 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game that season.

Last season, the Chanticleers finished with a 19-14 win/loss record, 8-8 in the Sun Belt Conference.

Harvey played locally for Coach Darrell Sears at St. George’s Senior High School in Freeport, Grand Bahama. After playing there, he went on to complete his high school studies in Louisville, Kentucky, playing for the Aspire Basketball Academy.

In his final year at Aspire, Harvey averaged 13.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Meet to serve as a CARIFTA and Commonwealth Games qualifier

Simba FrenchSend an email5 hours ago 167 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Triathlon Association (BTA) will host its national championships on Sunday, May 15 at Jaws Beach, and the first portion of the nationals, which encompasses swimming, gets underway at 6 a.m.

The meet is a CARIFTA and Commonwealth Games qualifying event. The 2022 CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships is slated for September 23-24 at Clearwater Beach, Southside, Bermuda. The Commonwealth Games will be held from July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham, England.

BTA President Dorian Roach said he is happy the national championships are returning – for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a disruption in sports two years ago.

“We are excited because it is not only our national championships but it’s our second qualifier for the CARIFTA Games and the Commonwealth Games. We are going to have some competition in both the youth and the senior groups, and even among the younger athletes which may be the 

highlight of the day,” Roach said.

There is a sprint distance for the open division (16-years-old and above). That includes a 750 meters (m) swim, a 20 kilometers (km) bike ride and a 5km run. For the juniors (13-14 years), they will swim for 400m, bike ride for 10km and run for 2.5km. There are two age categories among the youth: 11-12-year-old athletes swimming for 200m, bike riding for 5km and running for 2km; and the 9-10 age category doing a 100m swim, a 5km ride and a 1km run. For the 8-and-under category, those participants will do a 50m swim and 1 km bike ride.

Up to yesterday, there were about 60 persons registered and organizers are expecting about 80 to 100 participants. The deadline to register is Thursday.

So far, there have been 21 CARIFTA qualifiers and there are nine spots left as the association looks to field a 30-member team. While in Bermuda, they will also be competing in the aquathlon, which is swimming and running, in addition to the triathlon. The CARIFTA boys and girls age groups are 11-12, 13-15, 16-19 and there is a new age group, under-21.

“Our only triathlon to date since COVID was the Potcakeman, so between that competition and this competition, we use combined points,” Roach said. “Persons who competed in the last triathlon got some points already, and now it is up to those folks who are on the border to qualify for CARIFTA and get some more points to make that team in this championship.

“For the Commonwealth Games, competitors are fighting for one spot. That spot will go to the winner in the open men’s category once that person is a Bahamian and has a Bahamian passport. For those who are eligible, the winner of that age group will be the qualifier for the Commonwealth Games,” Roach added.

Amid the pandemic, Roach said the clubs were able to train and the juniors were looking forward to CARIFTA competition.

“A lot of the children have been training and are looking forward to competition. After the Potcakeman, everyone is geared up to go. This competition is the last chance to make the CARIFTA team, but they have been training for two years. This has been their goal – to make the CARFITA team. It is the same drive for the older guys, to make the Commonwealth Games team,” Roach said.

Unlike other sports, Roach said there is not a lot of trash-talking among the competitors, but rather they support and encourage each other.

He said he is happy to see that sponsors came on board to support the championships and make it possible for the association to put on a first-class event.

#OVER 800 young male and female gymnasts from more than 56 countries are expected in The Bahamas to participate in the fifth Atlantis Crown Invitational at the Paradise Island resort December 17- 21.

#The event is the largest gymnastics competition in the Caribbean.

#Tyrone Sawyer, senior director in the Ministry of Tourism, said the competition has been very beneficial for The Bahamas.

#“A small event that started four years ago is now really generating a tremendous amount of room nights into our destination and a number of equipment is being left for the local clubs. We also have a hope we will see this spread not just in Nassau but to other islands in The Bahamas,” he said.

#“It works under the radar very effectively to provide sports tourism in a very meaningful way in our country. In many ways, the gymnastics lead the way for football. We are very versatile in sports tourism. We are a leader in sports tourism events.”

#Virginia Kelly, general manager in sports tourism development, says the ministry is proud of the way gymnastics has grown over the years.

#“When they came in four years ago they brought in 200 gymnasts. With the 800 gymnasts, we know that family is coming and so we can see about 2,000 people coming just for this event. 

#“And so from a sports tourism perspective this is really a great event,” she said.

#“The event is over a five-night span and these persons tend to stay longer and so we are really seeing the dividends and the benefits of it.”

#From the Atlantis Crown Invitational, local athletes have been chosen to participate in the Pan American Games.

#Barbara Thompson, of the Gymnastics Federation of The Bahamas, said there will be “immense competition” this year.

#“That will bring a new element to the meet and we are hoping to have more Bahamian competitors because each year we have more competitors and we ask for anyone practicing gymnastics to join,” she said.

#For more information on the Atlantis Crown invitational visit www.atlantiscrowninvitational.com

Advertisments Nassau GuardianSend an email2 days ago0 267 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

CLARKE’S FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM

GUARDIAN & TRIBUNE FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICE for RETIRED SARGENT JEFFREY GAFFNEY WILLIE, AKA “GAFF” and “J. WILLIE”, Age 59 years of #23 Syble Blyden, Millenium Gardens who died on Friday, April 22nd, 2022 will be held on Wednesday, May 4th, at 10:00am at Bahamas Faith Ministries International, Carmichael Road. Officiating will be Apostle David L. Braynen, Jr. and Pastor Fanchon Braynen.

Jeff was predeceased by his parents, George and Anita Willie and brother Jefferson.

Precious memories will forever linger in the heart of his

Son:  Juwan Willie

Special friend: Shantell Cox

He is also survived and will be loving remembered by his Brothers: Roosevelt Seneque, Paul, Godfrey (Marie), and Wesley Willie, and Frank Seneque

Sisters: Juanita (Roderick) Pinder, Angela (Desmond) Williams, Yvette Willie, Gina (Herminio) Gomez and Gladys Seneque

Nieces and Nephews: Kevin Hinsey Jr., Tenaj Cash, Antuwan McKenzie, Ronnie, Marteen, Roosevelt Jr., Renette, Evena, Willette and Steve Seneque, Shakanta and Cameron Cooper, Christen, Giovanni, Perez, Dijon, Peyton, Ethan, Angel, Elijah, Michelle and Traquel Willie, Jonathan, Kevia and Keva Gray, Althera (Valachi) Theophilus, Fallon Marcellus, Perissa, Christopher Jr., Christen, Harold Jr., Alex, Jr., Kalen and Kobe Williams and LaRon Neely

Grandnieces and Nephews: Asja Sky Cooper, Tariq Cash and Christopher Knowles

His Son’s Mother:  Phillippa Arnett-Willie

Adopted son: Ethan Hutchinson

Cousins: Faye Williams-Armbrister, Yvonne and Arnette Beauchamp, Magdeline Rolle, Gisele Gilen, Ivie Bien-Aime, Marie-Flor Frederick, Theresa Rolle, Roslyn and Frank Francis, John Damas, Harold Sr., Jeffrey, Alex Sr., Christopher Sr. and Eric Williams, Tony, Marco, Christopher, Saberon, Van, Michael, Romeo and Darren Rolle, Nurse Marktenya Maycock, Vanrea Smith, Valentino and Jason Armaly, Toni Welch, Margo Thompson, Keva Bethel, Denise Storr, Ginger and Carmel Rolle.

His Special Friends and Extended Family:  Reserve Corporal  1212 Greg Smith, Sigmund Bethel, Anthony Richardson, Derek Christie, Brad Smith, Jennifer Braynen, The Crew at Government Ground, Police Aces, Dozer Pros Heavy Equipment, Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Saint Augustine’s University (Raleigh, NC); Friends of North Carolina Central University (NCCU Eagles), Freedom Farm Baseball Association, Southside Boyz Junkanoo Group and Community Organization, The Pa-B’s Wulff Road Crew, St. John’s Lodge No. 3, Saint Michael Dodgers, Beck’s Arawak’s, Grant’s Town Braves, Cavaliers, Bad Boyz, MICAL Baseball, Bahamas Air, BEC Shockers, J.J. Raiders, Archer’s Construction, Sports Center Lions, Mariettas’ Lakers,  Kentucky Colonels, Southside Boyz, Police Aces, The Strike Force and Fire Branches, The Commissioner of Police and The Officers of The Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Other Relatives and Friends: Derek Christie, Nicky Mohr, Donna Higgs, Clara Cox, Cassandra Cox, Inez Cox, Raquel Anderson, Robert and Sherrell Cox, Greg Cox, Garnet Cox  and the entire Cox family, Brian and Una Harvey, Virginia Smith and Family, Pastors David and Fanchon Braynen and New Life Restoration Church, Bahamas Faith Ministries Int’l Family, Sheanda Cooper, Kevin Hinsey Sr., Sonia Willie & Family, Dr. Kendal Major and Family, Natalie Arnett-Austin, Nicole Arnett, Philip Roosevelt, Nathan and Jonathan Arnett, Nasya Austin, Naomi-Rose Arnett, Kenneth & Stephanie Clarke & Family, Clarke’s Funeral Home Staff and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Friends may sign the  Book of Condolences at Clarke’s Funeral Home and Crematorium on Monday, May 2nd from 11:00am to 5:30pm.

RETIRED SARGENT JEFFREY GAFFNEY WILLIE

Advertisments Nassau GuardianSend an email2 days ago0 267 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

CLARKE’S FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM

GUARDIAN & TRIBUNE FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICE for RETIRED SARGENT JEFFREY GAFFNEY WILLIE, AKA “GAFF” and “J. WILLIE”, Age 59 years of #23 Syble Blyden, Millenium Gardens who died on Friday, April 22nd, 2022 will be held on Wednesday, May 4th, at 10:00am at Bahamas Faith Ministries International, Carmichael Road. Officiating will be Apostle David L. Braynen, Jr. and Pastor Fanchon Braynen.

Jeff was predeceased by his parents, George and Anita Willie and brother Jefferson.

Precious memories will forever linger in the heart of his

Son:  Juwan Willie

Special friend: Shantell Cox

He is also survived and will be loving remembered by his Brothers: Roosevelt Seneque, Paul, Godfrey (Marie), and Wesley Willie, and Frank Seneque

Sisters: Juanita (Roderick) Pinder, Angela (Desmond) Williams, Yvette Willie, Gina (Herminio) Gomez and Gladys Seneque

Nieces and Nephews: Kevin Hinsey Jr., Tenaj Cash, Antuwan McKenzie, Ronnie, Marteen, Roosevelt Jr., Renette, Evena, Willette and Steve Seneque, Shakanta and Cameron Cooper, Christen, Giovanni, Perez, Dijon, Peyton, Ethan, Angel, Elijah, Michelle and Traquel Willie, Jonathan, Kevia and Keva Gray, Althera (Valachi) Theophilus, Fallon Marcellus, Perissa, Christopher Jr., Christen, Harold Jr., Alex, Jr., Kalen and Kobe Williams and LaRon Neely

Grandnieces and Nephews: Asja Sky Cooper, Tariq Cash and Christopher Knowles

His Son’s Mother:  Phillippa Arnett-Willie

Adopted son: Ethan Hutchinson

Cousins: Faye Williams-Armbrister, Yvonne and Arnette Beauchamp, Magdeline Rolle, Gisele Gilen, Ivie Bien-Aime, Marie-Flor Frederick, Theresa Rolle, Roslyn and Frank Francis, John Damas, Harold Sr., Jeffrey, Alex Sr., Christopher Sr. and Eric Williams, Tony, Marco, Christopher, Saberon, Van, Michael, Romeo and Darren Rolle, Nurse Marktenya Maycock, Vanrea Smith, Valentino and Jason Armaly, Toni Welch, Margo Thompson, Keva Bethel, Denise Storr, Ginger and Carmel Rolle.

His Special Friends and Extended Family:  Reserve Corporal  1212 Greg Smith, Sigmund Bethel, Anthony Richardson, Derek Christie, Brad Smith, Jennifer Braynen, The Crew at Government Ground, Police Aces, Dozer Pros Heavy Equipment, Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Saint Augustine’s University (Raleigh, NC); Friends of North Carolina Central University (NCCU Eagles), Freedom Farm Baseball Association, Southside Boyz Junkanoo Group and Community Organization, The Pa-B’s Wulff Road Crew, St. John’s Lodge No. 3, Saint Michael Dodgers, Beck’s Arawak’s, Grant’s Town Braves, Cavaliers, Bad Boyz, MICAL Baseball, Bahamas Air, BEC Shockers, J.J. Raiders, Archer’s Construction, Sports Center Lions, Mariettas’ Lakers,  Kentucky Colonels, Southside Boyz, Police Aces, The Strike Force and Fire Branches, The Commissioner of Police and The Officers of The Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Other Relatives and Friends: Derek Christie, Nicky Mohr, Donna Higgs, Clara Cox, Cassandra Cox, Inez Cox, Raquel Anderson, Robert and Sherrell Cox, Greg Cox, Garnet Cox  and the entire Cox family, Brian and Una Harvey, Virginia Smith and Family, Pastors David and Fanchon Braynen and New Life Restoration Church, Bahamas Faith Ministries Int’l Family, Sheanda Cooper, Kevin Hinsey Sr., Sonia Willie & Family, Dr. Kendal Major and Family, Natalie Arnett-Austin, Nicole Arnett, Philip Roosevelt, Nathan and Jonathan Arnett, Nasya Austin, Naomi-Rose Arnett, Kenneth & Stephanie Clarke & Family, Clarke’s Funeral Home Staff and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Friends may sign the  Book of Condolences at Clarke’s Funeral Home and Crematorium on Monday, May 2nd from 11:00am to 5:30pm.

PHOENIX Suns centre Deandre Ayton reacts to making a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of Game 5 of their NBA basketball first-round playoff series on Tuesday, night in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

As of Thursday, April 28, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Deandre Ayton said his Phoenix Suns refocused in one particular area to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven first round series against the New Orleans Pelicans.

#Ayton finished with 19 points and nine rebounds in a 112-97 Game five victory Tuesday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

#“Defence for sure,” Ayton said. “Accepting the physicality, not worried about calls that’s not going our way, not letting their offence dictate our defence and letting the defence create our offence, that was the main motto out there. We played together and it showed.”

#Ayton scored 13 points in the first half as the Suns built an early 17-point second quarter advantage. They led 59-46 at the half. The Suns maintained an 89-78 lead headed into the fourth and the Pelicans would only pull within seven in the final period.

#Phoenix will have an opportunity to close out the series tonight in game six at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana at 7:30pm local time.

#It was the third straight game the Suns played without injured All-Star guard Devin Booker, but Ayton credited Mikal Bridges for being the game-five catalyst.

#Bridges finished with 31 points and played 47 of 48 minutes.

#“Thats what ‘Kal do, that’s Iron Man,” Ayton said. “The man take care of his body and he approach the game the same way everyday. He don’t change up nothing. He’s a true student of the game and it’s contagious because we know the type of task he has every game. We need him through every possession, every game and you just can’t take stuff like that for granted having a player like him.”

#Bridges, a top three finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, limited the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram to 22 points on 7-19 shooting from the field.

#“It made my life easy. Game four, them dudes was comfortable in their pick and rolls and tonight Mikal was in their way,” Ayton said of Bridges’ defensive effort. “All I had to do was mirror them to make sure they’re not getting too deep or Valanciunas wasn’t getting behind me on those pick and rolls but Kal made everybody’s life easy putting pressure on the ball and making those dudes get late into their offence. That’s what created our aggressiveness and getting to our offence in transition.”

#Ayton added that another new addition to the Suns’ game plan was playing him at the power forward spot alongside veteran centre JaVale McGee. “It felt good, having two bigs out there and me popping. It felt good not to roll a little bit but just giving different looks in the game, rebounding as well so we can close out possessions,” Ayton said.

#“Monty introduced it in shootaround and I couldnt wait to take advantage of that. Felt like college. Playing that four position, switching out on them guards with a big dude who can slide his feet a little bit. I love that, I love defending…try to be more like Mikal.”

#Ayton is averaging 20.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game with one double double through five games of the series.

#“We were running [in game five], we were really in that paint,” he said. “That’s what got us momentum, got the growd going, what made it feel like a regular game in a way. Just attacking the paint, getting paint touches and finding guys.”

As of Thursday, April 28, 2022

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MARLINS’ Jazz Chisholm Jr, left, gestures next to first base coach Keith Johnson (88) after he singled during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals last night in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

NATIONALS shortstop Lucius Fox stands on the field during the first inning against the Miami Marlins last night in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THEY were members of the same International Signing Class in 2015 and now seven years later, Jazz Chisholm Jr and Lucius Fox made Bahamian baseball history once again at the major league level.

#The 24-year-old duo became the first pair of Bahamas-born players to appear in the same Major League Baseball game since 1961 when Fox’s Washington Nationals hosted Chisholm’s Marlins last night at Nationals Park in Washington DC.

#Chisholm had the better individual night and his Marlins won the second game of the series 2-1 last night. He went 2-3 at the plate and scored one run on the night while Fox went 0-4 with three groundouts.

#Chisholm singled to right field in his first at bat and in the seventh inning, singled again to centre on a ground ball that just got by the outstretched glove of Fox. Fox grounded out to Chisholm in his first two at bats. With the Marlins clinging to a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and Victor Robles on first, Fox came up to the plate representing the go-ahead run, but flied out to left to end the game.

#Fox made his MLB debut and his first career start back on August 10, going 0 for 3 with a run-scoring bunt. He is still in search of his first major league hit.

#“There’s been a lot of guys who have been there, and we told him that, and we just say, hey, keep battling,” Davey Martinez told reporters after a weekend matchup against the Giants.

#According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other pair of Bahamians to play in the same game were Andre Rodgers and Tony Curry, who faced each other six times during the 1960 and 1961 seasons.

#Game three in the series is set for today at 1:05pm.

#Both players signed out of the Maximum Development Academy in 2015 – Chisholm with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Fox with the San Francisco Giants.

#Chisholm spent just over three seasons in the Diamondbacks organisation before he was traded to the Marlins for Zac Gallen.

#Chisholm, who was called up late in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, was an opening day starter this season and quickly became a fan favorite for his production and exuberant personality both on and off the field.

#He was named to MLB Pipeline’s All-Rookie Second team.

#Chisholm appeared in 124 games this season (91 at second base, 37 at shortstop) with 119 starts. He hit .248 with a .728 OPS, slugging .425 with 115 hits, 183 total bases, 70 runs scored, 20 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs, 53 RBI and a team leading 23 stolen bases. After just over a year with the Giants organisation, Fox was traded along with to the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Matt Moore and third baseman Matt Duffy.

#After spending just over two seasons with the Royals organisation, Fox was placed on waivers following his 2021 season with the Storm Chasers.

#In a busy offseason, he was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on November 19 before he was released shortly thereafter. Fox was eventually claimed by the Nationals on November 30.