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Volume: 119 No.41, January 21, 2022

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‘YOU SHOULD HAVE GONE TO PRISON’

Magistrate laments law lets driver who killed two escape with fine

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A 34-YEAR-OLD man broke down and cried in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after being fined $20,000 for killing a married couple on Christmas Day over a year ago.

Alexander Butler’s tearful display came as he apologised to the family of Brent and Eulona Johnson for causing their deaths that fatal night.

Butler, who admitted to driving his vehicle in a

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis says he views the backlash his administration received over the decision to carry a delegation to Dubai as nothing more than “political mischief”.

He told The Tribune yesterday that if the country did not go to the United Arab Emirates, it would

have been viewed as “ungrateful” in response to the country spending nearly $4m on The Bahamas’ behalf.

In addition to the $3.5m spent by the United Arab Emirates, The Bahamas’ price tag for the event was up to $1m while private sponsors put up $500,000.

The Davis administration has been the subject of much criticism over the trip SEE PAGE TWO

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL OPEN 500 JOBS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

manner dangerous to the public, told the victims’ relatives he was not a “bad person” and expressed deep regret for his actions.

“I’m sorry… It’s killing me inside honestly. These ain’t no fake tears,” he told the court, while begging the family for forgiveness.

The daughter of the deceased victims was among those present in court. When asked by the magistrate if the family wished to say anything to the defendant, they opted to remain silent.

SEE PAGE THREE

PM DISMISSES DUBAI ROW AS ‘POLITICAL MISCHIEF’

NAUGHTY: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY THIS WEEK

DR Robert Robertson, president of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, revealed that some 500 certified Bahamians are needed this summer for significant construction projects in the Family Islands.

“We see significant construction coming forward this summer, big construction opportunities,” he said yesterday in Grand Bahama while paying a courtesy call on the Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey.

SEE PAGE FIVE

SEVEN MORE DEATHS ADDED TO COVID TOLL

THE GIFT GURU KADIAN Thomas - known as the gift guru - has turned her passion into a career. She turned her love of gift giving into a lucrative luxury gift basket service. For the full story, see today’s WEEKEND section.

SEVEN COVID-19 related deaths have been recorded so far this month, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health and Wellness yesterday.

The deaths, reported in the January 19 dashboard, all occurred between January 4 to January 12, with the youngest victim a 37-year-old man from Bimini. His death happened on January 8.

SEE PAGE FOUR

‘DOWNTOWN IS NOT FUNCTIONING’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Downtown Nassau Partnership’s co-chair yesterday said the British Colonial’s closure shows the destination “is not functioning”, and added: “You never see a Hilton shut in a city”.

Charles Klonaris said the resort’s plight highlights the wider ills gripping Downtown Nassau as he urged both the government and

THE NASSAU HILTON private sector to rethink plans for reviving Bay Street and the wider city area.

Asserting that all retail, restaurant and attraction operators “should be

concerned”, he argued the British Colonial’s fate went beyond just the immediate impact on them. “It’s more than just myself and other retailers,” Mr Klonaris said.

“It’s indicative of how deep and difficult it is to revive the city. Obviously there have been some improvements thus far, but for the Hilton to close it’s an indication that the city is not functioning properly.”

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

DIANE PHILLIPS: OUR LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JEOPARDY

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Friday, January 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

PM dismisses Dubai row as ‘political mischief’ from page one which saw more than 100 people travel to Dubai to participate in Expo 2020.

“You call it pushback,” Mr Davis said in response to a question from The Tribune. “I just call it political mischief and you would expect political mischief in these times, particularly when you are doing good.

“As the anecdote goes now and the popular song goes ‘dogs ain’t ga bark at a parked car.’ This government is moving and so I expect to hear barks.

“So, I am not surprised that you will hear the political spin on whatever we do, but I can say that we had quite a successful trip and it would have been very ungrateful for us not to have participated, particularly after the host country invested near $4m in building a pavilion and investing on our behalf to ensure that we are there.

“It would have been an ungrateful act on our part not to participate.”

He said despite the criticism, the trip yielded successes, adding Public Service and Foreign Affairs

Minister Fred Mitchell remained there to tie up loose ends.

“We entered into several (memoranda) of understanding. We just didn’t go for the event, but we took the opportunity to speak to the government of the United Arab Emirates and we have entered into at least three (memoranda) of understanding.

“The Minister of Foreign Affairs, I left him there to wrap those up and as soon as he is back more will be made known of what the other successes (are), but the more particular success is that we introduce ourselves to the world.

“Many Bahamians went on their own and they were surprised to appreciate that a lot of people don’t know about The Bahamas and they found that surprising.

“So, we had the opportunity to not just introduce ourselves to the world, but let the world get to know the best of us and I think the best of us was on display.”

He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of an event last night.

Mr Davis said earlier this week while in Dubai that

the presence of a Bahamian delegation at the expo was a chance to develop friendships and tourism.

“We consider Expo fundamentally to be about the relationship between the peoples of the world, the promotion of friendship and co-operation through culture, and the unyielding capacity of human beings to pursue a higher order of civilisation, through innovation and adaptation,” Mr Davis said earlier this week.

“It is a chance for countries to get to know each other better or perhaps, introduce themselves to each other for the first time.

Many Bahamians here in Dubai have been surprised at how many people have never heard of The Bahamas. Our presence and participation are opportunities for both friendship and tourism.

“We want you to come and visit: to stay awhile, and experience how life can still indeed be ‘Better in The Bahamas’. And as you get to know us, we relish the opportunity for us to get to know you. At Expo, each of us wants to show the best of us.”

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis picture with his wife Ann Marie in Dubai and, top, Bahamians performing during events at the Expo.

‘ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHOSE WHO WENT TO DUBAI’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DIRECTOR of communications Latrae Rahming said an organising committee determined who represented The Bahamas at the world expo in Dubai, adding financial restraints and the size of the delegation influenced their decision.

His comment came after critics highlighted the presence in Dubai of gospel group Shaback, which is led by press secretary Clint Watson. Some wondered if the choice of Mr Watson’s group was influenced by his position in government.

During a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday, Mr Rahming confirmed cultural groups travelled to Dubai at the expense of the government. However,

Mr Rahming said the government did not pay a performance fee for Shaback.

“This process was steered through an organising committee for the Bahamas National Day,” he said.

“There were several components that influenced the decision making process: one, cost and the size of the delegation. As you were aware the government was elected on September 16.

The Prime Minister was sworn in that weekend, the Cabinet was sworn in the following week. This process began sometime under the previous administration. This would have been one of the many things that this administration would have inherited.

“Cabinet of The Bahamas made a decision that they weren’t going to continue with the previous agreement of $1.7m by the

previous FNM government.

We reduced that cost to $1m. The guidelines and the parameters in so far as the cultural expression and talent with Bahamian musicians or cooks was given by the National Day coordinators. After that guideline was given the committee would have, through matter of inquiry and expression, solicited the prospective persons and individuals to participate in the National Day. “Some of those persons provided the committee with a quote of costs or service. Once the budget was cut drastically, that impacted their ability to go.

Not only was the budget cut, also the size of the delegation was cut. What happened was, you had in many instances, for example the Junkanoo group, they were paid for service, the Royal Bahamas Police

Force, the Bahamas All Stars Band and the Shaback choir went free of charge.

“Let me give you an example, the Bahamas All Star Band would have submitted a quote to the government of The Bahamas for their participation.

Once the committee realised that there were some budgetary constraints they reached back out to the leadership of that band and the leadership of the band said ‘listen we want to represent and be ambassadors to the country, is there any way we could go for free,’ and that was facilitated.

“And so once the numbers were cut, there were some budgetary constraints; that formed the basis of who was represented, who made up the group that represented The Bahamas. “Keep in mind, the persons who make up the group in their own right

have been ambassadors for The Bahamas for years.

They’ve travelled, whether the United States, Canada, around the Caribbean and so they have their unique reputation of representing The Bahamas.

“So cost as well as the amended size of the delegation influenced who stayed and who went.”

Mr Rahming also explained why some Bahamians were delayed in returning to The Bahamas from Dubai, saying this had to do with the rollout of 5G technology in some American cities.

He said: “There is some element of fake news that is travelling around indicating that Bahamians are stuck in Dubai. I want to say that this week the telecommunications company in the United States introduced a rollout of 5G technology in certain cities.

That impacted air transportation and many airlines around the world cancelled their flights. The flight arrangement from Dubai to Orlando was impacted.

“The government of The Bahamas rerouted –– (and) it was a significant amount of individuals –– rerouted them and made some adjustments to their travels. What I can say is the group landed in New York (Wednesday night).

“There is a situation where one of the members in the group tested positive for COVID-19.

They through their travel arrangements have insurance. They continue to receive a per diem from the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Their accommodations are set. They also get tested every 48 hours and once that person tests negative they will be sent back to The Bahamas.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 21, 2022, PAGE 3

‘You should have gone to prison’ from page one Several police officers were expected to testify against Butler during trial yesterday after he initially denied causing the couple’s death through reckless driving during his first appearance in the court early last year.

However, he owned up to the offences during his hearing before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans and was subsequently ordered to pay $10,000 each on the two counts of killing in the course of dangerous driving.

Magistrate Vogt-Evans warned failure to pay

the $20,000 fine would result in him spending one year behind bars on each count, which would run consecutively.

She also revoked his driver’s licence for five years.

The latest sentence comes after the 34-yearold was fined $250 last year after pleading guilty to driving without third party risk insurance on the night of the incident.

While delivering her sentence, Magistrate VogtEvans told Butler that while he seemed remorseful for his actions, he should have also received a custodial sentence given the fact that two lives were lost.

She said the fines

imposed were the maximum sentence according to Bahamian law, but suggested that current legislation regarding reckless driving needed to be tightened.

“I don’t know if that was my mummy and daddy and I could sit here and listen to the court give a fine, but that’s what the law says,” she said. “But paying the Queen’s fine of $20,000 does not help the families of the victims.”

In a further reprimand, the magistrate told the accused that his actions were plain “stupid” and added that he ought to pay for it.

She further stressed that

too many traffic fatalities have happened due to reckless driving and warned that her “posture” will be different going forward when presiding over matters of a similar nature.

“I really should have sent you to jail and made you pay the money for your stupidity,” she continued.

After the sentences were read, Butler lowered his head and quietly sobbed after taking his seat.

His attorney, Wendawn Miller-Frazer told the court that her client would pay $8,000 that day and make monthly payments of $1,500 until the remaining balance was paid in full.

In response, the senior

magistrate warned that the court will not extend any courtesies for late payments. The matter was subsequently adjourned to August 29.

Police said on the night in question, Butler was travelling east on West Bay Street when he overtook a vehicle and collided with a Nissan March, killing both the driver and the front seat passenger, later revealed to be the Johnsons.

Police said they received reports of the three-car collision shortly after 6 o’clock that evening involving a black Honda Accord, a burgundy Nissan March and a black Chevy Malibu.

“An inspection of the

vehicles revealed that six occupants sustained injuries as a result of the accident,” police reported at the time.

“Emergency Medical Services were summoned and following their examination of the victims, an adult male and female were pronounced lifeless on the scene and four persons were transported to the hospital to receive medical attention.”

The couple’s cause of death was revealed to be blunt trauma to the head, torso and extremities.

The Johnsons were the owners of “The Sweet Life” ice cream shop in the Mall at Marathon.

where all the stakeholders who want to be a part of it can. I think this government will do the right thing and I’m looking forward to it.’

Last week, director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister Latrae Rahming announced that the Davis

administration is expected to introduce legislation for

a cannabis industry in the first quarter of this year.

RASTFARIAN LEADER IS ‘HOPEFUL’ ON LEGISLATION

By PAVEL BAILEY

A LOCAL Rastafarian leader said while he has not yet met with any Davis administration official regarding cannabis legislation, he is hopeful his community’s sacramental rights will be given legal protection.

Rithmond McKinney, high priest of the local Rastafarian Bobo Shati Tribe, spoke with The Tribune on whether the new administration had officially consulted his community while drafting its new marijuana legislation.

Mr McKinney said he has not yet had any formal contact with the government regarding this matter, but hopes the Davis administration will uphold recommendations made by the previous administration’s Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana.

“One of those recommendations was the Rasta man’s sacramental rights, well seeing that they are out of power now I was hoping that this administration (would do) the right thing also,” he said.

“But me and a few of us will be checking (with) this new administration next weekend, (to) try to have a dialogue with them going forward, seeing that they said they want it done within the first quarter of this year. And when this administration was in a position, they did declare that they didn’t see nothing wrong with the Rasta man getting their sacramental rights, so I hope they do the right thing this time.”

He also voiced his support for the current administration by saying that he believes that the Davis administration will be more sympathetic to their sacramental rights and factor in their need to have

a stake in the proposed cannabis industry.

“I don’t think they will discriminate against our sacramental rights, which is a constitutional right. . .(We hope they take into consideration) the recommendation from the commission concerning the Rasta man’s sacramental rights and also the Rasta man wants a stake within the industrial part of it different from the sacramental rights. We want a stake within the industrial part of it also.”

Mr McKinney said his community wants a part of “all of the licences going forward” regarding the proposed cannabis industry and should be given licences to cultivate, manufacture and export the drug.

He also pointed out that it was his community that first saw the potential in the cannabis industry and that they faced years of hardship and discrimination campaigning for its legalisation while the country suffered as a result.

“As you know the Rasta man was taking the abuse.

Our life was being denied over the years. The Rasta man was the one who was being profiled and we were the one that was saying that this is a medicine, that this is something good for even finance and stability in our country also. And from a medical point of view, we’ve always been the ones saying that this is something that the government should need to look into.

Seeing that other parts of the Caribbean have already gone ahead; we are far behind.”

While the Rastafarian community still faces ongoing legal changes to have the criminal records of its members expunged for what they believe are wrongful cannabis convictions, Mr McKinney

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

HIGH Priest Rithmond McKinney. called on the Bahamian government to do what is right not only for his community, but the country at large.

“I think this administration is on the right track, I think they can do the right thing and I think the marijuana legislation should be

PAGE 4, Friday, January 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

SEVEN PERCENT TEST POSITIVE IN FREE TESTING SCHEME SINCE starting its free COVID-19 testing pilot programme in New Providence earlier this month, the government has tested 7,565 people with 567 — or seven percent — testing positive.

The figures were provided by the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

Officials also said free testing on Grand Bahama

will begin tomorrow at Christ the King, Foster B Pestaina Centre in Freeport.

With the capacity to test some 200 people a day, interested individuals can register online at https:// covidtest.gov.bs.

“Free testing is part of a larger government effort to reduce the impact of the new, ultra- transmissible COVID-19 variants,”

a press release from OPM said.

“Additionally, the government remains committed to combating the virus by expanding its vaccine and booster efforts, handing out medical-grade masks, setting stricter limits on the size of social gatherings, public education campaigns and expanding healthcare capacity.”

Speaking about the upcoming roll-out in Grand Bahama, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey said: “We are pleased to assist and partner with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to facilitate the rollout of the free COVID-19 testing programme on Grand Bahama.

“This initiative is the fulfilment of a promise

‘PROTOCOLS WILL BE FOLLOWED TO AVOID COVID SPREAD DURING LOCAL ELECTION’

PARLIAMENTARY Commissioner Lavado Duncanson.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net WITH local government elections approaching, Parliamentary Commissioner Lavado Duncanson said protocols will be followed to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19.

The elections will be held amid a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

“We discussed this most recent variant that is affecting, not just the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, but the region and the entire world,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

“We would’ve had those conversations with healthcare

professionals and the healthcare professionals have provided us with a reminder, with an update that those guidelines provided to us up to this point are sufficient for us to maintain, to adhere to as relates to this most recent situation that we find ourselves in.”

Election poll workers are encouraged to be vaccinated or at least commence with the vaccination process.

He added that all poll workers, that includes the election agents, and voters are required to wear face masks. Poll workers will be provided with a medical grade face mask in addition to face shields.

Campaigners will not be allowed within 100 yards of the polling place.

Also hand sanitation stations will be made available.

“When a voter presents him or herself to the polls there’s the mandatory requirement for the wearing of a face mask. The only point that that face mask will be lowered for a brief moment is for proper identification and then immediately the mask is to be placed back in its proper location.”

He said large classrooms will be used as polling stations where available.

“Work stations throughout the polls are scheduled to be sanitised throughout the entire election day,” he said.

The vote will take place on January 27.

GN-2666

the Davis administration made to the Bahamian people and advancing the infrastructure of our healthcare system is one of the mandates of the Ministry for Grand Bahama.

I’m extremely delighted to see this materialise today and I encourage the residents of Grand Bahama to protect themselves by taking advantage of this opportunity.”

Ms Moxey also thanked the labs that have partnered with the government on this initiative.

The COVID-19 free testing pilot programme was rolled out in New Providence on January 8, following success in Eleuthera, Inagua, Bimini and the Berry Islands. Plans are underway to expand free testing to Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama next.

More free masks to be handed out at feeding programmes THE Davis administration has expanded the distribution of free medical-grade KN95 masks to include several local feeding programmes on New Providence.

Six thousand free masks were distributed by NEMA to Great Commission Ministries and Counselling Centre, International Deliverance Praying Ministry and Hands for Hunger.

Each organisation received 2,000 masks that will be given away for free to people visiting their feeding centres.

Members of the organisations expressed their sincere thanks to the government for its timely donation, noting the free mask initiative is a great tool that helps Bahamians and residents protect themselves in the face of the pandemic.

Maxine Bethel, operations manager at Great Commission Ministries, said the masks are a blessing that will surely “come in handy,” given that they serve over 400 people daily at its Wulff Road location.

Founded in 1987, Great Commission

serves the needy, shelters the homeless, conducts empowerment classes, and provides counselling services.

Bishop Lawrence Rolle, a community leader whose ministry feeds thousands of people every week, was also deeply appreciative of the donation.

“Some members of our congregation are unable to afford masks and so the free mask distribution initiative is a welcome help,” Bishop Rolle said. “The donation shows the concern of the government for the people.”

Keisha Ellis, executive director of Hands for Hunger, was delighted to accept the donation, as the free masks will help to protect employees, volunteers, and beneficiaries.

“It came at exactly the right time,” she said. “It means a great deal and will go a long way, especially given that Hands for Hunger interacts so much with the public.”

In the coming days, the government will expand free mask distribution to Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Central Andros.

from page one

cases of coronavirus were recorded in the country on Wednesday.

New Providence accounted for 113 of the cases and Grand Bahama had 14. In Abaco there was one case, while Exuma recorded eight new cases.

Inagua also had two cases and Andros had four.

Long Island recorded one case and officials said there is one case with a location pending.

Meanwhile, there are 157 people in the hospital receiving treatment. Of this number 146 are moderately ill and 11 are in the Intensive Care Unit.

Ragged Island is the only island in the Bahamas chain that has had no COVID cases, according to the COVID cases dashboard report of January 19.

SEVEN MORE DEATHS ADDED TO COVID TOLL On the same date, a man, 76, from Grand Bahama also died from the virus.

These were the only Family Island deaths.

The remaining five were all New Providence residents.

They included an 84-yearold man on January 4, a 63-year-old man on January 5 and a 45-year-old man on January 8.

A 60-year-old man died on January 9 and on January 12 a woman died. She was 40 years old.

The country has so far recorded 726 deaths since the start of the COVID19 pandemic.

Officials said 37 deaths are under investigation.

Additionally, 144 new

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 21, 2022, PAGE 5

Construction projects will open 500 jobs from page one According to Dr Robertson, BTVI expects to offer NCCER certified training for Grand Bahamians to meet the demand for certified construction specialists needed in June.

“We have been contacted by companies from the United States and Canada looking for 500 certified Bahamians by June 2022,” he said.

“That is a tight window, but with the schedule we have and the NCCER (National Centre for Construction Education and Research) programme, we anticipate we can meet the demands of the industry by June 2022.

“I want to reiterate that that is for construction of major facilities,” said Dr Robertson, who indicated that one of the projects is the recently

announced Disney project in Eleuthera.

He said American Bridge, which is doing the construction there, is committed to hiring 350 Bahamians.

“They are not all going to come from Eleuthera, but some will come from here (Grand Bahama),” he told Ms Moxey.

Dr Robertson said BTVI in Freeport will soon start a second cohort of NCCER students and hopefully stream them into some of these construction opportunities this year.

“That is a significant opportunity, and various companies are doing it — not just that one and these people must be certified.

These companies coming in want certified construction specialists and we have the way forward to that with high school students in grade 12, but also those who recently left

the workforce. And that is one area I will be talking about with the Permanent Secretary (Harcourt Brown) to find those people on this island who need training for those jobs.

“We are also working with labour on precisely the same point in Eleuthera and Exuma. So, it will be spread around. It is not just coming to Grand Bahama, but certainly it will have a big impact here.

We think we are ready for that, and Ms Collie and her team in Freeport are excited about it. We are quite confident we will meet the needs of these big construction projects,” Dr Robertson said.

He noted the NCCER is a US certification offered primarily by Valencia College. He said that next June there will be an NCCER centre at BTVI.

“We are not quite there yet and we have to offer it through Valencia College, but we will be,” Dr Robertson said. “We have more than 100 Bahamian trainers.”

Dr Robertson indicated that US trainers will not be brought in to do any training.

“We will look at contractors here as well as elsewhere,” he said.

He said that one of the big Bahamian companies that has adopted NCCER is Baha Mar, which is using NCCER certified employees now who are coming through the BTVI system.

He said the first part of the programme will be virtual and there will be some travel for hands-on training in boot camps.

Dr Robertson said they expect to launch a mobile NCCER training facility in Grand Bahama.

“In Freeport, we are looking to develop a mobile NCCER that would actually take trade training anywhere we want it to go on Grand Bahama — that would be a first,” he said.

“There is only one other in North America, and that is at Valencia College, and we are modelling it on their successful application. But we hope to have it operational by summer 2022.”

Ms Moxey said Grand Bahama is considered to be the innovation capital of the country where a lot of positive programmes are going to be piloted.

“That is going to allow us to really be able to reach our full potential,” she said, in addition to maritime and logistics, and events and entertainment on Grand Bahama.

She stated that BTVI has played a key role in

Grand Bahama in the industrial sector, helping to train professionals in technical vocational studies.

“We look to partner with BTVI moving forward to get a lot more programmes going. Many of them, of course, include maritime programmes, and also solar energy programmes. They include what we consider the built environment, and we are looking at models like those in Nova Scotia that we will discuss further about how we can make a campus here that allows us to be able to have diversified programmes for our island. We are also looking at partnerships for our island where we want to work with NGOs, corporate Bahamas, and organisations like BTVI to assist our island and our residents in moving forward.”

SUN OIL HELPS CANCER SOCIETY SUN Oil Limited recently made a year-end donation to The Cancer Society of The Bahamas.

This followed a successful fundraising event that the company organised and hosted in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

“We prioritise our responsibility as a corporate citizen and consistently support non-profits and causes that matter in our country.

We have long partnered with The Cancer Society in the fight against cancer in The Bahamas.

“Despite the challenges of the current environment, we remain committed to fueling causes that positively impact our community and our customers,” explained Rufus Johnson Jr, marketing manager, Sun Oil Limited.

PICTURED are Patrice Adderley, committee chair for The Cancer Society of the Bahamas and Rufus Johnson Jr, marketing manager, Sun Oil Limited.

Photo: Ronnie Archer

118 HAITIAN MIGRANTS DEPORTED MORE than 100 Haitian migrants were deported on Wednesday.

The Department of Immigration said the group of 118 Haitian migrants left the country on a Bahamasair charter flight from New Providence to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Ninety-five men, 20 women and three

minors were among the group.

“The department’s deportation team led the escort with all COVID-19 protocols strictly observed as the health, welfare, and safety of our officers, law enforcement counterparts, and migrants remain the highest priority in this COVID-19 environment,” officials said in a press release.

Semi-Military Funeral Service For Retired Chief Inspector

Joseph Livingstone Morris, 78

a resident of Little Creek, South Andros and formerly of Driggs Hill, South Andros will be held at 1pm on Thursday, January 27th, 2022 at Driggs Hill Public Cemetery, South Andros. Officiating will be Pastor Kareem Black assisted by Pastor Jeremiah Duncombe.

Interment will follow.

He is survived by his loyal and loving wife of 54 years: Leona Magdalene Morris; daughters: Verlene Roselda Bullard and Vanrea Allison Hanna; grandchildren: Chantilly Latisha Dean, Alexander Lamount Knowles, Navada Gerad Clarke, Demerick Tavaris Knowles (Catherine), Javaughn Renaldo Roger Bullard; great grandchildren: Duran Jacobe Fulford II, Dayna Fulford, Brazil Clarke-Turnbull, Demerick Tavaris Knowles Jr., Paris Clarke, Santos Clarke-Turnbull and Logan Clarke; brothers: Henry and Leon Morris; sister: Hestine Morris; brothers-inlaw: Henry Alexander Farrington, Sanfred Willy Farrington, Bradley McKenzie, John Bannister Sr; sisters-in-law: Geraldine Higgs, Emerald Frazier, Cleomie Forbes, Jestina Rodgers, Yvonne and Beverly Morris, Eleana Williamson; sons-inlaw: Henfield Rodger Bullard and Perry Hanna; nieces: Brenhilda Lightbourne, Helena Thompson, Loraine McKenzie, Vanessa McKenzie, Indeira Smith, Reba Forbes, Dedree Bannister, Margo Bannister, Jennifer McKenzie, Sarah Anderson, Joyell Alcime, Annalee Roker, Ginger Morris, Sandy Russell, Kimberly Forbes, Bianca Morris, Jessica McKenzie and Aneka Edwards, Sophia Loren Jones, Rochelle Woodside, Leanor Williams, Portia Taylor, Keisha Farrington, Rosemary Knowles, Mordell Farrington, Myrtis Farrington, Roberta Farrington, Retha Farrington-Hess, Mebra Farrington, Pamela Lewis, Tasha Forbes, Nishka Forbes, Cleonecia Forbes; nephews: Kiffer, Gunter, Joel, Marcus and Levaughn Morris; Warburton McKenzie, John Jr. and Steve Bannister, Darren Lemshould Jr. and Renaldo Morris, Ricardo, Jamaal Williams, Salerio, Dion, Jermaine Morris, Eldridge, Alonzo, Titus, Henry Jr. and Kevin Morris; Giordano Farrington, George Farrington Jr., Marvin Farrington, Franklyn Johnson, Rashad Thurston, Giovanni Rodgers, Jaicoy Rodgers, Rufus, Fredrick Sr., Philip, Humphrey, Solomon and Cecil Sands; Fritzgerald, Curtis and Bruno Farrington, Kyle Forbes Jr., Cleon Forbes; great-nephews and nieces: Clive McKinney, Bernado McKenzie, Burton McKenzie Jr., Gerisha Morris, Aaliyah Forbes, Carmelo Forbes, Keanu Forbes, Akeem Forbes, Santina Forbes, Santia Forbes, Darrinique Morris and numerous others; uncle: Garnet Morris; aunt: Rosie Sealey; other family and friends: Sam Williams (cousin), South Andros and Mangrove Cay District of Seventh Day Adventist Church Family Members, Driggs Hill community family; other friends too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Blessed Hope Seventh Day Adventist Church, South Andros on Thursday from 9:00am to 12noon.

Funeral Service For

First Lady Donique Marissa Johnson-Wallace, 38 a resident of Douglas Street, Mt. Pleasant Village will be held at Christ Temple Apostolic Church, Faith Avenue North on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.

Officiating will be Bishop Dr. David L. Brayden assisted by Bishop Deon Mott and Reverend Rolston Smith. Interment follows in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to cherish her memories are her husband: Pastor Lance I. Wallace; 2 daughters: Donaè Smith and Shekinah Wallace; mother: Reverend Donna M. Johnson; father: Horace Townes Jr. (Deceased); 2 sisters: Donnel Johnson and Kayla Townes-Edwards (Tay) of West Palm Beach, Florida; 1 adopted sister: Rickia Moncur; 1 brother: Horace Townes III of West Palm Beach; 2 adopted brothers: Andre and Tarahan; mother-in-law: Evangelist Sylvia Wallace; brother-in-law: Jason Wallace; 4 sisters-in-law: Helena Scott (Noel), Prophetess Lakeisha, Sadie and Alicia Wallace; father-in-law: Bishop Simeon Wallace (Deceased); 5 nephews: Donnavon Rolle, Tyler, Jamarri and Kendall Townes of Riviera Beach, Florida and Carrington Morgan; 1 niece: Yajah Wallace; 13 aunts: Sharon Lockhart, Lisa Adderley, Linda Lockhart, Vesna Laing-Johnson, Andrea Jefferson of Riviera Beach, Florida, Joanne Knowles, Mazera Mason, Anastasia Bridgewater, Gloria Pitter, Joyce Wallace, Margaret Pinder, Carmen Jones and Edna Pratt; 8 uncles: Don Johnson and Albert Sr., Arthur & Alphanso Townes of Riviera Beach, Florida, Wellington, Preston & Dennis Wallace and Ronald Douglas; grandparents: Horace Sr. and Josephine Townes of Riviera Beach, Florida; 4 grand aunts: Marsha MasonMcCartney, Athena Lightbourne-Seymour, Mary Lightbourne-Walker and Marion Coakley/Stewart-Moss of Flossmoor, Chicago Illinois ; 4 grand uncles: Alphanso & David Mason and Bradley, Eric & Mario Lightbourne; cousins: Emery II (Deceased), Tori, Tayte, Tyler, Trevaine (Kethurah), Trey, Perry Jr. (Simone), Wayde Jr., Myron, Ricardo, Perry, James, Pammie, Andrew, Nemone, Monique, Benton, Garreth, Elaine, Robert, Hilda, Lyn, Latoya (Careo), Daniel, Calvin, Tosca, Tekenia (Luke), Tavarrie, Patrell, Tauheedah Rasheed and family (of Atlanta Georgia), Lauren, Trinity, Carolyn, Dianne, Lavern, Valerie, Beverley, Paulette, Don, Varnette, Ida Rose, Ellen, Claudette, Ingrid, Genevieve; and a host of others too numerous to mention; godparents: Ricardo “Ricky” Moncur (Deceased), Celestine Wallace-Cox and Sharon Smith; god children: Veranecè Johnson, Andre & Paul Nerenal, Sakeri Nixon, Blaire Burrows and Cordell Pratt; Special Close Friends: Trevaine Smith, Shantel Higgs-McKenzie, Amanda Hepburn, Cheryl, Sherrell & Landa Williams, Excie Nerenal, Denecia Burrows, Brittney Kelly (Alicia Emmanuel), Berlinda Wilson, Alicia Ferguson and Terrance Bain; other relative and friends: Reverend Rolston and Minister Wendy Smith and family, Heather Ambrister and family, Revernd Michael Lockhart, Revernd Kingsley and Ernestine Pinder, Revernd Lynden and Marion Johnson, The Praise Team, Senior Choir, Youth Choir and the entire Officers and Members of the Angelic Baptist Church Family, the entire Officers & Members of Church of The Lord Jesus Temple, Bishop David L. Braynen and the entire Officers & Members of Christ Temple Apostolic Ministries, Bishop Deon Mott and the entire Officers & Members of Light Apostolic Church, Dr. William Pratt and the entire Officers & Members of Apostolic House of Prayer, Management & Staff of Abaco Markets, Management & Staff of DanBrad Limited (McDonald’s), Management & Staff of Mackey & Moxey Law Firm, The Straw Market Family, Government High School Class of ’02, Nassau Christian Academy Class of ‘02, Faculty & Staff of Nassau Christian Academy, Jeffery, Marvin, Kerrecia, Kyle, Jeremy and Kareem Nairn, Jason McPhee, Katherina McNeil & Family, Earla Moss & family, Criselle King & family, Jamie Daniels, Rochelle Minnis & Family, Betty Tinker & Family, Rev. Archelaus Burrows & Family, The Mount Pleasant Village Community, The Spence Family, The Newry Family, The Bonamy Family, The Knowles Family, The Kemp Family of Deleport, Ida Saunders & Family, The Lockhart Family, Esther Clarke & Family, The Christie Family, The Gomez Family, The Lightbourne Family, The Major Family, The Richardson Family (Faith Avenue), and a host of other families and friends too numerous to mention; special thanks to: the Doctors, Nurses and Support Staff at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Accident & Emergency Department, especially the Ambulance Team.

Friends may pay their last respects at Church of the Lord Jesus Temple, Molly Street from 10-4:00 p.m. on Friday.

PAGE 6, Friday, January 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

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A penalty that doesn’t measure up to the crime BRENT and Eulona Johnson were much loved. When they died in a fatal crash on Christmas Day 2020, the tributes were heartfelt.

The couple ran an ice cream shop in the Mall at Marathon, The Sweet Life, while Mr Johnson was well known in the athletics field having been a pole vaulter then prominent in the tennis community.

They were said to have given “generously and unselfishly to the up-building of tennis in The Bahamas”.

A candlelight service was held at the National Tennis Centre, where one of Mr Johnson’s brothers talked of how it was “still a shock that he and his wife have just gone like that”.

Two of their children were badly injured in the same crash. In a moment, an instant on a day that should be celebration, it became a day of mourning for not just one family, but an entire community.

All that happened when Alexander Butler decided to drive recklessly.

Driving east on West Bay Street, he overtook a vehicle and collided with the Nissan March being driven by the Johnsons. A third car was also involved in the collision. In total, six people sustained injuries – two of them fatally.

In his hands, Mr Butler’s car became a weapon, and he didn’t seem to care who got in its way until it was too late.

Mr Butler was in tears in court yesterday as he was given his sentence for his action – a mere $20,000 fine for tearing a family apart.

The magistrate wanted to give him a greater penalty – but that was the most she could award. For each death, she fined him $10,000 for killing in the course of dangerous driving.

If he doesn’t pay, he will spend a year behind bars on each count – to run consecutively for two years in prison.

But if he does pay, that’s all he’ll get.

As Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans said: “I don’t know if that was my mummy and daddy and I could sit here and listen to the court give a fine, but that’s what the law says. But paying the Queen’s fine of $20,000 does not help the families of the victims.”

She said Mr Butler’s actions were stupid, and he ought to pay for it.

Mr Butler cried in court as he said he was not a “bad person”. He told the court: “It’s killing me inside honestly.

These ain’t no fake tears.”

Killing him inside? He killed people in real life.

So what do we do? This won’t be the last time someone will kill someone by driving recklessly. Do we accept a fine as adequate punishment for destroying the lives of a family?

Do we brush off the obvious frustration of the magistrate who wanted to impose a more fitting penalty?

The law can change. The law should change. For those who drive recklessly and cost someone their life, the maximum penalty should be appropriate.

Accidents happen, and should not be over penalised – but reckless driving is done by those who don’t consider the lives of others, and should be met with an appropriate response.

Actions should have appropriate consequences. The Johnson family have not been served by our justice system. Will future victims of reckless driving be as ill served? Or will we make a change?

Revive Downtown

Downtown Nassau suffered a major blow this week with the announcement of the closure of the Hilton. It comes at a time when elsewhere in the area, efforts are being made to revive the Downtown economy.

If that sounds like a piecemeal approach to the district, you’re right.

You only have to take a walk through the area and you’ll see new development right next to buildings that are falling apart at the seams. Take a walk beyond East Street and you’ll find building after building boarded up and left derelict.

Parking is a problem. Suggested pedestrianisation has never gone anywhere. Many tenants are not keeping buildings up to scratch, and many landlords are not investing to refurbish buildings long in need of freshening up.

It sounds a mess – and in places it is.

But in all of that is an opportunity. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis could be the man to grasp that opportunity, if he wishes. Put a strong focus on reviving the area, encouraging the sprucing up of buildings, incentives to businesses to move into the abandoned sections – and come up with a plan for the Hilton.

At the end of Mr Davis’ first term in office, could he look back at a time of change for Downtown? Leaving a legacy is never easy for any leader – but the opportunity is there if Mr Davis wants to make a difference.

Treat all people the same EDITOR, The Tribune.

HEALTH controls and protocols have to be as close to the same whether it involves us residents, the visitors, or the cruise visitors who are here for a few hours... we have to accept COVID virus does not respect curfews - lockdowns or the unvaccinated and

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

in the case of the current scourge not even the vaccinated it seems.

For anyone after 24 plus months to suggest a free unchecked movement of visitors is a sensible approach to curling COVID has to be out of their mind... COVID is not an indigenous created virus - it came from the outside....We remember recall the first recognised case... trip to Trinidad for Carnival and bingo COVID in Nassau, etc…

Cruise passengers start three-days from being tested so if they are already in contact with a positive the virus will appear on day one-two of their cruise.

Cruise passengers must be rapid tested before they

set foot on Bahamian soil.

Any visitor at a hotel who turns positive has to be isolated and chooses to do the 14-day quarantine here or take the offer of the resorts to fly you out... to me that is very generous - I do note there is a discounted cost for the suite.

Editor, facts speak....The virus comes from the outside... it is the responsibility of Government and their skilled medical experts to guide and propose limits protocols for the best of all not seemingly a ‘minority group of visitors - yes, the cruise passengers, we love you but...

T ALBURY Nassau, January 1, 2022.

Bad policy to open in a surge EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT IS important for schools to open. Our children need to be educated.

They need to peer bond.

They need socialisation.

The pandemic has caused a back-and-forth with schools opening, closing and being in hybrid virtual mode.

The situation is worse in the public school system.

Many low-income children have simply been out of school for two years.

There is consensus that the schools should open.

The question is when.

The omicron wave is our second worst wave of

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the pandemic based on hospitalisations, and hospitalisations are increasing.

It’s possible that hospitalisations in this wave may even surpass the record set in the delta wave.

People are also dying.

On Thursday the Ministry of Health announced seven people died of COVID-19 over an eight-day period in January.

This is a dangerous period of the pandemic.

It is not the time to open

schools. We should wait a few weeks until this wave breaks and cases and hospitalisations begin to decline before we open schools.

Opening schools in the middle of the surge will cause the virus to spread more. Minister of Education Glenys HannaMartin is making the wrong decision. Rather than erratically opening schools in a surge she should be patient and wait just a bit longer to ensure the health and safety of our kids.

MSG Nassau, January 20, 2022.

Reopen 100% EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN REGARDS to the schools opening at 50% hybrid learning - this is unacceptable!

There’s absolutely no valid reason as to why we can’t go back 100% face-toface learning.

No one tell us why!

We’ve been open the

whole last year. If the protocols are in place 100% of the time (which they are) why can’t students be in school 100% of the time.

We are told that maybe in February we can go back to 100% face-to-face learning meanwhile restaurants, cinemas, virtual learning centres, hotels, and

gambling establishments are wide open, at full capacity! We are fed up.

We have been strung along long enough.

Please note that we are still marching on January 31st. Enough is enough!

LAUREEN SINGH Nassau, January 20, 2022

Income taxes EDITOR, The Tribune.

INCOME tax... who pays it? Whatever levied on Business ends up you and I pay 100%.

Did not see the letter Andrew Allen refers to, but for sure any direct taxes levied on business of any sort, Mr Allen - I and everyone will pay every dime you tax…

Mr Allen raises as an issue that CFAL made a reported profit... so CFAL are not in the business or

any business of “ making profit”?

Is really Mr Allen proposing a “socialistic economy”?

Why doesn’t he address the obvious the massive tax avoidance - refusal to pay- tiefing - some reports indicate that could exceed $800 million.

A perfect example of how levy-taxes are collected by any party paying....a resident in a “gated community” is liable to their portion of costs-maintenance-insurances, etc....

you see, Mr Allen, that is precisely how Income Tax would work, plus what would stop Directors of business upping their compensation and basically zeroing all Income taxes Liabilities.

Taxes, Editor, are never paid for by the first party they are levied on....the consumer-customer - you and I pay every dime.

G MINNIS Nassau, December 20, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

JAILED FOR STEALING $40 OF TOOLS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 48-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to three months in prison yesterday after admitting to stealing over $40 worth of tools from a local department store.

Police arrested Gladstone Green after he stole two pairs of pliers and a hammer, all valued at $49.76, from Kelly’s Home Centre Ltd on January 18.

After pleading guilty to the offence before Senior Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans, Green told the court he was sorry for his “stupid” actions.

He claimed he was “under the influence’’ when he committed the act and admitted to being an alcoholic.

He also asked the court to help him get drug counselling.

However, in response, Magistrate Vogt-Evans said he was a “big, grown” man who could have sought help on his own if he truly wanted to change his ways.

She also took note of his antecedents, noting that Green was ordered by the court to attend drug counselling before after being caught with drugs in the past.

“You have to do better,” she said.

As a result, he was ordered to spend three months in prison. Green was also told to request assistance while there.

Neville Grant, 26, also appeared in court yesterday to receive sentencing for stealing car parts earlier this month.

Police said that Grant stole a motor vehicle engine and six vehicle undercarriages from Sam’s Auto on Claridge Road on January 15.

The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence during his first appearance before Magistrate Vogt-Evans earlier this week.

During yesterday’s

hearing, Magistrate VogtEvans said she took into consideration that he did not waste the court’s time and owned up to the offence from the onset.

However, she said the court must send a stern message to would-be offenders that such crimes will not be tolerated. As a result, he was sentenced to six months behind bars.

Another man, Jermaine Smith, 26, was also arraigned in court yesterday after being accused of removing a man’s vehicle without his consent.

The court was told that sometime between 3.30pm and 4pm on January 15, Claudius Burrows reported to police that he was cleaning his father’s van shortly before Smith took the vehicle.

Burrows said while cleaning, he decided to go inside the house, leaving the car key in the ignition.

However, shortly afterwards, he heard someone screaming that a “crazy” boy had taken the car, which he later discovered to be true.

The court was told that a few hours later, the defendant returned the vehicle.

However, at that point, Burrows’ father had already made a complaint to police, resulting in Smith’s arrest.

During yesterday’s hearing, Smith pleaded guilty to the offence, telling the court he was only borrowing the car to get a “couple things.”

He also told the senior magistrate that Mr Burrows would often lend him the car.

However, Smith said he believed Mr Burrows intentionally wanted him behind bars so he could have sexual intercourse with his mother.

After accepting Smith’s guilty plea, Magistrate Vogt Evans ordered him to compensate the virtual complainant $200 to avoid spending a month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

$1,000 FINE FOR OVERSTAYING

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A JAMAICAN man who overstayed his welcome in the country by four days was yesterday ordered to pay $1,000 to avoid spending one month behind bars.

Immigration officers arrested Roger Robinson on January 11 after being alerted to his whereabouts on Joe Farrington Road.

Upon arrival in the area, officers arrested Robinson and later took him to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre for further processing.

The prosecutor said system checks revealed Robinson entered the

country on December 24, 2021 and was only admitted for 14 days. Investigations also revealed the accused did not attempt to extend his stay in the country.

During his hearing before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans yesterday, Robinson pleaded guilty to the offence.

Before handing down her sentence, Magistrate VogtEvans told him his actions were unacceptable.

As a result, he was fined $1,000 and warned that failure to pay the fine would result in one month in prison.

The magistrate also ordered that Robinson be handed over to immigration for deportation.

FROM REMAND TO JAIL AFTER PRISON OFFICERS FIND MARIJUANA

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A SENIOR magistrate yesterday sentenced a man who was on remand to eight months behind bars after he was found with 1.5 ounces of marijuana by prison officers last year.

Cleophus Smith, 29, pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply after correctional officers found $135 worth of drugs on him on November 16.

Crown prosecutor ASP Claudette McKenzie-Louis told the court that sometime around 10.30am that day, prison officers reported that they found a black plastic wrap on Smith while searching the cell he was in.

He was in maximum security at the time awaiting trial on another matter.

The wrap contained 27 small packages which were believed to be filled with marijuana, the court was told.

The drugs were later retrieved and taken to the Drug Enforcement Unit and a month later, the accused was interviewed about the contraband.

During his interview with police, Smith did not agree with all the facts, insisting he only had two packages of marijuana on him at the time.

During yesterday’s hearing before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans, Smith maintained this position, adding he was sorry for his actions.

He also asked the magistrate for forgiveness.

However, Magistrate Vogt-Evans said he needed to turn to God and change his ways.

As a result, he was sentenced to eight months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and also fined $1,000.

Smith was told that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months behind bars.

Friday, January 21, 2022, PAGE 7

Process to find partner for GB airport this year

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM, Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said the government expects to begin a formal process for a public private partnership for the Grand Bahama International Airport in the second quarter of this year.

Until then, the plan is to begin immediate work on the facility to address several issues.

He gave the update, while also telling reporters meetings were held with China Construction America, owner of the British Colonial Hilton, yesterday to find a solution to closing the iconic Bay Street hotel.

He said it was the government’s desire that the property not close and if it must then the closure time is minimal.

“We will do some immediate work,” he said of the Grand Bahama International Airport. “As I have indicated

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper. previously, we’re going to ensure that night flights can happen again in Freeport.

We’re going to do some work on the tower and on some navigation equipment to ensure safety at night.

“If there are flights that need to happen, we’re going to ensure that there is a building that’s refurbished so that we can move workers out of the trailers and into a proper facility. That work has begun in terms of its design and processing of bids, etc.

That is going to continue over the next week or two and hopefully we are able to cause that work to happen in the short to medium term.”

Mr Cooper continued: “As it relates to the overall

masterplan for the year there will be a public private partnership exercise to design, build, finance (and) manage a world class facility right there in Grand Bahama for the benefit of the Bahamian people, the residents of Grand Bahama and, of course, our tourists and guests who come to our shores.

“All of the investors who expressed an interest share the concern of the government about the state of this airport and I know that we will have partners who are lined up to work hand-inhand with the Bahamian government and the Bahamian people to ensure that there is a proper public private partnership to restore the level of facility there that’s needed to encourage further investments in Grand Bahama.”

He said there was no formal timeline for this aspect, but it was expected by the government that the formal process would begin for PPPs in the second quarter of the year.

Regarding the Hilton, Mr Cooper said it was too early to make a pronouncement about the outcome of this situation. “We have other partners who might be able to replace the Hilton in its role as manager and flag carrier for this property.

“We made some introductions. We have ongoing discussions in terms of our general partnership with the owners of the Hilton and that’s all I am prepared to say at this time, but suffice to say there is commitment on their part and ours to preserve this iconic property as a part of the tourism product and we will continue to work hand-in-hand to cause it to continue to be not just an iconic building, but an iconic employer to the Bahamian people,” Mr Cooper said.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that the owners of the British Colonial Hilton had decided to “indefinitely” close from February 15 and terminate up to 130 staff.

PAGE 8, Friday, January 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

The good, the bad and the ugly WHERE do I begin this week?

It’s a smorgasbord of materials to choose from.

One thing I do know is that gluttony is one of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins,’ so I will lay off the “Dubai Trip,” no more servings for me.

However, there is still ample material to go around, and here’s what caught my eye this week, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

THE GOOD

Anyone who knows me knows how passionate my love for the game of basketball is.

So one can only imagine my shock and horror when I came across a voice note which had gone viral making the rounds

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

claiming the Bahamas had withdrawn from the FIIBA Olympic tournament due to “lack of funding”.

After intense public outcries and harsh criticism, the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s interim president Eugene Horton released an updated statement – “Every time we travel, it costs us about $50-60,000,” Horton said. “We are in the process of trying to put things in place where we, as a federation, try to become self-sufficient. But with this

window just around the corner, we have fallen short of our target goal.”

“So, hopefully, with everything going out there in social media that we are pulling out of the competition, we will have some corporate sponsors or business persons step up to assist us.”

Despite the rumours on social media that the Bahamas has pulled out of the competition, Horton refuted the allegations. He noted that they are willing

until the end of the month to make a final decision on whether or not the trip will be on or off.

Well, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief.

While appearing on ‘Talking Heads’ on Kiss96 FM, director of communications for the OPM, Mr LaTrae Rahming, expressed disappointment in the entire scenario and ensured Bahamians that the Davis administration will intervene and get the Men’s National team to the Dominican Republic for the qualifiers.

THE BAD

The British Colonial Hilton’s decision to “indefinitely” close from February 15, 2022, and terminate up to 130 staff in the process, is most certainly bad.

Despite conflicting reports, a British Colonial Hilton executive has been vague on the reasons for the closure and associated terminations and did

not explicitly state in yesterday’s meeting with the union whether the shutdown would be permanent or temporary.

The irony in all of this is that the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) has offices in the Hilton. I wonder if MOT staff know they soon have to move?

THE UGLY

Yet another heinous, senseless, violent attack on a Bahamian woman caught on video and subsequently circulated to viral proportions.

Yes, we have a severe problem concerning violence against women in our society. It’s time we woke up as citizens and demanded change.

Women are prominent in Bahamian society, but they continue to be victims of the many forms of domestic violence in our communities.

It’s high time domestic violence is taken seriously

in the Bahamas, with the proper legislation and laws to protect our Bahamian women and tourists alike.

I will leave you with an excerpt from the late Tupac Shakur classic - ‘Keep Ya Head Up’ “And since we all came from a woman Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman I wonder why we take from our women Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?

Time to heal our women, be real to our women And if we don’t we’ll have a race of babies That will hate the ladies, that make the babies And since a man can’t make one He has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one So will the real men get up I know you’re fed up, ladies, but keep your head up.”

IMMIGRATION OFFICER HELD AFTER VIDEO GOES VIRAL

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net AN immigration officer is one of two men in custody after a video showing a man kicking a woman in her face, knocking her unconscious on a sidewalk, went viral on social media.

Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said yesterday the woman is in hospital listed in serious condition.

“Police are aware of a video circulating on social media, where a female was being assaulted by two male suspects,” he told the press.

“As a result of a complaint made, two males were arrested and taken into custody. It has been confirmed that one of the males is an immigration

officer. The matter remains under active investigation.”

The one minute and fifty-two second long video begins with the woman on the sidewalk next to a car which is parked in the road with its doors open.

Another woman appears to be restraining a man who later kicks the injured woman in her head.

The person who recorded the video claimed the men dragged the woman out of her car and beat her because she allegedly hit their car.

When contacted for comment, Immigration Minister Keith Bell said yesterday “violence cannot be tolerated,” adding that immigration officials await the conclusion of the police investigation.

“I am advised by the Acting Commissioner of an incident which may involve an immigration officer,” he said. “As the matter is under active investigation I cannot say anything with respect to what may have happened. I have seen the video and I can indicate that as a Bahamian all of us must denounce all forms of violence, against women, children or anyone.

“The matter is under active investigation. From what has been indicated to me so far, the RBPF should conclude their investigation very shortly.

I will wait to see what their investigation reveals and I should say that the matter in question has nothing to do with immigration operations.”

THE TRIBUNE

Our love-hate relationship with Jeopardy

By Diane Phillips LIKE millions of others, my husband and I watch Jeopardy every night, well, just about every weekday night. I don’t know why we are addicted when we lose so consistently. It’s like asking to be punished and going back the next day and the next and the next after that for more punishment, hoping somehow after enough punishment, there will be a reward.

We are not alone. Jeopardy, the most popular TV game show of all time, draws an average of nine million viewers a night.

During peak times like the college championship when the toughest questions are posed with the least chance of at-home audiences getting them right, viewer numbers swell to 15 million.

With all the genuinely important stuff going on in the world, I cannot imagine why I am trying to figure out what causes this love-hate relationship with Jeopardy.

For anyone who doesn’t suffer the same addiction to

a time slot and predictability (7:30 pm, ABC, immediately after ZNS National Report or EyeWitness News), I’ll sum up what Jeopardy is all about. It’s a game with questions. Originally, before it was called Jeopardy, it was called ‘What’s the Question?’ and to this day, 58 years after it first aired, Jeopardy is still the answer and question show – that is, the format is a & q. There is a host and three contestants. The host provides the answer and whichever contestant hits the buzzer first tries to answer it correctly with a question that starts with the words, “What is?” or “Who is? Or “When was?” You get it. If they guess correctly, they get to go again, if incorrectly, the next contestant to buzz gets a chance.

There are 61 questions per show, 30 in the first 15 minutes, another 30 plus Final Jeopardy in the last half of the half hour show.

Contestants and home audience play along together

JEOPARDY is the most popular TV game show of all time - with long-time host Alex Trebek, left, who died of cancer in November, a popular favourite.

(only contestants get to take home cash that night), choosing questions from one of six categories and the dollar amount they want to risk up to $1,000 in specific amounts. In Final Jeopardy, they can risk whatever sum they want up to what they won before.

Here’s a sample of what seems like an easy question to us: The category is Island Nations. Contestant says they will risk $200. Host: “This English-speaking island nation was once part of the British Empire that oversaw its 700 islands.”

The contestant who buzzes first and answers in the form of a question, ‘What is

KING HAS A PRINCE OF AN IDEA FOR THOSE TANKS TIEFS EVERY now and then, a problem that seems almost insoluble turns out to have a simple solution. Take the case with the theft of propane gas cylinders.

Gas cylinder thieves, those who rob others of the ability to cook by taking tank and all the cooking or heating fuel it holds, get away with their crime because unlike vehicles that are easy to identify, all cylinders are pretty much created equal. Don’t let the common looks fool you.

There is a secret. Every cylinder has a serial or identity number. The reason that tank tiefs get away with tiefin’ tanks is that no one is checking the serial number to see who a tank rightly belongs to.

A tank tief can steal a

cylinder sold by one supplier and call another one to fill it, all of which is perfectly legitimate, and no one is checking to see if the tank is at the residence or business of its rightful owner. Nine times out of ten, the tank belongs to the individual who calls and asks for a refill. But when the pandemic hit and people lost jobs and got hungry, tanks were a quick buck and filled tanks were even better barter.

So there has been a rash of propane gas tank thefts and as you can rightly imagine, it’s not high up in policing priorities of culprits to be captured and cases to be solved.

But there is a very sharp young woman whose idea could prevent the costly

Friday, January 21, 2022, PAGE 9

interruption. Her name is King and she works at one of the major propane gas companies. She says if all the local gas companies got together and insisted drivers check to see where the tank they are filling belongs, it would solve a problem that affects the poorest among us where tanks are most exposed.

All it takes is cooperation among companies and drivers. Over time, a database would emerge, making the checking process even easier.

And don’t think these tank tiefs aren’t courageous. They recently hauled off a 200lb propane tank that had just been refilled, weight – approximately a ton? Sounds like Ms King has a prince of an idea.

The Bahamas?’ wins $200 and the chance to go again in the next question. Sounds simple, right?

That’s because we know the answer. But most of the time, we don’t which is why it is so mind-boggling that we keep trying. And, except in Final Jeopardy where the contestants have 30 seconds to write down an answer, they only have about two seconds to get it right or lose the opportunity to think out loud. So either you know it or you don’t. No time to figure it out.

So, let’s try a $1,000 question in the same category, Island Nations. This was a recent one: Host ‘What’s

now this nation that resisted naval sieges by the Berbers in 1429, the Ottomans in 1656 and Axis WW11 air assaults?’ Not so easy when you don’t have the answer at your fingertips.

On a good night, I may get six to eight questions right, on a bad night, two to three. So why do I turn on and tune in to Jeopardy to be beat up by something in which at my best, I am scoring around 10 percent and often less?

Why, like others, did I think Jeopardy would just fade away when its longtime host, Alex Trebek, died in November of pancreatic cancer, by the way, the same cancer that caused the death of his predecessor Art Fleming who was the show’s first host from 1964 to 1975. Trebek, who took over in 1984, filmed more than 8000 episodes over 36 years. No other game show host retained Trebek’s popularity, credibility and likeability for such a

stretch. A welcome guest in the household every night, he was as comfortable a companion as warm slippers on a cold night. The show, the host, the pattern – predictable, regular, routine and yet challenging, mostly manageable.

And maybe that is why we continue to watch and play, despite our low scores.

There is so much we cannot control, so much out of our hands and our reach, whether or not to send troops into battle, whether to admit that we will one day be taking orders from robots, maybe with so little control over what happens around us, the simple 24 minutes of air time of Jeopardy is a reminder that even if we don’t get the answers right, the choice to be in the game is up to us.

Oh, the answer to that $1,000 question: I think it was Malta, but if I am wrong, it would not be the first time, and I will still watch Jeopardy waiting, hoping to get the next one right.

PAGE 10, Friday, January 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Aid flights arrive in Tonga after volcano eruption WELLINGTON, New Zealand Associated Press THE first flights carrying fresh water and other aid to Tonga finally arrived yesterday after the Pacific nation’s main airport runway was cleared of ash left by a huge volcanic eruption.

New Zealand and Australia each sent military transport planes that were carrying water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene supplies and communications equipment. The Australian plane also had a special sweeper to help keep the runway clear.

The deliveries were dropped off without the military personnel coming in contact with people at the airport in Tonga.

That’s because Tonga is desperate to make sure foreigners don’t bring in the coronavirus. It has not had any outbreaks of COVID19 and has reported just a single case since the pandemic began.

Rear Adm. James Gilmour, the commander of New Zealand’s Joint Forces, said there had been a “mammoth effort” by Tongan troops “to clear that runway by hand. And they’ve achieved that this afternoon”.

Australia said the assistance would help Tonga’s government meet the community’s needs and support the immediate cleanup efforts.

Japan also said it is sending emergency relief, including drinking water and equipment for cleaning away volcanic ash. Two C-130 Hercules aircraft left

HMAS Adelaide embarks Chinook Heavy-Lift Helicopters on Wednesday before departing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Government of Tonga.

Photo: LSIS David Cox/Australian Defence Force via AP Thursday evening, and a officials report that about Saturday’s eruption and Digicel, said yesterday it transport vessel carrying 84,000 people — more tsunami appeared to have had managed to restore two CH-47 Chinook heli- than 80 percent of Tonga’s broken the single fiber-optic the ability to make intercopters will depart as soon population — have been cable that connects Tonga national calls from some as it is ready, the Defense impacted by the volcano’s with the rest of the world. places by using a satellite eruption, UN spokesman That means most people link, but that people would Ministry said.

Defence Minister Nobuo Stéphane Dujarric said, haven’t been able to use need to be patient due Kishi told reporters that his pointing to three deaths, the internet or make phone to high demand. It said it ministry “will do everything injuries, loss of homes and calls abroad, although some hoped to enhance its serlocal phone networks are vice over the coming days. we can for the disaster-hit polluted water.

Communications with still working. people of Tonga”.

A navy patrol ship One phone company, from New Zealand is also UN humanitarian Tonga remain limited after

expected to arrive later Thursday. It is carrying hydrographic equipment and divers, and also has a helicopter to assist with delivering supplies.

Officials said the ship’s first task would be to check shipping channels and the structural integrity of the wharf in the capital, Nuku’alofa, following the eruption and tsunami.

Another New Zealand navy ship carrying 66,000 gallons of water is on its way. The ship can also produce tens of thousands of liters of fresh water each day using a desalination plant.

Three of Tonga’s smaller islands suffered serious damage from tsunami waves, officials and the Red Cross said.

The UN’s Dujarric said “all houses have apparently been destroyed on the island of Mango and only two houses remain on Fonoifua island, with extensive damage reported on Nomuka”. He said evacuations are underway for people from the islands.

According to Tongan census figures, Mango is home to 36 people, Fonoifua is home to 69 people, and Nomuka to 239. The majority of Tongans live on the main island of Tongatapu, where about 50 homes were destroyed.

Dujarric said the most pressing humanitarian needs are safe water, food and non-food items, and top priorities are reestablishing communication services including for international calls and the internet.

Tonga has so far avoided the widespread devastation that many initially feared.

AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENT APPROVES VACCINE MANDATE FOR ADULTS VIENNA Associated Press

Funeral Service For

Clarabella Violetta Gardiner, 78 of Kerr Mount, Bottle Creek North, Caicos and a residence of Palm Breeze Road off Carmichael Road will be held on Saturday, 22nd January, 2022 at New Covenant Baptist Church, Independence Drive at 11:00am. Officiating will be Bishop Simeon B. Hall. Interment will follow in the Lakeview Memorial Gardens, JFK Drive.

Left to cherish her memories are her siblings: Salisbury, Shirlyn and Dr. Dorothy Gardiner (Philippines); nephew: Theodore Ferguson and wife Alexa; nieces: Nancy Knowles (Victor), Shanna Johnson (Antonious), Charlene, Pinkey and Samantha Gardiner, Debra, Karen Gardiner; grand nieces: Amanda Gardiner, Maya Ferguson, Jaelyn Brandon, Sophia Johnson, Jade and Zharia Ferguson, Candy Shuman, Latoya Sterlyn, Victorian Knowles; grand nephews: Kaiden & Kaivall Francis, Amar Taylor, Destin Brandon, Samuel Johnson, Victor Knowles Jr., Vincent Knowles; great grand nephew: Mark Anthony Gardiner and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing be held at the Clemese Suite at Rosewill Memorial Morturary, #244 Market Street and Oxford Avenue on (TODAY) Friday, 21st January, 2022 from 10am to 5pm.

Death Notice For

Pauline Barbara Bain Rolle, 70 formerly of Matthew Town, Inagua and a residence of #237 East Street died on Thursday, 6th January, 2022 at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

She is survived by her children: Sergeant Valarie Burrows; Minister N’Shonda and Sergeant John Rolle II; 9 grandchildren: Jarvin Thompson, Derronique and Derron Burrows Jr.; Fredricka and Fred Wildgoose Jr.; Dorothy Pierre; Jani’ya, Jamarius and John Rolle III; 1 great grandchild: Deron Heild Jr.; step children, adopted children, siblings, numerous nephews and neices, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

AUSTRIA’S parliament voted yesterday to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults from Feb. 1, the first of its kind in Europe, with maximum potential fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,000) for people who don’t comply after a series of reminders.

Lawmakers voted 137 to 33 in favor of the measure, which will apply to all residents of Austria aged 18 and over. Exemptions are made for pregnant women, people who for medical reasons can’t be vaccinated, or who have recovered from the coronavirus in the previous six months.

Officials say the mandate is necessary because vaccination rates remain too low in the small Alpine country.

They say it will ensure that Austria’s hospitals are not overwhelmed with COVID19 patients.

Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein, speaking in parliament yesterday afternoon, called the measure a “big, and, for the first time, also lasting step” in Austria’s fight against the pandemic.

“This is how we can manage to escape the cycle of opening and closing, of lockdowns,” he said, noting that it’s about fighting not just omicron, but any future variants that might emerge.

“That is why this law is so urgently needed right now.”

The Austrian government first announced the plan for a universal vaccine mandate at the same time it imposed a since-lifted lockdown in November, and amid concern that

Austria’s vaccination rate was comparatively low for Western Europe. As of Thursday, about 72 percent of the population of 8.9 million was considered fully vaccinated.

The measure passed easily in parliament after a fierce debate. Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s governing coalition, made up of his conservative Austrian People’s Party and the Greens, worked with two of the three opposition parties in parliament on the plan. The far-right Freedom Party vehemently opposed it.

“I’m appalled, I’m stunned, I’m shaken and I’m shocked,” said Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl, calling the law “nothing more than a huge blow to the freedoms of Austrians.”

US CHARGES BELARUS WITH AIR PIRACY IN REPORTER’S ARREST NEW YORK Associated Press

US PROSECUTORS charged four Belarusian government officials on Thursday with aircraft piracy for diverting a Ryanair flight last year to arrest an opposition journalist, using a ruse that there was a bomb threat.

The charges, announced by federal prosecutors in New York, recounted how a regularly-scheduled passenger plane traveling between Athens, Greece, and Vilnius, Lithuania, on May 23 was diverted to Minsk, Belarus by air traffic control authorities there.

“Since the dawn of powered flight, countries around the world have cooperated to keep passenger airplanes safe. The defendants shattered those standards by diverting an airplane to further the improper purpose of repressing dissent and free speech,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a

news release announcing the charges.

Ryanair said Belarusian flight controllers told the pilots there was a bomb threat against the jetliner and ordered it to land in Minsk. The Belarusian military scrambled a MiG-29 fighter jet in an apparent attempt to encourage the crew to comply with the flight controllers’ orders.

The journalist and activist who was arrested, Raman Pratasevich, ran a popular messaging app that helped organise mass demonstrations against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. The 26-year-old Pratasevich left Belarus in 2019 and faced charges there of inciting riots.

In August, US President Joe Biden levied new sanctions against Belarus on the one-year anniversary of Lukashenko’s election to a sixth term leading the Eastern European

nation — a vote the US and international community said was fraught with irregularities.

Widespread belief that the 2020 vote was stolen triggered mass protests in Belarus that led to increased repressions by Lukashenko’s government on protesters, dissidents and independent media.

More than 35,000 people were arrested and thousands were beaten and jailed. The protests lasted for months, petering out only when winter set in.

Those charged in court papers Thursday were identified as Leonid Mikalaevich Churo, director general of Belaeronavigatsia Republican Unitary Air Navigation Services Enterprise, the Belarusian state air navigation authority; Oleg Kazyuchits, deputy director general of Belaeronavigatsia; and two Belarusian state security agents whose full identities weren’t known to prosecutors.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 21, 2022, PAGE 11

VANDERPOOL

SUNS RALLY LATE TO BEAT MAVS 109-101, SWEEP FIVEGAME ROAD TRIP

FROM PAGE 16

Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations.

Brenden, an 11th grade student at Whitefield Academy, is now aiming to replace his father’s long-standing mark either when he competes this weekend at the 7th annual Georgia Indoor State Pole Vault Championships or at the CARIFTA Games in Jamaica in April, if he’s selected by the BAAA following the trials, scheduled for March 25-26.

The Indoor State Pole Vault Championships, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, is the oldest pole vault specific indoor state competition in the USA. Hosted by the Atlanta Track Club, Pole Vault Atlanta and SMART Meet Management, the competition is expected to feature around 70-80 jumpers in the Masters, Open Division and Youth Divisions for girls and boys.

Brenden, at six-feet towering over his 5-11 father, is one of the top two contenders for the boys’ title at the championships. He defeated his arch-rival Alon Rogow, a 12th grader at Dunwoody, in their first head-to-head meeting about a week ago.

But there’s expected to be a lot of fireworks when they clash again on Sunday to determine the A divisional boys’ state champion.

Having his 56-year-old father as his coach and mentor has helped to motivate and inspire Brenden to achieve the level of success he has so far. But he said it’s also the driving force for him to go out and pursue the sport as far as he can in the future.

“In the earlier stage of my jumping, I made a board with a trophy on top of it,” Brenden said.

“On the board, it has my father’s national record on it. That is my goal. It’s s huge goal and that is why I keep pushing myself. “That was what got me started and keeps me going. We both want it, but I think because I have fallen so much in love with the sport that I really want it a little more than he does.”

This weekend. Brenden said he hopes to continue to improve on his PR and if he does, he should be able to add the title to the Vanderpool collection that includes Brent’s gold in the under-20 boys’ division at the 1983 CARIFTA Games in Martinique with 12-9 ½

BRENDEN Vanderpool flexes his muscles as he shows off his gold medal.

BRENT and Brenden Vanderpool, right, share a special moment.

(3.90m) when he beat out fellow Bahamian Richard Parker (12-6 or 3.81m).

“It’s going to be a big meet,” said Brent, who graduated from St Augustine’s College in 1983 and went on to compete for Delaware State University up to 1988 before he completed his collegiate tenure at George Washington University in 1982.

“We’re looking forward to him putting on a very good performance. He’s already improved his personal best by 30 inches in less than nine months. So I’m looking for some good performances from him this weekend.”

From the time he ventured into the sport, Brenden said he knew this was where he belongs and he’s taking advantage of every opportunity he gets to compete. “I did a year in track and field in middle school, then I stopped and played soccer for one year, then I came back and now I’m stuck in track and field,” said Brenden of his introduction to the sport.

“My dad introduced me to pole vault and that was what got me started.

Having that support base from him and knowing what he achieved, I

decided to pursue it. I did a little bit of basketball, but I really love competing in track and field, especially the pole vault.”

One of his goals this year is to qualify for the CARIFTA Games and to go to Jamaica and win a medal just like his father Brent did.

“In 1976, my mother was watching the Montreal Olympics and Bruce Jenner was competing in the pole vault in the decathlon for the United States,” Brent said. “We then put up some bars in our backyard and I started jumping on a mattress.

“From that, four persons in my neighbourhood went on to represent the Bahamas at the CARIFTA Games in the pole vault, including Brent Johnson, who won the gold in 1985,” said Brent, a CARIFTA gold medallist. “The other were my brother, Jean, who won a gold in 1986 and Duane Edwards, who competed that same year.”

For years, Brent said he was grooming his son in their backyard in Atlanta doing a lot of gymnastics workouts, but he really didn’t reveal his plans until he started competing in the sport. As it turned

BRENDEN VANDERPOOL, above and top right, in action. out, Brent said it worked out quite well because Brenden has grown to love the sport and the discipline he’s involved in.

“He told me why and that was one of the reasons and I literally enjoyed it,” Brenden said. “I think it was cool and now I see why I continue to excel so fast in the sport. Those sessions have really pushed me further ahead in the sport.”

And having watched his national record stand the test of time over the years, Brent said if there’s anyone capable of breaking his

mark, it could be Brenden.

He noted that unlike when he competed and only had about four poles in his life, Brent said Brenden has at least eight poles at his disposal in practice and training.

“I’ve never had the resources that he has and that is one of the reasons why I feel he will be much better than I was,” Brent said.

Only time will tell how far Brenden will soar under the tutelage of his father Brent as a pole vault specialist.

DALLAS (AP) — Devin Booker scored 28 points, Chris Paul had 20 points and 11 assists, and the Phoenix Suns rallied late to beat the Dallas Mavericks 109-101 last night.

In a matchup of two of the NBA’s hottest teams, Phoenix (35-9) finished a sweep of its season-high, five-game road trip and won its ninth straight against the Mavericks.

Luka Doncic scored 28 points, Jalen Brunson added 19 and Kristaps Porzingis had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks (26-20), who finished a home back-to-back and had a four-game winning streak snapped.

After Mikel Bridges’ floater gave Phoenix a 101-99 lead with 2:56 left, Bismack Biyombo – playing only his seventh game this season after joining the Suns this month – followed his free throw with a dunk to give Phoenix a 104-99 lead. Paul’s 3-pointer with 19 seconds to go was the clincher, putting the Suns ahead 107-99.

Doncic has scored 20 or more points in nine straight games. He missed the Mavericks’ two previous games against Phoenix this season, losses in mid-November, with injuries.

The Suns won despite shooting a season-worst 22.2% on 3-pointers (8 for 36), including missing 17 straight in the first half.

TIP-INS Suns: Played their second straight game without starting centre Deandre Ayton, their second-leading scorer and top rebounder (right ankle sprain).

Mavericks: Had won seven consecutive home games, featuring wins over Phoenix, Golden State and Chicago. … Played their second straight game without reserve guard Sterling Brown (sore left foot) UP NEXT Suns: Host Indiana on Saturday for their first home game since January 8.

Mavericks: Home on Sunday against Southwest Division leader Memphis to finish a fivegame homestand.

HENFIELD FROM PAGE 16

“We have had to consistently keep our numbers between six and nine persons per session.” Henfield said. “We have nine goals in there so each kid is able to access his own rim, wear their mask and play with their own basketball.

“Our rims are spaced out at 11-feet apart and we do the hand sanitising and temperature check on all of the participants in and out of the facility. So we’ve been able to make it work with our small numbers during this COVID-19 environment.”

Originally, Henfield said the goal was to accommodate up to 20-plus players per session as they develop their ball-handling skills dribbling on the wall in the open space and allowing others to do additional drills on the open space on the floor.

“Because of COVID-19, we have to keep a maximum and so we could only accommodate between 9-12 persons per session,” he stated.

When they began their launch on November 15, Henfield said it was anticipated having the participants select a plan where they came in twice a week one week and once the next week, or they came three times in one week.

“We quickly learned that none of those plans really worked in that first month leading up to December 15 because the kids really didn’t do any work when they were away from us,” he said. “In the the days they didn’t come to us, they were not doing any work.

“So we amended our schedule coming into January where we abandoned those plans we had and we

MYA Henfield shoots the ball in Dr Dish CT Shooting Machine.

DR Dish CT Shooting machine recording up close. just did a bulk rate where the kids could get access to train five days a week from Monday to Friday. That gives us the ability to see the growth that we wanted.”

As a result of the amendment to their schedule, Henfield said they are able to get closer to their end goal as it relates to creating a safe and secure environment for the players to come after school to engage in their training sessions.

“I didn’t intend to keep them indoors for this long because we wanted them to be able to go outside and participate in the events we have for them as well,” he pointed out. “But in keeping them indoors, its helped in their development in terms of shooting where the

kids can lay down their own foundation for their success in shooting the basketball.”

And to assist the players in their shooting skills, Henfield said he’s been able to purchase the top of the line Dr Dish CT (Complete Training) machine, which is considered to be one of the best shooting machines on the market.

“It allows us to continue to expand our vision of being a shooting academy,” Henfield said. “Kids are now able to shoot the ball and don’t have to worry about rebounding. The machine rebounds for them and passes the ball back to them.

“The machine comes loaded with over 1,500 preloaded programme skills

MARVIN Henfield displaying the Dr Dish CT shooting machine. inside of it from 75 of the top trainers in the world and from a few hundred coaches. So kids are able to log in their profile, put in their phone number and run a pin that they created and then they access their workout assignments that we have assigned to their plans.”

On their free time, Henfield said each player can log onto any other plan they wish to pursue but, for the time being, they have a structured training programme that they must maintain. “It’s an exciting tool for us to have,” he said. “By virtue of having the shooting machine, you can get up to four to six times the shots you would normally take without the

machine. So it’s a great tool to add to the basketball players where they can consistently shoot over 200 basketballs in one setting.

That has never been heard of in the Bahamas.”

When you add the amount of shots a player can shoot over the course of a year using the machine, Henfield said it should be able to improve their percentage in a game significantly when its time to compete for their respective teams.

The Dr Dish CT machine also allows the coaches to track each player’s individual statistics on a daily basis depending on whether they shoot the ball from the wing, the corner or the top of the key, which is added to their profile. “The machine

keeps a track of those percentages, those makes and those misses, so it’s a great cool feature for each kid in their own personal profile,” Henfield said.

By the end of the year, Henfield said they hope to add another six machines, which will be placed at the seven goals they have inside the facility.

For those persons who still wish to get involved in the programme, Henfield revealed that their hours go from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday and from 1pm to 7pm, but those hours can only be accessed by booking times on their app.

“Not because we say 7am mean that I will be there 7am. We will only be there for those persons who book the time,” he said. “In that way, we can control the crowd in this COVID-19 environment and we won’t have to be waiting around for persons to show up and they don’t show up.”

Interested persons can log onto www.mhbshootingacademy.com. Instagram page @ mhbshootingacademy on his Instagram page at Marvin J Henfield.

PAGE 12, Friday, January 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

JOTA LEADS LIVERPOOL PAST ARSENAL INTO LEAGUE CUP FINAL

IVORY Coast’s players celebrates after Nicolas Pepe scored a goal yesterday during the African Cup of Nations 2022 group E soccer match between Ivory Coast and Algeria at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon,.

(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

African Cup: Defending champ Algeria out, Comoros advances DOUALA, Cameroon (AP) — Defending champion Algeria was dumped out of the African Cup of Nations in the group stage yesterday with a 3-1 loss to an Ivory Coast team that was rampant at times and announced itself as a contender for the title in Cameroon.

Ivory Coast’s one-sided victory meant Algeria, which was again one of the favourites this year, exited without a win after two shock results earlier in the tournament left it bottom of Group E. The drubbing

by Ivory Coast made sure it stayed there.

Algeria joined another former champion, Ghana, in leaving early after failing to win a game and finishing bottom of the group.

While those two African soccer powers are on their way home, Comoros and Gambia are on their way to the knockout stage of their first major tournament.

In another surprising result — the upsets are almost a daily occurrence at this totally unpredictable African Cup — Gambia scored in the 93rd minute to beat former champion Tunisia 1-0 in Group F. Ablie Jallow slammed a shot high into the net from the edge of the area for Gambia.

The upshot after the last day of the group stage is: Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea are through from Group E and Mali, Gambia and Tunisia — which was one of the four best third-place teams — all progressed from Group F. Algeria had needed to beat Ivory Coast to keep its title defence alive after drawing with Sierra Leone and then finding itself on the wrong end of one of the biggest upsets in African Cup history when it lost to Equatorial Guinea on Sunday. It didn’t come close to turning it around as Ivory Coast surged into a 3-0 lead in Douala through goals by Franck Kessié and Ibrahim Sangaré in the first half, and Nicolas Pépé in the 54th minute.

Kessié turned a volley in for the opener and Sangaré was completely unmarked from a free kick to power a header home. The Algerian defenders stood and looked at each other after the goal.

Pépé’s goal was high quality as he bore down on goal, swerved in between two defenders, and stroked a shot into the left corner.

Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty after 60 minutes to encapsulate Algeria’s

ALGERIA’S SAID BENRAHMA, right, watches on as Ivory Coast’s Serge Aurier kicks the ball during the African Cup of Nations 2022 group E soccer match between Ivory Coast and Algeria at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) miserable tournament. The Manchester City forward sent Ivory Coast keeper Badra Ali Sangaré the wrong way but his spot kick cannoned off the post.

Algeria did pull one back through Sofiane Bendebka’s header but that did nothing to soften the blow of a disastrous tournament for the North Africans.

Ivory Coast set up a last 16 meeting with Egypt next Wednesday in what looks to be the game of the round. Ivory Coast won the African Cup in 2015 in the Yaya Touré era but had

been overlooked at this tournament.

That changed with a compelling performance against Algeria which could have easily produced more goals.

Equatorial Guinea followed up its stunner over Algeria by beating 10-man Sierra Leone 1-0 in the other Group E game yesterday to progress behind group winner Ivory Coast.

Sierra Leone’s 37-yearold striker Kei Kamara missed a late penalty that would have put his team through as one of the best

third-place teams at the expense of Comoros.

Comoros had to wait since Tuesday to see if it would advance but ultimately squeezed through as the lowest-ranked of the third-place teams. The tiny island nation stunned fourtime African Cup winner Ghana 3-2 in Group C to claim its first victory in major tournament soccer.

For context, Comoros only played its first game as a team in 1979, by which time Ghana had already won three African titles.

Comoros’ reward is a last-16 game against host Cameroon at the showpiece Olembe Stadium in Yaounde on Monday.

Tunisia’s Seifeddine Jaziri had a penalty saved in the loss to Gambia, the third missed spot kick of the day after Mahrez and Kamara. Mali won 2-0 against Mauritania in the other Group F game, when Ibrahima Koné ended that trend and did score from the spot for Mali’s second.

The African Cup has today and Saturday off before returning Sunday with the first two games in the round of 16; Burkina Faso vs. Gabon and Nigeria vs. Tunisia. Tunisia’s penalty for losing to Gambia is a meeting with the in-form Nigerians.

LONDON (AP) — Diogo Jota stepped up in Mohamed Salah’s absence with two goals yesterday to lead Liverpool to a 2-0 victory at Arsenal and into a League Cup final against Chelsea.

While Liverpool coped with Salah’s continued stay at the African Cup of Nations with Egypt and Sadio Mané’s with Senegal, the rapid return of Thomas Partey after Ghana’s early exit backfired for Arsenal.

Partey came on in the 74th minute — just before Jota’s second goal — but was then booked in the 86th for a late challenge on Neco Williams and again in the 90th for a lunge on Fabinho.

The midfielder was dismissed hours after landing from Cameroon and he will now be suspended for Sunday’s Premier League match against Burnley.

The semifinal was locked at 0-0 following the first leg at Anfield last week until Jota scored in the 19th with a low finish through two defenders and past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

When Jota dinked the ball over Ramsdale in the second half, the goal was initially ruled out until VAR overturned the offside.

The Portugal forward now has 14 goals in 27 appearances this season for Liverpool — surpassing his tally of 13 in his first campaign after joining from Wolverhampton in 2020.

“Diogo Jota’s on fire,” Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said. “We were convinced when he arrived at the club he would help us massively.

“Since he is here he has made another step, he has turned into a really worldclass striker. The mood in the dressing room is over the moon. The boys were exceptional.”

Liverpool, which won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020, is now into its first domestic final on February 27 since being denied the League Cup by Manchester City in 2016.

Liverpool, like Chelsea, is still in the Champions League and FA Cup. It’s just the Premier League title that’s increasingly out of sight with second-place Liverpool 11 points behind Manchester City and Chelsea a further point behind.

But it will be a second successive season without a trophy for 2020 FA Cup winner Arsenal, which is already out of the FA Cup, is sixth in the Premier League and isn’t playing in Europe this season.

COPA EXIT BECOMES BARCELONA’S LATEST SETBACK, MADRID RALLIES

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Barcelona’s list of disappointments this season got longer yesterday with a loss to Athletic Bilbao in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. Barcelona lost 3-2 in extra time to add to recent failures in the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League.

The Catalan club also trails Real Madrid by 17 points in the Spanish league, and the Europa League is the only title it can realistically play for in its first season since the departure of Lionel Messi, the Argentina star who moved to Paris Saint-Germain.

Madrid also needed extra time at Elche but avoided an upset thanks to Eden Hazard’s late goal after the team went a man down and needed to come from behind to win 2-1.

BARCELONA FAILS AGAIN Defending Copa champion Barcelona couldn’t get past Athletic despite equalising twice in a rematch of last year’s final, losing after Iker Munain converted a

penalty kick late in the first half of extra time.

Munain put Athletic ahead two minutes into the match at San Mamés Stadium before Ferran Torres equalised in the 20th with his first goal since joining Barcelona — a beautiful curling shot into the top corner.

Iñigo Martínez restored the host’s lead from close range in the 86th but Pedri González sent the match into extra time with a goal in stoppage time.

Barcelona, which couldn’t keep Messi because of its financial struggles, didn’t make it past the group stage in the Champions League and last week lost to Madrid in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup. “We don’t have any other choice than to keep believing in our project,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández said.

American defender Sergiño Dest, returning from a back injury and a positive COVID-19 test, entered in the 96th minute in his first appearance since Dec. 8.

The other teams to reach the Copa quarterfinals are Mallorca, Cádiz, Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Real Betis and Real Sociedad,

REFEREE shows a red card to Real Madrid’s Marcelo, second right, during a Copa del Rey soccer match between Elche and Real Madrid at Martinez Valero stadium in Elche, Spain, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Alberto Saiz) which eliminated defending scored in the final minutes that fooled Madrid goalSpanish champion Atlético on a breakaway from near keeper Andriy Lunin after Madrid on Wednesday. the midfield line. deflecting on defender Dani MADRID RALLIES He picked up a pass Ceballos.

Isco Alarcón and Hazard by David Alaba and got The goal came following — who has played sparingly around the goalkeeper a free kick that prompted this season — scored in the before finding the open the red card to Marcelo second half of extra time to net for his first goal with as he fouled a defender send Madrid into the Copa Madrid since May. from behind to stop a quarterfinals.

Hazard himself thought counterattack.

“I’m happy for Isco and he was offside and hesitated Madrid responded when Hazard,” Madrid coach to celebrate at first but the Isco redirected a shot Carlo Ancelotti said. “They goal was confirmed after a by Ceballos inside the haven’t played many min- video review. area after being set up by utes but they came through Gonzalo Verdú has Casemiro. today.” scored for Elche in the first Elche thought it had Hazard came on at the half of extra time with a equalised just before the start of extra time and shot from outside the area final whistle but the goal

was called back because of a foul on a defender inside the area.

Madrid is seeking its first Copa title since 2013-14.

It was stunned by thirddivision club Alcoyano in the round of 16 last season while still under coach Zinedine Zidane.

Elche was playing in the round of 16 for the first time since 2014-15.

Madrid was coming off triumph in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, where it beat Barcelona in the semifinals and Athletic in the final.

Ancelotti left three regular starters off the squad for yesterday’s game — goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defender Éder Militão and striker Karim Benzema, the team’s leading scorer this season. Gareth Bale returned following a long injury layoff but stayed on the bench.

GETAFE MOVES UP Getafe defeated Granada 4-2 at home for its third win in its last four Spanish league matches.

The result moved the Madrid side to 16th place, four points from the relegation zone. Granada, which was coming off two draws, stay 14th.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 21, 2022, PAGE 13

Medvedev withstands Kyrgios, crowd to advance in Australia

By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Daniil Medvedev faced a hostile crowd and a full array of Nick Kyrgios’ outbursts and tricks, and still remained calm for long enough to reach the third round at the Australian Open.

The 115th-ranked Kyrgios worked up the crowd, hit ‘tweeners and drop shots, mixed up the pace of his groundstrokes and tossed in an under-arm serve in a bid to ruffle the second-ranked Russian.

Medvedev kept his composure, taking a quick trip to the locker room after losing the third set and recovering to win 7-6 (1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 yesterday on a rowdy Rod Laver Arena.

In an on-court TV interview with former champion Jim Courier, Medvedev was asked how he managed to stay so composed.

“That’s the only choice when you get booed between first and second serve,” he said, triggering some boos from the crowd.

Kyrgios usually likes to play on John Cain Arena, known locally as the People’s Court because fans with ground passes can get in and the singing and chanting can get wild.

He managed to turn the all-ticketed stadium court into something more akin to a soccer stadium.

In the seventh game of the third set, Kyrgios got two break-point chances when he bunted away a backhand from Medvedev directed at his body and then took off on a circular run behind the baseline to celebrate like he’d scored a goal.

When he converted the break, he danced in the change-over and worked up the crowd. Medvedev lowered the volume with two service breaks in the fourth set to beat the talented but erratic Kyrgios for the first time in three attempts. He served 31 aces to 17 for the Aussie, and converted four of his 11 break-point chances while saving seven of nine on his own serve.

Told later that he may have misheard the boos, and that Kyrgios’ supporters were mimicking the “siiiuuu” sound that soccer fans yell when Cristiano Ronaldo scores goals, Medvedev said still “it’s not easy to play against the crowd.”

“But they stay as fun matches afterwards because in the end, yeah,

DANIIL MEDVEDEV, of Russia, gestures after defeating Nick Kyrgios of Australia in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday.

(AP Photos/Hamish Blair) we gave the crowd a big show,” he said. “Probably Nick more, because, well, he’s a big entertainer.

“I think it was a great match to watch. Already got a lot of messages, not just congratulations like usual, but like, ‘Wow, what a match!’”

Medvedev was the runner-up last year but avenged that loss by beating Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final.

He’s the quasi No. 1 now, anyway, because Djokovic was deported on the eve of the tournament for failing to meet Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination regulations.

Another contender in his half of the draw had a routine run, with fourthseeded Stefanos Tsitsipas beating Sebastian Baez 7-6 (1), 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4.

Other second-round winners among the men included No. 5 Andrey Rublev, No. 15 Roberto Bautista Agut, No. 20 Taylor Fritz, 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic and No. 32 Alex de Minaur. Australian wildcard entry Chris O’Connell upset 13th-seeded Diego Schwartzman 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-4.

Five-time runner-up Andy Murray only lasted two rounds. Two days after winning his first match at the Australian Open in five years, the former No. 1 lost to 120th-ranked Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

There were plenty of surprises in the women’s

NICK KYRGIOS, of Australia plays a shot back between his legs during his second round match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday.

draw on Day 4, with No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza the highest-seeded player to exit only minutes after No. 6 Anett Kontaveit lost.

U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu lost a night match to Danka Kovinic 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Kovinic has reached the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time and will next play two-time major champion Simona Halep.

Raducanu needed treatment for blisters on her right hand two nights after her first-round win over 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens. The blisters, on top of a recent bout of the coronavirus, had some people in her team convinced the 19-year-old Raducanu shouldn’t play.

“Because 21 days, no tennis, my hands got pretty soft,” said Raducanu, who won the U.S. Open as a qualifier in only her second major. “It ended up being pretty deep. But it’s a bit

annoying, because I know it’s something that will heal in a few days — just unfortunate timing.”

Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka served nine double-faults in her first two service games, 12 in the first set and appeared to be on the brink of a second-round defeat before recovering to hold off 100th-ranked Wang Xinyu 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.

She will next play face 31st-seeded Marketa Vondrousova, the 2019 runner-up at Roland Garros.

Kontaveit lost 6-2, 6-3 to 19-year-old Clara Tauson, who will make her thirdround debut against 2019 Australian Open semifinalist Danielle Collins.

No. 7 Iga Swiatek, the 2020 French Open champion, No. 19 Elise Mertens and Sorana Cirstea were among the other women advancing. Zhang Shuai of China moved into the third round when No. 12 Elena

Rybakina retired from their match while trailing 6-4, 1-0.

Sam Stosur retired from singles for good after a 6-2, 6-2 loss to No. 10 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova ended the 2011 U.S. Open champion’s 20th Australian Open.

Muguruza never managed to earn a single break point and made 33 unforced errors, more than twice her opponent’s total, in a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Alize Cornet. “A little bit surprised about my level. I am a little disappointed, too,” said Muguruza, a two-time major champion and 2020 Australian Open runner-up who won last year’s seasonending WTA Finals.

And the 61st-ranked Cornet? She called herself “a little bit (of) a dinosaur.”

She’s appearing in her 63rd career major tournament — and 60th in a row — but never has been beyond the fourth round.

Cornet will get a chance to equal that showing when she plays Tamara Zidansek on Saturday, her 32nd birthday.

NCAA ADOPTS NEW POLICY FOR TRANSGENDER ATHLETES INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA has adopted a sport-by-sport approach for transgender athletes, bringing the organisation in line with the US and International Olympic Committees.

Under the new guidelines, approved by the NCAA Board of Governors on Wednesday, transgender participation for each sport will be determined by the policy for the sport’s national governing body, subject to review and recommendation by an NCAA committee to the Board of Governors.

When there is no national governing body, that sport’s international federation policy would be in place. If there is no international federation policy, previously established IOC policy criteria would take over.

“Approximately 80 percent of US Olympians are either current or former college athletes,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a release.

“This policy alignment provides consistency and further strengthens the relationship between college sports and the US Olympics.”

The NCAA policy is effective immediately, beginning with the 2022 winter championships.

NCAA rules on transgender athletes returned to the forefront when Penn swimmer Lia Thomas started smashing records this year. She was on the men’s team her first three years, but she is competing for the women this season after transitioning.

The Board of Governors is suggesting NCAA divisions allow for additional eligibility if a transgender student-athlete loses eligibility based on the policy change.

That flexibility is provided they meet the NCAA’s new guidelines.

“We are steadfast in our support of transgender student-athletes and the fostering of fairness across college sports,” Georgetown President John DeGioia said in a release.

“It is important that NCAA member schools, conferences and college athletes compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment and can move forward with a clear understanding of the new policy.”

Testing times for Australian Open amid COVID-19 pandemic

By BRUCE MATTHEWS Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The safety protocols for COVID-19 have been a touchy subject at the Australian Open, particularly after nine-time champion Novak Djokovic was deported for failing to meet the country’s strict vaccination requirements.

So Olympic champion Alexander Zverev attracted wide attention after his second-round match when he said “we are not getting tested” and, therefore, there’s more COVID-19 cases around than there was in the more locked-down environment of last year.

Australian Open organisers clarified the process on Day 4 of the tournament, saying daily rapid antigen tests were being provided, testing clinics were open both onsite and at the player hotel, and there was mandatory symptomatic testing.

Masks also must be worn at all times at Melbourne Park except when playing, exercising or eating and drinking. Tournament organisers said everyone who travelled into Australia for the year’s first major had to undergo a mandatory PCR test on arrival

and another between Days 5 and 7.

Because of a surge in the omicron variant and more pressure on the public health system, PCR testing has become more difficult to access in Melbourne and rapid antigen tests have also been in short supply.

Except at the Australian Open.

Players, their entourages, officials and media are required to show evidence of regular negative tests to access Melbourne Park.

“They are very strict,” fourth-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas said. “Well, it’s the responsibility of each and every athlete to test themselves regularly to see whether or not they are positive, which has been the case for me.

“I have been trying to get a few antigen tests and rapid tests to see whether or not I’m positive, which is a responsibility that I have, it’s something that I have to do in order to see if I’m 100 percent.”

Former major champions including Garbiñe Muguruza and Andy Murray are among those who said they were testing themselves regularly, and treating it like an honesty system.

Australian player Maddison Inglis said she was

ALEXANDER ZVEREV, of Germany, waves after defeating John Millman of Australia in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday.

(AP Photo/Andy Brownbill) doing precautionary testing because “I want to keep myself and my team safe and everyone around me.”

ANDY MURRAY IN MELBOURNE Andy Murray has reached the Australian Open final five times in 14 trips to Melbourne Park but never won the title.

Two days after posting his first win in five years at the season-opening tennis Grand Slam tournament, the former No. 1 exited after losing to 120th-ranked Taro Daniel 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in

the second round. His win over 21st-seeded Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round was his first at the Australian Open since 2017.

Injuries and illness kept him out in 2018 (hip), 2020 (pelvis) and 2021 (COVID19), and he lost a five-setter in the first round in 2019, which many thought might have been his last in Australia.

So, was the loss to Daniel his last, or will the threetime major champion be back in 2023?

The 34-year-old Scot said “yeah” when asked if he would return, but only with certain provisos.

“Not if I do what I did tonight too often this season,” he said. “This is a really important year for me for a number of reasons, and I want to perform well in the big events. For me, tonight is not good enough in that respect.

“Making second round of Slams is not something I find particularly motivating.

I want to be doing better than that.”

Murray engaged in a Twitter admiration exchange with Australian Open women’s champion Naomi Osaka this week.

Murray started with a post that asked: “Anyone hit the ball cleaner from the baseline than (at) naomiosaka?”

Osaka, another former No. 1, responded: “Anyone put their heart on their sleeve and fight harder than (at)andymurray?”

Osaka recalled after her second-round win how delighted she was to read Murray’s praise and how the pair had a practice session in Brisbane, Australia, three years ago. “Yeah, definitely means a lot,” she said. “For me it was a really cool moment.”

SO LONG, SAM Sam Stosur warned everyone before her 20th Australian Open campaign that there would be tears when her singles career came to an end.

Tears welled in her eyes as the 2011 U.S. Open champion sat in the courtside chair, soaking in the crowd support after her 6-2, 6-2 loss to 10th-seeded Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the second round.

“I just wanted to run for everything as hard as I could. I’ve done more than I ever thought possible,” Stosur said in an on-court ceremony after the match.

“I dreamed of winning a Grand Slam and I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

A video tribute played as an emotional Stosur stood mid-court, holding a bouquet of flowers. “It was emotional for me,” Pavlyuchenkova told the crowd.

“She is such a wonderful human being and an amazing tennis player.”

While her singles career is over — she also made a run to the French Open final in 2010 and three other semifinals at Roland Garros — the 37-year-old Stosur will continue playing doubles for the remainder of 2022.

PAGE 14, Friday, January 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Pacers roll past Lakers in 4th quarter for skid-stopping win

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Caris LeVert scored a franchise-record 22 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, Malcolm Brogdon added 19 and the Indiana Pacers increased the pressure on Lakers coach Frank Vogel with a 111-104 victory over Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

Domantas Sabonis had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in his 17th career triple-double for the Pacers, who snapped a four-game losing streak with just their second victory in 12 games.

The Eastern Conference’s 13th-place team roared past the Lakers in the fourth, starting with a 14-2 run led

by LeVert and concluding with his three consecutive buckets in the final two minutes.

LeVert topped Reggie Miller’s previous Pacers fourth-quarter record of 21 points. He went 9 for 10 with three 3-pointers in his brilliant final period.

“I knew I felt good,” said LeVert, limited to 15

minutes in the first three quarters by foul trouble.

“My teammates kept me in it. ... My body felt great, and I felt locked in. The fouls were definitely frustrating.

I knew I had to have a big fourth with Malcolm sitting out in the fourth.”

Indiana won with a high degree of difficulty: Brogdon was on a minutes limit in his return from injury, while Sabonis played on a sprained ankle that’s “probably going to be significant, but he was not coming out of this game,” according to coach Rick Carlisle.

“It was something we desperately needed,” Carlisle said. “It’s been a while since we won a game. ...

These are all great challenges. We’re finding out more about the team all the time.”

LeBron James had 30 points and 12 rebounds — including the 10,000th of his career — for the Lakers, who have lost four of five to fall back below .500. Talen Horton-Tucker added 20 points in the latest embarrassing loss during a season dotted with them

for the 17-time champion franchise.

“Of course there’s a lot of frustration, for sure,” James said. “I feel like we have a good enough team to win ballgames and be over .500.

But our record is ... we are who we are. We’ve got a road trip coming up and we will be tested with a lot of great teams.”

Russell Westbrook scored 14 points on 5-for17 shooting, and Vogel kept the struggling former NBA MVP on the Lakers’ bench for the final 3:52.

Indiana trailed for most of the first three quarters before jumping ahead early in the fourth with 10 consecutive points, including eight from LeVert. The Pacers held strong down the stretch with more big baskets by LeVert, while the Lakers struggled to score with whatever lineup Vogel used.

The Lakers held a 15-point lead in the first half, but Indiana erased it with several minutes left in the third quarter, taking its first lead in two games at Crypto.com Arena. The

Pacers never led while giving up 139 points to the Clippers on Monday.

TIP-INS Pacers: Brogdon played through a sore right Achilles tendon that kept him out for the last two games. ... Jeremy Lamb scored five points while playing on a sore left knee. ... T.J. McConnell went into the NBA’s health and safety protocols. He hasn’t played since December 1 after having surgery on his right wrist.

Lakers: Anthony Davis missed his 15th straight game since December 17 with a sprained left knee, but he was on the court during his team’s morning shootaround. Los Angeles is deliberately bringing back its star big man from his latest major injury. ...

Carmelo Anthony scored 14 points in his return from a three-game absence with lower back tightness.

UNDER PRESSURE Ninety minutes before this debacle began, Vogel shrugged off widespread rumours of his expected firing if the Lakers don’t make immediate headway

LOS Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) is helped off the floor by guard Russell Westbrook, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis) in their mediocre season. impressive win over Utah Vogel led Los Angeles to between humiliating losses a championship just 15 to Denver and Indiana. months ago, but only three “We have high expectaplayers — and Dwight tions,” Vogel said before Howard, who left and the game. “This fan base returned — remain from really cares. It’s a big that title team. market. I wouldn’t want it “It’s everyone. It’s all of any other way, to be honest us,” Vogel said. “We have with you. I want people to to coach better. We have to care.” play better. Everything has UP NEXT to be better.”

Lakers: At Orlando In their last three games, tonight to open a six-game the Lakers sandwiched an East Coast road trip.

NBA Timeline in 1980s as league marks 75th season (AP) — TIMELINE of the National Basketball Association during the 1980s. The timeline includes milestone moments in the league’s history and key moments off the court as the NBA celebrates its 75th season: Feb. 22, 1980: The U.S. men’s ice hockey team beats the Soviet Union 4-3 in the Olympic semifinals in Lake Placid, N.Y. to claim one of the biggest upsets in sports history. The Americans beat Finland two days later in the final to win gold.

March 21, 1980: United States President Jimmy Carter announces the Americans will boycott the Summer Olympics in Moscow in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.

May 16, 1980: Rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson steps in and plays centre for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 of the NBA Finals with his Los Angeles Lakers holding a 3-2 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers. Johnson, a 6-foot-9 point guard, finishes with 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists to help the Lakers clinch the title with a 123-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

May 1980: Boston’s Larry Bird beats the Los Angeles Lakers’ Magic Johnson for rookie of the year. Bird averaged 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.

1980: Los Angeles Lakers centre Kareem AbdulJabbar wins his sixth MVP award after claiming five in the 1970s. He averaged 24.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.4 blocks.

Jan. 20, 1981: Americans held hostage by militarised Iranian students for 444 days are released minutes after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated as U.S. president. The 52 diplomats and citizens were held after the students took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979.

March 30, 1981: President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr in an assassination attempt outside a Washington D.C. hotel.

Reagan survived and eventually served two terms.

1981: Julius Erving, the ABA’s brightest star before the merger, wins his only NBA MVP award. He claimed the ABA’s MVP award in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He is the only player to be named MVP in both leagues.

Aug. 1, 1981: MTV debuts. The Music Television cable network emphasizes music videos

and becomes a pop culture phenomenon.

Nov. 30, 1982: Michael Jackson releases “Thriller.”

The album spent 37 weeks at No. 1 as singles were released through 1984.

“Beat It” and “Billie Jean” were No. 1s, and “Thriller,” “The Girl Is Mine,” “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,’” “PYT (Pretty Young Thing),” and “Human Nature” all reached the Top 10. The album was the No. 1 seller in 1983 and 1984 and won eight Grammys in 1984. The “Thriller” song video is considered by many to be the best of all time.

May 31, 1983: After Philadelphia went a league-best 65-17 in the regular season, Moses Malone predicted the 76ers would sweep the playoffs and win the NBA title, saying they’ll win each series in four games -- “Fo, Fo, Fo.” He wasn’t that far off -- the 76ers lost just once on their way to the title.

They swept the Lakers in the NBA Finals to avenge losses to Los Angeles in 1980 and 1982.

1983: Philadelphia’s Moses Malone wins his third and final MVP award all in a five-year span. He won the first two with the Houston Rockets. One of the most successful players to skip college and go pro, he averaged 22.7 points and 13.4 rebounds that season.

1984: The NBA debuts its slam dunk contest as part of All-Star Weekend, reviving an event the ABA introduced in 1976.

Larry Nance of the Cleveland Cavaliers defeats Julius Erving, the 1976 winner, to claim the title at an event that has become a staple of All-Star Weekend.

June 12, 1984: The Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 111-102 in Game 7 in the first NBA Finals between Boston’s Larry Bird and Los Angeles’ Magic Johnson. They would meet in the Finals two more times, with the Lakers winning both.

June 19, 1984: One of the best drafts in NBA history.

Akeem Olajuwon is the No. 1 pick with Michael Jordan at No. 3 after Portland infamously chooses Sam Bowie at No. 2 over Jordan.

Bowie had an injuryshortened career. Charles Barkley, John Stockton, Otis Thorpe, Alvin Robertson, Kevin Willis and Sam Perkins were other notable players in that draft.

May 8, 1984: The Soviet Union announces it will boycott the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Soviets cited safety concerns. U.S. President

PISTONS team owner Bill Davidson holds the Larry O’Brien Trophy surrounded by his players following their NBA championship victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in game 4 on June 13, 1989. From left are, Rick Mahorn, Davidson, John Salley, and Isiah Thomas (11). Detroit completed the fifth sweep in NBA Finals history with their 105-97 victory.

(AP Photo/Doug Pizac) Rockets into the NBA Warrior, the WWF carved Finals. The Lakers had out a huge place in ‘80s pop reached the Finals the culture. previous four years, but 1988: Michael Jordan the Rockets, featuring wins the first of his five the “Twin Towers” — the MVP awards and is named 7-foot-4 Sampson and defensive player of the year.

7-footer Akeem Olajuwon He led the league in scoring — won the series 4-1. The and steals and was the slam Boston Celtics beat the dunk champion and AllRockets in the Finals.

Star Game MVP. May 29, 1986: Larry Bird May 22, 1988: Boston’s wins his third straight MVP Larry Bird and Atlanta’s award. No one has won Dominique Wilkins duel in three in a row since. Bill Game 7 of the Eastern ConRussell and Wilt Chamber- ference semifinals. lain are the only others to Bird scored 34 points to do it. help the Celtics claim a 118July 4, 1986: Rappers 116 win.

Run-DMC and rock band Wilkins scored 47 points Aerosmith release their in the loss. Bird averaged collaboration, “Walk This 26.4 points, 7.7 rebounds Way.” The song eventu- and 6.4 assists in the series ally reached No. 4 on while Wilkins averaged 31.3 the Billboard charts and points and 5.4 rebounds. helped bring rap into the June 21, 1988: The Los mainstream.

Angeles Lakers win their Sept. 8, 1986: The Oprah fifth title of the 1980s.

Winfrey Show debuts. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wins During its 25-year run, it his sixth NBA title at age becomes the highest-rated 41 to go with his six MVP daytime talk show in televi- awards. sion history.

Sept. 28, 1988: The Nov. 22, 1986: Mike United States men’s basTyson beats Trevor Ber- ketball team, with a team MICHAEL Jordan holds the trophy for Most Valuable Player after bick by TKO in the second of amateurs, loses to the the NBA All-Star game in Chicago on February 7, 1988. round to win the WBC title Soviet Union in the Olym(AP Photo/Fred Jewell) and claim his first champi- pic semifinals. onship belt at age 20.

In 1989, FIBA changed Jan. 28, 1986: The space Ronald Reagan called it He won his first 37 fights, its rules allowing NBA playshuttle Challenger explodes many with spectacular ers to participate. That led political.

Feb. 9, 1985: Dominique just after liftoff. All seven knockouts, until getting the U.S. to form the Dream Wilkins of the Atlanta crew members are killed, upset by Buster Douglas Team that dominated at the Hawks outduels rookie including teacher Christa in 1990. He was a house- 1992 Games.

Michael Jordan of the Chi- McAuliffe. hold name, and his fame May 7, 1989: Michael Feb. 8, 1986: Spud Webb, spawned the Nintendo Jordan’s hanging jump shot cago Bulls in an epic slam a 5-foot-7 guard for the game “Mike Tyson’s Punch- over Cleveland’s Craig Ehlo dunk contest.

April 1, 1985: The first Atlanta Hawks, wins the Out!!” In 1987. beat the buzzer and gave Air Jordan shoe was slam dunk contest. He April 17, 1987: Michael the Chicago Bulls a 101-100 edged out his teammate, Jordan wins the first of his playoff win over the host released to the public.

May 27, 1985: The Boston 1985 winner Dominique 10 scoring titles. He aver- Cavaliers.

Celtics routs the Los Ange- Wilkins, for the crown. ages 37.1 points per game, Jordan drove left, pulled April 20, 1986: Michael the most since Wilt Cham- up near the free-throw line, les Lakers 148-114 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals in a Jordan scores a playoff- berlain averaged 44.8 in outlasted Ehlo in the air and game known as the “Memo- record 63 points in a 1962-63. drained the game-winner.

135-131 double-overtime rial Day Massacre.”

March 29, 1987: Hulk Jordan’s celebratory leap June 8, 1985: The Los loss to the Boston Celtics. Hogan bodyslams 520- and fist pump as Ehlo crumAngeles Lakers defeat the He broke Elgin Baylor’s pound Andre the Giant ples to the ground is iconic.

Boston Celtics 111-100 in record of 61 points set in and successfully defends his The win clinched the firstGame 6 of the NBA Finals, 1962. The record still stands. World Wrestling Federation round Eastern Conference making it the first time in He couldn’t stop Boston title in front of 93,173 fans playoff series 3-2. nine tries that the Lakers from making its own bit of at WrestleMania III in the June 13, 1989: Isiah beat the Celtics in a finals history. The Celtics tied a Pontiac Silverdome.

Thomas leads the “Bad series. Kareem Abdul-Jab- single-season league record Vince McMahon Jr.’s Boy” Detroit Pistons to the bar was named NBA Finals of 33 consecutive home WWF built momentum top as they beat the Los victories, including play- in the mid ‘80s with the Angeles Lakers in the NBA MVP at age 38.

June 24, 1985: Michael offs, set by the Minneapolis growth of “Hulkamania” Finals.

Jordan is named rookie of Lakers in 1949-50. and wrestling’s connection No team other than the May 21, 1986: Ralph with MTV. the year.

Celtics and Lakers had won Jan. 20, 1986: Martin Sampson’s tip-in at the Led by stars such as a title since Philadelphia Luther King Jr. Day is buzzer rattles in, lifts Hou- Hogan, “Rowdy” Roddy claimed the title in 1983. first observed as a federal ston past the Los Angeles Piper, “Macho Man” Randy The Pistons won again in Lakers and vaults the Savage and The Ultimate 1990. holiday.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 21, 2022, PAGE 15

Irving fined $25,000

by NBA for cursing at fan in Cleveland NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving was fined $25,000 by the NBA yesterday for cursing at a fan in Cleveland.

Irving’s comments to the fan during the second quarter of Brooklyn’s 114-107 loss on Monday were captured on video.

Irving used profanity in reminding the fan that he helped the Cavaliers win the NBA championship in 2016.

The NBA has been trying to clean up profanity among players, fining Irving’s teammate Kevin Durant and New York’s Julius Randle recently for using obscene language during interviews.

Irving’s exchange with the fan was part of an eventful return to his former home.

After the game, he reiterated that he wasn’t changing his stance on refusing the COVID19 vaccine, which has kept him ineligible to play in home BROOKLYN Nets’ Kyrie Irving (11) drives against Cleveland games because of New York Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro (35) in the second half of an NBA basCity’s mandate for professional ketball game on Monday in Cleveland. athletes who play indoors.

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

CHICAGO Bulls’ Lonzo Ball (2) blocks the shot of Brooklyn Nets’ Blake Griffin (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on January 12 in Chicago. The Nets won 138-112.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

LONZO BALL TO HAVE KNEE SURGERY CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to be out six to eight weeks, the team announced yesterday.

Ball has missed three games since a 42-point loss to Golden State last week.

Coach Billy Donovan said Wednesday the team had switched up his treatment, hoping he would avoid surgery, after he didn’t respond well to the initial

regimen. Ball had the same knee scoped in 2018 when he was with the Lakers.

Acquired from New Orleans in a sign-and-trade deal, Ball has been a major contributor in Chicago’s rise to the top of the Eastern Conference.

He is averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists.

A disruptive defender on the perimeter, he is sixth in the league in steals at 1.8 per game.

Chicago (28-15) was tied with Miami for the East lead through Wednesday, after four straight losing seasons.

The Bulls visit Milwaukee tonight to start a three-game trip that also takes them to Orlando and Miami.

With Ball out and star Zach LaVine (sore left knee) sidelined, the Bulls are leaning more on Coby White and rookie Ayo Dosunmu.

JOSEPH HITS WINNER, PISTONS RALLY LATE TO STUN KINGS 133-131

By MICHAEL WAGAMAN Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Cory Joseph made a 14-foot jumper with 25.9 seconds remaining to cap a game-ending 11-0 run that rallied the Detroit Pistons past the Sacramento Kings 133131 on Wednesday night.

Saddiq Bey had 30 points and seven rebounds to help the Pistons (11-33) win their fourth in seven games. Kelly Olynyk added a season-high 22 points and nine rebounds in his first game since November.

Joseph, the former Kings guard who was dealt to the Pistons at the

trade deadline last year, finished with 19 points and nine assists.

“They showed the resilience that we have to have,” Detroit coach Dwane Casey said. “These are the dog days of the season, right before the All-Star break. You mentally have to get ready to go.

We had some big-time defensive breakdowns down the stretch; we weren’t disciplined on switches.

(But) we found a way.”

Terence Davis scored 14 of his career-high 35 points in the fourth quarter for the Kings. De’Aaron Fox added 27 points, eight assists and six rebounds but missed a 14-footer that bounced off the front of the rim at the buzzer.

Sacramento has dropped seven of nine. “You have to guard in a way that you just don’t give up the last 11 points of the game. You just can’t do it,” Kings interim coach Alvin Gentry said. “The bottom line is that they made big shots when they had to and we didn’t get the last one in the basket. We played well enough to win. We just didn’t finish the game.”

The Kings led 131-122 with 2:34 left but went scoreless the rest of the way while the Pistons seized control. Bey and Olynyk made consecutive 3-pointers, and Bey followed with a three-point play to tie it at 131. After Fox missed

Jokic has 49, triple-double as Nuggets edge Clippers in OT

By MIKE CRANSTON Associated Press DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 49 points, 14 rebounds and fed Aaron Gordon for a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left in overtime for his 10th assist, giving the Denver Nuggets a 130-128 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

Jokic drew a doubleteam, then whipped a pass across the court into the left corner.

Gordon made his fourth 3 of the game to give him 28 points and Jokic his third straight triple-double and 10th of the season.

“I knew the ball was going to come to me because Jok makes the right play, the right pass, even in pressure situations,” Gordon said.

“He put it on time and on target. All I had to do was catch and shoot.”

Nuggets reserve Devon Reed came onto the floor after Gordon’s basket and received a technical foul.

After Luke Kennard hit the free throw, Reggie Jackson’s long 3-pointer bounced off the glass and rim at the buzzer.

Monte Morris added 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as the Nuggets won for the third time in four games behind another masterful performance from Jokic.

“When he gets in the mode, nobody in the world can stop him,” Morris said.

Ivica Zubac had a careerhigh 32 points and added 10 rebounds.

Jackson, who grew up about an hour away in Colorado Springs, had 28 points and 12 assists while often blowing kisses to hecklers in the crowd after made baskets as the Clippers lost their second straight to kick off an NBA season-high, eight-game road trip.

“I love the hate,” Jackson said.

A week after blowing a 25-point lead in the third

NUGGETS centre Nikola Jokic, right, drives the lane as Clippers centre Ivica Zubac defends in the first half on Wednesday night in Denver.

(AP Photo/D Zalubowski) quarter of a loss in Los Angeles, the Nuggets got their revenge by holding the Clippers without a field goal for 7 1/2 minutes in the third quarter while erasing a 15-point deficit.

It led to a frantic finish.

After Will Barton’s driving layup with 26 seconds left in regulation tied it for the Nuggets, the Clippers couldn’t get a shot off before the 24-second clock expired.

But Jokic’s fadeaway at the buzzer was an airball.

Jokic got an assist from his coach that may have kept him around for the finish.

His follow shot tied the game at 72 with 4:40 left in the third, but he immediately picked up a technical foul for barking at the referee under the basket.

He began to charge at the official, but Michael Malone ran onto the court, restrained Jokic and he avoided a second technical.

“I was mad because he grabbed my leg when I was going up (for the shot),” Jokic said.

Jokic, who has complained that he doesn’t get enough foul calls for much of the season, stayed in the game and finished 14 of 16 from the foul line. The Clippers took just 12 free throws.

The Nuggets played hours after making official the three-way trade in which they acquired shooting guard Bryn Forbes from San Antonio.

Injured players Bol Bol and P.J. Dozier went to Boston in the deal.

Dozier, a career 41.3 percent 3-point shooter, will give Denver needed outside shooting. He could play as soon as tonight.

The Nuggets needed him in the second quarter, when their maligned bench was on the floor at the start of the Clippers’ 21-2 run. The spurt continued when the starters returned, as Jokic missed his first six shots of the period before his bucket cut it to 59-47 at halftime.

The Clippers frustrated Jokic last week with constant double-teams. This time, Zubac went at him defensively, hitting 15 of 19 shots.

“I haven’t had that much fun until before I came into the league,” Zubac said.

“But unfortunately we lost the game.”

TIP-INS Clippers: F Marcus Morris Sr. (personal reasons) was a late scratch. ... Kennard (COVID-19) had seven points in his first game since Dec. 31.

Nuggets: Jamal Murray (knee surgery) and Michael Porter Jr. (back surgery) continued to ramp up their pregame shooting drills before the game. Both hope to return this season. ... G Austin Rivers (nonCOVID illness) returned after a two-game absence.

KEY CHALLENGE Zubac avoided fouling out with 1:02 left in regulation when the Clippers won a replay challenge. Zubac had been called for a foul on Jokic. The Nuggets won the ensuing jump ball and Jokic’s driving layup tied it.

UP NEXT Clippers: At Philadelphia tonight.

Nuggets: Host Memphis tonight.

a short jumper, Joseph connected on the go-ahead shot to silence the crowd.

“I love Cory,” Casey said. “He means a lot to our organisation.

The way he’s been playing the last two or three weeks has been big-time. He’s been a sparkplug for us. Hopefully he’s setting the tone for our young guys here with his play, with his professional approach. He could probably go to a championship-calibre team and be a sparkplug, but to us he’s very important.”

The Pistons led by seven at the end of the first quarter and were up 39-34 after Olynyk blocked a shot by Davion Mitchell, then

sprinted to the other end and dunked off an offensive rebound.

Davis, starting while Tyrese Haliburton remains in health and safety protocols, got the Kings going.

Davis scored 16 of Sacramento’s season-high 45 points in the second quarter, connecting on six of eight shots — including a pair of 3s. After trailing 93-82, the Pistons scored 12 straight points in the third.

UP NEXT Pistons: Face the Jazz in Utah tonight.

Kings: Begin a five-game road trip against the Bucks on Saturday.

SPORTS PAGE 16

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022

Pole vaulter Vanderpool following father’s legacy

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE 11

MARVIN HENFIELD PLEASED WITH HIS SHOOTING ACADEMY

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

I

t’s not every day you find a father grooming his son to take over a legacy he created for himself.

Meet Brent Vanderpool, the Bahamas national pole vault record holder, who is training his son Brenden to become the next athlete to surpass his mark of 16-feet, 01/2-feet or 4.89 metres that he first established at home in 1987 before he solidified it in Nice, France, on June 12, 1995.

Now residing in Atlanta, Georgia, with his family, Vanderpool’s 16-year-old son Brenden has already niched his own pathway to success by clearing 15-2 (4.62m) to surpass the Bahamas’ junior national record of 13-11 3/4 (4.26m) that was set by his late godfather Brent Johnson on April 19, 1987, at the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad & Tobago.

The record, however, has not yet been ratified by the

Zverev, Page 13

FATHER and son pole vaulters Brent, left, and Brenden Vanderpool. Brent Vanderpool, the Bahamas national pole vault record holder, is training his son to become the next athlete to surpass his mark of 16-feet, 01/2-feet or 4.89 metres that he first established at home in 1987 before he solidified it in Nice, France, on June 12, 1995.

DESPITE the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, Marvin Henfield said he’s quite pleased with the way his Shooting Academy is going in the old Coca-Cola warehouse at the rear of the Bahama Journal building on Thompson Boulevard.

Since its official launch in November, “The Lab,” as it is affectionately called, was born out of Henfield’s love for teaching and his passion for the sport of basketball over 30-plus years of instructing countless numbers of Bahamians and international basketball players.

Designed primarily for developing the art of shooting, Henfield said they have had to restructure their focus on the programme from quantity of participants to the quality of the work that he and his assistant coach Sanchez Moss can do on a daily basis with each participant.

SEE PAGE 11

Student athletes shine at NAIA, Junior College level

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN student athletes have excelled this season at various levels of collegiate basketball, highlighted by recent performances at the NAIA and Junior College level.

Shackeel Butters is one of two Bahamians on the Williams Baptist Eagles roster, along with Franklyn Petion as the team is off to a 10-6 start on the season.

Butters, a 6’6” senior forward, finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a 86-65 win over Harris-Stowe Tuesday night. Through 13 games this season, he is averaging 12.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.

Butters has been a stalwart at the pivot spot for the Eagles after averaging double doubles in three consecutive seasons, and is one of two seniors on the roster.

Last season, he was twice named American Midwest

Conference Player of the Week and averaged a double double - 14.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. His junior season got cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Butters played in all 14 games, averaging 12.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.

In his sophomore year, Butters received honourable mention All- American and made the second team All-AMC. He averaged 11.9 rebounds and 11.7 points per game and shot 60 percent from the field.

Petion, in his first year with the programme, was injured after six games. In those appearances he averaged eight points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Blaize Darling is in his freshman season with Warner University and the team is off to a 10-8 start in the Sun Conference.

Darling is averaging 13.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. He finished with eight points in a season low 12 minutes of a 95-84 win

SHACKEEL Butters.

BLAIZE Darling.

over Ave Maria on January 15.

The 6’3 guard scored a season high 27 points in a November 20 win over St Thomas. He also scored 21 in wins over Florida Memorial and CIU respectively.

Edriel Martinborough is averaging 11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for the Evangel Valor.

Martinborough, a 5’11” senior guard, has one double double on the season, 10 points and 11 rebounds in an 89-62 win over Drury on November 27. He also scored a career high 30 points in a

76-72 loss to Mid America Nazarene and 26 points in a 108-89 win over Missouri Valley on January 12.

Evangel is 13-6 on the season in the Heart of America conference.

Several Bahamian players are also having standout seasons in their first year at the junior college level.

Christopher Johnson continues to be one of the few bright spots in what has been a difficult season for the Community College of Baltimore County Catonsville Cardinals.

Johnson had a career night for the Cardinals with

22 points and 13 rebounds in an 82-73 win over Lackawanna College. It was the fifth time he surpassed the 20-point scoring total and fourth double double of the year, but the team is just 4-13 on the season.

In his freshman season, Johnson leads the Cardinals in rebounding at 7.8 per game, including 2.3 on the offensive boards. He is also second on the team in scoring at 14 points per game.

Paul Greene has had an immediate impact with the Three Rivers Community College Raiders.

Greene finished with nine points and 10 rebounds in Wednesday night’s 61-57 win over Moberly Area Community College.

Greene has posted two double doubles and has averaged 6.5 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

The Bahamian quartet for the Northeast Community College Hawks have been a major part of the team’s offensive gameplan but the team has just a 4-12 record this season.

Saheed Sanusi finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists, Emmanuel Alexandre scored six, Jaden Strachan scored six with six rebounds and Collin Storr scored seven.

Alexandre has been the leading scorer among the group at 12.2 points per game in 12 contests and leads the team at 2.6 assists per game.

Sanusi has been the starting point guard through 16 games and has scored 11 points per game and is averaging 2.4 assists per game.

Strachan has averaged 8.3 points off the bench, Storr has averaged 11.3 points in just three appearances and Charles Joseph had just one appearance this season.

Richard Lowe finished with 16 points and nine rebounds in a January 17 loss to Connors State College, 82-65.

Lowe is third on the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game and also leads the team in rebounding at 7.1 per game.

NBA PROSPECT WATCH: SCOUTS LOVE ATHLETICISM OF PURDUE’S IVEY

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer PURDUE’S Jaden Ivey has not had any trouble finding ways to stay motivated even after playing his way into NBA lottery consideration.

No matter how high he rises on draft boards, Ivey continues to play as though he always has something to prove. After a victory over Nebraska last week, Ivey said he had fired himself up over a perceived lack of respect that followed No. 4 Purdue’s recent losses.

“Each and every game, I’ve got to see what to do to keep me fired up and I just try to bring that fuel to the team,” Ivey said.

Ivey has made it a point to try to diversify his game as much as possible.

The 6-foot-4 sophomore played his 40th career college game Monday when

Purdue edged Illinois in double overtime.

Ivey and Presbyterian’s Rayshon Harrison are the only active Division I players with at least 500 points, 150 rebounds and 90 assists while playing 40 or fewer games.

“I felt like I proved I can move the ball, find my teammates,” Ivey said. “I’ve been trying to make sure I’m not onedimensional whether that’s scoring the ball, passing the ball, rebounding the ball and playing defence.”

Ivey grew up around the game as the son of Notre Dame women’s coach Niele Ivey, a point guard on the 2001 Fighting Irish team that beat Purdue to win the national title.

Rated as the No. 89 prospect in his class according to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports, Ivey wasted

PURDUE’s Jaden Ivey (23) lays the ball up as he runs into Illinois’ Kofi Cockburn during the first overtime of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Michael Allio) no time outperforming that projection while showcasing his athleticism.

He averaged 11.1 points as a freshman and has taken his game to another level this season while capitalising on his versatility to

develop into one of the Big Ten’s top players. His stock will continue rising as long as he maintains that competitive edge as he follows the advice of his coach.

“Just keep it going,” Purdue coach Matt Painter

said. “But understand it’s process-oriented. Do your job, play hard, have fun with it and learn from it.

Be honest with yourself.

When you do those things, good things are going to happen.”

SIZE: 6-4, 195 pounds STATS: 16.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists STRENGTHS: Ivey’s athleticism is his greatest quality. It enables him to score in different ways. He also has become better at setting up scoring chances for his teammates.

WEAKNESSES: His lack of 3-point accuracy was his greatest weakness as a freshman, but Ivey has come a long way. He’s making 43% of his 3-point attempts this season, way up from 25.8% in 2020-21.

DRAFT PROJECTION: He’s a likely top-10 pick and could be one of the first five guys chosen.

• Other prospects around the Big Ten: G JOHNNY DAVIS, WISCONSIN: Davis continues to cement his status as a lottery pick and frontrunner for national player of the year awards. He scored 27 points Tuesday as the eighth-ranked Badgers won 82-76 at Northwestern for their seventh straight victory.

C ZACH EDEY, PURDUE: Ivey isn’t the only Purdue sophomore making a name for himself.

Edey, who is 7-foot-4, has scored at least 20 points in four of his last five games to boost his stock.

G KEEGAN MURRAY, IOWA: Murray had 25 points and 10 rebounds Sunday in an 81-71 victory at Minnesota. He’s battling Detroit Mercy’s Antoine Davis for the Division I scoring lead.