SPORTS
TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025
Team Bahamas has a spectacular showing
VALDEZ ‘VJ’ EDGECOMBE DECIDES TO DECLARE FOR 2025 NBA DRAFT
By BRENT STUBBS
Sports Editor
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Team Bahamas had a spectacular showing to close out the final day of competition at the 52nd CARIFTA Games. It will be an Easter Monday to remember at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad & Tobago. There were so many thrilling moments to reflect on. A junior national record and another gold medal for Annae Mackey. A sprint double from Eagan Neely in the under17 boys as he clinched the 200m to his stunning run in the 400.
A pair of gold medals as well from Jahcario Wilson in the under-17 boys’ 110m hurdles to add to his 400m hurdles title.
Don’t forget the games’ record-breaking run from the under-17 boys’ 4 x 400m to gold with the gold from the under-20 boys’ relay team to put the icing on the cake.
Including them in the package that the 78-member team produced over the three days of competition over the Easter holiday weekend resulted in the Bahamas’ best showing in quite some time.
A total of 29 medals, inclusive of 13 gold, 11 silver and five bronze, gave The Bahamas one of its greatest showings in quite a while. Jamaica, however,
BRENT STUBBS
AFTER spending the past two seasons as a member of the Lady Rebels women’s basketball team under the tutelage of Bahamian head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Bahamian forward Rhema Collins has decided to move on
to Florida International University.
Collins, 20, entered the National Basketball Athletic Association (NCAA) transfer portal, which allows student-athletes to seek a new team to participate on or for them to remain where they are.
“I decided to enter because I was looking for a change and a place that will continue to allow me to grow as a student and
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
SENSATIONAL guard
Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe, having just completed his freshman year with the Baylor Bears, has announced that “after many heartfelt talks with my family and coaches,” he has decided to “make the decision to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft.”
Back on home soil in Bimini over the weekend surrounded by his family and friends, Edgecombe made the announcement. He is now projected to be a top five selection, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS when the draft takes place on Wednesday, June 25, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for allowing me to play the game I love and allowing me to be in the position that I am in today,” Edgecombe said. “From a young age, it was always my dream to play for a school that felt like home and embraced me like family. I was blessed to find that at Baylor.” Edgecombe is ranked as the No. 4 prospect on ESPN’s Best Available list, just below Duke’s Cooper Flagg and the Rutgers duo of Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey.
The Athletics’ Sam Vecenie has Edgecombe going off the board with the No. 3 pick ahead of Bailey in his latest mock draft. Edgecombe, 19, plays with a high motor and defends, which makes the 6’5” wing a safe pick despite his rollercoaster offensive season, according
player,” said Collins who, after suffering an injury during her freshman season, played sparingly this past season.
Despite moving on, Collins said she enjoyed her tenure as a Running Rebel.
“I had a lot of fun at Ole Miss. I learned a lot of things like leadership and having good character,” she stated. “I’m also thankful for the community and the people there that has supported me since I got there.”
As she moves on, Collins said FIU fits right into her
RHEMA COLLINS
GOLDEN MOMENT: The Bahamian team of Makaiah Hitchman, Emmanuel Adams, Jamiah Nabbie and Zion Miller celebrate their mixed 4 x 400m victory.
Forward Rhema Collins heading to Florida International University
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trend to continue her collegiate career. “I feel very confident about it. I think FIU will help me develop my game and push myself to new levels,” she pointed out. “I believe it won’t only push me to be my best but also give me the opportunity to make an impact.”
At FIU, head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley has already laid out the development plan for the 6-foot, 2-inch Collins. Her workouts will be timed and structured; target flaws and increase strengths, pace and space
will be cornerstone of drills, every position must be skilled and touch; intro to analytics and habit forming; shooting, finishing and free throws and improving situational reads.
According to the scouting reports, Collins’ strength include natural physical coring ability; can shoot mid range and three-point shot; very good touch around the rim; really quick first step rip and go; good finisher in traffic; wants to play fast pace game and is a very good teammate.
However, her areas of improvement include shooting ability and opportunity; footwork centric
handle; finishing situations/ footwork; increase free throw rate; improv driving angles; improved as transition playmaker and become more versatile defender.
Taking all of that into consideration, Collins said she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to become a better all-round player.
“I expect to go there to lead and build meaningful relationships with my coaches and teammates,” she summed up.
Collins, who is majoring in computer science, will be leaving for FIU during the second week of June to begin preparation for the upcoming season.
‘VJ’ EDGECOMBE DECLARES FOR NBA DRAFT
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to Vecenie.
NBA executives are mixed on his on-ball upside with some comparing him to Victor Oladipo, whereas others see him more as a standout 3-and-D player with tremendous athleticism, Vecenie added.
Edgecombe averaged 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals in his lone season with the Bears. A native of the Bahamas, Edgecombe shot 43.6 percent from the field and 34 percent from distance. He averaged 15.5 point and 5.5 rebounds in two NCAA Tournament games and had a seasonhigh 30 points against Kansas State in January.
“To my coaches and teammates, thank you for challenging me every single day and helping me grow into the best version of myself,” he said.
“To the amazing Baylor fans, thank you for welcoming me and making me feel like one of your own. I’ll always be grateful for the love and support.”
Edgecombe, who attended Long Island Lutheran High School, spent the summer playing for the Bahamian national team in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament that fell short in the final game
against Spain in Valencia, Spain to get into the Olympic Games in Paris, France last year.
During those games as Edgecombe gained some NBA experience playing with Buddy Hield of the Golden State Warriors and Deandre Ayton of the Portland Trail Blazers, Edgecombe averaged 16.5 points, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals in four games. Prior to Baylor, Edgecombe enjoyed a stellar senior season at Long Island
Lutheran as he helped the Crusaders reach No. 2 in the ESPN High School basketball rankings while advancing to the Chipotle National Finals (formerly GEICO Nationals) where they fell in the quarterfinals of the eight-team national tournament against Columbus, which eventually bowed out in the semifinals against fellow Baylor signee Robert Wright III and his Montverde Academy Eagles. Edgecombe was the Gatorade Player of the Year
in New York for the secondstraight season, joining his classmate Wright, who was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania in 2022-23.
He is coming off a strong showing at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he competed for the World Team, tallying 17 points and five boards in a 98-75 loss against Team USA.
He also played in the Hoop Summit where he tallied nine points and five rebounds in the McDonalds All-American game.
Edgecombe’s former principal, mentor and coach Pastor Gilbert Rolle Jr, had nothing but great expectations for Edgecombe going into the draft.
“As VJ declares for the NBA Draft, my heart is full of joy and gratitude. From the time he was a young
boy, it was clear there was something special about him, he carried himself with humility, discipline, and purpose beyond his years,” Rolle said. “This journey, marked by hard work and sacrifice, has been a blessing to witness - not just for his family, but for our entire community.
He’s become the hometown hero for our youth, showing them what’s possible when you honour God’s gifts and stay the course. Above all, we give all glory to God, who has ordered every step of the way for VJ. This is the beginning of something transformative here in Bimini.”
The announcement came during an Adidassponsored “A DAY for VJ at Bayfront Park, North Bimini” with a basketball clinic and an all-ages
basketball tournament. His mother, Bendra Rolle, told the audience that while she’s proud of her son’s achievement, she’s forced to reflect on her family’s journey.
“It has not been easy. Only God has brought VJ and our family to this moment in history.
“We give thanks to God and the small village,” she stated.
“With heartfelt pride as a mother, I want the world to know that VJ’s accomplishments are bigger than him and me. His story is for every little boy and parent. It doesn’t matter where you come from, dare to dream, believe, and work hard. All things are possible.”
She thanked God, her mom, and everyone who supported Edgecombe in his journey.
Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the finals in all of the divisions will take place, starting at 3pm. There will also be the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s Slam Dunk Contest.
The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians matchup. Lots of prizes, including round trip tickets, will be up for grabs.
FAST TRACK ATHLETICS SPRING FLING
INVITATIONAL THE Fast Track Athletics Club is scheduled to hold its 4th annual Spring Fling at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex May 16-17. The event is open to
competitors from throughout The Bahamas. The action is slated to begin at 5pm on Friday, May 16 and at 10am on Saturday, May 16. It promises to provide fast competition, perfect prep for championship season and an unmatched island atmosphere in Grand Bahama. For more information on the meet, persons can email fasttrackmanagement00@ gmail.com
TRACK ROAD TO TOKYO
THE Silver Lightning Track Club is scheduled to hold its annual Track and Field Classic on Saturday, May 10, at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, starting at 9am. The event, dubbed the “Road to Tokyo,” will be used as a qualifier for athletes wishing to make Team Bahamas that will compete at the World
Championships from September 13-21 in Tokyo, Japan. Interested athletes can contact coach Rupert Gardiner at 821-2836 for more information.
BASEBALL/ SOFTBALL RELOADED INVITATIONAL THE Reloaded baseball and softball programme for boys and girls held its fourth invitational tournament April 18-21 at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The event, organised by Stephen “Bishop” Beneby, was sanctioned by the Bahamas Baseball Assocation, headed by Clarence “CJ’ McKenzie, and sponsored by the Pro Youth Foundation.
It featured baseball teams for boys and softball teams for girls from Grand Bahama and New Providence.
RHEMA Collins posing with her mother Angela Collins and head coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley.
VALDEZ “VJ” Edgecombe sits in the middle of a pack of young male basketball enthusiasts.
Javonya Valcourt qualifies for Worlds
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
OLYMPIAN Javonya
Valcourt could not be happier with her outdoor performance over the weekend as she booked her ticket to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s National Outdoor Championships and the World Athletics’ World Championships.
At the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, Valcourt was joined by Anthaya Charlton, who posted a double victory for Florida with world-leading feats in the women’s long jump and the 100 metres.
Valcourt, the five-time All-American and member of Team Bahamas at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, completed the women’s 400 metres in a lifetime-best 50.68 seconds to improve her mark as the number three performer in school history.
The Lady Vol junior finished fourth at the meet and currently ranks fifth in the NCAA for the 2025 outdoor season heading into the outdoor track and field championship, set for June 11-14 at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
At the same time, she surpassed the standard of 50.75 for World Athletics’ World Championships that will take place in Tokyo, Japan, September 13-21.
“I was a little nervous going into the race being in lane nine and in such a stacked field but I’m super happy with the result,” Valcourt said.
“Most of all, I’m proud to have already hit the qualifying mark for Worlds. It feels
ANTHAYA CHARLTON POSTS DOUBLE VICTORY FOR FLORIDA WITH WORLD-LEADING FEATS IN WOMEN’S LONG JUMP AND 100 METRES
way in my very first race of the season.”
Reminiscing on the performance, Valcourt said she expected to run in the vicinity of 50 seconds, which would have improved on her previous personal best of 51.15 that she ran last year because she felt she was much stronger to complete the one-lapper this year.
“My plan was to really
first 150 metres and give it everything I had to the line,” she noted. “I wasn’t in the best spot coming off the last turn, but I dug deep, focused on getting my feet down faster, and fought to the finish.”
Valcourt believes that is a great way to start her season and she’s feeling excited and motivated for what’s ahead as she prepares for the South-
of the 2025 indoor season with her 6.98m jump, found her way once again to the top of the globe’s performance list with 22-feet, 4 1/2-inches or 6.82 metres on her fourth attempt.
Championships, May 15-17 at the University of Kentucky Outdoor Track and Field Facility in Lexington, Kentucky.
She’s eager to “keep building momentum and dropping my time even more.”
Charlton, 21, took the world and collegiate lead among outdoor marks for the 2025 season. Charlton, who held the indoor long
She now trails only NCAA champions Jasmine Moore and Yanis David in programme history, and surpassed reigning indoor long jump world champion Claire Bryant on the Gator leaderboard with today’s showing.
Charlton, the 21-yearold younger sister of world indoor 60m hurdles record holder Devynne Charlton, came back and showed her versatility with a blazing 11.12-second performance in the 100m dash. If not for
+2.1 m/s, Charlton’s race would have reset Florida’s programme record for the women’s 100m.
The World Championships’ qualifying standards are 22-6 1/4 (6.86m) in the long jump and 11.07 in the 100m.
Earlier this year in March, Charlton competed on the Bahamas team at the World Indoors in Nanjing, China. Also at the meet, the 29-year-old World and Olympic champion Steven Gardiner, competing for Adidas, won his heat for fourth place overall in the men’s 200m Olympic development race in 20.40. Fahnbulleh Joseph, representing ASICS, won in
ANTHAYA Charlton and Javonya Valcourt, right, in action at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida.
2025 CARIFTA GAMES @ HASELY CRAWFORD STADIUM
Bahamas has spectacular showing on the final day
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still continued their dominance of the games, winning their 39th straight crown with 25 gold, 22 silver and 19 bronze for their tally of 66.
The last time Jamaica lost was back-to-back victories by The Bahamas in 1983 in Martinique and 1984 in The Bahamas. The Bahamas also won back-to-back titles in 1990 in Bermuda and 1991 in The Bahamas.
The Bahamas gave it a gallant effort from day one and Mackey was one of the key ingredients to their threat of Jamaica.
The female team captain, not satisfied with her silver medal in the under-20 girls’ shot put, stormed back in the discus with a winning heave of 53.87 metres of 52.73m that was previously set by Bahamian Serrena Brown at the World Under20 Championships in Bydgoszoz, Poland on July 21, 2016. “I am very pleased with my accomplishments,” said an excited 18-year-old Mackey, who is in the 12th grade at Queen’s College.
“I am going to celebrate this with my teammates and family.”
Neely, the under-17 boys’ 400m champion running blinded from lane eight, coasted from lane four in the 200m to pick up another gold in 21.50.
“I had a really horrible start, but I worked really hard to catch him,” said Neely, as he turned on the after burner to catch BVI’s silver medallist Tiondre Frett, who did 21.52. “That’s what I did and I got another gold once again for The Bahamas.”
Wilson powered over the 10 flights of hurdles to win his second gold in the under-17 boys’ 10m hurdles in 13.70 to include to his 400m hurdles triumph.
Not to be left out was Kenny Moxey Jr as he secured the fourth straight title for The Bahamas in the under-20 boys’ pole vault, following the previous three from Brandon Vanderpool.
Moxey Jr, whose father was a former pole vaulter and now coach, earned his gold with a leap of 4.30m.
“I just want to say thank you God, my college coach, my father,” said the 18-yearold Moxey Jr. “I didn’t have the best shake out, but I got the job done.”
Jazae Johnson also clinched another medal, the silver in the under-17 girls’ triple jump with a leap of 11.99m. Also getting her second silver was Keyezra Thomas in the under-17 girls’ 200m in 23.67 with teammate Brion Ward, the bronze medallist in the 100m, falling short of the podium in fourth in 24.36. “I want to thank God first of all. I came out here with the second fastest time (in the preliminaries), so I know I know what I had to do,” said the Grand Bahamian as she trailed St Lucia’s Jay Emmanuel, the gold medallist in 23.47 and holding off bronze medallist Tyra Fenton, who did 23.68.
Tahj Brown earned a bronze in the under-17 boys’ 110m hurdles in 13.74.
“It feels good. Last year I got fourth, but this was
just my second race for the season, so to come out with the bronze is good for me,” Brown said.
The final medal on the field came from Kaiden Kemp in the under17 boys’ discus with his toss of 157-6 (47.71m) on his third attempt. Jamaica got a 1-2 punch rom Kamari Kennedy with his second meet record of 200-0 (60.87m) and Brandon Lawrence with 160-9 (49.00m).
“Going into one, I didn’t think I would get a medal, but my coaches encouraged me,” Kemp said. “I just went out there to go for the medal.”
As for the team’s accomplishments, there was much cause for celebrations with some individual winners teaming up with other medallists to ensure they carried home some type of hardware.
The highlight came from the combo of Jonathan Higgs, Jahcario Wilson, Jireh Woodside and Eagan Neely as they smashed the games’ record with their winning time of 3:12.72, leaving Jamaica behind with the silver in 3:13.28 and Barbados with the bronze in 3:15.95. Their performance came after the quartet of Syrmiah Crawley, Keyezra Thomas, Brion Ward and Denika Gittens ran 3:45.27 for the silver behind Jamaica’s gold medal performance of 3:39.39. Trinidad & Tobago got the silver in 3:47.25. The under-20 girls’ 4 x 400m relay team of KeiMahri Hanna, Makaiah Hitchman, A’Karee Roberts and Darvinique Dean got the bronze in 3:41.36 behind Jamaica’s gold in 3:37.75 and Barbados’ silver in 3:39.36.
Zion Davis, Aiden Kelly, Emmanuel Adams and Zion Miller rocked the stadium as they brought the curtain down on the competition as they powered to victory in 3:06.18 over Jamaica, 3:07.44, and Trinidad & Tobago, 3:08.11 in the under-20 boys’ 4 x 400m relay.
While it was announced that Jamaica’s Kmari Kennedy was the Austin Sealy Award winner for breaking the games’ record in both the under-17 shot put and discus, NACAC president Mike Sands said in short order, they will reveal where the 53rd edition will take place next Easter.
UNDER-20 boys 4 x 400m relay team of Zion Miller, Emmanuel Adams, Aiden Kelly and Zion Davis.
UNDER-17 boys’ record breaking team of Eagan Neely, Jahcario Wilson, Jonathan Higgs and Jireh Woodside celebrate their victory.
TAHJ Brown with the silver in the under-20 boys’ 110m hurdles.
JUNIOR NATIONAL RECORD: A junior national record and another gold medal for Annae Mackey at the 2025 CARIFTA Games.
2025 CARIFTA GAMES @ HASELY CRAWFORD STADIUM
Team Bahamas electrifies the competition on day 2
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
PORT-OF-SPAIN,
Trini-
dad — Team Bahamas
continued to electrify the competition on day two of the 2025 CARIFTA Games, adding to its medal haul at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad & Tobago.
The 78-member team pushed its total to 23 medals, including 10 gold, 10 silver and three bronze to continue to trail Jamaica, who surged ahead with 17 gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze for their total of 43.
Individually, two 14-yearold sensations making their CARIFTA debut set the tone for the evening session with gold and silver in the under-17 girls’ long jump as Jazae Johnson soared 19-feet, 11-inches or 6.07 metres on her first attempt for the gold and Tarae Forbes completed the 1-2 sweep with the silver with 19-2 1/2 (5.85m) on her third attempt.
“It was an awesome experience. I just want to give thanks to God and my coaching and I love the support of some of my family members and team-mates out here,” said Johnson.
Equally, Forbes thanked “the man above for the opportunity being the youngest on the team. I just came out here and did my best.”
Delora Johnson of the Cayman Islands claimed the bronze with 5.40m on her first attempt.
From there, the medals continued to pile on Team Bahamas’ ledger in almost every final contested.
Obadiah Cherizar won the silver in the under-17 boys’ high jump with a leap of 6-4 3/4 (1.95m), the same as bronze medallist Joshua Telesford of Grenada, but he got the silver on fewer knockdowns.
“I just want to thank God that I came out with a medal,” Cherizar said. “My original goal was 2.00m, but hey, that’s what I got today. I’m just grateful for everything.”
Selethel Johnson of Jamaica snatched the gold with 6-8 (2.03m).
Symiah Crawley powered over the final of the 10 flights of hurdles in a blaze of glory to capture the next gold in the under17 girls’ 400m hurdles in 1:02.85, holding off Trinidad & Tobago’s Durlaine Rouse, who did 1:03.48 and Jamaica’s Alyssa Carty, the bronze medallist in 1:03.62.
“First of all, I want to thank God. Without him, I would not have been able to do that last hurdle,” Crawley said. “It was a hard race. It wasn’t easy, so I just had to do what I had to do.”
Jahcario Wilson was not going to be left out of the spotlight as he surged through the finish line in the under-17 boys’ 400m hurdles in 52.44 for his gold out-shinning a pair of Jamaicans in Jaeden Campbell for the silver in 53.61 and Eshanee Porter in 54.26 for the bronze.
“I felt good. I was pretty proud of myself and the race plan I executed,” Wilson said. “I executed it good.”
Joshua Williams split a pair of Jamaicans in the under-20 boys’ high jump to snatch the silver with 2.00m. Chavez Penn took the gold with 2.14m and Aaron McKenzie got the bronze with 1.95m.
“I know I could have done better, but the long jump tired me out,” said Williams, who in the morning session was sixth in the long jump. “I thank God for blessing me to execute this (medal) today.”
Then came the always exciting 4 x 100m relays and The Bahamas was in the mix in the three races contested.
Jazae Johnson, Brion Ward, Tarae Forbes and
Keyezra Thomas were responsible for the first medal, a repeat silver in 45.30 from last year as Jamaica successfully defended their title in grand style with a games’ record of 44.86, lowering their own mark of 44.99 from 2018. Trinidad & Tobago got the bronze in 45.96.
The girls were elated to be on the podium.
“I feel great. I just want to thank God for allowing me and the team to come out here and perform,” Johnson said.
Ward said her objective was to “carry up get down the straightaway” and give the baton to Forbes.
“I knew once I got the baton from Brion, I had to run as fast as I could to pass it to KK, so we could do what we had to do,” said Forbes, who thanked the “man above.”
And Thomas thanked God for “giving me the team that I have right now. We did our best out there. We all executed our legs. So I’m happy and proud of myself and my team.”
No doubt, the pride and joy of the teams came from the under-17 boys’ team of Jamaal Deloach Jr, Jahcario Wilson, J’Mari Moss and Eagan Neely in securing the gold in 41.11. Their interview explained the gratitude that they felt as a team.
“Going into the race, I knew I was the best starter, so I had to go out and give my team a fighting chance,” Deloach Jr said.
Wilson said he just wanted to get the baton around because that was “how we got the gold.”
Citing that he had the “most pressure on the team,” moss said “thankfully God came through for me.”
And Neely, already a gold medallist in the 400m running out of lane eight, said after he saw the Grenadian and Jamaican get the baton ahead of him, he knew he “had to run. That just made me shift into another gear to pull it and made the gold for The Bahamas.”
Grenada got the silver with 41.40 and Trinidad & Tobago was the bronze medallist in 41.61.
To complete the triple relay medal feat for Team Bahamas, Khylee Wallace,
Shatalya Dorsett, K’Leugh Davis and Jamiah Nabbie clocked 44.65 to earn their silver as they trailed Jamaica in 43.65 for the gold. Trinidad & Tobago were the bronze medalist in 44.76.
“I just wanted to make my team-mates and my family proud,” said Wallace of her opening leg. Dorsett, still celebrating from her bronze in the under-20 girls’ 100m, said she wanted to make sure “I didn’t get out too fast, too slow. That was basically my main thing. How my leg was ran.”
On the third leg, Davis said she just wanted to “get the baton around and make sure we brought a medal home.”
And Nabbie, who fell short of closing out her second relay with a gold to go with the mixed relay, said her job was just basically to
“bring it home and bring out back in a position as close as possible.”
The only disappointment came in the under-20 boys’ 4 x 100m relay that didn’t finish their heat in the preliminaries as the last exchange couldn’t make the connection.
The games’ final day of competition was yesterday (on Monday) when the 78-member from Team Bahamas will continue to put a dent on Jamaica’s stranglehold of the perennial dominance of the 52nd edition of the biggest junior track and field competition in the region.
Morning session Team captain Annae Mackey surpassed the Bahamas junior national record and just missed inking her name on the CARIFTA games record in the women’ under-20 shot put with the silver medal
during the morning session of day two.
After watching Team Bahamas produce some six gold medals on day one on Saturday, the tension was high as Mackey and William McKinney made sure to keep the hype alive in two more medals.
On her sixth and final throw, she came up with a heave of 56-2 2/4 (17.14m), which went over the games’ record of 51-8 1/4 (15.75m) that was set by Claudia Villeneuve of Martinique and it erased Aymara Albury’s junior national record of 56-1 (17.09m) that she set on May 16, 2004. But her toss wasn’t enough to catch Jamaica’s Marla-Kay Lampart, who took the gold with 57-2 2/3 (17.44) that will be officially recognised as the new games’ record. Incidentally, Lampart had to receive medical attention with an injury to her right throwing arm
after the winning feat. Her team-mate Kimeka Smith got the bronze with 49-0 3/4 (14.95m).
But the 18-year-old Mackey, a 12th grader at Queen’s College, said she was determined to keep the Bahamas’ string of victories from the first day going.
“I’m blessed. I am just thankful that I can leave the competition with a three-metre PB, so I’m very proud of myself,” said Mackey ahead of Monday’s final day of competition as she goes after the gold in her specialty in the discus. In the under-20 boys’ long jump, McKinney, an 18-year-old 12th grader at Bahamas Academy, soared 7.36m on his sixth and final attempt for the silver.
Jamaica’s Michael Edwards got the gold with 24-1 3/4 (7.41m) on his fifth and Teon Haynes of Barbados got the bronze with 24-1 1/2 (7.35m) on his third attempt.
“I felt really good going into the competition,” McKinney said.
“I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t letting the other countries faze me. I felt very well with my country and family behind me. They gave me the push to get on the podium.”
ANNAE MACKEY
OBADIAH CHERIZAR
BAHAMAS under-17 girls’ 4 x 100m relay team of Jazae Johnson, Brion Ward, Taree Forbes and Keyezra Thomas.
BAHAMAS under-17 boys’ 4 x 100m relay team of Jamaal Deloach Jr, Jahcario Wilson, J’Mari Moss and Eagan Neely.
BAHAMAS under-20 girls 4 x 100m relay team of Khylee Wallace, Shatalya Dorsett, K’Leigh Davis and Jamiah Nabbie.
TARAE Forbes and Jazae Johnson display their respective silver and gold medals.
SYMIAH CRAWLEY
2025 CARIFTA GAMES @ HASELY CRAWFORD STADIUM
Team Bahamas has a ‘sizzling start’ on day 1
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad — Team Bahamas got off to a sizzling start on day one of the 2025 CARIFTA Games with its best start ever at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Saturday, accumulating a total of 11 medals.
The team produced six gold, three silver and two bronze to closely trail perennial kingpins Jamaica and ahead of the surging host Trinidad & Tobago.
After a pair of gold and silver medals from the junior boys and under-20 girls javelin throwers, Jade Ferguson inked her name in the record books in the open girls’ pole vault and the combo of Emmanuel Adams, Makaiah Hitchman, Zion Miller and Jamiah Nabbie captured the first open mixed 4 x 400m relay team title in the introduction of the event at the 52nd edition of the biggest junior track and field competition in the region. Ferguson highlighted the day as she atoned for filing to clear a height in her debut last year by soaring 10-feet, three-inches or 3.10 metres to erase the games’ meet record of 9-6 1/4 (2.90m) that was set last year by Naya Jules, who had to settle for the silver with 9-10 (3.00m). Guadeloupe’s Clementine Carias got the bronze with the same height. Bahamian Anaih Rolle was fifth with 8-10 1/4 (2.70m).
“The event was very competitive. I came to this meet to trust in God and I just did what I had to do,” Ferguson said. “I came out with a record and a gold medal for my country.”
The quartet of Adams, Hitchman, Miller and Nabbie won the final gold of the day in 3:23.97 with Jamaica taking the silver with 3:25.29 and Grenada getting the bronze in 3:27.46.
Three of the team members were elated with their achievements.
“I want to thank my team-mates for doing their best and pushing because it was very hot and humid over here,” Adams said. “We just wanted to come out and do our best for our country.”
Hitchman, in her debut, took the time out to thank “God, my friends, my family and all our coaches for making it out here today.”
And Nabbie said she was proud of herself and her teammates because they had tunnel vision and they were not concerned about anybody, but running their race in order to secure the win.
Keyezra Thomas, who missed out on an opportunity to medal in the high jump, had a chance to clinch the seventh gold medal in the under-17 girls’ 400m, but the grace got away from her down the home stretch as Tyra Penton of Antigua & Barbuda took the gold in 53.93. Thomas faded at the end in 54.34. The bronze went to De’Cheynelkle Thomas of St Kitts and Nevis in 56.72,.
“I went out there and I did my best,” said Thomas, who had plans of improving on her silver medal from last year. “I wanted the gold, but everything is in its time, so it’s back to the drawing board and to look at some new stuff and hope for the best next time.”
Eagan Neely, running the race of his life blindsided out in lane eight, surged out front and coasted the remainder of the race to snatch the first gold of the evening session in 47.80.
Diwayne Sharpe of Jamaica got the silver in 48.27 and Zachary Wall of Barbados took the bronze in 48.63.
“My race plan was very simple. I was in lane eight and I didn’t have anybody to chase, so I had to get out as fast as I could,” he said. “It wasn’t what I did, but I got out fast and at the 50m, I saw the Jamaican on the side of me, but I said ‘no, I want to bring this gold back home to the Bahamas.’”
Zion Miller wrapped up the final individual gold on the track in the under-20 boys’ 400m in 46.51. Guyana’s Malachi Dwayne Austin got the silver in 46.56 and Trinidad & Tobago’s Da Shaun Lezama won the bronze in 47.43.
“I felt good about it. It all came the way I wanted it and I came out with the gold,” said Miller, who benefitted from his experience last year as a member of the Bahamas’ Olympic team in Paris, France. “I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to win it.”
Brion Ward fought right to the end and made sure that she was on the podium as she clinched the bronze in the under-17 girls’ 100m in 11.78. Jady Emmanuel of St Kucia won the gold in 11.50 and Adora Campbell of Jamaica came up with the silver in 11.67.
“I went out there and I put my best foot forward,” Ward said. “It wasn’t my best, but I medalled like I said I would, so that was the best part of it.”
The other medal on the night came from Shatalya Dorsett with the bronze in the under-20 girls’ 100m in a PR of 11.45. Jamaica’s Shanoya Douglas ran away with the gold in 11.26. Antigua & Barbuda’s Geolyna Dowdye claimed the silver in 11.43.
“I feel good. This season wasn’t the best for me, so it was good for me to come
here and pull of a medal for my country,” said Dorsette, who hugged her mom at the finish line for the support she gave her all of her life.
During the early morning session, Taysha Stubbs and Dior-Ray Scott competed in the under-20 girls’ javelin and Ahkeel Williams and Wyatt Cartwright in the under-17 boys’ spear event.
Williams, the 15-year-old making his debut, picked up the first medal with his winning toss in the under17 boys’ spear event with a winning heave of 188-8 (57.51m) on his sixth and final throw, followed by his team-mate Wyatt Cartwright getting the silver with 182-10 (55.73m) on his last try as well.
Jasano Henderson of St Kitts & Nevis was third with 178-4 (54.36m) on his final throw.
It was a day of celebrations on Saturday as Williams reflected on her debut at the biggest junior regional meet.
“I feel pretty excited. I’m just glad that God has allowed me to bring the gold back home to the Bahamas,” Williams said. “I was very proud of myself. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me next year.”
Cartwright was just as pleased with his effort.
“I think my performance was pretty good. It wasn’t my best, but I still came but with the silver medal,” he said. “Ahkeel deserves it. He performed pretty good. He had a good season. Next time I will do much better.”
But as expected, the Bahamas got a 1-2 punch in the under-20 girls’ javelin as well as Stubbs, the record holder, repeated as champion with her winning toss of 164-1 (50.03m) on her second throw with DiorRae Scott, coming off her gold medal performance last year in the under-17,
to collect the silver with 149-7 (45.61m) on her third throw.
Angely Curiel of Curacao was a distant third for the bronze 3ith 40.08m on her final attempt.
There’s no better feeling than repeating as champion.
Just let Stubbs explain.
“Super grateful to God, just for pushing me and allowing me to come back out here,” Stubbs said. “This season has not been the best as compared to last year, so I’m just super proud of me and coming out here and getting the gold again.”
Stubbs complimented her Blue Chips team-mate Scott for ensuring that the Bahamas took home the two top medals.
“It’s a really good feeling to be out here winning gold and silver for the Bahamas with her,” Stubbs stated.
For Scott, she admitted that it wasn’t the best season for her, but she’s still grateful to God that she got on the podium, winning a medal in every CARIFTA she has competed in for the past three years.
She noted that she couldn’t have done it without Stubbs pushing her.
“We are team-mates so we usually go headto-head,” Scott said. “It wasn’t close this time, but I’m proud of her. She came second.”
There was one major setback as Alexis Roberts, competing with an injury, didn’t get through in her semifinal of the girls’ under-20 400m, placing 17th overall in 1:09.68.
The Bahamas, however, picked up a pair of bronze medals in the 100m final.
Brion Ward, coming through with a burst of energy, made up enough ground for the bronze in the under-17 girls’ century in 11.75. Jady Emmanuel of St Lucia won the gold in
11.74 and Adora Campbell of Jamaica got the silver in 11.58. “I think I went out there and I put my best foot forward,” Ward said. “It wasn’t my best, but I did what I had to do to medal like I said I would so that was the best part about it.” Collegian Shatalya Dorsett, competing in her final CARIFTA appearance, won the bronze as well in the girls’ under-20 straight away race in a personal best of 11.45. Jamaica’s Shanoya Douglas sped to the gold in 11.45 and Geolyna Dowdye of Antigua &
got the silver in 11.55. “I
Barbuda
EMMANUEL EVANS, Zion Miller, Jamiah Nabbie and Malkaiah Hitchman show off their mixed 4 x 400 metre medals.
DIOR-RAE SCOTT, left, and Taysha Stubbs enjoy their medals.
AHKEEL Williams celebrating his gold medal in the under-17 boys’ javelin, the first Bahamas medal at the 2025 CARIFTA Games.
ZION Miller bites on his medal.
SHATALYA Dorsett bites her medal.
KEYEZRA Thomas bites her medal.
JADE Ferguson displays her medal.
EAGAN Neely with his medal.
BRION Ward shows off her medal.