As of Thursday, August 18, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunedia.net

#AS a spinoff from his Dream Again Basketball Camp in July at the Remnant Tabernacle of Praise Center on Carmichael Road, former collegiate and professional basketball player JR Cadot is at it again with his Nexxt Basketball Club.

#This time, Cadot is holding a training and development programme, developing players between the ages of 11-17 on and off the court where they train with former and current pro basketball players.

#And beginning on Saturday, September 3 from noon to 1pm, Cadot will stage basketball sessions for boys and girls between the ages of five and 10 at the same venue.

#The registration fee is $35, which includes a t-shirt and shorts. However, it will cost $100 per month to participate.

#“I expect a good turnout for this event as we focus on this particular age,” said Cadot of the younger players, “because you want to get them early in terms of their development and a good foundation in basketball. That is why I’m focusing on this group.

#“I anticipate a good turnout from the competitors who participated in the camp. We expect the same group of youngsters who participated in the camp to come out and participate in this Saturday’s training sessions.”

#On the heels of a successful camp that ran from June 27 to July 15, Cadot said they decided to expand their training sessions to Saturday mornings for the older kids between the ages of 11 and 17 and the response was tremendous.

#“This is going on our fourth week. We’ve had guests come in, including Tyler Coster was in with his Oregon basketball team and we were at the Marvin Henfield Basketball Shooting Academy,” Cadot said. “Coach Tyler led out in some drills that the players were very impressed with. “The kids are getting so much more. They are really building a foundation in what it means to shoot the basketball, pass and dribble. It’s really a learning process and I’m pleased with the way it’s going.”

#Now, Cadot said they want to focus on the younger players so that they can work on their fundamentals in their quest to follow the players ahead of them as they begin to work on becoming some of the future stars of the game.

#“The camp will run every Saturday for the rest of the year, so we are inviting as many young players as possible between the ages of five and 10 to come out and participate in these sessions,” Cadot said. “It promises to be a rewarding experience.”

#Cadot, who played collegiately for Texas Christian University, has travelled throughout Europe playing at the professional level. He just suited up again on Sunday when he played on the Bahamas Select Team that lost 98-74 to the University of Kentucky Wildcats at Baha Mar at the conclusion of the Summer of Thunder Basketball Tour.

#Interested persons are urged to contact Cadot at 535-9354 for more information.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/18/jr-cadots-nexxt-basketball-club-holding-training-a/?news

As of Thursday, August 18, 2022

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MEMBERS of the Elite Ballers Basketball Club.

MEMBERS of the Elite Ballers Basketball Club in Orlando.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunedia.net

#AFTER their chances to travel to the FIBA Under- 16 Girls Tournament in July was cancelled because of finances, Varel Davis said she decided to form the Elite Ballers girls’ basketball club to afford the players the opportunity to still be able to compete.

#The club, which also consists of assistant coach Shakira Farrington, participated in the Super 6 Basketball Tournament at the Rosemont Community Center in Orlando, Florida, August 5-7.

#In advancing to the championship game in the tournament, the club lost 45-31 to the Colorado 76ers to finish with a 2-2 win-loss record. Davis, however, said the experience for the players was tremendous.

#Members of the team included Savannah Turnquest, Dominiqua Rolle, Geontae Simpson, Dior-Rae Scott, Terell McCoy, Danielle McCoy, Shenell Stewart, Teanna Gibson, Vincinique Dames, Geraniqua Bethel, Valtasia Woodside and Trinity Bodie.

#“The tournament went very well. We were able to play four games and got to the championship where we lost,” Davis said. “I can tell you that the exposure and the experience these girls received will go a long way in their future development.

#“I am also pleased to see some of the scouts who came over to talk to me about some of the players. We were able to secure three scholarships for high school players in the United States on their performances.”

#Although this was the first sort of tournament that the players participated in since the outbreak of COVID-19, Davis said the Elite Ballers club gave a very good account of themselves.

#“The girls worked so hard from March and so when they heard that they were not going to be travelling to the tournament, I decided to create my own basketball club,” she said. “We were all disheartened when we heard that we would not be able to travel. “I was able to get the club registered in the tournament so they can get something to do. “They worked very hard, and I wanted to make sure that they got some exposure and experience. I just wanted to make sure that the girls got to travel after all they did to prepare for the national team.”

#Davis said she was happy to know that the parents were pleased to see their children go off to compete after the disappointment of not being able to travel on the national team. She noted that this is just the first of many trips that she intends to take the club on in the future. Through a number of individuals and companies who assisted, the club was able to make the trip.

#Davis thanked the following for their assistance – Jimmy Clarke, Leonardo Lightbourne, Sun Oil Limited, Roxbergh Williams, Discount Distributors, Robert Furnitures, Dr Marsha Williams-Bethel, Bahamas Bus and Truck, A Sure Win, Acropolis, George Myers Restaurant, C2 G Shipping, Vaughn Jones Memorial Center, John Stuart, Erika Edgecombe, Jessica Murray, Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Nassau Agencies, Andrew Davis QBC, The George Myers Restaurant, Ryan Turnquest and Air Courier Express.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/18/elite-ballers-girls-basketball-club-formed/

As of Wednesday, August 17, 2022

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#THE AID Claycourt Championships kicked off this weekend at the Gym Tennis Club.

#This is the 28th edition of the tournament that is sponsored by AID.

#The tournament referee is Mickey Williams assisted by Everette Munroe.

#The tournament will feature both singles and doubles in the various categories.

#The opening day matches saw some exciting singles, including one with the BLTA president Perry Newton and BLTA treasurer Tim Dames in a first-round matchup.

#Perry Newton won over Tim Dames.

#There was a thrilling three-setter matchup with Wayne Thompson who won over Julian Robinson, the match ended under the lights.

#Jon Isaacs got the victory over Andrae.

#Nairn and Alejandro Mesples won over Bjorn Ferguson. Tshombe Johnson also won over Donovan Ingraham.

#In the Men’s Open Doubles, Donte Armbrister and Perry Newton won over Donovan Ingraham and Andre McDonald and Nkosi Symonette and Tshaka Symonette won over Eugene Gibson and Tim Dames.

#In more Jr Vets Singles matches, top seed Scott Reddick won over Andrew Barr and Harrington Saunders won over Dwayne Gibson.

#Stafford Armbrister was able to win over Chigoze Ijeoma.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/17/28th-aid-claycourt-championships-kicks-gym-tennis-/?news

 Home|Sports|Ferguson to skip ‘Regatta of Champions’ for OPTINAMsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 18, 2022 113 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Following his outstanding recent performance, placing first in the silver fleet at the Optimist World Championships in Bodrum, Turkey, last month, 15-year-old sailor Craig Ferguson has been offered a prestigious invitation to participate in a brand new international event, the ‘Regatta of Champions’, scheduled to take place in Cyprus in November.

Not only did Ferguson finish top in his fleet of 69 boats, but he also finished sixth overall out of all the North American participants in the competition of over 270 global sailors.

The idea behind the ‘Regatta of Champions’ is to gather together the top 40 Optimist sailors from around the world to participate in a regatta to crown an annual ‘Champion of the Bests’. After the completion of all Continental, American, Asian, African and World Championships, invitations are being sent out to the top finishers in each.

An impressive prize fund of €40,000 will be split among the top 12 finishing sailors and the top three coaches in the form of scholarships for academic expenses and substantial monetary awards.

Unfortunately, after due consideration, Ferguson is graciously declining the invitation. The dates of the event clash with the OPTINAMs (the Optimist North American Championships) which is being hosted here in Nassau, The Bahamas, at the same time. He has made the decision of loyalty to the Bahamas National Sailing School and his home racing team to stay in Nassau and compete in what is also a very significant event on the sports calendar.

The OPTINAMs will take place November 13-20 and will be hosted by the Nassau Yacht Club. It is set to attract at least 160 sailors from over 20 countries to New Providence and will be the largest ever sailing event held in The Bahamas.

The Bahamas National Sailing School and the Bahamas Sailing Association highly commend Ferguson’s decision and wish him continued success in his sporting achievements.

https://thenassauguardian.com/ferguson-to-skip-regatta-of-champions-for-optinams/

 Home|Sports|Bahamian NBA players to face each other in seven gamesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 18, 2022 114 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

There will be seven games that will feature Bahamians going head-to-head against each other in the 2022-2023 National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season as the full regular season schedule dropped yesterday.

Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield will begin a full season with his new team the Indiana Pacers. He and Charlotte Hornets’ forward Kai Jones will be the first to play against each other when they meet on Wednesday November 19 at 7 p.m. Jones and the Hornets will host the Pacers at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This game will be the first of three regular season matchups that features those two Bahamians.

The second matchup between Hield and Jones is set for Sunday January 8 at 5 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The final meeting between these two is on Monday March 20 at 7 p.m. at the Spectrum Center.

Hield and the Pacers will face DeAndre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns in just two games this season. Both will be in 2023. The first matchup gets underway at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday January 21 at 9 p.m. Less than a month later, the two will play each other on February 10 at 7 p.m. at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Ayton and Jones will go against each other for the first time in the new season on Tuesday January 24, 2023, at the Footprint Center. That game kicks off at 9 p.m. Their final matchup on the season is set for Wednesday March 1, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the Spectrum Center.

Hield started the 2021-2022 season with the Sacramento Kings and ended it playing for the Pacers via a trade. Overall, for both teams, he averaged 15.6 points per game in 81 games. He also averaged 30.9 minutes on the floor. Hield shot at a 40 percent clip from the field.

Ayton and the Suns reached the Western Conference semifinals but were knocked out the playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks. In the regular season, the big man averaged a double-double at 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. He shot a blistering 63.4 percent from the field.

Jones will look to get more playing time as he enters his sophomore season in the NBA. He was featured in 21 games last season for the Hornets and averaged just three minutes per game. He averaged one point per game and shot 64.3 percent from the field. He spent some time in the NBA G-League, playing 24 games and averaging 31.7 minutes per game. He averaged a double-double at 18.3 points and 11 rebounds per game in the G-League.

All three players are anticipating more productive seasons in 2022-2023.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamian-nba-players-to-face-each-other-in-seven-games/

 Home|Sports|‘Coach Yo’ happy to bring team homeSports

Ole Miss Rebels set to play in Pink Flamingo tournament in The Bahamas

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 18, 2022 111 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

‘Thanksgiving Week’ is a time to travel home to family and friends, and this year, Bahamian Women’s Basketball Head Coach at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Yolett ‘Coach Yo’ McPhee-McCuin, and the Ole Miss Lady Rebels, will be coming to The Bahamas to play two games on November 21 and November 23.

They will be playing in the Baha Mar Pink Flamingo Championships at the Baha Mar Convention Center in New Providence. McPhee-McCuin will be preparing her team to play against the University of Dayton Flyers and the University of Utah Utes. Having her team play in The Bahamas has been something she always wanted to do, said McPhee-McCuin.

“I’ve always wanted to bring my team home to The Bahamas,” McPhee-McCuin said. “I love my country and I think it’s great that many will be able to enjoy the beautiful island. It is my hope that my fellow Bahamians come out and not only support Ole Miss but all of the teams in this event.”

This is not the first time that the Rebels will be traveling to The Bahamas. They played in Junkanoo Jam in 2006, long before McPhee-McCuin became the program’s head coach.

The Rebels play in a tough Southeastern Conference (SEC) in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. The two games here will be early in the season and the Bahamian head coach will look to see how her team plays.

“With so many new faces on our team, playing in The Bahamas against strong NCAA tournament tested programs like Dayton and Utah will be invaluable for our team as we prepare for Southeastern Conference play,” McPhee-McCuin said.

This will be the second time in program history that the Rebels will play the Flyers, and the first since 1994. The Rebels played the Utes three times in the past with the latest matchup being in 2014.

It will be a great experience for the entire team and the fans as they get an opportunity to create memories, said McPhee-McCuin.

“One of the hallmarks of our program is providing great experiences for our student-athletes and having an opportunity to take a trip like this is going to make for lasting memories for our program and fans,” McPhee-McCuin stated. She was an assistant coach for The Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team this past July. They were in action in the third window of the first round of the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Americas World Cup Qualifiers. One of those two games in that window was held at Baha Mar. McPhee-McCuin became the first woman to serve as an assistant coach for the senior men’s national team.

The 2021-2022 collegiate season was an impressive one for McPhee-McCuin and the Rebels. They finished the campaign with 23 wins, including 10 in SEC play for only the second time in program history and they enjoyed their 18th NCAA Tournament appearance – first since 2007.

Rebels’ post player Shakira Austin was drafted at number three overall by the Washington Mystics in this year’s Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft.

https://thenassauguardian.com/coach-yo-happy-to-bring-team-home/

As of Wednesday, August 17, 2022

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#THE AID Claycourt Championships kicked off this weekend at the Gym Tennis Club.

#This is the 28th edition of the tournament that is sponsored by AID.

#The tournament referee is Mickey Williams assisted by Everette Munroe.

#The tournament will feature both singles and doubles in the various categories.

#The opening day matches saw some exciting singles, including one with the BLTA president Perry Newton and BLTA treasurer Tim Dames in a first-round matchup.

#Perry Newton won over Tim Dames.

#There was a thrilling three-setter matchup with Wayne Thompson who won over Julian Robinson, the match ended under the lights.

#Jon Isaacs got the victory over Andrae.

#Nairn and Alejandro Mesples won over Bjorn Ferguson. Tshombe Johnson also won over Donovan Ingraham.

#In the Men’s Open Doubles, Donte Armbrister and Perry Newton won over Donovan Ingraham and Andre McDonald and Nkosi Symonette and Tshaka Symonette won over Eugene Gibson and Tim Dames.

#In more Jr Vets Singles matches, top seed Scott Reddick won over Andrew Barr and Harrington Saunders won over Dwayne Gibson.

#Stafford Armbrister was able to win over Chigoze Ijeoma.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/17/28th-aid-claycourt-championships-kicks-gym-tennis-/?news

CRAIG Ferguson in action on the high seas.

As of Wednesday, August 17, 2022

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#FOLLOWING his outstanding recent performance – placing first in the silver fleet at The Optimist World Championships in Turkey last month – 15-year-old sailor Craig Ferguson has recently been offered the prestigious invitation to participate in a brand-new international event, “The Regatta of Champions”, scheduled to take place in Cyprus in November.

#Not only did Craig finish top in his fleet of 69 boats, but he actually finished 6th overall out of all the North American participants in the competition of over 270 global sailors.

#A brand-new event this year, the idea behind the Regatta of Champions (R.O.C.) is to gather the top 40 Optimist sailors from around the World to participate in a regatta to crown “The Annual Champion of the Bests”.

#After the completion of all Continental, American, Asian, African and World Championships, invitations are being sent out to the top finishers in each.

#An impressive prize fund of $40,000 will be split among the top 12 finishing sailors and the top three coaches in the form of scholarships for academic expenses and substantial monetary awards.

#Unfortunately, after due consideration, Craig is graciously declining the invitation.

#The dates of the event clash with OPTINAM (The Optimist North American Championship) which is being hosted here in Nassau at the same time.

#He has made the decision of loyalty to The Bahamas National Sailing School and his home race team to stay in Nassau and compete in what is also a very significant event on the sports calendar.

#OPTINAM will take place November 13-20 and is being hosted by The Nassau Yacht Club.

#It is set to attract at least 160 sailors from over 20 countries to Nassau and will be the largest ever sailing event held in The Bahamas.

#The Bahamas National Sailing School and Bahamas Sailing Association highly commend Craig’s decision and wish him continued success in his sporting achievements, according to a release.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/17/young-sailor-craig-ferguson-declines-invitation-re/?news

JUSTIN ROBERTS

As of Wednesday, August 17, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#A series of injuries, including one to his back, forced Justin Roberts to remain on the tennis court sidelines a lot longer than he had originally anticipated.

#Now that the 25-year-old, who hasn’t played since July when he was forced to retire trailing 4-3 in the first set of his match against American Ryan Colby at the M15 Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, said now that he’s corrected the problem with his back, he’s eager to get back on the court.

#“I’m back in training and getting ready to compete,” said Roberts, who is looking at a possible return in September. “I am really excited because I’m feeling good.”

#In just his second season on the pro circuit since he completed his collegiate eligibility at the University of South Florida (2014-2017) and Arizona State University (2018-2019), Roberts first went down with an injury in March and suffered another in April and May before he got the back injury in July.

#“It’s been rough because I had some big goals for this year,” said Roberts after he had some pretty good showings in tournaments earlier in the year.

#“With the injuries, I wasn’t able to achieve my goals, but now that I am back in training, I’m looking forward to playing the rest of the year. Hopefully I can make up for what I didn’t do because of the injuries.”

#Roberts, the highest ranked Bahamian player on the 1152 in singles by ATP as of August 15, started the year in Cancun, Mexico in January where he lost in the first round of the M15 Cancun Tournament to American Isaiah Strode.

#The following week, he closed out the month by getting eliminated in the quarter-final of another M15 Cancun to American Emil Reinberg.

#In his return to Naples, Florida in February, Roberts played in three M15 Tournaments losing in the first round to China’s Fnu Nidunjianzan, in the quarter-final to American Evan Zhu and in the second round to Sweden’s Jonathan Mridha.

#He then went to Anapolma, Germany, only to lose in the third round of the M25 Anapolma to Argentina’s Valerio Aboian.

#He participated in a M15 in Sunrise, Florida where he lost in the second round to Bolivia’s Juan Carlo Prado Angelo.

#After he recuperated from an injury, he played in the M15 South Bend tournament in Indiana where he was ousted in the first round by American Ryan Shane.

#Before his last tournament in Pittsburgh, Roberts played in Dallas, Texas in July where he lost in the first round to American Ezekiel Clark. “Although I lost the majority of my matches at the beginning of the season, I was still proud that I played in as many tournaments as I did and I performed at my best before the injuries,” Roberts said.

#Roberts, however, was disappointed that the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association didn’t select him to the men’s team that participated in the prestigious Davis Cup tie that was held in Escazu, Costa Rica, in June.

#The Bahamas team of Kevin Major, brothers Spencer and Baker Newman and player/captain Marvin Rolle, finished winless in their three matches played in pool B against Paraguay, Jamaica and Costa Rica.

#The team ended up beating Guatemala 2-0 to remain in the American Zone III for 2023 with their fifth-place finish.

#“I love playing for the Bahamas, but I was disappointed that I wasn’t selected to the team this year,” said Roberts, who was hoping for another top player ranking exemption from playing in the BLTA’s Tournament in December to earn a spot on the team.

#“Anytime, I can represent the country, I am ready,” Roberts stated.

#With a year to prepare himself, Roberts said he’s looking forward to getting back on the Davis Cup team just as he’s doing now for his return to the pro circuit.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/17/roberts-feels-sting-injury-bug/?news

SHOWN, from left to right, are Eric Hudson, Sheen Saunders Jr, 14-year-old Aisha Percentie, and Kenny Johnson Jr.

As of Wednesday, August 17, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#DR Ray Evans and his Blazer Elite Basketball Academy continues to make provisions for young athletes to obtain scholarships to attend high school, prep school and colleges and universities in the United States.

#Evans, who has assisted a number of Bahamian and Caribbean athletes in the past, has added 15 athletes to the list for basketball, American football and track and field.

#Among the schools the athletes are heading to are Eagle Point Academy, Omega Prep Academy, Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy, Champions Academy, Greater Destiny, Pine Forest Academy, Atlantis University and Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

#“We have athletes from Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Nassau, Turks and Caicos Islands in this group,” Evans said. “Some have already left, and we have another four leaving on Saturday and the rest going next week.”

#One of the benefactors is 14-year-old Aisha Percentie, a basketball player who competed in track and field for the Harbour Island Green School on Bay Street, Harbour Island, and is heading to Oklahoma to begin the ninth grade at Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy.

#“I feel good. I’m happy to go off and go on with my life,” said Percentie, who hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Harbour Islander Lashann Higgs, who is currently playing professionally in Europe. Her mother, Melissa Percentie, said it’s a miracle from God.

#“I’m really happy for her because she’s into playing basketball,” the proud mother said. “If she wasn’t into it, I don’t really think I would be pushing her. But this has been her dream for so long. She just wants to go away and play ball and so I don’t want to block her potential.”

#The elder Percentie said she’s confident that by the time her daughter leaves high school, she would be properly prepared for college. She thanked Evans for providing the opportunity for her daughter to go to school.

#Another Eleuthera native, Sheen Saunders, who played previously with St George’s High School in Grand Bahama but returned to complete his high school at North Eleuthera High School, said he too is excited about the opportunity to further his education. “I’m super honoured by it because not too many people get this opportunity,” said the 16-year-old Saunders Jr, who will also be heading to Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy. “Hopefully I can get a decent college basketball offer.”

#Saunders Jr, who plays both the piano and guitar and beats the drums, said this is a chance for him to pursue his musical career at the same time.

#“I worked hard to get to this level,” said the 6-foot, 4-inch forward, who didn’t get a chance to play in Eleuthera because they didn’t have a season the past two years due to COVID-19. “Coach Evans has really pushed me a lot. He’s made me a much better player in the short time that we worked out together.”

#Although the academy is based in Turks and Caicos, Evans said they have an office here in the Bahamas and he’s excited to be able to continue to provide avenues for the athletes to further their education.

#“Three years ago, just before the pandemic, we sent about 30 off through our programme,” Evans noted.

#“We average about 20-25 every year from the Caribbean. But this year, I made it my goal to get more Bahamians off this year.”

#Looking at the list of athletes who were able to obtain scholarships or got some partial assistance, Evans said there are four young ladies as well as players who will be participating in American football.

#“It’s a great opportunity and I’m just thankful to God that he has allowed me to be in a position to help these kids,.” Evans said. “It was a programme that was first offered to the Bahamas Government to help the athletes in the southern Bahamas because they didn’t get the exposure that they needed.

#“But after it didn’t work out, we decide to continue to work with the athletes. Next year, our goal is to provide at least 40 scholarships to assist these athletes. So, I’m happy to be in this position to assist as many Bahamians as possible and athletes in the Caribbean in general.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/17/blazer-elite-basketball-academy-continues-help-you/?news