01252019 SPORTS

SPORTS SECTION E

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

Tiger, Page 8

Rolle happy with Davis, Fed Cup team selections NPBA: UB MINGOES DEFEAT U STINGERS 92-86

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

nder the circumstances, captain/coach Marvin Rolle said he’s pleased with the selection of the men’s team by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association for this year’s Americas Zone II Davis Cup tie.

And Rolle, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s 2018 Coach of the Year, said the selection of the team for the Fed Cup is not a bad one either. Last year, Rolle was selected to serve as the coach of that team as well.

On Wednesday at the National Tennis Centre, the BLTA made the announcement of both teams following a revolt by some of the top players, who refused to play in the main draw of the Giorgio Baldacci National Open in December that served as the qualifier for

both teams. “I think Donaldson, Kerrie these are some good Cartwright and Danselections,” said ielle Thompson.

Rolle, who played A fifth player is in the main draw, also expected to be but was unable to added before the complete his match team travels April because of an injury.

15-19.

“I think we have The two Majors, some good players on Newman, Cartwright both sides. and Thompson all “Hopefully, the two advanced to the teams can get some main draw, but they good results.” objected to the way Rolle will once the seeding was set again lead the up for the main draw MARVIN ROLLE Davis Cup team and they refused to of tournament play. champion Donte Armbrister, runAs a result of their actions, ner-up Justin Lunn, Kevin Major Armbrister emerged as the men’s Jr, Baker Newman and Philip champion over Lunn, while Major Jr. Clarke disposed of Donaldson for Although no coach has been the ladies’ titles. named, selected to the Fed Cup The BLTA, in their selection team are tournament champion criteria, named the four players Sydney Clarke, runner-up Sierra to the team and added the others

based on their national and international rankings.

“It was sad to see it go down that way,” said Rolle about what transpired in the main draw. “I guess the way it happened, it shouldn’t have happened, but we can’t do anything about it now.

“Hopefully we can move forward with a positive attitude and get both teams in the right frame of mind to play so that we can continue to move up in the group play.”

Last year in Costa Rica, Rolle captained the team of Baker Newman, Philip Major Jr and Jodi Turnquest to a victory in their group of the American Zone III tie to advance to Zone II. As the team gets ready for the Davis Cup tie when the draw is decided on February 5, Rolle said he would like for Team

SEE PAGE 4

Jazz one of top 10 shortstop prospects in minor leagues

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net JAZZ Chisholm’s meteoric rise in the minor league system continues to be recognised by Major League Baseball and various international media outlets.

Chisholm was recently listed by MLB Pipeline as one of the top 10 shortstop prospects in all of the minor leagues.

The 20-year old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect is listed at No. 8 behind Fernando Tatis Jr (Padres), Royce Lewis (Twins), Brendan Rodgers (Rockies), two-time “Don’t Blink Home Run Derby in Paradise” winner Bo Bichette (Blue Jays), Wander Franco (Rays), Carter Kieboom (Nationals), Andres Gimenez (Mets) and ahead of Gavin Lux (Dodgers) and Luis Garcia (Nationals).

MLB.com’s Jim Callis listed Chisholm as the player from the most humble beginnings.

“While the other nine shortstops on this list averaged $2.74 million in bonuses, Chisholm signed for a mere $200,000 out of the Bahamas in 2015. Injured for much of his first year in fullseason ball in ‘17, he smacked 25 homers to top all Minor League shortstops in his second.”

They also projected Chisholm to advance to the majors by 2020.

MLB Pipeline will unveil its 2019 Top 100 Prospects list with a one-hour show on MLB Network and MLB.com 8pm on Saturday.

Baseball America has already projected Chisholm as the No.1 prospect in the Diamondbacks organisation.

• Here’s a look at the make-up of the respective teams: Women’s President Team: Je’Nae Saunders, Davia Moss, Sasha Symonette, Kelsie Johnson,

Mingoes 92, Stingers 86 Sylvestre led four Mingoes in double figures and was followed by Antwan Bevans with 20 points. Ramon Dames had 17 points to go along with 12 rebounds and eight assists and Tyrone Sands Jr added 13 points. “I think the ball movement was important for us,” UB’s assistant head coach Lavar Johnson said. “When we started moving the ball our players moved the same time and I think it’s hard for teams to defend us when we get that going.”

Abel Joseph led the Stingers with 27 points and seven assists.

SEE PAGE 4

UB ATHLETICS SET TO HOST NORTHERN BAHAMAS RECRUITMENT EXERCISE

JAZZ CHISHOLM, of the Bahamas, has been listed as one of the top 10 shortstop prospects in all of the minor leagues

by MLB Pipeline.

SB Nation also profiled Chisholm as one of the hidden prospect gems of the California League last season, while MLB Pipeline profiled the relationship

between he and Lucius Fox, the Tampa Bay Rays No.9 prospect, on their rise to the majors.

“I’m definitely going to be the next big leaguer from the

Bahamas,” Chisholm, told MLB. com.

“No question,” he added.

SEE PAGE 4

New Providence Volleyball All-Star games this Sunday BEFORE the New Providence Volleyball Association begins their playoffs next week, the league will take a break to showcase their top players on Sunday in their All-Star games at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

The ladies’ game will be played at 3:30pm, followed by the men’s game at 5pm.

THE University of the Bahamas Mingoes lost to the PJ Stingers early in the season and they weren’t going to let that happen again.

Behind 27 points from Kemsy Sylvestre, the Mingoes defeated the Stingers 92-86 in a game that was tied 14 times and had 10 lead changes.

It was one of two games played Wednesday night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

In the other game, Your Essential Store Giants knocked off the Aliv Buckets 74-68.

Krystel Brown, Franchesca McBride, Robertha Hudson, Rontre Rolle, Alvia Culmer, Anastacia Moultrie and Tamika Saunders. The coach is Jason Saunders.

Women’s Vice President Team: Leandra Armbrister, Malinda Bastian, Shevaughn Woodside, Noarie Proverbs, Sari Albury, EWugenie Adderley, Latavia Braynen, O’Jannis Wilson, Vanricka Rose, Rebecca Moss and Shantia Simon. The coach is McKlyn Rolle.

Men’s President Team: Gaege Smith, Prince Wilson, Muller Petite, Donovan Wilmott, Randerville Johnson, Arison Wilson, Victor Grant, Doug Rolle, Ashley Roberts, Alexo Saunders and Jermaine Dames.

The coach will be Jason Saunders.

Men’s Vice President Team: Je’Vaughn Saunders, Renaldo Knowles, Renrick Lloyd, Lahaundro Thompson, Dillan Brown, Graham Bain, Michael Young, Jonathan Garland, Kyle Wilson, Ashton Ferguson and Jamal

Ferguson. The coach is Lloyd Davis. Following the All-Star game, the playoffs are set to begin on Wednesday. Here’s a look at the games on tap: Wednesday 7:30pm - Vixens (2) vs Truckers (3) - ladies 9pm - Defenders (1) vs Warhawks (4) - men Friday 7:30pm - Defenders (1) vs Warhawks (4) - ladies 9pm - Intruders (2) vs Technicians (3) - men

THE University of The Bahamas is expected to host a recruitment exercise this weekend, Saturday January 26 - at the St George’s High School campus.

Coaches and administrators will be evaluating athletes in women’s softball, women’s volleyball, men’s soccer and men’s basketball.

The exercise is scheduled to begin at 10am for men’s soccer and women’s volleyball, while men’s basketball and women’s softball is expected to start at noon.

Men’s head soccer coach Dion Godet said he’s not only looking for a quality player who can make it through 90 minutes of play, but also a player who wants to be part of a team.

“We aren’t looking for someone who is just looking to shine by themselves, they have to be a part of a team,” he said.

“I like to use the African word Ubuntu which means ‘I am because we are’ and that has to be the belief of prospective members of this team.

You have to be able to depend on your teammates and your teammates have to depend on you.”

Women’s head volleyball coach Raymond Wilson said he’s looking for a diamond in the rough who is looking for a

SEE PAGE 4

PAGE 2, Friday, January 25, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

BAHAMAS FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS

ASPIRING SOCCER STARS HIT THE PITCH

ON THE REPLAY: Action in the Bahamas Football Association’s developmental league played at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Centre at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex this past weekend.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 25, 2019, PAGE 3

GSSSA BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS JUMP OFF ON MONDAY

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association completed its basketball regular season on Wednesday and the playoffs are now all set to get started at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Monday.

GSSSA president Varel Davis said if the regular season was any indication, the postseason should be one of the most exciting to watch in all four divisions.

“The season went extremely well. If you look at the standings, you would notice that everything was close and very tight this year,” Davis said.

“This season, any team could win. That’s how the competition has been. The players have improved across the board, which showed that the coaches have

been putting in the time with their players and they have been getting their teams prepared for the season.”

As the regular season closed out, the four pennant winners all emerged undefeated with a 7-0 win-loss record. The winners were TA Thompson (junior girls), DW Davis (junior boys), CI Gibson (senior girls) and Doris Johnson (senior boys).

Based on what transpired, Davis said the best team that comes to play will emerge as the winner, so the pennant winners should not rest on their laurels because their rivals are coming for them.

“Everything is zero-zero now.

This is the playoffs. It’s a new season,” Davis said. “I’m expecting a couple of game threes in the series. That’s just how tight it has been and so may the best man win.”

The defending champions are HO Nash in the junior girls, DW Davis in the junior boys, Doris Johnson in the senior girls and Anatol Rodgers in the senior boys. The match-ups will feature the pennant winners versus the fourth place finishers on Monday and Wednesday and the second vs third place finishers on Tuesday and Friday with all third and deciding games on Saturday.

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY Junior Girls TA Thompson (7-0) vs CH Reeves (4-3) Junior Boys DW Davis (7-0) vs HO Nash (4-3) Senior Girls CI Gibson (7-0) vs CR Walker (4-3) Senior Boys Doris Johnson (7-0) vs Anatol Rodgers (4-3)

TUESDAY & FRIDAY Junior Girls HO Nash (6-1) vs SC McPherson (5-2) Junior Boys CH Reeves (6-1) vs AF Adderley (5-2) Senior Girls CV Bethel (5-2) vs Anatol Rodgers (5-2) Senior Boys CI Gibson (5-2) vs CC Sweeting (5-2) The winners from all of the match-ups will advance to the best-of-three championships that will get started on Monday, February 4 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

As the regular season came to close on Wednesday at both the AF Adderley and DW Davis Gymnasiums, the following results were posted:

Junior Girls Sharks 36, Fighting Tigers 35 Brianna Hanna scored a game high 25 points to lead SC McPherson to victory at the DW Davis Gymnasium. Shakara Delancy had 11 points in a losing effort.

Lions 31, Raptors 23 Jonique Cunningham scored 12 points to pace HO Nash in their junior girls’ victory at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

Junior Boys Fighting Tigers def. Sharks Jermaine Thompson came through with a game high 24 points to lead AF Adderley in the other game played at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

Raptors 32, Lions 30 Dondre Saunders scored nine points to lead CH Reeves to their junior boys’ victory at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. Jacob Williams had a game high 15 points in a losing effort.

Alfred Forbes honoured SAC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GIVES BACK IT was back to school for Alfred Forbes as he was honoured on Wednesday by the CI Gibson Secondary School’s principal, faculty, students and friends for his contribution to sports as a long-time administrator, mentor and coach.

Forbes, now retired, was given the royal treatment when he showed up on the campus where he served as a physical education teacher and coach from 2006-2013. In a ceremony fit for a king, Forbes was presented with a number of gifts that he needed some extra help to cart home.

He was recognised for his many contributions that included being one of the founding members of the historic Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic in 1983, the most prestigious high school tournament in the country.

Forbes also served as the founding president of the

TO BAHAMAS DIABETIC ASSOCIATION

ALFRED Forbes was honoured on Wednesday by the CI Gibson Secondary School’s Principal, faculty, students and friends.

Photo: Koy T Martin/Tribune Staff Government Secondary Schools Sports Association in 1993 and remained in that position for 20 years.

He was also a president of the New Providence Interscholastic Sports Association, which governed sports before the GSSSA. In addition to those high school positions, Forbes also served as the president of the Commonwealth

American Football League and the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association.

Forbes deemed it an honour to have been presented with his flowers while he is still alive to smell the roses. He said he will forever be one of the fathers of CI Gibson and will cherish the gesture for the rest of his life.

Cornish’s 3 in OT gives Seawolves 67-66 victory over the Great Danes

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net JARON Cornish delivered a standout performance for the Stony Brook Seawolves to give his team the win in the latest edition of the Empire State Rivalry.

Cornish made the game’s first score, the final score of the first half and the goahead three-pointer late in overtime to seal the Seawolves’ 67-66 win over the Albany Great Danes at the SEFCU Arena in Albany, New York, on Wednesday night.

He shot 6-12 from the field, made both threepoint attempts and also added five rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes.

It marked a season high scoring effort and his seventh time reaching double figures this season. Stony Brook improved to 5-0 in

CORNISH America East play, 17-3 overall and are now in sole possession of first place in the league.

Cornish scored five of the team’s first eight points en route to an early lead. Cornish made a layup with five seconds left to give Stony Brook a 33-30 lead at the half. Albany went on a 12-0 run and took an eight-point lead in the second half.

“This game was a street fight for 45 minutes. It was a battle and our guys were ready for it. Any time you can go on the road and get a win is great,” Seawolves head coach Jeff Boales said.

“Our guys are battle tested and tonight was another example of their toughness. We played in a great atmosphere as it always is here and we are really happy to come up here and get a win.”

The Seawolves are now 2-0 in overtime games this season. Stony Brook won its 10th true road game of the season, the most in NCAA Division I.

Cartwright named to All-Dade Class 5A Independent Football First Team

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN the midst of his recruitment process, Michael Cartwright continues to receive accolades for a stellar senior season.

The senior offensive lineman for the Champagnat Lions was named to the Miami Herald’s All-Dade Class 5A Independent Football First Team.

The 6’6”, 293-pound offensive lineman recorded 65 pancake blocks on the season, most among any lineman selected to the first team. This week, he also picked up another offer from the North Carolina Central University Eagles.

Champagnat finished as runners-up after a 28-20 loss to the North Florida Christian Eagles in the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships Class 2A State Championship game.

The Lions concluded the season with four consecutive wins to earn a trip to the state title game.

Prior to the season, Cartwright, re-entered the recruitment cycle when he de-committed from the University of Indiana Hoosiers.

He originally announced his commitment to join the Hoosiers last July but according to Cartwright, the second chance at recruitment gives him an opportunity to “re-evaluate everything and to make the best decision for me as a person, player and most importantly a student.”

In the month of May alone, he received a new slate of eight offers from the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Kent State Golden Flash, UCF Golden Knights, UAB Blazers, Georgia State Panthers, Temple Owls, UMass Minutemen and Nebraska Cornhuskers. He previously

received offers from the Tulane Green Wave, FIU Golden Panthers, Indiana Hoosiers, Marshall Thundering Herd, FAU Owls, Southern Mississippi Eagles, Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions and the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Last season, the Lions won their second Class 2A FHSSA state title 24-7 over eight-time state champion Jacksonville University Christian.

Cartwright, a former student at Aquinas College, has also blossomed into a three-sport star for the Lions. On the basketball court he averaged 12.6 points and 15 rebounds per game and in athletics, and he became the school’s first multiple district champion in the shot put.

Cartwright was also a member of the Bahamas’ 2016 Caribbean Basketball Confederation Under-16 team that won gold in the British Virgin Islands.

THE SAC Alumni Association (SACAA) has started off the year on a high note, making a significant donation to a local organisation.

As SACAA continues to build on the foundation it began in 2018, it continues to strengthen its key initiatives of strengthening alumni relations, supporting St Augustine’s College, and supporting the community at large.

As published in a local article in March of 2017 for over five years diabetes has been considered an “epidemic” throughout the Bahamas. It is the fifthleading cause of death for all ages locally with a rate of 29.2 deaths per 100,000 persons annually (in 2012).”

In 2015 a study was conducted by the IDF (International Diabetes Federation), which showed that 6.7 per cent of the local Bahamian population, which is about 23,000 people were pre-diabetic, and that 36,000 (9.2 per cent) were actually diabetic.

Somehow we are leading the world with a huge

PICTURED (l-r) are Jannifer Thurston, SACAA vice president, Eugene Thurston, manager at the Bahamas Diabetic Association and Cherelle Cartwright, president of SACAA. amount of diabetics per capita.

As Dr Graham Cates states, “ the disease is multifactorial. … lifestyle is one of the leading causes of diabetes, but there is also a genetic predisposition”.

In the Bahamas genetically we have a likelihood towards diabetes, and add that to our not so great food and lifestyle choices, we are a diabetes “time-bomb.”

With this disease having such prevalence, SACCA president Cherelle

Cartwright thought it only fitting to lend a helping hand. SACCA recently caused several pairs of orthopaedic shoes to be donated to the Bahamas Diabetic Association.

“These shoes will help persons affected by this disease, as the feet are one of the key areas affected greatly by diabetes,” she said, adding: “SACAA will do what it can to support this worthwhile cause as several of its members suffer from the disease.”

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Big increase in numbers for junior tennis A GREAT sign for the future of Bahamian tennis is the large jump in young players from 20 to 35 participants at the Winterbotham IC Junior Series for the young 10s and 12s tennis players last weekend.

This is from the inaugural event last year to the same event this year.

In this first of the 2019 Series 35 most juniors played three matches in a Round Robin format on Saturday at The National Tennis Centre. Then with playoffs for everyone on Sunday giving 4 or 5 matches in total. This was the first of a series of four events which will be followed by events at The Leyton Hewitt Academy at Albany in March, The Racket Centre at Baha Mar in May and The YMCA Courts in Freeport in the fall.

The concept is to increase this important development

ROLLE from PAGE 1 Bahamas to be ready.

“We have some players who have been on the team before,” he said of everybody except Armbrister, who will be making his debut. “They will have to lead the team, but we have a good youngster coming up. “I think we will have to come together and get

group and build camaraderie through competition that is not knock out so that they can all work together as friends to better all their games.

The events are geared to both boys and girls as tennis is a unique sport that is played by both and is a “game for life” that can lead to college tennis scholarships.

The event is designed to take place over a single weekend and the juniors are given lunch each day to keep them together and help make friends while developing their games.

The organisers are The International Tennis Club (IC) of The Bahamas which is a group of top players who are giving back to the game. There are 40 such clubs around the world (www.ictennis.net) with many famous players as members such as Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal

and Rod Laver who has recently allowed his name to be added to the title for a series of international junior team events the IC also organise worldwide on every continent.

At this first event of 2019 the boys’ 10s winner was Miguel Smith with

runner-up Alec Hooper, the girls’ 10s Winner Millie Beukes with runner-up BreAnn Holgrave, the boys’ 12s winner Michael Major with runner-up Jackson Mactaggart and the girls’ 12s winner BreAnn Ferguson with runner-up Saphire Ferguson.

Additionally “The Charlie Farrington” Sportsmanship awards will be announced separately and presented at the start of the next event in The Winterbotham IC Junior Series at The Lleyton Hewitt Academy March 9-10.

Chief organiser and IC vice

president Neil Mactaggart said he was delighted with the turnout and the attitude of the young players who are developing well in to a good group of competitive friends who are embracing the IC encouragement of sportsmanship with its motto of “Hands across the net, friendship across the ocean”.

Neil further added that this Winterbotham IC Junior Series seems to be effectively reaching out to a wide cross section of our community which is another objective of the series.

At the prize presentation, IC President Kit Spencer thanked Ivan Hooper of Winterbotham Trust for their sponsorship that makes this very successful series possible.

For more information contact Kit Spencer at the above address or Neil Mactaggart at 359-0900.

into a training camp before Davis Cup, that would be good.

“We would need to see where their fitness level is at and where their mental game is. We need to do that at least a month before we travel.”

Not only will they use the camp for their own assessment, but in terms of who plays which position on the team, Rolle said it will come down to the International Tennis Federation’s

ranking system that enables the team’s highest ranked player to play No.1 and follow in that order.

“We have some players with some rankings and so based on the ITF ruling, we will have to take that into consideration,” he stated.

Last year in addition to Rolle being named as the Coach of the Year, the Davis Cup team was named the Team of the Year.

That, according to Rolle, is all the more reason for

them to want to put the best team forward.

“I know we’re still young and we still have some room to improve,” he said.

“But we have to make one step forward and take one step back so that we can achieve our goal.”

He noted the fact that after playing in Zone II, the team dropped to zone III, but they made it back to zone II. He said the goal this year is to either stay in zone II

or advance to zone one.

As for the Fed Cup team, Rolle said based on what he saw last year working with them, he is confident that with the team they have this year, they should be able to continue to improve.

Last year, the team of Kerrie Cartwright, Simone Pratt, Danielle Thompson and Sierra Donaldson, captained by Rolle, reached the final of the American Zone II, only to lose out to Ecuador.

BAHAMAS SCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASKETBALL RESULTS

PRIZE winners (l-r) Michael Major, Saphire Ferguson, BreAnn Holgrave and BreAnn Ferguson, who all originally started in tennis with coach Bradley Bain (far right).

UB Athletics to host Northern Bahamas recruitment exercise FROM PAGE 1 quality education at The University of the Bahamas. “You can get the same quality education and the same sporting experience right here at home instead of abroad,” he said.

Men’s basketball head coach Bacchus Rolle said he’s looking for quality talent who is also able to adapt to playing in an organised programme. “We have a great programme here at UB with basketball and we want quality players who

NPBA from PAGE 1 Torrington Cox had 21 and Eugene Bain had 16 points as well in the loss.

Salathiel Dean led all players with 13 rebounds.

The Stingers beat the Mingoes 87-69 on January 7, 2019. Johnson said he did not see the game as

can come in and be a part of the team chemistry that we are trying to build here,” he said.

“We want players who can be role players when then need to be role players and leaders when they need to be leaders. In short we look for players who are willing to be a part of a team.”

Women’s softball coach Shane Albury has a distinctive difference from other coaches as this sport makes its return to UB. “We are rebuilding the programme so we

a statement win after the team was riding a threegame losing streak before this three-game winning streak.

“People may call it a statement win but every game we come out to win,” he said.

The Mingoes next play the Shockers 8:30pm Monday at AF Adderley Gym.

are also looking at high school players from 10th grade to 12th grade.

They are invited to come out to the showcase so I can see your talent level and we can move from there.”

The programme will also be able to offer some scholarship opportunities for eligible players. “We hopefully can keep some of our players local so they can not only come to UB and get an education but also play sports while you’re home,” Albury said. Chartered on November 10, 2016, University of

Giants 74, Bucket 68 Herbert Knowles canned a game high 21 points on 6-for-13 from the field and 9-for-10 from the free throw line in 31:47 minutes to lead Your Essential Store to victory. Knowles also pulled down seven rebounds.

Adrian Thompson came off the bench with 15 points and 16 rebounds, Cormardo

The Bahamas (UB) is a beacon for national transformation. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the University of The Bahamas system which includes campuses and centres on New Providence, Grand Bahama, San Salvador and Abaco, as well as UB online education. UB’s diverse academic programmes, research engagements, athletics and leadership development experiences equip our students to become global citizens in a dynamic world.

Seymour had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Brandon Strachan, Cameron Strachan and Randon Swaby all chipped in with seven points. Cameron Strachan also had 10 rebounds.

Aliv had three players in double figures with Dylan Musgrove scoring 19 points with 13 rebounds, five blocks, three assists and two steals, James Rolle had

15 points and four rebounds and Najee Lightbourne added 13 points and three rebounds. Kieran Mortimer added seven points and five rebounds.

TONIGHT 7pm - Basden Elevator Elite vs Triple K Stampers 8pm - Breezes High Flyers vs Sun Oil Rockets 9pm - Discount Distributors Rockets vs PJ Stingers

Jazz one of top 10 shortstop prospects in minor leagues FROM PAGE 1 The newest signee to RocNation Sports, Chisholm’s season of accolades followed an injury shortened 2017. The 20-year-old shortstop had a postseason of accolades recognised twice by the Diamondbacks as its Minor League Player of the Year and named an organisational All-Star. He

spent the season between the Single-A Kane County Cougars and the Single-A Advanced Visalia Rawhide.

On the season between two clubs, he hit .272 (124for-456)/.329 OBP/.513 SLG with 23 doubles, six triples, 25 home runs, 70 RBI, 39 walks, 17 stolen bases and 79 runs scored in 112 games A Midwest League midseason All-Star, Chisholm

led all D-backs farm system players in home runs, and ranked among the leaders in runs (3rd), triples (T-5th), RBI (7th), slugging pct. (8th) and walks (T-9th). He then went on the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.

In 11 games, Chisholm, 20, hit .442 for Salt River with a .489 OBP, an 1.257 OPS in 11 games. Chisholm had 19 hits, including one triple,

three doubles, three home runs, collected nine RBIs, seven stolen bases and 12 runs scored.

The Arizona Fall League attracts many of the top prospects in the minor leagues. Late in the minor league seasons, MLB clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will participate in the AFL. Most are Double-A and Triple-A players. The

league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game.

The league featured 17 players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, 10 in the Top 50. Overall, there were more than 80 members of the respective teams

THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association continued its basketball regular season on Wednesday at the Hope Center on University Commons with a number of games played.

• Here’s a summary of what took place: Primary Girls Genesis Academy defeated Teleos Christian School 12-3 as Leah Bethel scored six in the win. Kayla Bien had two in the loss.

Temple Christian School defeated Hillcrest Academy 12-10 as Azarria Marshall scored six in the win. Lebronique Demeritte had 10 in the loss.

Primary Boys Jordan Prince William defeated Temple Christian School 11-8 as Condae Smith scored six in the win. Tayshawn Taylor had four in the loss.

Teleos Christian School defeated Hillcrest Academy as both Andrew Bethel and Martino Butler scored eight. Lathario Babbs had 11 in the loss.

Intermediate Boys San Pedros International School defeated Teleos Christian School 34-32 as Boris Ingraham scored nine in the win. Shemar Wallace had 13 in the loss. top 30 lists participated in the six-week league.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 25, 2019, PAGE 5

Osaka vs Kvitova for Aussie Open title, No. 1 ranking

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Naomi Osaka never made it past the fourth round at any of the first 10 Grand Slam tournaments of her career.

Now, still just 21, she’s suddenly on the verge of a second consecutive major championship.

And the No. 1 ranking, too.

Osaka moved one victory away from adding the Australian Open trophy to the one she collected 4½ months ago at the US Open, using her smooth power to produce 15 aces and groundstroke winners at will while beating Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the semi-finals yesterday.

“I just told myself to regroup in the third set and just try as hard as I can,” said Osaka, who saved four break points in the last set and finished the match with an ace at 115 mph (185 kph).

“I was so scared serving second serves. I was like, ‘Oh, my God. Please!”

Osaka said. “Somehow, I made it. I guess that’s experience.”

A day after erasing four match points and a 5-1 deficit in the third set to stun Serena Williams in the quarter-finals, Pliskova could not produce the same kind of comeback.

Instead it is Osaka, the only Japanese woman to win a major singles title, who will face two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova on Saturday.

The winner will rise to the top of the WTA rankings for the first time; Osaka is currently No. 4, Kvitova is No. 6.

In the men’s semi-finals, Rafael Nadal continued his relentless roll through the draw (see story on this page) by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 at night. Nadal has not dropped a set as he bids for a second Australian Open title and 18th Grand Slam trophy overall.

Osaka’s fourth-round finish at Melbourne Park a year ago was her best

showing at a major until last year’s US Open, where she outplayed Williams in the final. A victory over Kvitova would make Osaka the first woman to win two Slams in a row since Williams claimed four straight across the 2014-15 seasons.

Two years ago, Kvitova missed the Australian Open, just weeks after her left hand was stabbed by an intruder at her home in the Czech Republic. Back at her best during what she calls her “second career,” Kvitova surged to a 7-6 (2), 6-0 victory against 35thranked American Danielle Collins after Rod Laver Arena’s retractable roof was closed as the temperature soared toward 105 degrees (40 Celsius).

Kvitova reached her first major final since the December 2016 knife attack that led to hours of surgery on the hand she holds her racket with — and first since winning Wimbledon for the second time in 2014.

“I didn’t know even if I (was) going to play tennis again,” Kvitova said. “It’s been a long journey.”

Against Collins, a twotime NCAA champion at the University of Virginia who was 0-5 at Slams until this one, Kvitova was more aggressive throughout, mixing big lefty forehands and well-timed pushes forward to the tune of a 30-9 edge in total winners.

But the key to the outcome might very well have been what happened at 4-all after 35 minutes of action: That’s when the decision finally was made to close the 15,000-seat stadium’s cover, drawing cheers of approval from broiling spectators.

Kvitova probably wanted to applaud, too.

“I was happier than the fans that the roof closed,” she said afterward. “I like to play indoors. It helped me a little bit.”

She’s made clear over the years she is not a huge fan of playing in stifling heat.

Not too many people truly are, of course, but Collins is OK with it and thought the roof should have stayed

A SUPER BOWL SHUTOUT? DON’T BET ON IT

By BEN NUCKOLS AP Sports Writer

NAOMI OSAKA, of Japan, celebrates after defeating Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in their semi-final at the Australian Open tennis championships yesterday.

(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) open. “I grew up in Florida and am used to it being really hot all the time. So I kind of embrace that very well,” Collins said. “Indoor tennis is a different game.

Certainly had its effect.”

When play resumed after a five-minute delay, it went from being completely even to tilted in Kvitova’s favour. She dominated the tiebreaker and the second set to stretch her winning streak to 11 matches.

Osaka, meanwhile, extended her Slam run to 13 matches while putting a stop to Pliskova’s 10-0 start to the season.

Osaka accumulated a 56-20 advantage in winners — and held on when it all could have slipped away.

She began the day having won 58 matches in a row after taking the first set, but that seemed in danger when Pliskova broke to end the second and had three break points to go up 2-0 in the third.

But Osaka steeled herself there, erasing the first break chance with a huge forehand, the second with a down-the-line backhand winner. On the third, another terrific backhand forced a forehand error

into the net by Pliskova, who cracked her racket against the blue court.

When Pliskova netted a return of an 83 mph (133 kph) second serve to make it 1-all, Osaka tugged at the brim of her pink visor and let out a big exhale.

The match would continue for another 28 minutes, but it basically was done, then and there.

That stretch began a ninepoint, three-game run for Osaka, and she was on her way. She would face one last break point at 4-3, but saved it with a 108 mph (174 kph) ace.

Nadal breaks, beats Tsitsipas for 5th Australian Open final

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Rafael Nadal is certainly not treating tennis’ next generation well at the Australian Open.

Add 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas to the list of youngsters Nadal has bullied on his way to his fifth final at Melbourne Park and 25th at all Grand Slam tournaments.

Nadal needed all of 11 minutes yesterday to show Tsitsipas — and everyone else — that the kid’s upset of Roger Federer was not going to be replicated on this night. Not even close.

Breaking Tsitispas in the match’s third game and then another five times Thursday, while never facing a single break point himself until the very last game, Nadal won 6-2, 6-4, 6-0. “It felt like a different dimension of tennis completely,” said the 14thseeded Tsitsipas, a blank expression on his face.

“He gives you no rhythm.

He plays just a different game style than the rest of the players. He has this, I don’t know, talent that no other player has. I’ve never seen a player have this. He makes you play bad.”

It was the same straightset, no-contest treatment Nadal gave to 19-year-old Alex de Minaur in the third round and 21-yearold Frances Tiafoe in the quarter-finals.

Asked if he was trying to make a statement with the

SPAIN’s Rafael Nadal celebrates yesterday after defeating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in their semi-final.

(AP Photo/Aaron Favila) way he soundly defeated these up-and-coming talents, Nadal said: “They don’t need any message, no. They are good. They’re improving every month. So it’s always a big challenge to play against them.”

Sure hasn’t seemed like it.

Tsitsipas’ run to the first major semi-final of his nascent career was most notable for the way he beat 20-time major champion Federer in the fourth round, saving 12 of 12 break points across

four sets and 3 hours, 45 minutes.

But the left-handed Nadal was a much more difficult puzzle to solve.

On Sunday, the 32-yearold Spaniard will try to earn his second Australian Open title — he won the hard-court event in 2009 — and his 18th Slam trophy.

That final will come against either top-seeded Novak Djokovic or Lucas Pouille, who meet today.

A title would make Nadal only the third man in the sport’s history to win

each Grand Slam title at least twice, joining retired Australian greats Rod Laver — a front-row spectator Thursday night in an arena named for him — and Roy Emerson.

After a series of health issues, Nadal is once again the relentless forehandwhipping force that can dominate anyone.

He quit during his quarter-final match at Melbourne Park a year ago because of a right leg problem, then stopped again during his semi-final at the

US Open in September because of a painful right knee. That was followed by offseason surgery on his right ankle.

Even though he is wearing a strip of tape over an abdominal muscle that troubled him in the past, Nadal has been terrific in Australia, winning all 18 sets he has played. “I’m really disappointed today,” Tsitsipas said, adding that he hoped to “prove myself a little bit more, not let him dominate the entire match.

Just felt wrong.”

ANYONE willing to wager that the high-scoring Patriots or Rams will get shut out in the Super Bowl can count on a big payday if that unlikely scenario occurs.

William Hill, the nation’s largest sports book operator, released yesterday its list of more than 900 proposition bets for Super Bowl 53.

Given that the game matches two of the NFL’s top offences, the odds against either team being held scoreless are long.

Specifically, William Hill set 250-1 odds on the Patriots getting blanked and — perhaps in a nod to coach Bill Belichick’s ability to out-scheme opposing offences — put 200-1 odds on New England shutting out the Rams.

By contrast, the Patriots get 20-1 odds of scoring 50 points or more, while the Rams are a slightly better bargain at 25-1 to reach the half-century mark.

A word of caution to those who might be tempted: The only team to reach 50 points in a Super Bowl was the Joe Montanaled San Francisco 49ers 29 years ago.

In New England’s eight Super Bowls with Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots have averaged 25 points per game, with a high of 34 in their comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons two years ago that went to overtime.

Even the St Louis Rams team dubbed the “Greatest Show on Turf” scored a combined 40 points in its two Super Bowl appearances, after the 1999 and 2001 seasons.

Prop bets aren’t a big moneymaker for sports books during the season, but they pick up popularity as the nation is intently focused on a single game.

Not all of this year’s prop bets are confined to action on the field, of course.

Bettors can guess whether the Rams’ Brandin Cooks will catch more passes than 3-pointers made

by Stephen Curry when the Golden State Warriors play the Los Angeles Lakers the day before the Super Bowl.

Or those who prefer the other kind of football can guess whether there will be more sacks in the Super Bowl or yellow cards shown in the Leicester City-Manchester United English Premier League match earlier on Super Bowl Sunday.

This year will mark the first time bettors can make legal prop bets in states other than Nevada. Thanks to last year’s Supreme Court decision that allowed all 50 states to legalise sports gambling if they choose, William Hill now operates sports books in New Jersey and West Virginia that will also offer the full menu of prop bets.

Hundreds of the prop bets involve performances by individual players — for example, who will commit the first turnover — and the NFL has argued those bets are too vulnerable to manipulation or cheating and should be restricted or even outlawed.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 25, 2019, PAGE 7

England routed for 77 on 2nd day of 1st test vs West Indies BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — England was routed by West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach as the tourists were bowled out for 77 yesterday, with 18 wickets falling on day two of a remarkable first test.

West Indies finished the day 339 runs ahead on 127-6 in its second innings after Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali led a spirited but seemingly hopeless fightback with the ball.

It was a third batting collapse in the West Indies for England, which was skittled for 46 in Trinidad in 1994 and 51 in Jamaica a decade ago and now tumbled to the lowest ever test total at the storied Kensington Oval.

Roach did most of the damage, taking five wickets for 17 runs as he wiped out Rory Burns, Jonny Bairstow, Stokes, Jos Buttler and Moeen in a glorious spell after lunch.

All of his wickets were concentrated in the space of 27 deliveries.

England had emerged for the afternoon on 30-1, with Keaton Jennings the man to go after spraying Jason Holder to gully.

Jennings’ continued struggles against seam are a lingering concern, but his 17 runs ended up being the top score of the innings.

Burns added only two before he pushed forward at his first ball after the restart, allowing it to skim off the bat and into off stump, and Bairstow was next to succumb to one that spat off a length, grazed his elbow and dislodged the bails.

Holder chipped in from the other end to remove rival captain Joe Root, following up 11 successive dots with a plumb lbw.

Roach soon reclaimed the spotlight, revving up

to strike with consecutive balls. Stokes was given lbw on the back foot, unsuccessfully reviewing a marginal decision, while Moeen’s shot was a curious flap topedged to fine leg.

Roach’s fifth was probably the best, Jos Buttler forced on to the back foot by a brutish steepler and feathering behind.

His colleagues then finished the job, with Shannon Gabriel bouncing out Sam Curran and Alzarri Joseph teasing edges from Ben Foakes and Adil Rashid.

Holder opted not to send the tourists back in despite a lead of 212, which was built on by a 52-run opening stand between John Campbell and Kraigg Brathwaite.

But the West Indies managed a wobble of their own, losing five for nine once Moeen picked off Brathwaite lbw.

WEST Indies’ Kemar Roach, second from left, celebrates the dismissal of England’s Jonny Bairstow, right, with a teammate yesterday on day two of the first cricket Test match at the Kensington Oval.

(AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Australia 72-2 chasing Sri Lanka’s 144 in 1st test BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Jhye Richardson took three wickets for 26 runs in his test debut to help Australia bowl out Sri Lanka for 144 on the opening day of the day-night test at the Gabba yesterday.

Richardson’s ball to Sri Lanka’s best batsman, Kusal Mendis, was easily the highlight of the day, nipping in and taking the righthander’s off stump after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat.

After being bowled out a half-hour into the final session, Australia was 72 for two in reply at stumps.

Mitchell Starc, in his 50th match, became the 17th Australian to reach 200 test wickets. Also, Pat Cummins took four wickets.

Niroshan Dickwella led Sri Lanka with 64 runs.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, commentating on the match, had high praise for

Richardson ahead of the Ashes this year in England: “Forget him just getting on a plane, he starts the first test at Edgbaston for me.”

Called into the team to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood, Richardson’s first career wicket was Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal with a ball that moved slightly away from the righthander on 5.

Then he clean-bowled Mendis on 14.

Mendis was one of only two players to pass 1,000 runs in test cricket last year.

Richardson then backed it up with the wicket of Dhananjaya de Silva, this time with a ball that swung away and caught the edge.

The dismissals of recalled opener Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja took away from Australia’s strong day, with Burns edging one off Suranga Lakmal for 15 and Khawaja chopping Dilruwan

Perera on 10 minutes before stumps for 11.

That brought nightwatchman and spin bowler Nathan Lyon to the crease and he and opener Marcus Harris got through the danger period against the pink ball. Harris will resume on 40 today while Lyon has yet to score.

The crowd of 13,900 was far less than the 42,000 capacity at the Gabba. Sri Lanka has never won a test match in Australia.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 62° F/17° C Low: 43° F/6° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

Partly cloudy, a shower; breezy

Periods of sun, a shower; breezy

Mostly cloudy with spotty showers

Mostly cloudy with spotty showers

Partly sunny with a passing shower

High: 77°

Low: 67°

High: 76° Low: 68°

High: 80° Low: 65°

High: 76° Low: 65°

High: 78° Low: 64°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

80° F

64° F

75°-65° F

82°-61° F

73°-64° F

83°-61° F

High: 62° F/17° C Low: 44° F/7° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 67° F/19° C

10‑20 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 66° F/19° C Low: 52° F/11° C

8‑16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 67° F/19° C Low: 54° F/12° C

N

S

E

W

High: 71° F/22° C Low: 58° F/14° C

MIAMI

High: 67° F/19° C Low: 55° F/13° C

10‑20 knots

KEY WEST

High: 69° F/21° C Low: 60° F/16° C

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 81° F/27° C Low .................................................... 73° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 65° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 82° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 68° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 1.16” Normal year to date ..................................... 1.04”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 67° F/19° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2019

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N

tiDes For nassau High

E

W

7‑14 knots

S

4‑8 knots

Low

Ht.(ft.)

11:02 a.m.

11:38 p.m.

3.0 2.8

4:52 a.m. ‑0.6 5:28 p.m. ‑0.7

Saturday

11:57 a.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.8 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:52 a.m. ‑0.3 6:21 p.m. ‑0.6

Sunday

12:38 a.m.

12:54 p.m.

2.7 2.5

6:55 a.m. 0.0 7:17 p.m. ‑0.4

Monday

1:40 a.m.

1:55 p.m.

2.7 2.3

8:01 a.m. 0.1 8:14 p.m. ‑0.2

Tuesday

2:42 a.m.

2:56 p.m.

2.6 2.1

9:07 a.m. 0.2 9:11 p.m. ‑0.1

Wednesday 3:42 a.m.

3:56 p.m.

2.6 2.0

10:10 a.m. 0.2 10:07 p.m. ‑0.1

Thursday

2.6 2.0

11:07 a.m. 0.2 10:59 p.m. ‑0.1

4:37 a.m.

4:52 p.m.

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:55 a.m.

5:49 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

10:52 p.m.

10:27 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Jan. 27

Feb. 4

Feb. 12

Feb. 19

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

4‑8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Shown is today’s

L

Ht.(ft.)

Today

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

N

S

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

CAT ISLAND

E

W

uV inDex toDay

weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

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W

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W

N

S

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4‑8 knots

8‑16 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS NW at 8‑16 Knots NNE at 6‑12 Knots N at 7‑14 Knots NNE at 8‑16 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots NNE at 6‑12 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots WSW at 6‑12 Knots NNE at 8‑16 Knots NNW at 8‑16 Knots NNE at 6‑12 Knots W at 4‑8 Knots NNE at 7‑14 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots NNE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots NW at 8‑16 Knots NNE at 8‑16 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots NE at 6‑12 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots NNE at 7‑14 Knots

WAVES 4‑7 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 6‑10 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

VISIBILITY 6 Miles 8 Miles 3 Miles 8 Miles 3 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 5 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 6 Miles 3 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 6 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 3 Miles 8 Miles 6 Miles 8 Miles 3 Miles 6 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 75° F 75° F 74° F 74° F 78° F 77° F 82° F 82° F 75° F 75° F 76° F 76° F 75° F 75° F 81° F 81° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 76° F 76° F 78° F 78° F 78° F 77° F

PAGE 8, Friday, January 25, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

TIGER Woods passes a crowd as he makes his way to the seventh hole of the South Course at Torrey Pines during the first round of the Farmers Insurance golf tournament yesterday.

(AP Photos/Gregory Bull)

Rahm opens with 62 at Torrey Pines, Woods grinds out a 70

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — All the attention was on Tiger Woods and his 2019 debut. Just like the last two occasions, Jon Rahm delivered the best performance.

In ideal conditions even

by San Diego standards, Rahm opened with an eagle and kept going lower until he had a 10-under 62 on the North course at Torrey Pines, giving him a oneshot lead over Justin Rose after the opening round yesterday at the Farmers Insurance Open.

“You play the South on the first day, you’re trying to survive,” Rahm said.

“On the North, you’ve got to start under par to keep up. I kept the pedal down.”

Woods was on the tougher South course, where he won his last major, the 2008 US Open. He made three birdies on the back nine for a 70, which he thought could have been lower but found acceptable given that it was his first competition in nearly two months.

“I probably could have shot something around 68 or 67 today pretty easily,” Woods said. “I hit a lot of good putts that were around the hole that just didn’t quite fall in. Overall, shooting a couple under par on the South course is not so bad, but now I’m forced to have to shoot a low one tomorrow just like most of the field did over there today.”

Rahm’s highlight last year was beating Woods on Sunday in the Ryder Cup during a European victory in France.

He ended the year by closing with a 65 to win Woods’ holiday tournament in the Bahamas.

TIGER Woods hits out of a bunker on the sixth hole.

JON RAHM, of Spain, watches his tee shot on the 11th hole.

They were on opposite ends of Torrey Pines, and the Spaniard made the most of being on the North course, which is 440 yards shorter and played just over two shots easier on average. He made two eagles on the back nine to go out in 29, and his only regret was missing a 7-foot birdie putt on his final hole that would have tied the North course record set 12 years ago by Brandt Snedeker, who was in his group.

“I don’t think you ever tee up on any course at Torrey Pines expecting to shoot 10-under par,” said

Rahm, who won at Torrey two years ago for his first PGA Tour title.

Rose played in the group behind him, also opened with an eagle and did his best to keep up.

He played bogey-free for a 63 and finished with a birdie. He played in the same group as Jordan Spieth (65) and Billy Horschel (66), a group that combined for 21 birdies and two eagles, a better-ball score of 59.

“They told us our combined group was the lowest,” Spieth said. “I’m glad, because if there were

TIGER Woods watches his tee shot on the 14th hole.

lower than that, it means everybody went low.”

Charles Howell III and Brandon Nagy had the lowest scores on the South at 66, and Nagy did that with three bogeys on his card.

“You don’t see many days when you don’t have any wind,” Howell said. “The scores were a lot lower than I thought they would be.”

Ninety-seven players in the 156-man field broke par. Even more unusual was that no one shot worse than 77. Most of that was the ideal weather, and while the North is a little tougher than it used to be, the new greens from the Tom Weiskopf redo have settled in and were much easier to hold. Add to that a collection of shorter par 4s, and there was no shortage of birdies.

Rahm led the way in what he calls his special place.

This is where he won for the first time on the PGA Tour, when he holed a 60-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole. He loves Torrey Pines so much that this was the only tournament where he tried Monday qualifying while at Arizona State (he missed).

And this is where he proposed to his girlfriend, Kelley Cahill, on the hiking trails around Torrey.

“So there’s a lot of reasons for me to be happy every time I come here, no matter how I play,” Rahm said.

He had plenty of reason to smile after a 62, matching his low round in his short career on the PGA Tour.

Rahm made his only bogey on the tough par-3 third, and he was in trouble in the rough on the next hole until escaping with par. He responded with four straight birdies, and

was just short of the green on the par-5 ninth when his pitch ran out 7 feet past the hole and his birdie putt to tie the course record caught the left lip.

And now it’s onto the South course for Rahm, Rose, Spieth and the rest.

“It’s nice to get the North out of the way, shoot a good score, just what you have to do,” Rose said.

Woods and Rory McIlroy, who opened with a 71, move over to the North.

“It seems like everybody over on the North course shot low numbers, and obviously it’s playing a little bit easier than we’ve had the last couple of years over there,” Woods said.

“After the changes, those greens have been usually extremely firm and difficult to get the ball close. If that many guys shot that many under par, it might be a different story.”

TIGER Woods hits his second shot on the sixth hole.