SHOWN above is Team Bahamas at a previous championship tournament.

As of Friday, January 13, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#INTERNATIONAL tennis teams from USA, Barbados and Canada will be joining The Bahamas team for the sixth bi-annual International Tennis Clubs (IC) Caribbean Doubles Week Championship from Monday, January 16 to Friday, January 20.

#This week-long event features top older players from these countries playing men’s, ladies and mixed doubles in combined age pair categories from 105 to 125 years.

#The Bahamas team is captained by Neil Mactaggart. Among his players will be former top Caribbean, Davis Cup Captain and player John Antonas.

#Also on that team will be the No.1 ITF ranked lady in the world in the 75+ age category. This is Sue Kimball who for many years was a teacher here and has kept up strong contact with The Bahamas and its International Tennis Club (IC) ever since those days.

#The event is being hosted at Nassau Lawn Tennis Club on Market Street.

#The Nassau Lawn Club was established in 1880 and is one of the very oldest clubs in the whole Americas region. It is almost exactly the same age as Wimbledon.

#There will be two inter country matches each day starting at 9.30am and 1.30pm with all teams playing every other team over the five days to decide the eventual champion team.

#The USA are the current holders of this title.

#Each inter country match consists of two men’s doubles, one ladies’ double and two mixed doubles matches.

#The International Tennis Clubs (IC) are made up of 40 countries around the world. They consist of top international players and national title holders in their country who respect the IC Tradition of “Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean”.

#As well as organising many international tennis events around the world for member countries, they sponsor The IC Rod Laver Junior Challenge.

#This is held bi-annually on every continent with the winning teams going to the World-wide Finals which recently has been held in Wimbledon, Monte Carlo and Japan.

#This is fully sponsored by the IC organisation at no cost to the juniors.

#The IC also has a philanthropic section that runs and sponsors many projects around the world for juniors in poor areas.

#This is part of the IC tradition of top players who are invited to join and give back to the world of tennis. For more information on IC activities, go to www. ictennis.net

#The Council of

#International Lawn

#Tennis Clubs

#In 2009, IC Philanthropy was established by the IC Council to teach tennis to disadvantaged children.

#In some communities, the sport provides an alternative path from life on the streets and the dangers of drugs and crime.

#Bahamas IC President, Kit Spencer, who will be playing in the event, thanked sponsor Winterbotham Trust for not only helping with staging this international event but also for their great help in sponsoring The Winterbotham IC Junior Series over recent years.

#This has enabled many young Bahamians to get in to tennis competition in an enjoyable way and help the BLTA develop junior tennis.

#So from this junior activity to this Caribbean event for older players, tennis is “a game for life.”

#For more information, contact Kit Spencer @

#363-2930 and 395-8258.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/13/international-tennis-teams-join-bahamas-ic-caribbe/?news

BRIANA Houlgrave and Tatyana Madu receive their champions and runners-up trophies from Chilean Burrows. At left is Andrew Burrows Jr.

As of Friday, January 13, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

RUNNER-up Chase Newbold and champion Patrick MacTaggart receive their trophies from past president Darnette Weir and current president Perry Newton.

#JUNIORS in two age categories, U14 and U16, participated in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) New Year’s Tournament from January 7-10 at the National Tennis Centre.

#A group of talented juniors headlined the opening tournament of 2023.

#President Perry Newton, vice-president Chilean Burrows and immediate past-president Darnette Weir were on hand to present the trophies.

#The winners’ circle consisted of:

#U14 Girls

#Champion: Briana

#Houlgrave

#Runner Up: Tatyana

#Madu

#U14 Boys

#Champion: Patrick

#Mactaggart

#Runner Up: Chase

#Newbold

#U16 Girls

#Champion: Briana

#Houlgrave

#Runner Up: Tatyana

#Madu

#U16 Boys

#Champion: Jackson

#Mactaggart

#Runner Up: William

#McCartney

#Sportsmanship Boy:

#Panagiotis Mousis

#Sportsmanship Girl:

#Claudia Drgon

#The BLTA congratulates all the winners and participants. Special mention is made of Brianna Houlgrave who captured two age divisions in U14 and U16. 12-year-old Briana played for the first time in the U16 category winning over the #1 and #2 seeds and emerging victorious.

#“Continue to shine,” the BLTA wrote. “We thank the tournament director and officials for their hard work.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/13/junior-tennis-players-headline-new-years-tourney/?news

As of Thursday, January 12, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Coach Kevon Spence said he felt his Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins were in a 10-round heavyweight main event fight against the CC Sweeting Cobras.

#As the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association kicked off its 2023 basketball season yesterday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the Mystic Marlins senior boys took the sting out of the Cobras with a 65-52 victory.

#The win came after CC Sweeting, with only seven players in uniform, turned back a fully loaded Doris Johnson in a 45-20 rout in the senior girls’ opener.

#Over at the CI Gibson Gymnasium, the junior girls and boys played. CH Reeves Raptors demolished the AF Adderley Fighting Tigers junior girls 41-5, CH Reeves held off AF Adderley junior boys 33-31 and TA Thompson Scorpions got by the LW Young Golden Eagles junior boys 28-16.

#After helping to coach the Mystic Marlins in the senior girls’ loss, Spence didn’t want to get his senior boys knocked out as well.

#“I felt really good that we came out here and executed. It was like after all of the sparring, we got a chance when the lights were on to execute in the ring,” he said. “We executed when we needed to on the court and that got us the win.”

#The Cobras opened a 9-1 run and held on an 11-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

#The Mystic Marlins, however, stormed back to cut the deficit to two (22-20) at the half.

#In the third period, the Marlins outscored the Cobras 22-17 to take control of the game. They cruised in the fourth quarter on an 18-12 spurt to seal the deal.

#“I was pleased with the way our team was able to respond to the punch of the next team,” Spence said. “We talked about it a lot. We said when the next team gave us a punch, we must know how to react. So it was great that we had so much time to come back in the game and get the job done.”

#In Doris Johnson’s comeback, Laterro Young had 17, including eight in the

#third quarter and five in the fourth, while Bredon Williams scored 16, canning two of his three three-pointers in the third quarter when they turned the tables on CC Sweeting. Sammy Joseph and Jay-Onn Joseph both had eight and Mervin Miller chipped in with six in the win.

#As the last team to win the GSSSA senior boys crown since the league went into a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19, Spence said all they need to do is “take it one game at a time” and they will be in a good position to go after another title.

#Mataeo Minnis had 12, Jason Williams 10 and Tavari Roker added six in the loss. It was a loss that assistant coach Brian Tucker said they deserved.

#“We didn’t come out and play our style of basketball,” admitted Tucker, who assisted head coach Darshtyn Baker. “We had a lot of turnovers, which were unforced. We really didn’t play our game. This was the first game of the season, so we had to get the jitters out, but we will learn from this. We will go back to practice and get it together.”

#Cobras 45,

#Mystic Marlins 20

#Although they were short-handed, it didn’t matter as Doris Johnson didn’t have any answers for CC Sweeting’s 1-2 punch of Dominiqua Rolle and Bernell Colebrooke.

#Rolle poured in a game high 19 points and Colebrooke finished with 13 as the Cobras got some extra help with Alferan Destamar and Diamond Evans scoring four and three respectively in the win.

#“I want to give God thanks. As believers, we are admonished to give God thanks for whatever the situation is, whether it is a win or a loss. Today we came out with a W, but we are lacking personnel in terms of what we have to go through for the entire season,” McSweeney said. “At one point, we had up to 22 girls who signed up to play, but it came down to just 11 this week. We took a break for Majority Rule and our physical education head Tiffany Wildgoose has been doing a tremendous job to come out, but some decided they would not play today. So we’re just glad we walked away with the win.”

#With some time off because they play again next week, McSweeney said they have sufficient time to iron out some things defensively as they go to a zone until their players get in better shape. He said they won’t cry over spilled milk, but rather will make the adjustment with what they have. With a full squad, coach Zena Kemp expected a lot more from her Mystic Marlins, but they just folded up down the stretch when it counted the most in the second half.

#Anthonique Delancy scored eight and Faith McKinney added four, but it wasn’t enough.

#“They came out playing pretty good, but then we just couldn’t maintain our composure,” Kemp said.

#The league will be back in action today with Anatol Rodgers playing SC McPherson in junior girls and boys at CI Gibson, starting at 4pm, while the Government High Magics and the RM Bailey Pacers will tangle in the senior girls and boys at Kendal Isaacs.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/12/mystic-marlins-bite-cobras/?news

NUA Agency Limited and its members joined the Local Organising Committee of the 50th CARIFTA Games as a gold sponsor.

As of Thursday, January 12, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH their cheque presentation of $50,000, NUA Insurance Agents & Brokers became a gold sponsor of the 50th Golden Jubilee CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday weekend.

#The cheque presentation was made yesterday in the foyer of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#Speaking on behalf of NUA was Stanford Charlton, the managing director, who said they are happy to partner with the LOC in putting on the 50th edition of the CARIFTA Games, marking the ninth time it will be held in the Bahamas.

#“Our $50,000 sponsorship is a reflection of our commitment to the shared goals and spirit of the games,” said Charlton, noting that they hope the games will deliver an unparalleled experience for the athletes, spectators and fans, who will fill the stadium.

#“This year, the Bahamas celebrates 50 years as an independent nation and it coincides with the 50th CARIFTA Games,” Charlton said.

#“We understand the magnitude of this moment and we hope to contribute to its success.”

#CARIFTA LOC chairman Lynden Maycock welcomed NUA on board and indicated that they are looking forward to them making the games a success as they make this one of the most memorable games ever held.

#“Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you,” Maycock summed up.

#Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer, in reading from the mandate of NUA from their website, said he’s delighted that they have decided to support track and field, the largest sporting body in the Bahamas and by extension, the CARIFTA Games, the largest track and field event in the world for junior athletes.

#“I believe that by your sponsorship, you will receive exponential returns for your investment,” Archer stated.

#“Through our LOC, headed by Lynden Maycock, we hope to make this the most exciting games hosted in its 50th year of existence.”

#Mike Sands, the president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC), which comprises of 36 area associations or nations and 26 of which are a part of CARIFTA, said while it’s good that NUA is making its presence felt in the Bahamas, it’s his hope that they will be able to spread their wings into some of the countries participating in the games.

#Sands pledged his commitment to introduce Charlton and his team to the NACAC membership as he looks forward to NUA assisting the region in the hosting of the games here in the Bahamas and at the same time, welcomed them as a partner of NACAC.

#Rev Harrison Thompson, the chairman of the CARIFTA Games, said the games are in great shape with a medical firm, Oak Tree, as the major sponsor and now NUA, as an insurance company, as a gold medal sponsor. He thanked NUA on behalf of the LOC and encouraged them to increase their donation to another $50,000 and at the same time, he advised them to consider sponsoring the BAAA in some of their ventures this year.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/12/insurance-gold-sponsor-carifta-games/?news

As of Thursday, January 12, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#ALTHOUGH there are a number of international events on their agenda for 2023, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer said they are making sure that they are ready for the hosting of the 50th Golden Jubilee CARIFTA Games.

#The games, to be hosted here for the ninth time, will be held April 7-11 and will be a part of the 50th Independence celebrations of the Bahamas.

#Coming out of a successful election in November as he was returned to office for the second consecutive four-year term, Archer said the buzz in track and field is very high for the games. “The athletes are excited about competing and this is the most excitement I’ve seen for the games in a long time,” Archer said.

#“What I can say is that there are people who are emerging as superstars, who we have never seen before.

#“That’s a testimony to the work that our coaching staff have been doing since last year. So, I’m very excited about what our season holds for us and what we can expect for the CARIFTA Games.”

#After attending their annual church service on Sunday at St Barnabas Anglican Church, the BAAA 2023 calendar of events will kick off this

#weekend with the T-Bird Flyers Track Classic, starting at 6pm on Friday and from noon on Saturday at the original Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#The T-Bird Flyers Club, headed by BAAA first vice president Foster Dorsett, is expected to honour Courtney Wallace, the immediate past president of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO) and one of their field judges Ivy Charlton, both of whom recently passed away.

#On the heels of that meet will be the DTSP Wolf Pack Track Meet, scheduled for January 21, honouring former coach, educator and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Neville Wisdom.

#The month will close out over the weekend of January 28-29 with the Red-Line Athletics’ Third Annual Sonja Knowles Track and Field Classic.

#“We’re looking for really exciting performances,” Archer projected.

#“We started a stimulus programme by the Bahamas Coaches Association several months leading into the new year.

#“We believe that is something that has caught the imagination of our athletes, not just in New Providence, but in the Family Islands. So, I’m really excited about what fruit can come out of that initiative.

#“I believe that there is much more that can come out of it, but we are pleased with where we are with it right now.”

#With the games being staged here at home in the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Archer said it could be a little bit intimidating for the athletes to compete in front of their home crowd, but he’s confident that they will rise to the occasion and perform at their optimum level.

#With a new executive board in place, Archer said they have just sent out their applications to the Coaches Association, headed by Corrington Maycock, to make their recommendations for the coaching staff for the team.

#Once they respond over the next few weeks, Archer said they will release the list of the entire management and coaching staff no later than the first week in February.

#In the meantime, Archer said they have released the requirements for the athletes to attain through the qualification standards in order to make the team to represent the Bahamas.

#“Before the start of this year, I think in September or October, we engaged the coaches in an effort to come up with a reasonable standard for the games, which has always been a major bone of contention in our association,” he stated.

#“Finally, we came to a conclusion of those standards at our general meeting last week and they have been ratified, with the exception of the field events. All of the standards will be based on an average of fifth place performances of CARIFTA.”

#Archer, however, said while the primary focus is to increase their fan participation and their sponsorship engagement, when the dust is settled, they still have a federation to run.

#“I just want to remind corporate Bahamas, both large and very small, to the extent that we are looking at individuals, to primarily fund the BAAA,” he stressed. “We have a full complement of international events that we have to underwrite. So, we’re looking for continued support.”

#Archer also revealed that during the CARIFTA Games, the BAAA will honour three pillars of the sport in former public relations officer and president Alpheus ‘Hawk’ Finlayson, administrator Doyle Burrows and the late Leviticus ‘Uncle Lou’ Adderley, who was responsible for the formation of BACO.

#“We want to celebrate them during these 50th Jubilee CARIFTA Games for their work and contribution to our sport over the years,” Archer declared.

#“We feel they are all worthy of the recognition that will be bestowed upon them at the games.”

#A banquet is expected to take place during the games to recognise and honour the men for their contributions that were second to none in the roles that they all played.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/12/baaa-will-be-ready-50th-golden-jubilee/?news

As of Wednesday, January 11, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#BASKETBALL

#GSSSA SEASON OPENING

#THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association will kick of its basketball season today with the junior boys and girls playing at the AF Adderley Gymnasium and the senior boys and girls at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

#The GSSSA is headed by Varel Clarke-Davis, who indicated that they are looking forward to a really competitive season across the board.

#• Here’s a look at the games on tap today:

#AF Adderley Gym

#4pm – CH Reeves Raptors vs AF Adderley Fighting Tigers (junior girls)

#CH Reeves vs AF Adderley (junior boys)

#TA Thompson vs LW young Golden Eagles (junior boys)

#Kendal Isaacs Gym

#Senior girls

#4pm – CC Sweeting Cobras vs Doris Johnson Mystics Marlins

#CC Sweeting vs Doris Johnson senior boys to be played following the girls’ game.

#BSAA BASKETBALL

#THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association will continue its basketball regular season today at the Hope Center starting at 4pm with the following games on tap:

#Junior boys – Freedom Farm Academy B vs ISBET.

#Junior boys – Freedom Farm Academy A vs Akhepran International Academy.

#Senior girls – CV Bethel vs Teleos Christian Academy.

#Senior boys – Akhepran Internrational Academy vs Genesis Academy.

#Senior boys – New Horizon Christian Academy vs Teleos Christian School.

#BAISS BASKETBALL

#THE Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools, which got its basketball season started just before the Christmas break, will resume competition today with a full slate of games at various private high schools, starting at 4pm.

#Games will also be played on Thursday and Friday as the season swings into full gear.

#NPBA BASKETBALL

#THE New Providence Basketball Association will continue its regular season action at the AF Adderley Gymnasium with games on tap tonight, starting at 7pm.

#Games will also be played on Friday and Saturday nights in both the men’s division II and division one.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/11/sports-notes/?news

PROFESSIONAL baseball players Lucius Fox, far left, and Todd Isaacs Jr, far right, pose with Todd Isaacs Sr, Dotlee Fox and Gina Gonzalez-Rolle.

As of Wednesday, January 11, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AS childhood friends, Lucius Fox and Todd Isaacs Jr have been each other’s greatest inspiration on and off the baseball field.

#The duo, who switched their concentration from track and field in St Augustine’s College to baseball while playing at Freedom Farm, have transcended their relationship to partnership as the co-founders and hosts of the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby that staged its fifth edition at Montagu Bay in December.

#At the same time, they are both doing what they love the most, playing baseball at the professional level, albeit, Fox in Major League Baseball, while Isaacs Jr is a member of the Frontal League.

#Together, the pair sat down at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Friday where they described their journey to where they are and their closely knitted friendship that is second to none as they indicated that they have been there for each other in every circumstance along the way.

#“Every game that Lucius and I played against each other (in minor league), it was some of the best baseball to watch. We always wanted to be one up on the other, Isaacs Jr said. “So if he makes a good play, I have to follow up with something better.

#“If he had a good game today, I had to follow up with one the next day. I remember the last time we played against each other in Lake County, I remember getting a walk home run against his team and he followed up the next day by getting four hits. Every time we stepped on the field together, we competed against each other, but we represented the Bahamas so we had to do it with pride.”

#Having played together on teams since they were nine years old, Fox said it was hard to play against each other even when they headed the two separate teams to play against each other in the Home Run Derby.

#“In that game that he hit the home run, it was my brother’s team that won, so I was happy for him,” Fox said. “It was also a tough competition, even in the Home Run Derby. We always wanted to win, but we also wanted to put on a show for our Bahamian people and to show the young people coming up that they can do it too.”

#With so many young players looking for the opportunity to also get their chance to play professional baseball, Fox said they try to inspire them as much as they can when they come home and participate in the Home Run Derby.

#“I feel like the players look forward to it every year. I know some of the young kids who are on the verge of signing their contracts, they don’t talk as much about it as they do about playing in the Home Run Derby,” Fox said. “So once we continue to inspire the kids coming up and we can teach them how to do this properly, our country can become one of the best baseball nations in the world. The Home Run Derby is the greatest show on sand.”

#As a kid, 26-year-old Isaacs Jr said he vividly remembers going into the old Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium and seeing the bright lights. Now he said he finally got to see the completion of the new stadium and he can’t wait to make his debut in it.

#“I remember coming home in December and on the Saturday before it opened up, I just wanted to come and see it and take it all in,” he said. “As a baseball player, it was the first time we came home and got to play in it.

#“We play so many times away, but to come home and to see the lights on and the music playing and so many people in the stands, for me it was a surreal experience. It just goes to show that now we can do whatever we want to do in the sport with this stadium.”

#Fox, 25, wasn’t able to play in the initial tournament because he was on a Major League roster, but he is still basking in his own success as the eighth Bahamian to crack the top echelon in the sport as a member of the Washington Nationals last year.

#“Since I started playing baseball when I was seven, I told my father I wanted to make it to the Major League and since then he’s pushed me and given me all of the opportunities to reach my goal,” Fox said.

#“Signing to become a professional player, I was just 18 years old. I only had Antoan Richardson and Albert Cartwright, who were before and they tried to explain it to me, but you really don’t know what it’s like until you get in there yourself.”

#After seven years as a pro, three of which he suffered a series of injuries, Fox said when he got the call up last year, it was a special moment for him.

#“There were so many moments that ran through my mind because you wanted to get there as quickly as possible,” he said. “But the game of baseball and sports in general is tough because injuries happen, so you just have to stay the course.

#“Making it to the Major League this past season is the first step in my journey and I’m looking forward to trying to help the Washington Nationals win a World Series in the near future. It was a special moment for me. I got to share it with my family and friends, who were there with me from day one.”

#Fox said he could feel the love of the Bahamian people as they rooted for him when he went out there and played for them because although he was wearing the Nationals on his chest, he was still a Bahamian.

#For Isaacs Jr, just knowing that he did it, made him more excited than Fox himself. “From nine years old, we waited for that day to come,” Fox Jr said. “Whatever I was into , he was into and whatever he was into, I was in it too. We talked about playing professional baseball and to see the work that he put in behind the scenes to get to the top is something that I will never forget.

#“I remember when he felt so deflated and he told me that he was going to Triple A and after he drove all the way to Rochester, he got the news that the next day he was going to the big leagues. I remember calling my mom and telling her that Lucius was going to the Majors. I felt like I was going there too because we waited patiently for that day to happen.”

#It didn’t happen to Fox Jr, who played for the Indians for four years and then went to the Rockies before he went to the Frontal League. But he said his goal is to get back into the minor league and to work his way up the ladder.

#“If anyone looks up at my numbers, they will see that I can’t be denied, so my goal is to just get better in the offseason and every game go out there and put on a good show for my team. My country and my family, which keeps me grounded,” Isaacs Jr said.

#“So this season, I just want to build on what I did last season and just wait patiently for my opportunity to get back into minor baseball and eventually get the chance as well to play in the majors.”

#One of the goals for Fox as he looks forward to making his presence felt is to become the first Bahamian to win “rookie of the year” honours.

#He intends to go to Spring Training and hopefully if he stays healthy, he can play a full season with the Nationals.

#“I missed a lot of time with injuries, but I want to play a full season without any injuries,” he said.

#Once he earns that feat, Isaacs Jr said they will celebrate it when they host the sixth edition of the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in December in Montagu Bay.

#With his reliance on God and the support of his family, Fox said he was able to accomplish his feat, rather than just giving up due to the injuries and he missed so much time on the playing field. He said talking to Isaacs Jr and his mother has made a world of a difference.

#“I know that God doesn’t make any mistakes, so you just have to continue to trust him and keep the faith in him,” Fox said. “Whenever he does it, it’s the perfect time, so you just have to trust him. We always have our plans, but God laughs at you. So keep your faith in God, believe in yourself and have people in your corner who have your back like Todd, who is always there to boost my confidence.”

#For Isaacs Jr to get back on the road to the majors, he said he too has to continue to believe in God and to put his faith and trust in him because “God is making things happen that will keep me around the game forever.

#“So I just have to keep the faith and just ask him to direct me. I know I can play at any and every level in the sport, but God’s plan is different from mine, so I just have to wait for God’s direction,” he said.

#“Every time I take the field, I can just go out there and put on a show for the people in the stands and hopefully the right people will notice what I’m doing and I will get the opportunity that I’ve been waiting on to get back in the league.”

#Like a “peacock” with its chest standing out, Isaacs Jr said he’s like that every time he gets to represent the Bahamas, whether it’s in the minors or in the Frontier League, so he asks the country to continue to cheer and support them as they represent the country.

#“We came from a small country with small islands, but we’re not small-minded individuals,” Fox added. “I remember when we first came into professional baseball and we told people we’re from the Bahamas, they were astonished that we play baseball here.

#“Now they take notice. They don’t say that anymore. So we just continue doing our part to push the game forward and put the world on notice that Bahamian baseball is here and it’s here to stay as we continue to keep our little small island on the map.”

#Fox said every time they compete, they want to let the world know that they are from the Bahamas with their stellar plays and that there are many who went before them and many more to come after them.

#“The sports world is tough. You are competing against athletes from all around the world,” Fox summed up. “You have athletes who are bigger, stronger and faster than you, but with your heart and determination, you can get the job done.”

#“A lot of people don’t see how much time athletes put in trying to perfect their craft and the pain they go through and mental aspects that they have to endure. I know I have a lot more respect for athletes because I’ve been there and I’ve had to go through all of it myself.”

#While they look forward to continuing on the path that they are heading, both Fox and Isaacs Jr said eventually they hope that one day they end up either playing against or with each other just like they did on their initial home turf at Freedom Farm.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/11/fox-and-isaacs-jr-encourage-each-other/?news

 Home|Sports|SportsWalcott signs with the RangersJBLN product said he is grateful for the opportunity; more to sign this week Sheldon Longley Send an emailJanuary 16, 2023 106 3 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

Sebastian Walcott, a product of the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN) and the International Elite (I-Elite) Sports Academy, became the latest Bahamian to sign with a major league professional organization, inking on the dotted line with the Texas Rangers at an upscale session at Sapodilla Restaurant on West Bay Street on Sunday.

In the coming days, led by Walcott, a quartet of young men are expected to sign with professional baseball clubs, and for the first time, two from The Bahamas are listed among the top 20 international prospects in this current class during Major League Baseball’s (MLB) international signing period.

Walcott, regarded as a tall and gifted shortstop with elite athleticism, is at number eight, and Janero Miller, who is at number 16, signs with the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Chad Delancy signs with the Boston Red Sox at Fusion Superplex on Saturday, and Andrew Authur inks his name on the dotted line with the St Louis Cardinals at Fusion Superplex next week Sunday.

As for Walcott, he draws comparison to Miami Marlins’ infielder Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. – the seventh Bahamian to be called up to the majors. He is touted as one of the top talents in this latest boom of Bahamian baseball players. A total of 34 I-Elite baseball players have signed with major league organizations in the last eight years, and additionally, 20 I-Elite alumni have received high school and collegiate scholarships to attend school in the United States.

Walcott, who turns 17 on March 14, stands at 6’ 4” and weighs 190 pounds. He receives a $3.2 million signing bonus according to the Dallas Morning News.

Giving thanks to God first and foremost, his parents Jeffrey and Yael Walcott, older brother Seth with whom he shares a close and personal relationship, family and friends, JBLN, I-Elite and the Rangers organization, young Sebastian Walcott said he is intrigued by the possibility of becoming a major leaguer, an established star in the league, and even a hall of famer one day.

“Today is a day that I have always hoped and waited for,” said young Walcott. “After countless days on the baseball field training, signing day is finally here. Thanks to I-Elite and the Rangers organization for making this dream a reality. I am beyond excited for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to growing and excelling as a player.

“Thanks to my community – thanks for supporting me and embracing my talent for baseball. I’m proud to be a Bahamian and I’m looking forward to representing The Bahamas. I have always been taught that I could do anything through Christ who strengthens me and today proves that with God, anything is possible.”

The Rangers agreed to deals with 17 players on Sunday, including Walcott, who at number eight on MLB.com’s international prospect rankings, is their highest ranked signee. They also added 16-year-old outfielder Pablo Guerrero, son of Hall of Famer and former Rangers player Vladimir Guerrero and the brother of Vladimir Jr., who plays with the Toronto Blue Jays.

I-Elite, which continues to mentor and develop young Bahamian athletes, currently enrolls 24 young men from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera.

“This has been a long journey and today and we have crossed the finish line of the first race,” said Geron Sands, president, co-founder and head coach of I-Elite. “This has been a team effort indeed. Sebastian is the epitome of hard work and determination. His competitive drive is at the top of the grading scale. He is a top international prospect, but most importantly, he is a great human being. I am confident that he will achieve whatever he sets his mind to. His ability and projections exceed expectations. We will be hearing his name for a very long time. He is destined to be great.”

Vice President/Assistant General Manager for Player Development and International Operations for the Rangers Ross Fenstermaker said they are ecstatic to have young Sebastian Walcott on board.

“This is a special day across professional baseball, and particularly for the Rangers,” said Fenstermaker. “We get to welcome Sebastian into our organization. This has been a long journey and an awesome one. I was told by Coach Geron that this one might be the best one yet, and I don’t think he’s wrong. Today, we get to make it official. We in the Texas Rangers are committed to seeing his development through to the very end. Congratulations and welcome to the organization.”

Fenstermaker was quoted in the Dallas Morning News, a daily newspaper serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, stating that Walcott is top end athlete with bat to ball skills, easy projectable power and elite arm strength. “He’s mature beyond his years with tools that play in games right now,” added Fenstermaker.

The Bahamas keeps turning heads with MLB signees which is a testament to the hard work of local coaches at JBLN, the Freedom Farm Baseball League, the I-Elite Sports Academy and Max D Sports Academy among other leagues and organizations.

https://thenassauguardian.com/walcott-signs-with-the-rangers/

After losing Curt Miller who led them to finals appearances in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 2019, and again last season in 2022, one got the feeling that the Connecticut Sun might undergo some major changes ahead of the upcoming season.

Now, it is being reported by ESPN that Jonquel ‘JJ’ Jones is on the move to the New York Liberty in a three-team trade that was expected to be finalized Sunday night. Up to press time, the proposed trade had still not been made official.

Jones, the only Bahamian to ever win a most valuable player award for a major sports organization, is one of the most accomplished and revered athletes in Bahamian history.

After an absolute dominant season in 2021, Jones received 48 of 49 first-place votes for the WNBA Most Valuable Payer (MVP) Award, finishing one vote shy of winning the award unanimously. She led the Sun to the league’s best win/loss record at 26-6, including a 15-1 home record at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. That year, Jones averaged a double-double at 19.4 points – fourth-best in the league – and a league-best 11.2 rebounds per game. She shot 51.5 percent from the field.

Her MVP year was her fourth straight season averaging double figures in scoring for the Sun, and her rebounding average that year was second most to the 11.9 she had during a record year in 2017 when she became the only player in league history to pull down more than 400 rebounds in a season.

Jones, a four-time WNBA All-Star, apparently requested the trade, specifically to New York. She had one more year on her contract with the Sun, who recently brought in a new head coach in Stephanie White to replace Miller who left to coach the Los Angeles Sparks. Jones and Miller were close, and Miller was her head coach in each of her six years with Connecticut.

As part of the trade, a source confirmed, Rebecca Allen and Natasha Howard will be sent from New York to Connecticut and the Dallas Wings, respectively. The Wings will also receive the rights to Crystal Dangerfield of the Liberty, and will send Kayla Thornton to New York as well as Ty Harris to Connecticut.

The Sun will also receive New York’s number six pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, according to reports.

Jones, who hails from Holmes Rock, Grand Bahama, is now set to join 2020 No. 1 overall pick Sabrina Ionescu with the Liberty – one of the league’s original franchises. After falling in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, with the proposed trade, the Liberty could now be regarded as the newest championship contender in the league.

A year after turning in arguably the greatest season by a Bahamian athlete in history, Jones took a step back in 2022. She averaged 14.6 points on 51.3 percent shooting from the field while adding 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, and finished seventh in the MVP voting. However, she did manage to lead the Sun to a second WNBA Finals berth in four years where they lost to the Las Vegas Aces three games to one.

Jones played in the playoffs in five of her six years with the Sun, only missing her rookie season in 2016. She took the 2020 season off due to the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to winning the 2021 MVP Award, Jones won the 2017 Most Improved Player Award and the 2018 Sixth Woman of the Year Award. She is the first WNBA player to win all three awards, and is the second non-American to be named WNBA MVP behind Lauren Jackson of Australia – a three-time winner. Jones is also a former All-WNBA First Team member, a two-time all defensive first team member, a three-time All-WNBA second team member an all defensive second team member, a three-time rebounding champion and a blocks champion.

She was selected by the Sparks at number six overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft before being traded to the Sun on draft night and has spent each of her six years in the league with the Sun.

Five more athletes qualify for CARIFTA; list now at eight Simba French Send an emailJanuary 16, 2023 202 4 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

There were five more unofficial CARIFTA qualifiers for The Bahamas this past weekend, with two qualifying at home and three abroad, bringing the total number of qualifiers for The Bahamas up to eight. Taysha Stubbs and Terrell McCoy qualified at home while Olympian Lacarthea Cooper, Mateo Smith and Javonya Valcourt accomplished the feat abroad.

Throwing in windy and low-60 degree weather, Stubbs, of Air Assault, and Triple Threat Throwing Club’s McCoy were able to achieve the CARIFTA marks at the T-Bird Flyers Track and Field Classic at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Blue Chip Athletics’ Calea Jackson also competed at that meet and improved on her CARIFTA qualifying mark, throwing a personal best of 45.35m (148’ 9-1/2”) in the under-20 girls discus.

Cooper was in action at the Texas Tech University Corky Classic at the Texas Tech-Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas. Smith achieved the standard at the Arkansas Invitational at the Randall Tyson Track in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Valcourt accomplished the feat at the Clemson Invite at the Clemson Indoor Track in Clemson, South Carolina.

Organizer of the local meet and T-Bird Flyers head coach Foster Dorsett said he was pleased with the performances.

“For the athletes to perform the way they did, it shows the talent we have and how much the coaches are working with them to perform at this level,” said Dorsett.

Already qualifying for CARIFTA were Jackson, Kaden Cartwright (under-20 boys javelin) and Kamera Strachan (under-17 girls javelin).

Stubbs qualified in the under-17 girls javelin while McCoy did it in the under-17 girls shot put. Cooper made the standard in the under-20 girls 400 meters (m).

Stubbs threw 36.09m (118’ 5”) to win the under 17-girls javelin. The Nassau Christian Schools (NCS) student-athlete was able to surpass the CARIFTA qualifying mark of 35.35m (115’ 11”).

“It feels good to get the CARIFTA qualifier,” said Stubbs. “I give thanks to God and those who helped me to get here. I can’t wait to work harder to get better. The weather conditions today (Saturday) did not affect me because I was able to use the wind to get the best out of my throws.”

The 15-year-old is looking forward to performing well at CARIFTA and competing at the Penn Relays. Placing second was her teammate Chea’Lesa Knowles with a throw of 14.37m (47’ 1”) while Taj Ellis secured third place after throwing 7.69m (25’ 3”).

McCoy’s throw of 12.85m (42’ 2”) was enough to help her surpass the CARIFTA standard of 12.56m (41’ 2-1/2”) and win the under-17 girls shot put. She is no stranger to the event at CARIFTA, having secured the bronze medal in the event at the 2022 CARIFTA Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

Blue Chip Athletics’ duo of Danielle Nixon and Milan Mondesir were second and third, respectively. Nixon recorded a throw of 12.32m (40’ 5”) while Mondesir posted a throw of 9.79m (32’ 1-1/2”).

Cooper was in action for the New Mexico Junior College Thunderbirds, clocking 54.91 seconds to finish third in the women’s 400m. Valcourt ran for the University of Tennessee in the women’s 400m and clocked 54.24 seconds. The CARIFTA standard is 55.20 seconds for the under-20 girls division.

Mateo leapt his way to a distance of 7.25m (23’ 9-1/2”) to place fourth. The Louisiana Tech freshman surpassed the 7.22m (23’ 8-1/4”) standard for the under-20 boys long jump.

Jackson was brilliant in the discus circle at the T-Bird Flyers Track and Field Classic. The University of Miami commit threw a personal best of 45.35m (148’ 9-1/2”) to win the event and qualify in the under-20 girls division. The qualifying distance for CARIFTA is 41.23m (135’ 3”).

“I am happy that I threw a personal best, but I felt that I could have done better than I did. I was relieved to qualify early and to be able to represent my country,” Jackson said.

Securing second place with a throw of 34.83m (114’ 3-1/4”) was Cailyn Johnson of Triple Threat. Jackson’s teammate Annae Mackey was third with a throw of 28.02m (91’ 11-1/4”).

Jackson, 17, who currently attends Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Rabun Gap, Georgia, hopes to throw at least 50m in the discus this season.

“There are certain throws where everything that coach told me, and the things that I have been working on, just connects,” said Jackson. “I was able to hit the right points. Everything that I was working on in the last couple of months connected in the right way. Even though I felt that I could have done better, it was an improvement for me and my technique.”

Grand Bahama Heats’ Erin Barr was too much for her fellow competitors as she crossed the finish line with a meet record of 2:28.24 in the under-17 girls 800m race. She was happy to get the win but wants to drop her time as the season goes on.

“It was a good race and the wind condition was very high but I pushed through,” said Barr. “I am not happy with the time. I am looking to go in the 2:19 range. I am glad to come out the race with no injuries.”

The CARIFTA standard in that race is 2:19.22. The host club’s D’Andra Sears was Barr’s closest competitor with a time of 2:49.02. Finishing third was 3PA’s Stallions’ Dahjia Mesidor who ran 2:53.45.

Hurray Murray’s Raywind Winder was able to win the under-20 boys 800m when he clocked a new meet record of 2:04.35. He will be chasing the CARIFTA standard of 1:54.12 as the season progresses. The T-Bird Flyers’ Sharan Roker was second with a time of 2:04.57. Phoenix Track Club’s Kristofer Won was third after clocking 2:04.64.

Dorsett said the performances were respectable, given the windy conditions.

“I think that the performances were strong considering the conditions that they were running in were windy and cold,” said Dorsett.” The athletes showed that they are on the right track for CARIFTA this year. The coaches are working and it is showing in the kids’ performances.”

Next on the local track and field calendar is the DTSP Wolfpack’s Neville Wisdom Track Classic set for Saturday, January 21 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Action gets underway at 9 a.m.

https://thenassauguardian.com/five-more-athletes-qualify-for-carifta-list-now-at-eight/