SPORTS SECTION E
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2017
Bahamas earns 4-1 win over Ecuador Island nation finishes 3rd in Group A
By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
T
eam Bahamas put together its most complete game of the tournament thus far en route to their first win of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017. The Bahamas scored a 4-1 win over Ecuador last night in the new national beach soccer stadium at Malcolm Park. Jean Francois scored a pair of goals while Lesly St Fleur and Kyle Williams each added goals to close out the tournament with an historic win for the programme. Williams scored the final goal of the game at 33’14” to send the Bahamian faithful into frenzy and cap the first Beach Soccer World Cup win in the island nation’s history. He said the team made a point to bounce back from Saturday’s lopsided 10-1 defeat at the hands of Senegal. “The effort was absolutely amazing. Ecuador is a very good team, this is the World Cup so every team is really good and after the Senegal game we knew we had to have a great performance,” he said. “It was great for us, we came out, played hard, we had great support from our fans, they stuck with us the whole time and it made the difference in the end.” It was a new starting lineup for the Bahamas with St Fleur, Daron Beneby, Dwayne Forbes and Gary Joseph the first five on the pitch. “It was great, it allowed us to stay engaged, sometimes quicker subs means everyone is a bit more involved throughout the game and it made a difference,” Williams said. “The effort was great, everyone gets to touch the sand, everyone gets to contribute and that’s what we want in the end.” Julio Jemison was a force in goal once again for Team Bahamas and finished with 12 saves. Both teams missed several scoring opportunities in the first but the Bahamas’ defensive effort was highlighted late when Ecuador had numbers, but Jemison came up with a deflection to keep a 0-0 tie. After Ecuador’s Daniel Cedeno missed a shot that sailed above the crossbar, the Bahamas would score on the very next possession when Francois scored the first goal of the game and his first of the tournament at the 5:47 mark. St Fleur would tack on another
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CLEVELAND ENEAS WINS THEIR 5TH PRIMARY SCHOOLS TRACK TITLE By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net CLEVELAND Eneas successfully defended their title, winning their 5th New Providence Primary Schools Sports Association Track and Field Championships by a landslide. Leading from day one of the three-day meet at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium last week, Cleveland Eneas compiled a total of 338.50 points to out-distance their nearest rivals Yellow Elder, who got 202. Sadie Curtis held on for third place with 197, Sybil Strachan got fourth with 161.50 and Columbus Primary rounded out the top five in the 23-school field with 156. “This one was bitter sweet,” said Cleveland Eneas’ head coach Mariska Stubbs-Thompson. “I really went through a lot this year, so it was crucial that we won.
SEE PAGE 4
BBF ‘HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING’ FOR DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
LESLY ST FLEUR in action during last night’s historic 4-1 victory over Ecuador in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the new beach soccer stadium at Malcolm Park, East Bay Street. SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 2 Photo: 10th Year Seniors goal less than three minutes later after an incredible individual effort to outrace a pair of defenders and the Ecuadorian keeper to land a strike for a 2-0 lead. Early in the third, Ecuador was able to keep pace on a goal from Segundo Moreira, but failed to score the equaliser. Francois scored the brace at 32’49” and Williams added another goal to secure the win. The Bahamas finished third in Group A with a 1-2 record. With a World Cup win, team captain Gavin Christie said the Bahamas proved it belonged on the big stage with the world’s best teams and he expects a rise in the
rankings to follow. “Hopefully, but the rankings are on paper, what matters is what happens on the sand,” he said. “I’m proud of the effort this team put out there all tournament, we proved we belong on this stage and the programme will only continue to get better from here.” Four teams, the top two finishers from Group A and Group B, advanced to Thursday’s quarterfinals. Iran defeated Nigeria 2-1 on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw after extra time to claim the runners-up spot in Group B and reach the quarter-finals. They will
advance to face Switzerland who beat Senegal 3-2 on penalties after their 6-6 draw after extra time to top Group A. Italy was undefeated at the group stage and eased past Mexico 8-1 to finish top of Group B. They will face Senegal in the quarterfinals. The other half of the quarterfinals will be decided today as the winners and runners up from Group C and D emerge. Tahiti will face Poland at 3:30pm followed by Paraguay v Panama at 5:30pm, Brazil v Japan at 6:30pm and the United Arab Emarites v Portugal in the 8pm nightcap.
WHILE the Bahamas Basketball Federation crowned its men’s division 1 and II champions over the weekend in Abaco, the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association champions were disappointed once again as they were not included. The BBF’s Bunny Levarity National Basketball Tournament saw the New Providence Basketball Association champions Mr Ship It Freight Regulators and Breezes High Flyers bring the two titles to New Providence. The Regulators, behind the game-winning basket by most valuable player Brian Bain in the winding seconds, held off the Grand Bahama Shipyard Cruisers 84-82 for the division one title, while the Bimini Marlins won 55-50 over Abaco’s Murphy Town Bombers for third place. And the High Flyers flew
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TALKS TO MOVE HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL NATIONALS TO ELEUTHERA By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Softball Federation president Ted Miller was quite pleased with what he saw at their Austin ‘King Snake’ Knowles National High School Softball Tournament. Austin Knowles, the patron of the three-day event held in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, was just as elated with what he saw. “It was a very good tournament and I enjoyed myself,” said Knowles, known as the ‘godfather of softball’ in the Bahamas. “I was glad to see that everybody was happy and
they played well.” This was the 16th year that the tournament has been held and Knowles thanked everybody in the BSF and the teams who participated in keeping his legacy alive. “There is a lot of enthusiasm among the young players,” he stressed. “They see what it’s all about and they try very hard to win the title.” Miller said the tournament was successful in that they got to play all of the games scheduled. “We got through all of the games and crowned the boys’ and girls’ champions without incident,” Miller said. “So I think that speaks for itself. It was a successful tournament.” Plans are now in motion for
the staging of next year’s tournament, which is scheduled to move to Eleuthera, the home of Austin Knowles. “We are in talks with the Ministry of Education’s Sports Division to take the tournament to Eleuthera,” he said. “That is in motion. We just have to do our footwork now and make sure that it happens.” Knowles said he heard the talk but, obviously for that to happen, a lot of work will be required. “We will see what happens. But I know I enjoy my weekend here when I come down for the tournament to be among the youth of the country,” he said. Knowles, however, said by
taking the tournament to the island known for its pineapples, maybe they will get the teams on the island to join Spanish Wells again. For the 4th consecutive year, Spanish Wells Bulldogs took home the boys’ title as they routed Charles W Saunders High Crusaders 18-3. Spanish Wells girls had to settle for bronze. Charles Saunders won the girls’ title with a 17-7 win over Queen’s College. CR Walker Knights won bronze. Charles Saunders also got another dose of victory as versatile third base/pitchers Khawan Dames and Mia Turner were named the respective MVPs of the tournament.
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MAKING HISTORY: The Bahamas defeated Ecuador 4-1 last night in an historic victory in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the new beach soccer stadium at Malcolm Park, East Bay Street. Photos: 10th Year Seniors
Bahamas gets an historic 4-1 victory over Ecuador
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP AT A GLANCE Tuesday May 2 3.30pm: Group D: Tahiti v Poland 5pm: Group C: Paraguay v Panama 6.30pm: Group D: Brazil v Japan 8pm: Group C: United Arab Emirates v Portugal Thursday May 4 Quarter-finals 3.30pm: Group C winner v Group D runner-up 5pm: Group D winner v Group C runner-up 6.30pm: Group A winner v Group B runner-up 8pm: Group B winner v Group A runner-up Saturday May 6 Semi-finals 3pm: Winner quarter-final 1 v winner quarterfinal 3 4.30pm: Winner quarter-final 2 v winner quarter-final 4 Sunday May 7 3pm: Third place match 4.30pm: Final
ECUADOR players after they suffered the loss to the Bahamas.
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Tuesday, May 2, 2017, PAGE 3
Cowboys have bright future on both sides of the ball WELL the NFL Draft has come and gone and, it’s safe to say that Cowboys fans here in the Bahamas can be happy and relieved, with the haul of talented players drafted by the Cowboys rounds 1-7, especially on defence, the ‘Boys future is definitely bright on both sides of the ball. Okay let’s meet the newest Cowboys, get familiar with them now and their Draft grades. Four could possibly be starting come the season kickoff in September. Round 1 (No. 28) DE Taco Charlton, Michigan Charlton will play right defensive end for the Cowboys, but he doesn’t fit the profile most fans expected Dallas to pursue. In the past, the Cowboys have coveted RDEs who are more like 3-4 outside linebackers, but Charlton stands 6-foot6 and weighs 276 pounds. Combined with the hints, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli was a huge fan of Houston’s Tyus Bowser and the scouting department being in love with T.J. Watt, the Charlton selection was a shock to the system. However, paying close attention to what the Cowboys have done since adding Greg Hardy to the 2015 roster, there were signs. Dallas employed an elephant lineup for 2016, playing hybrid DE/DT Jack Crawford as the starting right end multiple times. Marinelli seems to like the big guys with long arms, and Charlton fits that description. GRADE B Round 2 (No. 60): CB Chidobe Awuzie, Colorado Awuzie was the fourthranked cornerback in this draft.
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PRESS BOX
BY INIGO ‘NAUGHT Y’ ZENIC
AZELAYA
He combines several traits to be excited about. He’s versatile, able to play both sides at corner, singlehigh safety and of course his best position is in the slot. Awuzie is an outstanding two-sigma athlete, more athletic than 97.7 per cent of the corners in the NFL. He’s also very productive, although he doesn’t have the best hands to haul in interceptions, he makes plays on the ball and is a good tackler. With the Cowboys being patient they ended up with the 4th rated cornerback in the draft at the pick #60 that equates grand larceny. Definitely a ‘steal.’ GRADE A Round 3 (No. 92): CB Jourdan Lewis, Michigan I mentioned in an earlier edition of the Press Box, that Dallas would doubledip at the corner position. Lewis is an outstanding guy because he’s a firstround talent who fell because of off-field concerns. (He has a domestic violence misdemeanour hearing in July.) If he’s exonerated, this pick is an A+. He’s undersized, but was a shutdown corner at Michigan. He only allowed seven receptions in 2016. Lewis has questionable athleticism though, so that’s a real mark against him but speaks to just how good his film must be for the Cow-
boys to be interested in him. If he’s not exonerated, this is a horrible pick. Dallas said they weren’t going to make their patented risk pick in the second round this year and they didn’t. They waited until Round 3 instead! GRADE A- / B+ Round 4 (No. 133): WR Ryan Switzer, North Carolina Switzer is a punt return demon who has electric RB moves with the ball in his hands that might make him famous or get him killed in the NFL. He tries to return everything. As a wideout, he’s remarkably similar to Cole Beasley with the way he releases off the line. His value for the Cowboys is special. Beasley is Dak Prescott’s favourite weapon, so having a similar player is paramount plus they can line up together to create third-down havoc. Yes, we have two of them now! Start game-planning now defensive co-ordinators league wide, you’ve been warned. GRADE A
from the NFL Scouting combine. The single-high safety was ranked No. 68 overall on the team’s big board. He arrives in ‘Big D’ with a chip on his shoulder, Woods was considered a late second round to third round prospect pre-draft, getting him in the 6th round is a win for the Cowboys, any way you cut it. GRADE A
Round 7 (No. 228): DT Joey Ivie, Florida Ivie is a run-stuffer who will play 1-tech for Dallas. Depth guy who has flashed enough to have a chance at the roster GRADE B
Round 7 (No. 248): DE Jordan Carrell, Colorado High-motor three-technique, Carrell flashed at times with his ability to penetrate the offensive line. Practice squad guy Dallas wanted to make sure they didn’t have to fight for. GRADE B
Round 6 (No. 191): S Xavier Woods, Louisiana Tech Dallas traded a 2018 fifth rounder to avoid having to wait 20 more selections to grab Woods. That speaks volumes to the interest the Cowboys had in this player,
Round 6 (No. 216): CB Marquez White, Florida State Tough to see how White makes the team unless a move is made with Orlando Scandrick, which may be the case, as trade rumours continue to swirl in Dallas.
Round 7 (No. 239): WR Noah Brown, Ohio State Brown is an intriguing pick who fits Dallas’ wideout profile at 6-foot-2, 222 pounds. Legit red-zone threat who left school a year too early. Dallas will stash for a year and see if he
• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1. Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net
DOLPHINS DRAFT MISSOURI DE CHARLES HARRIS IN 1ST ROUND By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer DAVIE, Florida (AP) — In the first few minutes of his NFL career, Miami Dolphins first-round pick Charles Harris showed no sign of rookie jitters. The Missouri defensive end said he’s ready for the role the Dolphins drafted him to fill. “I’m going to get to the quarterback without a doubt,” Harris said shortly after being selected. “I’m going to come into the league and dominate. I’m trying to dominate and feed my family.” Sounds good to the Dolphins, who addressed one of their many defensive needs Thursday night by selecting Harris. General manager Chris Grier said Harris was one of two players Miami targeted a month ago with the 22nd pick. “That’s how much we liked him,” Grier said. “He’s got an explosive first step and quickness. We love the pass rush he gives us at a position where you can’t have enough guys.” Harris joins a defence that allowed a franchise-record 6,122 yards last season even though Miami made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Harris will be groomed as an eventual replacement for five-time Pro Bowl end Cameron Wake, who is 35. “He’s a great player, and I’m going to learn,” Harris said. Harris is projected to join a four-man rotation at end immediately under new defensive coordinator Matt Burke, Grier said. The 6-foot-3, 253-pound Harris is considered better as a pass rusher than against the run. He had seven sacks as a sophomore in 2015 and nine last year. The Dolphins ranked 30th in run defence last season, and tied for 19th in sacks. Harris didn’t begin playing organised football un-
DOLPHINS first-round pick Charles Harris says he’s ready for the role the team drafted him to fill. til his junior year in high school, but he earned a scholarship to Missouri, where he was a three-year starter and totaled 18 sacks and 34.5 tackles for a loss. Harris didn’t visit or work out with the Dolphins, and Grier said it was because the team didn’t want to tip its hand. Harris said the outcome was fine with him. “I’ve never been to Miami, but I’ll make that move,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll take it. I love it. Let’s do it.” Harris celebrated with friends and family in his hometown of Kansas City. There were high-fives in the Dolphins’ draft room too, Grier said. “Everybody in the building, from personnel to coaches — if you saw the video in the room, everybody was going crazy,” Grier said. Miami chose Harris over Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, who was among the highly regarded defensive players still on the board. Also available were Western Kentucky guard
Forrest Lamp and Miami Hurricanes tight end David Njoku. Both were believed to be on the Dolphins’ radar, but the team was widely expected to devote its top pick to defence. The Dolphins remain in the market for help at linebacker, cornerback and safety. They have one pick each in the second and third rounds, but only three of the first 165 picks overall. Dolphins exercise $9.3million 5th-year option on OT James DAVIE, Florida (AP) — The Miami Dolphins have exercised a $9.3 million fifth-year option on offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James for 2018. That will represent a big raise for James, whose base salary next season will be $1.6 million. James started all 16 games at right tackle in 2016. He has started 39 games in his three-year career after entering the NFL as a first-round pick in 2014. The Dolphins announced the move yesterday.
COWBOYS No. 1 draft pick defensive end Taco Charlton, centre, poses for photos with team owner Jerry Jones, left, and head coach Jason Garret (not seen) during Friday’s news conference at the team’s football headquarters in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero He’s CB6 on the depth chart currently, but a twoyear starter in a major conference. GRADE C
can develop into Dez Bryant’s backup. GRADE A-
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Bahamians and visitors enjoy the Atlantic Medical Insurance Fun Run/Walk SASHA Lightbourn gives her sign of approval during the Atlantic Medical Fun Run Walk on Saturday.
FOR the past 18 years, Atlantic Medical Insurance Company Limited has hosted the most popular fun run/walk event in the Bahamas. Once again this year, the walk with over 1,000 participants took place on Saturday at Montagu Beach. The main objective of this well-staged event is to achieve “top of mind” awareness for the importance of
healthy lifestyles. Two most deserving charities - The Bahamas Cancer Society and The Bahamas Diabetic Association - will once again benefit from the proceeds of the event. Donations to these charities as a result of the Fun Run/Walk of approximately $400,000 over the years have been made by Atlantic Medical Company Limited.
BBF ‘HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING’ FOR DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 1 past the Marsh Harbour Hoppers 61-60 as Jeremy Neely hit the winning free throw and Shanton Pratt earned the MVP. The South Andros Elites won the bronze medal. Last week, the Bommer Gee Lady Operators clinched the NPWBA title over the Career Builders Lady Cheetahs at the DW Davis Gym. But once again, there was no national tournament play for the ladies. “I don’t think the Bahamas Basketball Federation has done anything for the development of women’s basketball in the country,” said Lady Operators’ assistant coach Anthony Swaby, a long-time proponent for women’s basketball in the country. But federation first vice president Mario Bowleg said the Lady Operators were not invited to participate in the nationals because there were no other island associations with a vibrant women’s programme. “The other islands didn’t have an active league, so it didn’t make any sense trying to have them
put an All-Star team together to play,” Bowleg said. “The federation has executives on these islands and so our arms are stretched, but it’s up to the associations in the islands to ensure that they have their women’s programmes up and going.” Bowleg, a former coach of the champions Lady Cheetahs, who previously won the NPWBA crown, said although the BBF president Charlie ‘Softly’ Robins is based in Grand Bahama, the island is still challenged in developing their women’s programme. Bowleg noted that newly elected president of the Grand Bahama Amateur Basketball Association, Quintin ‘Three-Ounce’ Hall, has made a pledge to rectify the problem as they move forward. But NPWBA president Mynez Cargill-Sherman said they are just tired of trying to “beat” an old horse. “Another year has passed and the federation still hasn’t gotten the associations to get their women’s programme going,” she said. “So we are disappointed that we are still not having a ladies’ division for the nationals. “Although our champions, Bommer Gee, didn’t get to travel, I think we as an association was
able to accomplish our goals in that we completed a very successful league and we are looking forward to increasing our teams next year.” Cargill-Sherman, a former executive of the BBF, said her major disappointment is not their championship teams not being able to travel, but the fact that they can’t get any funding from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture or a major sponsor like BTC, who have earmarked all of their resources to the federation. Last year, Cargill-Sherman introduced their junior division, which they have managed to secure some funding. She said they would continue to focus on the league as they continue to prepare the way for the league to continue to grow from year to year. Swaby recommends that the other islands adopt the same process as the NPWBA in staging their junior programme for the second consecutive year on Saturdays. “I think that’s the only way that the women’s basketball league is going to improve,” Swaby said. “But someone has to take the initiative to run a Saturday programme. “It doesn’t seem like we will be able to get the seniors to go
to the Nationals. “We understand that Harbour Island has a very robust junior programme and all of the islands should do the same. But I just think that the federation needs to put their foot down and let all of their island associations know that they need to develop a women’s programme.” The last time the ladies participated in the nationals was three years ago when Swaby and his Lady Operators captured the title over Grand Bahama in Bimini. Bowleg, however, said they have identified the challenges they face with the women’s programme when they met in their annual general meeting. He said they are also looking at the possibility of the islands developing a junior programme as it’s being done here in the NPWBA. “The only difficulty is that there isn’t the volume of girls to play because the majority of them are in the high schools and so they will not be able to play until the weekend,” he pointed out. “The ability to keep these young players interested in playing the game doesn’t just fall on the federation, the associations who govern the development of basketball on their islands.”
Despite not having the women’s teams participating in the nationals, Bowleg said the tournament turned out to a very keenly contested one. “Both of the championship games came right down to the wire,” Bowleg said. “The tournament was well attended. People have sent out their props to the federation for a wellorganised tournament.” The federation is now preparing to take the nationals to Grand Bahama next year when Bowleg said they hope that they can have the women’s programmme developed so that they can include them in their line-up. The NPWBA’s junior programme closed out with the Consolidated Water winning the 11-14 title over the Jordan Prince Williams Falcons and the ASF Insurance Brokers won the 15-18 crown pver the Commonwealth Bank Cybots Queens. In the meantime, Swaby said he and head coach Donnie Culmer, along with sponsor Bommer George, are looking at the possibility of taking their Lady Operators either to Cuba or Jamaica to participate in some games as an incentive for winning the NPWBA’s championship title.
CLEVELAND ENEAS WINS THEIR 5TH PRIMARY SCHOOLS TRACK TITLE FROM PAGE 1 “My collegiate chose me as Teacher of the Year and that required me to be away from my students for quite a bit, so I wasn’t able to put in as much time as I would like to. But I still got the job done.” Despite being the recipient of such a prestigious honour at Cleveland Eneas, Stubbs-Thompson said she had her team preparing since November and their hard work paid off. They added the title to the previous ones won in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. “We are a balanced team, starting from the little ones at seven and up to the 13-and-under. We
were really balanced,” StubbsThompson stated. “But we had some awesome quarter-milers (400 metre runners). They really stuck in there for me. My quarter-milers did it for me. It was balanced on the track and on the field.” While the celebrations for Stubbs-Thompson won’t be held until the 2017/18 school year, she’s not certain when Cleveland Eneas will honour their students for their performances. Among some of their outstanding performers were Shawnette Florent (1:07.97) and Shorneka Williams (1:09.85) for gold and silver in the girls A 400m; Synia Lockhart (14.56) for gold ion the girls C 100m and Chris Sands (12.70) for gold in the boys A+ 100m. On the field, Diamond New-
bold (25.08m) got gold in the girls other ball throw C; Lawrence Monestine (33.74m) in the boys other ball throw C and Tiana Ferguson (6.31m) for gold in the girls shot put A+. Cedricka Rolle, in her first year as coach of Yellow Elder, said she was pleased with the way her team performed to trail Cleveland Eneas. “I am very pleased with the team. They have been working very hard all year, getting prepared for one or two meets” she said. “This was the first meet.The second meet is the National Primary Schools Track and Field Championships, so the performances here was a good indicator of what we will do once we come up against the kids from the other schools on the national level.”
Rolle said they are serving notice to Cleveland Eneas that they are coming for them. “We tried to beat them in this meet. We put up a good fight,” she stressed. “But somewhere along the way they just kind of ran away from us. But we still have another meet to buck up to them and there’s always next year.” Yellow Elder, known for their prowess in volleyball, got some top performances from Ashley Whylly, winner of the Girls 100m A+ in 13.63; Ashley Eleusma (30.22) and Rashay Curtis (30.82) for gold and silver in the girls 200m C; Logan Lightbourne, gold in the boys 400m A in 1:01.56; Jasmine Mackey, gold in the girls 1200m B in 4:22.56; Neveah Mackey, gold in the girls 400m D in 1:30.50; Rashay Curtis, gold in the girls 800m C in 3:03.41 and
Logan Lightbourne, gold in the boys 800m A in 2:33.00. - Some of the others winners in the meet were: Anthia Gray of Albury Sayles in the girls 400m A+ in 1:12.94; Sheka Knowles of Sadie Curtis in the girls 100m A in 12.79 and Tyneisha Thompson of Stephen Dillet in the girls 100m B in 13.53 and the 200m in 28.23. Tyrone Neely of Uriah McPhee in the boys 400m A+ in 1:06.82; Carlos Brown in the boys 100m A in 12.19; Darrius Pratt of CW Sawyer in the boys 100m B in 12.69 and the 200m in 27.03; Milton Higgs of Sadie Curtis in the boys 400m B in 1:06.91; Johnathon Higgs of CW Sawyer in the boys 100m C in 13.62 and the 200m in 29.16 as well as Jonathan Williams of Gerald Cash in the boys 75m D in 11.19.
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Tuesday, May 2, 2017, PAGE 5
Cavaliers beat Raptors 116-105 to take 1-0 lead By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James considered swigging a beer while scoring 35 points, Kyrie Irving added 24 and the Cleveland Cavaliers picked up where they left off following a long layoff and throttled the Toronto Raptors 116-105 last night in the opener of their Eastern Conference semi-final. The Cavs hadn’t played since April 23, when they completed a four-game sweep of Indiana. But the defending champions didn’t show signs of rust and were wellprepared to face the revengeseeking Raptors, who lost to Cleveland in last year’s conference finals. Toronto dropped to 1-12 in
playoff openers. Game 2 is Wednesday night. “As a team I think we had great energy, and even some of the mistakes that we had we were able to cover up for because our energy level was high,” James said. “But we’ll be a lot better on Wednesday.” Kyle Lowry scored 20 and DeMar DeRozan 19 for the Raptors, who were within seven in the third quarter before James dropped a 3-pointer, converted a three-point play, drained another 3 and then considered washing down a brew. After drawing a foul on a missed layup, James playfully hopped toward the sideline, where a courtside server was passing by. The three-time champion reached and grabbed a beer bottle from her tray and brought it toward his lips
CAVALIERS’ LEBRON JAMES, right, drives to the basket against Raptors’ Patrick Patterson (54) during Game 1 of their second-round playoff series last night. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) before putting it back. By then, he and the Cavs had already downed the Raptors. With trade acquisitions Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, this Toronto team seemed better equipped to beat Cleveland than the one which lost in six games in last year’s playoffs. Trouble is, James only seems to be getting better. After nearly averaging a tripledouble against the Pacers, he reminded the Raptors that to move on they’ll have to beat him.
Before the game, Toronto coach Dwane Casey talked about the big comebacks that have been a theme in these playoffs. The Raptors blew a 25-point lead to Milwaukee in the first round, while the Cavs overcame a 25-point deficit and pulled off the biggest second-half rally in playoff history. “There’s no lead safe in the NBA,” he said. That’s what happened to the Cavs in the first half as they built an 18-point lead only to watch the Raptors go on a 19-3 burst to pull
within 41-39. But Cleveland regrouped and, playing a turnover-free second quarter, led 62-48 at half. James’ legs looked fresh early on as he and Irving teamed up on a stunning alley-oop. After he poked the ball away for a steal, James took off up the floor with Irving on the break. James pointed toward the backboard and Irving understood the message, bouncing a pass high off the glass that James grabbed and dunked with his left hand.
Hall-of-Famer Larry Bird resigns as Pacers president By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Larry Bird made the decision last year. After nearly 40 years in the NBA, he had started plotting an exit strategy. The 60-year-old Hallof-Famer finally told the rest of the world yesterday: He was stepping down as Indiana’s president of basketball operations, turning the reins over to Kevin Pritchard and staying in the Pacers organisation as a scout and consultant. “Maybe when I turn 70, I’ll come back,” Bird joked.
“But right now, 1992. In Aumy wife is happy. gust 1992, the She’s been on this man nicknamed run since I was a “Larry Legend” sophomore in coland “The Hick lege.” from French It has been a Lick” retired run of legend. as a player but Bird’s story is well remained with known to milthe Celtics as a lions — the smallspecial assistant town prep star until the Pacers who led Indiana offered him their BIRD (AP) State to the 1979 head coaching NCAA champipost in 1997-98. onship game against Magic Bird took the Pacers to Johnson, won three MVP the Eastern Conference Awards and three NBA finals three straight times titles in Boston, and then and was named the league’s helped the Dream Team coach of the year in his decapture Olympic gold in but season. A heart ailment
prompted Bird to follow through on another promise — that he would only coach three seasons. He walked away weeks after Indiana lost to the Lakers in the 2000 Finals. Three years later, a rejuvenated and healthier Bird returned to the team as president. This time, Bird put together teams that went to three more conference finals and earned him the NBA’s executive of the year award in 2011-12. Bird is the only person in league history to earn an MVP Award and be named the coach and executive of the
year. His one failing: He couldn’t bring an NBA title to Indiana. He will need to leave that one where it is. Bird explained how he informed team owner Herb Simon last summer that he had signed his final contract to run the team. Then Bird called two confidantes into his office — Pritchard and Peter Dinwiddie, the Pacers’ vice president of basketball operations — and repeated the message. Bird said almost nobody else knew until word first leaked of his impending departure Friday. “This is not a shock to me
as Larry has always been up front about someday stepping down,” Simon said. “I thank him for all that he has done and am very pleased he is remaining with the Pacers in a different capacity.” It’s the second time in five years Bird has given up Indiana’s top front-office job, and it won’t be easy for Pritchard to replace a basketball icon like Bird in a state like Indiana. Pritchard has at least worked side-byside with Bird and Donnie Walsh for the last five seasons. “Good luck,” Bird joked as he walked off the dais yesterday.
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PAGE 6, Tuesday, May 2, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Calling All High
SCHOOL STUDENTS
Every year in August THE TRIBUNE publishes a popular Back to School supplement as a guide to the following academic year. In the supplement we feature the profiles of high school students across the Bahamas and Family Islands. We want profiles from as many schools and students as possible to make this guide essential and informative.
Profiles must include 1. Name 2. Age 3. School 4. Grade 5. Parent name or names 6. Goals and aspirations, prizes won and honours awarded
7. Name of college they will be attending (if attending) Plus a suitable photograph in .jpeg format (graduation or any other image).
How to submit profiles Email to back2school@ tribunemedia.net with ‘Back To School’ in the subject field and photos in .jpeg format. By post to Back To School, The Tribune, Shirley Street & Deveaux Streets, PO Box N-3207, Nassau. By hand to The Tribune office The deadline for the profiles is June 30, 2017 and there is no cost involved. For any questions please contact Tribune Features at 5022380 or 502-2391.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, May 2, 2017, PAGE 7
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS BEGIN WITH ANOTHER MADRID DERBY
LIVERPOOL BEAT WATFORD 1-0
By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — The Champions League semi-finals this week begin with Spanish rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meeting for the fourth consecutive time in the competition, while Monaco will try to keep Juventus from returning to the final for the second time in three seasons. Juventus lost the final to Barcelona two years ago, and Real lifted the trophy last year in a repeat final against Atletico. Real also beat the city rival in the 2014 final and the quarterfinals in 2015. • Here is a look at the semi-finals this week: REAL MADRID vs. ATLETICO MADRID With a team that has looked vulnerable in recent matches, Real hosts Atletico looking to extend its dominance over its crosstown rival and reach the final for the third time in four seasons. Real’s regular starters have struggled going into today’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where Zinedine Zidane’s team needed a late goal to beat Valencia at home in the Spanish league over the weekend. It conceded late in a loss to Barcelona
last week and needed extra time to eliminate Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals two weeks ago. But Real has a winning record against Atletico in European competitions, beating its rival in a penalty shootout in last season’s final to secure a record 11th European Cup title. Two years earlier, it beat Atletico after extra time in the final. In the quarter-finals in 2015, it edged Atletico 1-0 on aggregate before losing to Juventus in the semi-finals. Zidane, who won the Champions League as a player with Real, has a chance to lift the trophy for the second straight time as a coach, less than 18 months since making his debut as a manager. “There is always extra motivation because we are playing in a Champions League semi-final,” Zidane said. “We’re used to playing in this type of game and hopefully we’ll get off to a good start tomorrow (today). Atletico coach Diego Simeone will have to find a way to stop Cristiano Ronaldo and Real’s other stars to earn another shot at the trophy. A triumph this season would establish Atletico as a top European club, and silence critics who say the team’s recent successes have been flukes. Atletico
also lost the 1974 final, that time to Bayern Munich. Simeone’s stout defence will be key again this season, and it has been peaking recently with only four goals conceded in 12 matches, although injuries to players such as Jose Gimenez and Juanfran Torres could pose a challenge. In attack, Simeone will count on French duo Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann, who have had an up-and-down season so far.
has been its attacking potency, with 146 goals in all competitions, but the French faces its sternest test so far against Juventus. Monaco, which lost the 2004 final to FC Porto, is enjoying its best run in the competition since being eliminated by Juventus in the quarter-finals in 2015. The Italian champion is trying to reach its second final in three years, and win its first title in more than two decades. Juventus looked strangely lackluster during Friday’s 2-2 draw at Atalanta in Serie A, with coach Massimiliano Allegri admitting that it wasn’t the usual performance he expected from his players. But the test against a determined young side perfectly set up Juventus for the trip to Monaco. “The game against Atalanta was useful for Wednesday night in that Monaco operates in a similar way,” Juventus midfielder Juan Cuadrado said. “Both teams have very good young players who look to play quickly and put you under a lot of pressure. We need to show our usual solidity, focus and desire all over the field because it will be a very difficult match.” Juventus will be without suspended Germany midfielder Sami Khedira.
MONACO vs. JUVENTUS Monaco is looking to make it to the Champions League final for the first time since 2004, and it found an ideal sparring partner in Toulouse this weekend ahead of Wednesday’s first leg against Juventus. Monaco played its best French league match in a month to win 3-1 against a well-organised team. Unstoppable in recent weeks, teenage striker Kylian Mbappe again stole the headlines as he scored his 18th goal in his last 18 games. Radamel Falcao was not on the scoresheet, but was a threat throughout. Mbappe and Falcao have combined for 52 goals this season in a thrilling partnership. Monaco’s best asset this season
WATFORD, England (AP) — Liverpool improved its bid to secure a Champions League spot by beating Watford 1-0 in a largely forgettable English Premier League match yesterday. Only Emre Can made this one memorable, by meeting a Lucas Leiva cross with a bicycle-kick score in first-half stoppage time. “I have never scored a goal like that, maybe when I was younger. That is the best goal I’ve ever scored,” Can said. “I saw the space and I ran behind and my first thought was that I wanted to head it, then I didn’t think too much.” League rivals Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal dropped points in the race for a top four position, so a win was vital for Liverpool, which has struggled against teams in the bottom half. The Reds moved four points clear of fifth-placed United, though they have played an extra game. “Everything is in our hands,” Can said. “If we win the three (remaining) games we are in the Champions League. We are confident.” The victory came at a cost, as forward Philippe Coutinho lasted less than 10 minutes.
THE WEATHER REPORT
5-Day Forecast
TODAY
ORLANDO
High: 85° F/29° C Low: 64° F/18° C
TAMPA
TONIGHT
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Partly sunny and warm with a shower
Partly cloudy
Partly sunny with a shower
Pleasant with more sun than clouds
Warm with increasing cloudiness
A morning thunderstorm in spots
High: 88°
Low: 74°
High: 87° Low: 74°
High: 88° Low: 74°
High: 90° Low: 75°
High: 87° Low: 72°
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
100° F
81° F
98°-81° F
97°-77° F
97°-76° F
94°-71° F
High: 87° F/31° C Low: 71° F/22° C
The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.
N
almanac
E
W
ABACO
S
N
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
7-14 knots
S
WEST PALM BEACH High: 85° F/29° C Low: 72° F/22° C
6-12 knots
FT. LAUDERDALE E
W
FREEPORT
High: 86° F/30° C Low: 74° F/23° C
N
S
E
W
High: 84° F/29° C Low: 73° F/23° C
MIAMI
High: 87° F/31° C Low: 74° F/23° C
4-8 knots
KEY WEST
High: 85° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C
ELEUTHERA
NASSAU
High: 88° F/31° C Low: 74° F/23° C
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017
High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
N
The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
tiDes For nassau High Today
Ht.(ft.)
Low
Ht.(ft.)
1:19 a.m. 1:53 p.m.
3.0 2.4
7:52 a.m. -0.2 8:02 p.m. 0.0
Wednesday 2:23 a.m. 3:01 p.m.
2.9 2.4
8:56 a.m. 9:10 p.m.
Thursday
3:27 a.m. 4:06 p.m.
2.7 2.5
9:58 a.m. 0.0 10:18 p.m. 0.2
Friday
4:28 a.m. 5:06 p.m.
2.6 2.5
10:54 a.m. 0.0 11:19 p.m. 0.2
Saturday
5:24 a.m. 5:58 p.m.
2.6 2.7
11:45 a.m. -0.1 ---------
Sunday
6:14 a.m. 6:44 p.m.
2.5 2.7
12:14 a.m. 0.1 12:30 p.m. -0.1
Monday
6:59 a.m. 7:26 p.m.
2.5 2.8
1:02 a.m. 0.0 1:11 p.m. -0.2
0.0 0.1
sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset
6:33 a.m. 7:41 p.m.
Moonrise Moonset
12:32 p.m. 1:12 a.m.
First
Full
Last
New
May 2
May 10
May 18
May 25
CAT ISLAND
E
W
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C
N
S
E
W
6-12 knots
S
6-12 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 88° F/31° C Low .................................................... 74° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 83° F/28° C Normal low ........................................ 70° F/21° C Last year’s high ................................. 86° F/30° C Last year’s low ................................... 73° F/23° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 2.70” Normal year to date ..................................... 6.27”
uV inDex toDay
ANDROS
SAN SALVADOR
GREAT EXUMA
High: 80° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C
N
High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C
E
W S
LONG ISLAND
insurance management tracking map
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
6-12 knots
MAYAGUANA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. H
CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C
N
E
W
E
W
N
S
S
7-14 knots
7-14 knots
marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR
Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:
WINDS SE at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots S at 7-14 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots E at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots
WAVES 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet
VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 81° F 81° F 76° F 78° F 79° F 78° F 75° F 75° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 78° F
PAGE 8, Tuesday, May 2, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
64TH NATIONAL FAMILY ISLAND REGATTA AT ELIZABETH HARBOUR IN GEORGETOWN, EXUMA
TIDA WAVE IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN
LONESOME DOVE, IT AIN’T RIGHT TAKE HOME CLASS B AND C TITLES RESPECTIVELY
T
TIDA WAVE and crew with their Class A trophy and medals.
he 64th National Family Island Regatta came to a close at Elizabeth Harbour in Georgetown, Exuma, with the Tida Wave, Lonesome Dove and It Ain’t Right winning the Class A, B and C titles respectively on Saturday night. In Class A, the Tida Wave, skippered by Brooks Miller out of Staniel Cay, emerged as the champions over five other boats with 16 points after she posted the most first place finishes. The Running Tide, skippered by Stephan Knowles from Long Island, got second with 16 points and Ed Sky, skippered by Lee Armbrister from Nassau, was third with 12 points. The Lonesome Dove, skippered by Jeff Gale out of Hope Town, Abaco, clinched the class B title with 34 points. A total of 12 boats participated. The New Susan Chase from Long Island was second with 30 points and the Lady Sonia, skippered by Buzzy Rolle out of Exuma, was third with 29 points. The Barbarian out of Acklins came in fourth with 26 points and the Cobras got fifth with 25 points. In Class C, It Aint Right out of Hope Town, Abaco, won the title with 94 points. The Whitty K out of Long Island was second with 93 points. Bulla Reg from George Town came in third with 92 with points. A total of 32 class boats participated. And in Class D, the Lady K out of Exuma emerged as the champions with 47 points. Judgement D got second with 46 points and the Blue Bird was third with 40 points.