03012017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017

Bahamas has ‘tough draw’ for Beach Soccer WCup

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP BAHAMAS Nassau, April 27 to May 7 Group A Bahamas Switzerland Ecuador Senegal Group B Nigeria Italy Asia champions Mexico Group C Asia second place Paraguay Portugal Panama Group D Brazil Tahiti Asia third place Poland The three Asian qualifiers will be decided on March 11

Medals, Pg 3

BFA OFFICIAL HITS BACK AT BEACH SOCCER TEAM SELECTION CRITICISM

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A

s hosts, Bahamas was drawn as the top seed to play out of Group A against Switzerland, Ecuador and Senegal in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in April at the Malcolm Park beach soccer stadium.

Last night, a colourful ceremony was held in the Atlantis Theatre on Paradise Island where the audience got a taste of the culture of the Bahamas and a glimpse of what to expect from the 16 participating

Bahamas Judo

teams when they compete April 27 to May 7.

Prime Minister Perry Christie headed the list of delegates, and he lauded the partnership that has been forged between FIFA and the Bahamas Football Association, noting that the event will get to showcase the Bahamas as never seen before.

Also in attendance were Anton Sealey, president of the BFA, Jaime Yarza, head of FIFA events, Joan Cusco, executive vice president of Beach Soccer Worldwide, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson and Opposition Leader in the House of Assembly, Loretta Butler-Turner.

Drawing the names of the teams out of four pots was FIFA legend Emerson Ferreira and Cherell Williamson - Miss Bahamas Universe 2016 - did the honours of picking the positions they were placed in the four groups.

“The draw is a very good one. We have a tough draw playing against Switzerland, who is one of the top teams in the world,” said Bahamas head coach Alexandre Soares, of Brazil.

“Senegal is the African champions and Ecuador has been improving every year in South Africa. The three teams are different characters.

Switzerland play one way, Senegal play

“One thing that is noted is that you have three different teams with three different styles of play, it’s going to be a lot more work because it’s going to be three different styles of play that we will have to face.”

In preparation for the teams, Christie said they will have to view a lot of videos, looking at what styles and formats that

A LEADING Bahamas football official yesterday refuted suggestions that the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) had not assembled the best team possible to represent the country in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship last week.

Contrary to reports circulating on social media that there were players that should have been given the opportunity to compete last week at the Malcolm Park West stadium, team manager Jason McDowall insisted the selection was fair and transparent and the 12 players represented the country to the best of their abilities.

“We did have the best team on that field,” McDowall stated empahtically.

“We’ve seen the reports online that the Bahamas didn’t select the best team, but we did. That’s the best we’ve ever performed.

“We finished sixth out of 16 teams. We’ve never done that before. Only once ever have we won three competitive games in a row and we have never won our group.

Unfortunately, the coach didn’t play all of the players but we have to accept his decision. He’s the coach.”

McDowall said despite what is being circulated on social media, he and the BFA are confident that the best team was selected and that if there was any player not on the team, it was because of one of two reasons.

McDowall said that, in order to participate in the CONCACAF Championship, all players must pass a medical examination that is administered by the team doctor and must undertake

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MISS BAHAMAS Universe 2016 Cherell Williamson does the honours of picking the positions in which the teams were placed in the four groups for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff another way and Ecuador has another style of playing, so we have to be ready.”

Soares, who has been assisted by Stephen Bellott with the national team that just finished sixth in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship that concluded on Sunday at the same facility, said the public can be assured that the Bahamas will be ready.

He noted that the team would be assembled next

week to start the final process of the team selection and fine-tuning for the World Cup that starts in six weeks.

Gavin Christie, who served as the captain of the CONCACAF team, said the BFA and the players are all excited about the draw.

“At this level it doesn’t matter who is in your draw.

They are all going to be very tough games,” he stated.

Falcons take the title back to Grand Bahama

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE Tabernacle Baptist Falcons carried the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic title for senior boys back to Grand Bahama after pulling off a 58-52 victory over the CI Gibson Rattlers.

They clinched it in the final on Monday night at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium as Franco Miller proved why he’s considered the top player in the country, scoring a game high 27 points in the victory.

“I felt like I came out and I played a little bit better than I played in the other games in the tournament,” said Miller, who finished with four rebounds and four steals. “This was one of the toughest games we played in the tournament.

“They weren’t backing down. They fought hard.

I’m just thankful that we came out on top.”

Although CI Gibson ran a box-and-one and even double-teamed Miller, the talented forward who followed in the footsteps of his father Franco Miller Sr, who also won the title with the Falcons, said it was all about using his head.

“You just have to play smart, make smart decisions, knowing when to get the ball and when not to get the ball,” he insisted. “This is a mind thing. I was really

CHAMPIONS: Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons celebrate on Monday night after winning the 35th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGES 4 & 5 Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff determined. I wanted to go up by 20 in the fourth quarter.”

Miller came up with a pair of free throws with nine seconds to push the Falcons’ lead to 56-52.

Then on a steal, Desmond Butler was fouled and he went to the charity stripes and canned his pair of shots to seal the deal with 0.8 seconds left.

“I feel like we came out a little too sluggish and we kept them in the game too long,” said Butler, the

pesky guard, who had five rebounds, four assists and four steals. “But we played hard and we won the game.”

It was the seventh victory for Tabernacle and the first for coach Kevin Clarke, who was a member of the team when they won their first two crowns backto-back in 1995-96 under coach Norris Bain.

Clarke was also on the bench as an assistant when Bain picked up his second two straight feat in 2009-10.

Bain, the most successful

coach in the history of the tournament, also win the title in 1998 and again in 2000.

“I’m happy for him,” said Bain as he hugged Clarke during their team celebrations. “Great coaching.

He’s the best coach in the Bahamas. That’s my son.”

Clarke accepted the accolades. “I’m happy that my dad is very proud of me,” he responded. “Hey, we’re going to have a hell of time when we get back to Grand Bahama. He does things

big. Marco City. Remember that.”

Clarke was referring to the fact that Bain has turned the coaching reigns over him so that he can continue to pursue his dream of being the Member of Parliament for Marco City.

Bain, who had an unsuccessful bid in 2013, has switched from the Free National Movement and has been awarded the candidacy to run for the Progressive Liberal Party in the upcoming general elections.

On the flip side of the coin, CI Gibson’s coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson was gracious in defeat, saying they just simply ran out of steam down the stream, coming of playing three grueling games on Sunday to get into the final.

“Tabernacle made some big baskets down the stretch. We made a run for it, but I think the pass that got intercepted, if we had gotten it, we would have had some more momentum,” Johnson stated.

“Tabernacle is a seasoned team. They are very experienced and they knew exactly what they wanted to do,” Johnson stressed.

“But we are a young team, so hopefully we will be back next year, ready to give another run at it.”

If they had won, Johnson would have tied Bain for the most championships won in the tournament. He remains in second place with five after winning in 2002, 2004-06 and 2014.

The Rattlers had to play the game without Asher Scavella, who was ruled ineligible for the game after it was discovered that he had previously played four years in the tournament.

That was one of the rules implemented by the organising committee, but it was one that wasn’t properly adhered to after many questioned why a more stern

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PAGE 2, Wednesday, March 1, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Annual Geriatric Push-a-thon to honour Daniel Charington Bastian THE Senior Executive Committee of Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre will honour Daniel Charington Bastian as its patron for his commitment and dedication to his recovery when they host their sixth annual Geriatric Push-a-thon.

The event is scheduled for 7am Saturday (April 29) beginning from the SRC. The route will take competitors south on Fox Hill Road, north into Elizabeth Estates, west along Prince Charles Drive, south onto Fox Hill Road and back to SRC. The 66-year-old father of three adult children was a resident at SRC since 1980 after he was involved in a

car accident in 1978 that left him a as quadriplegic. SRC provides him with his physical and mental therapy that has made him reasonably mobile with assistance.

Despite his disability, Bastian has participated in the Push-a-thon and is the winningest competitor, having won it twice and placing fourth in another year.

“We are very proud of Daniel’s recovery and how he comes out every year and participates,” said Christopher Strachan, a member of the public relations department for the SRC Push-athon.

“He has been a stellar member of Sandilands and we wish to recognise him

for his achievement.”

Strachan said they are looking forward to making this year’s Push-a-thon one of the most exciting and competitive ones since its inception.

“We are very pleased with the progress that we have made in hosting this event,” Strachan said. “We are looking forward to the general public coming out and participating in the event.”

While the event is open to the public, Strachan is advising persons to be present at 5:30am on race day to register. However, persons can also visit the SRC to register in advance of race day.

DANIEL BASTIAN in his wheelchair being assistred by Sherwin Brown.

BFA OFFICIAL HITS BACK AT BEACH SOCCER TEAM SELECTION CRITICISM FROM PAGE 1 a Pre-Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA).

“When they play for the World Cup and CONCACAF, they want to make sure that all of the players are healthy and they are not going to drop down and die,” said McDowall, who also serves as the first vice president of the BFA. “So we brought in our team doctor, who is also a member of WADA, and the Bahamas Doping Control Board. She’s our team doctor and we got her to clear everyone with their medical assessment.”

All of the 12 players selected for the Bahamas squad in the tournament last week had passed their

medical exams. For those who argued that they should have been on the team, McDowall said they were either injured or were not cleared medically by the doctor to participate.

“So if that player is trying to create some mischief on social media, he wasn’t cleared medically to play,” McDowall stressed.

“Everyone had to go through the medical clearance. We had one player who was injured and one who wasn’t cleared medically to play.”

McDowall said the BFA had 21 players in their pool for the final selection of 12. He said the head coach, Alexandre Soares from Brazil, submitted his 12-man selection to McDowall, who in turn presented it to the BFA board for

final approval.

“The selection was approved by the board,” McDowall said. “We had some players in the list of 21 who were off the island, one who was injured and one or two whom the doctor felt was not suitable to play because they didn’t pass their medical.”

The team, led by Lesly St Jean, who scored 11 goals, went on to win Group A with a 3-0 win-loss record, but lost two of their last three games - against Guadeloupe and the United States - to finish in sixth place overall.

However, by virtue of being the hosts, the Bahamas will join qualifiers Panama and Mexico in representing the CONCACAF region in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup from April 27 to

May 7 in Nassau at the newly constructed beach soccer facility.

With the CONCACAF Beach Soccer completed, McDowall said 21 names will again be submitted into a players’ pool when the process begins again with Soares and his assistant Stephen Bellot selecting 12 to be ratified again by the BFA. “When a tournament is coming up, it’s normally a month or three weeks away, you select your players,” McDowall stressed. “In the case of the World Cup, by March 28, I have to submit a list of 21 players to FIFA. “Out of that list, we will submit the final list of 12 players who the coaches select and are approved by the BFA board at least three weeks prior to the start of the

World Cup. So right now, because CONCACAF is finished, there is no national team. We will have a national squad that will train before the final selection is made for the national team.”

McDowall said once players on the squad pass their medical exams, they are eligible for selection for the national team.

“We do screening on everything,” he said. “Once you have done the PCMA exam for CONCACAF, you don’t have to do it again for the World Cup because it lasts for a few months.

“We had four players that had to go through the extended medical exams. But once you make the squad and you didn’t have to do it for CONCACAF, you will have to do it for the World Cup.”

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Wednesday, March 1, 2017, PAGE 3

Judo athletes bring home 18 medals MEDAL HAUL: The Bahamas Judo Federation’s 18-member team with their medals won at the Florida Open in Miami. They brought home 18 medals.

THE Bahamas Judo Federation’s 18-member team returned from the Florida Open in Miami, Florida over the weekend with a total of 18 medals.

“This is the best performance we have ever had as a federation,” said D’Arcy Rahming, president of the federation. “We had three promotions to black belt by victory over other black belts.”

On their return home, the team was greeted at the Lynden Pindling International Airport by Bahamas Olympic Committee President Wellington Miller, who congratulated them and wished

them success at the CARIFTA Games.

The team finished second overall and Joshua McFall was awarded the best senior male athlete trophy. “It will be difficult to decide the final team for CARIFTA,” Rahming said. “But one thing we will know for sure is that every team member will be an international medallist.”

Rahming said the Florida Open was the tipping point for their sport. “We have never had a performance such as this. I was expecting eight medals, but we got 24,” he said. “We had a team of

18 athletes and won 18 medals in individual events.”

Rahming said the event gave the athletes the experience they needed for CARIFTA, scheduled for April 7 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when a total of 12 countries are expected in town to participate.

“This event proves the concept of the sport academy,” Rahming stated. “All of these athletes come after school four days a week.

They train, have a nutritious hot meal and then they lift weights.

After this they have an hour of structured study with tutors. On

Saturday they train for 2-3 hours as well when not in competition.

“Many have 7-15 months experience and were defeating opponents with 7-10 years experience.

• Individual performances from the tournament were as follows: Trenice Cumberbatch – gold Trevor Cumberbatch – gold Matthew Gittens – gold Raven Pennerman - silver, bronze Daleon Sweeting - gold, silver Davnate Sweeting - gold, bronze

Taliano Ferguson – silver Mya Beneby - silver, bronze Alsha Smith - silver, bronze Jasmine Russell – bronze Keyon Cumberbatch – gold Kentico Forbes – silver (won black belt by defeating international black belt competitor.

Joshua Mcfall – gold (named most outstanding male athlete, won black belt by defeating international black belt competitor Taryn Butler - silver and gold Desmond Bootle – two silver Jevon Eyma – bronze Larry Marshall - silver, bronze Karra Hanna – gold

FIFA LEGEND EMERSON ROSA IN BAHAMAS FOR BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP DRAW AFTER making his debut for Gremio in 1994, Brazil’s Emerson Ferreira da Rosa certainly stretched his legs around some of football’s finest institutions.

Joining Bayer Leverkusen three years later, he started what was to be a glittering career in Europe.

He would go on to collect Serie A titles in Italy with Roma and Juventus, win the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007 with AC Milan and taste La Liga glory with Real Madrid.

The former midfielder was also a major presence on the international stage, representing the Auriverdes for almost 20 years and claiming a runners-up medal at the 1998 FIFA World Cup France™ and the FIFA Confederations Cup 1999.

Time never stands still, though, and after hanging up his boots, the 40-yearold remains involved in football and is currently serving as a FIFA Legend.

It is in this capacity that he made the trip to the Bahamas for the Official Draw for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. As you would expect, he also took advantage of his time there to sample the sand for himself.

FIFA.com spoke exclusively to him about his new role and the big event, which is all set for April 27 to May 7.

FIFA.com: As a new beach soccer ambassador, you’ve had the chance to check out the stadium that will host the competition.

Emerson: That’s right, and I think it’s a really great venue. I was really impressed by the organi-

sation. Everyone who has been part of this project deserves to be congratulated.

There’s joy in the air in the Bahamas; you can see people singing in the street and they take that good cheer down with them on to the sand. It’s similar to the Brazilian joie de vivre, that sense of happiness that is so often associated with football in my homeland.

FIFA.com: Like most Brazilians, you played football on the sand at one stage. What memories do you have of that?

Emerson: In Brazil, people begin playing on the beach, before moving on to futsal and then grass.

I started out when I was nine and my first steps with a ball at my feet came on the sand. That’s a big help: controlling the ball, which is one of the most difficult things for professionals, is made much easier when you learn it on the sand at such a young age. It’s much more straightforward and comes much more naturally when you then progress to other surfaces over the years.

After that I continued my career out on the turf and I can say that, without a doubt, that previous period of my life helped me a great deal.

FIFA.com: Brazil will be taking a very strong team to the upcoming World Cup. What’s your view of their prospects ahead of the draw?

Emerson: Whatever sort of group they get put in, everyone knows that beach soccer is very evenly matched. There are teams that aren’t traditional footballing nations on the grass but which do have that ped-

SPORTS NOTES TENNIS JACOBI BAIN VICTORIOUS JACOBI Bain, coming off his runner-up position in his previous tournament in Europe last week, yesterday won his second round match 6-3, 6-3 over No.3 seed Stefan Popovic (SRB) at the Kungens Kanna & Drottningen Under-14 event in Stockholm, Sweden.

Bain, 13, advances to the third round against Adrian Luddeckens from Sweden. He won the first round with a 6-1, 6-1 over Alexander Erickson, also of Sweden, on Monday.

Last week, Bain was a singles finalist and doubles semi-finalist in the under-14 boys’ division of the International Championships of Romania on the Tennis Europe Jr Tour.

EMERSON FERREIRA DA ROSA is currently serving as a FIFA Legend. Here, he can be seen taking advantage of his time in the Bahamas, sampling the sand for himself at the new beach soccer stadium at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. igree on the sand. Brazil look strong and should have a good competition, but there are other good teams too. All the matches will be difficult, but with the squad they’ve got, the Brazilians are definitely equipped to do big things.

FIFA.com: You were a powerful player with a great engine. That’s exactly what is demanded in beach soccer: you’ve got to do a lot of running all over the pitch. What attributes are required to be a good beach soccer player?

Emerson: It’s a totally different game, starting with the fact that the sand adds

BASKETBALL NPBA RESUMES TONIGHT AFTER taking a break for the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic for senior high school basketball teams, the New Providence Basketball Association will resume their regular season at AF Adderley Gymnasium tonight.

In the opener at 7pm, the Athletico Bahamas will take on the Triple K Stampers and in the feature contest at 8:30pm, Shockers meet Double R Services Limited Cleaners.

BOWLING CITY BOWLING LANE THE most valuable player in the City Bowling League last night was Raymond Adderley of Carib Construction with a 626 high three game set. The runner-up was teammate Byron McClain with a 246 high game and a 608

a real layer of difficulty, so the techniques used are different. For example, players often lift the ball off the ground – it’s much more likely that your passes will be successful that way. The pitch is smaller, and there are various ways of manoeuvering the ball that I never had the chance to develop fully, so I’m sure I’d struggle if I played now. It’d take me a good while to get the hang of it. That’s why I think what’s on display in beach soccer is something to be admired.

FIFA.com: Bahamas, the host nation, aren’t among the favourites going into the

second high set.

Stan Bethell of the Avengers & Phillip Bethel of Giga Tech tied the second high game with 234 each.

The leader in the ladies’ category was Joy Lockhart of the Avengers with a 566 high three game set. She was followed by Xynea Johnson of Fresh Blend Rolling Stones with a 210 second high game and a 558 second high set.

Driskell Rolle of TK Falcons downed the pins for the second high game of 226.

• The team scores: BEC Shockers def. Giga Tech 3-0; Island Game Strokers def. E&U Watercoolers 3-0; Carib Constructiomn def. The Avwengers 2-1; Rewach Crusaders def. Ten Back Strikers 2-1; Checker’s Café def. TK Falcons 2-1; Fresh Blend def. CDM Knights 2-1 and Telco Enterprises def. Bahamasair Flyers 2-1.

competition, but they’ll be spurred on by the rapturous support of the home fans.

Emerson: The fans and the atmosphere they generate will put an extra spring in the hosts’ step. The supporters can create an environment that inspires the players to get more out of themselves. Playing at home also brings with it a bigger sense of responsibility, but that support really helps at such an important competition.

FIFA.com: What does being a FIFA Legend mean to you?

Emerson: It makes me proud because I know

BOWLING HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING THE Bahamas Bowling Federation completed week four of their inaugural High School Bowling Championships at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre.

Junior High Schools CH Reeves Jr High won two games with a total pin fall of 838.Ashton Wright had the high game with 149 and high set with 245. HO Nash Jr High won a game with a total pin fall of 1,037.

P’Ante Rolle had the high game with 179 and the high set with 280.

SC McPherson Jr High won one game with a total pin fall of 1,050 over HO Nash.Jadeyn Newton had the high game with 117 and high set with 226. LW Young Jr High won one game with a total pin fall of 858.Miguel Hopkins had the high game with 109 and high set with 206. AF Adderley Jr

very few get that chance.

I think I’m remembered for the hard work I put in over many years at the clubs I played for, as well as with the Brazilian national team, because you can leave behind a considerable legacy when you represent your country. I’m grateful to FIFA for giving me this opportunity and I’ll do my best to contribute.

FIFA.com: What do you have to offer the football world?

Emerson: People sometimes don’t understand what footballers represent on and off the pitch and it’s very important that we raise awareness on that score because we’re role models for a great many children.

That’s the reason why I always tried to represent the clubs I played for in the best possible way and set a good example for young people.

FIFA.com: FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants to bring football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football. Is the use being made of professional players a good sign?

Emerson: I’ve had the chance to meet (FIFA) President Infantino and I was really pleased with many of the things he said and the vision that he has for FIFA, which involves inviting athletes to voice their opinion and discuss football.

FIFA carries a very big responsibility. The type of image being conveyed is a very good one; I think people are really happy that the president has that sort of mindset. He can count on me and the rest of the players: I think everyone is going to do their bit to help.

High won one game with a total pin fall of 902 over LW Young.

Bria Oliver had the high game with 95 and the high set with 187.

Senior High Schools CR Walker won two games with a total pin fall of 1,125. The top bowler was Nickbert Emepue with a high game of 149 and high set of 291.

Doris Johnson won with a total pin fall of 1,040. Clarence Sargent had the high game with 110 and the high set with 220.

Government High won two games with a total pin fall of 1139 over Doris Johnson.

Stefon Wilmore had the high game with 140 and high set of 252.

The league took a break for the mid-term break, but the schools will be back in action, starting 10am Saturday at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, March 1, 2017

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Falcons top Rattlers 58-52 to win

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Wednesday, March 1, 2017, PAGE 5

the 35th Hugh Campbell Classic

FINAL REPLAY: The Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons defeated the CI Gibson Rattlers to win the 35th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Monday night.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

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Wednesday, March 1, 2017, PAGE 7

Murray eases to 1st round victory in Dubai

By SANDRA HARWITT Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Andy Murray may be coming off a bout of shingles, but he looked in good shape during a 6-4, 6-1 first round victory over Malik Jaziri at the Dubai Tennis Championships yesterday.

The top-ranked Murray was playing his first match since being upset by Mischa Zverev in the Australian Open fourth round last month.

Murray said that his motherin-law was the first to suggest he had shingles, which a doctor confirmed the next day.

“I had a little bit of a rash basically like on my bum ‘round to kind of my stomach, and it wasn’t, like, terrible,” Murray said. “I didn’t think much of it at the beginning, and then it was actually my wife’s mum, we were having dinner, and I was, like, ‘This is really irritating. She was, like, ‘Pull your pants down. Show me. It might be shingles.”

Jaziri took a brief 2-1 lead with a service break in the first set, but that would be the only time the Tunisian had any control

over Tuesday’s match.

“Obviously, the second set was obviously a bit easier,” Murray said. “First set, especially the beginning, was tough.

“I have never hit with him or played against him before.

It took a little bit of time to get used to his game.”

The only other unexpected moment in the match came when Murray was leading 6-4, 3-1, 0-40. Jaziri said he was feeling light-headed and asked for the physiotherapist to come to the court. After his pulse was checked, Jaziri returned to the court and played out the match.

Unlike Murray, defending champion Stan Wawrinka didn’t survive the first round, falling to Damir Dzhumur 7-6 (4), 6-3.

It was third-ranked Wawrinka’s first match since bowing out of the Australian Open to Swiss countryman Roger Federer in the semi-finals.

“I think I start well, but it was tough match,” Wawrinka said.

“I think after coming back one month out, I had to recover from the injury.

Wawrinka was nursing a right knee injury when he left the Australian Open and only started to

REAL SOCIEDAD CONCEDES LATE EQUALISER IN 2-2 DRAW WITH EIBAR

en minutes, he was playing outstanding there,” Dzhumur said.

“Was just hitting every ball. I couldn’t even touch the ball.”

That was the point when Wawrinka slowed down and showed signs of becoming tentative as the Bosnian settled into the match.

“I was hoping that he’s gonna go down with his level of game, and that’s what happened,” Dzhumur said. “I started to fight, to grind, and I found some way to play, to stay in the game.”

Dzhumur raced into a 5-1 lead in the second set, but became nervous when serving for the match at that point.

In the 10-point seventh game, Dzhumur served three double faults, including to lose the third break point he faced.

He kept his composure when serving for the match two games later, setting up the match point with a forehand crosscourt volley, and then watching Wawrinka sail a forehand long.

Fifth-seeded Tomas Berdych advanced to the second round when fellow Czech qualifier Lukas Rosol retired with a knee injury. Berdych was leading 6-3, 2-1 at the time.

ANDY MURRAY reacts after he got a point against Malek Jaziri.

(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) have regular practice sessions a week ago.

“The positive of the tournament here is that the knee is feeling good now,” Wawrinka said.

“I don’t have any pain. I need to still be really careful, but that was the only positive of today.”

Wawrinka started the match very quickly, racing to a 4-1 lead in the first set.

“Three games in, like, six, sev-

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Real Sociedad conceded an equaliser in the final minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2 against Eibar yesterday, missing a chance to take fourth place from Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league and establish itself as a top contender for a Champions League spot.

The hosts were only a few seconds from victory when Pedro Leon seized on a loose ball and evaded a defender before firing a low shot beneath goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

Instead of earning a fourth win in five matches, the disappointing draw left fifth-place Real Sociedad level on 45 points with Atletico, which plays at Deportivo La Coruna on Thursday.

“We were in control and had the match in our hands,” Real Sociedad coach Eusebio Sacristan said.

“But we let it escape from us at the end.”

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Mostly sunny

Mainly clear

Brilliant sunshine and humid

Partly sunny and humid

Variably cloudy, a shower; breezy

Some sun with a shower; breezy

High: 86°

Low: 72°

High: 86° Low: 71°

High: 85° Low: 66°

High: 80° Low: 65°

High: 80° Low: 66°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

90° F

74° F

93°-78° F

94°-64° F

79°-62° F

78°-63° F

ORLANDO

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 65° F/18° C

TAMPA

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

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

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S

N

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 66° F/19° C

8-16 knots

S

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 67° F/19° C

8-16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 72° F/22° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

MIAMI

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 71° F/22° C

6-12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 66° F/19° C

N

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

9:35 a.m.

10:04 p.m.

2.9 3.0

3:31 a.m. -0.6 3:53 p.m. -0.7

Thursday

10:22 a.m.

10:55 p.m.

2.8 3.0

4:21 a.m. -0.5 4:39 p.m. -0.6

Friday

11:13 a.m.

11:51 p.m.

2.6 2.9

5:15 a.m. -0.3 5:30 p.m. -0.5

Saturday

12:10 p.m.

-----

2.5 -----

6:14 a.m. -0.1 6:26 p.m. -0.4

Sunday

12:52 a.m.

1:13 p.m.

2.9 2.3

7:19 a.m. 0.0 7:29 p.m. -0.3

Monday

1:58 a.m.

2:21 p.m.

2.8 2.3

8:28 a.m. 0.1 8:36 p.m. -0.2

Tuesday

3:05 a.m.

3:31 p.m.

2.8 2.3

9:36 a.m. 0.1 9:43 p.m. -0.2

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:33 a.m.

6:12 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

8:42 a.m.

9:28 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Mar. 5

Mar. 12

Mar. 20

Mar. 27

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 67° F/19° C

N

S

E

W

8-16 knots

S

10-20 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 86° F/30° C Low .................................................... 71° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 78° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 64° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 76° F/24° C Last year’s low ................................... 61° F/16° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 0.83” Normal year to date ..................................... 2.81”

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

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 67° F/19° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

H

E

W

10-20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 70° F/21° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

12-25 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: 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 8-16 Knots SSW at 7-14 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots SSE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots SSW at 7-14 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots ESE at 12-25 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots SSE at 6-12 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots

WAVES 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 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 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 74° F 74° F 78° F 78° F 80° F 80° F 77° F 77° F 74° F 75° F 76° F 78° F 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 75° F 75° F 78° F 79° F 76° F 76° F

PAGE 8, Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Durant hyperextends left knee against Wizards

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Kevin Durant’s latest return home did not go well and did not last long: He hyperextended his left knee and exited the Golden State Warriors’ game at the Washington Wizards for good after all of 93 seconds last night.

Durant, who grew up in the D.C. area, will have an MRI exam, the Warriors said on Twitter.

On a Wizards possession under their basket less than a minute into the game, Washington centre Marcin Gortat tossed Golden State’s Zaza Pachulia aside. Pachulia stumbled and landed on Durant’s left leg.

Durant immediately clutched at his left knee, then hobbled around a bit. He stayed in for a few more possessions before limping off toward the locker room when Golden State called timeout. Washington led by as many as 19 points in

WESTERN CONFERENCE

the first quarter, which ended with the host ahead 40-26.

He took only one shot, which he missed, and left with zero points — ending a streak of 562 regular-season games (653, including the postseason) in which Durant scored at least 10 points.

The 2014 NBA MVP for the Oklahoma City Thunder and a four-time NBA scoring champion entered Tuesday averaging Warriors team highs of 25.8 points and 8.4 rebounds, along with 4.9 as-

Buddy scores 8 in 102-88 loss to the Timberwolves

sists. Golden State came in with a league-best 50-9 record after a win at Philadelphia on Monday night.

This was Durant’s first game in the nation’s capital since signing with the Warriors; the Wizards — and their fans — had hoped to try to sign him as a free agent last offseason. It was also Durant’s first game against his former coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Scott Brooks, who joined Washington this season.

The Wizards won 112-108.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

KINGS GUARD BUDDY HIELD drives to the basket against Timberwolves forward Nemanja Bjelica on Monday night. Hield scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds in 27 minutes. He also had a steal. (AP)

Bahamas has ‘tough draw’ for Beach Soccer WCup FROM PAGE 1

each of them use, who are their top players, so that they can counter with a system against each of them.

“It’s no one style fits all in this group,” he insisted.

“We will definitely be ready.”

The Bahamas, ranked at No. 44 in the world, will face Switzerland, who is pegged at No.6; Senegal at No.25 and Ecuador at No.22.

Switzerland’s head coach Angelo Schirinzi said he’s very happy to play the first match of the tournament against the Bahamas as the host team.

“We know this team very well. We are very good friends,” he said.

“They has two months in Switzerland and so I’m very happy to play against the host team. It’s a great honor for us to play in this spectacular stadium. ”I was here for the final day of the CONCACAF qualifier and we saw all of the photos going around the world. It’s a wonderful stadium to have for beach soccer and for the World Cup.” Schirinzi, however, said they don’t want to count out the other two teams in their pool as Ecuador is also very strong and Senegal are the champions from Africa, so it’s not going to be an easy draw.

“I saw all of the matches in Ecuador in their qualifier,” Schirinzi said. “So it’s not a very experienced team, but it is a surprising team. It’s not that quality that we know from Europe and Senegal is very strong with some very good players.”

Looking at the transfor-

THE TRIBUNE

PHELPS ASKS CONGRESS TO ENSURE ANTI-DOPING SYSTEM IS FAIR

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — After staying in his lane as a swimmer and not speaking out about doping in international competition, Michael Phelps is ready to take on the issue in retirement.

Phelps testified yesterday before a congressional hearing on improving antidoping measures, delivering the message that he doesn’t believe the Olympics and other competitions are clean and that athletes don’t believe in the testing system that’s in place.

Phelps, who has won 28 Olympic medals, said athletes get “disillusioned” when they see others cheat, he and asked the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations to help “ensure the system is fair and reliable.”

“I don’t believe that I’ve stood up at international competitions and the rest of the field has been clean,” Phelps said during the hearing.

“I don’t believe that. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that. I know that when I do stand up in the US, I know we’re all clean because we’re going through the same thing. Internationally I think there has to be something done, and it has to be done now.”

Phelps testified alongside shot putter Adam Nelson, US Anti-Doping Association CEO Travis Tygart, World Anti-Doping Association deputy director general Rob Koehler and International Olympic Committee medical and scientific director Richard Budgett.

TABERNACLE BAPTIST FALCONS TAKE THE TITLE BACK TO GRAND BAHAMA FROM PAGE 1 punishment wasn’t meted to the Rattlers, who were involved in a big bench clearing brawl against the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves on Saturday night.

FIFA legend Emerson Ferreira did the honours of picking the teams as they were placed in the four groups. mation that Team Bahamas has made since they first arrived in Switzerland to train for the CONCACAF tournament to what they have achieved last week, Schirinzi said he’s impressed.

“They improved a lot and they have some outstanding players like Lesly St Fleur and Kyle Williams and a captain in Gavin Christie, who is a good leader,” he said. “I think they have improved a lot since they played tournaments in Estonia where they beat Estonia.

“They also played in Italy and in Switzerland.

They also played against the USA and they beat the USA in Switzeralnd.

I think the Bahamas did a great work. I am proud of the federation for what they are doing for this sport, not only the team,

but also the stadium.

“This is a milestone for beach soccer to have a stadium like this. So this tournament is a milestone and the Bahamas is doing a really good work. I’m very proud of them. I’m proud of both the federation and the team.”

With the winter weather in Switzerland, Schirinzi said it’s very difficult for them to train outdoors, but it’s not the same training indoors.

He said they would head to Spain for a training camp and then come to the Bahamas to complete their training. He assured the Bahamas that Switzerland would be ready.

Drawn to play in the respective groups are the following: Group B – Nigeria, Italy, Asia champions (to be decided by March 11) and

Mexico, runners-up at the CONCACAF Championships.

Group C – Asia 2 (to be decided by March 11), Paraguay, Portugal (defending champions) and Panama (the champions of CONCACAF).

Group D – Brazil (winners of four of the eight championships played so far); Tahiti, Asia 3 (to be decided by March 11) and Poland.

The championships got started in 2005 in Brazil and was won by France over Portugal. Brazil finished third. Brazil also hosted the next two in 2006 and 2007, winning over Uruguay and Mexico respectively.

France hosted the 2008 championships that was won by Brazil over Italy and they repeated as champions in United Arab

Emirates in 2009 over Switzerland.

The 2011 championships went to Italy and won by Russia over Brazil. Russia defended their title over Spain in French Polynesia in 2013. At the last championships in 2015 in Portugal, the host country won over Tahiti.

How will the Bahamas fear in its debut? Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure - the teams will be coming to play in one of the best stadiums around the world.

The audience got a chance to hear the new FIFA World Cup song “Pure Goal Vibes” that was sung by Ric Carey.

There was also a rake-andscrape performance and the night ended with the rhythmic sounds of junkanoo.

• At the end of the tournment, the following individual awards were presented: Most points scored Frantwion Newton, Jordan Prince Williams Most assists - Dominic Bridgewater, Anatol Rodgers Most rebounds - Deon Gibson, Clement Howell.

Most block shots - Deangelo Elise - CR Walker Most steals - Saheed Sanusi, Akapheran Academy.

MVP - Franco Miller • Named to the AllTournment team were the following: Frantwion Newton, Jordan Prince Williams; Dominic Bridgewater, Anatol Rodgers; Deon Gibson, Clement Howell; Deangelo Elise, CR Walker; Saheed Saheed Sanusi, Akepheran Academy; Derrio Saunders, CI Gibson; Brandon Strachan, CC Sweeting; Mateo King, St George’s; Troy Trembley, Doris Johnson; Chosen Levarity, Sunland; Terrance Storr, CI Gibson; Tiarie Pinder, Sir Jack Hayward; Franco Miller, Tabernacle Academy; Triston Isaacs, St John’s College and Trayvarus Bain, Eight Mile Rock.