Calea Jackson sets a new national record
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
It was another Bahamian national record-breaking performance for Calea Jackson as she led the Bahamian contingent, including three Olympians, who competed in various collegiate track and field conference meets over the weekend in the United States of America.
The championships will lead into the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One Indoor Championships, scheduled for March 14-15 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, or it will be onto the outdoor season for those who didn’t qualify.
ACC Indoor
Championships
At the Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Championships in Louisville, Kentucky, Jackson - a sophomore at the University of Miami - was sixth in the final of the women’s weight throw with 67-feet, 3½-inches or 20.51 metres on the first of her six throws to shatter her previous national record of 66-113/4 (19.80m).
“My performance went very well. I wanted to throw over 20m and I did that so I felt really good about it,” she said. “I knew that once I did my goal that the national record would increase as well which brought an extra amount of comfort.”
After scratching her next two throws, Jackson posted marks of 62-6 (19.05m), 65-31/4 (19.89m) and 64-63/4 (19.68m) in her series.
Jackson, 19, was the sixth of 10 competitors competing out of Group B, which produced the top nine performances, led by Giavonna Meeks, a sophomore at California, with a personal best and a meet record of 77-4¾ (23.59m) on her sixth and final throw.
Meeks led from the start with her opening heave of 76-1/4 (23.17m) on her first throw. She scratched the second and third and popped 76-3 (23.24m) on her fourth, only to scratch her fifth as well.
A total of 11 competitors participated in Group A.
Unfortunately, Jackson didn’t qualify for the NCAA Indoors, so she said she will take a nice rest and then start preparing for the outdoor where she will
throw both the discus and hammer, something she’s excited about. “I am staying the course and ensuring
that I maintain focus on and off the field,” Jackson stated. “I am grateful for my support system and I
JONQUEL JONES ONE OF USA TODAY’S WOMEN OF THE YEAR
By TENAJH SWEETING
INTERNATIONAL
Women’s Day is a mere five days away but Grand Bahamian Jonquel “JJ” Jones received her flowers a few days early.
The 2024 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals MVP was named as one of USA Today’s 2025 Women of the Year on Friday. Jones was one of 61 women across the country to be recognised for breaking barriers, inciting change, making communities better and inspiring the future generation. The 6-foot-6 centre certainly checked all of those boxes, not only throughout the course of her eight-year WNBA career, but especially during her WNBA Finals run with the New York Liberty last season.
She strengthened her legacy as one of the greatest Bahamian women to ever dribble up a basketball in 2024.
After three unsuccessful trips to the WNBA Finals, Jones finally broke the barrier in her fourth finals appearance against the Minnesota Lynx.
She had a standout performance in the Liberty’s 67-62 victory over the Lynx in game five of the series to win her first WNBA chip and the team’s first title.
intend to continue to make them proud of me.”
Jones pitched in a gamehigh 17 points, six rebounds and one assist while shooting 5-for-10 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe in the
THE “Junkanoo Beach Boyz” will be represented by 12 members at the upcoming 2025 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship to be hosted from March 11-16 at the Malcolm Park Beach Soccer Stadium at home.
Team Bahamas will feature goalkeepers Michael Butler and Julio Jameson, defenders Lesly St Fleur, Kyle Williams, Jean Francois, Dwayne Forbes and Renardo McCallum along with forwards Brandon Adderley, Peter Julmis, Timothy Munnings, Creven Ferguson and Lekenson Chery.
The coaching staff will be led by head coach Francis Farberoff and he will be assisted by Gavin Christie. Torin Ferguson will serve as the goalkeeper coach. Larry Minnis will manage the team and he will be assisted by Cameron Hanna. The team doctor will be Dr Sandeep Goud and Karen Wert will serve as the team trainer.
Veteran team member Kyle Williams shared the team’s mindset going into next week’s competition. “Just to stay aggressive and stay confident. The guys have been training together for a long time so we have to be confident in our ability and what we are able to do. The sand is a great neutraliser so anything could happen and any shot can go in so it gives everyone a chance in order to be able to compete in this sport and that’s why we love to do it. We are excited and we are keeping that in mind going into the tournament,” he said.
Team Bahamas was just one win shy of clinching a spot to advance to the 2023 FIFA Beach Soccer World
Cup while competing at the 2023 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship at home. The team ended that experience with a fourth place finish following a 3-2 loss to Mexico in the semifinals.
The biennial tournament is now set to make its return to The Bahamas for the fourth time in history and the host team has big plans of qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025. Williams said chemistry will play a crucial role in the team playing well as the tournament progresses.
“The thing with beach soccer is chemistry is everything. Being able to eliminate whatever we need to work on is the main
thing. Working together and communicating even more helps, especially in a stadium where it’s super loud, being loud and being very communicative helps in terms of defending and attacking,” he said.
Eight nations will be represented at the upcoming CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship next month.
Participating teams will hail from The Bahamas, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States of America.
The top two nations will book their spots for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025.
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Aquatics National Championships is not until June, but the Mako Aquatics showed that they are on pace to defend their title.
With the Horizon Distributors Blue Waves Swim Club Invitational Swim Meet over the weekend at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex taking on a similar format for the nationals, Mako Aquatics turned in a dominating performance.
Mako Aquatics, coached by Travano McPhee, posted a total of 1,932.50 points, well ahead of host Blue Waves Swim Club, coached by Dellan Brown, which had 1,126. McPhee said it was a strong performance by his Mako Aquatics swimmers.
“We had several swimmers achieve qualifying times for CARIFTA and those who had already achieved their qualifying times prior to this weekend were able to improve personal best times,” he said.
THE SPORTS CALENDAR
NOBLE PREP ACADEMY TRACK CLASSIC
THE Noble Preparatory Academy is all set to hold its 2025 Track and Field Classic from 9am to 6pm on Saturday, March 15 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.
The registration deadline is March 11. Athletes can register at info@npabahamas. com
March
UNCLE LOU FUN RUN/WALK
THE St Augustine’s College and the Alumni Association is inviting the general public to come out and participate in the Uncle Lou Fun Run/Walk. Under the theme: “Paint the streets red,” the event will take place on Saturday, March 15, starting 6am at SAC’s
SEE PAGE E2
CALEA Jackson in her national record-breaking performance at the ACC Championships.
BAHAMAS EQUESTRIANS COMPETE IN GRAND CARAIBE MARTINIQUE 2025
A MIX of experienced competitors and newcomers made up the team representing Equestrian Bahamas in the Grand Caraibe Martinique 2025 competition, held at the EquiLibre facility in Le François, Martinique.
Under the guidance of coach Erika Adderley and Chef D’Équipe
Heidi Mello, riders Katerina Coello, Gabriella Moran, Marlo Pinder and Connor Watkins made a strong showing in the competition which featured 92 riders from nine countries (Antigua, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, and Suriname).
All visiting teams competed on horses lent for the competition by riders from stables across the island of Martinique.
Making his debut ride for The Bahamas, Connor Watkins was the team star on Day 1, riding a clear round on Blues King de L’Esque to a tied 3rd place in the Espoir Division.
Marlo Pinder also made her debut in international competition and had a very strong weekend in the Espoir Division, riding Violine du Buhot to finish in the top 15 on both days.
Competing in the Elite Division, seasoned team rider Katerina Coello showed her usual style aboard Himam d’Or and
was voted Most Elegant Rider at the competition’s final awards ceremony.
Equestrian federation president Cathy RamsinghPierre noted that just one year ago The Bahamas received its first invitation to compete in the Grand Caraibe Tour, which takes place over a series of competitions in Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guyana, and Suriname.
She noted: “At that time, we were allocated two individual slots. Now we are one year on and have achieved our goal of fielding a complete team to the competition.”
Ramsingh-Pierre credited the federation’s rider development programme, which is successfully developing a larger cohort of riders who can benefit from the exposure to competitions such as the Grand Caraibe Tour.
“The Grand Caraibe Tour embodies a spirit of camaraderie and friendly competition combined with a high level of technical excellence,” said Ramsingh-Pierre.
“The Bahamas is honoured to have been invited to participate in these interactions which strengthen our bonds as equestrians in the region. We are very grateful to the Martinique FFE Federation, the competition organisers, the host barns and horse owners for their hospitality and generosity.”
THE SPORTS CALENDAR
campus off Bernard Road. The route will leave SAC’s campus and head on Bernard Road, turn onto Soldier Road to Prince Charles Drive, turn east onto Prince Charles Drive and head back to SAC.
The registration fee is $20 for adults and $10 for persons under the age of 20. The first 200 participants will receive road race t-shirts. Persons can register now by logging onto www. saintaugustinescollege.com. Following the race, a health screening will take place. There will also be a souse out with chicken priced at $10, pig feet at $12 and sheep tongue at $15. Drinks will also be on sale. For more information, persons can call 242-324-1511 or email Thesacalumni@gmail.com
RUGBY GAMES AT WINTON AFTER making some minor repairs to the Winton rugby pitch, the Bahamas Rugby Union is scheduled to play matches on Saturday, March 8 and Saturday, March 22. All ages and all abilities are welcome, including men and women, ‘Golden Oldies’
teams and beginners and seasoned players. The BRU is also inviting persons to come and try rugby this year. The only equipment needed are tennis/cleats and PE kit.For further information, persons are urged to call (242) 812-0417. Ozzie ‘The Insider’ Simmons Top 10 FOLLOWING the competition of the 41st Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, Ozzie “The Insider” Simmons has released the rankings of the top 10 high school senior boys’ teams in the Bahamas. Here’s the list in order:
1 - Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons - champions.
2 - CI Gibson Rattlers - runners-up.
3 - Sunland Baptist Academy Stingers - semifinalist.
4 - Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves - semifinalist.
5 - CC Sweeting Cobras - quarter-finalist.
6 - St George’s - quarter-finalist.
7 - St John’s Giants - quarter-finalist.
8 - Agape - Abaco
9 - RM Bailey Pacers. 10 - Gateway - Bimini.
LEFT: Connor Watkins and Blues King de L’Esque placed 3rd in the Espoir Division.
BELOW: Marlo Pinder and Violine de Buhot were consistent top 15 finishers in the Espoir Division.
KATERINA Coello aboard Himam d’Or rode in the Elite Division and won Most Elegant Rider.
GABRIELLA Moran aboard Good Luck Champeix rode in the Elite Division.
Kai Jones intends to sign two-way deal with Mavs
By TENAJH SWEETING
BAHAMIAN big man
Kai Jones was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday but his time on the market was short-lived.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) pro has garnered the interest of the Dallas Mavericks and intends to sign a two-way deal with the team upon clearing waivers according to NBA Insider Chris Haynes.
The 24-year-old athletic big was waived to clear up spots for wing players Seth Lundy and Patrick Baldwin Jr, who both signed two-way deals with Los Angeles.
Jones, who has become a bit of a journeyman since his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, can certainly help to fill the void in the Mavs’ depleted frontcourt.
Dallas bigs Derek Lively II, Daniel Gafford and recently acquired star Anthony Davis are all currently sidelined with injuries.
Additionally, former Mavs centre Moses Brown was on a 10-day contract but it expired and they were unable to re-sign him due to financial restrictions.
As for Jones, the 2021 first rounder was picked up by the Los Angeles Clippers last season and subsequently upgraded to a two-way deal in October.
He has played in 28 games with the Clippers and averaged 2.2 points per game and 1.6 rebounds while shooting 72.2 per cent on field goals in 7.4 minutes per game.
Jones had most of his standout moments this season with the Clippers G-League team, the San Diego Clippers.
He suited up for 13 games and turned in 12.9 ppg, 7.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals in 30.8 minutes per game.
Prior to his tenure in LA, Jones had struggled to find an NBA home after an anticlimactic end to his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.
He spent two seasons with the Hornets before being waived due to some controversial actIons off the court.
During his time in Charlotte, he averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.0 rebounds in over 9.1 minutes per game.
Following his two seasons in Charlotte, Jones picked up a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers but was unable to show his true potential due to a hamstring injury.
While Jones has the opportunity to earn some valuable minutes in Dallas, the Mavericks will be looking to make up some ground in the NBA Western Conference playoff race.
Dallas is currently at the tenth seed out West with a 32-29 win/loss record.
The Mavs are currently at the NBA maximum of three players on two-way deals.
The team will likely have to cut ties with guard Brandon Williams, centre Kylor Kelley or forward Kessler Edwards to make room for Jones on the roster.
By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer
DALLAS (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, Damian Lillard scored 28 and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Dallas Mavericks 132-117 on Saturday night.
Gary Trent Jr. added 20 points as the Bucks won for the sixth time in seven games, surging into fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Kyrie Irving scored 31 points and Klay Thompson contributed 16, five assists and one steal for the shorthanded Mavericks, who are trying to stay afloat in the West playoff race until Anthony Davis returns from a groin injury, possibly by mid-March. The star forward got hurt in his Dallas debut after the seismic trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Irving made all 11 of his free throws, but was just 2 of 9 from 3-point range as the Mavs shot 28% (11 of 40) from beyond the arc.
Takeaways Bucks: Milwaukee improved to 21-1 when scoring at least 120 points, which they did for the third time in the past four games. Mavericks: Moses Brown had 18 points and nine rebounds on the final day of the 7-foot-2 center’s 10-day contract.
season for the former league MVP.
During the WNBA regular season, she averaged 14.2 ppg, 9 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 53.8 per cent from the field. She closed out the 2024 WNBA campaign collecting her fifth WNBA All-Star selection, fourth WNBA All Second Team selection and second WNBA All Defensive Second Team. Jones, who was once the 13-year-old girl that left Holmes Rock to chase her basketball dreams, has blossomed into the WNBA champion that broke several barriers and inspired the next generation of youth in The Bahamas. The best part is her journey is not done yet.
“To win the entire thing and to go to the World Cup. It is a goal we have been trying to achieve since we started in 2009. I think more than ever this is the best chance we have ever had and most prepared we have ever been so that is the goal,” he said. Competition kicks off with the group stage from March 11-13. This stage will be followed by the knockout stage on March 15. The semifinals, third place match and final will be played on March 16. The Bahamas will open the competition against Panama on Tuesday, March 11 at 8pm. Admission is free to the public. FROM PAGE E1
Goalkeeper Michael Butler did not mince words when it came to Team Bahamas’ expectations as a group.
BAHAMIAN big man Kai Jones has garnered the interest of the Dallas Mavericks and intends to sign a two-way deal with the team upon clearing waivers.
Man United crashes out of FA Cup
By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer
MANCHESTER United crashed out of the FA Cup yesterday after losing on penalties to Fulham.
But rather than bemoan the latest blow in a miserable season, United coach Ruben Amorim insisted his sights were set on a bigger trophy.
“The goal is to win the Premier League. So I know that we are losing games and losing trophies during this season, but the goal is to win the Premier League again,” said Amorim after the 4-3 shootout loss at Old Trafford.
“I don’t know how long it’s going to take. But that is our goal.
“If you think like that, we can suffer a little bit in these defeats — a lot sometimes — but we have a goal, so we continue, no matter what, we continue forward.”
Cup holder United was sent spinning out in the fifth round as Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee saw
But coach Amorim says winning Premier League is his ultimate goal
spot kicks saved after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno was the hero with the crucial stops that set up a quarterfinal match against Crystal Palace. It took a second-half equaliser from Bruno Fernandes to send the game to extra time after Calvin Bassey headed Fulham in front just before the break. But it proved a temporary reprieve for United, which is now left with just one trophy to aim for this season — the Europa League.
Amorim’s ambition
United last won the Premier League in the 2012-13 season and, despite Amorim’s ambition, the
next league title feels a long way off. His team is languishing in 14th place in the standings and looks unlikely to finish in the top half this season.
It has been a torrid start for the Portuguese coach, who only took charge in November. Knockout competitions had provided a rare source of optimism, and with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all eliminated from the FA Cup, the path was opening up for United to successfully defend the trophy it lifted last May.
But the 13-time winner posed little threat in a first half that ended with sections of the home support jeering after Bassey headed Fulham in front from close range.
United captain Fernandes sparked the home team into life with a low, first time finish from inside the box in the 71st minute. United then had chances to win. Alejandro Garnacho was denied by Leno when through on goal in added time and the keeper blocked another effort from Chido Obi in extra time before his shootout heroics.
“I know they had chances but I think we were the best team on the pitch,” Fulham coach Marco Silva said. “Our team was on the ball, dominating the ball. We deserve to be in the next stage.”
Welbeck winner Danny Welbeck fired Brighton into the last eight with an extra-time winner against Newcastle.
PSG BLOWS LILLE AWAY 4-1 TO WARM UP FOR LIVERPOOL IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
PARIS (AP) — Paris
Saint-Germain warmed up for Liverpool with a 4-1 win over Lille on Saturday as it consolidated its runaway French league lead.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia watched the goals from the substitutes’ bench as PSG coach Luis Enrique rested the Georgia star ahead of Liverpool’s visit in the Champions League. Paris hosts the Premier League leader for the first leg of their last 16 meeting on Wednesday.
Lille, which had been fourth ahead of the 24th round, had pushed for
Saturday’s game to be postponed because of its own Champions League match at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday. PSG showed no sympathy. Bradley Barcola opened the scoring in the sixth minute on a rebound after Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier saved Ousmane Dembelé’s initial effort. Chevalier went on to make a string of saves as PSG made a furious start but he couldn’t stop Marquinhos from heading in the home team’s second in the 22nd.
Dembelé was left free on the right to grab the third six minutes later – his 18th of the season – and the 19-year-old Desiré Doué made it 4-0 in the 37th with a brilliant strike to the top left corner.
Lille failed to have a single effort at goal in the first half. Génésio reacted at the break with two changes, sending on Icelandic midfielder Hakon Haraldsson and 18-year-old midfielder Ethan Mbappé, Kylian Mbappé’s younger brother.
They didn’t stop the PSG fans singing in the stands,
but Chevalier had less work to do than before.
Enrique made four changes at once for the last half hour, with Achraf Hakimi and Dembelé among those going off for a rest.
And while Kvaratskhelia and Warren Zaire-Emery came on, the latter continuing his comeback from a left ankle injury.
Canada forward Jonathan David, also a substitute, scored Lille’s consolation in the 80th on a rebound after Gianluigi Donnarumma saved Mbappé’s shot.
Welbeck — a two-time winner of the famous trophy with Arsenal — came off the bench to seal a 2-1 win at St. James’ Park.
Brighton hosts Nottingham Forest or Ipswich in the next round. With the game locked at 1-1 and seemingly heading to a penalty shootout, Welbeck produced a brilliant finish in the 114th to lift the ball over Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka from a narrow angle.
The 34-year-old former England forward had timed his run perfectly to beat Newcastle’s offside trap and meet Solly March’s throughball. And despite running away from goal, he managed to turn and clip his shot into the back of the net.
Newcastle led 1-0 through Alexander Isak’s penalty in the 22nd, but Yankuba Minteh leveled in the 44th.
Both teams had players sent off in the second half — Anthony Gordon for Newcastle in the 83rd and Tariq Lamptey in added time.
Fabian Schar thought he’d scored a late extratime winner for the hosts but it was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Welbeck’s goal secured a fifth-straight win for Brighton in all competitions.
Newcastle is hoping to end a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy and can still achieve that this season when it plays Liverpool in the English League Cup final later this month.
Quarterfinal draw
Four-time defending Premier League champion Manchester City travels to Bournemouth in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.
Second-tier Preston hosts Aston Villa.
PSG moved 16 points clear of Marseille with its 10th straight win across all competitions. Marseille hosted Nantes yesterday. Earlier Saturday, Nice stayed third with a 3-1 win at Saint-Etienne, and
relegation-threatened Le Havre grabbed a 4-3 win at Lens thanks to a penalty from Egyptian forward Kouka in stoppage time. It was the first time Le Havre had taken the lead in the game.
BARCELONA ROUTS 10-MAN REAL SOCIEDAD 4-0 TO GO TOP IN SPAIN
By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) — Barcelona cruised to a 4-0 rout over 10-man Real Sociedad to regain the lead in Spain yesterday.
Gerard Martín, Marc Casadó, Ronald Araujo and Robert Lewandowski scored a goal each to put Barcelona one point ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the Spanish league. Barcelona is three points ahead of
third-placed Real Madrid, which lost 2-1 at Real Betis on Saturday, when Atletico beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 at home.
“Very happy with the match we played,” Araujo said.
“It was important to win and become leaders again. It was a great effort by the team.”
Sociedad played a man down from the 17th minute after Aritz Elustondo was sent off with a straight red card for grabbing
Barcelona forward Dani Olmo to stop a breakaway.
“It was a clear red card,” Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil said. “After that there was no game. It’s already hard 11 against 11 against them, you can imagine with a man down.”
It was the sixth win in a row for Barcelona in the league, and the second loss in three matches for Sociedad, which stayed in ninth place.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick rested some regular
starters ahead of the team’s Champions League match at Benfica on Wednesday in the first leg of the round of 16. Prolific Lewandowski Barcelona was in control from the start at Montjuic stadium, with Martín scoring in the 25th and Casadó in the 29th.
Araujo added to the lead in the 56th and Lewandowski closed the scoring in the 60th for his eighth goal in his last nine matches. Lewandowski now has 34
goals this season in all competitions, one more than the 33 he scored in what had been his previous best season with the Catalan club in 2022-23.
Sociedad, which along with Barcelona, Madrid and Atletico is playing in the Copa del Rey semifinals, struggled from the start and had no attempts on goal.
Barcelona had 33 total attempts.
Sociedad defender Hamari Traoré entered the
match in the second half to mark his return to action nearly six months after having to undergo knee surgery.
Earlier yesterday, striker Diego García scored two minutes into second-half stoppage time to give 16thplaced Leganes a 1-0 win over 14th-placed Getafe in a match between teams from the Madrid area. Valencia had a chance to move out of the relegation zone with a win at Osasuna later on Sunday.
FULHAM players celebrate after defeating Manchester United in a penalty shootout during the English FA Cup soccer match at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, yesterday.
(AP Photo/Jon Super)
PSG’s Bradley Barcola celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the French League One soccer match against Lille Saturday at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Calea Jackson sets another national record
FROM PAGE E1
SEC Championships
Versatile Anthaya Charlton, a junior at the University of Florida, was a double finalist at the Southeastern Conference Championships at the Bryan College Station in Texas.
Having soared to one of the top performances earlier this year in the women’s long jump, Charlton came in fourth in the final with her leap of 21-2¾ (6.47m). Jasmine Akins, a senior at Oklahoma, won with 21-8¾ (6.62m).
On the track in her second final, Charlton finished seventh in the women’s 60m in 7.27. Kail Jackson, a junior at Georgia, ran a season’s best of 7.12 for the victory. Brianna Lyston, a junior at LSU, was second in 7.13 and Layla Anderson, a senior at Teneessee, was third in 7.18.
While ending up second in the last of three heats, Charlton’s time of 7.24 was the fourth fastest to advance to the final. Lyston won the heat in 7.17 for the second fastest time behind Anderson, who had the fastest time of 7.17 in winning heat one.
Charlton trailed Anderson, the top qualifier who did her PR of 7.17.
Wanya McCoy, a senior at the University of Florida who had an appearance in both the men’s 100 and 200m at the Olympic Games last year in Paris, France, had mixed results in his pair of events at the SEC Championships.
In the last of two heats of the 200m final, McCoy, running out of lane six, didn’t finish the race that was won by Kentucky’s junior Carli Makarawu in lane five in 20.36.
Coming off the first bend in the one-lap race, McCoy said he felt a “pop in my quad when I was coming down the bank.”
He pulled up, but slipped and fell and had to receive medical attention as he was taken off the track on a stretcher.
Despite the fall, McCoy advised the Bahamian public that he plans “to come back stronger and take the world by storm” and he indicated that they should not “count me out yet.”
The highly anticipated event saw Charamba Makanakaishe, a senior at Auburn, win the first heat to secure the fastest time overall in a PB of 20.10 for both the facility and meet records.
McCoy, 21, posted a personal best of 20.25 to win his heat for the second fastest qualifying time. Makarawu ran a PB, facility and meet record of
20.20 for the top performance. He ran 6.64 for third in his heat, but didn’t advance to the final after he placed 1th overall.
Paris’ Olympic mixed relay competitor Javonya Valcourt, in her junior year at the University of Tennessee, ran out of lane three in the last of two heats in the women’s 400m final where she was fourth. She finished sixth overall in 52.15.
Valcourt, 20, advanced to the final by winning her heat in a personal best of 51.73 for seventh place overall.
Big 12 Conference At the Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas, Paris’ Olympic 100m hurdles semifinalist Antoine Andrews ended up as the runner-up in the men’s 60m hurdles and he was third in the men’s 60m.
“I honestly think it was a good performance on my end,” said Andrews, who noted that he didn’t train for about three weeks because of minor aches and pain behind his knee.
“I started training on Monday of this week and so for me to come out here and 7.5 and 6.6 and make the podium is a blessing. I will forever be grateful to the Lord. I feel the Lord has bigger and better opportunities for me in the long run. So, I can’t wait to see what the Nationals in two weeks has to offer.”
The Texas Tech junior’s time of 7.56 was second to his team-mate, sophomore Malachi Snow, who won in a meet record of 7.52.
In the preliminaries, Andrews had the fifth fastest time of 7.62 to advance to the final. Snow went in with the fastest time of 7.53.
Andrews, 21, had double duties as he also participated in the 60m where he was third in 6.63. The winning time was 6.59 by John Adesola, a senior at Houston, while Snow was second in 6.60.
With another fifth fastest time of 6.63, Andrews clinched his berth into the final. His team-mate, senior Shawn Brown, had the fastest time in the preliminaries in 6.50. Brown ended up eighth in the final in 6.78. Conference USA At the Conference USA Indoor Track Championships at the Liberty University Indoor Track Complex in Lynchburg, Virginia, at least two Bahamians were in the spotlight. Oscar Smith, a senior at Louisiana Tech, took second place in the men’s 60m hurdles final in 7.70. He was edged out by
Jordani Woodley, a senior at UTEP, in 7.69. They finished in that same in order in qualifying for the final as Woodley took the fastest time in 7.79 followed by Smith in 7.82.
Indea Cartwright, a senior at Liberty, ran 8.41 for third in the women’s 60m hurdles final. Marissa Simpson of UTEP won in 8.14 and Aliyah Logan, a senior at New Mexico, was second in 8.18. In the heats, Logan ran the fastest qualifying time of 8.25 with Simpson second in 8.28 and Cartwright third in 8.33. And Shayann Demeritte, a freshman at Louisiana Tech, finished 13th overall in the preliminaries of the women’s 60m in 7.59. She didn’t advance to the final.
ASUN Conference
At the Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, it was a duel between Troynelle Miller and sisters Cassie and Cassidra Thompson in the women’s sprints. Miller, a native from North Andros in her senior year at Central Arkansas, won the women’s 60m in 7.42, while Cassie Thompson, a senior at Jacksonville, trailed in second place in 7.44. In the preliminaries, the two
competitors were timed at 7.42, but Miller (7.413) was given the top spot over Thompson (7.420).
The three athletes also contested the 200m where Thompson sibling was the only two to advance to the final. Cassie Thompson won in 23.54 for a new ASUN record and Cassidra Thompson was third in 24.08. In the preliminaries, Cassie Thompson had the fastest qualifying time of 23.53 ahead of Cassidra Thompson, who did 24.10. Miller ended up 10th overall in 24.63.
Cassidra Thompson was also in the 400m, winning the title in 54.37. She had the tenth fastest qualifying time of 56.76.
MIAA Indoor
Championships At the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Associstion Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Northwest Missouri State’s Hughes Fieldhouse in Maryville, Missouri, Grand Bahamian freshman Phebe Thompson leapt 18-101/2 (5.75m) on her third attempt for fifth place. The winning leap was 19-93/4 (6.04m) by her tram-mate Mellanie Nellmer on her fifth try.
And showing her versatility, Thompson also ran in the 60m where she was
BAHAMAS SCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: FRIDAY RESULTS
THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association continued its basketball playoffs on Friday at the C.I Gibson Gym. Here’s a look at the results:
Playoffs Day Four
Senior Girls Division 3
Teleos Christian School 30, Freedom Baptist Academy 23: Game MVP was Kayla Bien of Teleos with 16 points in the win. Shanika Davis led Freedom with nine points in the loss. Teleos moves on to the next round and Freedom season is over.
Mini Division 4
Kingsway Academy 18, Teleos Christian School 4: The game MVP was Logan Knowles of Kingsway with four points in the win.
David Bien led Teloes with four points as well in the loss. Kingsway moves on to the next round and Teleos season is over.
Primary Girls Division 4
Thelma Gibson Primary 15, Queen’s College 2:
Game MVP was Acayia Clarke of Thelma with four points in the win. Thelma moves on to the next round and Queen’s season is over.
Primary Boys Division 5
Genesis Academy 19, Temple Christian School B 12: Game MVP was Rahj Bain of Genesis with six points in the win.
Genesis moves on to the next round and Temple B season is over.
Junior Boys Division 3 Greenville Preparatory Academy 36, ISBET 33: Game MVP was Shiloh Minnis of Greenville with 13 points in the win. Joshua Burrows led ISEBT with 12 points in the loss.
Greenville moves on to the next round and ISBET season is over.
Primary Boys Division 6 Freedom Baptist Academy 23, Queen’s College A 8:
Freedom moves on to the next round and Queen’s A season is over.
Junior Boys Division 4
Genesis Academy 45, Mt Carmel Preparatory Academy 41: Game MVP was Caz Bethel of Genesis with 15 points in the win. Amir Brown of Mt. Carmel had 16 points in the loss. Genesis moves on to the next round and Mt. Carmel season is over.
Senior Boys Affiliated Division 2
Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy 60, Akhepran International Academy 34: Game MVP was Caleb Perez of Mt. Carmel with 21 points in the win. Delroy Mackey of Akhepran had 23 points in the loss. Mt. Carmel moves on to the next round and Akhepran’s season is over.
Division 3
Senior Boys Affiliated
R.M.Bailey Team-B 51, Teleos Christian School 43: Game MVP was Marvin Desilma of RM Bailey B with 25 points in the win. Jedilove Archelus of Teleos had 18 points in the loss.
Today’s schedule Game 1 – SMD1 –Akhepran International Academy vs ISBET. Game 2 – PB7 - Genesis Academy vs Kingsway Academy.
Game 3 – PG5 – Teleos Christian School vs Thelma Gibson Primary School. Game 4 – JB5 – Greenville Preparatory Academy vs Genesis Academy. Game 5 – PB8 – Freedom Baptist Academy vs Winner Game 7.
Game 6 – ID1 – Teleos Christian School vs ISBET. Game 7 – SB4 – Genesis Academy vs Greenville Preparatory Academy. Game 8 – SBAD5 – RM Bailey B vs Anatol Rodgers High School B.
“The last chance to qualify for CARIFTA is two weeks away, where we will have a chance to pick the fastest and best swimmers in their age groups to represent the Bahamas as we look to defend the championship once again this year in Trinidad.”
At the Horizon Distributors Blue Waves Swim Club Invitational Swim Meet, the Barracuda Swim Club was third with 782; Alpha Aquatics was fourth with 485; Black Marlins Swim Club, fifth with 450.50; Lyford Swim Club, sixth with 170; Lightning Aquatics, seventh with 145; Mantas Swim & Water Polo, eighth with 59; SaltRakers Aquatic Club, ninth with 58 and the Freeport Aquatics, tenth with 42.
The SaltRakers, using the meet to prepare their athletes for CARIFTA, brought in a total of 22 swimmers from the Turks & Caicos Islands to compete. However, it was another impressive outing for Mako Aquatics, who racked up 85 gold, 62 silver and 49 bronze for a total of 196 medals. The Blue Waves had 19 gold, 30 silver and 32 bronze for 81.
14th overall in a time of 7.77 in the preliminaries.
Mid-American Conference
Angel Pratt, a at Western Michigan, competed at the Mid-American Conference Championships at the Boweb Fieldhouse-Bob Parks Track where she was eighth overall after running 56.75 for fourth place in the last of two heats of the women’s 400m final.
Pratt, who transferred from North Dakota State, qualified for the final after running 56.78 to win her heat for the seventh fastest time.
Mountain West Championships At the Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Koi Adderley had double duties for Wyoming on the field.
Adderley, a freshman, was tied with four others for fifth place in the women’s high jump with a leap of (1.69m). Elizabeth Tarczy, a sophomore from Fresno State, won with (1.80m).
Adderley also competed in the long jump where she was ninth with (5.47m). Matilde Guarino, another sophomore at Fresno State, won with (5.74m).
The Barracuda had 16 gold, 24 silver and 25 bronze for 65 medals; Alpha Aquatics had 15 gold, 22 silver and 14 bronze for 51 medals’ Black Mantas had 11 gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze for 37; Lyford Swim Club had five gold, three silver and three bronze for 11 medals; Freeport Aquatic had four gold and one silver for five medals; Lightning Aquatics had two gold, four silver and seven bronze for 11 medals; Mantas Swim Club had a gold and a bronze for two medals and SaltRakers Aquatics Club had one bronze.
A number of competitors also surpassed the qualifying standards for the 2025 CARIFTA Swimming Championships, which will be held in Trinidad & Tobago where the Bahamas will be aiming for their seventh straight championship title. “The meet was really good. We had over 405 swimmers including our guest team from Turks and Caicos and we had some swimmers who made CARIFTA cuts and national cuts,” Brown said.
“We tried to create a national effect for the meet and so we tried to raise the bar by providing heats and finals for the 50m free. The kids and the parents enjoyed it.”
The meet, according to Brown, was seven months in planning and lived up to every expectation from the swimmers as well as the spectators.
Athletes still have a last chance meet in two weeks before Bahamas Aquatics selects the team heading to Trinidad.
CENTRAL Arkansas’ third place Raghan Allen and winner Torynelle Miller pose above with Jacksonville’s runner-up Cassie Thompson.
BLTA TEAMS REPRESENTING BAHAMAS AT WORLD
JUNIORS COMPETITION IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association is fielding its third and fourth teams for 2025 at the World Juniors competition in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The competition is slated to begin today and end on March 9.
These teams depart on the heel of the return of the Jr Davis Cup (Patrick Mactaggart, Alec Hooper, Aiden Ritchie and coach Jamal Adderley) and Jr Billie Jean King Cup (Sarai Clarke, Briana Houlgrave and Tatyana Madu and coach Larikah Russell).
On the girls’ side of the World Juniors team are Caitlyn Pratt, Marina Bostwick, Danielle Saunders and team captain Marion Bain.
All the girls have represented The Bahamas before in team competition at the U12 level.
Bostwick and Saunders were a part of the U12 contingent along with Ellie Nash and coach Paula Wallace-Whitefield that came second in the U12 Competition in 2024.
Pratt also represented at the World Juniors in 2024 along with Bain. This will be a first appearance at the World Juniors for Bostwick and Saunders.
On the boys’ side, Chase Newbold, Julius Williams and Harrison Van Onselen will compete with coach Danny Rigby as their captain.
Williams and Van Onselen will make their first appearance at the World Juniors and this is Williams first national team nomination.
Van Onselen represented in 2024 on the U12 team and Newbold in 2023 on the World Juniors team.
“The BLTA wishes the team strong performances as the competition gets underway today and the well able coaches Bain and Rigby lead the team,” the BLTA wrote. “Thank you for your service. The World Juniors features top talent in the U14 division in the Caribbean and Central American region.”
are the teams representing the country and coaches Bain and Rigby (centre) attending the coaches’ meeting in Santo Domingo.
BLTA also thanked God for providing for the BLTA with the ability to field four teams so far for 2025 with a total of eight teams in total
set to travel before the end of year. “God has given us successive years of great
competition and safe travels, we ask for his continued guidance and blessings,” the BLTA further wrote.
“We wish to thank the members of the travel committee who continue to volunteer their time and effort to get the team competition ready. We have four teams travelling basically the same time. “This calls for a level of coordination and preparation behind the scenes so we wish to publicly thank each of you.”
The Bahamas boys are in the pool with Bermuda and Trinidad and the girls are in the pool with Guatemala and Trinidad.
A total of 12 nations are competing on the girls’ side and 15 nations competing on the boys’ side. Countries include Aruba, Bermuda, Bahamas, Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Costa Rica, Suriname, El Salvador, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama and Honduras. Competition gets underway today.
JERALD CARROLL PULLS OFF BACK-TO-BACK VICTORIES AT ITF J30 IN MEXICO
THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association congratulates Jerald Carroll on his back-to-back singles and doubles victories at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) J30 in Mexico.
After a great win last week in singles and doubles, Carroll secured another win in both divisions, capturing two more titles on the international stage.
Carroll was seeded number two in the tournament in singles and in the round of 32, he played a wildcard from Mexico Gael Castillo, winning in straight sets 6-0, 6-1.
In round 16, he won over Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez 6-2,6-3.
In the quarterfinals, he won over Mexican Alfonzo Gonzales 6-3, 6-3.
In the semifinals, Carroll won over No.3 seed Valentino Arjouna 6-2, 6-0 and in the final, he faced the No.4 seed Argentinian Faustino Boffelli.
Carroll won a three-set thriller decisively in straight sets 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.
In doubles, Jerald teamed up once again with Peruvian Alesandro Rubini Garcia Belaunde, who he recently partnered to capture a doubles title.
The duo would win another title this time not dropping a set.
JERALD Carroll with his trophies at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) J30 in Mexico.
In the first round, Carroll and Belaunde won over Castillo (Colombia) and Wright (Ecuador) 6-4, 6-4. In the quarterfinals, they defeated Mexicans Martinez and Soto 6-3, 6-0. In the semifinals, Carroll and Belaunde won over the No.4 seed from Colombia Jaramillo and Salazar 6-2, 6-4. In the finals they faced the local favourites again. And, this time around, Carroll and Belunde won over the No.3 seeds Arjona and Garza in straight sets 6-4, 6-1.
The BLTA applauds Carroll on an amazing accomplishment with capturing back-to-back titles on the ITF circuit. “Last week he captured two and this week he captured a third and fourth title,” the BLTA said. “These four titles in two weeks are a testament to his skill and diligence in the sport.” Carroll, who went into the tournament ranked 589 in juniors on the international circuit, continues to make his mark and his presence felt on the global arena.
PICTURED
‘VJ’ AND BAYLOR PULL AWAY EARLY IN 2ND HALF TO BEAT
OKLAHOMA STATE 71-61 AND END 3-GAME LOSING STREAK
WACO, Texas (AP) — Jeremy Roach scored 21 points, Norchad Omier had a double-double and Baylor beat Oklahoma State 71-61 on Saturday night to end a three-game losing streak.
Baylor used a 12-0 run to take a 41-29 lead with 14:12 remaining. Roach scored eight points that included back-to-back 3s during the stretch.
Oklahoma State pulled to 63-59 with 1:26 remaining but the Bears shot 6 of 8 from the foul line sandwiched between a Roach layup to seal it.
Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe contributed eight points, 10 rebounds and one assist. Omier scored 10 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for his 17th double-double this season, and he’s two away from matching the programme record. Robert Wright III added 16 points and Jayden Nunn scored 11 points for the Bears. Roach and Nunn combined for seven of the Bears’ eight 3-pointers.
Baylor (17-12, 9-9 Big 12) shot just 37% (22 of 59) but had 11 steals and scored 16 points from 18 Oklahoma State turnovers.
Bryce Thompson scored 19 points to lead Oklahoma State (14-15, 6-12). Arturo Dean, a FIU transfer, scored all nine of his points in the first half to reach 1,000 career points.
Oklahoma State opened on a 17-7 run but Baylor ended the half on a 14-3 run for a 26-24 advantage at the break. Wright scored 12 first-half points to pace the Bears.
Baylor has won five straight and 16 of the last 19 in the series.
Baylor plays at TCU on Tuesday.
Oklahoma State plays at UCF on Wednesday.
BAHAMIAN GUARD DEYTON ALBURY SCORES 12 POINTS FOR UTAH STATE IN 93-66 LOSS TO COLORADO STATE
FORT COLLINS,
Colorado (AP) — Nique
Clifford scored 26 points as Colorado State beat Utah State 93-66 on Saturday in a battle of second-place teams in the Mountain West Conference.. Clifford also contributed six rebounds and nine assists for the Rams (20-9, 14-4 Mountain West Conference). Jaylen
Crocker-Johnson scored 18 points while shooting 7 for 9, including 3 for 3 from beyond the arc and added five rebounds.
Deyton Albury added 12 points for Utah State. Jordy Barnes finished with 11 points.
NEXT UP
Colorado State plays San Jose State at home on Tuesday, and Utah State hosts Air Force on Saturday.
Bowen Born had 18 points and shot 5 of 7 from the field, including 3 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 5 from the line. Ian Martinez led the way for the Aggies (24-6, 14-5) with 17 points and three steals.
Ole Miss rallies from 15-point deficit to stun No. 7 LSU 85-77
By WILLIAM WEATHERS Associated Press
BATON ROUGE, La.
(AP) — Tameiya Sadler scored 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and Ole Miss rallied from a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to stun No. 7 LSU 85-77 yesterday. Starr Jacobs had 17, Kirsten Dean scored 15 of her 16 points in the second half, including three 3-pointers, and Christie Iwuala 11 for the Rebels (19-9, 10-5 SEC).
LSU played without first team All-SEC guard Flau’Jae Johnson because of inflammation in her shin. The Tigers (27-4, 12-4) were led by Aneesah Morrow’s 30 points
and 12 rebounds. It was her 100th career double-double. She became only the second player in NCAA history to reach that milestone, joining Courtney Paris. Mikaylah Williams added 25 points and Kailyn Gilbert had 11. Takeaways Ole Miss: The Rebels, who outscored the Tigers 54-33 in the second half, scored 27 points off 23 turnovers with Sadler, who was averaging 6.4 points, getting five steals. Sira Thienou added four.
LSU: The Tigers, which hosted their Senior Night for Morrow, Last-Tear Poa, Shayean Day-Wilson and Amani Bartlett, lost at home for the first time this season in 18 games.
Key moment Ole Miss erased its biggest deficit of 15 points at the 8:13 mark of the third quarter but erased the lead over the next 7 minutes.
The Rebels took their first lead of the game with 1:02 to go in third quarter on a 3-pointer from Deans who had 13 of her team’s 32 points in the quarter.
Key stat Ole Miss, which won the rebound battle 27-23, scored 38 points in the paint, led by Jacobs’ 18.
Up next LSU, which has a double bye, is the thirdseeded team in the SEC Tournament in Greenville, S.C. and won’t play until Friday.
BAYLOR guard Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, left, slips past Oklahoma State forward Marchelus Avery while driving to the basket in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, March 1, in Waco, Texas. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP)
BAHAMIAN guard Deyton Albury in action for the Utah State Aggies. (Eli Lucero/The Herald Journal via AP)
RBC PARTNERS WITH BYFFL AS TITLE SPONSOR FOR 2025
THE Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) launched the 2025 season in thrilling fashion on Saturday on the fields opposite the original Thomas A Robinson stadium.
The youth league not only kicked off a free, three-week long football camp but also launched their partnership with RBC Bahamas, the official title sponsor of the 2025 season. The free football camp
caters to players between ages six and 18, but the five-year-olds also got the opportunity to get some reps in over the weekend.
The BYFFL’s football camp is just one of the many exciting activities set to take place this season.
The camp is scheduled to continue until March 15. Next up on the BYFFL calendar will be the High School Flag Football Tournament slated for March 12.
