01092017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

Home Run

Derby, Page 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018

Higgs on scoring spree in NCAA

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: LINEUP CHANGES FOR MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

T

he recent scoring spree continued for Lashann Higgs as she led her No.8 Texas Longhorns to another conference win.

Higgs finished with a team high 26 points in the Longhorns’ 75-64 win over the Kansas State Wildcats at the Bramiage Colesium in Manhattan, Kansas, on Sunday.

Higgs shot 9-12 from the field, 3-3 from beyond the arch and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. She tied her career high with three made three-point field goals and also added four assists and three steals in 29 minutes of play.

It continues a career week of productivity for Higgs who has averaged 28 points per game over the last three contests. In that time period she has shot 71.4 per cent from the field, 80 per cent from the threepoint line and 92.3 per cent from the free-throw line.

Higgs finished with a career high 30 points as her Longhorns protected home court with an 84-79 win over the No.20 Oklahoma Sooners on Wednesday night. That surpassed her previous career high of 25 points set in a December 28 win over the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Longhorns improved to 13-1 and are undefeated at 4-0 in Big 12 play thus far. Kansas led 15-12 at the end of the first quarter and Texas trailed by as many as seven points

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

TEXAS’ Lashann Higgs (10), of the Bahamas, drives the ball past Oklahoma’s Ana Llanusa (22) during the first half of an NCAA college game in Norman, Oklahoma.

(AP Photo/Garett Fisbeck) in the first half. Powered this season. Texas’ lead said about her improved now lead the all-time series

by Higgs, they closed the went largely uncontested confidence and production with the Wildcats 21-14 and second quarter on a 10-4 in the second half of play. this season. “It was kind of Texas has claimed eight run to take the lead at the Back-to-back periods of forcing myself to be men- of the last nine meetings, break. Higgs scored all of scoring 22 points in the tally tough for the team. I including six consecutive. the Longhorns’ 10 points second and third quarters would say since I’m starting The Longhorns outon the run and they out- while allowing the Wild- to focus more on defence, rebounded the Wildcats scored the Wildcats 22-11 cats offence only 11 and it kind of takes the pres- 47-26 which marked the in the period. The Long- 18 points respectively gave sure off of me to perform 13th time in 14 games this horns took a 34-36 lead at the Longhorns a strong more offensively because season that Texas has won the half. lead. our team can score. If I can the battle of the boards and Texas dominated the Texas took advantage of play defence and help the the 73rd time in the last 84 second half and their lead their momentum and uti- team that way more than games. Higgs will look to was nearly unchallenged. lised a 9-0 run in the fourth I can play offence, then I’ll continue her scoring run They shot 40.3 per cent quarter to seal the win. do that.” when the Longhorns face from the field and have “I would say it was more Kansas State drops to the TCU Horned Frogs at shot better than 40 per cent about trusting my work 9-6 and just 1-3 in confer- 7pm local time tomorrow from the field in every win more,” the junior guard ence play. The Longhorns night.

Grant cans career high 41 points in win

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net LEASHJA Grant has found a new home with the Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada where she’s having a phenomenal 2017-18 season with the Thunderwolves women’s basketball team.

In 12 games played so far this season, Grant is averaging 23.2 points per game, shooting 48.1 per cent from the field and 75.5 per cent from the free throw line. She is also averaging 13.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.

The Thunderwolves’ leading scorer and rebounder produced a career high 41 points, including the game’s winning two free throws with 22 seconds left on the clock in their 64-62 triumph over the visiting Guelph Gryphons in the Thunderdome on Saturday night.

Grant, a six-foot-2 forward pursuing an honours bachelor in psychology, also pulled down 16 rebounds as she helped the Thunderwolves to improve their record to 8-4, including 7-1 in non-conference play. The performance came after the Thunderwolves won

SEE PAGE 3

LEASHJA GRANT (with ball) in action.

AFTER losing the first two games last year in the FIBA Americas Qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup, Bahamas Basketball Federation vice president Mario Bowleg said the coaching staff will be making changes to the lineup for the second round next month.

The Bahamas is currently sitting at the bottom of the four-team pile with a 0-2 win-loss record, having lost on the road to Canada 93-69 on November 24 and 93-85 here at home against the Virgin Islands on November 27.

The federation will host the Dominican Republic on Thursday, February 22 and Canada on Sunday, February 25 in the homeand-away series of games to determine who will advance to the World Cup in China from August 31 to September 15, 2019.

The Bahamas started out as one of the 16 teams in the Americas region that have been placed in four different pools. However, only the top seven teams out of the Americas will advance to the World Cup. Entered in Group D with the Bahamas are the Dominican Republic, who is 2-0, Canada 1-1 and the Virgin Islands, also 1-1.

Bowleg, who also serves as the head coach for Team Bahamas, said the federation has been looking at a number of players who have made a commitment to play in the round next month.

“There will be an adjustment made to the roster to try and compete against the Dominican Republic, who we feel is the better team in the pool, along with Canada, who is also coming in February,” said Bowleg.

“We are continuing to watch those films and make sure that we put the right team together that can match up with them.”

SEE PAGE 3

Jonquel Jones and Fowles go head-to-head in China

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Page 5

JONQUEL Jones - the WNBA’s most improved player, went head-to-head with the league’s reigning MVP Sylvia Fowles as the pair are playing in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association during the offseason.

Jones finished with 31 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots, but her Shanxi Xing Rui suffered a 96-92 loss to Fowles and the Beijing Great Wall.

Fowles, the Minnesota Lynx perennial All-Star, finished with

32 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks.

Both Jones and Fowles finished with 20 double doubles over the course of the WNBA season.

The loss ended a six-game winning streak for Xing Rui as they fell to 15-6 but remain in fourth place in the league standings.

Beijing Wall Great Wall won their seventh game in a row and remain tops in the league.

Jones is currently averaging 29.1 points and 14.1 and 68 per cent for the Flame.

Led by Jones, Shanxi XR has been the second ranked scoring team at 84.8 points per game and second ranked assist team at 15.8

per game and tops in rebounding at 37.9 boards per game.

The WCBA is the top-tier professional women’s basketball league in China and is the women’s counterpart to the Chinese Basketball Association.

The 2017-18 WCBA will include a 26-round regular season and playoffs, as well as All-Star weekend on January 20, 2018.

The league expanded by two clubs this year to bring the total number of teams to 14. The top eight teams will advance to the playoffs.

Jones’ last offseason propelled her into becoming the WNBA’s Most Improved Player,

an All-Star and an All-WNBA Second Team selection, leaving fans and pundits eager to see what this offseason will bring.

Jones was selected No. 5 overall by Woori Bank in the Korean Basketball League and led the team to a championship title.

On the season she averaged 15.8 points, 14.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks - all team leads - in 24 minutes per game for Woori Bank in 38 games.

At the league’s award ceremony, Jones earned the Foreign Most Valuable Player Award, Defensive Player of the Year award and was named “Best Five” in the league.

PAGE 2, Tuesday, January 9, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

INAUGURAL ‘DON’T BLINK HOME RUN DERBY IN PARADISE’

A showcase of our elite baseball talent THE inaugural “Don’t Blink Home Run Derby In Paradise” was a revolutionary idea that produced a series of highlights and showcased the Bahamas’ elite baseball talent.

Hundreds of supporters turned out to the event Saturday afternoon at the Montagu Bay foreshore to witness a power-hitting display from Bahamian minor leaguers and several visiting international prospects.

One of those visiting players, Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays organisation, claimed the title of the first ever “Don’t Blink Home Run King.”

Bichette hit nine home runs in the final round to defeat Lucius Fox Jr (Tampa Bay Rays) and Nick Gordon (Minnesota Twins). The 19-year-old shortstop, a second round selection by the Blue Jays in the 2016 MLB draft and currently a member of the Dunedin Blue Jays in Single A-Advanced, just completed a season where he was named the Midwest League MVP and the his organisation’s Minor League Hitter of the Year.

Bichette is the youngest son of former MLB AllStar, Dante Bichette, who was on hand to assist with the event and pitch to Bo and other players.

The project was the brainchild of Todd Isaacs Jr (Cleveland Indians) and Fox, who wanted to give the country’s litany of local pro baseball prospects a rare opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd.

Other local competitors included Champ Stuart (New York Mets), Anfernee Seymour (Atlanta Braves), Chavez Young (Toronto Blue Jays), Trent Deveaux (Los Angeles Angels), D’Shawn Knowles (Los Angeles Angels), Kristian Robinson (Arizona Diamondbacks), Jazz Chisholm (Arizona Diamondbacks), Dominic Collie (Arizona Diamondbacks), Keithron Moss (Texas Rangers), Reshard Munroe (Cincinnati Reds).

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cancer Society of the Bahamas and the development of youth baseball baseball in the Bahamas.

Photos by Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 9, 2018, PAGE 3

Bahamas has lots to be proud of in our 16 major league prospects IT WAS truly my pleasure to host the inaugural “Don’t Blink” Home Run Derby in Paradise.

The brainchild of major league prospects Todd Isaacs Jr of the Cleveland Indians and Lucius Fox of the Florida Marlins, along with lots of support and blood, sweat and tears from Todd Isaacs Sr. The Bahamas has lots to be proud of in the form of 16 major league prospects, all asigned to the minor league systems of their parent clubs.

Visiting minor leaguer Bo Bichette of the Toronto Blue Jays organisation, and son of former major league slugger Dante Bichette, won the first ever “Don’t Blink Home Run King.”

Bichette hit nine home runs in the final round to defeat Lucius Fox Jr (Tampa Bay Rays) and Nick Gordon (Minnesota Twins). Bichette offered the following remarks on the event and his preformance.

“This event was awesome, the people gave us a lot of energy and we were just excited to come out here and show people in the Bahamas what baseball is all about. “They are really good friends of mine so it meant a lot to come down here and be able to

THE

PRESS BOX ZELAYA

BY INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICA

help them out. I know they want to bring awareness of baseball to the Bahamas so to be able to come out and help them with that is the least that I can do. It was cold, it was windy for sure but it’s always fun to come out and hit some homers.”

Bichette was named the Midwest League MVP and the his organisation’s Minor League Hitter of the Year this past season, so you know his pedigree is real.

LET’S PLAY BALL The aforementioned Bahamian major league prospects all started in either JBLN or Freedom Farm so as a coach of youth baseball, on both my sons teams, I’m excited for the season to start so I can see where the next batch of Bahamian major leaguers will evolve.

The Junior Baseball League of Nassau will open the 2018 season this coming

week – the 29th. The league announces that 31 baseball and six girls’ softball teams comprising 470 boys and girls will be competing in the 2018 season which will run from January to May. Tee Ball Division 5-6 5 Teams Coach Pitch Division 7-8 5 Teams LL Minor Division 9-10 5 Teams LL Major Division 11-12 6 Teams Junior Division 13-15 5 Teams Senior Division 16-Over 5 Teams Girls Soft Ball 13-19 6 Teams JBLN will celebrate the opening of the 2018 season at 10am on Saturday, January 13, with a parade of all 37 teams competing.

Dignitaries expected to attend include Minister of Sports Michael Pintard, Bahamas Olympic Association President Romell

NAUGHTY hosts the inaugural “Don’t Blink” Home Run Derby in Paradise at Montagu Beach.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Knowles, President of the Bahamas Baseball Association Sam Rodgers, Ted Miller, President of the Bahamas Soft Ball Federation, Oria Wood-Knowles

from the Bahamas Baseball Association as well as supporters and sponsors of the league.

The end of ceremonies will be highlighted by a

Grant cans career high 41 points in win FROM PAGE 1 another close encounter 70-68 on Friday night as Grant finished with another game high honours of 22 points and 15 rebounds.

“For some reason, I felt like Mike in the movie,” Grant told The Tribune of the ‘Like Mike’ where lead actor Lil Bow Wow wore a pair of Michael Jordan tennis that made him almost invisible. “For some reason, every shot that I put up, I was able to get a feel.

“It was like I was on fire, so I just continued shooting the ball until coach told me otherwise. I was able to do a mixture of a lot of things that I normally don’t do and for some reason in that game, I was able to shine.”

Playing a total of 27 minutes, Grant shot 15-for-26 from the field and 11-for-14 from the foul line.

She pulled down seven offensive and nine defensive rebounds, stole two balls and blocked a shot. She also turned the ball over five times and had three personal fouls.

That performance enabled Grant to surpass her previous season’s best of 28 points on 10-of-20 from the field and 8-for-13 from the foul line in a 80-67 loss to Carleton on November 24. In that game, she also had 15 rebounds, four turnovers and a pair of fouls.

“I’m happy. I’m content with where I am on the basketball court,” she pointed out. “There’s still a lot of areas for me to improve in, but performance wise, I’m in the gym every day working on my game, trying to take it to the next level. For right now, I’m pretty happy with where I’m at.”

Grant, 23, said for the rest of the season the goal for the Thunderwolves is to make the playoffs and eventually advance to the national championships. As for her personal goals, Grant said she would

LEASHJA GRANT (with ball) in action. like to continue to lead the OEA in rebounding and scoring and become the Player of the Year.

Grant and the Thunderwolves will be back in action on Friday and Saturday when they host

Western in another back-to-back match-up.

Those are two of the 12 games that the Thunderwolves have remaining on their schedule as the regular season will close out on the

weekend of February 16-17 against Laurier.

That will be followed by the WBB QUA Playoffs Round 1 on February 21 and the finals on February 24.

Grant previously played for Texas Tech University during the 2015-16 season after she had two stellar seasons for Trinity Valley Cardinals out of Athens, Texas.

The daughter of local basketball coach Trevor Grant had a previous career high of 27 and a school record 31 rebounds in the 2014-15 season for Trinity Valley.

On November 16, 2015, she was named the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Player of the Week at Texas Tech where she posted 26 points and 15 rebounds in a win over Niagara as she shot 11-of-12 from the floor.

Grant sat out the 2016-17 season, but she admitted that she feels right at home having made the transition to playing in Canada.

“Performing on and off the court is something that I’m used to,” Grant stated. “It’s an every day lifestyle that I’m accustomed. But it’s really great to start the year off the way I did.

“I give all praise and glory to God. I want to thank my family and my friends, especially my dad, for never giving up on me. I’m trying to play as hard as I can on and off the court and be able to play at my best.”

Once she’s done in Canada, Grant said she hopes to pursue a professional contract in the Women’s National Basketball Association where she would like to play alongside Grand Bahamian Jonquel Jones of the Connecticut Sun. If that doesn’t work out, Grand said she would be content with playing pro ball overseas in Europe and eventually returning home to the Bahamas to do some coaching with her father.

Junkanoo rush-out by the Builders Mall Genesis War Hawks.

Games in Week 1 will start immediately after the opening ceremonies.

SPORTS NOTES GOLF: FREE ACCOMMODATION FOR JR GOLFERS The Abaco Junior Golf Championships will be hosted at the Treasure Cay Golf Club on Saturday, February 11 in Treasure Cay, Abaco.

The tournament committee has confirmed that they will cover the cost of the entry fees, lunch, prizes and transportation once on the island. Junior golfers will only be responsible for their airfare for the event.

Interested golfers are urged to RSVP by January 11 so that the organisers can reserve their seats.

GOLF PURE SILK CLINIC The Pure Silk Clinic for junior players will be held on January 20 at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Driving Range and at the Paradise Island Golf Club on January 23.

To register for the clinic, interested persons are urged to contact Emily Norrell at emily@globalgolfmanagement.com RUGBY HEINEKEN CUP ACTION THE Bahamas Rugby Union will resume its 2017/18 season this weekend after taking a break for the Christmas holiday.

Two games in the Heineken Cup series will take place at the Winton Rugby Union as Freeport comes to town to take on the Cuckoos at 2pm. At 3pm, the Buccaneers will face Baillou.

LINEUP CHANGES FOR MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM IN FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS FROM PAGE 1 Reflecting on what he felt went wrong in the first two games, Bowleg said they lacked the defensive prowess to stay in the games.

“We are also looking at persons who shoot the ball, get to the basket and break down our opponent’s defense and allow our shooters to knock down the shots,” he said.

“So we are making some changes that would allow players to get off the ball screen and to try and get some players who can defend better, especially in the guard positions.”

Players such as forwards Kadeem Coleby and Magmum Rolle as well as guards Marvin Gray, CJ Hinds and Ray Rose are

just some of the players Bowleg intends to insert into the line-up.

“Those guys all played together three years ago when we won the gold and they are still in their 30s, so they can still play basketball,” Bowleg said. “So we hope to have some veteran players in there along with some of our up and coming young stars.”

As the federation prepares to host the two games, Bowleg said the Bahamas will be in the same predicament as their peers as all of their professional players won’t be available until a few days before the games are played.

“FIBA has made every professional league stop at a certain time,” he said. “No country is at an

advantage or disadvantage.

All of the players will be going home after their last scheduled game.

“FIBA is not going to keep these players away from their clubs, which is paying them, to come home and miss a game. That is not what FIBA is about. FIBA has agreed to stop the game to allow a certain window for the players to get home in time to get in at least two practices a day before they play.”

Bowleg said the good thing is that the system that the coaches run doesn’t change. It’s just a matter of implementing them with the players when they come out to practice.

“These players whom we are trying to bring back home, they know my

system. They have played for me before,” Bowleg said. “This is technology age. You send the plays to them and they study them before they get here and when they get here, we implement the system.”

Based on the group of players he had to work with in November, Bowleg said his coaching staff had a combination that didn’t know each other.

“But these players who we are trying to put together have played together before so we know that they are going to be coming here in shape, so we just have to get them ready to go,” he projected.

Bowleg assured the public that they can come out on both nights and be entertained by a much

better national team next month.

“Sometimes you play up to your expectations, but you don’t cry over spilled milk,” he stated. “We played poorly and we lost.

We have to move past that and get ready for the next round.

“We knew that the Bahamas was and continues to be and even when we put this team on the floor in February will be better than we did.

“We had to go with what was best at the time. But we will have a better showing than what the public saw in November.”

The February double header will be held in conjunction with the prestigious Huge Campbell Basketball Classic that will

run from February 22-29.

“There has been collaboration with the Bahamas Basketball Federation and the Huge Campbell organisers where their games will be finished on the two days to allow the nation to come and watch the national team play,” Bowleg said.

“We have already made a deal that will allow them to include our games on their schedule. We believe that the basketball fans will have a chance to watch both tournaments at the same time.”

On those two days, the two tournaments will play at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium so that as soon as the Huge Campbell games are completed, the World Cup qualifier will get underway.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, January 9, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Murray undergoes hip Former champion Azarenka withdraws surgery, hopes to be from Australian Open back for Wimbledon MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from the Australian Open, with her wild-card entry reallocated to Ajla Tomljanovic of Croatia.

Open organisers announced Azarenka’s withdrawal in a social media post yesterday, a week before the tournament begins.

“It’s unfortunate that (Azarenka) is unable to travel to Australia,” organisers posted on Twitter, quoting tournament director Craig Tiley. The Australian Open, “is her favourite tournament and she’s looking forward to returning to Melbourne next year.”

Azarenka, who won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, has been involved in a custody dispute involving her son Leo, who was born in 2016.

She hasn’t competed anywhere since Wimbledon, where she lost in the fourth round on July 10.

Former No. 1-ranked Azarenka played only six matches in 2017, and her year-ending ranking plummeted to No. 208.

Australian Open organisers last month granted her a wild card, with Tiley saying at the time: “Vika’s current situation is obviously very difficult for her and we have

IN this file photo, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus wraps an ice towel around her neck during a break in her quarterfinal match against Angelique Kerber of Germany at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia.

(AP Photo/Vincent Thian) reached out to offer any support we can.”

Azarenka was initially scheduled to make a return to competitive tennis in New Zealand last week, but withdrew from that tournament as well.

The Australian Open starts next Monday at Melbourne Park. Defending champion Serena Williams

has already withdrawn, saying her game wasn’t back to a level where she believed she could contend for the title just four months after giving birth to her first child.

Tomljanovic will play in the Australian Open main draw a fourth time. Her best result is the second round.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Andy Murray underwent surgery on his right hip yesterday and said he hopes to be back playing in time for Wimbledon.

The former No. 1-ranked Murray, a threetime major winner, has not played a competitive match since a quarter-final exit at Wimbledon last July.

Murray has been told to expect a 14-week recovery period and he is targeting a return to the court by June.

“I underwent successful right hip surgery at the St Vincent Hospital in Melbourne,” Murray wrote on his Facebook page.

“I’d like to thank Dr John O’Donnell and all of the staff for looking after me. I look forward to returning to competitive tennis during the grass court season. Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes and support over the last few days. I’ll comeback from this.”

The 30-year-old Murray, though, accepts he will have to reduce his workload on court.

“I’m certainly not going to be putting in the same amount of tournaments and effort to try to get to No. 1,” Murray told British media. “I’ll certainly be more considered in the

IN this file photo, Great Britain’s Andy Murray reacts after he lost a match to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut during the second day of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) amount of tournaments I play, even though I play a conservative schedule anyway in comparison to most of the players on the tour.

“I’ll be playing a reduced schedule, and then focusing more on trying to win major events and big

tournaments rather than trying to achieve certain ranking goals.”

Murray said he can get himself back to “95 per cent of my best.”

“I believe that’s enough to compete at the highest level,” he added. “No question.”

PANTHERS ENTER UNCERTAIN OFFSEASON, BEGINNING WITH OWNERSHIP

By STEVE REED Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers enter an offseason of uncertainty unlike any other in the 23-year history of the franchise following their 31-26 wild-card loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

First and foremost, the team is officially for sale.

The end of the season means Panthers owner Jerry Richardson will begin actively accepting offers to purchase the franchise he brought to the Carolinas as an expansion team in 1993. The Panthers began play in 1995 but never won a Super Bowl under Richardson, despite his promise in 1993 to win a championship “within 10 years.”

The 81-year-old Richardson announced last month he was selling the team after reports of alleged sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace led to an NFL investigation. That investigation is ongoing.

“It will be an interesting offseason to see how things work out,” Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said as he cleaned out his locker

yesterday. “None of us have been through something like this, of course. It doesn’t happen often in the NFL.” Panthers coach Ron Rivera at his final news conference of the season that “it’s going to be different; it’s going to be weird” not having Richardson around.

While the league will surely push to keep a franchise in Charlotte, where it has successfully sold out all but two games during its history, there is no telling if the new owners would consider moving the team. Rivera hopes the Panthers stay in Charlotte.

“I think this is a great area and I think we have shown that we (are) supported by the community,” Rivera said.

Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney got emotional Monday as he shook hands with players as they left the locker room.

He tried to hold back tears when asked about the end of the Richardson era.

“Sure, it’s more emotional,” said Hurney, who previously worked for the Panthers from 1998-2012. “Anytime the finality of losing a playoff game is hard

to take. And then when you have these other things it’s hard.”

The impending sale of the team is just one of many uncertainties surrounding the Panthers this offseason.

• Here are some others: FRONT OFFICE QUESTIONS: While Rivera received a two-year contract extension through 2020 last week, the Panthers front office remains up in the air. Hurney was re-hired by Richardson to serve on an interim basis last summer but his contract expires June 30.

Hurney said Monday he would like to stay on, saying “I love what I’m doing right now.” Rivera and several players also threw their support behind Hurney coming on in a full-time role again.

REPLACING ANOTHER COORDINATOR: Rivera seems pretty certain he will lose a defensive coordinator for the second straight offseason with Steve Wilks scheduled to meet with the Giants, Lions and Colts for vacant head coaching positions.

Wilks is viewed as a favourite in New York, where former Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman is now calling the shots. Rivera

said if Wilks leaves he’s leaning toward promoting an assistant from inside the organisation.

“I feel really good about the guys that we have in place and being able to replace Steve,” Rivera said. That means linebackers coach Al Holcomb, defensive line coach Eric Washington and defensive backs coach Curtis Fuller would be the top candidates.

PEPPERS UNDECIDED ON FUTURE: The future of defensive end Julius Peppers remains uncertain, too. Peppers, who turns 38 this month, said he will take some time before making a decision whether to return for a 17th season.

Peppers had a successful season with 11 sacks and two forced fumbles in a situational role and served as a valuable mentor in the locker room to players such as Mario Addison. “He can play as long as he wants, clearly,” said defensive end Charles Johnson.

ROSTER CHANGING: While linebacker Thomas Davis said “the window is still open” for the Panthers to win a Super Bowl, the reality is this is getting to be an old football team. Peppers is

not alone in the long-in-the-tooth category.

Safety Mike Adams will be 37 next season, Davis 35, Olsen and centre Ryan Kalil 33, Johnson 32, running back Jonathan Stewart 31, and safety Kurt Coleman and nickel cornerback Captain Munnerlyn will have turned 30. All but Munnerlyn are starters. Olsen thinks the core of the team will remain. “This is a team that has been very competitive and I don’t see why anyone would come in and mess with that,” Olsen said.

DEEP THREAT NEEDED: Clearly one of the biggest needs for the Panthers this offseason will be finding some help for Cam Newton, particular a deep threat at wide receiver.

While last year’s second-round pick Curtis Samuel and Damiere Byrd helped fill that role at times this season, neither could stay healthy leaving the Panthers without a player who could stretch the defence.

The Panthers let wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr walk last offseason in free agency and it bit them again Sunday as Ginn caught an 80-yard touchdown pass in the Saints’ wild-card win.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 9, 2018, PAGE 5

AUSTRALIA WIN FINAL ASHES TEST TO CLINCH SERIES 4-0

By KEIRAN SMITH Associated Press SYDNEY (AP) — Australia thrashed England by an innings and 123 runs to win the fifth and final Ashes test at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday and complete a comprehensive 4-0 series victory.

The one-sided match ended just after lunch on the fifth day when Australia bowled the tourists out for 180 in its second innings after the England captain Joe Root retired hurt on 58 and his team’s lower order offered little resistance to the hosts.

Australia had already regained the Ashes by winning the first three tests and only missed out on a 5-0 series sweep when last week’s fourth match in Melbourne ended in a draw.

“It’s been a great couple of months. The cricket we’ve played has been outstanding,” Australia captain Steve Smith said.

“All the bowlers have taken over 20 wickets, we haven’t relied on one.

Scoring big runs in the first innings has been the key for us.

“England had their foot in the door in all of the test

matches, they’ve played some exceptional cricket.

We’ve just been able to get back on top in those key moments and not let them back in the game, which is crucial.”

Root was too sick to attend the post-match presentation so Jimmy Anderson deputised for him, telling the crowd his team had been thoroughly beaten over the series.

“To be honest, we’ve been outplayed in the key moments of each game.

We’ve been in the games to an extent, but we’ve just not been able to capitalize on the opportunities,” Anderson said.

“Credit to Steve (Smith) and his team, they’ve played fantastically well throughout the series and were the far better side.

“They’ve got a fantastic bowling attack. And all the batsmen have scored runs when the team needed them. Ourselves, that’s where we slipped up. We’ve not scored the amount of runs you need to win a series like this. As a bowling group, not created enough pressure for long periods of time.”

Root missed Monday’s start of play after being

ENGLAND’s Joe Root avoids a bouncer from Australia’s Pat Cummins during the 4th day of their test match in Sydney Sunday.

(AP) taken to hospital before the resumption because of a stomach bug, and although he did come out and bat through to lunch, briefly giving the embattled tourists hope of salvaging a draw, he did not return for the second session.

With Root absent, Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins blew away the lower order after the interval to finish with 4-39 and earn the player of the match award, while spinner Nathan Lyon took 3-54.

“It’s a great feeling within

the squad. We’ve been very well led this series. In my eyes, it’s the best bowling attack in the world,” Lyon said.

“As a squad, I think we’ve got all the bases covered well and truly. It’s been an amazing summer.

It’s pretty special to be 4-0 up in an Ashes series, get that urn back.”

Moeen Ali joined Jonny Bairstow at the crease at the start of the day, with England resuming on 93-4, after Root arrived late to the ground still recovering

after suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.

Ali, who has had a mostly torrid series with bat and ball, survived for 43 balls before being trapped leg before wicket by Lyon for Australia’s only breakthrough before lunch.

It was the seventh time in nine innings that Ali has been dismissed by the Australian spinner, prompting speculation whether he will retain his place in the team for England’s upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Root received a standing ovation from the sparse crowd as he made his way to the middle, and despite feeling unwell, he appeared composed at the crease and quickly raised his fifth halfcentury of the series came with a flick to fine leg off Lyon for three.

Root and Bairstow safely steered the tourists to lunch, but when the English skipper failed to reappear at the re-start, England’s demise came about quickly.

Cummins trapped Bairstow lbw for 38 to remove the last recognised batsman and then bounced out Stuart Broad (4) and Mason Crane (2).

Josh Hazlewood (1-36) then ended the match by

having Anderson caught behind for two, triggering celebrations from the Australians.

Australia’s victory was set up by a dominant performance with the bat.

After dismissing England for 346, Australia made 649-7 in reply, for a lead of 303 runs, after Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Mitch Marsh all scored centuries.

Exhausted after spending two days in the field under a scorching sun, England’s top order collapsed on day four, leaving Australia needing just six more wickets on Monday to complete a 4-0 series win.

Smith was named player of the series after scoring 687 runs, including three centuries, at an average of 137.40.

“I love being out in the middle and doing the job, and trying to lead from the front for my team. My mind is probably in as good a space as it’s been with my batting at the moment,” Smith said.

“Making good decisions consistently. I’m really proud of the way I’ve played throughout this serious and have been able to lead from the front.”

LOS Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle dunks during the first half of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)

LAKERS BEAT HAWKS 132-113 TO END NINE-GAME LOSING STREAK

By ALEX VEJAR Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — For nine games, the Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t figure out how to get their

defence back on track. That changed against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Lakers made 13 steals and scored 26 points off turnovers Sunday night en route to a 132-113

victory to end a nine-game losing streak.

“It was good to kind of see the guys get back to that mode where defence anchors what we do offensively instead of the other way around,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said.

Brandon Ingram had 20 points and seven assists while Lonzo Ball finished with 13 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Julius Randle had 15 points and nine rebounds in his sixth straight start.

Nine Lakers made at least one steal. Brook Lopez had four on his own.

“Everybody was on a string together,” Ingram said. “We trusted each other, whether it was individual defence, whether it was help-side defence, transition defence. I think we all trusted each other.”

Dennis Schroder led the Hawks with 27 points on 10-of-23 shooting. Kent Bazemore and John Collins added 15 points apiece.

Los Angeles led by as many as 26 points — its biggest margin this season — and enjoyed a strong shooting night. The Lakers made 55.8 per cent of their field goals, and shot 44 per cent from three-point range.

Even free throws went in for the Lakers, who came into Sunday as the worst team in the league in that category. Los Angeles made 20 of 25.

The Hawks, on the other hand, shot 44 per cent from the field.

Los Angeles went on a 16-3 run in the opening minutes of the second quarter that culminated in a transition 3-pointer by Ball and a basket by Larry Nance Jr off a pass from Josh Hart.

The lead quickly ballooned to 20 after another 3

by Ball and a layup by Kyle Kuzma.In all, the Lakers outscored the Hawks 37-21 in the second period. “They were out and running on

the fast break, making 3s, making layups,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said. “I think it started with good defence on their part. We weren’t executing offensively.”

The Hawks closed within 13 with 10:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, but a long pass from Kuzma led to a one-handed dunk

by Ball, giving the Lakers a 17-point lead. Hart’s 3-pointer with 5:33 left in the game gave Los Angeles its biggest lead.

The Hawks started the game on a 10-2 run, but the Lakers recovered. Kuzma’s basket on a strong drive gave Los Angeles a 29-27 lead just before the firstquarter buzzer.

TIP-INS Lakers: Won for the first time at home since November 21 against the Chicago Bulls. Beat the Hawks 46 years earlier to the day for an NBA-record 33rd straight win. Eight Lakers scored in double figures.

Hawks: Budenholzer picked up a technical foul in the first quarter. Taurean Prince dislocated his right ring finger in the first quarter but returned to the game.

LAVAR AND LUKE Walton said earlier Sunday he wasn’t bothered

by LaVar Ball’s comment to ESPN that he had lost control of the team. The coach added that his only concern is his relationship with Lonzo Ball. Walton said he’d received messages of support from coaches who advised him to “not be concerned with parents and what other people outside the organisation think.”

FAST PACE The Lakers scored 42 fast-break points, tying a franchise record. It was

their largest such total since 2001.

Los Angeles outscored Atlanta in transition 28-0 in the first half alone.

“That’s what we’re great at,” Larry Nance Jr said.

“When we have Zo, we’re a beast when it comes to running. He’s so good at finding it, pushing it and hitting open guys that it’s contagious and then everybody gets involved.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 9, 2018, PAGE 7

BRISTOL CITY’S STUNNING LEAGUE CUP JOURNEY HEADS TO MAN CITY

By STEVE DOUGLAS Associated Press MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Bristol City, an unheralded club in England’s second tier, has beaten four Premier League opponents — including Manchester United — to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup. Now the hard work begins.

Next up today is Premier League leader Manchester City, which hasn’t lost any of its 26 games in domestic competition and, according to Bristol City manager Lee Johnson, will “etch itself in history as one of the greatest teams to have ever graced the pitches in England.”

That the competition’s semifinals are played over two legs makes Bristol City’s task of causing a major upset even harder, but there is scope for encouragement.

Man City has failed to score just once at home all season and that was against another second-tier team in Wolverhampton Wanderers, who took Pep Guardiola’s side to penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time.

Squad rotation could be in Guardiola’s thoughts amid

Man City’s busy run of fixtures across three competitions — the league, the FA Cup, and the League Cup — but he could choose to go hard in the first leg and try to have the semi-final all but secured before heading to Bristol for the return match on January 23.

“We don’t want to wait for the second leg,” Man City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said.

“We want to try to have the perfect result in the first one.”

Man City fielded a strong team for a 4-1 win against Burnley in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and it is never easy to second-guess Guardiola’s lineups.

With Liverpool up next in the Premier League, where City holds a 15-point lead, Guardiola may opt to give many of his reserves a run-out.

The problem for Bristol City: Guardiola’s reserves are mostly established internationals.

“They’re human,” Johnson said, before warning, “even if they have world-class players in every position and world-class players behind that.

“The concentration levels it will take to ensure we don’t get infiltrated in our back line will be huge.”

FA CUP: MAN UNITED, TOTTENHAM TO PLAY 4TH-TIER TEAMS

would just like to talk to Guardiola about “tactics and his career” after the game.

Bristol City eliminated Watford, Stoke, Crystal Palace before knocking out United, scoring some spectacular goals along the way. Since that United game, the team has won just one of its five matches — and so far in 2018, it has lost 5-0 at Aston Villa in the league and 3-0 at Watford in the FA Cup. Bristol City has never won a major trophy in English soccer, coming closest in 1909 when it lost to Man United in the FA Cup final. It was last in the top flight in 1980.

“The challenge is to make sure we play our game,” Johnson said. “We definitely did that against Manchester United in the last round, so that’s a box ticked. Now we have to do it against a side that is used to having up to 85 per cent possession in games.”

Man City’s bid to win a quadruple of titles is still on track, with the team also through to the knockout stage of the Champions League.

In the other semi-final, Arsenal takes on Chelsea on Wednesday, with the first leg at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.

MANCHESTER City manager Josep Guardiola.

(AP Photo/Rui Vieira) Johnson spent $600 on a bottle of wine to share with United manager Jose Mourinho after the final whistle in the quarter-final that Bristol City won 2-1. In the end, a chastened Mourinho and United “shot off” — according to Johnson — leaving Johnson to share the bottle with his goalkeeping coach.

This time, Johnson wants to steer clear of “wine talk” and

LONDON (AP) — Manchester United and Tottenham will play away at fourth-tier clubs in the fourth round of the FA Cup. United was drawn yesterday to face Yeovil in southwest England for the second time in four seasons. The 12-time cup winners won 2-0 on the 2015 trip in the third round.

Tottenham will go to south Wales to play Newport in just under three weeks.

English Premier League leader Manchester City could also be playing at a League Two side if Mansfield beats Cardiff of the second tier in a replay.

There are two guaranteed all-Premier League encounters, with Liverpool hosting West Bromwich Albion, and Southampton playing Watford.

If Chelsea beats Norwich in a replay, the Premier League champion will play Newcastle.

Nottingham Forest’s reward for eliminating holder Arsenal is an away game against fellow second-tier side Hull, which lost the 2014 final to the Gunners. Coventry, the 1987 cup winner who is in the fourth tier, will play MK Dons after ousting Premier League struggler Stoke.

Another shock in the third round saw Leicester held by Fleetwood to 0-0. The replay winner plays Fleetwood’s fellow third-tier side, Peterborough.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 62° F/17° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

Heavy rain and a thunderstorm

Periods of rain and a thunderstorm

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

Clouds and sun with showers around

Clouds and sun with a thunderstorm

High: 81°

Low: 66°

High: 81° Low: 67°

High: 82° Low: 70°

High: 83° Low: 70°

High: 82° Low: 67°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

84° F

66° F

83°-68° F

87°-71° F

88°-70° F

88°-65° F

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 63° F/17° 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: 75° F/24° C Low: 70° F/21° C

7‑14 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 76° F/24° C Low: 67° F/19° C

8‑16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 68° F/20° C

N

S

E

W

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 63° F/17° C

MIAMI

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 67° F/19° C

4‑8 knots

KEY WEST

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 67° F/19° C

ELEUTHERA

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 72° F/22° C

NASSAU

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 66° F/19° 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.)

1:41 a.m.

1:54 p.m.

2.5 2.3

7:57 a.m. 0.2 8:17 p.m. ‑0.1

Wednesday 2:41 a.m.

2:52 p.m.

2.5 2.1

9:00 a.m. 0.3 9:10 p.m. ‑0.1

Thursday

3:37 a.m.

3:48 p.m.

2.5 2.0

10:00 a.m. 0.3 10:01 p.m. 0.0

Friday

4:29 a.m.

4:39 p.m.

2.5 2.0

10:55 a.m. 0.3 10:48 p.m. ‑0.1

Saturday

5:15 a.m.

5:27 p.m.

2.6 2.0

11:43 a.m. 0.2 11:33 p.m. ‑0.1

Sunday

5:58 a.m.

6:11 p.m.

2.7 2.0

12:26 p.m. 0.1 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑

Monday

6:39 a.m.

6:52 p.m.

2.7 2.1

12:15 a.m. ‑0.2 1:06 p.m. 0.0

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:57 a.m.

5:38 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

12:33 a.m.

12:35 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Jan. 16

Jan. 24

Jan. 31

Feb. 7

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

S

E

W

6‑12 knots

S

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 75° F/24° C

7‑14 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 73° F/23° C Low .................................................... 70° F/21° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 65° F/19° C Last year’s high ................................. 75° F/24° C Last year’s low ................................... 64° F/18° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday .................................. trace Year to date ................................................. 0.11” Normal year to date ..................................... 0.37”

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

N

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

8‑16 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.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 79° F/26° C Low: 76° F/24° C

H

GREAT INAGUA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

L

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

6‑12 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 E at 8‑16 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots NE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots

WAVES 3‑6 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑5 Feet 2‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet

VISIBILITY 5 Miles 3 Miles 3 Miles 6 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 5 Miles 3 Miles 4 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 5 Miles 4 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 4 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 76° F 76° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 75° F 75° F 75° F 75° F 76° F 76° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 76° F 76° F 78° F 78° F 76° F 76° F

PAGE 8, Tuesday, January 9, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

GO TEAM BAHAMAS - National judo team members at Athlete House.

Team Bahamas preparing for World Jr Judo Championships in October TEN male athletes have moved into the Bahamas Judo Sport Academy athlete house to prepare for the World Junior Judo Championships set to be held in October this year.

The Bahamas has been short listed to host the tournament which normally has over 100 countries participating and 1,000 athletes, administrators and staff.

Many of the athletes are already international medallists through CARIFTA and other regional tournaments and some have had the experience of competing in the Commonwealth Youth Games.

“This live-in facility is necessary if we are to succeed.

The World Judo Junior Championships is also an Olympic qualifier,” said High Performance Director D’Arcy Rahming Jr. “The athletes will have a full immersion in judo and practice over 30 hours a week.”

The athletes were chosen from a pool of high school and university students who are on scholarship for judo.

The athletes will also serve as club coaches in high school and primary school classes as a part of their community service. “We are working closely

with Sports Minister Pintard on getting final approvals for the Junior Worlds,” said D’Arcy Rahming Sr, president of the Bahamas Judo Federation and treasurer of the Bahamas Olympic Committee.

“We are demonstrating how this tournament makes sense business-wise, culturally, educationally and, of course, in sport.

The Government’s investment in this tournament will be supported by our sponsors, including the Olympic Committee.

“The minister has shown his support and his team is working diligently toward making

the acceptance deadline of mid-January.”

Bahamas Judo has a huge social media presence with over 5,700 persons that follow the sport in the Bahamas.

Additionally, hundreds of persons practice judo in the country.

The International Judo Federation holds coaches courses in the Bahamas annually and is working towards a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the Bahamas.

Judo is a varsity sport at the University. “We are pleased with the overall direction of judo and after our successes

at the Commonwealth Youth Games we have seen a surge in popularity,” said Rahming Sr. “Thousands are anticipating this tournament and Bahamas Judo will not disappoint.”

The Athlete House is located on Joe Farrington Road. The team will continue to train at the national training centre which is located at Holy Family Catholic Church on Robinson Road.

The team is supported by donations and grants. Persons wishing to assist with food or cash donations can contact the Bahamas Judo Federation at cariftajudo@gmail.com