Home|Sports|Archer running for vice president at BOC electionsSports

He feels that track and field needs a presence around the decision-making table of Olympic sports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailSeptember 14, 2023 121 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The track and field community in The Bahamas is throwing its support behind Drumeco Archer in hopes of having some representation on the new executive board of the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC). The election of officers is set for this Saturday at 7 p.m. inside the Paul Farquharson Building at the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Headquarters.

For the first time in the Olympic movement in the country, athletics didn’t have a representative on the board of the last administration – primarily because four from athletics vied for the same position at the last elections, and after a post-mortem, it was determined that they split the vote. This time, Archer will be the only candidate, in any of the positions, from athletics.

Archer, the president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), is vying for one of six vice president spots on the BOC. There are 17 candidates who have offered themselves, including all six incumbents. Archer said this is an opportunity for track and field to sit at the decision-making table for Olympic sports in the country, and it is an opportunity that he is not taking lightly.

“I think that track and field should be given the opportunity to participate in the development of the universality of sport. While there has been a measure of success from this federation, the focus of being a part of the Bahamas Olympic Committee extends far beyond the limits of track and field,” said Archer. “The impact of making strong representation on the BOC through the lens of track and field opens up deeper discussions and opportunities that may be available to young kids at every age group. If I should be successful, I look forward to seeing young Bahamian athletes from every sporting discipline having the best opportunity for advancement in their personal lives and to further the development of themselves as individuals to experience the world in a way that they might have had an opportunity to do so before, and to be able to take advantage of educational opportunities.”

The BAAA has endorsed Archer as its candidate of choice for one of the vice president spots, as the executive team threw its full support behind Archer at that body’s conclave over the weekend. The other candidates for vice president are Gina Rolle from golf, Robert Butler from taekwondo, Brian Cleare and Moses Johnson from basketball, Joseph Smith from volleyball, Algernon Cargill from swimming, Theodore Sweeting and Shane Albury from baseball, Cora Hepburn from gymnastics, Catherine Ramsingh-Pierre from equestrian, Sean Bastian from handball, Clarence Rolle from wrestling, Lori Roach from triathlon, Roy Colebrook from cycling, Vincent Strachan from boxing and D’Arcy Rahming Sr. from judo.

Each of the member federations of the BOC carry a vote. Archer feels that his body of work in athletics speaks volumes for the contribution he is able to make to the executive team of the BOC.

“The BOC is comprised of 23 member federations, and in this instance, there are 17 positions for vice president. While it is my hope that people will identify the best candidates, I appreciate the tribalistic approach to elections of this kind where everyone will seek to protect his or her own interest. However, at the same time, we must be conscientious of one fact, and that is when we reflect, we should consider persons who will provide the continued growth and development of the Olympic movement,” he said. “It is my hope that our counterparts and other member federations accept the contributions of track and field as being a major contributor to the Olympic movement. Having just one person from track and field this time around, it is our hope that support can be channeled in one direction.”

Archer is in his second term as BAAA president and has never served on the executive board of the BOC. He was unsuccessful in his bid four years ago and is comfortable and confident in his candidacy this time around.

“Our engagement in sport makes it possible for persons, rich and poor, to all compete on a leveled playing field. This invariably gives us an opportunity to change the lives and circumstances of a very large demographic of Bahamians, whether they be people who live in grassroot communities or persons who might not have an opportunity to pay for college education,” said Archer. “Personally, I would like to see more funding be made available to all member federations, not necessarily from the BOC, but a collective effort where we could impress upon international organizations or local corporate communities and the local citizenry to deposit more into the development of sport. This could only happen through an aggressive approach by the leaders of this movement.”

Mike Sands, president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC), one of six area associations under World Athletics, has also thrown his support behind Archer, so much so that he said he would have withdrawn his name if it was offered for nomination. Sands is a former vice president of the BOC. He is in his second term as NACAC president, and is the only Bahamian to lead an area association of a global body in sports.

Archer said he wishes all of the candidates the best, and win, lose or draw, collectively they must find a way to continue the work of a strong Olympic movement.

“I’ve seen a lot of stability and growth from the current Olympic committee – one that shows an increase in financial bottom line, and within the season we have seen large returns as it relates to results at the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games and other events,” said Archer. “There is much to brag about, but as we continue to grow, the expectations will expand greatly. I am hopeful that I could be a part of the ambitions of this new administration, uniting all member federations. It only bodes for a stronger Olympic movement.”

A total of 17 are vying for six vice president spots, but the positions of president, secretary general and treasure will be unchallenged as Romell Knowles, Derron Donaldson and Dorian Roach, run unopposed for those positions respectively. Jennifer Isaacs Dotson, Ramsingh-Pierre and Oria Wood-Knowles are running for the assistant secretary general’s position, and Isaacs Dotson, Adam Waterhouse and Vincent Strachan will contest the assistant treasurer’s position.

Archer has received an overwhelming amount of support from the track and field community, and is now looking for support from the membership of the BOC as well.

For years, athletics has been the most represented sport for The Bahamas at the highest level of sport in the world – the Olympics. The last Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, was no different as 13 of the 15 members of Team Bahamas were from athletics. The other two were swimmers.

Given that backdrop, and with the continued success of Bahamian athletics regionally, internationally and worldwide, Archer said it’s imperative that the sport gets some representation on the board of the governing body of Olympic sports in the country.

The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the 33rd Olympiad, is set for July 26 to August 11, 2024, in Paris, France. Share

Home|Sports|Team Bahamas optimistic after first windowSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 14, 2023 81 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The Bahamas’ senior men’s national soccer team just completed its first window of the 2023-2024 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League.

The Bahamas lost both matches in that opening window, with a 6-1 result against Puerto Rico at home and a 3-2 loss to Guyana on the road in League B Group D action.

The aim for The Bahamas’ Head Coach Nesly Jean is for them to win their four remaining matches.

“The performance is promising, from the second half of the first game to the second game. We are looking to keep on improving and we are only looking forward from here, and try and win some games,” Jean said.

The Bahamas has shown improvement in its offense, coming away with three goals from the country’s first two matches. They scored two goals in six games at the last Nations League campaign. Jean and his staff will look at the players available for the next window, which will be against Antigua and Barbuda, October 14 and October 17.

“There has to be improvement,” Jean said. “A lot of guys are in college and could not get released because they just entered college, but they will be back for selection for these other games. We will take a look at it and see how we could improve the team.”

Team captain for the game against Guyana Christopher Rahming has been a mainstay on the field, playing the center midfield position.

“I hope that we can build off the momentum from the first two games. We will be looking to score more goals and get a win,” Rahming said.

Wood Julmis scored both goals for The Bahamas against Guyana and he is optimistic that the team will get better.

“From my first cap against St. Kitts and Nevis in 2021 to now, I see the team progressing. This is not our best team, we have important key players who were not able to make it due to school or club commitments. Heading into those remaining games, we are confident knowing what we can do with this team. It will be something special with our strongest team,” Julmis said.

Puerto Rico leads the group on goal difference with six points and a 2-0 win/loss record. Guyana is in second place with six points with a 2-0 record. The Bahamas is in third with zero points, ahead of fourth place Antigua and Barbuda on goal difference.

The match against Antigua and Barbuda at home is set for October 14. The Bahamas will play in Antigua and Barbuda on October 17. Both are key matches for The Bahamas before the third and final window in November.

Home|Sports|Wells, Sawyer step up in new role with Team BahamasSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailSeptember 14, 2023 83 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The term “next man up” is popular in sports, and after making their international debut for the senior men’s national soccer team on Saturday, Nathan Wells and Walter Sawyer were thrust into the starting lineup against Guyana in the 2023-2024 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League match on Tuesday.

Wells is a student-athlete at the University of The Bahamas (UB) and is gearing up for their upcoming season. He described being called up to the starting lineup as a major breakthrough.

“I have been working hard. It was a dream of mine to start. It was a great opportunity to play against professional players. It gave me the opportunity to see what I need to do,” said Wells.

Wells added that when Team Bahamas Head Coach Nesly Jean told him that he was starting at the center mid position, it gave him more motivation to go on the field and give it his all.

Sawyer, who plays for the Dynamos Football Club, said that it was good to go out there and represent his country.

“It was a great experience but I got injured and was substituted out. I wanted to keep going but I did not want to cause further damage. I was surprised when the coach told me that I was starting. I knew I had to focus,” Sawyer said.

The St. Leo University student’s start was dampened by a rib injury that he suffered. He was forced to exit the game in the 32nd minute.

“I was a little nervous at first, but as the game went on, we saw that we could hold them and come out with a win. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that win,” Sawyer said.

The left winger is looking forward to competing for a spot on the team for the next window.

Wells played for 65 minutes before he was substituted out. He is hoping to translate his national team play to his play at the University of The Bahamas.

“It is not the same level of play, but I should be able to translate what I learn from playing with the national team to playing at the University of The Bahamas. I just want to go and do my job and ensure that my teammates and I fight for each other,” Wells said.

Wells will be looking to secure a spot on the team for the next window in October. He said he is looking forward to the challenge.

Jonquel Jones in action for the New York Liberty. (AP)

As of Friday, September 15, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Jonquel Jones and the New York Liberty wrapped up one of their best regular seasons in franchise history and will now battle against the seventh-seeded Washington Mystics tonight to start their postseason run.

#The New York team ended the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) regular season with a franchise best 32-8 win/loss record. Jones’ team concluded their season atop the Eastern Conference and was second in the overall league. The 32-8 regular season team is now set to face off against the Mystics, who they are tied 2-2 with in the season series, tonight at the Barclays Center.

#One of masterminds behind the successful Liberty season is none other than Johnathan Kolb, the team’s general manager. Kolb was recently awarded the 2023 WNBA Executive of the Year after putting together a formidable women’s roster.

#In the offseason Kolb acquired Grand Bahamian Jones from the Connecticut Sun in a three-team deal that also involved the Dallas Wings. Following the multi-team deal, former 2018 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart and All-Star Courtney Vandersloot joined the star studded roster.

#The acquisitions were pivotal to the Liberty’s success this season. Stewart was a bright spot for the team. She was most recently selected as the 2023 Associated Press player of the year. The forward finished second in the league in scoring with 23 points per game (ppg) and dropped more than 40 points on four separate occasions.

#Vandersloot was key to the team’s ball movement and was awarded the 2023 WNBA Peak Performer Award in Assists for the seventh time in her career. She averaged 8.1 assists per game.

#The former WNBA MVP Jones’ averages took a slight dip this season but she was also integral to the team’s overall success. She pumped in 11.3 ppg, 8.4 rebounds, and shot 52.7 percent for the season.

#Despite the individual successes of New York’s newest acquisitions, the team collected accolades as a unit as well. The Liberty earned bragging rights after their team won the Commissioner’s Cup in-season tournament over long-time rivals and last season’s winners Las Vegas Aces. The 32-8 team not only defeated the Aces 82-63 but Jones also took home the MVP honours in the win.

#The Aces are considered the WNBA championship favourites after ending the regular season with a league’s best 34-6 win/loss record. As the league’s second best team, the Liberty split their four games 2-2 against the defending champions. Despite neither team gaining an outright advantage in the rivalry, the Aces are vying to two-peat as champions to join the 2001-2002 Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA history books.

#Meanwhile, Jones and the Liberty are on a quest to bring home the franchise’s first WNBA title in their 26 years of existence.

#With both the Aces and Liberty expected to clash in the finals, Jones’ team will look to handle business against the Mystics starting tonight.

#Despite finishing with a 19-21 record, the Mystics ended the Liberty’s eight game winning streak to leave the Eastern Conference team with a 8-2 record in the final ten games of the regular season.

#The game gets underway at 7.30pm.

As of Friday, September 15, 2023

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Gina Gonzalez-Rolle

Oria Wood-Knowles

Catherine Ramsingh-Pierre

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH the Bahamas Olympic Committee’s election of officers all set for Saturday at the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s headquarters at 7pm, there will be three positions not contested – the presidency, secretary general and treasurer.

#Romell Knowles, Derron Donaldson and Dorian Roach have all secured those positions by acclamation as there will be no opposition based on the list of nominations submitted over the weekend.

#However, all of the other positions will be keenly contested, including the seven spots for vice presidents, with a record 17 candidates challenging each other. Among them are four women, three of whom are running for the first time, while one is seeking re-election.

#The BOC, under it’s amended constitution, under article VIII – Electoral General Assemblies, number two and point F indicates that “at least two of the elected Officers shall be a female.” Those changes come under the amended constitution that was previously dominated by an “all boys club” with only men elected to serve.

#Gina Gonzalez-Rolle, who has served on the board of the Bahamas Golf Federation for the past four years, said she decided to put her name in the hat because she felt that both men and women are both needed for various reasons.

#“I think women have compassion and care and there’s a little more so than men,” she stated. “We have to reach out to our athletes when they travel and congratulate them, let them know we are looking out for them to do well and if they don’t place, or get in, we need to let them know that we still hold them high in esteem. I think all of that would have the country’s athletes to move forward.”

#Additionally, Gonzalez-Rolle said she’s fighting for some of the smaller sports that don’t get the kind of recognition big sporting bodies such as track and field, swimming and basketball do.

#“I have no issues with track and field, swimming,” she said. “I just feel like that we need to ensure that every sport is given the opportunity to bring a gold medal home just like we would with track and field or basketball and we see a great example of that in baseball.

#“We have produced major leaguers and it puts a smile on our faces when we see what they have done. I feel that is what is needed. We look at every sport and consider it as good or give it the opportunity that we do to any of the other sports.”

#Another candidate is Catherine Ramsingh-Pierre, who is the founding president of the Bahamas Equestrian Federation (2016). She said she decided to run in the elections for the post of vice president as well as assistant secretary general because this is the era of change and progress.

#“The BOC plays a vital role in the development of sports in our country and as such requires progressive and inclusive governance that is best achieved through multiple viewpoints,” she stated.

#Ramsingh-Pierre, who has been riding since the age of nine, said she believes that as a woman and the representative of equestrian, a relatively small, but growing federation, she can make a difference in the landscape of the BOC.

#“I have the opportunity to bring the new voice to the table and energy and passion to the BOC’s initiatives as it fulfills its mandate for the development of Bahamian sport,” she said.

#Three other women are vying for a position in the BOC: Jenny Isaacs-Dotson, president of the Bahamas Softball Federation; Lori Roach, the secretary general of the Bahamas Triathlon, and incumbent vice president Cora Hepburn, were not available for comments.

#But Oria Wood-Knowles, the incumbent assistant general secretary, who will be seeking office in the same position, said she enjoyed helping and assisting the young Bahamian athletes and help to give them all of the encouragement that they need.

#“We need people who are willing to humble themselves and go sometimes in some very uncomfortable places and encourage them and be there to ensure that they have every advantage to succeed,” Wood-Knowles said.

#“I’ve given most of my life to sports and I am honoured and privileged to have been grouped with a set of persons who are very kind and extremely generous, persons who have worked extremely hard to push the growth and the development of our athletes, both locally and internationally and to be behind our athletes to ensure that they achieve out there.”

#As a former versatile athlete, who represented the Bahamas in various sporting disciplines, Wood-Knowles said it’s important to encourage the developing athletes, especially when they are away from home. Making a phone call and providing an encouraging word helps to make a world of a difference.

#“I’m just humbled to have been nominated again by the Bahamas Baseball Association,” said Wood-Knowles, who served as a long-time executive. “I’m going to do my best to more.

#“In the first time around, I had lots to learn – the language I have come to understand and the purpose and the reason behind what I’m doing. And to have to leave my family and to go be in these small villages, uncomfortable beds and climbing steps for days, just to ensure that things are in place for our athletes who are striving to do their best.”

#With a vibrant president in Romell Knowles and a young and energetic secretary general in Derron Donaldson, Wood-Knowles said she’s learned a lot. She hopes that she can continue the path they have taken as the Bahamas remain “numero uno” as a “small, but mighty” nation on the global stage.

claim first place at 2023 Bahamas ILCA Nationals

Paul de Souza (left) and Craig Ferguson ll (right).

As of Thursday, September 14, 2023

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Joshua Weech

Gavin McKinney

Norman Cartwright

Bryan Paine

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Paul de Souza and Craig Ferguson ll emerged as champions at the combined 2023 Bahamas Open International Laser Class Association (ILCA) Nationals this past weekend.

#The two-day event wrapped up on Montagu Bay and saw Souza win gold in the ILCA 7 senior category. In the ILCA 6 junior portion of the combined competition, Ferguson placed first among his fellow sailors. The national championships saw stiff competition between 21 sailors from the junior and senior divisions.

#Andrew Higgs, ILCA Fleet captain, talked about the level of competition between the senior and youth sailors.

#“I am happy with the turnout we had last weekend for our 2023 Bahamas Open ILCA National Championships. The level of competition was very competitive between both our senior and youth sailors,” Higgs said.

#Souza, who also serves as head coach of The Bahamas National Sailing School, came first in five of six races among his senior competitors. He ended the competition with a subtotal of eight and five points in total. Bryan Paine claimed second for the silver medal with a subtotal of 12 and overall total of nine points. He earned a first place finish, four second place finishes, and third place in the two-day event. Gavin McKinney secured bronze with a subtotal of 28 points and capped off the event with 20 points in total.

#Higgs was particularly impressed with the efforts of the youth sailors at Montagu Bay.

#“Our New Providence youth sailors have been working very hard under the coaching of Robert Dunkley and Paul de Souza improving everyday and it shows in local and international competition,” he said.

#Among the youth sailors to show out this past weekend was Ferguson, who solidified the win for the juniors with a total of 28 points. Norman Cartwright came second with a subtotal of 47 points and a total of 37 points. Joshua Weech sailed away with bronze after ending the competition with a subtotal of 53 points and overall count of 42 points.

#Out of the 21 sailors in competition including five females, Ellianne Higgs ended the national championships as the top ILCA 7 female and junior sailor in the competition. In some of her best races this past weekend she finished third and second. She capped off the two-day event with a total of 24 points for fifth overall.

#With sailing being deemed the Bahamas’ national sport since April, Higgs is proud of the strides and growth across all islands but is seeking more external support for sailors.

#“Now that sailing is the national sport we hope that the government will support our sailors in order for our kids to get better. They have to compete internationally and sail against the best. In the past and currently we have depended on self funding, individual, and corporate sponsorship to attend international events,” he said.

#Following the 2023 Bahamas Open ILCA Nationals the next event for the sailors will be the Cecil Cooke Regatta at the Nassau Yacht Club November 4-5.

As of Thursday, September 14, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamian Jevone Barrett has been selected to join the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Future Basketball Operations Stars (FBOS) Programme for the next six months.

#The league’s programme is designed to promote diversity within the NBA professional ranks in addition to attracting and developing new talent to join basketball operations in the future.

#Participants are afforded the opportunity to train virtually and successful individuals will be given the chance to connect with NBA teams and others affiliated including the G League, WNBA, BAL, and 2k league for future employment opportunities.

#The 2018 Government High School graduate made his commute to Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio after obtaining a full-ride scholarship to partake in the school’s marching band as leader of the mellophone section for three years.

#Now with his sights set on becoming a NBA Scout or General Manager he is happy to join the league’s FBOS training programme.

#“I am just grateful for the opportunity to learn and be an example for others to follow,” he said.

#Barrett is no stranger to the NBA’s training programmes. The 23-year-old’s journey towards achieving his career aspirations started in 2022 during his internship at the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. During this period the 2018 graduate got the opportunity to interact with NBA big names including Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, veteran point guard Chris Paul, Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball, and Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry.

#After this stint, the CSU student was chosen to be a part of the inaugural launch of the NBA’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fellowship Programme. Out of 3,600 applicants Barrett was one of 60 students selected to join the all-expenses-paid internship. It included a luxury apartment, food stipend, flight expenses, and payment for the 40-hour work week.

#A mere six weeks into his internship he was offered a full-time position with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a Junior IT Support Analyst. He later used networking to his advantage to join the latest NBA programme.

#Barrett said he is excited for the learning and networking opportunities the programme will allow him to experience.

#“I am most excited about networking and learning I am a firm believer that your network determines your net worth and who you know influences your income and opens a wide pool of opportunities . . . also, in my career journey I am hungry to learn because the skills I learn now will help me in the long term,” he said.

#The NBA’s six-month programme aims to show trainees the ropes in basketball operations. Additionally, they will work with league office executives and partake in sessions that will enhance self awareness and point out skills necessary for success in the league’s operations.

#Although he acknowledged it is hard to be employed in the league’s front offices, Barrett plans to utilise this programme as the gateway to being more marketable for future roles that may arise in the NBA or Division One Sports.

#The 23-year-old is hoping that betting on himself will pay off in his quest to become a future NBA Scout or General Manager.

#The NBA FBOS programme will run for the next six months of the 2023-24 season.

As of Thursday, September 14, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC) Panthers and the Police Crimestoppers have now advanced to round two of the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) playoffs. Last night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, the Panthers, BGDBA defending champions, earned an eight-point win over the Real Deal Rangers. Meanwhile, the Crimestoppers claimed game two 100-52 in a dominant showing to send the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Rampage home.

Panthers vs The Real Deal Rangers

#Panthers vs The Real Deal Rangers

#After dishing out a 40-point drubbing to the Real Deal Rangers in game one, the Panthers were in a more competitive bout in game two. The elimination game started off with both teams poised for the win. The score was tied 16 apiece at the 2:50 mark of the first period. However, a quick layup by Kemsey Sylvestre followed by a three-pointer from behind the arc pushed the Panthers lead to six points. After a late offensive surge, the defending champions closed out the opening quarter 27-19 on their opponents.

#Cordero Coakley, of the MOYSC Panthers, got their offence going in the second period after knocking down a smooth floater to advance the lead to double digits. Despite the Real Deal Rangers maintaining a close score in the first quarter, the Panthers had a comfortable 18-point cushion (51-33) going into the second half.

#Sylvestre along with Roosevelt Whylly came up big for the Panthers all game long. Whylly plugged in a game-high 22 points complemented by 16 boards to finish with a monster double double. Sylvestre was just as dominant on the glass. He also put up a double double with 19 points, and 12 rebounds to stuff the stat sheet.

#Although the Real Deal Rangers narrowed down the double digit lead to 13 in the third and had a late offensive spark in the fourth quarter it ultimately was not enough to stop the Panthers from completing the sweep.

#Perry Darling, head coach of the Panthers, talked about the team’s performance to move on to the next round.

#“The first half was a good performance, the second half we fell off. We know its pressure being a champion trying to win back to back, everybody is gunning for you,” Darling said.

#He added that going into the next round the team will need to improve on rebounding, cleaning up sloppy plays, and capitalising on in-game situations.

Crimestoppers vs Rampage.

#Crimestoppers vs Rampage

#In the following game, the Crimestoppers joined the Bain and Grants Town Cybots and MOYSC Panthers by solidifying their spot in round two of the playoffs. The second-seeded regular season team finished off business against the Rampage with a 48-point blowout win last night.

#The Rampage brought a much more competitive spirit to the elimination game in the beginning. The Crimestoppers finished the first quarter 22-14. In the second period the Crimestoppers, led by Jeron Smith, wrapped up the quarter, leading 42-31 going into the break.

#Smith dropped a balanced 21 points to pair with six assists, and five boards in the blowout win. Michael Furley Bain Jr closed out round one with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

#The leading team flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the Rampage by 21 points to end the third quarter leading 64-43. The game was a foregone conclusion after the third period of play as Crimestoppers could not be stopped on offence en route to the next round.

#Anthony “Cops” Rolle, head coach of the Crimestoppers, talked about how he felt about the team’s dominant performance last night.

#“I was really impressed with the guys tonight. Two of our key players sat out tonight due to some injuries and seeing that we were up 1-0 we wanted them to get some rest ahead of the next round against the Panthers,” Rolle said.

#He credited the efforts of the team defensively and was happy with some of the younger players who stepped up in the absence of the veteran players.

#The final remaining contest of the first round will feature the Airport Authority Avengers versus the Bamboo Shack Patrollers this weekend.

Team Bahamas in action against Guyana during last night’s Nations League match.

As of Wednesday, September 13, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas men’s national soccer team put up a gallant fight, but lost 3-2 to Guyana for their second straight loss in the CONCACAF 2023 Nations League.

#After falling 6-1 to Puerto Rico on Saturday in their opener at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, the Bahamas team took to the road in the home-and-away format and played their first match against Guyana on Tuesday night.

#With a slightly different line-up from the one they used against Puerto Rico, the Bahamas once again struck first as Wood Julmis came through with the initial goal of the game in the 39th minute. He scored the team’s only other goal in the 86th minute.

#Guyana, on the other hand, responded with the 1-1 equaliser in the 44th minute on a goal from Omari Glasgow. Stephen Duke-McKenna put Guyana up 2-1 in the 54th minute and Kelsey Benjamin scored the insurance goal in the 58th minute.

#Despite the loss, coach Nesly Jean said he was pleased with the team’s performance.

#“We played well. We played very well,” he said. “Defensively, going forward, obviously we made one or two mistakes. This is the stuff we are trying to eliminate. I think once we can eliminate that, we will do better going forward.”

#On the change in the line-up for last night’s game, compared to Saturday, Jean said it’s automatic, when one person can’t show, it’s the next man up.

#“You have to show the coaches why you deserve to play and why you deserve to be on the team,” he said. “The guys today showed that they can compete if someone was to get injured.”

#The Bahamas will now prepare to face Antigua & Barbuda in November with the first game at home and the next one on the road. That will be followed by a home match against Guyana before they close out play on the road against Puerto Rico. 

#Meanwhile at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Puerto Rico, staying here to play their home game against Antigua & Barbuda on Tuesday night, pulled off a 5-0 whitewashing for a 2-0 record. Antigua & Barbuda suffered their second straight loss.

#Gerald Diaz struck for a hat-trick with goals in the 15th, 46th and 90th minutes. Ricardo Rivera added a pair of goals in the 39th and 43rd minutes.

As of Wednesday, September 13, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bain and Grants Town Cybots booked their tickets to round two of the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) playoffs on Monday night after sweeping the Police Royals 2-0. Meanwhile, the Bamboo Shack Patrollers tied their series 1-1 with the Airport Authority Avengers at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. The playoffs will continue tonight where both the Police Crimestoppers and Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture (MOYSC) Panthers will look to complete the sweep in their respective series.

#Cybots vs Royals

#In one of the more competitive series of the BGDBA postseason, the Cybots secured an 80-77 win to send the Royals home on Monday night. Game two of the series got off to a relatively competitive start with the scored tied 10 apiece at the halfway mark of the opening quarter. By the end of the initial quarter the score was 23-22 with the Cybots in the lead.

#Stephen Miller, who poured in 18 points for the Royals, opened the second quarter with a jump shot after a series of bad misses by his team.

#The Cybots’ Jeremy Hutchinson made his mark in the game and in the second period canning three two-pointers after being subbed in. He capped off his night with a team-high 20 points, seven rebounds, on a scorching 61.5 per cent shooting from the field.

#After a shaky offensive stretch to start the quarter by the Royals, the Cybots took a 43-34 advantage heading into the halftime break.

#In the third period the Royals struggled to keep the score within range. The lower-seeded team saw the Cybots widen the gap to as much as 18 points (62-44) at the 3:35 mark of the third. The former BGDBA champions ultimately closed out the period leading by 16.

#Miller made it his mission in the final period to keep the Royals’ playoff hopes alive. He splashed a quick three-pointer to get the fourth quarter going. On the following play, his teammate Brandon Cooper was fouled on a three point attempt and drained two out of three free throws at the charity stripe. Miller charged his way to the free throw line on two separate occasions and drained all four of his attempts to trim the lead down to nine.

#Despite the Royals trimming the lead down to eight at the 2:39 mark of the final period, the Cybots were able to hold on and advance to round two.

#Wayde Watson, head coach of the Cybots, was grateful for the win and commended the coaching efforts of rookie coach Denero Davis.

#“For us it was a step closer to our goal we set out to achieve hats off to the Police Staff Association Royals, they are a young and talented team but I know it was my guys’ experience down the stretch that pulled it out,” Watson said.

#He added that despite getting the 2-0 sweep it was two very close games and the goal remains the same to bring the BGDBA championship back over the hill to Bain and Grants Town.

#Avengers vs Patrollers

#After losing in a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Avengers last weekend, the Patrollers got revenge in Monday’s 21-point blowout win. The team finished game two 84-63 to even the series.

#Leading up to halftime, both teams were in the contest despite the Patrollers leading 44-34 into the break. However, the momentum stayed with the Patrollers who ran out to a 70-50 lead behind the efforts of Lerecus Armbrister and Kareem Lightbourne Jr to end the third period.

#Armbrister dropped a game-high 29 points which was bolstered by six three-pointers splashed from behind the arc. Lightbourne, his teammate, turned in 25 points on 45 per cent shooting along with five boards on the night.

#Next up on the BGDBA playoff schedule will be the Panthers versus The Real Deal Rangers and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rampage against the Crimestoppers. Games begin tonight at 7:30pm.