As of Thursday, August 4, 2022

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CONNECTICUT Sun forward Jonquel Jones (35) blocks a shot attempt by Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) during a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday night in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D Elliot/The Day via AP)

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Alyssa Thomas posted her second triple-double in less than two weeks, Jonquel Jones added 10 points and 10 rebounds and the Connecticut Sun beat the Phoenix Mercury 87-63 on Tuesday night.

Thomas, who recorded the franchise’s first triple-double in a win over the Minnesota Lynx on July 22, finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

The No. 4 pick overall in the 2014 draft, the 6-foot-2 Thomas is just the fifth WNBA player with multiple triple-doubles and joined Candace Parker (Chicago Sky) and Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty) as the only players with more than one this season.

Natisha Hiedeman had 16 points to lead seven Connecticut players scoring in double figures, It’s the 12th time in league history that many players have reached double-digits in the same game. Connecticut has done it three times.

Phoenix took a 13-8 lead when Shey Peddy scored with 3:44 left in the first quarter but the Mercury went scoreless for the next 7-plus minutes minutes.

Brionna Jones made a layup to open the scoring in the second quarter and give Connecticut (21- 10) the lead for good at 15-13. Hiedeman made a 3-pointer to make it 42-30 with 7:50 left in the third and the Sun led by double figures the rest of the way.

The Mercury (13-18) have lost back-to-back games to fall a game behind the Dallas Wings (13-16) for sixth in the WNBA standings with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season.

New York, the Los Angeles Sparks, the Atlanta Dream and the Minnesota Lynx (11th) are all within a game of Phoenix.

DiJonai Carrington and DeWanna Bonner scored 12 points apiece, Brionna Jones scored 11.

Skylar Diggins-Smith and Sophie Cunningham scored 15 points apiece for Phoenix and Kaela Davis added 10.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/04/jonquel-jones-double-double-helps-sun-rout-mercury/?news

As of Thursday, August 4, 2022

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THE Bahamas Chess Olympiad team landed in Chennai, India, on July 27 to compete in the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad.

The team attended the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad Inauguration the evening of July 28 at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.

The ceremony included stunning displays of Indian artforms and dance.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on hand to officially welcome the players and bring remarks.

Round 1 of the tournament began on July 29. The Bahamas Open Chess Olympiad Team has a total of 4.5 points going into Round 5. Round 1 the men faced the prominent team from Latvia comprised of a Grandmaster (GM), an International Master (IM) and a FIDE Master (FM).

The Bahamas team lost all games in Round 1. In Round 2 CM Kendrick Knowles was the only team member able to secure some points, managing a draw against a Sri Lankan Fide Master (FM). Round 3 the Open Team of FM Cecil Moncur, CM Kendrick Knowles, WCM Polina Karelina and Dr Kenville Lockhart won all their games against Comoros.

Unfortunately, the team fell to Ethiopia in Round 4, losing all their games.

The Bahamas Women’s Chess Olympiad team has a total of 5.5 points going into Round 5. Round 1 the Female Team was pitted against the high-ranking Chile Women’s Team which comprised of two (2) Women Candidate Masters (WCM) and two (2) Women FIDE Masters (WFM).

The Bahamas lost all Round 1 games and all Round 2 games, where they faced up against South Korea.

In Round 3, Nelissa Thomas secured the first win for the women’s team against a Women FIDE Master from Malawi. Trinity Pinder secured a draw in Round 3 against a Malawian Women Candidate Master.

Round 4 the Women’s Team had a full sweep win with Trinity Pinder, Nelissa Thomas, WCM Daijah Johnson and Jayla Cargill all winning their games against the Central African Republic. “Team Bahamas had a rough start playing against some strong nations in the first two rounds,” said Elton Joseph, treasurer of the Bahamas Chess Federation and delegate to the The Chess Olympiad.

“Players are learning valuable lessons and the juniors are really stepping up to the plate,” he said.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/04/bahamian-chess-players-make-their-presence-felt-44/?news

 Home|Sports|‘JJ’ records double- double as Sun winsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 4, 2022 136 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian women’s professional basketball player Jonquel ‘JJ’ Jones nabbed her eighth double-double of the season, helping the Connecticut Sun to its 21st victory this year. They trounced the Phoenix Mercury, 87-63, in Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) action on Tuesday night to begin August on a winning note.

Playing at home at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, the Sun bounced back from a close loss to the Chicago Sky on Sunday. That loss snapped a four-game winning streak for them. The Sun hold the third seed in the league standings with a 21-10 win-loss record and have clinched a playoff berth for a sixth straight season. They have five games left in the season.

Reigning league Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jones played 26 minutes in the game on Tuesday night and was able to score 10 points and pull down 10 boards. She shot 4-for-9 from the field while going 2-for-5 from three-point territory. Jones was able to dish out three assists while swatting away two shots.

Alyssa Thomas recorded her second triple-double of the season with 10 points, 10 assists and 12 rebounds.

It was an evenly matched game in the first quarter as both teams were unable to create any separation from the other. The Mercury led 13-8 at one point which was the largest of the game. That came with 3:44 left in the first quarter. Grand Bahama native Jones pulled down four rebounds in the first quarter alone but couldn’t hit any of her four shot attempts in that quarter.

The game was tied at 13 points apiece after the first 10 minutes of play.

Jones got on the scoreboard with 7:17 left in the second quarter on a finger roll layup. The Sun led 17-13 at that point. That was a part of a 6-0 scoring run by the Sun to open the second quarter. The game’s first double-digit lead came with 2:11 left in the first half with the Sun leading 28-17. At the intermission, they led 35-25.

A dominant 52-38 second half advantage put the Sun in control and they cruised to the win.

The Mercury’s Sophie Cunningham and Skylar Diggins-Smith came away with 15 points apiece in the loss.

This season, Jones stats took a dip from last season as she averages 14.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in 28 games played. She leads her team in points and rebounds. Last season, she averaged 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Her shooting percentages also took a hit as she went from 51.5 percent from the field last season to 49.2 percent this year. She made 36.2 percent of her shots from deep last season, and that is down to 34.7 percent this season.

Jones’ 8.5 rebounds per game this season ranks her in the top five in the league in that category at number four.

Although her stats dipped, the Sun is still a strong playoff contender. They have been playing well after the all-star break, going 7-2 during that time.

These two teams will face each other again tonight at the same location at 7 o’ clock.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jj-records-double-double-as-sun-wins/

 Home|Sports|Thomas finishes fourth; Taylor, Gaither seventh at CommonwealthSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 4, 2022 145 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

One day after making history as the first Bahamian to advance to the final of the men’s 50 meters (m) freestyle at the Commonwealth Games, Lamar Taylor was in action in that final and came away with a seventh place finish at the Sandwell 

Aquatics Center in Londonberry, Smethwick, England. Taylor wrapped up the swimming portion for The Bahamas at the games on Wednesday.

Taylor powered his way to touch the wall in 22.51 seconds, placing seventh. It was a slower time than he swam in the semifinals, but a strong swim for the Bahamian regardless. Taylor posted a time of 22.45 seconds in the semis.

Donald Thomas, Shaun Miller Jr., and TyNia Gaither also competed in their respective finals yesterday, taking part in athletics at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England. Thomas was fourth in the men’s high jump, Miller was 10th in that same event, and Gaither finished seventh in the women’s 100m. Also competing on the track was Alonzo Russell, moving on to the semifinals of the men’s 400m.

In swimming, England took the gold and silver in the men’s 50m free with Benjamin Proud winning in 21.36 seconds and Lewis Burras taking the silver in 21.68 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Canada’s Joshua Edwards who swam 22.02 seconds to secure the bronze medal.

Taylor said he was proud of his performance, having made the men’s 50m free final at age 19.

“Making the final, especially in the 50m free, is exhilarating because when you look at it, at the bigger picture, it’s not a regular final. I was one of the top eight swimmers in the Commonwealth. To swim and be able to execute under pressure is a proud moment for myself. I know that everyone back home is proud of me,” Taylor said.

Taylor swam five individual races and both of the relay races at this edition of the Commonwealth Games.

“My performance at this meet overall was exceptionally well,” Taylor said. “I did not come into this meet with any time or goal set in my mind but I knew I wanted to have fun. I know this was a great opportunity for me to show out and have good placements. I just wanted to swim personal best times. I was only focused on swimming my best.”

Going forward, Taylor said he knows he has a lot to learn and he will change a lot of things in the next couple of months. After this, he will be preparing for his junior year at Henderson State University.

In athletics, Thomas barely missed out on a podium finish when he cleared 2.22m (7’ 3-1/4”) to place fourth in the men’s high jump final last night. Also jumping in that event was Shaun Miller Jr. He finished 10th overall after clearing 2.10m (6’ 10-3/4”).

Winning the high jump was New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr with a height of 2.25m (7’ 4-1/2”). Australian Brandon Starc was second as he cleared the same height as Kerr but had more knockdowns. Securing the bronze medal was India’s Tejaswin Shankar who cleared 2.22m. He prevailed on a countback over Thomas.

Gaither made the final in the women’s 100m after sprinting to a time of 11.17 seconds in the semis. In the final, Gaither placed seventh, clocking 11.23 seconds into a slight tailwind. Winning that race was two-time Olympic gold medalist in this event, Jamaican Elaine Thompson-Herah in 10.95 seconds. St. Lucian Julien Alfred got the silver, running 11.01 seconds. England’s Daryll Neita crossed the finish line in 11.07 seconds for the bronze medal.

Russell did enough to book a spot in the semifinals of the men’s 400m, running the one-lapper in 46.41 seconds. He placed third in heat five and ran the 15th fastest time overall. Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga ran a personal best of 44.89 seconds to win that heat.

The men’s 400m semifinals will take place tomorrow night.

Today, Gaither and Denisha Cartwright will compete in the women’s 200m, Kendrick Thompson will get his competition started in the men’s decathlon and LaQuan Nairn will compete in the men’s long jump final. In cycling, Felix Neely and Lorin Sawyer will compete in the men’s individual time trial.

https://thenassauguardian.com/thomas-finishes-fourth-taylor-gaither-seventh-at-commonwealth/

 Home|Sports|Operators snag first win of the seasonSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailAugust 3, 2022 178 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The RAB Operators (1-2) and the Johnson’s Lady Truckers (3-2) had a back and forth game on Saturday, and after seven innings it was the Operators who got a 24-23 victory for their first win of the 2022 New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) season in a game that took three hours to finish.

In the late game at the Banker’s Softball Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the defending women’s champions Sunshine Auto Wildcats (4-0) won 15-5 over the University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes (1-3).

In the first game, the Lady Truckers appeared to have the game wrapped up, going into the bottom of the seventh inning ahead 23-18. However, the Operators responded.

Errors played a major role in the high-scoring affair by both teams, and the bottom of the seventh inning was no different. The Operators’ bottom of the order was up first but they rose to the occasion, coming away with three consecutive hits before handing over the comeback to the top of the order. Leadoff batter Brendia Ferguson got out. The next two batters after Ferguson, Vanessa Sawyer and Shavone Dames, came home and tied the game at 23 runs apiece.

The Operators had a runner on third base with just one out. Tyla Miller went up to bat and got a hit that Lady Truckers’ pitcher Sari Albury fielded. Albury threw to first base and got Miller out, but veteran Melinda Bastian scored on the play and her team celebrated their first win of the season.

“The mindset in that final inning was that the game was not over until they get three outs,” Bastian said. “We were down by five runs and we needed six runs to win. It was not over until we said it was over so we just went out there and fought. My mindset on the final play was ride or die. I was the winning run and I had to go hard. It feels good to come out with our first win of the season. We did not have some key players as they are off the island for the holiday, but we hung in there. I expect us to do well this season. We have a strong team once we get all of our players out.”

Operators’ second baseman Brianna Knowles was the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the game. She went 3-for-5 with one run batted in (RBI) and scored two runs. On the Lady Truckers, Albury went 4-for-6 with two RBIs and scored three runs. She had an in-the-park home run.

In the late game, the Wildcats had a somewhat uncharacteristic start on offense, scoring just three runs in the first two innings. The Mingoes’ defense is much better this season than it was before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted play. They got some key catches and recorded outs in those two innings.

The Mingoes had a difficult time in the batter’s box as they had just two hits. They got on the scoreboard in the third inning but the Wildcats led 6-2 heading into the top of the fourth inning. In the fourth and fifth innings, the Wildcats picked up the intensity on defense. The Mingoes scored just one run in those two innings combined. The Wildcats led 9-3 after five innings.

It was an offensive sixth inning for the Wildcats as they were able to score six runs to take a 15-3 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Mingoes scored two more runs but it was not enough to get the game extended to seven innings.

Winning the MVP Award in this game was Wildcats’ pitcher Thela Johnson. She was impressive on both sides of the ball going 3-for-4 with a RBI and scoring three runs at the plate and striking out four batters from the mound.

Next up on the NPSA schedule is a game between the Lady Truckers and the Mingoes at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Following that game, the men return to action with the C&S Hitmen (1-1) taking on the Renegades (0-4) at 8.30 p.m.

https://thenassauguardian.com/operators-snag-first-win-of-the-season/

 Home|Sports|Taylor, Nairn qualify for finals at Commonwealth GamesSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 3, 2022 303 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian junior swimmer Lamar Taylor made history at the Sandwell Aquatics Center in Londonderry, Smethwick, England, on Tuesday, becoming the first Bahamian male to advance to the 50 meters (m) freestyle final at the Commonwealth Games.

The swimmer, who turned 19 years old in June, powered his way to touch the wall in a personal best time of 22.45 seconds in the fastest of the semifinal heats to qualify for the final tonight. He swam 22.59 seconds in the heats in the morning session.

Other than Taylor, DaVante Carey and Katelyn Cabral were in the pool for The Bahamas. The 4x100m medley relay team of Carey, Lilly Higgs, Cabral and Taylor, competed. On the judo mat, Cynthia Rahming and Andrew Munnings were in action, and in athletics, LaQuan Nairn, TyNia Gaither, Denisha Cartwright and Jahmaal Wilson were set to compete.

Taylor said walking up to the starting blocks was exciting. He said he was lost for words about how he felt about making the final.

“I have mixed emotions. I’m happy and very excited,” Taylor said.

The Henderson State University swimmer swam out of lane six. A total of five swimmers qualified from Taylor’s second semifinal heat which had the host country’s Benjamin Proud clocking 21.63 seconds for a victory. Taylor was fourth in his heat and qualified for the final with the seventh-fastest time.

“I was shocked,” Taylor said. “I had a rough start but I kept on fighting and pushed on for my 22.45 seconds. As soon as I touched the wall, I knew that once I finished fourth or higher I had a high chance of qualifying for the final because it was the fastest of the two. I tried to stay close to the top three guys,” Taylor said.

The main thing that Taylor said he is looking to do in tonight’s final is to stay relaxed. He said that he feels strong in the water and good off the blocks. Vereance Burrows holds the Bahamian national record of 22.39 seconds. Taylor said lowering that time has been on his mind but he will not be upset if he does not go under it as he is just focused on swimming to the best of his ability.

His final gets underway at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Carey was in action in the 200m backstroke in heat three. He placed sixth with a time of 2:12.22. Winning that heat was Australia’s Joshua Edwards-Smith who swam 1:58.74. Cabral was eighth in her 50m backstroke heat recording a time of 32.27 seconds. Canada’s Kylie Masse clocked 27.57 seconds to win that fourth heat. Neither Bahamian swimmer advanced.

In the medley relay, The Bahamas placed 11th overall with a time of 4:08.80. Australia had the fastest time in the heats – 3:45.34.

Nairn was brilliant in the long jump pit in Group A in the qualifying rounds for The Bahamas. He placed second in the group when he leapt 7.90m (25’ 11”) on his third and final jump to qualify for the final. India’s Sreeshankar Sreeshankar was first place with a leap of 8.05m (26’ 5”).

Fresh off an appearance at the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships, sprinter TyNia Gaither was in action in the women’s 100m. She qualified for the semifinals after placing second in her heat with a time of 11.19 seconds. Trinidad and Tobago’s Michelle-Lee Ahye won that heat with a time of 11.14 seconds.

Also running in the women’s 100m was Cartwright. She clocked 11.85 seconds which was not good enough to send her to the semifinals. St Lucia’s Julien Alfred clocked 11.24 seconds to win that heat.

Wilson was disqualified in the men’s 110m hurdles.

Rahming and Munnings both lost their matches on the judo mat. Rahming lost to Canada’s Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard in the quarterfinals. She then lost to Jamaica’s Lauren Semple in the repechage. Munnings lost to England’s Daniel Powell.

Bahamians return to action today in swimming and athletics as the 2022 Commonwealth Games continues in Birmingham, England.

https://thenassauguardian.com/taylor-nairn-qualify-for-finals-at-commonwealth-games/

 Home|Sports|Andrews makes 110m hurdles finalSports

Valcourt qualifies for the semifinals; female sprinters come up short

Sheldon LongleySend an emailAugust 3, 2022 260 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Antoine Andrews continues to build on the season of his life in athletics.

Continuing to build off a bronze medal run at the CARIFTA games earlier this year, the Bahamian junior sensation ran his second-fastest time ever in the men’s 110 meters (m) hurdles yesterday, to get into his first global final at the 2022 World Athletics U20 (Under-20) Championships at the Estadio Olímpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia. His fastest, 13.36 seconds, was a new junior national record in the heats.

On Tuesday, day two of the championships, Andrews won his semifinal heat in 13.39 seconds, going into Wednesday’s final as the fastest qualifier. He will run out of the center of the track, in lane four, in the final which is set for 7:25 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) this evening.

The Bahamian got out of the blocks quickly, was the first to the first hurdle, and despite clipping that hurdle, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way. Andrews was clean over the remaining nine hurdles, easing up at the tape for the comfortable win. He has been totally impressive in his two runs in Cali, setting the two fastest times of his life in the hurdles, and now prepares for what could be a top three finish for him in the final.

Matthew Sophia, of the Netherlands, who ran a world-leading under-20 time of 13.10 seconds in the heats, is the second-fastest qualifier for the final, running 13.43 in the semifinals. American Malik Mixon is the third-fastest qualifier for the final, running a personal best time of 13.52 seconds in the semis. Other than those three, there is one Jamaican, two Australians, an athlete from Austria and an athlete from Serbia in the final.

Andrews is attempting to become the third Bahamian to win a medal in the men’s 110m hurdles at the World Junior Championships, following in the footsteps of Eugene Greene in Sudbury, Canada, in 1988 and former national record holder Shamar Sands in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2002.

Andrews has already past both of them in times.

Also on the track for The Bahamas at the World Juniors yesterday was Javonya Valcourt in the women’s 400m. Running out of lane seven, Valcourt was fifth in her semifinal heat and obtained the final qualifying spot for the semis, running 55.31 seconds. She will certainly have to go faster in the semis as just the top two finishers in each semifinal heat and the next two fastest times move on to Thursday’s final.

Yemi Mary John, of Great Britain, is the fastest qualifier for the final, equalling her personal best time of 52.42 seconds in the heats.

In the semis today, Valcourt will run out of lane one in the first of three heats at 6 p.m. As mentioned, just the top two finishers in each semifinal heat and the next two fastest times move on to the final.

There were two Bahamians in the women’s 100m heats on Tuesday, but neither moved on to the semifinals.

Paige Archer was fourth in her heat and finished 33rd overall in 11.78 seconds. Grand Bahamian Shatalya Dorsett finished eighth in her heat and was 44th overall in 11.94 seconds.

Other than Andrews and Valcourt, competing for The Bahamas today will be Shimar Bain in the heats of the men’s 400m hurdles and Wanya McCoy in the heats of the men’s 200m.

In the men’s 400m hurdles, Bain will run out of lane four in the seventh of seven first-round heats at 12:13 p.m. Just the top three finishers in each heat and the next three fastest times move on to the semifinals. In the men’s 200m, McCoy will run out of lane seven in the first of seven first-round heats at 12:25 p.m. The top three finishers in each heat and the next three fastest times qualify for the semifinals.

A total of 11 athletes are representing The Bahamas at the World Junior Championships – seven young men and four young women. The Head Coach of the team is Corrington Maycock and he is assisted by Daron Lightbourne and John Ingraham.

Overall, there are over 1,500 athletes representing 145 nations in 45 events at the World Junior Championships. It is the preeminent meet for under-20 athletes in athletics in the world.

https://thenassauguardian.com/andrews-makes-110m-hurdles-final/

Rashield Williams and Carl Hield in Birmingham.

As of Sunday, July 31, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#BIRMINGHAM, England: Despite having to overwork himself to shed 11 pounds to make the weight, Rashield Williams gave it a gallant effort in his light welterweight match at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but was a little too weak to withstand Namibia’s Jonas Jonas.

#One day after the other team member Carl Hield was stopped in the first round of his boxing bout, Williams went the distance, but lost 5-0 on points to Jonas on Sunday at the NEC Hall. It was match he felt he could have easily won if he was at full strength.

#“It was a good fight. He was a tough guy. He was the former champion. He did his part and I did my part,” said Williams, who had to fight back in the last two rounds after losing the first of three minute three round bout.

#“Although I had to lose the weight because I was put in the wrong weight class, I did my best. I’m proud of myself.”

#The 32-year-old Williams said he spent the past three days starving himself from eating food and drinking water, while dehydrating using the sauna and running as much as he could. Unfortunately, the 21-year-old Jonas was much better prepared.

#“I didn’t want to just make this a vacation trip, so I had to go out there and do my best,” Williams said. “I’m okay now because I can eat. I’m satisfied with my performance. I’m glad I came out healthy and no damage was done to my body.”

#As the shorter of the two competitors, Williams found himself in a tough situation where he had to hold off the attack of the taller Jonas. Although he took the fight to him, he didn’t have the stamina to stay toe to toe with him and it caused him the decision.

#Still reeling from his disappointing first round stoppage on Saturday, Hield discovered Sunday morning when he got up that his left ankle was swollen from a slip in the ring during his bout and had to be treated by the polyclinic in the games village at the Hilton Hotel.

#The 35-year-old Hield’s ankle was bandaged and he revealed that he will have to continue treatment at the clinic until he leaves the games at the end of the week.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/jul/31/rashield-williams-loses-points-after-shedding-poun/?news

As of Tuesday, August 2, 2022

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Rhanishka Gibbs and Lilly Higgs.

Luke-Kennedy Thompson, Izaak Bastian.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#BIRMINGHAM, England — Back for her second semi-final swim at the Sandwell Aquatic Center at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Lilly Higgs moved up to a 15th place finish after she got another eighth place in her heat of the women’s 100 metre breaststroke last night.

#“It was pretty good,” said Higgs after her clocking of one minute and 12.97 seconds. “Sometimes the night swim hurts more and sometimes it’s a lot better, so I was right around the time I was this morning, so that was the goal.

#“I would have liked to be a little faster, but just getting out there and swimming and having the feeling of being in a semi-final, I’m pretty satisfied with it. It’s been a great meet. I really didn’t know what to expect coming in here after competing at the World Championships and the Nationals, so I’m really happy with everything.”

#The 21-year-old Higgs, who was the co-national flag carrier with Izaak Bastian during the opening ceremonies on Thursday night, earned the rights to get in the evening swim after she finished 16th overall in the heats in 1:12.67 during the morning session.

Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, Katelyn Cabral.

#She swum in the same heat in lane two with fellow Bahamian Rhanishka Gibbs in lane one.

#“I guess 16 is my number in this meet,” said Higgs, who also finished as the 16th and final qualifier for the 50m breaststroke on day one of the swim competition on Friday. “It was good to have another swim.

#“It’s amazing swimming against these elite athletes and world record holders and Olympic and World Championship medallists. It’s kind of funny just being in the call room and you realise in chatting with them that you are all the same. So it’s been a great meet making my second semi-finals.”

Davante Carey and Lamar Taylor.

#Higgs was even more honoured to share the same heat with Gibbs, who had to settle for 43rd in 1:01.74.

#“She just got back from doing the 100m and now we have the 100m breast, so my advice to her was to just go out there and have some fun and enjoy the experience,” Higgs said. “I think it’s really important for her to get some racing under her belt. It’s been a great meet for her, so just wanted to show her the ropes.”

#For Gibbs, she’s just elated to be competing in her first global competition. “It wasn’t the time I expected, but I’m still happy that I got to compete. I know what I have to work on and what I have to improve on,” said Gibbs, the youngest member of the Bahamas swim team at age 16.

#The Queen’s College 12th grader said she was also thrilled to have the opportunity to race with and against Higgs, one of her mentors.

#“I’ve always really looked up to her. I always wanted to race against her because I never got the chance at home. I really got it here, so it was really good,” Gibbs added. “It was a good opportunity and I really enjoyed it.”

#Not only did Gibbs get to compete against Higgs, but she noted that she got to get prepared to face a lot of the top competitors in the world, which has certainly boosted her confidence here.

#She competed earlier in the day in the 100m freestyle where she was sixth in her heat in 1:01.74 for 43rd place.

#“My race was pretty good. I executed the race very well and it was a good swim,” she said. “I feel pretty good getting up and racing against these world class swimmers at my age. I think this meet will help to prepare for my future meets. I hope to be back at the next competition to represent the Bahamas.”

#Gibbs also had some consolation with her parents, Tonya and Randy Gibbs, in the stands. She noted that it’s the kind of support that every swimmer needs, especially when they are making their first international competition like she did.

#Also competing in that event was 18-year-old Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, who got fourth in her heat in 1:00.60 for 34th overall.

#“It was alright. It wasn’t my best time, but I’m just happy that I was able to compete in this meet,” she said. “I think I gained a lot of exposure competing against all of these top-notch competitors, so I’m going to go back to training and hopefully will be ready when the next international competition comes around.”

#Thompson’s brother Luke-Kennedy Thompson also got some extra spotlight when he touched the wall first in his heat of the men’s 50m breaststroke in 29.30. He turned it on in the final 10-15m to get the win, but he ended up 24th overall.

#“It was a good comeback. It wasn’t my best time, but I gave it my best effort,” he said. “I’m just happy to be here and to have this opportunity to swim at this level of competition. It was just awesome.”

#Thompson noted that he got best times in both the 200 and 400m freestyles and so he felt he made his family, including his little sister, Zaylie-Elizabeth, and the Bahamian public very proud of his efforts.

#The event also featured Izaak Bastian, the co-national flag carrier during the opening ceremonies on Thursday night. He followed Thompson in heat four with a fifth place in 28.74 and 24th overall.

#“It wasn’t great, but you learn from every swim, good or bad,” Bastian said. “I learned a little today. I was definitely disappointed, but it is the nature of sports. It wasn’t my best meet, but I tried my best. I tried to show my team-mates how things are done, although I didn’t perform at my best.”

#As this was his final individual event for the meet, Bastian thanked his parents Rochelle and Darren Bastian, as well as his brother, Drew, who made the trip to England to support him and the rest of Team Bahamas.

#Bastian, who has completed his collegiate eligibility at Florida State University, said they have always been there supporting him and so he expected the same courtesy here in Birmingham.

#Davante Carey, coming off his national record breaking performance in the men’s 50m on Sunday, had to settle for third place in his heat of the 100m butterfly in 56.58 for 25th place overall.

#“Obviously it feels good emotionally to get the national record, but on the physical side, you have to do so much to recover to come back and compete so early in the morning,” Carey said. “I haven’t been training for any fly events, so it wasn’t in my spectrum, but I don’t want to use any excuses.”

#Carey, preparing for his senior year at McKendree University, will close out his individual appearance here at the games when he competes in the heats of the 200m backstroke.

#And Katelyn Cabral, in getting things started for Team Bahamas during the morning session, was sixth in her heat of the women’s 200m backstroke in 2:33.19 for 12th place overall.

#“It felt pretty good. I actually put all I had into it and I definitely don’t have anything left,” Cabral said. “The goal for me in this meet was to get top 12 for the Bahamas. I gave it all I could.”

#It was mission accomplished for Cabral.

#• Here’s a look at Team Bahamas’ performances on day four yesterday:

• #Katelyn Cabral, 12th in the women’s 200m backstroke in 2:33.19..
• #Izaak Bastian, 20th in the men’s 50m breaststroke in 28.74.
• #Luke-Kennedy Thompson, 24th in the men’s 50m breaststroke in 29.30.
• #Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, 34th in the women’s 100m freestyle in 1:00.60.

#Rhanishka Gibbs, 43rd in the women’s 100m freestyle in 1:01.74.

#Davante Carey, 25th in the men’s 100m butterfly in 56.58.

#Lilly Higgs, 16th in the women’s 100m breaststroke in 1:12.67 to qualify for the semi-finals.

#Rhanishka Gibbs, 23rd in the women’s 100m breaststroke in 1:18.44.

#Lilly Higgs, 16th in the women’s 100m breaststroke semi-final in 1:12.97.

#Left to compete today as the swimming competition is completed are the following:

#– Davante Carey in the heats of the men’s 200m backstroke.

#– Lamar Taylor in the heats of the men’s 50m freestyle.

#– Katelyn Cabral in the heats of the women’s 50m backstroke.

#– Mixed 4 x 100m medley relay team.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/02/lilly-higgs-back-second-semis/?news

WIN COLUMN: Raw Talent Elite got a trio of clutch free throws down the stretch from Domnick Bridgewater to seal a 66-64 win over the University of South Alabama Jaguars in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on July 31.

As of Tuesday, August 2, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#THE Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Summer of Thunder returned to the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium in thrilling fashion with a local team scoring the first win in the series.

#Raw Talent Elite got a trio of clutch free throws down the stretch from Domnick Bridgewater to seal a 66-64 win over the University of South Alabama Jaguars at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on July 31.

#Tied at 63 with 30 seconds left to play, Bridgewater made the go-ahead free throw, and added a pair on the following possession for a three-point lead.

#The Jaguars’ Isiah Moore made a pair of free throws of his own to pull within one, but Zane Knowles blocked his attempt at a late game winner on the game’s final possession.

#Knowles led Raw Talent Elite with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Kenny Isnord and Bridgewater each finished with 12 points and six rebounds.

#Jonathan Augustin- Fairell finished with seven points and seven rebounds, Jackson Jacob scored seven and Bradley Branton also chipped in with seven.

#Moore led the Jaguars with 14 points and seven assists, Owen White had 11 points and six steals, both Kevin Samuel and Marshall Kearing had eight points and 11 rebounds while Julian Margrave scored eight.

#Raw Talent was coached by Kino Burrows, a former national team standout and veteran pro player currently based in France.

#Jaguars head coach Richie Riley said the opportunity to compete on a foreign tour will provide several further opportunities for success. “Being able to play this summer on a foreign tour is big for our programme.

#“I did a study on teams playing on foreign tours and most teams that played in them had a high percentage of success the following season.

#“You only get to do these trips once in four years and the last one I took a team on we ended up winning the regular season title at Nicholls. This trip will help us get better for the upcoming season,” he said. “Going out of the country is big for a couple of reasons, it helps us with team building because we will have a lot of time to be around each other to build chemistry and obviously you want to win.”

#The Summer of Thunder schedule includes several NCAA Division I programmes and foreign national teams competing at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the Atlantis resort’s Imperial Arena on Paradise Island and the Baha Mar Grand Ballroom.

#NCAA programmes expected to compete over the course of the week will include Eastern Kentucky, New Mexico State and Ole Miss.

#Local teams in action this week will include the Caro Contractors Pirates, Discount Distributor Rockets and Bahamas Select team.

#The Summer of Thunder was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, but returns this year with several new ventures.

#On Friday August 5, Ballin By Da Beach, the BBF and She Hoops Elite will begin their partnership with several visiting programmes to host a camp for young student athletes.

#She Hoops Elite will also face the NPWBA All-Stars and Eastern Kentucky.

#On Saturday, August 6, the venue shifts to the Atlantis resort where Ohio State will face the Egyptian national team and Manhattan College will take on the Abaco Squad.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/02/raw-talent-elite-wins-summer-thunder-opener/?new