I-BAP pop up camp a success

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year.
Photo: Dante Carrer

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year. Photo: Dante Carrer

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the 2023 calendar year.

#The softball athletes in attendance were led by New York’s Brandon Barcomb, head coach of the 10U and 12U Electric City Bombers, who passed on various softball skills at the one-day camp.

#The collaborative effort between the two softball programmes proved to be fruitful as I-BAP received softball equipment on Saturday as well.

#Coach Barcomb was delighted to be able to work alongside the young athletes on Saturday morning.

#“It was outstanding. I tend to appreciate folks out of these kinds of places a lot more than some folks out of the United States. It’s a lot of wonderful people when I come down here and it is great for me because the girls are always very motivated and there are a lot of great players down here.

#“I also like the family-nature and community, the way folks are with me and my daughters. I love that aspect,” he said. “The girls were outstanding. They listened very well and a lot of them came and said thanks which I appreciated a ton because they realised they learned a little something here and there. Every time they take the field they get a little better each day so it’s a good thing,” the visiting coach added.

#On Saturday, the 20 athletes in attendance practiced agility, hitting, catching and fielding drills along with coach Barcomb.

#Dachye Stubbs, director of softball for the International Elite (I-Elite) Sports Academy, was grateful to work alongside Barcomb to give the girls an opportunity to learn more skills and gain more exposure.

#“The girls had an opportunity to work on fielding, catching and agility drills. It was a pop up camp, we had three days to put together and we had a good turnout. Coach Brandon donated some equipment to the programme so that is always a plus and he brought a wealth of knowledge to the game. “Some of the stuff the girls have heard before but with his expertise he was able to break down and explain a lot to them that we may not be able to here in The Bahamas. It was pretty good and the girls had fun which is the most important part,” Stubbs said.

#After working under the tutelage of Barcomb, the girls will now have the opportunity to play on his 10U and 12U travel teams.

#“This collaboration with coach Brandon will allow some of the girls to have the opportunity to travel to the USA and play with his travel team.

#“Like any I-BAP event, travel college and high school exposure and any recruiting resources that can help girls get scholarships through the sport of softball is always a plus,” the event organiser said.

#Jaylah Maycock, who plays outfield and is making a return from an injury, was especially happy to shake some rust off at the pop up camp.

#“Personally, I feel like the clinic was very influential to me because coming off an injury, I felt like I was a little rusty at first and nervous but as I came into the environment it was very productive,”

#“Some things I learned today was to work on hitting, my stances in the box and having confidence in the box. I plan to now work hard, take the information given to me and apply it on the field,” Maycock said.

#Along with Maycock at the camp was outfielder Charmia Curtis.

#She thoroughly enjoyed her experience at the camp over the weekend.

#“My experience at the camp was good. I really enjoyed learning new drills and my favourite part about it was hitting. He showed me some great movements to improve my hitting. The skills I learned here today will definitely help me to perform better in games with faster movement and better hitting,” she said.

#The softball season will begin for the girls in January.

I-BAP pop up camp a success

I-BAP pop up camp a success

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year.
Photo: Dante Carrer

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year. Photo: Dante Carrer

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the 2023 calendar year.

#The softball athletes in attendance were led by New York’s Brandon Barcomb, head coach of the 10U and 12U Electric City Bombers, who passed on various softball skills at the one-day camp.

#The collaborative effort between the two softball programmes proved to be fruitful as I-BAP received softball equipment on Saturday as well.

#Coach Barcomb was delighted to be able to work alongside the young athletes on Saturday morning.

#“It was outstanding. I tend to appreciate folks out of these kinds of places a lot more than some folks out of the United States. It’s a lot of wonderful people when I come down here and it is great for me because the girls are always very motivated and there are a lot of great players down here.

#“I also like the family-nature and community, the way folks are with me and my daughters. I love that aspect,” he said. “The girls were outstanding. They listened very well and a lot of them came and said thanks which I appreciated a ton because they realised they learned a little something here and there. Every time they take the field they get a little better each day so it’s a good thing,” the visiting coach added.

#On Saturday, the 20 athletes in attendance practiced agility, hitting, catching and fielding drills along with coach Barcomb.

#Dachye Stubbs, director of softball for the International Elite (I-Elite) Sports Academy, was grateful to work alongside Barcomb to give the girls an opportunity to learn more skills and gain more exposure.

#“The girls had an opportunity to work on fielding, catching and agility drills. It was a pop up camp, we had three days to put together and we had a good turnout. Coach Brandon donated some equipment to the programme so that is always a plus and he brought a wealth of knowledge to the game. “Some of the stuff the girls have heard before but with his expertise he was able to break down and explain a lot to them that we may not be able to here in The Bahamas. It was pretty good and the girls had fun which is the most important part,” Stubbs said.

#After working under the tutelage of Barcomb, the girls will now have the opportunity to play on his 10U and 12U travel teams.

#“This collaboration with coach Brandon will allow some of the girls to have the opportunity to travel to the USA and play with his travel team.

#“Like any I-BAP event, travel college and high school exposure and any recruiting resources that can help girls get scholarships through the sport of softball is always a plus,” the event organiser said.

#Jaylah Maycock, who plays outfield and is making a return from an injury, was especially happy to shake some rust off at the pop up camp.

#“Personally, I feel like the clinic was very influential to me because coming off an injury, I felt like I was a little rusty at first and nervous but as I came into the environment it was very productive,”

#“Some things I learned today was to work on hitting, my stances in the box and having confidence in the box. I plan to now work hard, take the information given to me and apply it on the field,” Maycock said.

#Along with Maycock at the camp was outfielder Charmia Curtis.

#She thoroughly enjoyed her experience at the camp over the weekend.

#“My experience at the camp was good. I really enjoyed learning new drills and my favourite part about it was hitting. He showed me some great movements to improve my hitting. The skills I learned here today will definitely help me to perform better in games with faster movement and better hitting,” she said.

#The softball season will begin for the girls in January.

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year.
Photo: Dante Carrer

I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the calendar year. Photo: Dante Carrer

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#I-BAP (Bahamas Athletic Pride) in collaboration with New York’s Electric City Bombers hosted a successful pop up Christmas camp on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to close out the 2023 calendar year.

#The softball athletes in attendance were led by New York’s Brandon Barcomb, head coach of the 10U and 12U Electric City Bombers, who passed on various softball skills at the one-day camp.

#The collaborative effort between the two softball programmes proved to be fruitful as I-BAP received softball equipment on Saturday as well.

#Coach Barcomb was delighted to be able to work alongside the young athletes on Saturday morning.

#“It was outstanding. I tend to appreciate folks out of these kinds of places a lot more than some folks out of the United States. It’s a lot of wonderful people when I come down here and it is great for me because the girls are always very motivated and there are a lot of great players down here.

#“I also like the family-nature and community, the way folks are with me and my daughters. I love that aspect,” he said. “The girls were outstanding. They listened very well and a lot of them came and said thanks which I appreciated a ton because they realised they learned a little something here and there. Every time they take the field they get a little better each day so it’s a good thing,” the visiting coach added.

#On Saturday, the 20 athletes in attendance practiced agility, hitting, catching and fielding drills along with coach Barcomb.

#Dachye Stubbs, director of softball for the International Elite (I-Elite) Sports Academy, was grateful to work alongside Barcomb to give the girls an opportunity to learn more skills and gain more exposure.

#“The girls had an opportunity to work on fielding, catching and agility drills. It was a pop up camp, we had three days to put together and we had a good turnout. Coach Brandon donated some equipment to the programme so that is always a plus and he brought a wealth of knowledge to the game. “Some of the stuff the girls have heard before but with his expertise he was able to break down and explain a lot to them that we may not be able to here in The Bahamas. It was pretty good and the girls had fun which is the most important part,” Stubbs said.

#After working under the tutelage of Barcomb, the girls will now have the opportunity to play on his 10U and 12U travel teams.

#“This collaboration with coach Brandon will allow some of the girls to have the opportunity to travel to the USA and play with his travel team.

#“Like any I-BAP event, travel college and high school exposure and any recruiting resources that can help girls get scholarships through the sport of softball is always a plus,” the event organiser said.

#Jaylah Maycock, who plays outfield and is making a return from an injury, was especially happy to shake some rust off at the pop up camp.

#“Personally, I feel like the clinic was very influential to me because coming off an injury, I felt like I was a little rusty at first and nervous but as I came into the environment it was very productive,”

#“Some things I learned today was to work on hitting, my stances in the box and having confidence in the box. I plan to now work hard, take the information given to me and apply it on the field,” Maycock said.

#Along with Maycock at the camp was outfielder Charmia Curtis.

#She thoroughly enjoyed her experience at the camp over the weekend.

#“My experience at the camp was good. I really enjoyed learning new drills and my favourite part about it was hitting. He showed me some great movements to improve my hitting. The skills I learned here today will definitely help me to perform better in games with faster movement and better hitting,” she said.

#The softball season will begin for the girls in January.

Athletes qualify early for CARIFTA Games

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#BEFORE athletes took a break for Christmas festivities, they hit the qualifying mark for the 2024 CARIFTA Games at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Odd Distance Meet on Friday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

#The one-day meet brought out over 300 athletes competing in non-traditional events, including 60m, 150m, 300m and 600m. Athletes ranged from the under-7 age group to the open division.

#Most of the qualifying action took place in the field events.

#Dior-Rae Scott, who earned a silver medal at the 2023 CARIFTA Games hosted on home soil, once again qualified for the regional competition.

#In the girls’ under 17 javelin event, she placed first with a distance of 44.68m. She bested the CARIFTA qualifying mark of 36.00m in the victory. Placing second in the event was Elizabeth Prosper with 13.28m.

#The top CARIFTA performer was grateful to qualify at the first track meet of the season but felt she could improve her technique. “I am grateful that I was able to qualify in the first meet. I went and tried but I did not do as good as I wanted to. That was not my best throw, I did not have the proper technique but hopefully as I go on in more meets, I can improve on it,” Scott said.

#As far as her expectations for the 2024 track season, she is hoping to progress to a throwing distance of 50m.

#Calea Jackson, who was a part of the historic 80-member CARIFTA team, qualified for yet another CARIFTA Games after coming first in the under 20 girls’ discus throw with 46.36m. She beat the qualifying standard of 40.36m.

#Cailyn Johnson, of Triple Threat, notched 39.71m for second and Annae Mackey, of Blue Chip Athletics, finished third with 36.35m. Jackson was pleased to get the early qualification out the way.

#“I just really came out here with the goal to qualify early. I am still in progress with my training. I am not peaking so I am just really taking everything as it is and just focusing on everything as it comes,” she said.

#On her return home from the University of Miami, Jackson said it is a nostalgic feeling.

#“I love being back home, being able to practice with my teammates and competing is really great. I am having a great time and it is very nostalgic,” she said.

#Similar to Scott, Jackson hopes to clear the 50m distance mark as the season progresses.

#Demian Brice, representing X-Treme Athletics, recorded a personal best in the under 17 boys’ triple jump to not only get the victory but meet the standard for CARIFTA. He soared to a distance of 13.83m to pass the standard mark of 12.92m on Friday evening. J’Lin Roberts took second place with a height of 12.22m.

#Brice also secured a first place finish in the under 17 boys’ high jump with 1.62m.

#Alvardo Rolle, of Eleuthera Elites, came second, recording 1.57m in the event. The under 17 competitor was proud of his efforts at the odd distance meet. “It feels very good qualifying, I have been waiting on this for a long time. I have qualified last year and now I just want to build on what I did last year and hopefully I get a gold medal,” he said.

#“The triple jump was good, I only did five steps. I feel like for my full approach, I can go at least 16m so I am just gonna keep working until the next meet. I am just looking to build on what I already did and hopefully I can get a better PR,” he added.

#Antone Smith, representing Leap of Faith, got the job done in the under 20 boys’ triple jump event. The existing CARIFTA qualifying mark in the event is 14.29m and he notched 14.36m to meet the criteria.

#Rollie Hanna, of Jumpers Inc, finished one step behind with 13.99m for second place.

#Smith wants to push himself further but was elated to qualify.

#“It feels amazing, I just want to thank God, my coaches and my family for believing in me.I feel amazing but I feel like I could have done better. My coach was expecting me to do better and I was expecting myself to do better too but I guess it did not work out better luck next time,” he said.

#His expectation for the season is to clear 16m.

#Darvinique Dean, who was recently awarded as the Red-Line Athletics most outstanding athlete, turned in top performances over the weekend. She edged out her competitors in the under 17 girls 150m race in 18.37.

#Khylee Wallace, representing Red-Line Athletics as well, came second and Payton Knowles of Unique Athletics settled for third.

#Dean ran ahead of the field in the under 17 girls’ 300m event. She clocked 40.27 to earn another win. Red-Line Athletics dominated this event with Alexis Roberts and Bayli Major placing second and third respectively.

#Eagan Neely, of Bahamas Speed Dynamics, took care of business in the under 15 boys 150m and 300m events.

#In the former, he ran through the finish line first with a time of 16.47.

#Jahcario Wilson, representing the same track club, followed behind in 16.82. Rohman Rolle, of Fast Forward, trailed for third place.

#Neely calmly sprinted to a time of 35.78 in the 300m race to claim the victory.

#Shevano Nixon, of Red Line Athletics, wrapped up second and Wilson ended in third.

#Everette Fraser, of Fast Forward, collected first place finishes in the under 17 boys’ 60m and 300m events.

#Next up on the BAAAs Athletics calendar will be the T-Bird Flyers Classic January 5-6.

Providence Basketball Holiday Classic tips off today

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

#IN the aftermath of the Christmas celebrations and as a prelude to the second half of the regular season in the new year, the Providence Basketball Club Holiday Classic is all set to tip off today at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

#The tournament, originally designed for senior boys’ teams when it got started 24 years ago and now for the second year including the junior boys, will run through Saturday when the championship games will be played.

#Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, the club’s president and tournament organiser, said they are excited to be able to host the young basketball players and keep them active and out of mischief during the Yuletide season. “This year we have 16 senior boys’ teams crossed over in four different pools and also we have 16 junior boys’ teams crossed in four different pools as well,” he said.

#“It’s a four-day tournament and we are ready and excited to play basketball. After eating all of that ham and turkey and going to junkanoo, the fans can come out and enjoy some high level high school basketball competition.”

#The CI Gibson Rattlers, coached by Johnson, are the defending senior boys’ champions, while the DW Davis Royals, coached by Mark Hanna, are the junior boys defending champions.

#Johnson, however, doesn’t feel that it will be a walk in the gym for any of the two teams to successfully hold onto their titles.

#“I think, especially at the junior level, it’s going to be keen and tough,” Johnson said. “The senior level is always tight, so I’m looking forward to some good competition. May the best team win.

#“We have some very good teams entered this year. St George’s is coming down, we also have Blazer Elite out of Grand Bahama and Agape Christian Academy, out of Abaco, will also be in town.”

#The teams will play each other in pool play with the top two teams advancing to the playoffs on Saturday before they get to the final four and eventually the champions being crowned this year.

#“CI Gibson is the defending senior boys’ champions, but CC Sweeting is always tough, so is Charles W Saunders, the private school champions and St George’s, a very strong team that we will have to definitely look out for.

#“In the junior boys’ division, DW Davis is the defending champions, but St John’s usually has a good team, LW Young has a good team this year, so does Prince Will and Teleos. The junior division will be loaded and so whoever comes out on top, they will have to fight for it.”

#Johnson said there will be a lot of excitement and fans can come out and cheer on their respective teams at a cost of $3 for each session, which will include a total of about nine games. There will be two sessions per day.

#• Here’s a look at the brackets and matches to be played in the Providence Basketball Classic from today through Saturday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium:

#Junior Boys’ Division

#Pool 1 – DW Davis, Galilee, Queen’s College and Nassau Christian Academy.

#Pool II – St John’s, LW Young, AF Adderley and Charles W. Saunders.

#Pool III – Agape, SC McPherson, TA Thompson and Freedom Baptist Academy.

#Pool IIII – Jordan Prince Williams, ISBET, Teleos and Anatol Rodgers,

#Senior Boys’ Division

#Pool 1 – CI Gibson A, Blazer Elite, Nassau Christian Academy and Mt Carmel.

#Pool II – Charles W Saunders, Government High, Teleos and St John’s.

#Pool III – CC Sweeting, Galilee, Doris Johnson and Queen’s College.

#Pool IIII – St George’s, CI Gibson B, Jordan Prince Williams and CV Bethel.

#Today’s schedule

#Session one – 9 am St John’s vs Charles W. Saunders. 9:45 am LW Young vs AF Adderley. 10:30 am DW Davis vs Nassau Christian Academy. 11:15 am Galilee vs Queen’s College. Noon Agape vs Freedom Baptist Academy. 12:45 pm SC McPherson vs TA Thompson. 1:30 pm Jordan Prince Williams vs Anatol Rodgers. 2:15 pm ISBET vs Teleos.

#Session II – 3 pm CI Gibson B vs CV Bethel. 4:30 pm CC Sweeting vs Queen’s College. 5:15 pm Galilee vs Doris Johnson.

#6 pm Charles W. Saunders vs St John’s. 6:45 pm Government High vs Teleos. 7:30 pm CI G A vs Mt Carmel. 8:15 pm. Blazers Elite vs Nassau Christian Academy. 9 pm CV Bethel vs St George’s. 9:45 pm CI Gibson B vs Jordan Prince Williams.

Clarke sisters give back

SISTERS Sarai and Sydney Clarke with Charlene Gibson, the business and operations manager at the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel. 
Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

SISTERS Sarai and Sydney Clarke with Charlene Gibson, the business and operations manager at the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel. Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

As of Wednesday, December 27, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN her usual way of giving back, tennis player Sydney Clarke returned to the Bahamas Children’s Hostel for the third consecutive year to provide some much-needed supplies of groceries, toiletries and toys to the 30 residents of the home from nine months to 18 years of age.

#The Christmas gifts were presented on Friday and were received by Charlene Gibson, the business and operations manager, who indicated that they are very appreciative of what she continues to do for the hostel. “She makes a constant effort to call me every time she’s back in town and asks me what the kids need and she puts something together and comes and makes the donation,” Clarke said.

#This has been an annual thing for the past three years. “For the most part, we are very appreciative of whatever we get,” Gibson said. “It’s a donation, so we don’t have to find the funds to go and purchase it. So no matter how big or small the donation is, we appreciate it.”

#Back home on the Christmas break from her final year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Clarke said if there’s one thing on her things to do list, it was making her appearance at the hostel.

#“It was another success. I received a lot of donations. A lot of people chipped in despite it being a short notice,” Clarke said. “It was a great response this year.”

#For the third time, Clarke said she looks forward to doing it. “It’s always an exciting time for me and I enjoy doing it,” said Clarke, who was accompanied by her younger sister Sarai. “Whatever I can do for the kids with the toys, food, cleaning supplies and toiletries, whatever I can do, I will do. I enjoy it.”

#Although her main focus was on competing in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s annual Giorgio Baldacci Tournament at the National Tennis Centre where she lost out in the final to Simone Pratt, Clarke said she was just delighted to fulfil her commitment to the hostel.

#“A lot of people have helped me with my tennis career and life in general, so it’s my duty as a citizen to give back,” Clarke said. “It’s always a great feeling to give back, especially to the community.

#“Just seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids brings me a lot of joy. In this holiday season, I have a lot to be grateful for. I have my parents and those kids, unfortunately, don’t. So with my platform in tennis, this is my way of helping them in any way I possibly can.”

#While the Bahamas Children’s Hostel will continue to be her focal point, Clarke said with further assistance in the future, she will like to extend the Christmas cheer to the other foster homes.

#But she indicated that she was really appreciative of Bahamas Waste for their huge donation, along with her family and friends for their continued support.

#For persons who wish to make their contribution to the home, Gibson indicated that they can reach her at admin@bch242.org or call 807-6155 or 677-0217.

#“We are grateful for what she is doing and we are encouraging others to follow suit,” Gibson said. “She is doing a very good deed.”

Newman, Pratt win national titles

Giorgio Baldacci tennis nationals come to a close; spots booked on national teams

  • Simba French
  • Dec 22, 2023 Updated Dec 22, 2023
  •  0

1 of 2

Simone Pratt won the ladies title at the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships, at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre on Thursday.

Baker Newman won the men’s title at the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships, at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre on Thursday.

After four days of intense competition, seasoned players Baker Newman and Simone Pratt came out on top at the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships, winning in three sets each at the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) National Tennis Centre yesterday.

Newman got the best of Rodney Carey Jr. for the men’s title. On the women’s side, Pratt won against last year’s runner-up Sydney Clarke to lift that title.

“When you lose the first set, you want to change so you could do better. I just started to play a little more loose and free and it worked,” Newman said.

Playing to a third set meant a new can of balls was needed. That means the balls had more bounce to them.

“It is a little tricky starting with new balls and these balls have been giving me a little challenge this week. When they are new, they are bouncier. I was not upset that the first three games were long because the balls got worn out more which helped me out more with my game. I knew Carey was going to come out after losing the second set 6-0 but I was ready,” Newman said.

The two veteran players had some great rallies, putting on a show for the spectators. Newman said he was happy to win the title as he has not been playing much tennis this year.

Like Newman, Pratt had to overcome a first set loss, rallying to win, 6-7(5), 6-3 and 6-1.

“It was a great match. I feel that we both came out playing and it was windy conditions. I just had to go out there and face the wind, but I feel I played my game and was able to come out with the win,” said Pratt.

Pratt committed some unforced errors early in the tiebreaker set as Clarke went up 5-1. Pratt managed to come close to Clarke, winning four of the next five points before Clarke finished it off to win 7-5 in that tiebreaker. Pratt got a 6-3 victory in the second set to tie the match at 1-1. She reached another gear in the third set.

“In the third set, I looked to get a strong start and not make too many mistakes and errors. I played more aggressively, opened up the court and that is what helped me get the win,” she said.

Pratt, who was one of the country’s top junior players during her teenage years, said she was shocked that she won. She last won a national title in 2012.

Newman and Carey secured two of the four available spots on the men’s national team for the 2024 Davis Cup Tournament. Clarke and Pratt secured two of the four available sports on the women’s national team for the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Tournament. The location and date of both tournaments will be announced later.

The four qualifiers are looking forward to representing the country at the regional tennis tournaments next year.

Three athletes unofficially qualify for CARIFTA

  • Simba French
  • 3 hrs ago
  •  0
Sports-Qualified.jpeg
Dior-Rae Scott unofficially qualified for the 2024 CARIFTA Games in the under-17 girls javelin, turning in a winning toss of 44.68m (146’ 7”) at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Odd Distance Track and Field Meet, at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Friday. The qualifying mark is 36m (118’ 1- 1/4”). Two more athletes, Demian Brice and Calea Jackson, also unofficially qualified for the 2024 CARIFTA Games.

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) staged a successful odd distance meet on Friday, officially getting the 2023-2024 track and field season underway at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. There were three unofficial qualifiers for the 2024 CARIFTA Games, set for the Easter holiday weekend, March 30 to April 1, 2024, in St. George’s, Grenada.

Attaining those CARIFTA standards at the BAAA Odd Distance Track and Field Meet on Friday were Demian Brice, Calea Jackson and Dior-Rae Scott.

“I went out there and tried but I did not do as good as I wanted to. The qualifying throw was not my best throw because I did not have the proper technique but as I go on in more meets I can improve my technique,” Scott said. Finishing a distant second was her teammate Elizabeth Prosper who posted a throw of 13.28m (43’ 6-3/4”).

Scott has a long season ahead of her and is looking to improve as the season goes along.

Jackson, who throws for Blue Chips Athletics, competed in the under-20 girls shot put and discus events and won both. The University of Miami freshman surpassed the standard of 40.36m (132’ 5”) in the discus with a throw of 46.36m (152’ 1-1/4”).

“I just came out here with a goal to qualify early. I am still in progress with the training, and I am not peaking as yet. I have some time to go before the discus season starts,” Jackson said.

Triple Threat’s Cailyn Johnson placed second in the discus with a throw of 39.71m (130’ 3-1/2”). Jackson’s teammate Annae Mackey placed third after recording a throw of 36.35m (119’ 3”).

Jackson will head back to school and train, waiting for the collegiate outdoor season to get underway in March. She said her goal for this season is to throw at least 50m in the discus.

Jackson won the shot put event with a throw of 11.53m (37’ 10”). Mackey was second this time with a toss of 11.35m (37’ 3-1/4). Finishing third was Johnson with a throw of 10.10m (33’ 1-3/4”).

Brice had to juggle between the under-17 boys triple jump and high jump events but was able to provisionally qualify in both. The approaches were modified in both as is the standard at the odd distance meet.

In the high jump, he managed to clear 1.87m (6’ 1-1/2”) to come away as the champion in that event. In doing so, he matched the qualifying height.

“It feels good to qualify at this meet. I have been waiting for this for a long time. I qualified last year and now I just want to build on last year. Now I just want to get the gold. I’m glad I went out there and executed and qualified,” Brice said.

Placing second in the high jump event was Alvardo Rolle who was able to clear the bar at 1.57m (5’ 1-3/4”).

In the triple jump event in that division, Brice was able to hold off Jumpers Inc J’Lin Roberts to win. Brice leapt to 13.83m (45’ 4-1/2”) which was wind-aided. Roberts’ jump was also wind-aided and he posted a leap of 12.22m (40’ 1”). The CARIFTA qualifying standard for that event is 12.92m (42’ 4-3/4”).

Fast Forward’s under-20 girls athlete Koi Adderley won three events on the day, namely the 150m, the 300m hurdles and the long jump. In the 150m, she clocked a time of 18.82 seconds. In the 300m hurdles, she posted a time of 45.85 seconds. She leaped 5.34m to win the long jump event.

The under-11 boys sprint races were dominated by Unique Athletics’ Jayden Jones. In the 60m, he crossed the finish line in 8.67 seconds for the win and took the 150m in 20.73 seconds.

Bahamas Speed Dynamics’ Eagan Neely won both of his races in the under-15 boys division. Neely ran 16.47 seconds to win the 150m. He then got a win in the 300m after running a time of 35.78 seconds.

In the under-15 girls short sprints, Brion Ward, representing the DTSP Wolfpack, picked up a double victory. Ward won the 60m dash in a time of 7.91 seconds. She then came back and won the 150m in 18.62 seconds.

The next event on the local track and field calendar is the T-Bird Flyers Track and Field Classic, set for January 5-6, 2024, at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Storr drops in career-high 29 points in win

  • Simba French
  • 3 hrs ago
  •  0
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Bahamian AJ Storr scored a career-high 29 points in an 80-53 win for the University of Wisconsin Badgers over the Chicago State University Cougars on Friday. Storr and the Badgers improved to a 9-3 win/loss record.

A Bahamian senior men’s national team player is making waves on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball scene as he had a career night with 29 points, helping the University of Wisconsin Badgers (9-3) get an 80-53 win over the Chicago State University Cougars (7-10) on Friday.

AJ Storr and the number 24th nationally ranked Badgers picked up their ninth win of the season, sporting a 9-3 win/loss record. It was their second consecutive victory, ending the calendar year on a positive note

Playing in front of their home crowd at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, the Badgers never trailed in the game. They led wire-to-wire and held the Cougars to just 31.7 percent shooting from the field. The Badgers shot 50 percent in the win, going 28-for-56.

Storr opened the game with a layup and made a three-pointer, helping to put his team up 6-2 with 17:56 left in the first half. He converted an and-one play at the 11:51 mark in the first half to put his team up 18-5.

At the end of the half, the Badgers led by 13 points, 38-25. They held the Cougars to 28.1 percent shooting on just nine made field goals in 32 attempts in the first half.

In the second half, Storr and the Badgers kept the Cougars at arm’s length. Storr connected on a three-point shot with 8:19 left in the second half to give the Badgers a 67-50 lead. The Badgers stretched the lead to 20 points and never looked back. The margin didn’t shrink under 20 points after that.

It has been a good season for Storr as he leads his team in scoring with an average of 15 points per game. He has started in all 12 games for the Badgers this season. He is shooting at a 44.3 percent clip on the season and is averaging 2.8 rebounds per game.

The Badgers return to action on January 2 when they face the Iowa University Hawkeyes on their home court at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin, starting at 6 p.m.

Also in action on Friday night was Deyton Albury for the Queens University of Charlotte Royals. They fell to the Clemson University Tigers (10-1), 109-79, on the road at the Littlejohn Coliseum, in Clemson, South Carolina. Albury posted 10 points in the loss, going 4-for-10 from the field. He also had five rebounds in 25 minutes on the floor. He was able to pick up a steal.https://02e9c279bc6128139e137571e58b478b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

It was a long night for the Royals as they went up against the 18th nationally ranked team. They never led in this game and the only tie came when Albury opened the scoring for his team with a layup at the 19:17 mark of the first half. The Tigers took their first double-digit lead at the 12:24 mark of the first half, going up 21-11.

Albury’s opening basket were his only points of the first half. The Tigers went up 69-36 at the break. The Royals could not find a way to cut into that deficit in the second half. The closest they got was 27 points.

This was Albury’s fifth straight game with at least 10 points. He is averaging 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game and is shooting at a 46.6 percent clip on the season.

The Royals will look to end their three-game losing skid in their next game but they will have their hands full as they take on number 21 nationally ranked Duke University Blue Devils on the road at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. That game will take place on Saturday and get underway at 2 p.m.

The Nassau Guardian’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year

  • Simba French
  • 3 hrs ago
  •  0
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Saleste Gibson has been named as The Nassau Guardian’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year for 2023, just outscoring track and field star Jamiah Nabbie.

For the first time in six years, a swimmer has emerged as The Nassau Guardian’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year, beating a fantastic athlete who captured the hearts of Bahamians everywhere, winning three medals, including two gold, at the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Saleste Gibson was special herself, swimming in 13 races in total, nine individual, in the 11-12 girls category at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Willemstad, Curaçao. In the individual races, she won seven gold medals, one silver and had one fourth place finish.

Gibson scored a whopping 75 points, swimming away with the high point award in the 11-12 girls division, and helping Team Bahamas win a fifth straight CARIFTA swimming title and seventh in the last eight CARIFTA meets. Gibson was the one being chased for all but two of her seven individual races at CARIFTA, and also dominated in her category at the Bahamas Aquatics Federation’s REV National Championships.

Gibson secured 22 points in the voting process for The Nassau Guardian’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year honor, barely getting past track and field star Jamiah Nabbie who finished with 21 points. Swimmer Rhanishka Gibbs collected 18 points for third and basketball player Denika Lightbourne and javelin thrower Kamera Strachan finished tied for fourth with 17 points apiece.

Nabbie was certainly the darling for The Bahamas at the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games on her home track.

Nabbie won gold in the under-17 girls 100m, matching a personal best time of 11.67 seconds, and also striking gold in the 200m with a time of 23.67 seconds. She also competed in the long jump and finished fifth with a leap of 5.40m (17’ 8-1/2”). In the under-17 girls 4x100m at CARIFTA, Nabbie teamed up with Shayann Demeritte, Darvinique Dean and Madison Moss, and the quartet won the silver medal in 46.43 seconds.

Nabbie went on to win a gold medal in the under-17 girls 100m at the Speed Capital International Championships in The Bahamas and added a fourth place finish in the 200m.

Like Gibson, Gibbs was strong for The Bahamas at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships. She won a gold medal in the 15-17 girls 50m breast, setting a new CARIFTA record in the preliminaries of that event, touching the wall in 32.29 seconds. She went on to post a time of 32.88 seconds.

Gibbs also won gold in the 100m breast in a personal best of 1:14.74, was second in the 50m fly in 28.66 seconds, second in the 200m breast in 2:48.62 and fifth in the 50m free in 27.46 seconds. In the relays she and her teammates won gold in the 400m medley relay and bronze in 200m free relay.

Gibbs, just 17, also performed well at the nationals this year and represented The Bahamas at two major senior meets – the 24th Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in San Salvador, El Salvador and the 20th World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.

Gibbs is now a freshman for the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs in Fort Worth, Texas, and is hoping to qualify for Team Bahamas for the Olympic Games in Paris, France, next summer.

Denika Lightbourne, who has started eight of 12 games for the University of Dayton Flyers women’s basketball team, and Kamera Strachan who set a new CARIFTA record of 46.07m (151’ 2”) for the gold medal in the under-17 girls javelin this year, finished tied for fourth in voting for the Nassau Guardian’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year honor.

Pratt and Newman national champions

LEFT: The third ranked Simone Pratt dropped first ranked Sydney Clarke in a three-setter yesterday in the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships to become the 2023 women’s national champion.


RIGHT: Baker Newman knocked off Rodney Carey Jr in the men’s singles finals at the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships yesterday at the National Tennis Centre.

Photos: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

LEFT: The third ranked Simone Pratt dropped first ranked Sydney Clarke in a three-setter yesterday in the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships to become the 2023 women’s national champion. RIGHT: Baker Newman knocked off Rodney Carey Jr in the men’s singles finals at the Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships yesterday at the National Tennis Centre. Photos: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

As of Friday, December 22, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The 2023 Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships saw Simone Pratt and Baker Newman claim the championship hardware for the women’s and men’s divisions respectively.

#Pratt upset the first ranked Sydney Clarke on Thursday in the women’s singles finals.

#Meanwhile, Newman overpowered Rodney Carey Jr to claim his third national victory.

#The finals were spectacular for the women and men’s divisions as both ended in three sets yesterday. The third ranked Pratt had to earn her trophy after Clarke gave it all she had in their championship showdown.

#The 22-year-old notched the set one victory 7-6(5). The newly-crowned women’s national champion recovered despite the windy weather conditions and stole set two 6-3. She solved Clarke’s formula in the final set and dominated her 6-1 to win her second national honours in over a decade.

#“I feel like it was a great match we both came out to play. It was a lot of windy conditions again today. I just had to go out there, face the wind and move my feet. I feel like I played my game and I was able to come out with the win today,” Pratt said.

#She talked about what changed for her mentally in the final set.

#“In the third set I said to myself I have to come out with strong shots, not a lot of mistakes and errors. I just played more aggressively opening up the court and I feel like thats what really gave me the win,” she said.

#For her the victory felt great and she is now going to work on preparing herself to represent The Bahamas at the Billie Jean King Cup tournament next year.

#The battle of the veterans ended with Newman earning bragging rights over Carey Jr yesterday. After winning back to back titles in 2015 and 2016, the 28-year-old secured his third crown in a three-setter. He got off to a slow start against his opponent and fell 2-6. However, something clicked in the second set as he steamrolled Carey Jr 6-0. With his opponent now on the ropes, Newman delivered the final blow to take it 6-1. “Its been a long week this is match number four. It started off a little slow Rodney was playing well at the start. I felt like it took me a little bit to kind of sink in today because it is day four at it but I picked it up from the start of the second set. I didn’t let the first set phase me and I just kept playing and competed,” he said.

#Despite the physical toll endured at this week’s Giorgio Baldacci Open National Tennis Championships, the national champion was very proud of his efforts in the end.

#“It feels great to win I am proud of myself I had a lot of adversity this week. Conditions were tough and I haven’t played that many tournaments lately so I just threw myself into it and I am happy,” he said.

#Elana Mackey, last year’s defending champion, ended her tournament experience in third place after ousting Takaii Adderley in three sets. The match between the two lasted 3.5 hours. Adderley, the 2023 junior national champion, won 7-5 in set one. However, Mackey reeled off consecutive wins 6-3,6-2 to close out her opponent and the 2023 tennis year.

Minister ‘confident’ swimming complex will be ready for CARIFTA

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

As of Friday, December 22, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#EXCITEMENT is slowly building for the 2024 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships to be hosted in Nassau, Bahamas March 28 to April 7.

#However, concerns have arisen regarding whether the repairs at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre will be completed on time and how the ongoing renovations affects the athletes’ preparation ahead of the swimming championships.

#Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, declared his confidence in the swim facility’s facelift being concluded in time for The Bahamas’ fifth hosting of the regional competition.

#“I am quite confident in the present contractor that is dealing with the pool. We intend to have a press conference that will deal to the repairs of the pool in January so then you will be updated on where we are at with the pools,

#“I am sure come Easter we will be hosting this event there is no doubt about that, there is no question about that,” Bowleg said.

#With renovations underway at the national facility, the pool is currently inaccessible to swimmers which has relegated the athletes to practicing for the marquee event in 25 metre pools ahead of their potential six-peat at home.

#Algernon Cargill, president of the Bahamas Aquatics Federation, echoed the sentiments of the Minister and said Team Bahamas will be ready.

#“We are confident as the Minister said that the facility will be ready in February in time for the athletes to be able to qualify to represent The Bahamas. We have no doubt that the athletes will be ready. They are currently training in 25 metre pools here in Nassau and Grand Bahama. Marvin for example, he won all of those CARIFTA medals last year training in a 25 yard pool at McCallie School,” the president said.

#“While it would be ideal to train in the 50m pool…we know how to improvise and we will certainly improvise ensuring that Team Bahamas is ready for 2024,” he added.

#Team Bahamas had a record showing at the 2023 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Willemstad, Curaçao. The swim team was greeted by the sounds of sweet Junkanoo music at home after hauling in a historic 85 medals which included 37 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 21 bronze medals.

#Marvin Johnson, who recently committed to the University of Florida, played an integral role in The Bahamas’ five peat capturing nine medals at the event. Although the swimmers are unable to practice at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre, Johnson said it is not a major setback.

#“I was born and raised in Freeport, Grand Bahama to train in a pool that is small has not been something new to me. When you speak about swimming in a 50m pool…it is not what makes you a great swimmer. I think something that The Bahamas and the Bahamian people in general really have is we love to fight and we love to race so no matter what length of the pool they put me in or I train in when it comes to race day I am ready to represent The Bahamas to the best of my abilities and it has been working so far,” the top swimmer said.

#Elle TheBerge, who is looking to make her third CARIFTA Aquatics team, said training in the 25m pool is a bit of an adjustment for her.

#“It is a bit of an adjustment for me but our coach is pushing us very hard in the pool making sure that we are ready either way. We are able to work on other things like our turns so it is very helpful for us in that aspect,” she said.

#The government allocated $10 million to facilitate the repairs at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium along with the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre. Renovations began in November and are expected to be done by March according to the Minister.