02192018 sport

SPORTS SECTION E

All-Stars, Pages 5, 7

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2018

SAC reclaims BAISS track and field title

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

S

t Augustine’s College Big Red Machine reclaimed their top spot in the standings and won their second consecutive BAISS Track and Field Championship title.

They closed out the three-day event at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium with a total of 1,400.50 points and claimed the 28th meet title in the school’s history.

The Queen’s College Comets took the lead, for a brief moment on the final day, but eventually

finished second with 1,375 points.

In a close race for third place separated by just five points, the St John’s College Giants finished with 421.50 points while the St Anne’s Blue Waves were fourth with 416.50. The Temple Christian Suns rounded out the top five with 311 points.

The Comets took five of the eight contested divisions, while the Big Red Machine claimed the other three. The two programmes finished first and second in each of those divisions.

The Big Red Machine won the Bantam Boys, Intermediate and Senior Girls. The Comets had the advantage in the Bantam and

Junior Girls, Intermediate and Senior Boys.

The Big Red Machine had the largest margin of victory in the Senior Girls’ division by 41.50 points, 220.50 – 179 points over the Comets.

The Comets took the top spot in the most closely contested division - the Junior Boys - by a two-point margin, 179-177.

A total of 11 athletes surpassed the CARIFTA-qualifying standards in their respective events including Megan Moss, Anthaya Charlton, Jaida Knowles, Doniesha Anderson, Raymond Oriakhi, Tarajh Hudson, Adrian Curry, Oscar Smith from SAC, Rhema

Oteabar from NCA, Jasmine Knowles from St Anne’s and Shauniece Miller from QC. The Big Red Machine ended the final afternoon with a series of dominating performances in the 4x400m, winning four of the six divisions.

The Comets began the series with a win in the Junior Girls and ended with the final race - a win in the Senior Boys.

The Junior Girls’ team of Adonya Taylor, Paige Archer, G’Shan Brown and Javonya Valcourt won in 4:11.03 seconds, while the Senior Boys’ team of Gareth

SEE PAGE 4

Rising Star

FIBA: BAHAMAS TO HOST CANADA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Basketball Federation men’s national basketball team will have their hands full this weekend when they host the Dominican Republic and Canada in the second leg of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

The team, coached by Mario Bowleg, is coming off two losses in the first leg in Group D after dropping a 93-69 blowout to Canada on November 24 in Halifax, Canada, before coming home and suffering a 93-85 decision to the Virgin Islands on Sunday, November 26, in the homeand-away series of games.

The Bahamas is scheduled to host the Dominican Republic at 8pm on Thursday after Canada plays the Virgin Islands at 4:30pm at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Then on Sunday, the Virgin Islands will play the Dominican Republic at 4:30pm and the Bahamas faces Canada at 8 pm.

In preparation for the games, Bowleg said there will be some adjustments to Team Bahamas, which he contends will be much better defensively than the team they had for the first two games in November.

“We are going to be pretty good. I think we will have a better defensive team and a more oiled offensive team,” said

SEE PAGE 3

WORLD Team’s Buddy Hield, of the Sacramento Kings, goes up for a dunk as USA Team’s John Collins, of the Atlanta Hawks, watches during the NBA All-Star Rising Stars basketball game on Friday in Los Angeles. The World Team won 155-124.

(Kevork Djansezian/Pool via AP)

Buddy Hield leads World past USA 155-124

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net IT was an active weekend for Buddy Hield during the NBA AllStar festivities in Los Angeles, California.

Hield participated in the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Challenge, the Taco Bell Skills Challenge and he was also one of several players who hosted various NBA Cares Clinics over the weekend.

The second year Sacramento Kings guard helped the World Team to a 155-124 win over Team USA at the Staples Center Friday night. Hield’s numbers were in MVP contention with 29 points, five made threes, three rebounds and three assists. However, his Kings teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic would go on to win the award. “You know, it was (an) All-Star Game, so it wasn’t like a really competitive game,” Hield said. “But the World has been getting better. I’m proud to see a lot of guys around the world from France, Australia, you have (Joel) Embiid from Cameroon. Everybody is showing progress, and the World is showing progress catching up to American basketball. This shows how hard we’ve been working and how dedicated we are to this game.”

Hield had a productive twoyear run in his eligibility for the game after he scored 28 in the 2017

BUDDY Hield goes up for a dunk during the All-Star Rising Stars game.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) edition of the game as a rookie with the New Orleans Pelicans.

The 24th Rising Stars is the first with Mtn Dew Kickstart as title partner, with the brand expanding the event into a yearlong platform showcasing up-and-coming NBA players.

The World team included five rookies and five second year players. The 10 players hail from nine different countries. Joining Hield and Bogdanovic on the World Team were All-Star starter Joel Embiid (Cameroon), Dario Saric (Croatia) and Ben Simmons (Australia) of the Philadelphia 76ers, Jamal Murray (Canada) of the Denver Nuggets, Dillon Brooks (Canada) of the Memphis Grizzlies, Lauri Markannen (Finland)

of the Chicago Bulls, Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania) of the Indiana Pacers and Frank Ntilikina (France) of the New York Knicks.

The US Team featured seven rookies and three second year players.

Headlining the team was reigning Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The remainder of the team included Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz, Dennis Smith Jr of the Dallas Mavericks and Kris Dunn of the Chicago Bulls.

Hield was also a late addition to the Taco Bell Skills Challenge.

Hield went head-to-head with eventual champion Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets, but missed the three-pointer on the obstacle course.

“We had a good game plan. I just didn’t make the shot, an easy one.

I was ahead. It’s all good though.”

Hield said.

“It was good, it was fun. Something you didn’t believe would happen in your lifetime, so embrace it and thank God for me being here. I had fun doing it, I wouldn’t mind doing it again.”

The Taco Bell Skills Challenge consisted of Hield, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets and Lou Williams of the LA Clippers as the guards in the eight-player field.

The big men in the competition included NBA All-Star Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, All-Star Al Horford of the Boston Celtics, rookie Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls and defending champion and Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons.

Hield is averaging 12.5 points (.437 field goal percentage, .425 three-point percentage and 873 three throw percentage), 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 23.7 minutes per game in 55 contests (started 11) in his second season.

He leads Sacramento with 114 three-pointers made and is tied for ninth in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage.

BOWLEG, COBRAS EYE HUGH CAMPBELL CROWN

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net COACH Mario Bowleg doesn’t just want to settle on his Cobras winning the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association senior boys’ basketball title.

He wants to take another Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic championship crown back to CC Sweeting as well.

Last week, the Cobras swept the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves in two straight games to wrap up their best-of-three championship series at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

Starting today at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, CC Sweeting will be one of the 28 teams in the 34th edition of the Hugh Campbell Classic that will be completed next Monday with the final at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

The Cobras will headline pool four that includes St John’s College, Patrick J Bethel, Kingsway Academy, Sunland Baptist, Bishop Michael Eldon School and Aquinas College.

Pool one will comprise of Anatol Rodgers, Queen’s College, Agape, Teleos Academy, RM Bailey, St George’s and CR Walker.

Pool two will feature defending champions Tabernacle Academy, Gateway Christian Academy,

SEE PAGE 4

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 19, 2018, PAGE 3

NPBA: UB Mingoes and Pirates in the win column THE University of the Bahamas Mingoes and and the Caro Contractors Pirates won the New Providence Basketball Association men’s double header at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Saturday night.

In the feature game, the Mingoes knocked off the Rockets 81-74, while the Pirates outlasted the Rythm Rebels 89-73.

• Here’s a summary of the games played: Mingoes 81, Rockets 74: Justin Smith and Kemsy Sylvestre shared scoring honours for the University of the Bahamas with 17 points apiece. Sylvestre also had 12 rebounds, five steals, three block shots and two rebounds, while Smith added three rebounds.

Romero Cornish came off the bench and was the only other scorer in double figures with 12 points and seven rebounds. Justin Munroe had nine points, five rebounds and three steals, Rashad Stubbs had seven points and 13 rebounds, Ramon Dames had seven points, six rebounds and five assists and Donovan Dean came off the bench with seven points and five rebounds.

In a losing effort for the Rockets, Lerecus Armbrister scored a game high 22 points with five rebounds.

Tomeko Moxey came off the bench and scored 14 points, Kevin Wright Jr had 12 points, eight assists, five steals and three rebounds, Dominique Beadle had nine points and nine rebounds, Rashad Saunders had seven points and seven rebounds off the bench and Selvyn McKenzie had six points and three rebounds.

Pirates 89, Rebels 73: Dominique Fernander had a game high 29 points, 10

THE PIRATES outlasted the Rhythm Rebels 89-73. rebounds and three assists to lead Caro Contractors.

Tevin Hudson had 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, Donathan Johnson had 10 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, Anthony Whylly had 10 points and

10 rebounds and Romell Johnson came off the bench with nine points.

In a losing effort for Rhythm, who only had five players in uniform, Theo Ferguson had 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Craig Buchanan had

FIBA: BAHAMAS TO HOST CANADA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IN 2ND LEG SEE PAGE 3 Bowleg, who is expected to be assisted by Wayde Watson, Norris Bain and Quinton ‘Three Ounce’ Hall. “We have persons who I feel can put the ball in the hole. We will be adding Eugene Bain and Johnathan Fairwell will get a chance to play, so we will have some players who can score. We will also have CJ Hinds, who led the CBC in scoring a few times, so we have a few guys to go along with Keno Burrows, who was leading us in scoring in the last two games. We will have more options to go to, which will be good for us in the long run.”

Bowleg said they will also be looking at Leon Cooper and Shavarro Cooper coming in and making a difference with players like Robert Northman, who can defend the ball and give the team a better chance defensively so they can slow down their opponents and then go after their shots.

“I like our chances right now with this group that we are trying to put together,” Bowleg said.

Over the next few days, Bowleg said they will have 15 players in practice trying to make the final 12-man roster before they take to the court against the Dominican Republic on Thursday. The other players not mentioned are Michael Carey Jr, Able Joseph, Michael Bain Jr, David Nesbitt, Christopher Turnquest, Kentwon Smith, Franco Miller, Marvin Gray and Lynden Rose.

“With that 15, I think we can pick a very good 12 to represent us,” Bowleg said.

“We played very poorly defensively in the last two games and so I’ve given Norris Bain the task of leading our defence and he will be working on making sure that we play better.

We have done our scouting report on Canada and the Dominican Republic and so we feel confident we will play very well against them.

“I’ve also added Quinton Hall to deal with our offensive attack and he did a very good scouting report, breaking it down for the entire coaching team, so we just have to come together and twixt what we have to do. But I have a very good feeling that we will do very well in two games in this window.”

Based on what he’s seeing, Joseph said the Bahamas should fear even better with the team the coaching staff is putting together.

“It’s going to be a totally different team, so hopefully we will play a whole lot better,” Joseph predicted.

As for his performance, which he admitted wasn’t up to par, Joseph said he’s coming with his A-game.

“The last two games in the first window, I was trying to get used to the new players, but this is a different team and a lot of the guys coming in, I’ve played with them before so I expect to provide that high flying mentality and scoring ability that I’m known for,” said Joseph, who is home on a break from Holland College in Canada.

In November, Turnquest said he was disappointed that he got cut from the team, but he didn’t allow it to discourage him because he still feels that he can make a contribution to Team Bahamas.

“It’s the pride of your country,” said Turnquest, who came in from Montreal, Canada where he was working on the physical aspect of his game. “I play basketball for the love of my country so after I got cut, I only got more drive to come back and try and make the team again. I don’t believe they can keep a good man down.”

Turnquest, a 34-year-old and 6-foot, 10-inch forward/ centre, said he realises that the team lacked some seniority and that is what he hopes to bring to the table.

“We had everything, the youth, the body and the speed, but when you come to play basketball, you can’t

function if you are only relying on your body. Your mind will eventually break down,” Turnquest said.

“You can be there at a team body wise, but if you are not there as a team in mind, you’re bound to go down.

“They needed a little more experience and that is what I can provide for the team. This is my life, this is my country and I want only what’s best for the team.

I know I can come in and help them out mentally because they need that type of player that can help them out in that regard.”

Bowleg, who will have double duties as the head coach of the CC Sweeting Cobras during the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic, said the fans will have a treat this week as they get to watch both the high school and the international basketball tournaments.

In fact, the Hugh Campbell organisers, the BBF and FIBA have worked out a deal where the fans will get to watch both tournaments on Sunday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

“It’s going to cost the fanbase to split and we spoke to FIBA about that because we can’t say to Hugh Campbell don’t have your games,” said Bowleg, who also serves as the first vice president of the BBF, headed by Charlie ‘Softly’ Robins. “What we will do is allow them to play straight through on Thursday at AF Adderley when we play at Kendal Isaacs.

“However, the schedule is set on Sunday where the two tournaments will come together and play at Kendal Issacs Gymnasium.

They will play their final four games and then we will have the two FIBA World Cup games. The fans can pay a price of $10 and watch four great games, the Hugh Campbell final four and the two World Cup qualifiers.

So you can’t ask for nothing more than that.”

Tickets are priced at $25 for VIP, $10 for general admission and $5 for children both nights.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

21 points and five rebounds, Antario Collie had 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and as many steals, Rashard Williams had eight points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and four steals and Deshawn Dean also had eight points with 10

rebounds. The NPBA will be back in action on Tuesday night at the DW Davis Gym with the following matches: 7pm - Caro Contractors Resistance vs Aliv Bucket 8:30pm - Rockets vs Seafood Shockers

NPWBA: TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SUNS TOP SPARKS TO WIN TITLE THE New Providence Women’s Basketball Association, which was scheduled to be played over two days at the CI Gibson Gymnasium, was reduced to just one day after only five of the eight registered teams showed up to participate on Saturday.

When it was all over, the Temple Christian Suns, coached by Keno Demeritte, emerged as the champions, winning the title over the St Thomas More Sparks. St Francis & St Francis Shockers had to settle for third place.

Finishing fourth was the Freedom Baptist Academy Warriors and the Kingsway Academy Saints were fifth.

Xavier’s, Teleos and Garvin Tynes all dropped out at the last minute due to the lack of support with transportation.

The NPWBA made it a treat for all of the participants by providing them with water, drinks, sandwiches and snacks in addition to the trophies and certificates for their participation.

Now that the tournament, which serves as a developmental one for the association, the NPWBA will turn its attention to its ladies’ programme that will get started on Thursday, March 1 at the DW Davis Gymnasium. Four teams have confirmed their participation. They are the Operators, Cheetahs, Angels and Elites.

The league should have gotten started from last year but was postponed because of a lack of interest and not enough funding to support the teams.

PAGE 4, Monday, February 19, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

SAC Big Red Machine reclaims BAISS track and field title, QC Comets 2nd FROM PAGE 1 Lewis, Max Azor, Shaun Miller and Lavardo Hendfield took first place in 3:21.96 secs. The Big Red Machine took the remainder of the divisions. Shimar Bain, Alexis Brown, Brayden King and Otto Laing won the Junior Boys division in 3:45.79 secs; Tanisha Floyd, Anthaya Charlton, Jaida Knowles and Megan Moss won the Intermediate Girls race in a new meet record of 3:55.38 secs; Joel Brown, Kyle Humes, Avery Adderley and Raymond Oriaki won the Intermediate Boys in 3:30.67 secs and in Senior Girls the team of Marissa White, Aliyah Adderley, Tristan Walters and Doniesha Anderson took first in 3:58.84.

SAC also took six out of eight divisions in the 4x100m relays.

Moss, Knowles and Charlton teamed with Troyva Sweeting to also win the Intermediate Girls 4x100 in a new meet record of 46.74 secs. The Junior Boys team of Bain, Laing, Stephan Farquharson and Zachary Evans also set a new meet record in 45.18 secs.

Anderson, Aliyah Adderley, Tanae Dorsett and Lakelle Kinteh took the Senior Girls in a meet record time of 46.69 secs while Andreas Seymour, Joel Johnson, Oscar Smith and Adrian Curry won the Senior Boys in another meet record, 41.70 secs.

In the Bantam Boys the team of Sebastian Strachan, Hugo Minnis, Jelani Morrison and Tumaini Skinner took first in a record setting 51.89 secs and in the Junior Girls event, the team of Apryl Adderley, Reshae Dean, Sanai Forbes and Danielle Saunders set another meet record in 50.42 secs.

The Comets took the Intermediate Boys race with the team of Jonathan Weech, Nathan Moss, Rishard Knowles, Kendrick Major in 43.90 secs and in the Bantam Girls their team of Nia Richards, Lanique Thompson, Alexis Williamson and Sarah Hepburn took first place in 53.67 secs.

Headlining the 200m winners were a trio who achieved the coveted sprint double and added to their 100m titles from Thursday.

Carlos Brown of St. John’s won the Junior Boys title in 26.04 secs, Jamal Flowers of Queen’s College took the Junior Boys in 22.92 secs and Jaida Knowles won the Intermediate Girls race in 24.78 secs.

Joel Johnson of the Big Red Machine took the Senior Boys boys event in 21.70 secs, followed by teammate and 100m champion Curry in 21.82 secs and

400m champ Handfield of the Comets.

In the Junior Girls half lap, Paige Archer of QC took first place in 26.36 secs and fellow Comet Sarah Hepburn took the Bantam Girls in 27.52 secs. Lowell Bethel of SAC took the Intermediate Boys race in 23.28 secs and Wendira Moss of St. John’s won the Senior Girls event in 24.92 secs.

In the 800m, Mookie Rolle continued to be the middle distance leader in the Senior Boys division.

He took first place in 1:57.88 secs to follow up on his 1500m title. Rolle also finished second in the 5000m (19:38.82 secs) later that afternoon, behind Lynden Johnson of SAC in 19:01.70 secs. The Comets also got another pair of 800m series from Grace Farrington (2:49.76 secs) in the Bantam Girls and Devin CuffyBethel (2:29.96 secs) in the Junior Girls.

Jasmine Knowles of St. Anne’s won the Intermediate Girls in a record-setting time of 2:20.87 secs and her teammate Kevannio Smith won the Bantam Boys in 2:37.74 secs. SAC’s Anderson showed her versatility in winning the Senior Girls 800m in 2:23.70 secs.

Deyton Albury of TC won the Intermediate Boys in 2:09.33 secs and Paulindo Boyer of St. John’s won the Junior Boys in 2:13.31 secs, In the 400mH series, SAC’s Oscar Smith and the QC’s Shaun Miller had the most competitive race of the afternoon. Both ran 55.50 secs and Smith was awarded the race in a photo finish in the Senior Boys race.

Oriaki won the Intermediate Boys in 58.74 secs, the only member of the field to finish with a sub-60 time.

Alyson Taylor of Kingsway Academy won the Senior Girls in 1:06.09 secs and Indea Cartwright of St. John’s won the Intermediate Girls in 1:06.13 secs.

One record was set in the field on day three when Zachary Evans broke a 21-year old record in the Junior Boys long jump.

Evans took first in 6.07m to surpass the mark of 5.83m set in 1997 by Leroy Burrows.

Rhema Otabor of the NCA Crusaders reached the CARIFTA qualifying standard (35.0m) in the Intermediate Girls Javelin with her throw of 35.45m.

Fellow Crusader Jevonte Curray won the Intermediate Boys javelin with a throw of 42.19m.

QC’s Archer added to her busy day three with a firstplace finish in the Junior Girls’ long jump. In the Triple Jump, the Comets’ Tristen Hanna won the Senior Boys at 13.75m and Vinajah of Adderley of SAC won the Senior Girls in 10.99m.

A NUMBER of athletes surpassed CARIFTA-qualifying standards in their respective events, including Anthaya Charlton (top) and Jaida Knowles (above).

In the High Jump, both M’Kayla White of SAC and Shaunece Miller of QC both jumped 1.57m in the Senior Girls’ division with White as the first place leader. In a competitive Intermediate Boys’ division, Christian Sturrup of TC won the event at 1.78m.

Nathan Moss and Lucas Simmons of QC along with Chima Johnson of SAC all equalled the mark.

Sean Rolle of QC won the Senior Boys’ discus at 37.47m and Acacia Astwood of St Anne’s won the Senior Girls at 39.69m.

Ann-Marie Oriakhi of SAC won the Junior Girls shot put at 11.30m and Reagan Hidalgo of QC won the Junior Boys event in 12.98m Last year, the Big Red Machine tallied 1,427 points to defeat the Comets by a margin of 88.50 points.

The Big Red Machine led by 45 points after day one, but the Comets trimmed that deficit to just 14.50 points at the end of day two.

• Full event results can be found at www.tekresults.net Points Standings 1. SAC Big Red Machine – 1400.50

2. QC Comets - 1375 3. St John’s Giants – 421.50 4. St. Anne’s Blue Waves - 416.50 5. TC Suns – 311 6. NCA Crusaders – 306 7. Kingsway Saints - 193 8. JPW Falcons – 177.50 9. Aquinas Aces - 49 10. St Andrew’s Hurricanes - 29 11. CW Saunders Cougars - 28

Bowleg, Cobras eye Hugh Campbell crown FROM PAGE 1 Government High School, St Anne’s, Doris Johnson and CV Bethel and pool three will be made up of Jordan Prince Williams, South Andros High School, CI Gibson, Temple Christian Academy, Mt Carmel, Clement Howell and Sir Jack Hayward.

The Cobras will have a day to watch the competition before they play their first game on Tuesday against the winner of Monday’s match-up between St John’s and Aquinas College.

“With the tournament going back to the old format where you advance out of your pool, rather than losing two and getting eliminated, I think this will help us tremendously as we try to advance out of our pool and go into the crossover games against the other pools,” said Bowleg, whose Cobras got eliminated by the CI Gibson Rattlers last year. “When we look at pool one, who the winner of our pool will play against, you have Anatol

Rodgers and St George’s as the favourites, but not underestimating anybody, we believe that our chances of getting out of our pool is straight and once we do, we feel we match up against one one of those teams in the other pool.”

This is now the 11th year that Bowleg is coaching CC Sweeting and he will be assisted by Derek Cummings, Wayde Adderley and Salathiel Dean. Under his leadership, the Cobras have won five Hugh Campbell, three GSSSA and one National High School basketball titles, along with the Providence Classic, as well as tournaments held in Abaco and Bimini.

But Bowleg, who will have double duties this week serving as the head coach of the Bahamas Basketball Federation men’s national team when they take on the Dominican Republic and Canada in the FIBA World Cup Qualifier, admits that if there’s any title they want to win, it’s the prestigious Hugh Campbell crown because of its public notoriety.

“I believe that CC Sweeting, Anatol, St George’s, Tabernacle, CI Gibson or Jack Hayward, either one of these teams could win this tournament, so it will boil down to how we match up against the other teams in the match-ups,” saidBowleg, who also serves as the first vice president for the Bahamas Basketball Federation, headed by Charlie ‘Softly’ Robins.

“At the end of the day, whoever gets to the finals, I think they will have a very good game. It will boil down to who wants it the most. I think we can match up against any team in this country, but sometimes these guys don’t show up.

Once CC Sweeting show up, we believe we have a chance to win.”

The Cobras last hoisted the trophy in 2016 when they knocked off the Sunland Baptist Stingers out of Grand Bahama. That added to the titles Bowleg coached the team in 2012, 2013 and 2015. The other title won

by CC Sweeting was in 2007 when they were coached by Ian Pinder.

The Falcons, coached then by Norris Bain, holds the record of having won the most titles with a total of six (1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2009 and 2010. Kevin Clarke, a former player under Bain, won his first title as the new Falcons’ head coach over the CI Gibson Rattlers last year as Franco Miller Jr was named the MVP. Not too far behind Bain is coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, who has won five titles with the Rattlers in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2014. The Catholic High Crusaders have also taken the title to Grand Bahama five times, three under legendary coach Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee in 1983, 1989 and 1991 and two with Robins in 1999 and 2003.

The tournament was originally started by Doug Collins and Alsworth ‘Whitey’ Pickstock in 1982 to provide an avenue for the senior high school boys teams to further develop their skills. It was then the major fundraiser for the AF Adderley Secondary High School. Collins also

coached the Fighting Tigers to the first back-to-back feat in 1997 and 1998 with Locksley Collie and Dexter Cambridge as the respective MVPs. Since then, the school has been converted to a junior high, but they continue to host the tournament.

During the initial year in 1982, only the New Providence schools participated with the LW Young Golden Eagles, coached by Walter Rand, winning the title.

Guard Bernard Storr also made history as the first recipient of the most valuable player award. In 1983, the Grand Bahama high schools were invited and the Crusaders, coached by McPhee, won the title as another guard Ben Russell was the MVP. Although they have had teams from the Family Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, none have won the tournament, which was cancelled once in 1986 because of a dispute with the teachers that eventually led to a split in the government and private schools and subsequently

the formation of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) and the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS).

The schedule: Today 4pm - Queen’s College vs CR Walker 5pm - Westminster vs CV Bethel.

6 pm CI Gibson vs Temple Christian 7 pm St John’s College vs Aquinas College 8 pm Kingsway Academy vs Bishop Michael Eldon 9 pm RM Bailey vs Teleos Academy.

Tuesday 4pm - South Andros vs Mt Carmel 5pm - Government High vs St Anne’s 7pm - CC Sweeting vs winner of St John’s/ Aquinas College 8pm - Jordan Prince Williams vs Clement Howell 9pm - Anatol Rodgers vs winner of RM Bailey/ Teleos Academy

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 19, 2018, PAGE 5

All-Star Game: Team LeBron edges Team Stephen 148-145

By GREG BEACHAM Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James picked a winner in the NBA All-Star Game.

James scored 29 points and hit the go-ahead layup with 34.5 seconds to play, winning his third All-Star Game MVP award while his hand-picked team rallied to win an uncommonly entertaining showcase, beating Team Stephen 148145 last night.

For the first time in the 67 editions of the All-Star Game, the league abandoned the traditional East-West format used since 1951 and allowed team captains James and Stephen Curry to choose their own rosters.

That twist turned a sometimes staid event into the world’s richest pickup game, and the intrigue was reflected on the Staples Center court, where a real basketball game broke out.

LeBron’s team even won an All-Star game with defence: On the final possession, James and Kevin Durant blanketed Curry, preventing the 3-pointshooting superstar from getting off a potential tying shot.

“I think myself and Stephen took it upon ourselves when we took on this format that we had to change the way this game was played,” said James, who also had 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Both teams played defence for long stretches and contested many shots, with LeBron’s group even picking up full-court late in the first half. Team LeBron also rallied from a doubledigit deficit in the final minutes, tying it at 144-144 on James’ 3-pointer with 1:31 to play.

LA native DeMar DeRozan hit one free throw to put Team Steph ahead, but LeBron claimed the lead with his layup after some sharp passing by his teammates.

DeRozan then made a turnover on an attempted pass to Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Russell Westbrook broke out for a layup with 10.7 seconds left.

Team Steph had one last chance, but even the usually unguardable Curry couldn’t find enough space to launch a 3 between his fellow captain and Durant, his Golden State teammate.

TEAM LeBron’s LeBron James, second from left, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, shoots as Team Stephen’s Draymond Green, left, of the Golden State Warriors, Klay Thompson, second from right, of the Golden State Warriors, and Stephen Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, defend during the first half of last night’s NBA All-Star basketball game in Los Angeles. (AP) Curry finished with 11 points on 4-for-14 shooting.

“We got stops when we needed to,” Westbrook said.

Indeed.

The All-Stars’ shooting percentages and final scores were way down from recent seasons, reflecting the effort on the floor.

The relaxed All-Star vibe was still at Staples, however: Curry chowed down on a box of popcorn on the bench during the third quarter, and the stars made time and room for plenty of good-looking dunks and alley-oops.

Each member of the winning team made a cool $100,000, a distinct raise from previous seasons in another attempt to make things more interesting.

The All-Star draft led to interesting dynamics on court.

Curry chose his Golden State teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, but the trio had to

play against Durant. James also chose Oklahoma City duo Westbrook and Paul George to play along with Kyrie Irving, who forced a trade away from James in Cleveland just last summer.

Irving and James had no obvious friction, even laughing and joking on the bench. Neither did Durant and Westbrook, who broke up in 2016 when Durant left Oklahoma City for Golden State.

TIP-INS TEAM STEPHEN: DeRozan and Damian Lillard led with 21 points apiece. ... Jimmy Butler didn’t play after being selected for the fourth time. ... First-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns was outstanding. The Minnesota forward with 17 points and 10 reobunds.

TEAM LEBRON: Durant scored 19 points and George added 16. ...

Three first-time All-Stars suited up. Washington’s

Bradley Beal scored 14 points, Miami’s Goran Dragic had two and Indiana’s Victor Oladipo got seven.

represented his fellow New Orleans All-Star, DeMarcus Cousins, by wearing Cousins’ No. 0 jersey to start the game.

LA LOVE The All-Star Game featured no Lakers or Clippers, who share Staples Center during the regular season. But several All-Stars have Los Angeles roots, including area natives Paul George, Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden and Klay Thompson. George and James are coveted as offseason signings by Lakers fans, but there was no reprise of the “We want Paul!” chants for the Palmdale native after Saturday’s All-Star practice.

HOLLYWOOD HOME GAME The All-Star weekend was held in Hollywood for a record sixth time.

A partial list of celebrities attending the game: Jack Nicholson, Beyonce, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Chadwick Boseman, Chance the Rapper, Jimmy Kimmel, Michael B. Jordan, Chris Rock, Ludacris, Common, Spike Lee, Andy Garcia, Dave Chappelle, DJ Khaled, Tracy Morgan, Sean Combs, Odell Beckham Jr. and pregame host Kevin Hart, who lobbed roast-style jokes at the All-Stars with mostly blah results. After a much-criticized pregame national anthem from Fergie, N.E.R.D and Migos performed an energizing halftime show.

THE ABSENT LeBron lost four of his original selections to injuries, including Cleveland teammate Kevin Love, Kristaps Porzingis and John Wall. Anthony Davis

MANY MISSES The All-Stars’ 3-point accuracy was hardly worldclass, with Artesia High School’s Harden going 2 for 13 and Leuzinger High’s Westbrook going 1 for 6.

Team Steph was a combined 17 for 65 beyond the arc, including 3-for-11 for Curry.

UP NEXT The 68th NBA All-Star Game will be in Charlotte on February 17, 2019.

North Carolina was scheduled to host the 2017 All-Star Game, but lost it in July 2016 because of the state legislature’s Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which is considered by many to be discriminatory.

Hornets owner Michael Jordan got a standing ovation when he appeared at center court alongside Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to reveal the logo for next year’s game.

2 KINGS LEAD WORLD PAST US 155-124 IN RISING STARS GAME

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic got the All-Star weekend off to a running start in the World’s latest victory over the NBA’s young Americans.

Hield scored 29 points with five 3-pointers, and his Sacramento Kings teammate won the MVP award with 26 points and seven 3-pointers in the World team’s 155-124 victory over the US team in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night.

The annual showcase of the NBA’s top rookies and second-year players again served as the opening to the three-day All-Star festivities, which are being held in Los Angeles for the record sixth time.

But this show was headlined by two shooting stars from the upstate rivals of the hometown Lakers and Clippers, with Hield and Bogdanovic combining to hit 12 of the World’s 23 3-pointers. The World has won this All-Star showcase four consecutive times.

“You know, it was (an) All-Star Game, so it wasn’t like a really competitive game,” Hield said. “But the World has been getting better. I’m proud to see a lot of guys around the world from France, Australia, you

have (Joel) Embiid from Cameroon. Everybody is showing progress, and the world is showing progress catching up to American basketball.

This shows how hard we’ve been working and how dedicated we are to this game.”

Indeed, the 10-man American team struggled to keep up with the 10-man team representing everywhere else, from Canada to Croatia to Cameroon.

Eight of the World’s 10 players hit double figures, including 21 from Denver’s Jamal Murray, the Canadian MVP of this game last season with 36 points.

Boston’s Jaylen Brown led the U.S. with 35 points and 10 rebounds. Kyle Kuzma, the hometown Lakers’ promising rookie, added 20.

Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons also was sharp in his rookie debut in the game, with the Aussie No. 1 pick contributing 11 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and four steals while catalyzing the World’s offense. His 76ers teammate, Croatia’s Dario Saric, also hit four 3-pointers.

Hield, who is from the Bahamas, will be sorry to see the end of his eligibility for this game, in which he scored 28 points last season in New Orleans as a rookie with the Pelicans. The

WORLD Team’s Buddy Hield, of the Sacramento Kings, shoots as USA Team’s Taurean Prince, of the Atlanta Hawks, defends during the NBA All-Star Rising Stars basketball game on Friday.

(Kevork Djansezian/Pool via AP) sweet-shooting Kings guard hit five 3-pointers.

Bogdanovic, from Serbia, was even better from long range, going 7 for 13 on 3-pointers and even adding six assists to earn MVP honours.

“I approach every single game the same way,” Bogdanovic said. “Try to compete to be the best version of myself that day, and

it just happened tonight.

You never know when it’s going to happen.”

Both Kings guards excelled against their Sacramento teammate, De’Aaron Fox, who scored four points for the U.S. “I told him I would score on him,” Bogdanovic said.

“I should (have) bet as well, but we didn’t bet, so I didn’t get some extra money.”

The biggest cheers at Staples Center went to Lakers youngsters Kuzma and Brandon Ingram on the U.S. team. The fans also roared for Lonzo Ball, who was selected for the U.S. roster but unable to play due to his lingering knee injury. Ingram, who scored eight points, and Kuzma were both playing in their third game in three nights,

including a loss at Minnesota on Thursday night.

But they are the struggling marquee franchise’s only representatives at the latest All-Star weekend in its hometown.

The 16-time NBA champion Lakers (23-34), who also had Larry Nance Jr. in the dunk contest before trading him to Cleveland, are likely to miss the playoffs for a team-record fifth consecutive season.

“It was a good pickup game,” Ingram said. “Guys got to go out there and hit a few shots and have fun.

Got a couple dunks at the end. It was just good for the fans.”

Embiid provided the third quarter’s best highlight with a nimble spin move into a ferocious dunk while the World padded its lead out to 32 points in the third and 39 in the fourth. Embiid only played nine minutes, but also hit a 3-pointer. The final seconds devolved into an uncontested dunk contest, and the Americans finally had a few highlights. Brown and Atlanta’s John Collins both threw down ferocious, acrobatic slams .

Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and Dallas’ Dennis Smith Jr. also warmed up for their participation in Saturday’s dunk contest with a couple of nasty slams in the first half.

PAGE 6, Monday, February 19, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Rochdale scores late vs Spurs to set up Wembley replay ROCHDALE, England (AP) — What a difference a few days can make.

After coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Juventus in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, Tottenham made 11 changes to its team yesterday and was held 2-2

by English third-tier team Rochdale in the fifth round of the FA Cup. “It was an amazing game and an amazing event for us,” Rochdale manager Keith Hill said of his bottom-of-the-table team. “We took the opposition on and we know how good they are.

“I can’t describe my emotions. It was special. I’ve never had a moment like that.”

Rochdale had decided to dig up and re-lay the bumpy, almost grassless pitch that was used in the previous round against Millwall — and the reason became clear early on against Tottenham.

Not for this team the typical third-tier fare of long-ball football. Hill’s Rochdale stroked the ball

around to excellent effect to nullify the gulf in class between the sides and secure a lucrative replay later this month at Spurs’ temporary Wembley home.

It was no more than Rochdale deserved when Ian Henderson capped a sweeping move on the stroke of halftime with a low shot from 12 metres (yards) to score his sixth goal in as many FA Cup matches this season.

Eight-time FA Cup winner Tottenham, which left the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen out of its starting lineup, stepped up a gear in the second half and Lucas Moura, signed from Paris Saint Germain in the midwinter transfer window, equalised in the 59th minute.

Moura, making his first start for Tottenham, lifted the ball over goalkeeper Josh Lillis after a clever series of passes from the visiting team.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino then sent on Kane and Alli for the closing stages and the England

TOTTENHAM’S DELE ALLI, from left, Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Tottenham’s Erik Lamela celebrate after scoring during the English FA Cup fifth round soccer match against Rochdale AFC at the Crown Oil Arena in Rochdale, England, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Rui Vieira) substitute Steve Davies pounced on a left-wing cross and drove in a stoppagetime shot to the delight of the Spotland crowd. “When they bring on the big guns and Harry Kane scores, I’ve got to follow suit haven’t I?” Davies joked.

Hill believed his Rochdale side desreved another crack at Tottenham on February 28. “It was sacrificial behaviour at times and

pair combined to put their team in front with three minutes to go.

Alli was sent flying by a challenge from Harrison McGahey and Kane stepped up to rifle Tottenham in front from the penalty spot with the 34th goal he has scored for his club this season.

Then, just as Rochdale’s dreams of a trip to Wembley seemed to have died,

going 1-0 up we almost lit the bomb and knew what would come,” he said.

“The heads could have gone down at 2-1 but they didn’t.

“We got what we felt was a deserved equaliser. We’ll see the replay as an opportunity. We’ll go to Wembley and have a go.”

The winner of the Tottenham-Rochdale replay meets Sheffield

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 64° F/18° C

TAMPA

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Partly sunny and breezy

Partly cloudy and breezy

Partly sunny and breezy

Partly sunny and breezy

Partly sunny

Partly sunny with a passing shower

High: 85°

Low: 74°

High: 86° Low: 73°

High: 85° Low: 71°

High: 85° Low: 71°

High: 85° Low: 71°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

89° F

75° F

91°-72° F

89°-71° F

89°-71° F

88°-71° F

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: 78° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

12-25 knots

S

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

12-25 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 69° F/21° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

MIAMI

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

10-20 knots

Wednesday or Swansea in the quarter-finals.

Pochettino said Rochdale’s performance came as no shock.

“I was not surprised,” he said. “The FA Cup is magic.

The motivation is always massive.”

On Saturday, Manchester United beat Huddersfield 2-0 and Brighton knocked out Coventry 3-1. Southampton defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-1 while second-tier Sheffield Wednesday drew 0-0 with Swansea.

On Friday, Chelsea crushed Hull 4-0 and Leicester beat Sheffield United 1-0.

The last match of the fifth round takes place today when Premier League leader Manchester City takes on third-tier Wigan in a repeat of the 2013 final.

Man United, which has won the FA Cup 12 times, will host Brighton in the quarter-finals while last year’s runner-up Chelsea faces a tricky trip to Leicester.

Man City or Wigan will host Southampton.

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 66° F/19° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 64° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 81° F/27° C Last year’s low ................................... 64° F/18° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 5.69” Normal year to date ..................................... 2.35”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 74° F/23° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High

S

E

W S

15-25 knots

Low

Ht.(ft.)

9:57 a.m.

10:23 p.m.

2.7 2.6

3:51 a.m. -0.1 4:16 p.m. -0.2

Tuesday

10:38 a.m.

11:09 p.m.

2.6 2.6

4:36 a.m. 0.0 4:56 p.m. -0.2

Wednesday 11:24 a.m.

-----

2.4 -----

5:26 a.m. 0.0 5:42 p.m. -0.2

Thursday

12:01 a.m.

12:17 p.m.

2.7 2.3

6:22 a.m. 0.1 6:34 p.m. -0.2

Friday

1:00 a.m.

1:17 p.m.

2.7 2.2

7:25 a.m. 0.2 7:33 p.m. -0.2

Saturday

2:04 a.m.

2:24 p.m.

2.8 2.2

8:34 a.m. 0.2 8:39 p.m. -0.2

Sunday

3:11 a.m.

3:33 p.m.

2.8 2.3

9:42 a.m. 0.1 9:46 p.m. -0.3

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:41 a.m.

6:06 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

9:09 a.m.

9:41 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Feb. 23

Mar. 1

Mar. 9

Mar. 17

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

H

Ht.(ft.)

Today

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

12-25 knots

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

tiDes For nassau

CAT ISLAND

E

W

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

15-25 knots

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

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

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

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 76° F/24° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

15-25 knots

12-25 knots

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

Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday:

WINDS SE at 12-25 Knots ESE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 15-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 12-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots ESE at 15-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots

WAVES 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 75° F 75° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 76° F 77° F 76° F 76° F 77° F 77° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 80° F 77° F 77° F 74° F 73° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 19, 2018, PAGE 7

Mitchell soars to dunk title, Booker sets 3-point record

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — The NBA dunk contest was a throwback in many ways, with a 21-year-old rookie and a 25-year-old, thirdyear pro fighting it out for the trophy.

Larry Nance Jr rolled out his father’s old uniform — down to the knee-high socks — and then rolled out his father himself to help with one of his dunks. But he came up short against Donovan Mitchell, the precocious Utah Jazz rookie with his own sense of history.

Mitchell put on a show at Staples Center to win the slam dunk contest and cap off NBA All-Star Saturday.

Mitchell edged Nance Jr 98-96, sealing his victory with a close approximation of the 360-degree spin dunk that Vince Carter used to win the 2000 contest.

“I wanted this so badly,” Mitchell said. “This is one of my favourite events of All-Star weekend. To not only be in it, but to win it, it’s crazy.”

Before making his winning dunk, Mitchell peeled off his Jazz jersey to reveal a vintage Carter jersey from the Toronto Raptors.

Mitchell — three inches shorter than the 6-foot-6 Carter — needed a score of 47 to beat Nance, and he got a 48 from the five judges: DJ Khaled, Mark Wahlberg, Chris Rock and Hall of Famers Julius Erving and Lisa Leslie.

Minutes earlier, Nance, who was trying to win the contest 34 years after his father won it, had earned a perfect 50 with a slam off a double alley-oop off the glass.

“Growing up I was a big dunker,” Mitchell said. “I wasn’t much

UTAH Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell, top, dunks over three people, including actor Kevin Hart, left, during the NBA All-Star basketball Slam Dunk contest on Saturday.

(AP Photos/Chris Pizzello) of a basketball player. I just dunked and played defence, and I watched a lot of Vince’s videos. I’ve been seeing what he’s been doing all year at his age, it’s

incredible. I figured at my size if I was able to get it, it would be a great dunk. It would finish it.

“Actually, funny story, I haven’t made that dunk

in half a year. I tried in in practice the past two days.

I tried it in practice this morning, didn’t make it.”

Mitchell, the Jazz’s 21-year-old guard out of

PHOENIX Suns’ Devin Booker shoots during the NBA basketball All-Star weekend 3-point contest on Saturday.

Louisville, is among the NBA’s top first-year players with a rookie-best 19.6 points per game.

Though the 13th overall pick in last year’s draft might seem slightly undersized for a high-flying dunk champion, he showed more than enough athleticism to compete with the league’s best.

Mitchell advanced to the finals with a creative dunk in the first round that used his sister, Jordan, as well as Kevin Hart and the comedian’s son as props. For that dunk, Mitchell wore a Darrell Griffith Jazz jersey.

Griffith participated in the first slam dunk contest in 1984.

Mitchel’s sister, Hart and the comedian’s son, crouched in a line in front of the basket. Mitchell had an assistant toss the ball off the side of the backboard.

He caught it and did a onehanded tomahawk dunk as he jumped over his sister, Hart and his son.

It earned a perfect 50.

“I appreciate Kevin Hart coming out there and helping me out,” Mitchel said. “He’s my favourite comedian.”

Nance wore his father’s No. 22 Phoenix Suns jersey for his first dunk, replicating his dad’s rim-rattling cradle windmill that won the contest in 1984.

Nance was competing on his old team’s home floor nine days after being traded from the Lakers to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“I felt great about it,” Nance said. “I felt great about it last Thursday, and then I got traded. I didn’t get to practice it again until yesterday.”

Later, Nance brought his dad out to toss him the ball for an alley-oop that earned a perfect score.

“It was obviously a big moment for my family,” Nance Jr said. “It’s something I will cherish forever.”

Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers and Dennis Smith Jr of the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated after the first round.

Earlier, Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns won the 3-point contest with a record 28 points in the final round and Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets won the skills challenge.

Booker beat 2016 champion Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors and Tobias Harris of the Los Angeles Clippers.

“It feels really good,” Booker said. “I wanted to go out there and make a name for myself.”

Did he ever.

Booker was sensational in the final round, when he missed only five of 25 shots.

The previous record was 27 points, set by Stephen Curry in 2015 and matched

by Thompson the following year.

Booker, the 21-year-old sharpshooter in his third season with Phoenix, is averaging 24.2 points per game this season as the NBA’s 12th-leading scorer.

Eleven months after the shooting guard dropped 70 points against Boston to become the youngest player in NBA history to score even 60 in a game, Booker added another accolade to his promising career with the 3-Point title.

Dinwiddie, who played at Taft High in the Woodland Hills neighbourhood of Los Angeles, beat Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls in the final round of the skills challenge, which included dribbling around pylons, passing the ball into a net and shooting 3-pointers.