Home|Sports|Birthday boy Chisholm excited to be featured on ‘MLB: The Show’Sports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailFebruary 2, 2023 270 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian professional baseball player with the Miami Marlins Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday, and was flocked by family and friends while fielding questions from the press at Fusion Superplex about his latest accomplishment of being on the cover of the popular baseball video game “MLB: The Show”.

The announcement for the Major League Baseball (MLB) all-star player came this past Monday. For Chisholm, being on the cover of the game is like a dream come true, and he’s ecstatic that it was announced just a couple days before his 25th birthday.

“This is something that you dream of,” said Chisholm. “A lot of people were out to Freedom Farm, saw me play and heard me yelling about how I wanted to be a big leaguer, Hall of Famer, and on the cover of a video game. These are stuff that I was saying from I was a kid. To live it now and see it happen right before my 25th birthday, is probably the greatest thing I could get for a birthday gift.”

He is the first Bahamian-born player in a major sporting league to be featured on a video game. The infielder turned outfielder for the Marlins said they just called him and told him that he was the cover athlete for the game.

“It was not like a match or I was working with them,” he explained. “When the cover athlete came out last year, I signed a deal with them and we were working on a couple things, on the game together, but I was not thinking about me being on the cover. I told them that after last season, I was going to be their cover athlete. They have a video of me telling them they were going to put me on the cover this year because I was going to ball out.”

The Marlins star player knows that being on the cover of the game means a lot, not only to him but to Bahamian kids who see one of their own on the cover of the game. He hopes that they can look at it and be better than him.

“It could make them live out their dream,” Chisholm said. “It made me live my dream and made me become who I am. I was seeing guys like Antoan (Richardson) and Albert (Cartwright) doing it before me. It was like I can do this, too, and I want to do it on a different level. I want to do it at the best level I could do it at. The more I got into it, the more I was like this is possible. Now, the younger kids look at it and say it is possible and they can be better than me one day if they have the same mentality.”

Chisholm’s first baseball coach at Freedom Farm was the late Franklyn ‘Frankie’ Simmons who died almost two weeks ago while coaching. He said it was one of the hardest losses ever for him. Chisholm remembers being by Simmons’ house and playing the very first edition of MLB The Show – MLB 06: The show with the Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz on the cover.

“The crazy part is the first time I ever played this video game, I was at his house. It was with his youngest who was on the same team with me. I’m on the cover of a video game that I got introduced to in his house just because I was at his house. He would pick me up and we were early one day and we were playing video games – the first one they ever had out,” Chisholm said.

The high-energy player added that when he heard he was on the cover, he wanted to show Simmons his latest accomplishment and it hurts him that Simmons isn’t around to see it.

On his birthday, Chisholm was on a baseball field putting in work. He said he was happy to spend the other part of his birthday with family and friends as he does every year.

Chisholm was on his way to having a mega season in 2022 before he suffered a back injury in late June that eventually kept him out for the rest of the season. He became the first Bahamian to be selected to the all-star game in MLB in 2022. It was the fifth time in Marlins history that the club had a player voted in to start the all-star game, but Chisholm didn’t play due to the injury.

Chisholm was having a phenomenal year for the Marlins, batting .254 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs (runs batted in) and 39 runs scored. At the time of his injury, he was in the upper echelon of second basemen in a number of offensive categories and had been a pillar of stability defensively for the Marlins.

Chisholm also had 12 stolen bases. He finished with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .325 and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .860.

Defensively, Chisholm had 93 putouts and 123 assists in 220 total chances. He had helped turn 21 double plays and had a fielding percentage of .982.

This latest version of ‘MLB’ The Show is set to be released on March 28 and can be pre-ordered on February 6.

https://thenassauguardian.com/birthday-boy-chisholm-excited-to-be-featured-on-mlb-the-show/

 Home|Sports|Movi Group comes on board with CARIFTA GamesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 2, 2023 606 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Movi Group of Companies has come on board as the media production partner for the 50th CARIFTA Games. The announcement came at a press conference held at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium yesterday.

The production company has stepped forward to donate $120,000 toward the $3 million goal that the 2023 CARIFTA Games Local Organization Committee (LOC) is seeking to raise. The 50th CARIFTA Games is set to be held April 8-10 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

President of the Movi Group Burton Wallace said from they heard that The Bahamas would be the host country this year, they had an appetite to be a part of it.

“Sports has a huge role to play when it comes to nation building. It helps in elevating qualities like discipline, determination, teamwork and a passion for fitness and the psyche of a nation. Movi has been quietly involved in the broadcast of sports of many international sporting events,” Wallace said.

Wallace said REV TV, who is the communications partner, and the Movi Group will be collaborating to ensuring the production is top notch.

“In collaboration with the other nominated counterparts, we are on target to deliver an exceptionally high-level broadcast above the level ever experienced for CARIFTA. So, I challenge everyone in saying and knowing that this year will set the bar.”

The company has covered the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League, the 2017 CARIFTA Swimming Championships, the 2018 Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup, PGA (Professional Golfers Association) Golf, Battle 4 Atlantis and the Bahamas Bowl. Wallace encourages others to also support the CARIFTA Games.

LOC Chief Executive Officer Lynden Maycock said that it was important to secure the best team and that this CARIFTA Games will be the greatest sports production in the 50 years of the event.

“We are getting ready to put on the greatest sports production that has been seen in the 50 years of the games,” said Maycock. “In order to do this, we need the best team – a team that is capable by skill, passion and desire, to put on the greatest show to ensure this 50th CARIFTA Games is unforgettable. It will be unforgettable for the athletes, our coaches, our supporters, our partners and everyone who will attend or view it.”

Dubbed the ‘Dame of the Games’, Olympic gold medalist and member of The Bahamas’ Golden Girls Pauline Davis-Thompson welcomed Wallace and the Movi Group on board.

“We are so excited that you’ve chosen to be a part of these 50th CARIFTA Games,” Davis-Thompson said. “As a former CARIFTA athlete back in the day, being able to have someone as distinguished as yourself with this amazing company to decide to come and lend a hand and to give back not just to the CARIFTA Games but by extension to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, it means so much.”

Wallace and his company has been in the production business for years and they are looking to add innovative interactions and experiences.

“The arc of what we do I believe is substantially higher than a lot of our counterparts,” Wallace said. “We had the opportunity to work with companies the likes of ABC and Disney as we did just last year with their morning show and ESPN. We’ve been able to obtain a set of skills second to none that we intend to leverage in the upcoming CARIFTA Games to heighten the visual experience of what viewers will be able to digest and watch. We want everyone to be there but for those who won’t be able to physically be there, it’ll be an experience as if you just were there.”

Wallace said they will be enhancing the viewers’ experience and one of the ways is to use a rail camera that will track the races, especially the 100 and 200 meters races up close.

Maycock is encouraging persons from The Bahamas and around the world to use its crowdfunding platform that was done through ArawakX. It can be found on the CARIFTA Games website: www.carifta50.com.

https://thenassauguardian.com/movi-group-comes-on-board-with-carifta-games/

 Home|Sports|Top seeds prevail in the BAISSSports

Cougars come from double digits down to beat the Saints

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 2, 2023 503 5 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The top seeds all came out to play on Wednesday, advancing to the basketball championships of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

In the senior boys division, in particular, it wasn’t an easy task for the pennant-winning Charles W. Saunders Cougars. The Cougars found themselves down by 10 at the beginning of the first quarter, but executed a full court press on the unsuspecting Kingsway Academy Saints which forced turnovers and triggered their offense, particularly in transition.

In total, the Cougars outscored the Saints, 33-13, in the fourth to win going away. They entered the fourth trailing by 10, and ended up winning by 10, 79-69. In the senior girls division, the pennant-winning St. Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine took out the Queen’s College Comets, 48-27, the pennant-winning Jordan Prince William Falcons defeated the St. John’s College Giants in the junior boys division, 48-26, and the Saints completely derailed the Comets in the junior girls division, 31-1.

Junior Girls

Saints 31, Comets 1

The Saints simply outclassed the Comets, winning easily to take their sudden death playoff game and book their ticket for the BAISS best-of-three championships.

The Comets got their only point in the first quarter and were already down by double digits at the end of one, 12-1. A stingy defense held the Comets scoreless in the second, third and fourth quarters. The defending champions, the Saints, led 16-1 at the half, 25-1 after three and closed the game out on a 12-0 scoring run in the fourth.

Andica Curtis paced the Saints with 16 points and Michayla Joseph added 13. Gabriella Allen scored the only point for the Comets.

“We won but I feel like we could have played a lot better,” said Saints Head Coach Tamaro Butler. “We had a lot of mistakes in the first three quarters and then they finally picked it up in the fourth. I think it was nervousness. As long as we correct those mistakes, we should be fine in the championship. We need to execute the game plan and take care of the basketball and we should be fine in the championship.”

The Saints will take on the winner of the other sudden death playoff game between the second-seeded Big Red Machine and the third-seeded Giants in a best-of-three championship series.

Junior Boys

Falcons 48, Giants 26

An 18-0 scoring run covering the second and third quarters enabled the pennant-winning Falcons to pull away from the Giants at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium yesterday afternoon.

The underdog Giants battled fiercely in the first quarter but fell victim to an aggressive pressure defense from the second quarter onward and couldn’t respond. The game was tied at seven at the end of the first quarter, but the Falcons stormed ahead 23-14 at the half. They held the Giants to just two free shots in the third quarter, and went on to lead 40-16 at the end of three. The Giants never threatened the rest of the way.

Michael Munnings paced the Falcons with a game-high 25 points. Convae Smith and Emmanuel Brown dropped in five apiece. Leonardo Rolle paced the Giants with seven points, but went scoreless in the second half. Akai Miller scored all six of his points in the fourth quarter. Mario Bowleg added five.

“The guys came out sluggish, but they settled in and started playing Falcons basketball,” said Falcons Head Coach Philip Hanna. “We came in with the mentality that we’re the underdog and we’re playing every game like it’s our last. We know that whoever we face in the championship, it will be a tough battle. We’re prepared for it and ready to get to work.”

The defending champions, the Falcons, will face the winner of the other sudden death playoff game between the second-seeded Big Red Machine and the third-seeded Comets in a best-of-three championship series.

Senior Girls 

SAC 48, Comets 27

A well-oiled Big Red Machine proved to be too much for the fourth-seeded Comets in the senior girls playoff game on Wednesday.

The game was close early as the Comets trailed just 8-5 at the end of the first quarter, but the pennant-winning Big Red Machine outscored them 12-2 in the second to lead 20-7 at the half. The lead never shrunk to less than double digits the rest of the way. SAC led 34-14 at the end of three and cruised to victory in the fourth quarter.

Junior national team player Dior-Rae Scott and Antonicia Moultrie scored 17 points apiece for the Big Red Machine. Teanna Gibson added six. Ciara Bowe had 11 for the Comets and Kahlia Higgs added eight.

“Right now, we’re just taking it one game at a time. The girls have to come ready to play. Once they do that, I have no doubt that they will be able to bring home a championship,” said SAC’s Head Coach Anastasia Sands-Moultrie. “There are always things that could be worked on. Defense is always the key. We have the offense, but more than anything, we need defense. We can’t go into the championship and believe that because we are the top seed it will just come to us. We have to go out there and work for it. Once we come out with that mindset, and put in the work, we’ll be fine.”

SAC will face the winner of the other sudden death playoff game between the second-seeded Giants and the third-seeded Saints in a best-of-three championship series.

Senior Boys 

Cougars 79, Saints 69

In the most thrilling game of the evening, the pennant-winning Cougars had to battle from behind to prevent a mega upset at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium on Wednesday. They were caught completely off guard for much of the game as the upstart Saints showed no fear, challenging the heavily favored Cougars on almost every possession.

A 10-1 run at the end of the third quarter gave the Saints a 56-46 cushion going into the all-important fourth, but they couldn’t hold off a relentless attack by the Cougars in the fourth. The Saints led by as much as 11, and realizing that their season was on the line, the Cougars came alive in the fourth. They scored the first six points of the fourth to quickly get back in the game. By the 3:37 mark of the fourth, they reclaimed the lead with a three-point shot from the left arc by Tenaj Strachan. Strachan’s huge shot gave them a 65-62 lead at that point and they never looked back the rest of the way.

In total, Strachan scored 11 points in the fourth to lead the Cougars’ big comeback. He finished with 17 for the game.

The game was close for much of the first half with the Cougars leading 19-18 after one but falling behind 31-29 at the half. The Saints went on a tear at the end of the third and it appeared that they would record what would have been a monumental upset. However, as mentioned, the Cougars responded in the fourth.

Ramon Woods paced the Cougars with 23 points, 14 of which came in the final period as the Cougars outscored the Saints 33-13 in the fourth. Strachan finished with 17 for the Cougars and Marcian Pickstock contributed 12.

Evan Cartwright had a strong third quarter for the Saints, dropping in 16 in that period alone. He finished with a game-high 29 to lead the Saints. Kenyon Johnson had the hot hand early and finished with 14 for the Saints and Rayjin Smith was their only other player in double figures with 11. Kenaz Swane contributed nine.

“We were not at our best today – we had to fight for this game,” said Cougars Head Coach Dario Burrows. “We were sloppy in in the first half and the defense waited too long to come around. We picked it up in the fourth and we were able to come back. We still have some growing to do, but we’re getting there. We have to come here in the championship, clean up the defense, clean up the half court offense and rebound the ball. Once we do that, we will be fine.”

The Cougars will face the winner of the other sudden death playoff game between the second-seeded Big Red Machine and the third-seeded Falcons in a best-of-three championship series.

The other four playoff games will be played today at the Kendal Isaacs gym.

https://thenassauguardian.com/top-seeds-prevail-in-the-baiss/

 Home|Sports|Healthy ‘Jazz’ looking forward to new seasonSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 3, 2023 110 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The last time Bahamian professional baseball player Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. was in action in an official baseball game was on June 28 due to injury. Now, he says he is fully healthy entering his second full season in Major League Baseball (MLB), and the sky is the limit for him.

Chisholm was initially to be out for a few weeks with a lower back strain. However, on July 21, after a CT (Computerized Tomography) scan, it was revealed that he had a stress fracture in his lower back and he was forced to shut down his 2022 season. He said that is behind him now, and he is ready to go to camp to put in the work. Lately, he was putting in work at home here in The Bahamas.

“My body feels great every day. It feels like it’s getting stronger and stronger, getting ready to play 160 games,” Chisholm said. “My plan is just to stay on the field. That’s the only thing I feel like I’ve got to work on the most – staying available. Everyday, I’m on the field, even when I’m home like now. I’m still going to the field, training, working out every day, getting my work in, getting my reps in. I could be here for one day and I would still get my reps in on the field. Whenever I fly back the next day, I’m getting my reps in, wherever I’m at, so I never stop working. I’m always ready.”

Chisholm is looking to improve his performance from the 60 games he played in last season. Last year, he had a batting average of .254 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs (runs batted in) and 39 runs scored. He had 12 stolen bases, finished with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .325 and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .860.

While home, Chisholm said he has been getting in his reps, along with a few other Bahamian baseball players at the new Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium. He said he always wanted to play in the new stadium, whenever it was completed, so he is embracing the opportunity to work out there now.

Chisholm’s coach from childhood to now, who he calls his father, International Elite’s (I-Elite) Sports Academy’s Geron Sands, said Chisholm has Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Hall of Fame status on his checklist after being voted in as an all-star last season.

“When he talks about MVP, I believe him because every single thing he said he was going to do, he has done so far in the sport of baseball. So, mainly, this is the only thing left. His accomplishments included him signing, winning MVP in the minor leagues, having 30 home runs in the minors, making the all-star game, make it to the big leagues and recently making it on the cover of a video game. There are two things left – MVP and Hall of Fame and that’s what I’m expecting. I’m looking forward to that. It’s amazing to be here on this journey. It’s been a long and great journey.”

Chisholm, who was recently moved to center field by the Marlins after they acquired American League batting champion and all-star infielder Luis Arráez, said that he is working hard every day and is looking forward to the switch to center field.

“It’s just going to be a lot more running for me,” Chisholm said. “That’s all what I feel is the only difference. I’m not going to be as used to running as much as I’m used to as a shortstop or second baseman. Now, it’s more like I got to condition myself and get myself ready to have all that running up and down.”

Chisholm’s other childhood coach, Albert Cartwright, who is also with I-Elite Sports Academy, admires Chisholm’s drive to do anything he sets out to do.

“I’m the one in ‘Jazz’ life who would say, ‘Come on Jazz that ain’t realistic’. After one of our games we went to a Marlins game and he told me that he would hit a home run on a slider, I said, ‘Come on Jazz’. The next game and first at-bat he hits a home run on a slider. He points up in the stands and ever since then I was like I have to believe everything he says now. So, when he goes out and says he’s going to win a Gold Glove in center field, I believe him,” Cartwright said.

Spring training for Chisholm and the Marlins begin on February 25.

https://thenassauguardian.com/healthy-jazz-looking-forward-to-new-season/

 Home|Sports|Local group calls for recognition for ObedSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailFebruary 3, 2023 111 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

In a year in which the long awaited Bahamas Games is set to return, the nation celebrates its Golden Jubilee 50th independence, and the CARIFTA Games is hosted here for a record ninth time, a group of Bahamians is petitioning to the government of The Bahamas for recognition of this country’s sports heroes, specifically Everette ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson who passed away four and a half years ago at the age of 66.

Obed, as he is affectionately called, is The Bahamas’ first and, to date, only legitimate world champion in boxing. He defeated Brazilian Miguel de Oliveira, who passed away in 2021, for the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) light middleweight title in Paris, France, in 1975 – two years after The Bahamas’ first year of independence.

Obed ended his career with a win/loss/draw record of 91-22-4 with 60 knockouts (KOs). There were three no contest fights. He started his career with 64 wins in his first 67 decisions including the world title win over de Oliveira.

Former Bahamas Boxing Federation (BBF) President and former Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) President Wellington Miller said praise and recognition for Obed is long overdue.

“People in the region appreciate when their athletes do something for their country and it is time something be named after Obed here in The Bahamas – a lot of people are asking about it and a lot of people want it,” said Miller. “We shouldn’t have to wait 50 and 60 years or for when people die to honor them, and for Obed, this is long overdue. There is a group of us who are starting this movement and we would love for it to happen this year – during the nation’s 50th independence celebrations. Obed was just two years after independence, and he is a national hero, so it’s only fitting that we honor him in some significant way.”

Miller and the group are proposing the naming of East West Highway, from Robinson Road to the juncture of Tonique Williams-Darling Highway to be named after Obed, and he is also proposing that Shaunae Miller-Uibo get some recognition and honor this year – possibly the renaming of John F. Kennedy Drive after her.

“It’s not just Obed. We want accolades and recognition for more Bahamian athletes and heroes. The naming of the stadium after Tommy Robinson and the naming of the highway after Williams-Darling, we appreciate all of that but there is one glaring omission. Something must be done for Obed. We are talking about the first world champion in boxing from The Bahamas. He is a national hero. Unfortunately, he’s no longer with us, but there is still something that we could do for him – something for his family, friends and for the nation to see that we love what he did for the country and we appreciate him.”

Miller, who serves on the technical committee for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, said he has had an opportunity to visit many countries in the region and they all recognize and honor their sports and cultural heroes. He listed names such as Hasely Crawford and Claude Noel, of Trinidad and Tobago; Herb McKenley and Usain Bolt, of Jamaica; Kirani James, of Grenada; and Kim Collins, of St. Kitts and Nevis, as some of the regional heroes who have received special recognition and were honored.

“When you look at what the other countries in the region are doing, they hold nothing back when it comes to honoring their sports heroes. These guys have schools, streets and highways, MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) honors and other honors and, in some cases, an opportunity to be knighted from the British Empire. All we are saying is that Obed deserves something. We would have wanted him to be alive, so that he could have received his flowers while he was able to smell them, but it’s not too late to show our love and appreciation for him, and with this being the 50th year of independence, this is the time to do it.”

The late Everette ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson passed away on June 28, 2018, after a long illness. He was 66. By the early 1908s, he was past his prime, and ended up losing 11 of his final 16 fights. His last recorded bout was against James ‘Killer’ Coakley on March 6, 1988 – a bout he won on points.

https://thenassauguardian.com/local-group-calls-for-recognition-for-obed/

 Home|Sports|Exciting climax to sudden death playoffsSports

SAC junior girls and boys, Giants senior girls and Falcons senior boys make finals

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 3, 2023 185 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) championship teams are now known as the playoffs ended last night in all four divisions at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium.

The best-of-three championship series gets underway on Monday, starting at 4 p.m., at the same location.

Punching their ticket to face the undefeated Kingsway Academy Saints in the junior girls division was the St. Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine. They held on, taking down the St. John’s College Giants, 28-27.

SAC defeated the Queen’s College Comets, 36-32, in junior boys action and will face the undefeated Jordan Prince William High School Falcons in the championship series.

The Giants were able to easily come away with a 34-6 victory over the Saints to set up the senior girls championship against SAC.

In the senior boys division, the Falcons prevented SAC from having a team in each division in the championships with a 56-50 victory. They will move on to play against the top-seeded Charles W. Saunders Cougars.

Junior Girls

SAC 28, Giants 27

A 12-6 fourth quarter advantage was enough for SAC to come away with the victory. Leading the way for them was Alexis Roberts who scored a game-high 15 points. She had help from Azarria Marshall who scored 10 points. Leading the way for the Giants was Zhyon Wilson with 10 points.

Junior Boys

SAC 36, Comets 32

The Comets attempted a comeback but a huge defensive stop at the end of the game by SAC helped them to hold on for the victory. SAC had a balanced scoring attack as three players scored seven or more points. Leading the way was Tyler Frazier with 10 points. Nathan Rolle had nine points and Keitho Johnson chipped in with eight points.

Senior Girls

Giants 34, Saints 6

The Giants were dominant in this game as they shut out the Saints, 17-0, in the first half, and never looked back. The Saints scored their first points of the night in the third quarter. There was some stifling defense on display for the Giants as they turned a number of forced turnovers into points. At the end of the third quarter, they led 27-3 and cruised to victory in the fourth quarter. Lebronique Demeritte led the way for the Giants with 13 points. Reyannah Green had 12 points as the duo paced the Giants’ scoring on the night. Chanelle Gibbs led the Saints with four points.

Senior Boys

Falcons 56, SAC 50

After finding a rhythm, the Falcons went on a crucial 10-0 scoring run at the 3:21 mark of the first quarter to take a 10-1 lead. SAC kept battling back and took a 45-42 lead on a Quinton Rolle three-point shot with 4:10 left in the fourth quarter. It was their first lead of the game since leading 1-0 early in the first quarter. After that, the Falcons took over. They went on an 8-0 run, taking the lead for good.

Trae Clarke came up big for the Falcons in the fourth quarter, coming away with four made buckets. He finished the night with 16 points. Kamari Minnis scored 10 of his 16 points in the second quarter to help the Falcons. Rolle brought SAC to within two points, 52-50, with under a minute left in the game but the Falcons went on a 4-0 run to end the game and set up a ‘Battle of the Baptist Schools’ in the championship as they will face the Charles W. Saunders Cougars.

Nicholas Bell had 16 points while Rolle finished with 14 points for SAC. Looking ahead to the championship series, Falcons Head Coach Ernest Saunders said they just want to win.

“I must say that C.W. Saunders has improved a lot,” Saunders said. “They are the number one team but we just have to do what we have to do and play our game.”

Both teams finished with a 9-1 win/loss record in regular season but it was the Falcons who handed the Cougars their only loss, 63-62.

The best-of-three championship series gets underway on Monday. Game Two in all four divisions will be played on Wednesday, and the third games, if necessary, will be played Thursday.

https://thenassauguardian.com/exciting-climax-to-sudden-death-playoffs/

Jump Line – 

PERSONAL BESTS: Bahamian national decathlon record holder Ken Mullings.

As of Monday, January 30, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#A move to Illinois on January 1 to continue his training has already paid off big dividends for Bahamian national decathlon record holder Ken Mullings.

#Competing over the weekend in his first indoor meet for the year at the Illini Challenge, Mullings accumulated a total of 5,933 points to shatter the Bahamian national indoor heptathlon record of 5,426 points that he established on February 2, 2019 at the Fred Will Open in West Lafayette, Indiana.

#The 25-year-old opened the competition by taking the 60m in 6.90 seconds for 918 points and followed that with a second place in the long jump with 7.24m for 871 points (1,789 total), second in the shot put with 13.71m for 711 points (2,500 total) and cleared 2.08m for the victory in the high jump for 878 points to close out day one on Friday with a 3,378 total.

#On Saturday, he came back and took the 60m hurdles in 7.93 for 999 points, pushing his total to 4,377. He also won the pole vault with 4.77m for 840 points (5,217 total) and completed the competition in the 1,000m in a time of 2:54.83 for fourth place with 716 points for his final tally.

#His nearest rival, Cade Amborn of Wisconsin, finished with 5,478 points.

#“I was planning to score that high because I just made a move to change with this coach and we were working on a few things to get better in the pole vault and the long jump,” said Mullings, who is training with Petro Kyprianou.

#“I was stuck for a while in those events, so after getting in some training, we just decided to go for the heptathlon and I ended up coming out with a bunch of PRs (personal best) performances. I wasn’t really expecting it, but I scored really high in the meet.”

#Mullings, who is still training locally with Ednal Rolle, said he was shocked from his PR in the 60m as he improved on his previous best of 7.13. But he said the biggest shocker for him came in the pole vault because he didn’t have the poles to extend his performance over the higher heights.

#“We went into this meet for a workout and I ended up coming out with at least five PRs, so that was a shocker,” Mullings said.

#“I really didn’t know what to expect, but I knew based on my training, I would be performing very well.”

#Mullings, however, said he would only be competing in some individual events, but he won’t do another heptathlon indoors.

#He said his focus will now be placed on the decathlon where he will attempt to qualify for the various international meets this summer, including his second World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, August 19-27.

#“I want to get stronger and more explosive as I get ready for Worlds,” he said. “This is just a taste of what to expect as I continue to get any type of coaching outside of the Bahamas.”

#Mullings, whose national decathlon record is 7,866m that he set at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, July 23-24, also thanked strongwoman Aymara Albury for her assistance in his training prior to heading off to Illinois.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/30/mullings-shatters-his-national-record/?news

As of Monday, January 30, 2023

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#THE Discount Distributors Liquors Rockets and the Produce Express both had a big night on Saturday at the AF Adderley Gymnasium as the New Providence Basketball Association continued its regular season.

#While the Rockets knocked off the TMT Giants 87-73 in the division one feature game, the Express rolled past the RC Liquors Eagles 75-53.

#In Friday’s action, the Caro Contractors Shockers shocked the Tucker Boys 71-63 in the division one feature contest, while the Rebels won by default over the BIBT Great Whites.

#Rockets 87, Giants 73: Livingstone Munnings exploded for a game high 34 points with 17 rebounds, four blocked shots and a pair of assists and steals to pace the Discount Distributors to victory.

#Roosevelt Whylly had 15 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, Dion McPhee added 10 points with six rebounds and five assists and Abel Joseph chipped in with nine points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and three steals.

#For TMT, Daniel Hall had 25 points with six rebounds, Brian Jennings had 14 points and eight rebounds, Randy Miller had 12 points and nine rebounds; Ujamma Johnson had nine points and D’Angelo Mackey chipped in with eight points.

#Express 75, Eagles 53: Maleak Johnson came up with 16 points and eight rebounds to pace the Produce Express.

#Rumalo Ellis had 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals and Dion Brown had 12 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal. Both Randy Blanfort (10 rebounds and two steals) and Rasean Minns (five rebounds and three blocks) added seven points.

#Cornelius Rigby had 15 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two assists to pace RC Liquors in the loss. Lorenzo Riley also had 15 points with six rebounds, four assists and as many steals; Mark Sawyer had 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals and Devon Seymour added eight points.

#Shockers 71, Tucker Boys 63: Horris McKenzie (seven rebounds) and Rameno King (126 rebounds and five block shots) both scored 14 points to pace Caro Contractors to victory.

#Dominique Fernander (eight rebounds) and Spurgeon Johnson (even rebounds) both had 11 and William Rigby contributed 10 points with nine rebounds, four steals and three assists.

#In a losing effort, Leon Bain scored 25 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists; Kieran Mortimer had 12 points and 120 rebounds; Clayton Tucker nine points and five rebounds and Randon Swaby eight with 15 rebounds, three assists and as many steals.

#Tonight’s

#schedule

#7pm – Your Essential Store vs Mekaddish Millionaires (DII).

#8pm – Tuckers Boys vs Discount Distributors Rockets (D1).

#Wednesday – 7pm – Discount Distributors Rockets vs Cyber Tech (DII).

#8 pm Commonwealth Bank Giants vs Zulu Media Marketing (D1).

#Friday

#7 pm Produce Express vs BIBT Great Whites (DII).

#8 pm Leno Regulators vs Sands Dollar (D1).

#Saturday

#7 pm BIBT Great Whites vs Your Essential Store (DII).

#8 pm TMT Giants vs University of the Bahamas (D1).

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/30/rockets-knock-giants-87-73-express-roll-past-eagle/?news

As of Monday, January 30, 2023

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CHARISMA TAYLOR

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WHILE Robynn Rolle-Curry inked her name on another record-breaking performance on the track, Charisma Taylor soared high to victory in the women’s triple jump on the field as the duo led a list of Bahamians in action over the weekend for their respective colleges and universities.

#UND Open

#After lowering Minnesota State University at Moorhead’s record in the women’s 400 metres twice in two weeks, Curry-Rolle dropped down to the 200m where she posted another school record in the 200m on Saturday at the UND Open at the North Dakota High Performance Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

#Her winning time was 24.59. Also in the event was Angel Pratt of North Dakota State, who was fourth in 25,04. Pratt, however, was entered in the 400m where she placed seventh in 58.07. The winning time of 56.37 was done by Cerington Jones of South Dakota State.

#Rolle-Curry also competed in the 60m where she was fifth in the preliminaries in 7.76, but she didn’t come back for the final that was won by North Dakota State in 7.50.

#On the field, Daejha Moss, competing for North Dakota State as well, won the women’s high jump with a leap of 5-3 ¾ (1.62m). Pratt was fourth in the long jump with her best of 18-2 ½ (5.55m). The winning leap was 19-7 (5.97m) by Grace Emineth of North Dakota State.

#Grand Bahamian Shaquiel Higgs was fourth in the men’s 60m final in 7.00. The winning time was 6.95 by Drew Olson of South Dakota. Higgs had the fifth fastest qualifying time of 7.09 and team-mate Shyrone Kemp was 13th overall in 7.16.

#Kemp picked up a victory on the field in the men’s long jump with his best leap of 23-feet, 8 ½-inches or 7.22 metres.

#In the 200m, Higgs was ninth overall in 22.50 and team-mate Kendrick Major was 11th in 22.54. Jacob Levin of North Dakota State won the event in 21.89. Higgs also contested the 60m hurdles, but only did the preliminaries where he had the third fastest time of 8.75. He did not contest the final.

#Ty Dawkiins, also from Grand Bahama, was eighth in the men’s 400m in 50.29. The winning time was 47.39 by Jacob Rodin from North Dakota State.

#Clemson Bob Pollock Invitational

#Charisma Taylor, leading a field of sprinters at the Clemson Bob Pollock Invitational, produced a winning leap of 45-feet, 6 ¾-inches in the women’s triple jump on Saturday. Her nearest rival was Makenzy Mizera of Liberty with41-3 ¾ (12.59m).

#Charlton also had the sixth fastest qualifying time of 8.26 in the preliminaries of the women’s 60m hurdles. She came back in the final for second in 8.10 as Rosealee Cooper of Miss State won in 8.07. Javonya Valcourt of Tennessee posted a winning time of 53.67 in the women’s 400m. Her nearest rival was Maya Singletary of Charlotte in 54.04. Valcourt competed in the 200m as well on Saturday where she was 21st overall in 24.51. Kayla White, representing Nike, won the event in 22.63.

#Wanya McCoy of Clemson had the fastest qualifying time of 6.69, but he had to settle for second in the final in 6.66. Alex Lang of North Carolina State took the title in 6.61. McCoy came back in the 200m on Saturday and ended up third in 20.70. Javonte Harding of Tennessee won the event in 20.60. Emmanuel Brnum, also of Tennessee, was second in 20.69.

#Texas Tech Invitational

#Two Bahamians clashed in the men’s 60m hurdles with Texas Tech’s freshman Antoine Andrews getting the better of the matchup against Ohio State’s junior Oscar Greene. Andrews got second in the race in 7.77 behind Darius Luff, a junior at Nebraska, in 7.70. Greene was fourth in 7.87. Smith and Greene was set to compete in another 60m hurdles, but this time, Smith didn’t compete as Greene got fourth in 7.91 with Luff taking the top time in 7.66. Andrews, however, took the top qualifying time in another 60m hurdles in 7.91.

#In another men’s 60m hurdles, Shakeem Smith, representing the Bahamas, finished third in 7.97 behind winner Tyrin Lewis of UNAT West Texas A&M, who won in 7.87 with Taylor Rooney of UNAT Texas Tech second in 7.95. Smith also placed fourth in the men’s 60m in 6.95. The winning time was 6.64 by Benjamin Azamati of UNAT West Texas A&M,

#Also on the track, Adrian Curry, a senior at Ohio State, clocked 21.86 to win his heat, but was placed 39th overall. Carey also got third in his heat of the qualifying round of the men’s 60m in 6.85 for 27th place as Ian Myers, a freshman at Auburn, took the top spot in 6.69. And on the field, Shaun Miller Jr, as junior at Ohio State, was fifth overall in the men’s high jump with 7-2 ¼ (2.20m). Omamuyovwi Erhire, a junior at Texas Tech, won with 7-3 ¾ (2.23m).

#Razorback Invitational

#At the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Anthaya Charlton, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky, was fifth in the women’s long jump with a personal best leap of 20-7 (6.27m). The winning leap was 21-9 ½ (6.64m) by Jasmine Moore, a junior at Florida.

#Charlton also got eighth in the finals of the women’s 60m in 7.49 with McKenzie Long, a senior at Ole Miss, taking the tape in 7.28. In the preliminaries, Charlton was the eighth fastest qualifying time in 7.46. Long had the fastest time of 7.27.

#Megan Moss, a junior at Kentucky, was third in her heat, but 30th overall in the women’s 400m in 54.82. Her former team-mate Abby Steiner, competing for the USA, won the event in a meet record and a world-leading time of 50.59 with fellow American Shamier Little, second in 50.64.

#Commonwealth Games long jump champion LaQuan Nairn got in some speed work, competing in the men’s 60m where he had the fourth fastest qualifying time of 6.95.

#Nairn, however, didn’t contest the final that saw Tinotenda Matiyenga of Zimbabwe win in 6.75.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/30/track-field-athletes-robynn-charisma-take-spotligh/?news

6http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/30/atlantis-basketball-official-launch-february-6/?news

As of Monday, January 30, 2023

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#THE Atlantis Basketball League’s 2023 official launch is set for February 6 at 6:30pm when there will be an opening ceremony at The Betty Cole Park. All games are open to the public and Atlantis staff for the entire season which ends April 28. Games will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30pm for the first game and 9:30pm for the final game of the day.

#Atlantis’ 2023 Basketball League is packed with 12 teams of upcoming stars that are ready to go all out for a chance to bring home the championship and bragging rights for their division. Who will be crowned the 2023 Champions of Atlantis Basketball League this year?

#When it’s all said and done, who will be the champions? Will it be Cove Impalas, Royal Towers Sharks, Dolphin Cay Assassins, Water Park Predators, Banquet Bombers, Casino Aces, Water Park Warriors, ISD Lions, Room Service Grave Diggers, Surveillance Eagles, Cascade Ballers or Housekeeping Pitbulls?

#Don’t miss this season’s lineup where we’ll find out which teams will qualify to play in the championship game on April 28 and who will ultimately walk away with the victory.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/30/atlantis-basketball-official-launch-february-6/?news