SPORTS SECTION E
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018
Smith signs with Rangers By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
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ersatile Courtney Smith, who made the transition from a shortstop and outfielder to catching, is the latest Bahamian to sign a professional contract, inking his name on the dotted line with the Texas Rangers yesterday at the Courtyard Marriott. Flanked by family and church members from Miracle Revival Fellowship and four of the 15-plus Bahamian players currently playing in the minor leagues - Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm (Arizona Diamondbacks), Dominic Collie (Arizona Diamondbacks), Lucius Fox Jr (Cleveland Indians) and Larry Alcine Jr (Cleveland Indians) - Smith signed his undisclosed deal for his “long-awaited” opportunity. Smith, 21, signed the deal under the supervision of former pro player Albert Cartwright and Geron Sands, organisers of the Island Elite Group, along with Cliff Terracuso, the Texas Ranger’s scout for the South area, including Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. “It’s unreal, but at the same time, I earned it. I worked hard for it,” said Smith, the epitome of what perseverance is all about. “It was tough, but I am here today, thanks to I Elite, my family and friends. So I feel very good.” On Tuesday afternoon, Smith said he got the call from Cartwright, congratulating him and then Sands confirmed the message in a follow-up call to give him the details. He was informed that Terracuso was en route from Florida today to complete the paper work and prepare him to head to the Dominican Republic where he will go through the Texas Rangers’ formality before he reports to their spring training camp. “I’m excited. I’m excited to be a Ranger and to start a new chapter in my journey. It’s going to be tough, but it’s going to be a lot of fun living your dreams,” said Smith in his black pants, white shirt, black bow tie and a Texas cap on his head. In staying focused as he watched so many other players sign their
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BUTLER NAMED GB BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR DESMOND Butler, of the Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons, has been named Grand Bahama Sports.com’s senior boys basketball Player of the Year, giving the basketball powerhouse back-to-back Players of the Year. He was already a great player last year, but he is performing at an elite level now that Franco Miller (last year’s Player of the Year) is out of the picture - as was expected when Butler was our preseason pick for the Player of the Year award. Basically, as long as Butler is on the floor, Tabernacle Baptist is hard to beat. His ability to find open space and or make difficult shots in the paint is remarkable. Butler is the best scorer on the team and he also excels at getting others involved in the offence. With the game on the line, there’s no question that he’s the one you want taking the shot. Kingcy Thompson, of St Georges, was the runner-up. Note: Player of the Year was selected by Grand Bahama Sport.com after consultation with the GBSSAA coaches, officials and statisticians.
COURTNEY SMITH, who made the transition from a shortstop and outfielder to catching, yesterday signed up to play pro ball with the Texas Rangers. contracts over the last two years, Smith said with the help of Fox and Todd Isaacs of the Cleveland Indians, he continued to trust the process and relied on Cartwright and Sands to keep him abreast of everything that was taking place. “Even though I felt discouraged along the way, I realised that when it’s written for you, it’s written for you and no one can take that away
from you,” said Smith, who considers himself an “outstanding guy, outgoing and what he believes in he goes for.” Over the years, Smith used his exposure to softball where he played the three positions to help keep him sharp for baseball, but he said “catching just took its place as it found me” and when he goes to the pro ranks, he said his goal is
to be the best “catcher” that the Bahamas has ever seen as he goes on to “win awards. The sky is going to be the limit. I just want to win everything and do everything.” Despite the fact that he felt his head has not always been on the right path, Smith thanked God for putting him back on the right
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The countdown begins: 54 days to go! IT is now 54 days and counting as the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations gets set to host the CARIFTA Games for the eighth time since the biggest regional track and field meet got started in Bridgetown, Barbados, in 1972. The Bahamas first hosted the games in 1976 and has held it again in 1978, 1981, 1984, 1992, 2002 and 2013. The Bahamas will go on to hold the record of having hosted the games more than any other country. As the games approaches, Tribune Sports and the BAAA will highlight some of the athletes to watch during this year’s games, scheduled for March 30 to April 2 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Today’s spotlight is on two young female athletes who will be aspiring to represent the country in the under-17 girls’ division. Anthaya Charlton has qualified for the under-17 girls’ 100 metres, having ran a time of 12.00 seconds at the Club Monica Track
NFL
Classic over the weekend after running 12.03 at the meet in Jamaica two weeks ago, both times surpassing the qualifying standard of 12.06. She will also be attempting to qualify in the long jump. She is the daughter of Laura and coach David Charlton and a member of the Star Trackers Track Club. The 15-year-old is a ninth grader at St Augustine’s College and is the younger sister of collegian Devynne Charlton, who has also competed at CARIFTA and was a member of the IAAF World Championship team in 2017. Shaunece Miller has qualified in the under17 girls’ high jump with
a leap of 1.64 metres or 5-feet, 4 1/.2-inches at the Roadrunners Track Classic to surpass the qualifying standard of 1.60m (5-3). She is a 13-year-old eighth grader at Queen’s College and a member of Bahamas Speed Dynamics. She is the daughter of May and coach Shaun Miller Sr and the youngest sister of Olympic 400m gold medallist Shaunae Miller, who was the Austin Sealy winner for the most outstanding athlete award at the 2013 games. Her brother, Shaun Miller Jr, was the gold medallist in the under-18 division as he made his first CARIFTA team. He has moved up to the U-20 division where he hasn’t yet qualified.
ANTHAYA Charlton (top) and Shaunece Miller (above) in action.
RACE WEEKEND: BANK AWARDS TOP FINISHERS OF STUDENT RUN/RELAY SCOTIABANK awarded the top finishers of the Student Run Relay segment of the Annual Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend. The top finishers, in the straight and mixed divisions, were presented with trophies and giftbags yesterday during a special ceremony hosted by Scotiabank. The CR Walker Knights’ team of Andrew Capron, Michael Gomez, Kendrick Kemp and Jeffrey Sanchez finished first overall in 3:42.13 seconds. Forest Heights Academy out of Abaco was second in 3:47:32, and CR Walker “Soccer” team of Renaldo Green, Brandon Adderley, Miguel Thompson and Demeko Monestine finished third in 3:50:22. The Knights also won the mixed relay with their team of Clemeka Gibson, Tamia Mackey, Lhevinne Joseph and Fedline Louis. The St John’s College Giants team of Esther Simms, Hilton Forbes, Collins Jenga and Paulindo Boyer finished second and Forest Heights was third. “It was a very good experience for the guys. I don’t think we are doing as much as we can in the Bahamas to develop middle distance running so I thank Scotiabank for doing this,” he said.
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