Quartet of Bahamian swimmers ‘age out’ on high note after four-peat

One final CARIFTA for awesome foursome

Quartet of Bahamian swimmers ‘age out’ on high note after four-peat

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It is just over a week since The Bahamas won its historic fourth straight CARIFTA Swimming Championship title at the Barbados Aquatic Center in Wildey, Barbados. Amongst the 36 swimmers who made the trip to Barbados were team captains and 15-17 age category swimmers Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, Erald Thompson III, Jake Thompson and Delaney Mizell who were happy to be a part of history as they aged out of the meet.

The Bahamas won the championship with 975 points, four-peating as champions. The win was also the sixth win for the country in seven championships. Jamaica and the Cayman Islands finished second and third, respectively. Jamaica scored 833.50 points and Cayman finished with 754 points.

Erald Thompson knew there was a lot of pressure coming into this year’s CARIFTA Championships after they won a third straight title back in 2019. The 2020 and 2021 editions were canceled due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We knew what we had to live up to and honestly to sum it up, it feels great. It feels good to lead that historic moment – it feels very good,” Erald Thompson said.

Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson was happy to have help leading the group of swimmers, particularly the younger ones and the first-timers.

“It is thrilling to know that we as team captains were able to lead a team emotionally and lead us to this victory. It is very relieving to know that we did a good job. I am excited to see what they feel about us as team captains. I had a lot of fun with this group and for many of them, they were first-timers and they did not know what to expect. They pulled it together when they needed to and they worked hard. It was fun and exciting to be a team captain,” Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson said.

For Mizell, she said it was great to come away with the four-peat after four days and eight sessions of swimming.

This was only Jake Thompson’s second CARIFTA. His first was in 2017 when The Bahamas hosted it and started the winning streak. He said he didn’t recall what it was like since there was a gap in the last five years for him. He quickly adopted and was able to help motivate the younger ones.

“Leaving here with a victory is sweet. Being able to say that I was a team captain on a team in the Caribbean is sweet and you can tell all of your friends that. It is an experience on its own,” Jake Thompson said.

He swam in 14 races inclusive of preliminaries, finals and relays. He took part in the middle and long distance races such as the 400 meters (m), 800m and the 1500m freestyle events.

“I swam a lot of distance. It hurt but I got through it,” he said. “Seeing other kids swim made it so much more bearable than swimming it alone. Also, having teammates on the sideline and hearing the cowbells and drums, it really motivates you.”

He finished with six medals – one gold, four silver and a bronze.

Erald Thompson swam a personal best in his final race of his CARIFTA career, the 100m breaststroke. He finished with the silver medal in a time of 1:07.50. Aruba’s Braynsly Dirksz won with a time of 1:06.01.

“That was a good race,” he said. “It went according to strategy so I have no regrets about that. It was nice to close it off with a silver for Team Bahamas,”

The breaststroke specialist finished CARIFTA with a gold medal and two silver medals. He swam in eight races this year including preliminaries, finals and relays, which for him was not a lot.

“It was one to remember. I did not swim in as much events as usual. This was the hardest CARIFTA I have ever been to as I was older and was a team captain. I had to look out for everyone and not just for myself. That part was hard. Other than that, it was a good meet and it was fun to race again. I do not regret it,” he said.

Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson had her fair share of races that she swam in but the 200m individual medley (IM) stood out the most to her. It was a race where she won silver with a time of 2:28.78, while fellow Bahamian Keianna Moss won the gold medal in 2:28.66.

“I enjoyed the 200m IM the most because I like to swim all the strokes and I like swimming next to my teammate Moss, so that was a lot of fun,” Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson said.

She came away with one silver medal and three bronze medals.

It was a roller coaster ride for her this year, after the region not having the meet for two years, and then taking on a larger role than usual.

“It was different being a team captain because I am used to being one of the younger kids. We skipped two years and now I am a senior. It was bit of a change. I was excited to shine the light from what I knew from previous CARIFTA meets. I was glad we made our own memories in this last CARIFTA. I had a lot of fun, and the racing was fun. I am proud of what Team Bahamas did,” Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson said.

Mizell swam in two individual events and three relay events and finished with a silver medal and two bronze medals. She said the race that was the most fun for her was the 4x50m free relay in which she teamed up with Rhanishka Gibbs, Moss and Rachel Lundy, and they won a silver. They swam 1:48.39 while Jamaica won the gold with a time of 1:47.91.

Being the team captain was a lot of fun for Mizell, she said.

“It was definitely one to remember for sure,” Mizell said. “Going into it being my last CARIFTA I was eligible for, it was bittersweet to close out this chapter. I am excited to go on to bigger things. Other than that, my swims were right there where they needed to be.”

All four swimmers agreed that they will miss the camaraderie, the bonding, the energy and the laughs from being at CARIFTA. Most of all, they said they will miss their first experience at CARIFTA. The premier junior swimming meet is where a lot of them got their swimming careers started.

The quartet left some advice for the team captains for next year’s CARIFTA Championships in which The Bahamas will be chasing a fifth straight title in St. Lucia.

“Have fun because your experience qualifies you for the job.They need to remember what they learn and pass it on to the younger kids,” Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson said.

Erald Thompson said: “Enjoy it and be there for the younger ones. They will not be used to the traditions so be patient. You have to be selfless.”

Mizell said: “Embrace it and take it in while having fun. Make memories because those will last forever. Pass down traditions and always be there for the younger ones. Take time to know the younger ones.”

Jake Thompson simply said: “Motivate.”

Although it is the end of their CARIFTA swimming careers, they are hoping to represent The Bahamas, something they take pride in doing, at other regional and international meets in the future.

As of Tuesday, April 26, 2022

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#SIERRA Donaldson and The Lee University Flames clinched a spot in the Gulf South Conference (GSU) Championships tournament with a 6-3 win over Delta State University.

#The Lady Flames garnered one of the final two spots in the GSC postseason. They will play in the GSC Tournament which will be held April 28-30 at Lagoon Park and O’Connor Tennis Center in Montgomery, Alabama.

#Sierra is a senior and will be graduating with honours from Lee University. She was recognised on Senior’s Day by the university.

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) congratulates Sierra on obtaining academic honours and heading to the GSC championships – two awesome feats in her last year in college.

#Continue to shine Sierra.

DEANDRE Ayton dunks against the Pelicans in Game 4 of his first-round playoff series in New Orleans Sunday. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

As of Tuesday, April 26, 2022

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns are facing an uphill battle in the midst of a physical first round series against the upset minded New Orleans Pelicans.

#Ayton, averaging 20.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game through four games of the series thus far, said the Pelicans set the tone in Sunday night’s 118-103 win at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

#A pivotal game five is set for tonight at 10pm local time at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

#“They hit first, they played hard, they wanted it more,” Ayton said following the Sun’s 118-103 loss Sunday night in New Orleans, [We have to] Not worry about the refs and just play basketball, play hard and give those second efforts.”

#Ayton finished with 23 points (11-14 field goals), eight rebounds, and one block in 33 minutes Sunday but has struggled at times with his matchup against Pelicans veteran Jonas Valancuinas.

#Valancuinas finished with 26 points (9-15 field goals, 7-11 free throws), 15 rebounds and four assists over 33 minutes Sunday.

#On the series he is averaging 15 points and 16 rebounds per game, highlighted by an 18-point, 25-rebound performance in game one. “He was all over the glass like he was in game one,” Ayton said of Valanciunas in game four. “We just have to make sure we handle him and take him out completely.”

#Ayton has drawn just five total free throw attempts throughout the series and the Suns as a team lost the battle at the charity stripe. The Pelicans held a 42-17 advantage in game four alone and the Suns were called for 12 more fouls.

#“We were fouling. The third quarter we were trading baskets and we were fouling. They were aggressive they got to the bonus early and they did what any team would do, they were aggressive and they were getting calls,” Ayton said. “With the physicality it just feels like we couldn’t do like how we did it in game three with the physicality of the game, it made us let up a little bit on being aggressive and I think that’s what got us. We started to figure that out a little bit too late.”

#The Suns, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, now face a No. 8 seed Pelicans team in an even series without leading scorer and MVP candidate Devin Booker.

#Booker missed his second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury and is expected to miss the rest of the series.

#“I just want my dude to be healthy and ready to go. We trust him, we know he’s handling business, we see him handling it everyday. I would just love to be in great shape when he gets out there, super healthy and get this thing back to our norm.

#“Until then, nothing has changed, it’s the next man up. We’re not second guessing anything or any lineups, we’re sticking to how we play.”

#Despite the loss of Booker, Ayton said the Suns’ recent playoff experience helps them to remain focused on the task at hand.

#“It’s very important. Everybody making up stuff on how the series will go, we ignore all of that and we stay the course,” he said. “It’s the playoffs, I mean everybody’s good, that’s how it’s supposed to go,” he said. “Play hard and may the best team win. We just got to get back home, get back on our feet and handle our business at home.”

Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

As of Wednesday, April 27, 2022

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#RUGBY Americas North (RAN) hosted its Sevens Qualifiers over the weekend as the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium hosted the top programmes in the region looking to advance in further international competition.

#Canada won both the men’s and women’s Cup Championships while Team Bahamas finished the tournament with a 1-4 win loss record.

#On day one, The Bahamas suffered a 34-0 loss to The Cayman Islands, a hard fought 20-19 loss to the Turks and Caicos Islands and 36-7 loss to Mexico to fall to 0-3. On day two, The Bahamas opened play with their highest scoring match and lone win of the tournament, a 26-12 decision over The British Virgin Islands. Kevin Deveaux was one of the top offensive threats for The Bahamas with the lone try scored against Mexico and a pair of tries against BVI.

#Team Bahamas concluded their run in the tournament with a 31-21 loss to Guyana. The tournament is a qualifier for a pair of major upcoming events including the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa in September, and the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, England in July.

#A total of 19 programmes (13 men’s teams and five women’s teams) competed in 46 matches, over the last two days at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Other participating men’s teams included Jamaica, Curacao, Guyana, The British Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Turks and Caicos, Bermuda, Belize, and Barbados.

#Women’s teams included Jamaica, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, and The Cayman Islands.

Megan Moss in action as coach Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene cheers her on.

As of Monday, January 27, 2020

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IT was a phenomenal day on the track for quarter-miler Megan Moss and hurdler Devynne Charlton at the Rod McCravy Memorial in Lexington, Kentucky.

#Moss, in her freshman year at the host University of Kentucky, picked up a fourth-place finish in the women’s 400 metres in a personal best of 52.85 seconds to trail her Wildcats’ team-mate Alexis Holmes, who was second in 52.27.

#The significance of their times was that they turned out to be the fastest for Holmes and the fourth fastest in the NCAA this year. While Holmes leads the pack, Moss trails Texas’ Kenndy Simon, who ran 52.81 at the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Collegiate Invitational this weekend as well, and Bahamian Doneisha Anderson from the University of Florida, who did 52.83 at the Gamecock Opener on January 17.

#Moss was also eighth in the 200m in 24.17 as her Kentucky teammates Abby Steiner and Dajour Miles got first and second in 23.06 and 23.39 respectively.

#Before they were done, Moss also ran the pop-off leg and Holmes anchored the Wildcats’ 4 x 400m relay team that included Steiner and Miles as they clocked 3:31.29 for the second-fastest time in school history and the No. 1 time in the world currently.

#“It was just amazing,” said Moss, who also surpassed the qualifying standard of 52.90 for the World Athletics’ 2020 World Indoor Championships.

#“I definitely wanted to run fast, but I wasn’t worried about the time.

#“So it was good to go out there and run as fast as I did.

#“I still can’t believe that I ran that fast. I just wanted to set myself up for the break and get out as fast as possible and try to bring it home.”

#Moss said her goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in August and hopefully she can also double up on the women’s 4 x 400m relay team with fellow St Augustine’s College graduates Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Doneisha Anderson as the two top prospects.

#Kentucky’s head coach Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene said he wasn’t surprised at Moss’ performance at all.

#“I told Megan she was ready to run 52 seconds her first meet,” said Greene, who is assisted by Bahamian “Golden Girl” Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie on the Wildcats’ coaching staff.

#“It was her first indoor meet and (her father) Tito (Moss) was here to watch it.

#“I told her I needed her to come through in 25 flat in the first lap and 37-38 and she did exactly what I told her. This is just my humble opinion, but she should have won the race. I just think she gave the other two individuals too much room and then she closed down.”

#Before the indoor season is completed in March, Greene said he anticipates that Moss will clock 51 seconds. Greene, however, said Moss will not be making the trek to the World Athletics’ 2020 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, because it will conflict with the Southeastern Championships, scheduled for February 28-29 at the Gilliam Indoor Stadium in College Station, Texas.

#Kentucky will now take next weekend off and will be back at it February 7-8 at the Doc Hale Elite Meet in Blacksburg, Virginia. The distance runners are scheduled to compete February 8 at the Camel City Invitational in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

#Charlton picks up a victory

#As she makes her comeback and in her bid to regain her prominence on the international scene for the Bahamas, Devynne Charlton took the women’s 60m hurdles in 8.12. Cortney Jones, a senior at Arizona State, was second in 8.22.

#Charlton, who was also 30th in the 200m in 25.03, said she was quite pleased with her performances as she gets set to compete in the World Indoor Championships, having done the standard of 8.16 for the fourth time this season.

#“It was a pretty good meet consistency wise. I think it was a pretty good meet because I’m right where I need to be,” Charlton said. “I came down with the flu, so going into this meet, I wasn’t sure if I would even compete, but I started to feel better and I decided to give it a try.”

#Also at the meet, Warren Fraser, representing the Bahamas, got second in the final of the men’s 60m in 6.68 behind Langston Jackson, a junior at Kentucky, who did 6.61.

#Fraser advanced with the second-fastest time of 6.69 behind Jackson’s best of 6.61 in the semi-final.

#In the preliminaries, Langston posted the fastest time of 6.66 with Fraser second with 6.67 and Purdue’s senior Samson Colebrooke third with 6.72.

#Colebrooke, however, didn’t compete in the semi-final. Samson’s team-mate Tamar Greene was 26th in 7.05.

#And in the men’s 4 x 400m relay, Puma MVP International team of Martin Manley, Akeem Bloomfield, Bahamian Teray Smith and Nathon Allen came in second in 3:09.27 behind Kentucky in 3:09.06.

Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm’s series of career milestones in 2020 was highlighted by becoming just the seventh Bahamian to play Major League Baseball. The historic feat earned him The Tribune’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

#The 22-year-old Miami Marlins infielder’s major league callup in September and his ensuing performance for the remainder of the season became the biggest Bahamian sports story in a year obstructed by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

#The Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, Chisholm was expected to start the season with the Marlins’ AAA affiliate, the Wichita Wind Surge of the Pacific Coast League.

#However, the pandemic cancelled minor league baseball in 2020 and shortened the major leagues to a shortened 60-game season. The Marlins were one of the teams hit by the pandemic early in the season and had the highest roster turnover of any team in the league with 17 players eventually placed on the COVID reserve list.

#While the team got off to a slow start, Chisholm said his focus was to stay mentally ready in preparation for a major league callup.

#“My expectations never went down, when the shutdown happened I was just thinking, I have to prepare to play in the big leagues. They already said that we weren’t having a minor league season so I was just getting ready to play in the big leagues. Even when we were locked down I was just running around the neighbourhood, getting my miles in just to be ready,” he said.

#“It was the day the 17 guys went down and I thought to myself ‘Oh my goodness, what’s going to happen right now am I ready to go to the big leagues?’ I had to check myself to make sure that I was ready every day because it could happen every day. It gave me the instant shock that I could get the call any day so I was preparing every day like it could happen.”

#The call did happen and Chisholm made his historic major league debut on September 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. He entered the game as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for shortstop Miguel Rojas and officially became just the seventh Bahamian to play in the major leagues.

#In 21 games this season he hit .161 with a .563 OPS a .242 OBP, nine hits, two home runs, nine runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases.

#He recorded the first hit of his MLB career on September 5 with a single against the Tampa Bay Rays and scored the first run of his career the following day against the Braves on September 6.

#Chisholm’s breakthrough at the plate came on September 9 against the Braves when he recorded his first major league home run, RBI, triple and multi-hit game. He became the third youngest Marlins player to have a game with a home run and a triple. The only players to do it at a younger age were Giancarlo Stanton and Jeremy Hermida.

#Chisholm had his best game of the year in the regular season finale when he blasted his second home run of the season and finished 2-4 with three RBI and scored two runs.

#The Marlins were one of the most improbable stories in the 2020 season. They were the worst team in the National League a season ago at 57-105 and returned in 2020 to finish 31-29 for their first winning season since 2009 and earned their first playoff berth since 2003.

#Once they reached the postseason, the No.6 seeded Marlins advanced with a two-game sweep of the No.3 Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round before they were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

#Chisholm made his postseason debut in the final game of the season for the Marlins. He started at second base in the Marlins’ 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and became just the second Bahamian player to play in the MLB postseason following Ed Armbrister’s run with the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s.

#“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas.

#“We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID- 19 and I got called up to play on September 1st which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” Chisholm said. “Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and I believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing. I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield.

#Runner-Up: Chavano “Buddy” Hield

#Hield’s 2020 included a career highlight on All-Star Weekend, several milestones to establish himself as one of the most proficient shooters in NBA history and a new career high scoring night to honour his NBA childhood hero.

#As the NBA continued to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant in January, Hield paid tribute to the player he credits as his NBA inspiration with the best game of his five-year career.

#In his first game since Bryant’s tragic death, Hield led the Kings to an historic comeback and scored a career-high 42 points for the Kings in their 133-129 overtime win over the Timberwolves on January 27.

#The Kings overcame a 27-point deficit and Hield made five of his nine three pointers in the final 4:34 in the fourth quarter.

#“That’s the reason I wanted to play in the NBA because of Kobe,” Hield said following the game. “I feel that he was with me. He never gives up. That’s always his mentality. Never give up. No matter what the stakes was, he was always pushing, always pressing. He’s making sure guys feel him. That’s what I did tonight.”

#Hield said that continuing to wear the number and compete at the highest level is a fitting way to honour the memory of the Los Angeles Lakers great.

#Inspired by Bryant, Hield has worn No.24 at the high school level at Sunrise Christian, three of his four years in college with the Oklahoma Sooners and throughout his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

#Hield went on to set another milestone on February 8 when he shot 9-10 from beyond the arc, scored 31 points in the Kings’ 122-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs and simultaneously became the fastest player in NBA history to make 800 career three-point field goals. He accomplished the feat in just 296 games to surpass the mark set by Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry, who did it in 305 games.

#Just over a week later, Hield became one of the headliners of NBA All-Star Weekend when he became the league’s new three-point shootout champion on February 15.

#He posted a final round of 27 points and clinched the title on his final shot to defeat the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in the final round of the Mtn Dew Three Point Shootout at State Farm All-Star Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

#“I just wanted to come out and represent the Bahamas as best as I can, represent my family and I thank God for giving me the win. I was happy to be here and I was happy to show out. Everyone knows I have been a shooter since I was a little kid. This one was on my bucket list and I’m happy to get it,” Hield said.

#He finished the season with 873 threes, more three-point field goals than any other player in his first four NBA seasons. He surpassed the previous record of 828 set by Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

#This month, Hield’s late-game heroics helped the Sacramento Kings open the 2020-21 campaign with a thrilling win in the first overtime game of the season.

#Hield scored a team high 22 points and tipped in the game winner as time expired to give the Kings a 124-122 win over the Denver Nuggets December 23 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

#He scored 19 of his 22 in the second half, none bigger than the final field goal in overtime. Harrison Barnes deflected the Nuggets inbound pass and had an opportunity to score the go ahead basket but his dunk attempt was blocked by the Nuggets’ Will Barton.

#Hield was trailing on the fastbreak and was perfectly positioned for the tip in as time expired.

Steven Gardiner

#Third Place: Steven Gardiner

#There were few opportunities for Gardiner to compete in 2020, but when he did, he added a new national record to his prolific résumé.

#Gardiner set a new 300m national record on July 5 at the V12 Summer Games in a blistering time of 31.83 seconds.

#In the meet hosted at the Sante Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, his time surpassed Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown’s previous national record of 31.91 that he posted in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

#Gardiner’s time also headed the World Athletics top list for 2020 and ranked 23rd on the all-time list.

#Gardiner opened his season at the B3R Sports Invitational just short of Brown’s record time in 31.95. His list of Bahamas national records also includes the 200m straight in 19.88 at the Adidas Boost Boston Games on May 20, 2018, the 200m in 19.75 at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida on April 7, 2018 and the 400m in 43.48 to win the gold medal at the World Athletics’ 2019 World Championships on October 4 in Doha, Qatar.

#“I feel good about it. I feel we are right on track to where we could have been if we didn’t go through the coronavirus pandemic,” Gardiner said.

#“I know it was tough for us in training, but we were still able to train and do what we have to do.”

#In August, Gardiner completed what turned out to be the climax of a shortened track and field season at the American Track Meet in Georgia.

#Gardiner, who didn’t get a chance to compete in any 400m races this season, won the men’s 200m in a time of 20.19.

Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm’s series of career milestones in 2020 was highlighted by becoming just the seventh Bahamian to play Major League Baseball. The historic feat earned him The Tribune’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

#The 22-year-old Miami Marlins infielder’s major league callup in September and his ensuing performance for the remainder of the season became the biggest Bahamian sports story in a year obstructed by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

#The Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, Chisholm was expected to start the season with the Marlins’ AAA affiliate, the Wichita Wind Surge of the Pacific Coast League.

#However, the pandemic cancelled minor league baseball in 2020 and shortened the major leagues to a shortened 60-game season. The Marlins were one of the teams hit by the pandemic early in the season and had the highest roster turnover of any team in the league with 17 players eventually placed on the COVID reserve list.

#While the team got off to a slow start, Chisholm said his focus was to stay mentally ready in preparation for a major league callup.

#“My expectations never went down, when the shutdown happened I was just thinking, I have to prepare to play in the big leagues. They already said that we weren’t having a minor league season so I was just getting ready to play in the big leagues. Even when we were locked down I was just running around the neighbourhood, getting my miles in just to be ready,” he said.

#“It was the day the 17 guys went down and I thought to myself ‘Oh my goodness, what’s going to happen right now am I ready to go to the big leagues?’ I had to check myself to make sure that I was ready every day because it could happen every day. It gave me the instant shock that I could get the call any day so I was preparing every day like it could happen.”

#The call did happen and Chisholm made his historic major league debut on September 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. He entered the game as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for shortstop Miguel Rojas and officially became just the seventh Bahamian to play in the major leagues.

#In 21 games this season he hit .161 with a .563 OPS a .242 OBP, nine hits, two home runs, nine runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases.

#He recorded the first hit of his MLB career on September 5 with a single against the Tampa Bay Rays and scored the first run of his career the following day against the Braves on September 6.

#Chisholm’s breakthrough at the plate came on September 9 against the Braves when he recorded his first major league home run, RBI, triple and multi-hit game. He became the third youngest Marlins player to have a game with a home run and a triple. The only players to do it at a younger age were Giancarlo Stanton and Jeremy Hermida.

#Chisholm had his best game of the year in the regular season finale when he blasted his second home run of the season and finished 2-4 with three RBI and scored two runs.

#The Marlins were one of the most improbable stories in the 2020 season. They were the worst team in the National League a season ago at 57-105 and returned in 2020 to finish 31-29 for their first winning season since 2009 and earned their first playoff berth since 2003.

#Once they reached the postseason, the No.6 seeded Marlins advanced with a two-game sweep of the No.3 Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round before they were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

#Chisholm made his postseason debut in the final game of the season for the Marlins. He started at second base in the Marlins’ 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and became just the second Bahamian player to play in the MLB postseason following Ed Armbrister’s run with the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s.

#“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas.

#“We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID- 19 and I got called up to play on September 1st which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” Chisholm said. “Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and I believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing. I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield.

#Runner-Up: Chavano “Buddy” Hield

#Hield’s 2020 included a career highlight on All-Star Weekend, several milestones to establish himself as one of the most proficient shooters in NBA history and a new career high scoring night to honour his NBA childhood hero.

#As the NBA continued to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant in January, Hield paid tribute to the player he credits as his NBA inspiration with the best game of his five-year career.

#In his first game since Bryant’s tragic death, Hield led the Kings to an historic comeback and scored a career-high 42 points for the Kings in their 133-129 overtime win over the Timberwolves on January 27.

#The Kings overcame a 27-point deficit and Hield made five of his nine three pointers in the final 4:34 in the fourth quarter.

#“That’s the reason I wanted to play in the NBA because of Kobe,” Hield said following the game. “I feel that he was with me. He never gives up. That’s always his mentality. Never give up. No matter what the stakes was, he was always pushing, always pressing. He’s making sure guys feel him. That’s what I did tonight.”

#Hield said that continuing to wear the number and compete at the highest level is a fitting way to honour the memory of the Los Angeles Lakers great.

#Inspired by Bryant, Hield has worn No.24 at the high school level at Sunrise Christian, three of his four years in college with the Oklahoma Sooners and throughout his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

#Hield went on to set another milestone on February 8 when he shot 9-10 from beyond the arc, scored 31 points in the Kings’ 122-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs and simultaneously became the fastest player in NBA history to make 800 career three-point field goals. He accomplished the feat in just 296 games to surpass the mark set by Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry, who did it in 305 games.

#Just over a week later, Hield became one of the headliners of NBA All-Star Weekend when he became the league’s new three-point shootout champion on February 15.

#He posted a final round of 27 points and clinched the title on his final shot to defeat the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in the final round of the Mtn Dew Three Point Shootout at State Farm All-Star Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

#“I just wanted to come out and represent the Bahamas as best as I can, represent my family and I thank God for giving me the win. I was happy to be here and I was happy to show out. Everyone knows I have been a shooter since I was a little kid. This one was on my bucket list and I’m happy to get it,” Hield said.

#He finished the season with 873 threes, more three-point field goals than any other player in his first four NBA seasons. He surpassed the previous record of 828 set by Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

#This month, Hield’s late-game heroics helped the Sacramento Kings open the 2020-21 campaign with a thrilling win in the first overtime game of the season.

#Hield scored a team high 22 points and tipped in the game winner as time expired to give the Kings a 124-122 win over the Denver Nuggets December 23 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

#He scored 19 of his 22 in the second half, none bigger than the final field goal in overtime. Harrison Barnes deflected the Nuggets inbound pass and had an opportunity to score the go ahead basket but his dunk attempt was blocked by the Nuggets’ Will Barton.

#Hield was trailing on the fastbreak and was perfectly positioned for the tip in as time expired.

Steven Gardiner

#Third Place: Steven Gardiner

#There were few opportunities for Gardiner to compete in 2020, but when he did, he added a new national record to his prolific résumé.

#Gardiner set a new 300m national record on July 5 at the V12 Summer Games in a blistering time of 31.83 seconds.

#In the meet hosted at the Sante Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, his time surpassed Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown’s previous national record of 31.91 that he posted in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

#Gardiner’s time also headed the World Athletics top list for 2020 and ranked 23rd on the all-time list.

#Gardiner opened his season at the B3R Sports Invitational just short of Brown’s record time in 31.95. His list of Bahamas national records also includes the 200m straight in 19.88 at the Adidas Boost Boston Games on May 20, 2018, the 200m in 19.75 at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida on April 7, 2018 and the 400m in 43.48 to win the gold medal at the World Athletics’ 2019 World Championships on October 4 in Doha, Qatar.

#“I feel good about it. I feel we are right on track to where we could have been if we didn’t go through the coronavirus pandemic,” Gardiner said.

#“I know it was tough for us in training, but we were still able to train and do what we have to do.”

#In August, Gardiner completed what turned out to be the climax of a shortened track and field season at the American Track Meet in Georgia.

#Gardiner, who didn’t get a chance to compete in any 400m races this season, won the men’s 200m in a time of 20.19.

Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm’s series of career milestones in 2020 was highlighted by becoming just the seventh Bahamian to play Major League Baseball. The historic feat earned him The Tribune’s Senior Male Athlete of the Year.

#The 22-year-old Miami Marlins infielder’s major league callup in September and his ensuing performance for the remainder of the season became the biggest Bahamian sports story in a year obstructed by the COVID- 19 pandemic.

#The Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, Chisholm was expected to start the season with the Marlins’ AAA affiliate, the Wichita Wind Surge of the Pacific Coast League.

#However, the pandemic cancelled minor league baseball in 2020 and shortened the major leagues to a shortened 60-game season. The Marlins were one of the teams hit by the pandemic early in the season and had the highest roster turnover of any team in the league with 17 players eventually placed on the COVID reserve list.

#While the team got off to a slow start, Chisholm said his focus was to stay mentally ready in preparation for a major league callup.

#“My expectations never went down, when the shutdown happened I was just thinking, I have to prepare to play in the big leagues. They already said that we weren’t having a minor league season so I was just getting ready to play in the big leagues. Even when we were locked down I was just running around the neighbourhood, getting my miles in just to be ready,” he said.

#“It was the day the 17 guys went down and I thought to myself ‘Oh my goodness, what’s going to happen right now am I ready to go to the big leagues?’ I had to check myself to make sure that I was ready every day because it could happen every day. It gave me the instant shock that I could get the call any day so I was preparing every day like it could happen.”

#The call did happen and Chisholm made his historic major league debut on September 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. He entered the game as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for shortstop Miguel Rojas and officially became just the seventh Bahamian to play in the major leagues.

#In 21 games this season he hit .161 with a .563 OPS a .242 OBP, nine hits, two home runs, nine runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases.

#He recorded the first hit of his MLB career on September 5 with a single against the Tampa Bay Rays and scored the first run of his career the following day against the Braves on September 6.

#Chisholm’s breakthrough at the plate came on September 9 against the Braves when he recorded his first major league home run, RBI, triple and multi-hit game. He became the third youngest Marlins player to have a game with a home run and a triple. The only players to do it at a younger age were Giancarlo Stanton and Jeremy Hermida.

#Chisholm had his best game of the year in the regular season finale when he blasted his second home run of the season and finished 2-4 with three RBI and scored two runs.

#The Marlins were one of the most improbable stories in the 2020 season. They were the worst team in the National League a season ago at 57-105 and returned in 2020 to finish 31-29 for their first winning season since 2009 and earned their first playoff berth since 2003.

#Once they reached the postseason, the No.6 seeded Marlins advanced with a two-game sweep of the No.3 Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round before they were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.

#Chisholm made his postseason debut in the final game of the season for the Marlins. He started at second base in the Marlins’ 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and became just the second Bahamian player to play in the MLB postseason following Ed Armbrister’s run with the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s.

#“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas.

#“We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID- 19 and I got called up to play on September 1st which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” Chisholm said. “Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and I believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing. I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”

Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield.

#Runner-Up: Chavano “Buddy” Hield

#Hield’s 2020 included a career highlight on All-Star Weekend, several milestones to establish himself as one of the most proficient shooters in NBA history and a new career high scoring night to honour his NBA childhood hero.

#As the NBA continued to mourn the death of Kobe Bryant in January, Hield paid tribute to the player he credits as his NBA inspiration with the best game of his five-year career.

#In his first game since Bryant’s tragic death, Hield led the Kings to an historic comeback and scored a career-high 42 points for the Kings in their 133-129 overtime win over the Timberwolves on January 27.

#The Kings overcame a 27-point deficit and Hield made five of his nine three pointers in the final 4:34 in the fourth quarter.

#“That’s the reason I wanted to play in the NBA because of Kobe,” Hield said following the game. “I feel that he was with me. He never gives up. That’s always his mentality. Never give up. No matter what the stakes was, he was always pushing, always pressing. He’s making sure guys feel him. That’s what I did tonight.”

#Hield said that continuing to wear the number and compete at the highest level is a fitting way to honour the memory of the Los Angeles Lakers great.

#Inspired by Bryant, Hield has worn No.24 at the high school level at Sunrise Christian, three of his four years in college with the Oklahoma Sooners and throughout his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.

#Hield went on to set another milestone on February 8 when he shot 9-10 from beyond the arc, scored 31 points in the Kings’ 122-102 win over the San Antonio Spurs and simultaneously became the fastest player in NBA history to make 800 career three-point field goals. He accomplished the feat in just 296 games to surpass the mark set by Golden State Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry, who did it in 305 games.

#Just over a week later, Hield became one of the headliners of NBA All-Star Weekend when he became the league’s new three-point shootout champion on February 15.

#He posted a final round of 27 points and clinched the title on his final shot to defeat the Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker in the final round of the Mtn Dew Three Point Shootout at State Farm All-Star Saturday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

#“I just wanted to come out and represent the Bahamas as best as I can, represent my family and I thank God for giving me the win. I was happy to be here and I was happy to show out. Everyone knows I have been a shooter since I was a little kid. This one was on my bucket list and I’m happy to get it,” Hield said.

#He finished the season with 873 threes, more three-point field goals than any other player in his first four NBA seasons. He surpassed the previous record of 828 set by Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

#This month, Hield’s late-game heroics helped the Sacramento Kings open the 2020-21 campaign with a thrilling win in the first overtime game of the season.

#Hield scored a team high 22 points and tipped in the game winner as time expired to give the Kings a 124-122 win over the Denver Nuggets December 23 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

#He scored 19 of his 22 in the second half, none bigger than the final field goal in overtime. Harrison Barnes deflected the Nuggets inbound pass and had an opportunity to score the go ahead basket but his dunk attempt was blocked by the Nuggets’ Will Barton.

#Hield was trailing on the fastbreak and was perfectly positioned for the tip in as time expired.

Steven Gardiner

#Third Place: Steven Gardiner

#There were few opportunities for Gardiner to compete in 2020, but when he did, he added a new national record to his prolific résumé.

#Gardiner set a new 300m national record on July 5 at the V12 Summer Games in a blistering time of 31.83 seconds.

#In the meet hosted at the Sante Fe High School in Alachua, Florida, his time surpassed Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown’s previous national record of 31.91 that he posted in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.

#Gardiner’s time also headed the World Athletics top list for 2020 and ranked 23rd on the all-time list.

#Gardiner opened his season at the B3R Sports Invitational just short of Brown’s record time in 31.95. His list of Bahamas national records also includes the 200m straight in 19.88 at the Adidas Boost Boston Games on May 20, 2018, the 200m in 19.75 at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational in Coral Gables, Florida on April 7, 2018 and the 400m in 43.48 to win the gold medal at the World Athletics’ 2019 World Championships on October 4 in Doha, Qatar.

#“I feel good about it. I feel we are right on track to where we could have been if we didn’t go through the coronavirus pandemic,” Gardiner said.

#“I know it was tough for us in training, but we were still able to train and do what we have to do.”

#In August, Gardiner completed what turned out to be the climax of a shortened track and field season at the American Track Meet in Georgia.

#Gardiner, who didn’t get a chance to compete in any 400m races this season, won the men’s 200m in a time of 20.19.

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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LASHANN HIGGS

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Harbour Island native Lashann Higgs and her Club Baloncesto Bembibre kept their hopes alive for a playoff spot in the Spanish Women’s Professional Basketball League with a 66-63 victory over the Casedemont Zaragoza.

#In the beginning of the new year with a victory on Sunday at home, Club Baloncesto Bembibre used a 22-14 surge in the fourth quarter to seal the deal after trailing for the first three quarters. Casedemond Zaragoza led 22-12 at the end of the first quarter and 31-26 at the half. By the end of the third, they were holding onto a 48-44 advantage.

#“It feels great,” said Higgs of their victory after closing out the year on a losing note on December 27. “We just have to continue to work and get better every game and practice and try to continue on with the same energy and focus.”

#In the win, Higgs contributed nine points in 31 minutes on the court. The 25-year-old connected on 3-for-6 for 50 percent from the field and 1-for-4 (25 percent) from the three-point line, but she didn’t get to the free throw line.

#“I’ve had a decent performance,” said Higgs, who also had eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in the game. “I always feel like I do more so I will continue to rewatch the game and see what I can improve on for the next game.”

#The 5-foot, 9-inch shooting guard, playing in her first pro season after graduating last year from the University of Texas, is currently averaging 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

#With the win, Club Baloncesto Bembibre improved their win-loss record to 4-14 for 14th place in the 16-team standings. They will play their next game on Saturday against the Ciudad de La Laguna Tenerife.

#“We just have to keep building upon the progress we have already been making and keep improving,” she said.

#With 10 more games after that left in the regular season that will wrap up on March 27, Higgs said they are still in the hunt for the playoffs.

#“I think we might be four games away from making the playoffs,” said Higgs when asked about the chances of Club Baloncesto Bembibre, coached by Pepe Vazquez, getting into the postseason.

KADEEM COLEBY

As of Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#KADEEM Coleby and the Akita Northern Happinets extended their winning streak to five games and have won 10 of their 12 games in the month of December to re-enter the playoff picture.

#Coleby finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists in just 20 minutes of the Happinets’ 97-57 win over Mark St Fort and the Hiroshima Dolphins on Sunday. St Fort finished with just three points, four rebounds and two steals.

#The Happinets swept the weekend series after a 72-70 win on Saturday. Coleby finished with nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot.

#With their torrid pace in December, the Happinets improved to 18-9 and are now fourth place in the East standings, tied with the Toyama G. Dragonflies.

#Akita will return to the court January 23 for a two-game series against Kawasaki BT.

#Travis Munnings and Shaquille Cleare have helped UD Oliveirense overcome a three-game losing streak and rise to No.6 in the LPB standings at 8-6 with a 90-79 win over third ranked Immortal.

#Cleare had his best game since he joined the team and finished with 13 points and four rebounds. Munnings finished with a near triple double – 10 rebounds, seven points and seven assists.

#Tavario Miller and his Boca Juniors completed the first portion of Argentina’s Liga Nacional de Básquet season at 10-5 after an 83-72 win over Olimpico.

#Miller averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game in the 13 contests since he joined the club.

#“The form of dispute is totally atypical, obviously many matches have to enter into a tight schedule, which means that teams have to prepare and plan the competition in an unusual way,” said Boca head coach Gonzalo García on the team’s website.

#“The team’s preparation was very atypical, we never had the chance to join in due to countless inconveniences, but they all gave their best for the team to roll as such. The players had ups and downs, the foreigners had little time to adapt. Surely with the running of the tournament they will find their best version.

#“The irregularity has been a constant, except for some teams in particular, it has been very difficult for the majority to stay regular.”

#The season resumes on January 7.