SPORTS SECTION E
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
‘Coach Yo’ - Page 6
Gardiner looking to bounce back, focus on 200 By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RECOVERING from his father's death and a recurring left ankle injury that hampered his performance last year, multiple national record holder and international medal winner Stevie Gardiner is eager to make his return to the track scene this year. Gardiner, now in his 14th year as a professional track and field athlete, has indicated that he's going to refocus his attention primarily on the 200 metres, the event that he made his breakthrough from Moore’s Island All-Age School under coach Anthony Williams in 2014. That year, Gardiner represented The Bahamas at the CARIFTA Games in Fort-de-France, Martinique where he missed out on the podium with fourth place in the under-20 boys' 200m. However, he teamed up with Cliff Resias, Ian Kerr and Deedro Clarke for the silver in the 4 x 100m relay and a bronze in the 4
x 400m with Kelso Pierre Jr, Janek Cartwright and Ashley Riley. Upon graduation, instead of enrolling in college, Gardiner turned pro when he moved to FlorGARDINER ida and began training under the tutelage of American coach Gary Evans, who moved him to running the 400m. Gardiner went on to capture the Olympic Games' gold medal in the one-lap race in 2020 in Tokyo, Japan and the bronze as a member of the 4 x 400m relay team that included Alonso Russell, Michal Mathieu, Chris 'Fireman' Brown and Stephen Newbold. Additionally, he earned the World Championship bronze in the 400m in 2017 in London, England and followed that with the gold in 2019 in Doha, Qatar. Gardiner, now 30, noted that the death of his father and confidant
Steve Gardiner Sr on August 10 in Abaco, coupled with the recurring left ankle injury, forced him to shut down his season before the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September. But he's now back in training with coach Evans between Clermont and Orlando, Florida where he's been working out on his comeback for this season as a 200m competitor. "Last year was a tough one for me with the tragic loss of my father in a car accident," Gardiner said. "I'm just looking forward to the best as I try to move on with my life. But it's hard just thinking about him. "My dad was my close friend. We hung out together. He came to Florida and interacted with our training camp and coach Gary and he was always there encouraging me." As he looked on the bright side, Gardiner said he knew that his father would want him to "pick up the pieces and move on" with coach Evans, whom he's been working with for the past 10 years
and is considered to be like his "second father.” "I look up to Gary like I did my father and my former coach Pastor Williams. We sit down and talk every month. He's been encouraging me to go on and pick up the pieces in the absence of my father." Having achieved all that he wanted in the 400m where he has lowered the Bahamas national record to 43.48 seconds, Gardiner said he will be concentrating solely on the 200m where he intends to improve on his national record of 19.75. "I'm getting older now, turning 31 on September 12. I've had a long, tough journey competing in the 400m," Gardiner said. "Now we want to see what we can do in the sprints where I got started in the 200m. "I might do a 400m here or there, but my focus will be on the sprints and the 200m specially, especially as I look forward to the Ultimate Championship this year." The Ultimate Championship is a new biennial event being
introduced by World Athletics from September 11-13 in Budapest, Hungary. It will provide the top athletes to compete in a fastpaced, high-stakes competition for a world record $10 million prize pool. In preparation for the long season ahead of him, Gardiner said he had to take some time off to recompose himself. He started training again in November, but has not pinpointed any timeframe for his first event. What he did note is that he will not compete indoors, which poses a problem for his 6-foot, 5-inch frame running on the tight 200m tracks. So he's geared to just competing outdoors and primarily in the shorter half-lap race. "I'm looking forward to running my PB (personal best), which means that I should break my national record in the 200m," Gardiner projected. "I just want to focus on the season because each race will be a
RETURN - See Page E2
HANGTIME: ‘VJ’ SOARS
LIKE MIKE: 76ers’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, centre, hangs from the rim after dunking against the Denver Nuggets in overtime on Monday, January 5, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 5
Equestrian Bahamas’ presence being felt under the leadership of Ramsingh-Pierre By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net UNDER the leadership of president Catherine Ramsingh-Pierre, Equestrian Bahamas has been making its presence felt on the international scene. The association, according to Ramsingh-Pierre, has produced some outstanding individual and team successes in just about every meet that they've competed in last year. This year, Ramsingh-Pierre has announced that Equestrian Bahamas has some more lofty goals to attain. She has outlined a fiveplan for the season. They are as follows: 1. Elite level "We will represent The Bahamas in Show Jumping at the Central American and Caribbean Games 2026 in Santo Domingo," Ramsingh-Pierre said. "Our goal is to gain an individual qualification spot for the
Pan-American Games and the LA Olympics 2028." 2. Developmental level "We will continue to develop our riders in the 10-15 age group accord- Ramsingh-Pierre ing to our sport development pathway," Ramsingh-Pierre continued. 3. Community level "We commit to spreading the joy of equestrian sport to all Bahamian youth through our outreach programme in partnership with the RBPF and the Urban Renewal Authority," Ramsingh-Pierre revealed. 4. Governance "We will make a thorough overhaul of our Rule Book to align with recent changes made by our International Federation," Ramsingh-Pierre stressed.
5. Welfare and Clean Sport "We commit to always being guided by the important principles of horse welfare and clean sport, as laid down in the FEI Code of Conduct for the Welfare of the Horse and the WADA Anti-Doping Code, respectively," Ramsingh-Pierre concluded. Catherine Ramsingh-Pierre said Equestrian Bahamas will be looking forward to some more top-notch performances from competitors such as Anna Camille 'Millie' Vlasov, who will be competing at the CAC Games and has Olympic aspirations. "We expect Marlo Pinder, Alana Pyfrom, and Connor Watkins to be our top performers on the Caribbean circuit as Juniors," said Ramsingh-Pierre. "We also have Ella Saidi and Katerina Coello, who are on track to make their adult international debuts in CSI competitions." Watch out for Equestrian Bahamas.
PAGE 2, Wednesday, January 7, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Local Sports Calendar
T-BIRD FLYERS CLASSIC THE T-Bird Flyers Track Club will hold the first track and field meet for the new year over the weekend of January 9-10 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The patron for the event is the late Gregory Clarke. The event will begin at 6pm on Friday, January 9 and conclude on Saturday, January 10, starting at noon. All age group categories for men and women will be contested. Interested persons can contact coaches Foster Dorsett at 427-3883 for more information. BASEBALL MARIO FORD CAMP THE annual Mario Ford Baseball Camp will begin on Saturday,
January 10 at Windsor Park. The camp, which is designed for boys and girls between the ages of 4-16 years, will be staged every Saturday between the hours of 9:30-11:30am until Saturday, April 18. Interested persons are urged to contact camp director Mario Bowleg at 556-0993 for more information. ROAD RACE MAJORITY RULE RUN THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will hold the Majority Day Fun Run/Walk Race on Monday, January 12, starting at 6am from Arawak Cay. There will be a three kilometre walk and run and a 5K run at a cost of $25 per person. The first 900 registrants will receive a
t-shirt. All participants will collect a medal and the top three finishers will get a trophy. Early registration deadline is Friday, January 9 at 11:59pm and late registration is Saturday, January 10 at 11:5 pm at a cost of $30 each. DTSP WOLFPACK MEET THE DTSP Wolfpack Track Club will hold the meet on Saturday, January 17, at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium, starting at 9am. The event is being held under the patronage of Alexander Doyle Burrows, former manager of the stadium and a long-time manager of various national teams that represented The Bahamas in international competitions.
Interested persons can contact coach Larry Clarke at 425-7417 for more details. ROAD RACE MACEDONIA 60TH ANNIVERSARY RACE AS a part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Macedonia Baptist Church on Bernard Road, Fox Hill, will stage a Family Fun Run/Walk Race, which is open to the general public. The dual event will take place on Saturday, January 24, starting at 6am. The walk race will leave the church and head west on Bernard Road to Village Road, turn around and head back east on Bernard Road to the church. The run will leave the church and head west on Bernard Road to Village Road, turn onto Soldier Road, head to Prince Charles Drive, onto Fox Hill Road and west on Bernard Road back to the church. The registration fee is $10 for the men and women 15-and-under, 20-and-under, 40-and-under, 60-and-under, 60-and-over and Ministers/ Pastors. Interested persons can whatsapp or call Brent Stubbs at 426-7265 or call the church at 324-1583 for more information. SWIMMING BA KICK OFF MEET THE Bahamas Aquatics will begin the new year with its New Year Kick Off Meet over the weekend of January 23-24 at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex. The event will begin on Friday at 6pm and continue on Saturday at 9am. TRACK MEET STAR TRACKERS THE Star Trackers Track Club will hold its Star Performers Track Classic on
Saturday, January 24 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event will begin at 9am and will feature competition for men and women in all age groups. Interested persons can contact Laura Charlton at 357-3109 for more information. BLTA SEASON OPENER THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association will begin the new year with an under-14 and under-16 tournament at the National Tennis Centre over the weekend of January 23-24. The event is expected to attract the top male and female players in those age groups as they compete for their national ranking. CYCLING RIDE FOR EXUMA THE Bahamas Cycling Federation will kick off its calendar year with the Ride for Exuma on January 24, starting at 8am in Georgetown. The event will enable competitors to view the turquoise waters and breathtaking landscapes of Exuma. SIXTH RED-LINE SONJA KNOWLES CLASSIC THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club's sixth annual Sonja Knowles Track Classic will be held over the weekend of January 31 to February 1 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Classic. The event will begin at 10am on Saturday, January 31 and continue on Sunday, February 1 at 1pm. The categories for men and women will begin from under-7 to the masters.
Interested persons can contact coach Tito Moss at 425-4262 for more information. BBSF FAMILY FUN RUN/WALK THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its annual Family Fun Run/ Walk Race on Saturday, February 26, starting at 6am from the Bahamas Baptist College on Jean Street. The run will leave Jean Street and head north to Bernard Road, turn left onto Bernard Road and head to Village Road, turn left onto Soldier Road, turn left onto Prince Charles Drive, turn left onto Fox Hill Road and turn left onto Bernard Road, heading back to the church. The registration fee is $10 per person in both the men and women 15-and-under, 20-and-under, 40-and-under, 60-and-under and 60-and-over as well as the Ministers/Pastors. Interested persons can call Brent Stubbs at 4267265 for more information. BAHAMAS CLIMB UP THE RANKINGS FOLLOWING the men's runners-up position at the Caribbean Baseball Cup last month, The Bahamas has moved up to number 40 on the World Baseball/Softball Confederation standings. The Bahamas is the highest ranking English-speaking country in the Caribbean and is sandwiched between Costa Rica at No.39 and the US Virgin Islands at No.41. The standings, headed by Japan, Chinese Taipei and the United States of America in the top three, was released last month.
Gardiner refocusing his attention primarily on the 200 metres TRACK - from Page E1 learning experience for me. I would have to run the perfect race in the 200m because there’s no room for error to recover like I could do in the 400m.” As one of the veteran competitors in the field, Gardiner said he’s not concerned about who he lines up against, although he would give his rivals the respect they deserve. He noted that it will come down to running against the clock.
“I remember when I got started, I was thrown out there with the big dawgs in the sport, but as the years went by, I think I handled the pressure very well,” Gardiner said. “It wasn’t always easy. I want to thank my family, especially my father and mother, and my former coach Pastor Williams, who made a lot of sacrifices to get me started. I do it for them and for my country.” This year, Gardiner said he hopes he can also make a contribution to the men’s
4 x 100m relay team with such competitors like Terrence Jones, Wanya McCoy and Ian Kerr, a combination whom he feels can get The Bahamas back on the podium. At the same time, he’s not ruling out the possibility of running a leg on the men’s 4 x 400m relay if the opportunity presents itself. He said coach Evans is a 400m specialist so he anticipates that he will still be training for the 400m. Under Evans, he’s training in a camp that includes Great Britain’s quarter-miler Matthew Hudson-Smith, the 2024 Olympic silver medallist and 2023 World Championship silver medallist, along with Barbados’ Jonathan Jones, the 2022 Commonwealth Games’ bronze medallist. Also in their training camp is American paralympic athlete Britni Mason, who has won numerous medals at both the Olympics and the World Championships. But Gardiner still remains the leader of the pack, just as he does for Team Bahamas.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, January 7, 2026, PAGE 3
Forward Leano Rolle on the rise By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net
LEANO Rolle, above, is the older cousin of Philadelphia 76ers rookie Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe.
LEANO Rolle is continuing to raise his profile during the 2025–26 junior college season, turning increased opportunity into consistent production for Southwest Mississippi Community College. The 6-foot-7 forward from Bimini has emerged as one of the programme’s most productive two-way players with exceptional length and athleticism. Rolle is the older cousin of Philadelphia 76ers rookie Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, and while the two share similar explosive leaping ability, Rolle brings added length and a forward frame to his game. That physical
profile has helped him impact games in multiple areas rather than being limited to scoring. Through recent games this season, Rolle is averaging 16.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, along with three combined steals and blocks per game. He has been effective attacking the basket often finishing above the rim and creating second-chance opportunities through offensive rebounds. His athleticism has also translated defensively, where his length allows him to block shots at a high rate and disrupt passing lanes. His most recent stretch of play has included multiple double-figure scoring performances, paired with strong rebounding numbers and active defensive possessions.
This season represents a clear step forward from his previous year at Arizona Western College during the 2024–25 campaign. In more limited minutes there, Rolle averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while shooting an efficient 63.8 per cent from the field. That efficiency hinted at his upside, and his move to Southwest Mississippi has allowed him to expand his role and display a more complete game. As a prospect, Rolle is viewed as an explosive athlete with good timing and body control around the basket. Evaluators often point to his vertical ability and length as his defining traits, similar to what has been seen in Edgecombe’s rise, though Rolle projects more as a long forward who can
guard positions one through five and finish plays without heavy usage. Rolle, who recently turned 20, still has multiple years of eligibility remaining and that combination of age, production, and upside places him firmly on the radar of mid-major Division I programmes monitoring junior college talent. His ceiling will depend on continued growth in shooting consistency and decision-making. His team describes him as a competitive, high-energy player whose athleticism creates matchup problems. As the season continues, sustaining his current production and refining his perimeter skill set will be key factors in determining his next step toward Division I or professional opportunities.
Guard Deyton Albury plays central role for Lobos in 78-58 home win over Cowboys By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net Bahamian guard Deyton Albury continued his steady run for the New Mexico Lobos on January 3, playing a central role in a 78-58 home win over the Wyoming Cowboys that pushed New Mexico further into Mountain West play. The win improved the Lobos to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in the Mountain West conference games, while extending their home winning streak to 20 games. New Mexico took control in the second half, holding Wyoming to 39.6 per cent shooting and limiting transition opportunities as the margin steadily grew. Albury’s scoring line was modest, but he still managed to find ways to influence the game with the senior guard finishing with four points, two rebounds, and a season-high seven assists in 25 minutes. He shot 1-of-6 from the field but committed just one turnover while consistently initiating the offence and keeping New Mexico’s offence organised. His seven assists matched his total high of the season and were instrumental in maintaining offensive flow during the Lobos’ second-half surge. Several of Albury’s assists came during a key stretch shortly after halftime, when New Mexico pushed a narrow lead into double digits. He found teammates on cuts, delivered timely kick-outs to shooters, and helped the Lobos record
15 team assists on the night. Even without scoring volume, his control of pace and decision-making helped prevent Wyoming from building momentum. That performance reflected Albury’s broader role this season. He is averaging 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting close to 49 per cent from the field. He has been efficient inside the arc and reliable at the free-throw line, while also rebounding well for a guard and taking on primary ball-handling duties which has always been noted as one of his many strengths. Albury’s best performance of the season came earlier in non-conference play. On December 6, he scored 22 points in a 98-71 win over Santa Clara, adding six assists and three steals in his most complete game in a Lobos uniform. He attacked the paint consistently finishing through contact and created scoring chances for others as New Mexico built an early lead and never looked back. After that game, Albury pointed to persistence and confidence as key factors in his performance. “It felt good, but credit to my teammates,” he said. “They were making shots, so the paint just felt more open for me. I started the season kind of rough, but I just kept working and staying confident in myself.” The outing remains his highest scoring game of the season and set a benchmark for his offensive impact. Albury’s current role at New Mexico is the latest
step in his college career. He began at Chipola College, where he averaged double figures in scoring and more than five rebounds per game, earning all-conference recognition and helping his team reach postseason play. His time there established his physical style, rebounding instincts, and ability to score in traffic. He transferred to Queens University for the 2023– 24 season and quickly emerged as a focal point. Albury averaged 17.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, earning ASUN Conference Newcomer of the Year honors. He scored in double figures consistently and showed the versatility to impact games as both a scorer and facilitator. The following season at Utah State marked his transition into full-time Division I competition in the Mountain West. In 2024–25, Albury started 23 games for the Aggies, averaging 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting better than 43 percent from three-point range. His role emphasized efficiency, spacing, and defensive responsibility. Now with New Mexico, Albury has combined those experiences into a balanced role. His seven-assist performance against Wyoming highlighted his ability to impact games without relying on points. As conference play continues, his consistency and control remain central to the Lobos’ push through the Mountain West schedule.
DEYTON Albury in action for the New Mexico Lobos.
King Jr scores 18 to help Murray State Racers beat UIC Flames 81-77 on the road By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net FREDRICK “Fred” King Jr delivered one of his strongest performances of the 2025-26 season on New Year’s Day, leading the Murray State Racers to an 81-77 road win against the UIC Flames at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. The senior, originally from Andros, finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks in 31 minutes, anchoring Murray State’s interior play and helping the Racers stay undefeated in Missouri Valley Conference play at 4-0. Murray State improved to 12-3 overall with the victory. King was efficient throughout the game, shooting 8-of-11 from the field and converting 2-of-3 free throws. His rebounding total, which was a career high, included nine offensive boards that kept possessions alive and limited UIC's second-chance opportunities. He also had three blocks to help Murray State protect the paint in the closing minutes. The Racers trailed 40-36 at halftime before an 11-0 second-half run gave them
a lead they would not relinquish. King scored 10 of his 18 points in the second half, playing a key role in the offensive surge that overcame UIC’s early momentum. Murray State went on to outscore the Flames 45-37 in the second half to seal the four-point win. King’s performance against UIC highlighted his all-around impact for the Racers this season. Through 15 games he is averaging roughly 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while shooting more than 64 per cent from the field, ranking among the most efficient big men in Division I. His ability to score inside and compete on the glass has made him a consistent double-figure scorer and one of Murray State’s most reliable interior options. King’s role with Murray State expanded significantly after he transferred from Creighton in the summer of 2025. At Creighton, he played primarily as a reserve and learned behind multiple upperclassmen post players. Murray State coach Ryan Miller, who also coached King at Creighton, spoke about King’s fit with the Racers when he signed.
“He brings us strength at the rim, rebounding, and a willingness to defend,” Miller said. “Fred’s physical presence allows us to match up better inside and he understands our pace and system.” King’s development traces back to his time at NBA Academy Latin America, where he earned his college opportunity and began honing his skills against elite international peers. That foundation helped him navigate the transition from high school to college and later to consistent bigman minutes at the Division I level. He has also represented The Bahamas in international competition, an experience he has said built confidence and taught him how to stay composed in close games. Despite coming to Murray State in a new conference and system, King quickly became a leader on and off the court. Teammates have noted his calming presence and willingness to engage physically with opponents, traits that showed up in the UIC win as he battled for rebounds and contested shots around the basket.
Murray State’s season has included strong non-conference wins and a deep start in MVC play.
As the conference schedule continues, his consistent production and career-high rebounds against UIC
suggest he will remain central to Murray State’s success in 2026 and the years beyond.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, January 7, 2026, PAGE 5
76ERS’ VJ Edgecombe (77) hangs from the rim after dunking against the Denver Nuggets during the overtime of Monday’s game in Philadelphia.
Rookie ‘VJ’ scores 17 for the 76ers but Nuggets pull off 125-124 win in overtime By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bruce Brown scored 19 points and got the winning bucket in overtime off a goaltending call on Joel Embiid, and Jalen Pickett had 29 points to lead the short-handed Denver Nuggets to a 125-124 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. Embiid was whistled for the decisive goaltend when he tried to block Brown's running layup with 5.3 seconds left. Tyrese Maxey missed a winning floater for the Sixers at the horn. Embiid scored 32 points — the fourth time in his last eight games he has scored 30 — and Maxey had 28. Rookie “VJ” Edgecombe was just shy of a triple double as he contributed 17 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks. The Nuggets played without three-time MVP Nikola
Jokic — out at least until the end of the month with a with a hyperextended left knee — Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and others a night after a loss at Brooklyn. The entire regular starting lineup sat out, and the Nuggets had only nine available players. Peyton Watson added 24 points for Denver. The Nuggets refused to use their lighter roster as an excuse to pack it in against the Sixers. Hunter Tyson converted a four-point play that gave Denver a 102-100 lead in the fourth and Pickett followed with a 2-footer that forced the 76ers into a timeout and served as the highlights of a 14-0 run. Brown snapped a tie game with a 3-pointer and made 2 of 3 free throws for a 120-115 lead when he was fouled on a 3-pointer on the next possession. That miss in the middle doomed Denver in regulation. VJ Edgecombe hit a 3 that
VJ Edgecombe (77) goes up to shoot against Nuggets’ Jalen Pickett, left, during the first half on Monday, January 5, 2026, in Philadelphia.
NUGGETS’ Jalen Pickett (24) tries to get a shot past Philadelphia 76ers’ Vj Edgecombe during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia 76ers’ VJ Edgecombe (77) goes up to shoot against Denver Nuggets’ Peyton Watson (8) during the overtime of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photos/ Matt Rourke)
made it 120-118 and Maxey tied the game on a driving layup with 49 seconds left that sent the game into OT tied 120-all. Edgecombe,
the No. 3 pick of the draft and having a sensational rookie season, also gave the Sixers their last lead in OT on a dunk just before
Brown's goaltended winner. The 76ers returned from a 3-2 road trip — that included all three wins on the backend.
Up next Denver plays tonight at Boston. The 76ers host Washington tonight.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, January 7, 2026
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‘Coach Yo’ and Lady Rebels suffer 67-64 loss to No. 2 Texas By MARK ROSNER Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jordan Lee scored 17 points, including a clutch layup and free throw late in the game, helping No. 2 Texas hold off a big rally by No. 15 Mississippi for a 67-64 win Sunday. Texas (17-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) led by 19 early in the third quarter and by 15 at the end of the period. But Cotie McMahon scored 12 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter for Mississippi (14-3, 1-1), and Latasha Lattimore had eight of her 17 in the final period, giving the Rebels a chance. Unfortunately for Ole Miss McMahon missed two free throws with 4.3 seconds left. Rori Harmon then missed a pair from the line for Texas with one second remaining, and McMahon's long 3-point shot bounced off the rim as the game ended. The Longhorns are off to their best start since 198586, when they were NCAA champions, finishing 34-0. Texas has won 35 straight home games. The Longhorns are 5-0 this season against teams ranked in the Associated Press top 15 at the time of the games. Texas showed some resolve after blowing the big lead. A jump shot by Madison Booker (15 points) put Texas ahead by five with three minutes remaining. Lee made her layup and free throw at the 2:25 mark, and Ashton Judd spun inside for a basket while getting fouled, her three-point play coming with 1:38 left. Mississippi hit 8 of 13 shots from the field in the fourth quarter and committed just one turnover. Texas
Mississippi head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin looks for a call against the Texas during the second half in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, January 4, 2026. AT RIGHT - Yolett McPhee-McCuin and Texas head coach Vic Schaefer shake hands after an NCAA college basketball game in Austin, Texas. (AP Photos/Rodolfo Gonzalez) Up contributed to the Rebels' she committed five turnoNext comeback by missing 8 of vers, including two in the Mississippi is at No. 8 13 shots while committing fourth quarter. six turnovers and seven Harmon had 62 assists Oklahoma on Thursday. Texas hosts Auburn on fouls. Harmon had 10 assists and only three turnovers in Thursday. in the game for Texas, but her previous seven games.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, January 7, 2026
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National champions
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Comets players celebrate after winning the first ever National High School Baseball Championship. Queen’s College, who entered the tournament as the reigning BAISS baseball champions, capped off an undefeated run by defeating the St. Andrew’s Hurricanes 13-3 in a rain-affected five-inning championship game that ended via the mercy rule. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr