02222017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2017

CONCACAF

El Salvador wins, Pg 8

Bahamas advances to quarter-finals

VICTORY SWEET: Team Bahamas players (l-r) Nesly Jean, Lesly St Fleur and Gary Joseph celebrate yesterday as they prevailed with a 3-0 win over Belize in CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship.

The Bahamas advanced to the quarter-finals.

SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 2 Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Knights and Cavaliers in win column on day 2

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE CR Walker Knights and the Mt Carmel Cavaliers both survived late starts to pull off their victories as day two of the 34th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys swung into high gear at the AF Adderley Gymnasium yesterday.

Playing in the early session, the Knights came back to clobber the visiting Abaco Central Marlins 50-37, while the Cavaliers secured a 41-34 decision over the Clement Howell Eagles, the national champions from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In the late games on day one on Monday, the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves knocked off the Westminster Diplomats 55-37 and the CI Gibson Rattlers routed the Teleos Cherubims 75-30.

• Here are summaries of the games played: Knights 50 Marlins 37 Abaco Central got off to a great start, leading 8-0 to start the first quarter. But before the period

was finished, CR Walker surged to a 9-8 lead as they used their height to pound their way inside.

In the second quarter, the Knights took it to another level, surging ahead 25-8 at the half and although the Marlins tried to make a comeback down the stretch, they just simply didn’t have the energy to prevail.

“It’s the same routine as always.

The kids just don’t listen. At one point in the game, I just sat on the bench and let them play,” said CR Walker’s coach Trevor Grant.

“Everybody just wants to play 21.

They’re not executing the plays.”

Cormando Seymour scored a game high 25 points with 23 rebounds for the Knights, who won the tournament twice, the last under coach Grant in 2008 and the first coming in 1997 with coach Jimmy Clarke at the helm.

Denneko Lightbourn added 13 points with four rebounds, three steals and two assists, Omar Rolle had nine points and Cassius Turnquest chipped in with seven points and three rebounds.

For Abaco Central, Alex Jeancius led the way with 12 points

SEE PAGE 3

TWIN TOWERS: The CR Walker Knights rallied to clobber the visiting Abaco Central High School Marlins 50-37 in the 34th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys at the AF Adderley Gymnasium yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

PAGE 2, Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Bahamas gets 3-0 win over Belize

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net LESLY St Fleur missed a hat trick but he connected on a pair of goals and Gary Joseph added the other as the Bahamas team electrified the crowd for the second consecutive night at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship with a 3-0 victory over Belize.

The crowd in the new beach soccer stadium at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge grew larger than the opening night on Monday when the Bahamas knocked off Guyana 4-1 and once again they were entertained by a superb performance by the host team as they advanced to the quarter-finals.

With seven minutes and 34 seconds on the clock in the second period, Lesly St Fleur retrieved the ball after kicking in a side kick and booted in the first goal for the Bahamas for a 1-0 lead. The goal came after the Bahamas got off to a slow start after being more aggressive in the first third.

Two minutes later, Kyle Williams got a crisscross pass to St Fleur, but he missed his second attempt at the goal.

It wasn’t until 7:01 left in the third third that Joseph faced the goal and connected with a shot up the middle for the Bahamas’ second goal.

“I feel good that I scored. When I saw that Lesly was scoring, I said I had to score too,” Joseph said. “It made me feel good that I was able to score.

We played good. All of the hard work is paying off for us right now.”

Goalkeeper Ivan Rolle made three consecutive saves before St Fleur got an assist from Williams with 5:22 left

TEAM BAHAMAS prevailed yesterday with a 3-0 win over Belize in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship. The Bahamas advanced to the quarter-finals.

Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff in the game for his second goal and a 3-0 lead for the Bahamas. On the next play, St Fleur got to the left corner of the goal but his attempt at the goal just clipped the goal post.

“We’ve been training hard for this, so all of the effort was put into the game. I trained hard, so I wanted to come out here and play hard,” stated

RESULTS, STANDINGS AND FIXTURES GROUP A RESULTS: Jamaica 5 Belize 5 (Belize win 2-0 win on penalties) Bahamas 4 Guyana 1 Guyana 3 Jamaica 6 Belize 0 Bahamas 3

Bahamas Jamaica Belize Guyana

P W L F A Pts 2 2 2 2

2 1 1 0

0 1 1 2

7 11 5 4

1 8 8 10

6 3 1 0

GROUP B RESULTS: Barbados 4 Canada 6 Mexico 9 Guadeloupe 2 Guadeloupe 5 Barbados 4 Canada 3 Mexico 8

Mexico

Canada

Guadeloupe Barbados

P W L F A Pts 2 2 0 17 5 6 2 1 1

9 12 3 2 1 1 7 13 3 2 0 0 8 11 0

GROUP C RESULTS: United States 8 US Virgin Islands 1 Trinidad and Tobago 8 Antigua and Barbuda 1

P W L F A Pts Trinidad & Tobago 1 1 0 8

1 3 United States

1 1 0 8 1 3 Antigua & Barbuda 1 0 1 1

8 0 US Virgin Islands 1 0 1 1

8 0 GROUP D RESULTS: Costa Rica 1 Panama 1 (Panama win 2-1 on penalties) El Salvador 9 Turks and Caicos Islands 2

El Salvador Panama

Costa Rica Turks & Caicos

P 1 1 1 1

W 1

1 0 0

L 0 0 1 1

F 9 1 1 2

Points system 3 points for a win 2 points for a win after extra time 1 point for a win on penalties FIXTURES Today 1.45pm: Group C - US Virgin Islands v Trinidad & Tobago 3pm: Group C - Antigua & Barbuda v United States 4.15pm: Group D - Panama v El Salvador 5.30pm: Group A - Belize v Guyana 6.45pm: Group D - Turks & Caicos Islands v Costa Rica 8pm: Group A - Bahamas v Jamaica Thursday 1.45pm: Group B - Canada v Guadeloupe 3pm: Group C - Antigua & Barbuda v US Virgin Islands 4.15pm: Group B - Mexico v Barbados 5.30pm: Group D - El Salvador v Costa Rica 6.45pm: Group D - Panama v Turks & Caicos Islands 8pm: Group C - United States v Trinidad & Tobago Friday to Sunday Quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals Games start at 11.15am Teams to be determined

A 2 1 1 9

Pts 3 1 0 0

St Fleur, who increased his goal total to five over the two games after his hat trick against Guyana.

Goalie Rolle got a bit shaken up on an inadvertent hit from Belize’s Jeremy James. That resulted in Williams coming to his aid. Team physician Eugena Patton checked him out and he was eventually replaced by Torin Ferguson as the Bahamas held on for their second straight win.

“We’ve been pressuring him a lot and at least he’s showing up right now, so all of the pressure we’ve been putting on him, he’s showing up and doing his part,” said St Fleur of Ivan Rolle, the tall, lanky goalie.

The game opened with Meza getting a penalty kick on Dwayne Forbes’ foul. But his shot went wide of the goal post. It turned out to be a physical first third as the Bahamas blew a number of opportunities to touch the back of the net. Forbes and Lesly St Fleur came close to booting in the Bahamas’ first goal, but neither got the opportunity to score.

It was Jean’s chance, but he missed an attempt right up the middle. On an assist from St Fleur, Williams fell short of his attempt. So did captain Gavin Christie on his left corner shot.

Meza was the recipient of another penalty shot on Jean’s foul, but he once again missed the chance to score.

Just before the period ended, Christie had another attempt at a goal, but he was stopped by two defenders right in front of the goal post.

The Bahamas, coached by Alexandre Soares and Stephen Bellot, will now prepare for a big showdown 8pm tonight against Jamaica, who rebounded from their 5-5 loss on 2-0 penalty shots to Belize in their opening match on Monday by knocking off Guyana last night just before the Bahamas played Belize.

“We just have to go out there and play hard,” said St Fleur about the much anticipated match-up with Jamaica. “We just have to come out the way we did in the first two games and hopefully we can pull it off again.”

In the other games played yesterday, Guadeloupe made their tournament debut with a 5-4 win over hapless Barbados, who dropped to 0-2; Panama also opened play with a 1-1 (2-1 on penalty win) over Costa Rica, who fell to 0-1; El Salvador also kicked off tournament play with a 9-2 rout over the Turks and Caicos Islands, who are 0-1 and Mexico improved to 2-0 with an 8-3 thrashing of Canada, now 1-1.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2017, PAGE 3

CR Walker Knights earn 50-37 win over Abaco Central Marlins FROM PAGE 1 and five rebounds, Denneko McIntosh had eight points and seven rebounds and Ivan Curry Jr ended up with six points, three rebounds and three steals.

Cavaliers 41, Eagles 34: Clement Howell opened a 9-3 lead after the first quarter and they held onto a 1914 advantage at the half as Eugene Neely canned a three-pointer at the buzzer to spark Mt Cavalier’s comeback.

Mt Carmel went on to tie the score 25-25 at the end of the third and after they went up 29-27 early in the fourth, they went on to rally past Clement Howell for the win.

“I was disapppointed in the start, but as we settled down, we managed to get back into the game,” said Jeffery Henfield, who is in his first year as coach of Mt Carmel. “We just have to learn to play with a little more determination and we will be okay.”

Preston Ferguson pumped in a game high 21 points with 20 rebounds, two assists and two steals to lead the Cavaliers to the win. Eugene Neely scored nine points and Michael Smith had seven points, five rebounds and four assists to help out.

The Eagles, with only seven players at the game, got 15 points with seven steals and three assists. Tyrone Smith had eight points and four rebounds and Dion Gibson finished with six points and 19 rebounds.

Timberwolves 55, Diplomats 37: Tayson McHardy scored 13 points with four rebounds and four assists to lead the GSSSA champions

ABOVE THE RIM: The CR Walker Knights rallied to clobber the visiting Abaco Central High School Marlins 50-37 yesterday in the 34th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior boys at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff to their tournament opening victory.

Dominic Bridgewater added 12 points, Tyriq Bowe had 10 points and a tournament high 18 rebounds with three steals and Devon Bonaby also had 10 points.

Tehneil Dames also had 13 points with four rebounds to lead Westminster. Jarue Thompson added 11 points, three rebounds and three steals and Donovan Forbes chipped in with seven points, six re-

bounds and a pair of steals and assists.

Rattlers 75, Cherubims 30: Asher Scavella canned 20 points with 10 rebounds and two steals for CI Gibson, who won their fifth tournament title in 2014.

Deon’Ta Tinker had 12 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists, Terrance Storr added 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals and assists and Dominick Burnside contributed eight points with 10 rebounds, while Cameron Strachan chipped in with six points and six rebounds.

No Teleos player was in double figures as Kenneth

Johnson paced the way with six points and six rebounds.

Michael Brennen, Nathan Sullivan and Trevez Hamilton all scored six points as well.

- The teams are placed in the following pools: Pool one - CC Sweeting Cobras (defending champions); Clement Howell, the Aquinas College Aces, Mount Carmel Cavaliers, Teleos Cherubims, the CI Gibson Rattlers and the Jack Hayward Wildcats from Grand Bahama.

Pool two - Tabernacle Falcons, Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins, Government High Magicmen, Nassau Chris-

tian Academy Crusaders, St John’s Giants and Mangrove Cay Secondary from Andros.

Pool three - Sunland Baptist, St Anne’s Blue Waves, CV Bethel Stingrays, Gateway Academy from Bimini, Eight Mile Rock Blue Jays from Grand Bahama, the Queen’s College Comets and Jordan Prince Williams.

Pool four - Anatol Rodgers, Westminster Diplomats, Akapheran Academy, the CR Walker Knights, St George’s Jaguars from Grand Bahama, Temple Christian Suns and Abaco Central High.

TODAY 4pm - Eight Mile Rock vs Gateway Academy 5pm - Aquinas College vs Sir Jack Hayward 6pm - NCA vs Government High 7pm - St George’s vs Anatol Rodgers 8pm - Tabernacle Baptist vs Doris Johnson 9pm - CC Sweeting vs CI Gibson

PAGE 4, Wednesday, February 22, 2017

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NICOLE RICHARDSON FIRST WOMAN TO OBTAIN IFB JUDGES CARD

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FORMER bodybuilder Nicole Richardson is now the second Bahamian and the first female to obtain her International Federation of Bodybuilding International Judges Card.

At the Mr Olympia in Medellin, Colombia, over the weekend where Jimmy Norius got a fifth place finish in the men’s masters physique, Richardson was awarded her certification, joining former Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Danny Sumner as the only two Bahamians to judge an international competition.

Like Sumner, Richardson first earned her InterContinental card, which allowed her to judge at the Central American and Caribbean Games and now she can judge at all IFBB amateur shows around the world, such as the Mr Olympia level as a result of her certification.

But current federation president Joel Stubbs, who was instrumental in getting

Richardson into the sport, said the goal is to eventually get her elevated to the level where she can judge at the IFBB professional ranks and the World Championships.

Richardson, a former women’s body fitness/ short class figure competitor, moved into the judging realm in June, 2016 and she took a number of courses, including sitting the exam in Curacoa in December and the practical in Colombia to springboard her transition.

“Because I was an athlete and I know the disciplines and the requirements and I have the eye for the sport, I decided to take it further.

Of course, I love the sport,” she stressed. “I judged at Mr Olympia and I was awarded the card.”

Richardson, who did her first show as a competitor in 2013, was one of three Bahamians who attempted to secure their card at Mr Olympia, but she was the only one successful.

“As an athlete, sometimes when you compete and you have your losses, you don’t understand why

NICOLE RICHARDSON obtained her International Federation of Bodybuilding International Judges Card. you get beat,” Richardson said. “You have one or two people who tell you that you should have won and you can improve on this and improve on that.

JUNIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE OF NASSAU STANDINGS

“But I was interested in learning about what the judges were actually looking for. I did quite a few shows. In one year, we did about four shows. I want-

ed to stop competing and maintain my healthy lifestyle with the dramatic dieting and stuff like that.”

As a wife and mother, Richardson said she wanted to eat whatever she wanted, have fun and still look good at the same time. But because of the love for the sport, she decided to look into the judging aspect so she can assist other athletes.

“I was fortunate enough to travel to go to different seminars and that worked out in my favour and I was able to get the judging card,” she said.

“I’m happy to make my country proud and I am hoping that I can inspire some other women to do the same thing.

“I think when it comes to the fitness world and bodybuilding, we as women feel as once we pick up the weights, we don’t look like a man. But when I go into the gym, I lift weights heavy and I still look good. I’m still sexy.”

Richardson, who has survived two C-sections, also provides group training online and her platform is outlined on her facebook

page where persons interested can contact for more details.

“If your mind is made up, you can do it,” Richardson summed up. “It’s exciting for me to be a certified bodybuilding judge. I am enjoying it.”

Stubbs said that while he would have liked to add the other judges to the list over the weekend in Colombia, they will have a chance when they go to the Dominican Republic next month to sit their course.

Richardson is among a list of 14 local judges with six of them being certified to perform at the CAC level. Her elevation is a major accomplishment for the federation under Stubbs’ watch.

“It’s my duty to get my chief judge qualified too,” said Richardson of Stacy Carey. “But in time, we will push her.”

Stubbs, however, said he’s very proud of Richardson’s achievement and he’s looking forward to the day when he can see her elevate to judging the professional ranks as a Bahamian female.

CAT ISLAND REGATTA TO HONOUR ‘ZEKE’ CAT Island Sailing Club Association is celebrating its 61st annual regatta this year, August 4-7 in New Bight.

The regatta is the second oldest regatta in the Bahamas, second to the National Family Island Exuma Regatta.

“The fact that our regatta is the second oldest speaks to the consistent efforts through the years by the dedicated people of Cat Island,” said Pat Strachan, the president.

“The commitment and dedication by our members is unrelenting. This year we will honour and recognise the accomplishments of one of those individuals, Ezekiel Taylor. Mr Taylor is one of those giants, unassuming, quiet, but he has been a tower of strength and support for the regatta.”

Ezekiel Taylor is affectionately known as ‘Zeke’.

Several years after the death of another legendary Cat Island member Herbert ‘Captain’ King, the local community sought out and looked to Zeke to get involved in the regatta because of the relationship he had with ‘Captain’ King to provide leadership for the Cat Island Sailing Club.

Zeke was elected president in the early 80s and like they say, the rest is history.

Zeke became president of the club and remained in that post for 15 years. He was a hard and committed worker. He carried out by himself or under his supervision many of the improvements and repairs to the club.

Some of the many contributions Zeke made in the 80s were the club had no electricity and he provided a generator that was serviced and running properly.

He installed running water to the club from a well across the main Queens Highway. Additions to the

EZEKIEL TAYLOR Sailing Club was done under Zeke’s supervision.

He supervised the addition of the club’s office and bathrooms.

Under Zeke as president, other improvements to the club house included installing a bar, kitchen and dining area.

During his tenure, the club earned revenue because the bar and kitchen were opened daily with dances held on weekends.

He was also a cook in the kitchen when the club’s chef was absent.

Under the tenure of Zeke, the Cat Island Regatta improved from a minor regatta to a major regatta.

He invited Eleazor ‘Barber J” Johnson to sail the Lady Natalie in Cat Island to prove to the world that the Cat Island Regatta could accommodate the Class A and Class B sloops.

And because of that, the rest of the world now knows what Cat Islanders already knew that Cat Island has the best sailing regatta in the Bahamas.

“I’m especially proud to be sitting in the office of the Chair when we are honouring Zeke Taylor.” Strachan said.

“During my presidency, he is following in the footsteps of co-founder God-

frey Kelly and Herbert King of being honoured during my term.

“I’m pleased that I’ve continued the process of recognising those individuals who are deserving of recognition. And I trust that future presidents will continue the trend. During the past three years, I’m proud of the many accomplishments inclusive of three successful regattas.

“The economic input to the island, the almost 20 scholarships for students to attend BTVI. The Food 20/20 Donation Project for senior citizens, the extensive renovation to the Sailing Club, the re-naming of the Sailing Club to the Godfrey Kelly Sailing Clu and the Godfrey Kelly Wall of Fame in the Sailing Club.”

Strachan said his term ends in November and he’s dedicating his energy to ensuring their fundraising events are successful, the regatta is organised in an efficient and effective manner and they break ground for the Cat Island Cultural and Community Centre in New Bight.

“We envision this centre will be able to house a banquet hall, a computer room, a four-room motel, library, reception area and office area and kitchen,” Strachan said. “Our vision for this centre is to provide an after-school venue for kids to do their homework, provide access to computers, provide access to a library and to have a banquet hall where weddings and parties can be held.

“The Association would be able to earn revenue from the hotel rooms and banquet hall. Obviously, this is a long-term goal, but we’ve applied for an acre in New Bight to break ground.

To see this come to fruition would be the icing on the cake for my presidency.”

JBLN: THE WEEKLY SCHEDULE AND RESULTS

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RUSSIANS FEAR MISSING EUROPEAN INDOORS OVER DOPING REVIEWS

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH AP Sports Writer MOSCOW (AP) — Russian competitors and officials fear they will miss another major athletics championship because they believe the IAAF is too slow in approving a partial lifting of its doping ban.

The IAAF says it will allow some Russians to compete in the European indoor championships as “neutral athletes,” rather than under the Russian flag, if they can show they have undergone regular drug testing independent of the suspended Russian testing agency, and aren’t implicated in an alleged doping cover-up.

However, with the championships just 10 days away in Serbia, the IAAF hasn’t issued any rulings on 44 applications from Russians such as the 2015 world high jump champion Maria Kuchina.

She said yesterday she’s “ready to travel any day,” but her coach Gennady Gabrilyan admitted he and Kuchina were exasperated by the wait.

“We want to shout loudly now, but instead of that we jump,” Gabrilyan said.

Russian Athletics Federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin said that of the 44 applications, 33 had the support of the federation. The remaining 11 athletes have run into problems, either because they were implicated in doping or because their results weren’t good enough for them to compete at major competitions, Shlyakhtin said, without naming any of those affected.

With limited time remaining until the championships, “we know we might have to get all hands on deck” to ensure Russian athletes have the accommodation, equipment, and support they need to travel to Belgrade at short notice, Shlyakhtin added.

Russia was suspended from all international athletics in November 2015 over widespread drug use, and was unable to send a track and field team to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The only Russian allowed to compete was US-based long jumper Darya Klishina. She and doping whistleblower Yulia Stepanova are the only Russians so far granted permission to compete as neutrals.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017, PAGE 5

A-Rod maintains he won’t attempt playing comeback

By MARK DIDTLER Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Alex Rodriguez maintains he will not attempt a comeback.

Released last August with more than a season left in his $275 million, 10-year contract, ARod worked his first day as a New York Yankees spring training guest instructor. Asked whether he is retired, the 41-year-old responded: “Yes, I am.”

“I am gratified for the opportunity to do what I’m doing now with the young kids and talk a little bit about what’s expected here,” Rodriguez said yesterday.

“For me, I learned my biggest lessons from some of my mistakes, and they were big ones.”

Rodriguez said he received inquiries about possibly playing from “a few teams” after his re-

lease but decided not to season for violating pursue them. Any team Major League Basecould sign him for this ball’s substance abuse year for the big league programme, Rodriguez minimum of $535,000, had 33 homers and 86 which would be offset RBIs in 2015. However, from the $20 million he he hit just .200 over 65 is owed from the Yangames last year. “After kees. serving the suspension, The Yankees honI just put so much effort RODRIQUEZ oured him with a cerin that I honestly think emony on August 12 I emptied the tank,” marking his final game, and Rod- Rodriguez said. riguez contemplated whether to Dressed in pinstripe pants try to play elsewhere. and a Yankees’ batting practice “I thought about it a little bit jersey, Rodriguez watched Tuesthat weekend,” Rodriguez said. day’s workout from several loca“I was fortunate enough to have a tions, including near shortstop, few offers and I called them back close to third base and behind the and said ‘no thank you.’” batting cage. He said with a smile Rodriguez hit 696 home runs that he tried to emulate his first in a 22-year big league career, big league manager, Lou Piniella, including 351 during 12 seasons as he walked from spot to spot. with New York.

“Today was fun,” Rodriguez Suspended for all of the 2014 said. “It was really cool to put No.

13 back on. The pinstripes mean so much to me.”

Rodriguez has no desire to manage and said the only time he swung a bat during the offseason was while in his office to help himself think.

“If you hit .200, you wouldn’t pick up a bat either,” a smiling Rodriguez said.

YANKEES TIDBITS Likely opening day starter Masahiro Tanaka threw a 26-pitch bullpen session and was scheduled to make his first spring training start yesterday against Detroit. OF Jacoby Ellsbury reported after missing two days for the birth of his child. LHP Jon Niese, bidding for a bullpen spot after agreeing to a minor league deal Monday, threw 25 pitches off a bullpen mound.

Pliskova and Cibulkova lose opening matches in Dubai

By SANDRA HARWITT Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Second-seeded Karolina Pliskova and thirdseeded Dominika Cibulkova both lost their opening matches at the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday.

Plikova fell 6-2, 6-4 to Kristina Mladenovic, while Cibulkova lost 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 to Ekaterina Makarova in the second round after both had received byes.

Top-seeded Angelique Kerber, who would return to the No. 1 ranking if she wins the Dubai title, won her opening match 6-4, 6-3 against fellow German Mona Barthel.

“It’s always tough to play against a German,” Kerber said.

“I was really happy with my performance today. I played my game.”

Pliskova won her second title of the year in Doha last week, defeating former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the final. She won the Brisbane tournament in the first week of the season.

Pliskova, who received a first round bye, had little time to adjust to the different conditions in Dubai from Doha - the courts are playing faster and the ball flies a bit more. Doha was also colder and wetter in terms of weather conditions.

In particular, Pliskova struggled with her serve, double faulting six times and losing her serve

KAROLINA PLISKOVA, of Czech Republic, returns the ball to Kristina Mladenovic of France during the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday.

(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) on four of nine break points she presented to Mladenovic.

“I was just playing, like, really bad, so there is not much what you can do about it,” Pliskova said. “Like, I still had a chance in the second set, but yeah, she played some good points.

“If you are playing like this and your opponent is playing well, then you’re probably gonna lose the match,” she added.

It looked like Pliskova might

get back on track when Mladenovic was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set. The Frenchwoman fell behind 0-40, but saved all three break point opportunities to close out the match.

Pliskova boasts a 15-2 win-loss record for the season. Her only prior defeat in 2017 was to Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in the Australian Open quarterfinals.

“I don’t want to be disappoint-

ed about this match, because I won so many matches already this year,” Pliskova said. “I’m just happy about it, and this was just one bad tournament, I would say.

“I’m going to forget about this one, like, really fast,” she added.

Mladenovic won her first career title in St Petersburg three weeks ago. It was her fourth career final appearance.

The 37th-ranked Makarova had lost her first three encounters against Cibulkova before she upset her in the third round of the Australian Open last month.

“I never beat her before (Australia),” Makarova said. “So this match, when I was coming out and I kind of more believing that I can win, and I knew what to do, how to play, where to go.”

Cibulkova took an early 2-0 lead in the decisive third set, but lost the last six games of the match.

Monica Puig, the reigning Olympic champion who reached the semi-final in Doha last week, upset 15th-seeded Caroline Garcia 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

French Open champion Garbine Muguruza retired with a left Achilles injury when she was trailing 4-1 to Kateryna Bondarenko.

“Because of the rain (in Doha), a lot of people played two matches (in one day), including me,” she said. “I remember that as soon as I went, after the match, to my room, I started to have a pain in my left Achilles.”

Memphis has healthy roster for playoff push in stretch run

By CLAY BAILEY Associated Press MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies’ latest injury reports need a

WESTERN CONFERENCE

second glance, they appear a bit suspect.

Nobody is listed as hurt or nursing an injury. If someone is out, it’s simply for rest.

No knee problems requiring forward Chandler Parsons to sit. No ankle issues for reserve forward Brandan Wright. No lingering problems from point guard Mike Conley’s broken back earlier this season, and no more groin issues for defensive stalwart Tony Allen.

There’s not even foot problems for AllStar centre Marc Gasol.

Having no injuries to report is a relief for a team that has been hit hard the last two years. The Grizzlies are 34-24 and sixth in the Western Conference heading down the stretch.

“I think our chemistry is starting to come,” forward Zach Randolph said.

“Guys are starting to fill into their roles and starting to play a lot better, especially on the defensive end.”

It was just a year ago on February 20, 2016, that Gasol had season-ending surgery to repair his broken right foot, sending the Grizzlies spiraling into a historical season for injuries that finished with Memphis using an NBA-record 28 players. Memphis limped into its sixth consecutive playoff appearance and was mercifully swept out of the first round by the San Antonio Spurs.

Memphis’ injury woes seemed to pick up where last season left off for the first three months of this season. Conley missed 11 games, nine with broken vertebrae in his lower back . Wright, hampered by knee issues after signing with Memphis in 2015, dealt with left ankle issues the first 49 games. Parsons, the Grizzlies’ major free agent acquisition last offseason, missed 17 games with knee problems and still doesn’t look completely healed.

That left Memphis with only nine players for a few games.

“It’s nice to have more bullets, definitely,” first-year coach David Fizdale said. “It was fun winning with the Nasty Nine, but it didn’t feel good going into every game with the Nasty Nine, I tell you that.”

Fizdale, hired away from Miami where he assistant head coach, has had players miss a combined 130 games forcing him to adjust lineups regularly while settling into his first head coaching role. As the Grizzlies prepare for the stretch run, Fizdale says he feels prepared for anything.

GRIZZLIES head coach David Fizdale reacts to a play in a game against the Phoenix Suns.

The Grizzlies have little to report in terms of injuries a season after using an NBA-record 28 players. (AP)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

“I think that was the good part about everything that has happened to us this year,” Fizdale said. “It has prepared me for different things. Our team doesn’t panic when guys go down or when we have to rest a guy.

I think that part of it was good for me from a learning standpoint.”

Gasol has recovered so well that he made his third All-Star appearance Sunday. He is averaging 20.6 points and 6.2 rebounds, along with 4.3 assists. At Fizdale’s urging, Gasol has added a new weapon to his post play and midrange jumpers. The 7-foot-1 Spaniard has converted 77 3-pointers this season - a stark improvement from the 12 combined over his previous eight seasons.

Conley also has improved, averaging 19.3 points and 6.2 assists shooting 41 per cent from outside the arc. He says he doesn’t notice the back bones he broke November 28 against Charlotte at all.

“I (don’t) think twice about going in the paint or anything,” Conley said. “I’m excited about that and looking forward to a healthy second half.”

With 24 games left, Memphis is only two games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage to start the playoffs. The Grizzlies, who visit Indiana on Friday night, also have an eight-game lead ahead of Denver for the final playoff spot, putting them on course for a seventh consecutive postseason appearance. Only San Antonio and Atlanta have longer active streaks in the NBA. If the Grizzlies’ current run of good health continues.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, February 22, 2017, PAGE 7

Man City beats Monaco 5-3 in Champions League

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City scored three goals in 11 minutes to fight back for a 5-3 win over Monaco in a wild Champions League match full of dazzling attacking play and dreadful defending yesterday.

City was facing a first-leg deficit in the Round of 16 match when Radamel Falcao scored with a glorious chip, his second goal of the game, to put Monaco 3-2 ahead in the 61st minute at Etihad Stadium.

But in a frantic finish, Sergio Aguero volleyed in a 71st-minute equaliser for his second goal of the night, John Stones prodded home from a corner in the 77th, and Leroy Sane pushed City further ahead with a tap-in in the 82nd.

Raheem Sterling put City ahead in the 26th minute, only for Monaco to put on an attacking show left the home defense in tatters.

Falcao, making a suc-

cessful return to England after poor spells on loan at Manchester United and Chelsea, equalised with a diving header and Kylian Mbappe latched onto a free kick — exposing more poor defending from City — to make it 2-1 at halftime.

Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic allowed a low shot from Aguero to dribble into the net for City’s first equaliser, before the chaotic final half hour when both teams threatened to score at will.

The game had everything — there was even a missed penalty by Falcao when Monaco was 2-1 ahead — and it was a night to send coaches crazy and to leave spectators wanting more.

With both teams preaching attacking football, it was always likely that there was going to be lots of goals and so it proved.

There is sure to be more of the same in the second leg on March 15.

The night’s other match was also a goal feast, with Atletico Madrid winning 4-2 at Bayer Leverkusen.

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 62° F/17° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Periods of sun with a shower or two

Some rain and a thunderstorm late

Periods of rain and thunderstorms

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Partly sunny and pleasant

Mostly sunny and pleasant

High: 82°

Low: 68°

High: 80° Low: 68°

High: 83° Low: 68°

High: 84° Low: 68°

High: 83° Low: 67°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

82° F

64° F

83°-67° F

92°-70° F

93°-73° F

89°-65° 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: 68° F/20° C

12-25 knots

S

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 60° F/16° C

12-25 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 61° F/16° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 62° F/17° C

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 64° F/18° C

MIAMI

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 61° F/16° C

7-14 knots

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) — French forwards Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro tore Bayer Leverkusen’s defence apart to put the Champions League quarterfinals within reach for Atletico Madrid with a 4-2 away victory yesterday.

Gameiro created one goal for Griezmann and scored another, with Saul Niguez setting the Spanish side on its way, before substitute Fernando Torres completed the scoring in the Round of 16 match.

“We came back well and always believed in ourselves, but you have to admit that Atletico simply did well,” said Karim Bellarabi, who pulled one back for Leverkusen.

MANCHESTER City’s Sergio Aguero, left, celebrates with Leroy Sane yesterday after scoring his side’s third goal in their Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match against Monaco at the Etihad Stadium. (AP)

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

ATLETICO DEFEATS LEVERKUSEN 4-2 IN GERMANY

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 68° F/20° C Normal high ....................................... 78° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 64° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 83° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 64° F/18° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 0.80” Normal year to date ..................................... 2.45”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 68° F/20° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 65° F/18° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

N

S

E

W

10-20 knots

S

10-20 knots

ANDROS

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

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

4:31 a.m.

4:47 p.m.

2.5 2.0

10:59 a.m. 0.3 10:54 p.m. 0.0

Thursday

5:19 a.m.

5:35 p.m.

2.6 2.2

11:45 a.m. 0.1 11:42 p.m. -0.1

Friday

6:03 a.m.

6:20 p.m.

2.8 2.4

12:28 p.m. -0.1 ---------

Saturday

6:45 a.m.

7:04 p.m.

2.9 2.6

12:28 a.m. -0.3 1:08 p.m. -0.3

Sunday

7:27 a.m.

7:47 p.m.

3.0 2.7

1:13 a.m. -0.5 1:48 p.m. -0.5

Monday

8:09 a.m.

8:31 p.m.

3.0 2.9

1:58 a.m. -0.6 2:28 p.m. -0.6

Tuesday

8:51 a.m.

9:16 p.m.

3.0 3.0

2:43 a.m. -0.6 3:10 p.m. -0.7

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:39 a.m.

6:08 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

3:32 a.m.

2:41 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Feb. 26

Mar. 5

Mar. 12

Mar. 20

CAT ISLAND

E

W

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

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 70° F/21° C

12-25 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 83° F/28° C Low: 71° F/22° C

H

GREAT INAGUA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

N

L

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

10-20 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: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS SE at 12-25 Knots SSW at 8-16 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots W at 8-16 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots SSW at 8-16 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots S at 15-25 Knots SE at 12-25 Knots SSW at 10-20 Knots SE at 12-25 Knots W at 7-14 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots WSW at 10-20 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots S at 12-25 Knots SE at 12-25 Knots SW at 12-25 Knots ESE at 12-25 Knots SSE at 15-25 Knots SSE at 10-20 Knots SW at 7-14 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots SW at 10-20 Knots SE at 12-25 Knots SW at 8-16 Knots

WAVES 3-6 Feet 8-12 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-8 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 5-9 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 6-10 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-7 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 2 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 70° F 73° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 75° F 75° F 77° F 78° F 77° F 77° F 83° F 83° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 75° F 75° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F

PAGE 8, Wednesday, February 22, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

EL SALVADOR routed Turks and Caicos Islands 9-2 yesterday in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship at the Malcolm Park West beach soccer facility, East Bay Street.

Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

El Salvador routs Turks and Caicos Islands 9-2