SPORTS SECTION E
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
Freedom Farm comes Aliv By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net ne of the country’s leaders in youth sports development joined forces with a major corporate sponsor. Aliv announced a “six figure sponsorship” of the Freedom Farm Baseball League, and a three-year agreement between the two organisations. Opening day for Freedom Farm is set for Saturday, January 14 and senior director of the league, CJ McKenzie, said the sponsorship will be able to pay immediate dividends for various necessary initiatives that will be immediately visible at the complex in Yamacraw. “With this partnership we will have a lot of changes going on. We have been trying to get scoreboards for quite some time and did not have the financing for them. Our treasurer confirmed last week that scoreboards are on the way and we will have them placed on our Coach Pitch and 9-10 fields. “We have some adjustments to make to the fields in terms of clay, fencing, dugouts. Overall you will see beautifying of all the fields. We had a lot of damage from Hurricane Matthew. It really did us in, but we will be prepared for opening day this Saturday. We are looking toward an app that the players, coaches and fans can use so there’s a technological aspect of this partnership we are looking forward to as well,” he said. “This is one the most exciting seasons we are geared up for. Freedom Farm has been in existence for almost 30 years and over that time we have produced a major leaguer, over a dozen professional athletes, as well as dozens and dozens of college scholarships – all without a major sponsor. So now with Aliv, there is so much more we can do. We look forward to this season’s games and pushing the Aliv brand. In our first meeting one of the things we talked about was establishing ourselves with a number one company. Freedom Farm is number one in baseball in the country and we see Aliv looking to be dominant in their market and becoming number one.” This season, over 40 teams will
NFL PICKS
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JOINING FORCES: Shown (l-r) are Ainsworth Beckford, Freedom Farm league director, Anissa Adderley, Aliv marketing executive, Norman Lightbourne, Aliv Events, Bianca Sawyer, sponsorship and community manager, Senator Greg Burrows, president of Freedom Farm, Clearance McKenzie, Freedom Farm senior director, and Freedom Farm league directors Chinyere Culmer, Sean Bain and Todd Isaacs. participate in the league. Freedom Farm will begin its 29th season. It’s opening day celebrations include a gathering of parents, sponsors, coaches, family and friends to worship at Holy Cross Anglican Church. Following the service, the seven divisions will line up for a parade. After an official opening ceremony, play in all divisions will commence. Greg Burrows, president of Freedom Farm, said while the numbers around the league continue to expand exponentially, the sponsorship from Aliv is both timely and necessary. “Our numbers continue to grow with close to 800 kids in the programme, 60-70 coaches, over 100 volunteers and parents that assist the programme. We have a Cal Ripken World Series win, and continue the motto of Freedom Farm – the advancement of education through the sport of baseball. Here it is a new company looking forward to assist a developing programme. Even though we are 29 years in I still consider us a developing programme,” he said. “We have been asking for a long time and a new company decides to partner with us. It is touching that they see fit
to invest in a programme that has affected so many young men and women over the years. I can tell of times we have received assistance in small amounts over the years, but we have still been able to do great things. We are the number one programme in the country, the largest in the country and I am just happy to be a part of this arrangement and I hope that you see fit, even after I have exited the scene, to continue to support Freedom Farm.” Bianca Bethel-Sawyer, corporate events and sponsorship manager at Aliv, said the partnership further demonstrates the company’s commitment to youth and community development. “The three-year commitment allows Aliv to be the official sponsor of the league and assist with its aim of the pursuit of higher education through the sport of baseball. The support underscores Aliv’s passion to encourage the growth and development of the young people of the Bahamas. Aliv has committed financial support, equipment and uniforms to help hundreds of players in different divisions of the league with improving their baseball skills,” she said. “It is our hope that all the players in the league enjoy
the positive experiences that the sport offers, including the appreciation of the values of teamwork, discipline and fair play. Our sponsorship will also ensure that the league’s park fields and facilities are kept in pristine condition. We truly see this as a great opportunity for us to invest in a league but in the young players who will benefit from learning the sport.” Freedom Farm returned to the Bahamas Baseball Federation’s Andre Rodgers National Championship last year and staked their claim as the sport’s most dominant programme in the country. Freedom Farm captured gold medals in each of the five contested divisions in the 14th edition of the national tournament at the EMERA Baseball Complex in Grand Bahama last June. “We mark the start of a great relationship between Aliv and the Freedom Farm Baseball League,” said Norman Lightbourne, Aliv marketing executive. “With this relationship, both organisations take a step toward achieving their goals by assisting the development of youth in the Bahamas while raising awareness of our shared themes and representing what the Aliv brand means.”
Wild Card, 2 & 3
SHANEA TAKES ON NEW ROLE FOR LADY BULLDOGS By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net A SEASON of highlights continues for Shanea Armbrister as she takes on a larger role for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs women’s basketball team this season. In her latest outing, Armbrister scored a career high 18 points and dished the game winning assist in the Lady Bulldogs’ 70-68 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores. She shot 7-11 from the field and 2-4 from beyond the arch and added three assists and one steal. On their final possession of the game, Armbrister drove into the lane with the final seconds and found Stephanie Paul who made a jumper to give Georgia the win. It was Armbrister’s second double-digit scoring performance of the season and her career. Georgia trailed by as much as 13 during the first half before they stormed back to win their fourth win of the last five meetings against Vanderbilt. “We had to get our minds right in the locker room. We talked about picking the energy up, picking each other up, and that’s what we did,” Armbrister said. “They switched it up a lot so we really had to focus in on what plays they were running and being able to figure out what their strategy is.” Paul was one of four Lady Bulldogs who scored in double figures. “I saw Shanea had the ball left and I just tried to catch to an open space and hope I was open. It’s shots that we talk a lot in practice, that we do all the time, so I knew I would be able to make it.” Georgia improved to 10-6 on the season, third in the SEC.
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Jasrado one of the top prospects Thompson defies wind to for the Arizona Diamondbacks win Great Exuma Classic By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net FOLLOWING a promising rookie season, Jasrado Chisholm has been projected as one of the top prospects in the Arizona Diamondbacks organisation. Baseball America listed Chisholm as the No.5 prospect headed into the 201617 campaign. He made his minor league debut in the Diamondbacks farm system with the Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League. The 5’11, 165-pound shortstop excelled in Rookie League play and showed flashes of the potential the Diamondbacks looked forward to when they signed him as a free agent. Chisholm was the team’s top signing in the 2015-16 international year, where the team had to deal with penalties for going over the bonus pool the previous year. He was named to the annual Pioneer League vs. Northwest League All Star Game.
JASRADO CHISHOLM has been projected as one of the top prospects for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He appeared in 62 games for the Ospreys. and in 249 at bats, he hit .281 with
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HIGH winds have been wreaking havoc among the professional golfers at the Web.com Tour’s Bahamas Great Exuma Classic this week, with only the winner, Kyle Thompson, finishing better than par. With winds whipping up to 40mph, the two-round scores set a new record for highest ever cut in a Web. com Tour event at 11 over par. That mark broke the previous record of 10 over at the 1991 South Texas Open. England’s Greg Eason, who shot 91 and 95 and missed the cut, claimed in a tweet to have lost 32 golf balls in the difficult conditions which saw each of the first three days finish with uncompleted rounds. Buffeted players lost
their hats in the wind while flagsticks bent and waves crashed on the shoreline around the Emerald Reef course at Sandals Emerald Bay. Nicholas Thompson, the older brother of LPGA star Lexi Thompson who will be playing in the Pure Silk-Bahamas Classic at the Ocean Club later this month, was the only player under par after two rounds while the third round leader Kyle Thompson, who was level par 216 when the round finished yesterday morning, eased to victory in the afternoon despite a late wobble when he took six at the par four 16th and had to hole a tricky six-foot putt for par at the last. His third successive round of 70, two under par,
left him two strokes clear of fellow Americans Nicholas Thompson, who finished with a 71, and Andrew Yun (69). Dan McCarthy finished three strokes further back while former US Amateur runner-up Corey Conners, of Canada, tied for fifth at four over with Abraham Ancer and Nate Lashley. PGA Tour veterans Sam Saunders, Chesson Hadley and Erik Compton were further off the pace. Kyle Thompson bounced back after playing the first six holes of the tournament in six over, and when the final round began yesterday he opened with four frontnine birdies. That helped him build a five-shot advantage before the double bo-
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PAGE 2, Thursday, January 12, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
HOW THE EXPERTS ARE FARING
WILD CARD
POST SEASON OVERALL
Naughty 4-0 4-0 Sancheska 4-0 4-0 Leo B 3-1 3-1 AP 3-1 3-1 Ricardo 3-1 3-1 Renaldo 2-2 2-2
WILD CARD ROUND AWARDS The “We’ll Do Better If You Give Us Another Shot” Award presented by every incumbent government - An awful slate of playoff games. The NFL has a chance to get it right again this week. Makes it worse that last week’s blowouts were followed by the NCAA National Championship, which was incredible. The “These Are The People That Will Have To Protect Us From The Zombie Apocalypse” Award presented by Bo Scarborough - Jadeveon Clowney. I saw him come from the opposite side of the field and run a receiver out of bounds on a reverse. He’s just not supposed to be able to do that.
DIVISIONAL ROUND By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons RENALDO: The entire “A” is trending upward right now. Mercurial football team aside, Donald Glover just gave all of Atlanta a reason to celebrate when his groundbreaking comedy “Atlanta” won the Golden Globe for Best TV Series Comedy or Musical. The hits didn’t stop there, Glover sent an entire white audience scrambling to Google when he thanked Migos for making what he called the greatest song ever - “Bad and Boujie.” This is the momentum behind Matt Ryan right now. Matty Ice has yet to have that transcendent playoff game to cement his legacy. This won’t be that game,
but it’s the game before the game. The last time these teams met in the playoffs it was in the divisional round in 2014 and the Falcons came out on top, but the Seahawks have done considerably better since (one super bowl win, two super bowl appearances and one Marshawn Lynch). The Seahawks have been ridiculously inconsistent this season due to a much maligned offensive line but we tend to do that thing in sports where we give teams (too much of) the benefit of the doubt because “they’ve been there before.” People expect the Falcons to fail and it’s easily one of the running jokes of the NFL. It was the same with Glover’s “Atlanta.” The only thing the city lost recently is Kyle Korver. A-Town stay up, it’s like Outkast dropped SouthernPlayalisticCadillacMuzik all over again. FALCONS over Seahawks SANNIE: This is basically a LeToya Luckett
game for me - “I’m torn in between the two.” On one hand you have Russell Wilson and the entire adorable Wilson family and on the other hand you have the city largely responsible for most of my ratchet TV and ratchet culture in general. I’m sorry Real Housewives, but I have to go with the Wilson baby. SEAHAWKS over Falcons Houston Texans at New England Patriots RENALDO: Here’s how much of an afterthought the Texans are to the casual football fan: Until Sunday’s Wild Card game, I had no clue they were the top ranked defence in the league. The Pats are by far the biggest favourite this weekend, and maybe one of the biggest postseason favourites ever – Vegas gives them a 16-point edge. That might not be enough. These teams met back in week three and the Pats won 270….with Jacob Brisket at quarterback (I’m not both-
ering to learn the proper name of New England’s third string quarterback). I don’t see how they could possibly fare any better against Brady. The only fun over the next few days will be wildly speculating whether JJ Watt in all his patriotic, slice of American glory tries to make a return to the field. PATS over Texans SANNIE: I mean…Tom Brady. I get that I always go with Houston because that’s where Beyoncé was born but it’s not like she’s Jesus or anything. Tom Brady isn’t Jesus either but he’s at least a second or third cousin. I’m positive. PATS over Texans Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs RENALDO: I’m still not over it. Absolutely nothing stops Big Ben. Not the
Dolphins defence, not a bum ankle, not a pair of sexual assault allegations. Nothing. I’m not here to be objective about the Steelers. They directly ruined my happiness in the most embarrassing playoff exit for the Dolphins since the game that shall not be mentioned (not just because of the final score, but because it made them think that Jay Fielder was a good idea). My hope here is that the Chiefs follow the blueprint laid by the Giants in ending the Patriots’ perfect season – elite pass rush, conservative ball control offence and divine intervention. CHIEFS over Steelers SANNIE: Renaldo was pretty upset that the Steelers embarrassed the Dolphins on their way out of the playoffs. I have to go against them, for the family. CHIEFS over Steelers
Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys RENALDO: I find people that wear yellow pants in high-pressure situations more trustworthy that those that don’t. Aaron Rodgers is the player in all of sports that gives you more irrational confidence than anyone else. The Cowboys have a better offensive line, running back, receiving corps (if Jordy Nelson is sidelined), and it’s nearly a push defensively or the slight edge is with Dallas. The only reason you have to believe in the Packers, is Aaron Rodgers. Yet still… PACKERS over Cowboys SANNIE: The Cowboys just seem more fun. The Packers seem old and tired – like me making these picks. How long is this season!? COWBOYS over Packers
Anyone scared of that spread in Foxborough? Not Pro Picks By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer WHEN the point spreads came out for the divisional playoff round, the line getting the most attention was for the game at Foxborough, the one projected blowout. While all four teams coming off byes are favoured, the Patriots (14-2) opened as a 13½-point choice against the Texans (10-7). The money started flowing in, and the line moved up to 15½. The players and coaches have no interest in such things, of course, reasoning that betting lines have no impact on what happens on the field Saturday night. They are right. Talent makes the difference, and there rarely has been such a mismatch in skill as in this one. Not that the Texans, fresh off a rout of the injury-wrecked Raiders,
“YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT, NO. 1, THAT YOU DO YOUR JOB.”
– Texans coach Bill O’Brien
will simply forfeit. They recognise the challenge and sound eager to face it. “You have to make sure that, No. 1, that you do your job,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “That your players understand what their role in the game is and how they’re supposed to perform on every single play. “They’re going to make their share of plays. I think one of the big things for us is we have to play good, sound, fundamental football. They’re the type of team that if you make too many mistakes, they’re going to bury you.”
What about the defence? Stingy Patriots a challenge for Texans By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer
TEXANS QB Brock Osweiler (17) looks to pass as Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) rushes during an NFL game in Foxborough, Mass. Osweiler, while with the Broncos, beat Tom Brady and the Patriots in the playoffs last season. That was then. Now he and the Texans are 16-point underdogs to New England in Saturday’s AFC divisional game, the biggest playoff mismatch in 18 years. (AP)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — As well as Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offence have played this season, much of New England’s success over the last month has been directly tied to a defence that enters the playoffs as one of the NFL’s stingiest. The Patriots ended the regular season allowing an NFL-low 15.6 points per game and just 88.6 rushing yards per game, tied for third fewest in the league. The numbers speak for themselves, but are not ones that New England defensive captain Dont’a Hightower believes are the result of any dramatic changes to their approach. “We’ve done well, we’ve stopped the other team from scoring,” Hightower said. “In the second half of the season we were able to cause more turnovers. All in all, we’ve just molded together as a defence. It just took a little bit longer to jell.” And jell they have. In New England’s first nine games its defence allowed four opponents to score 20 or more points, including a season-high 30
given up in its 31-24 home loss to Seattle on November 13. But during their current sevengame win streak the Patriots only allowed an opponent to score 20 or more points once, during their 30-23 win over the Ravens on December 12. And after going three straight weeks in the middle of the season without forcing a turnover, 14 of the Patriots’ 23 total takeaways came in their final six games. It adds to the challenge for a Houston team that enters Saturday’s divisional-round matchup having already been shut out by the Patriots in a Week 3 loss (270). Texans coach Bill O’Brien said finding a way to crack the Patriots’ run defence will be one of the biggest priorities. New England has 34 sacks, led by Trey Flowers (7), Jabaal Sheard (5), and Chris Long and Rob Ninkovich (4 apiece). It will mean lots of different looks for Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler. “They’re obviously a team that lines up in different fronts,” O’Brien said. “You have a bunch of really tough, hard-nosed players that are very, very wellcoached, so their scheme presents
a problem, too.” Flowers in particular has been a revelation after playing in only one game as a rookie last season before being placed on injured reserve. “I just had my head down, focused, tried to do better and tried to make plays every time I’m out there,” he said. “Maybe my role increased, I just made sure I was prepared for it. However many plays I get in a game, I make sure I’m productive in those plays.” While Hightower said the defence’s overall mentality hasn’t changed, he did acknowledge some of the new members of the defence have gotten more comfortable with play calls and onfield adjustments as the season wore on. Where playing was more simplistic early, now they are able to integrate a lot more wrinkles to their attack. “We’ve excelled as far as understanding the game plan,” he said. “I think that’s what has really helped us because we have a lot of smart guys over there, and the more we’re able to get in the meetings and digest it and get on the field, we’re able to communicate and play a lot faster.”
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 12, 2017, PAGE 3
‘Myth has it Chiefs are unbeatable at home in playoffs...Lies I say’ SO there’s no confusion, there was a typo last week, my actual final tally was 164-90-2 for the regular season, (hey Sheldon Longley over there at my old stomping grounds, the Nassau Guardian, that’s a dead heat, so stop telling folks on FB you beat me! If you want to break the tie, my Cowboys were 13-3 your Dolphins 115, I win.) The Tribune picks crown firmly on my head, and what do I do? Only go a perfect 4-0 in Wild Card Weekend. Just like my Cowboys, I look to continue the hot streak this week, short and sweet has been the winning formula for the year, so I’m not stopping now. • Here’s who I like this week:
WILD CARD
WEEKEND
BY INIGO ‘NAUGHT Y’ ZENI
Myth has it they are unbeatable and a tough challenge......Lies I say, the CHIEFS are 0-4 in their last four playoff games in KC, to this end, give me the ‘Killer B’s’ on the road! STEELERS 27 - CHIEFS 26
TEXANS vs PATRIOTS Upset bird swirling in this one, NOT! Patriots big at home, despite some ‘freakish’ plays from TEXANS DE Jadaveon Clowney. PATRIOTS 34 - TEXANS 17
SEAHAWKS vs FALCONS Battle of the birds in this one, lots of intangibles in this one. Coin out......flip......SEATTLE on the road. The ‘Upset Bird’ soars in this one. SEAHAWKS 31 FALCONS 30
STEELERS vs CHIEFS There’s a big myth about playing the CHIEFS in Kansas City in the playoffs.
PACKERS vs COWBOYS I don’t have time for the back and forth in this one, click bait articles have opinions flying all
CAZELAYA
over the Internet, most claiming a Packers upset. Total lunacy, real quick here’s 5 quick points why the COWBOYS win: 1. Zeke runs wild again. 200 yards 2 TDs. 2. Dak remains cool under pressure, proving how special he is once again. 3. Dez Bryant plays in this one, he was injured in the previous meeting, a 30-16 COWBOYS win, and exorcises the demons from ‘The Non Catch’ in Green Bay two years ago. (It still was a catch in my book) 4. Best offensive line in football, controls the line of scrimmage and the clock. 5. Packers have no answer for COWBOYS DE David Irving. That’s just 5 reasons, and if you
STEELERS outside linebacker Bud Dupree watches the ball as he goes through drills during practice yesterday in Pittsburgh. The Steelers face the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Divisional playoff game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) want 500 more reasons why the COWBOYS will win, just holler at me. COWBOYS 34 - PACKERS 27 Until next week, HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS !!
LEO B’s PICKS FALCONS PATS STEELERS PACKERS
THE ‘BIG BOYS’ ARE BACK THIS WEEK...AND I AM ALL IN ON MY PATRIOTS THE Divisional round is upon us, the ‘big boys’ are back this week and the Super Bowl is just one month away. I am all in on my Patriots and they now officially begin their progress to the big game this weekend, with a match-up with the Houston Texans. I logged a 3-1 week last week during wildcard play and I am aiming for a 4-0 divisional week. Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons Saturday 4.35pm There is so much to say
about this match-up, as the Falcons are the best they have ever been constituted for a deep playoff run in the Matt Ryan era and the Seahawks are as hungry as they have ever been for post-season success. The Falcons are one of the league’s best offensive teams, and Matt Ryan has been tagged by many as the league’s MVP this season. Atlanta’s ability to move the ball down the field, often with ease, gives the impression that they are capable of getting by the short-handed defence of Seattle, who are still with out the soul - safety Earl
WILD CARD
WEEKEND
BY RICARDO WELLS rwells@tribunemedia.net
Thomas. FALCONS Houston Texans @ New England Patriots Saturday 8.15pm I have never been more
prepared to blab on for paragraph after paragraph about how good I think my Patriots are and how finally suited they might be to win it all; but now is not the time. In the words of the great
Bill Belichick, it is now time for everyone to do their jobs, I am tasked with picking the game and with that said… PATRIOTS Pittsburgh Steelers @ Kansas City Chiefs Sunday 1.05pm So the NFL saw fit to put the Steelers back in that 1pm time slot? I guess they didn’t see their dominant performance against the Dolphins last week. Sure the Steelers are the road team this week, but in my opinion, they are the
better team in this matchup. STEELERS Green Bay Packers @ Dallas Cowboys Sunday 4.40pm I said in my column last week that the winner of the Giants-Packers game would be one of the teams to play in the NFC Championship game. The Packers won, so in order for them to make it to the conference championship game, they need to get by the Cowboys. In my upset of the weekend … PACKERS
Packers may be better equipped this year if Nelson can’t go By GENARO C ARMAS AP Sports Writer GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers offence appears to be in better shape than last season to be successful without Jordy Nelson. They struggled to hit big plays when Nelson missed the 2015 season with a knee injury. Now, Nelson’s status is in question again for Green Bay’s divisional round playoff game on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, this time because of injured ribs. But the win over the New York Giants in the wild-card game last week showed that they can withstand the potential loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ top receiver. Nelson, who had an NFLbest 14 touchdown catches in the regular season, left with about 11 minutes left in the second quarter with the Packers trailing 3-0 to New York. Green Bay ended up winning 38-13 , an impressive output against a Giants defense that had been playing well going into the playoffs. “Compared to a year ago a lot of things are different,” coach Mike McCarthy said yesterday. “Obviously our production is a lot higher than where we were a year ago. The development of a number of our younger players is higher than a year ago. I would say we’re definitely better prepared than we were a year ago.” As expected, Nelson missed practice to focus on rehab, a plan to continue today. McCarthy has said that Nelson might have a chance to play against the Cowboys if the receiver can take part in the team’s final practice on Saturday. “It would be very tough,” receiver Geronimo Allison said Wednesday night when asked what it might feel like to play with broken ribs. “Those ribs down there
where you’re breathing at, it would be tough, especially if you take a shot in there again.” Allison, an undrafted rookie free agent, might be one of those backups asked to step up, just as he did when Randall Cobb missed the final two games of the regular season with an ankle injury. Allison, who had eight catches for 157 yards and a score while Cobb was out, has added depth to the receiving corps. Davante
Adams has emerged as a go-to option after catching 12 touchdown passes in a breakout regular season. Cobb provides energy and postseason experience. The Packers can also create matchup problems with athletic tight end Jared Cook , and receiver-turned-running back Ty Montgomery out of the backfield. “We’re a different offence, though,” Rodgers said. “We’re doing a lot of different things than we were last year, a lot of things
better. I think our offensive line is playing better. Our scheme has advanced, and we’re getting more contributions from the tight end at this point. “Davante is a legit receiver in this league, and obviously Randall Cobb, who is established as well.” Cobb, who said he was still playing through pain, was a full participant in practice yesterday. Another receiver, Jeff Janis, missed practice with a quadriceps injury.
PACKERS wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) runs against the New York Giants last week. Green Bay appears to be much better prepared to play without Jordy Nelson if their top receiver can’t play in the divisional round playoff game against Dallas on Sunday because of injured ribs. (AP)
PAGE 4, Thursday, January 12, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
STRIDES FOR HOPE MEMBERS ALL SET TO RUN MARATHON BAHAMAS
SWIFT/GUNITE SWIM MEET STARTS ON SATURDAY
TWENTY-ONE Strides for Hope members will be travelling to The Bahamas to participate in the 8th annual Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas (SIMB). The event will be held on Sunday (January 15) beginning at Junkanoo Beach. Strides for Hope is a charity marathon training team. Participants raise money for the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Abor (CSC). In exchange, participants receive a training programme to help them prepare to participate in a half-marathon. Members of the Strides for Hope team participate in honour or memory of someone they know who has been touched by cancer or participate to celebrate
SWIFT and Gunite Pools are once again teaming up to host the first swim meet for the new year. The meet is being sponsored once again by Gunite Pools. It will be run a bit different than the regular meet as the meet offers a chance to win a high point award based on a cumulative time from adding seven events together. In the 10 & Under; 11 & 12; 13 &14; and 15 & Over Age Groups the 7 events are: 100 free, 100 back, 100 breast, 100 fly, 200 free, 200 IM, and 50 free. The 8 & Unders will swim a 50 of each stroke, 100 free, 200 free, and 200 IM. The meet will start at 9am Saturday and finish
their survivorship. The CSC’s Strides for Hope Charity Marathon Training team has been around for 11 years and although the members of the team change year-to-year, the camaraderie of like-minded people, who want to help raise funds to support individuals and families affected by cancer, stays the same. The Cancer Support Community is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people impacted by cancer. Through participation in professionallyled support groups, educational workshops, cooking classes, exercise programs, and stress management classes, people impacted by cancer learn vital skills that
enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of their disease. This year’s Strides for Hope team has gained local attention and a local radio host will be asking his listener to support one of the Strides for Hope Team Members. For more information about the Strides for Hope charity marathon event or make a donation to the cause, visit http://www.cancersupportannarbor.org/fundraising/strides-for-hope/. To register for Marathon Bahamas, visit Sunshine Insurance’s Shirley Street or Baillou Hill Road location. Registration forms are available at www.marathonbahamas.com.
around 1pm. All events will be run as timed finals. With CARIFTA during the Easter break, swimmers will be pushing to get qualifying times to make the team. The meet will offer all events, to allow swimmers to swim those events that they may want to concentrate on in trying to make a faster qualifying time for CARIFTA, CCCANN, or Nationals. “We know the BSF calendar will be busy in 2017, with swimmers trying to make many international meets. This will be the first meet where some swimmers would have changed age groups and therefore the first opportunity to see how they stack up against each other,” said a press release.
Bahamas IC International Doubles Week takes centre court on Majority Rule Day
THE BAHAMAS, in its bid to improve on his runner-up position last year, blanked Barbados 5-0 to win their opening match in the Bahamas IC International Doubles Week on Majority Rule Day. Although they played their first match on Tuesday, the weeklong tournament got started on Monday and will continue through the weekend at the National Tennis Centre. While the Bahamas prevailed with a clean sweep over their Caribbean rivals, Canada had a tough battle but pulled off a close 3-2 decision over the International Team, comprising of players from a combination of nations. On Monday, a depleted USA team held off Canada 3-2 and Barbados, which features Bahamian Leo Rolle, clinched a 5-0 sweep over the International team. The tournament calls for eachteam to play four individual matches - one with each country (four match days and one free day). Men’s Doubles combined age 105+ and combined age 125+; Ladies Doubles combined age 105+; Mixed Doubles combined age 105+ and combined age 125+. Age is what a player will be by the end of 2017 (ITF standard). In their initial match, the Bahamas used a team of Neil Mactaggart and Mas Kimball to win 6-3, 6-3 over Ian Gentle and Leo Rolle; Sue Kimball and Kim O’Kelly won 6-1; 7-6 over Marie Gentle and Julie Salomon; John Antonas and Guiaume Bouffard won 6-2, 6-2 over Raymond Ford and Peter Symmonds; Sue and Mas Kimball won 4-6, 6-4, 11=9 over Marie Gentle and Leo Rolle and Kim O’Kelly and Neil Mactaggart won 6-4, 5-7, 10-5 over Julie Salomon and Raymond Ford. Photos: Terrel Carey/Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 12, 2017, PAGE 5
McConnell’s jumper at buzzer sends 76ers past Knicks, 98-97 By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — T.J. McConnell hit a baseline jumper at the buzzer to give the Philadelphia 76ers a 98-97 victory over the New York Knicks last night. Joel Embiid had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Ersan Ilyasova added 16 points to help the Sixers rally from a 17-point deficit. Derrick Rose returned from a one-game hiatus and scored 25 points for the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony had 28. Rose showed why New York needs him on the court, two days after an unexcused
WESTERN CONFERENCE
absence. He missed Monday night’s loss to New Orleans when he travelled home to Chicago without informing the team first. Rose stepped back for a mid-range jumper with 1:24 left that pushed New York’s lead to 95-89, and he cut through the lane for an up-and-under bucket on Embiid that kept the lead at three. Embiid banked in a 3-pointer and had fans chanting “Trust the Process!” He followed with a layup to make it a one-point game and McConnell, who scored eight points, shot one over Anthony at the horn to send the crowd into a frenzy. Rose was absent Monday for what he described as family reasons. He said his trip to Chicago had nothing to do with basketball and he apologised to his teammates and Knicks management, telling them it won’t happen again.
“I only missed one game,” Rose said yesterday. “If I felt like I needed more time, I would have talked to the front office. But I feel like everything is all right.” Rose insisted he simply left for the family matter and not because of any rift with the Knicks. “The relationship I’m building with Phil (Jackson) and Steve (Mills), I wouldn’t mind asking (for more time off) if I needed it,” Rose said. “I feel fine. What happened a couple of days ago, that’s in the past.” Embiid is a huge part of Philly’s future and a big reason the Sixers have won four of five. He missed the final minutes of the first half with a sprained left ankle. Embiid, who missed two seasons recovering from injuries, returned in front of fans who were sipping his favourite Shirley Temple drink.
KNICKS’ KYLE O’QUINN, left, dunks the ball as 76ers’ Robert Covington looks on during the first half of last night’s game in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
SHANEA ARMBRISTER FROM PAGE 1
SHANEA ARMBRISTER
JASRADO CHILSHOLM FROM PAGE 1
nine home runs, 37 RBI and 13 stolen bases. He finished with an on base percentage of .333, slugging percentage of .446 and OPS of .779. The Pioneer League operates in the Rocky Mountain region and in the past, it also operated in adjoining portions of Canada. It is classified as a rookie league, and is staffed with mostly first and second year players. The Pioneer League is a shortseason league operating from June to early September. Chisholm, a versatile infielder, was signed by the Diamondbacks organisation last July with a $200,000 signing bonus.
GREAT EXUMA CLASSIC FROM PAGE 1
gey on the 16th created a bit of closing drama. “I can’t describe how well I played, especially the way I putted,” Thompson said. “It’s probably the best putting week of my life. I don’t think I had a single three-putt. Just really grinded, made a lot of six-toeight footers. Didn’t let the bad shots bother me and felt like I was in my own little bubble out there on the golf course.”
“Shanea and Stephanie’s confidence were building and they both really came out and carried us when some of our other players were struggling in the first half,” said Georgia head coach Joni Taylor. “All day long when someone needed to make a play, absolutely needed it, they stepped up. That was really good for us and that is what we have been telling our team. It takes four, it takes five, it takes everyone that comes on the floor to be locked in and make a play.” The Lady Bulldogs will take a two-game winning streak on the road against the No.5 ranked team in the nation, the South Carolina Gamecocks. This season for Armbrister has not only featured several career highs but has given her the opportunity to play at home for the first time in years when Georgia competed in the Junkanoo Jam in Bimini last November. On the season she is averaging 6.4 points, four rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 minutes per game. As a transfer after a storied junior college career, Armbrister played in 21 games last season for the Bulldogs. After battling through a torn meniscus in the early part of the year, the six-foot, two-inch wing player hit 45 per cent from three-point range, the best average on the team for players with 10 or more attempts. Over the season she averaged 2.2 points and one rebound per game.
The 18-year-old came to Max D Academy following the conclusion of his career at Life Prep in Wichita, Kansas. He listed at No.23 for the Diamondbacks on MLB Prospect Watch with a scouting report that reads: “A left-handedhitting shortstop, Chisholm is the kind of player who always catches your eye when he’s on the field. Described by evaluators as a quick-twitch athlete, Chisholm plays with a lot of confidence. He makes consistent contact from the left side and could grow eventually into 12-15 home run power, especially as he refines his approach at the plate. An average runner, Chisholm has a solid average arm and consistently makes plays at shortstop. His tools and skills have already been showing up consistently in terms of his production and performance.”
Thompson, 37, finished 46th on the Web. com money list last year and last played a full season on the PGA Tour in 2012. It’s the fifth Web.com Tour win of his career, and he becomes the 11th player to win events on the developmental circuit in four different calendar years. The Great Exuma Classic was the first of two Web.com events that will be played this month in the Bahamas and will feature a Sunday start and Wednesday finish. The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic will be played at Winding Bay from January 22 to 25.
Embiid has long been a fan of the sweet concoction of lemon-lime soda, grenadine and a maraschino cherry, and the Sixers sold the drink as part of a promotional push to get him an All-Star spot. Embiid got hooked on the drink during his lone season at Kansas. “One night, I went out with my teammates. I don’t drink alcohol so I wasn’t drinking,” he said. “This girl walked up to me, she was talking to me, she was like, ‘Why aren’t you drinking?’ I was like, ‘I just don’t drink, alcohol is nasty.’ She was like, ‘I might have something for you.’ She went and got a Shirley Temple. Then I was like, ‘Oh, OK.’ Then I fell in love with it and since then, I’ve been drinking it.”
EASTERN CONFERENCE
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 12, 2017, PAGE 7
Southampton has 1-0 edge over Liverpool in League Cup semis SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Liverpool endured more cup frustration when Southampton won the first leg of their League Cup semi-final 1-0 yesterday. Nathan Redmond capitalised on a mistake by Ragnar Klavan to score the only goal in the 20th minute and Southampton could rue not building a stronger lead to take to Anfield in two weeks’ time. “I should have had four today, on another day they might go in,” Redmond told broadcaster Sky Sports. “I’ll take those mistakes and try to put it right in training and the next game.” Liverpool was struggling against a Premier League rival — unlike on Sunday, when fourthtier side Plymouth drew 0-0 at Anfield in the FA Cup to force a replay. Liverpool is competing for silverware on three fronts domestically in Juergen Klopp’s first full season in charge, with Liverpool second in the Premier League and pursuing a first English title since 1990. Klopp guided Liverpool to the final last year but lost to Manchester City. This week’s difficulties in the
cups have come ahead of one of the biggest games of the club’s season on Sunday against northwest rival Manchester United in the league. Southampton, which ended a four-match winless run, is in the last four of a major competition for the first time since 2003. The hosts looked to be in for a bleak night, being forced to defend deeply in the opening stages and failing to find any real attacking outlets. Jay Rodriguez was looking overwhelmed as Saints’ focal point yet there was a flash of life in the 19th minute as Redmond collected a cross from the right and got away a shot that goalkeeper Loris Karius smothered well. Redmond was caught out by the goalkeeper’s reactions, but made amends within a minute as Klavan’s inability to deal with a simple ball forward cost his side. Rodriguez was alert to capitalise on the botched attempt to clear, beating former teammate Dejan Lovren with a deft pass to put Redmond through. This time, Redmond did not falter, keeping his composure to direct past Karius. That blow after such a comfortable start threw Liverpool off
the opening period on top. Jordy Clasie saw an audacious attempt comfortably dealt with by Karius, who was a match for Redmond’s close-range effort after collecting a Dusan Tadic cross just before the break. The Serbian, signed as Adam Lallana’s replacement in 2014 when the midfielder joined Liverpool, saw a threatening cross-shot cleared soon after play resumed, with Southampton pressing well and frustrating the visitors. Daniel Sturridge’s claim that he was upended in the box was ignored by referee Neil Swarbrick and Firmino saw a longrange effort stopped with ease, before Klopp turned to star man Philippe Coutinho. Out since November 26 with an ankle injury, the Brazilian returned as a 61st-minute substitute in a bid to inspire the visiting side. Coutinho was soon thrilling the raucous travelling support with his skill in winning a corner, but Southampton broke at speed when that set-piece came to nothing and looked set to score, only for right back Cedric to try his luck rather than cross. Southampton continued to look the bigger danger but couldn’t beat Karius again.
NATHAN REDMOND celebrates after scoring in the English League Cup semi-final first leg match at St Mary’s stadium in Southampton, England, yesterday. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) kilter, with the visitors failing to attack with any intensity before halftime. Southampton instead ended
MESSI FREE KICK PUTS BARCELONA IN COPA DEL REY QUARTER-FINALS MADRID (AP) — Lionel Messi came through for Barcelona again, scoring with a perfectly struck free kick to give the defending champions a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao and a spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey yesterday. Messi fired a remarkable low strike into the right corner in the 78th minute at Camp Nou to help the Catalan club reverse a 2-1 first-leg loss and advance 4-3 on aggregate. It was Messi’s third decisive free kick goal in the last three Barcelona matches. In addition to scoring in the first leg against Athletic, the Argentina playmaker saved Barcelona from a loss in the Spanish league on Sunday by finding the net with a 90th-minute free kick at Villarreal. Neymar scored in the second half — ending a goal drought of nearly three months — after setting up a brilliant scissor kick goal by Luis Suarez in the first half.
THE WEATHER REPORT
5-Day Forecast
ORLANDO
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 58° F/14° C
TAMPA
TONIGHT
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Partly sunny, a shower; breezy
Partly cloudy, a shower; breezy
Partly sunny, a shower; breezy
Partly sunny, a shower; breezy
Partly sunny and breezy
Breezy with partial sunshine
High: 79°
Low: 67°
High: 80° Low: 67°
High: 79° Low: 67°
High: 79° Low: 67°
High: 80° Low: 68°
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
81° F
64° F
78°-63° F
80°-65° F
80°-65° F
82°-66° F
High: 80° F/27° C Low: 61° F/16° 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: 60° F/16° C
8-16 knots
S
High: 77° F/25° C Low: 67° F/19° C
8-16 knots
FT. LAUDERDALE
FREEPORT
High: 78° F/26° C Low: 69° F/21° C
E
W S
E
W
WEST PALM BEACH
N
uV inDex toDay
TODAY
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 66° F/19° C
MIAMI
High: 80° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C
7-14 knots
Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 72° F/22° C Low .................................................... 64° F/18° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 65° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 82° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 64° F/18° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday .................................. trace Year to date ................................................. 0.02” Normal year to date ..................................... 0.49”
ELEUTHERA
NASSAU
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017
High: 76° F/24° C Low: 60° F/16° C
N
KEY WEST
High: 78° F/26° C Low: 69° F/21° C
High
E
W
8-16 knots
S
10-20 knots
Low
Ht.(ft.)
7:21 a.m. 7:43 p.m.
3.4 2.6
12:58 a.m. -1.0 1:50 p.m. -0.8
Friday
8:11 a.m. 8:34 p.m.
3.4 2.7
1:50 a.m. -1.0 2:39 p.m. -0.8
Saturday
9:00 a.m. 9:25 p.m.
3.3 2.6
2:42 a.m. -0.9 3:27 p.m. -0.8
Sunday
9:47 a.m. 10:15 p.m.
3.1 2.6
3:32 a.m. -0.7 4:14 p.m. -0.6
Monday
10:34 a.m. 11:05 p.m.
2.9 2.5
4:22 a.m. -0.4 5:01 p.m. -0.5
Tuesday
11:21 a.m. 11:56 p.m.
2.6 2.4
5:13 a.m. -0.1 5:47 p.m. -0.3
Wednesday 12:09 p.m. -----
2.4 -----
6:06 a.m. 0.1 6:34 p.m. -0.1
sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset
6:57 a.m. 5:40 p.m.
Moonrise Moonset
6:10 p.m. 6:51 a.m.
Full
Last
New
First
Jan. 12
Jan. 19
Jan. 27
Feb. 3
ANDROS
SAN SALVADOR
GREAT EXUMA
High: 77° F/25° C Low: 62° F/17° C
High: 77° F/25° C Low: 65° F/18° C
N
High: 77° F/25° C Low: 64° F/18° C
E
W S
LONG ISLAND
insurance management tracking map
High: 77° F/25° C Low: 64° F/18° C
H
Ht.(ft.)
Today
High: 77° F/25° C Low: 61° F/16° C
N
S
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
tiDes For nassau
CAT ISLAND
E
W
The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
10-20 knots
MAYAGUANA High: 77° F/25° C Low: 65° F/18° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 77° F/25° C Low: 65° F/18° C
High: 77° F/25° C Low: 64° F/18° C
GREAT INAGUA High: 78° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C
N
E
W
E
W
N
S
S
10-20 knots
12-25 knots
marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR
Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday: Today: Friday:
WINDS E at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 15-25 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots NE at 15-25 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 15-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots
WAVES 5-9 Feet 6-10 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 5-9 Feet 6-10 Feet 5-9 Feet 6-10 Feet 5-9 Feet 8-12 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 6-10 Feet 6-10 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 8-12 Feet 10-14 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-6 Feet 4-7 Feet
VISIBILITY 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 73° F 73° F 76° F 76° F 75° F 75° F 78° F 77° F 73° F 73° F 80° F 80° F 75° F 75° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 75° F 75° F 77° F 76° F 75° F 75° F