04262017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017

Operators force deciding game 5

SEE PAGE 4

“I felt we started the game off very well, but we just didn’t end well,” she said. “They were able to capitalise on every mistake that we made.”

Going into the clincher on Thursday, Grant said they don’t

SEE PAGE 4

All systems are go for FIFA Beach Soccer WCup INTERNATIONAL excitement is boiling over for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 set to kick-off tomorrow, and FIFA officials say the host country is ready to stage the best tournament yet. The stadium is dressed and all systems are go.

Visitors have come to the destination to soak in some sun and catch all the action on the white sands of Nassau. For the locals, they will get to watch the home team engage in the highest level of competition.

Action kicks off on Thursday at the National Beach Soccer Arena at Malcolm Park. The tournament will run until May 7.

“We are definitely ready for kick-off. After two years of prepa-

THE BEACH soccer stadium is ready to stage the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas. ration we are now just waiting on the gates to open on Thursday to welcome all of the fans all over the world to this beautiful facility,”

said Joan Cusco, vice president of Beach Soccer Worldwide and FIFA board member.

This will be the first time that

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE 4

HOLDING OFF ELIMINATION: Bommer Gee Operators players celebrate last night after beating the Career Builders Cheetahs 90-88 to force a fifth and deciding game in the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association’s best-of-five championship series. With the series tied 2-2, game five is all set for 8pm Thursday at DW Davis.

Photo by Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff ter, the Lady Operators didn’t have an answer for her. Grant ended up with a game high 37 points and 15 rebounds.

However, she was quite disappointed that her team, coached by Deven Johnson and Varel Davis, wasn’t able to complete the series after taking the early 2-0 lead.

BAHAMAS RELAY TEAMS GET SET FOR THE PENN CARNIVAL

the World Cup has been hosted in the Caribbean. Organisers for

W

As they prepare for the finale, Johnson said if they execute, crash the boards and contain the Lady Cheetahs’ star player, they have an opportunity to celebrate again, this time as the champions.

The star player she referred to was Leashja Grant. Despite picking up three fouls in the first quar-

Playoffs, Page 5

THE goal was to get all four relay teams qualified for the IAAF World Championships over the weekend.

But team manager Philippa Willie said they were more surprised that the 4 x 400 teams didn’t make it and the 4 x 100m teams did at the IAAF/BTC World Relays at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Sunday.

This weekend, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will be sending the two 4 x 400m relay teams to compete in the 123rd Penn Relays Carnival in Philadelphia in the match-up with the USA versus the World in a bid for the men to improve on their current time that is ranked at No.9 and the women, whose time is pegged at No.11.

“I will be expecting a little more from our 4 x 4 relay teams,” said Willie, who will be travelling along with head coach Fritz Grant, assistant coach Sidney Cartwright and understudy coach Ravanno Ferguson.

Ramon Miller, who didn’t compete at the World Relays, will be added to the men’s team that will be minus Steven Gardiner, but including Michael Mathieu, Elroy McBride, Andretti Bain and Demetrius Pinder.

“Unfortunately, Ramon ran a little too late for us to consider his time for the selection to the World Relays.

But we have added him to the team going to Penn,” she said. “We feel with him on the team, they will do very well.”

The men’s 4 x 4 team will compete against the USA, Botswana, Guyana and Jamaica. The USA won the A final for the gold medal over silver medallists Botswana, while Jamaica was third as they all booked their tickets to London. The Bahamas was fifth in the B final, but Guyana didn’t field a team.

Like Gardiner, Shaunae Miller-Uibo will not be making the trip. The two, along with veteran Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown, are all sponsored by Adidas and their athletes are committed to competing in the Drake Relays at the same time.

Without Miller-Uibo, the women’s team will add Lanece Clarke and V’Alonee Robinson, who both didn’t compete in the relays. They will join Christine Amertil, Tynia Gaither, Anthonique Strachan and Rashan Brown.

“We won’t have Shaunae, but based on the team we

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net ith the game and their season on the line, Keva Johnson powered inside for the winning basket to help the Bommer Gee Operators stave off elimination and force a fifth and deciding game.

Last night’s 90-88 victory over the Career Builders Cheetahs evened the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association’s bestof-five championship series at 2-2 with game five for all the marbles set for 8pm Thursday.

“Game on the line after they fell behind 2-0, the only way to win the championships is for us to win three straight, so I encouraged my teammates to fight to the end,” said Johnson as she joined in their celebrations at the DW Davis Gymnasium last night.

“I had to finish the shot. It feels so good to give us another life. We have another shot on Thursday night after tying up the series. This is going to be a dogfight.”

Johnson finished with seven points, but her basket with 1.9 seconds left on the clock fouled out Anastacia Moultrie. She missed the free throw on the three-point attempt, but grabbed the offensive rebound as the time expired.

Phylicia Kelly had a side high 25 points with six rebounds, Sheeldeen Joseph also had a big game with 22 points and Chrishanadra Rahming added 11 points in the win for the Lady Operators, coached by Donnie Culmer and Anthony Swaby.

NBA ACTION

JUSTIN ROBERTS AND BULLS DEFEAT UCF 4-1 TO WIN TITLE JUSTIN Roberts helped the University of South Florida Bulls win the American Athletic Conference Championship title on Sunday, as they defeated in-state rival UCF 4-1.

Roberts, a junior, clinched the match on court two as the Bulls utilised four straight-set wins to put away UCF in the championship.

Seniors Vadym Kalyuzhnyy (Donetsk, Ukraine) and Sasha Gozun (Orhei, Moldova) will finish their careers with an unprecedented four conference titles. In his final title match, Gozun was named the most outstanding player of the tournament.

The match his opponent, 6-4, kicked off with 6-3 to get USF on doubles where the the board.

Knights finished With the score a 6-3 set on two tied 1-1, USF had before Kalyuzhall irons in the fire nyy and freshworking leads on man Jakub Wojcik three courts, and (Delray Beach, a second-set lead Florida) answered on another. Kalyuon court three in zhnyy erased a 4-2 a 6-4 comeback. deficit to win his JUSTIN ROBERTS Just seconds later first set, 6-4. the Knights would Kalyuzhnyy, clinch on a deuce point to go Wojcik and Roberts were all up 6-4 on court one. The Bulls positioned for the Bulls win in came out swinging in singles, their second sets. Kalyuzhnyy and fought hard on every court. and Roberts went up 5-2 and Five Bulls took their first set, Wojcik fought in a tiebreak. All with Gozun easily putting away three wins would mean the title.

Kalyuzhnyy went first, defeating his opponent 6-2 and the crowd was split watching Wojcik’s tiebreak and Roberts’ match points. UCF’s Danny Kerznerman threatened Roberts’ lead with a break and a hold, but Roberts would get a chance to serve again.

Wojcik took his tiebreak to nine points before defeating Kalman Boyd, 6-1, 7-6(7), leaving three courts still in play, but only one point needed for the victory. Everyone looked to Roberts who was up 6-4, 5-4, and 40-0 serving. With his final serve, Roberts clinched the American Conference Championship for the Bulls.

PAGE 2, Wednesday, April 26, 2017

1 DAY

THE TRIBUNE

The countdown is on Player to Watch

TAHITI World ranking: 7 Group D: with Brazil (3), Japan (8) and Poland (15)

HEIMANU TAIARUI (#4) is one of the players to watch on Team Tahiti.

The road to Nassau There was no qualification tournament in the Oceania Zone, with the regional confederation choosing to name Tahiti as their representative at Bahamas 2017, and not without good reason.

As well as being a local powerhouse, the Tahitians are also genuine contenders at a global level, as they showed in hosting the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Boasting a solid reputation as skilled performers on the sand - having organised the inaugural OFC championship in 2006 - the Tiki Toa lived up to it by clinching a remarkable

fourth place.

They then went two better at Portugal 2015, where they finished runners-up.

Strengths and style In taking that second place in Portugal two years ago, Tahiti showed their performance on home sand in 2013 was no fluke.

Led by Heimanu Taiarui, who pocketed the Adidas Golden Ball in Portugal, the Tiki Toa play a highintensity game and have plenty of skill and tactical nous to go with it.

The generation that has taken Tahiti into the elite has stayed together and gained in experience, with several members of the squad now playing their trade in the prestigious Swiss league.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup record Tahiti arrived on the big stage in 2011, when they put an end to Solomon Islands’ dominance of the Oceania beach soccer scene and qualified for the world finals for the first time in their history.

The Pacific islanders made a spirited World Cup debut at Ravenna/Italy 2011, the highlight of which was a 5-2 defeat of Venezuela in their first match.

The Tiki Toa’s fourth place on home sand two years later took them into the global elite, a position they then cemented with that second place at Portugal 2015, where they claimed some major scalps, among them Russia and Italy.

TEAM TAHITI is a genuine contender at the global level, as they showed in hosting the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

• The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 will be held in Nassau from April 27 to May 7.

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Wednesday, April 26, 2017, PAGE 3

Local coach disappointed in turnout of players for basketball showcase

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RODNEY Curry’s second annual Top Elite Basketball Showcase is going quite well at the AF Adderley Gymnasium. But the local basketball coach is just a little disappointed in the turnout from the players.

The showcase, which got started on Monday and wraps up on Saturday, is featuring a number of high school and college coaches looking to add some players to their programmes in Florida.

“We are using this as a recruitment tool for players who want to go to college and even complete their high school in the United States,” Curry said.

“We have the college and high school coaches here.

It’s been going good so far, but the high school coaches are looking for the players, but I think the local coaches are not allowing them to take advantage of their window of opportunity to grasp this showcase.”

Curry said it’s disappointing to know that there are some coaches who are not encouraging their players to come out because the coaches are looking for the talent.

“We want the top 11th and 12th graders to be in the showcase because the coaches here are also connected with other schools and they are looking to help them out as well,” he said.

“But so far for the college showcase, we have some talent coming out. Some of the players still lack the basic fundamentals, which tells us that as coaches, we have a lot of work to do to get these players to the level that they need to be at to play overseas.”

Here right now to conduct

the showcase are coaches Justin Cardoza from Florida National University, Charles Agumagu from St Thomas University and Al Pagues from Inspire Preparatory Academy. They are all looking at different aspects of the programme for various players.

Cardoza, the assistant men’s basketball coach for the FNU out of Hialeah, Florida, has coached Jamaal Walker, a 6-foot, 3-inch player who helped their Conquistadors, who made it to their third division one national championship appearance in a row.

“We are looking at the development of their skills and looking at certain kids to see what their gradepoint averages are and whether they can fit into our system,” he said.

“We’re not looking at anything in particular. I’m just trying to get some players to add to our programme. We have a JV (junior varsity) programme, so maybe there is a player who might need to work on certain things.”

Back for his second appearance, Cardoza said there is a lot of talent here and he’s looking forward to finding some more players

SHOWCASE: Boys take part in Rodney Curry’s 2nd annual Top Elite Basketball Showcase yesterday at AF Adderley Gymnasium.

Photos by Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff like Walker.

“In general, there are a lot of guys who are very athletic here,” he said. “It’s just finding the ones that have the high basketball IQ and just understanding the game and the certain skill sets that we might need.”

This is the first time that Agumagu has visited the Bahamas. The assistant coach, at St Thomas University in Miami Gardens, said the trip here has been so surreal.

“When you’ve never been to a place, you kind of have something in the back of your head of how it supposed to be,” he said.

“It’s lovely man. I enjoy it.

I enjoy the kids I’ve been

around, coach Curry has been a gracious coach and the food is so nice. I definitely enjoy it.”

Agumagu, who works under head coach Patrick Gayle on their Bobcats men’s basketball team, said he’s not here recruiting for size, but rather he’s looking for the athleticism that the Bahamian players are known for.

“It’s never a question of whether they are athletic or not,” he said. “The question is usually do they have the skills set to match their athleticism.”

The Bobcats currently include Bahamian Mikhail Rolle, a 6-3 guard who transferred from Broward

College after attending Champagnat Catholic High School.

“He’s a very disciplined young man who listens and doesn’t take constructive criticism the young way,” Agumagu pointed out. “That’s why I’m here.

I’m hoping that I can find a couple more players like Mikhail Rolle.”

Pagues, from Inspire Preparatory Academy in Orlando, Florida, is back for his second year but he’s concerned that he has not seen the taller players as he saw then.

“The players were bigger and more athletic. They had a better feel for the game.

They can play a little long-

er,” he said.

“This year, the players here are athletic, but they are not as talented as what we saw last year. “It’s a no brainer because you can teach them basketball.

Some of them have the ability, they can shoot and they can pass the ball. They have the complete package.”

For his programme, Pagues said he’s looking for more size and players who can think on their feet and play real hard. “At my school we do a lot of play development, countless hours of it, so I’m not really worried about the skill set.

I like what I’ve seen. I like what coach Curry is doing.

It could really take off.”

Calling All High

SCHOOL STUDENTS ORGANISERS of the Department of Education’s NPPPSSA Track and Field Championship, to be held under the theme, ‘In Pursuit of Excellence in Athletics.’

NEW PROVIDENCE PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S 3-DAY TRACK MEET STARTS TODAY

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RIGHT on the heels of watching some of the world’s elite athletes in action, some of the future Bahamian stars are expected to take the spotlight this week at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Under the theme, ‘In Pursuit of Excellence in Athletics,’ the three-day meet is all set to begin 10am today with more than 22 schools from New Providence taking part.

Sponsored by Aliv, the Department of Education’s New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association Championships will wrap up on Friday.

Lionel Sands, director of education, thanked Aliv for their monetary sponsorship of the championships and he hopes that it will be ongoing.

Bianca Bethell-Sawyer, Aliv events and sponsorship manager, said as the newest telecommunications company in the country, they are delighted to be partnering with the Ministry and the NPPPSSA in sponsoring the championships.

“Sports is popular across many demographic por-

tions of our country,” she stated.

“Supporting the association underscores our commitment to encourage growth and development in the Bahamas.

“We feel as though whenever we invest in our youth and in sport, it can impact the entire community and we are honoured to be able to take part.”

Bethell-Sawyer said they would be providing monetary contributions as they invest in the children of the country, who need as much help as possible.

“We can now officially say that the New Providence Primary Schools Track and Field Championships is powered by Aliv,” she said.

Sands also commended the 22 participating schools and he said he was happy to see where the young people can go in the future.

“I wish to commend the coaches in those schools who have spent hours and hours trying to prepare these young people for this event,” he said.

Additionally, he also thanked Dawn Knowles for the role she has played in the operation of the sports competition over the years.

“Let those games begin,” he said.

Cleveland Eneas is the defending champions and head coach Mariska Stubbs-Thompson said they will be going for their fifth title overall.

“With the help of the Lord and the hard work and dedication, hopefully Cleveland Eneas will come out on top,” she projected.

“But I have a lot of other competitive schools, so I know it will be very, very competitive over the next three days.

“This is the feeder system, so I hope that more people will come out and support our children over the next three days with the running, throwing and jumping.”

Margaret Major-Albury, president of the NPPPSSA, said when the event gets started at 10am, the 1,200m, 800m, 200 and 400 metres timed finals will be in the spotlight. There will also be a number of field events contested during the day.

The official opening ceremonies are set for 11am on Thursday.

Dawn Knowles, the Ministry’s Primary Schools physical education officer, said the tickets are the same at $1 for students, $2 for general admission and $5 for the VIP section.

Every year in August THE TRIBUNE publishes a popular Back to School supplement as a guide to the following academic year.

In the supplement we feature the profiles of high school students across the Bahamas and Family Islands.

We want profiles from as many schools and students as possible to make this guide essential and informative.

Profiles must include 1. Name 2. Age 3. School 4. Grade 5. Parent name or names 6. Goals and aspirations, prizes won and honours awarded

7. Name of college they will be attending (if attending) Plus a suitable photograph in .jpeg format (graduation or any other image).

How to submit profiles Email to back2school@ tribunemedia.net with ‘Back To School’ in the subject field and photos in .jpeg format.

By post to Back To School, The Tribune, Shirley Street & Deveaux Streets, PO Box N-3207, Nassau.

By hand to The Tribune office The deadline for the profiles is June 30, 2017 and there is no cost involved. For any questions please contact Tribune Features at 5022380 or 502-2391.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Operators dial up 90-88 win over Cheetahs to force deciding game 5 FROM PAGE 1 have to change much.

“We just have to play defence. We are playing very well offensively, but we just have to capitalise of their mistakes.

“I feel we can win it. We just have to come with the right mentality.”

The Lady Cheetahs controlled the tempo of the game from the first quarter as they opened a 14-6 lead, thanks to Grant’s threepoint play and they surged ahead 24-14 at the first break.

The Lady Operators were able to cut the deficit to 2928 with 3:46 on the clock as Kelly had a three-point play and Gabbie McKinnely came up with a steal and a lay-up.

The game was close up to halftime as the Lady Cheetahs got a lay-up from Shelly-Ann Austin to hold onto a 42-40 advantage.

Neither team was able to open more than a fourpoint lead in the second half as players started to get into foul trouble.

But when it counted the most, the Lady Operators were able to seal the deal and snatch their second straight win to tie the series.

THE TRIBUNE

All systems are go for FIFA Beach Soccer WCup FROM PAGE 1

STAVING OFF ELIMINATION: The Bommer Gee Operators beat the Career Builders Cheetahs 90-88 last night to force a fifth and deciding game in the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association’s best-of-five championship series. With the series tied 2-2, game five is all set for 8pm Thursday at DW Davis.

Photos by Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

BAHAMAS TEAMS GET SET FOR THE PENN RELAYS CARNIVAL FROM PAGE 1 have selected, I think they will also do very well.”

The Bahamas will face the United States, Botswana, Jamaica and Nigeria in the women’s 4 x 4 relay. The USA won the gold at the World Relays in the A final with Jamaica third, Botswana sixth and Nigeria seventh, having all qualified for London. The Bahamas placed fourth in their heat, won by Nigeria, but opted not to contest the B final.

The Bahamas has also been invited to participate in the women’s sprint medley (two 100m, one 200m and a 400m) and therefore, Willie said they included a couple of sprinters on the team to ensure that the team is well represented.

In the sprint medley, the Bahamas will face two teams from the USA, the British Virgin Islands and Jamica.

The sprint medley was not contested at the World Relays.

“It’s ironic that the two teams that qualified at the Worlds were not the first times that we expected to qualify,” she said. “We expected the 4 x 4s to qualify. For the most part, our 4 x 4 has more depth and

we are certain that they will both qualify, giving us a chance to run all four teams at the World Championships.”

The IAAF World Championships is scheduled for August in London, England and there is a cut off period at the end of June for the final 16 teams to secure their berths. The top eight spots will be occupied from the top eight teams to finish their event.

The team of Devine Parker, Brianne Bethel, Tylar Carter and Tynia Gaither ran 44.01 for sixth place in the women’s 4 x 1, while the men’s team of Warren Fraser, Shavez Hart, Cliff Resias and Adrian Griffith ran 39.18 for third place in the B final.

However, as a result of Canada, France and the Netherlands not finishing in the A final, Trinidad & Tobago, Germany and the Bahamas, the first three finishers in order in the B final, were moved up to complete the top eight qualifying spot.

Willie said there are a number of athletes who are competing on the collegiate scene who were not given the time off to come home and compete in the relays. So she feels that before the summer, they will accomplish their goal of get-

ting the four teams to London.

“I think we are in a pretty good spot, so we will do very well,” said Willie of the team heading to Penns on Thursday, competing on Saturday and returning home on Sunday. “We have a benchmark where they have to work from, so we just have to get it together.”

As the manager of the World Relays team, Willie said she was really impressed with the level of commitment that she got from all of the competitors on Team Bahamas.

“We had three veterans on the team in Christine (Amertil), Demetrius (Pinder) and Michael (Mathieu),” she said. “We had a very young team led by Shaunae (Miller-Uibo) and Steven (Gardiner) and they performed very well.

“Once our athletes can stay healthy and we can keep them happy, they will be around for a long time.”

Willie noted that it wasn’t all rosey in the camp, but they got through their difficulties.

“I know there were some athletes who had some issues with the coaches, but I think the athletes have to learn how to compromise.

The coaches are there for a reason,” Willie said.

“They see things that we, as athletes, don’t see. The coaches have a job to do and the athletes have a job to do and that is to perform.”

As for Miller-Uibo, Willie said there was some concern as to whether or not she would have competed in the 4 x 4 relay, but she said she went out and gave it 100 per cent on the first leg.

“We got her to run it and she gave it her all,” Willie said. “It’s unfortunate that we didn’t have the depth to be able to qualify, but it happened. “ All things considered, Willie said she was happy to endorse Miller-Uibo to run with Gardiner, Strachan and Mathieu as the quartet went on to win the historic mixed gender 4 x 400m relay in 3:25.49.

In the process, the team set a world-leading time of for the national and championship records in winning the country’s first gold and only medal in the three editions of the championships.

“I want to congratulate all of our teams, who competed in the World Relays, especially the men and women 4 x 1 teams,” she summed up. “We just have to maintain our times and we should have all four teams in London.”

the biennial event, said while each host destination has its own unique appeal, The Bahamas has attracted increased attention because of the beauty of the islands.

“We receive requests from visitors every day,” Cusco said. “When you say the word Bahamas it brings the desire to be here.

The Bahamas is associated with beautiful beaches and paradise. When you say Bahamas, everyone wants to come.”

Hundreds of players, coaching staff and beach soccer enthusiasts travelled for the event. Cusco invited Bahamians to come out to watch the games. He promised that FIFA and the Local Organising Committee will not disappoint.

Aside from the actual competition, fans will also be treated to entertainment by the beach soccer dancers and a live performance by Bahamian artist Rik Carey, who will sing the official tournament song, Pure Good Vibes.

The Bahamas will receive priceless exposure over the next two weeks. More than 50 media representatives from 16 different countries will be in town for the event. Additionally, FIFA media officer Giovanni Marti said the tournament will be broadcast globally.

“All over the world the rights for the tournament have been sold,” he said.

“So the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 will be seen all over the world live and on replay.

We are very happy with preparations and we are confident that we will have a great tournament.”

Marti also praised the high level of local interest, which he said will help with the optics.

“The Bahamas is not new to organised sports events,” he added. “It’s a beautiful venue to play beach soccer.

You have now a permanent structure. It’s a sustainable tournament that gives something to the region.”

Aside from The Bahamas, teams include Switzerland, Ecuador, Senegal; Nigeria, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Portugal, Panama; Brazil, Tahiti, Poland, United Arab Emirates, Iran and Japan.

VIP tickets are still available for purchase. General admission is free. Gates open at 2:30am for the group phase of the tournament. Kick-off is at 3:30pm.

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Wednesday, April 26, 2017, PAGE 5

Rockets advance with 105-99 win

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden had 34 points and his supporting cast helped the Houston Rockets overcome a 47-point game by Russell Westbrook to get a 105-99 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder last night to advance to the Western Conference semi-finals.

The Thunder head home a year after advancing to the Western Conference finals after Houston took this series 4-1.

The Rockets used a 5-1 run, with all their points coming on free throws, to pull away from the Thunder and make it 98-91. Victor Oladipo threw a pass about 5 feet above Westbrook’s head and out of bounds on the next possession and Harden made a layup on the other end with about 3 minutes left.

The Rockets began eating up the clock after that and Oklahoma City missed shot after shot that could have closed the gap.

Houston couldn’t add to its lead though and the Thunder cut it to 4 points twice in the final seconds, with the second one coming on a basket by Alex Abrines.

But Harden made two free throws

both times they got close to secure the win.

After scoring 20 points in the third quarter, Westbrook made just 2 of 11 fourth-quarter shots in a disappointing end to a stellar season where he became the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double by scoring an NBA-best 31.6 points a game, with 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists. He also set an NBA record for most triple-doubles with 42 to help the Thunder withstand the loss of All-Star Kevin Durant in free agency.

He had 11 rebounds and nine assists to come just shy of his fourth straight triple-double in this series, but he made just 5 of a career-high 18 3-point attempts.

Lou Williams added 22 points and Patrick Beverley had 15 to help the Rockets get out of the first round for the second time in three seasons in front of a crowd that included Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon, rapper Travis Scott and his rumored girlfriend and reality star Kylie Jenner.

The Thunder had a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter and led by 3 after a jump shot by Jerami Grant early in the quarter.

The Rockets then used a 10-2 run to take an 86-81 lead with about

ROCKETS’ James Harden (13) goes up for a shot as Thunder’s Andre Roberson defends during Game 5 of their firstround playoff series last night. (AP) 9 minutes left. Williams made the last eight points in that stretch, making three free throws to start it and capping it with a 3-pointer from way behind the line.

Houston was up by 6 early in the third quarter before using a 7-2 spurt to make it 61-50 with about 7 minutes left in the quarter. Harden got things going in

that span and Beverley capped it with four straight points.

The Thunder started rolling after that, using a 12-3 run, with seven points from Westbrook, to get within 2 with about 5 minutes left in the quarter. Houston’s offence went cold in that span with its only points coming on free throws by Harden.

Five straight points by the Thunder a couple of minutes later, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Westbrook, gave the Thunder a 69-68 lead.

Harden made two free throws after that before Westbrook hit two 3-pointers in about 30 seconds to extend Oklahoma City’s lead to 77-70.

WARRIORS SWEEP TRAIL BLAZERS 4-0, ADVANCE TO 2ND ROUND

By ANNE M PETERSON AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) — Long after the Trail Blazers had left their court, many of Golden State’s players celebrated on the floor at the Moda Center to the delight of a rather large contingent of yellow-clad fans who chanted “War-ri-ors! War-ri-ors!”

The first-round sweep was sweet, even in Portland’s house.

Stephen Curry scored 37 points and Golden State beat the Blazers 128-103 on Monday night to advance to the conference semifinals. The Warriors will face the winner of the series between the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers, which is tied at 2.

Golden State was energised despite playing for the second straight game without coach Steve Kerr, who has been experiencing a flare-up of symptoms stemming from back surgery a couple of years ago. Assistant Mike Brown has served as head coach in Kerr’s absence.

But the Warriors saw the return of forward Kevin Durant, who hadn’t played since Game 1 because of a strained left calf. He started and the Warriors built a 72-48 lead by the end of the opening half.

Golden State pushed the margin to 33 points in the second half.

Curry swished a 31-foot 3-pointer that made it 104-77 late in the third quarter and the Blazers couldn’t catch up.

Durant finished with 10 points in just under 21 minutes. All of Golden State’s starters were in double figures.

“That was unbelievable. Our guys were locked in on both ends of the floor. I wish I could say this one thing or that one thing was really good but everything we tried

punch, we knew that it would overwhelm them a bit, especially being up 3-0,” Durant said.

It was the most points ever in a quarter for Golden State in a playoff game, and matched the NBA record for most first-quarter points in a playoff game.

Lillard shouldered most of the burden for the Blazers with 21 points in the half, but backcourt partner CJ McCollum was scoreless on 0-for-7 shooting and Portland trailed 72-48 at the break.

“They came out really energised, focused. They showed their championship pedigree,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “We were slow to react to it and we just couldn’t get it going. And we didn’t play nearly as well as they needed to and they showed why they’re a championship team.”

The Warriors showed no signs of slowing in the third. Curry’s 3-pointer pushed Golden State’s lead to 91-58.

“We’re very confident about who we are and how were going to be successful,” Curry said.

WARRIORS guard Stephen Curry, left, dribbles around his back past Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Monday night.

(AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer) to do, we tried to do it on a high level,” Brown said. “It was fun to watch. Fun to be a part of.”

Damian Lillard scored 34 points for the Blazers, who were making their fourth straight appearance in the playoffs. The crowd at the Moda Center gave Lillard a standing ovation when he came out with 6:12 to play.

Last season, the Warriors defeated the Blazers 4-1 in the second round. Curry missed the first three games of that series with a sprained MCL in his right knee, but returned in time to take the series back to Golden State and

advance. The Warriors, who won the NBA title in 2015, fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the Finals last year.

The Warriors were still without Matt Barnes (right ankle/foot sprain), and Shaun Livingston (right index finger sprain). Livingston hasn’t played since Game 1 and Barnes has been sidelined the whole series.

The Blazers led Game 3 by as many as 17 points in the first half — sparked by the return of big man Jusuf Nurkic. But the lead slipped away in the third quarter and the deeper Warriors pre-

vailed 119-113.

Nurkic, who had missed the final seven games of the regular season and the first two playoff games because of a nondisplaced fracture in his right leg, finished with two points and 11 rebounds.

He was ruled out of Monday’s game.

The Warriors jumped out to a 14-0 lead at the start. Durant’s dunk extended the lead to 22-3 and the rout was on. JaVale McGee made a highlight-reel alleyoop dunk in route to a 45-22 lead after the opening quarter.

“We knew if we threw the first

AILING KERR: Kerr announced on Sunday that he would not be on the sideline for Game 4. However, he was at the Moda Center for Monday’s game.

Brown said beforehand he expected Kerr would be watching from the locker room.

It is unclear how long he might be out. The 51-year-old coach still experiences lingering symptoms from complications following two back surgeries after the franchise’s run to the 2015 championship.

UP NEXT The Warriors await the winner of the series between the Jazz and the Clippers. Portland heads into the offseason.

COSTA ENDS GOAL DROUGHT TO HELP CHELSEA OPEN UP 7-POINT LEAD INJURED BALE

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer LONDON (AP) — Diego Costa ended a seven-game goal drought in style to help Chelsea open up a seven-point lead in the Premier League with a 4-2 victory over Southampton yesterday.

After setting up Eden Hazard’s fifth-minute opener at Stamford Bridge, Costa netted two contrasting goals in the second half.

The striker’s 50th Premier League goal was a header from Cesc Fabregas’ cross and the second was the culmination of a mazy run through the defence that saw him exchange passes with Hazard and Pedro Rodriguez.

Gary Cahill also headed in Chelsea’s second in first-half stoppage time as the leaders nudged closer to regaining the trophy from Leicester after seeing its advantage trimmed in recent weeks

by Tottenham.

Second-place Tottenham is now on the back foot as it prepares to

play Crystal Palace today.

But one potential obstacle to Chelsea’s winning the title on the five-match final stretch remains the leaky defence that had been so sturdy earlier in the season.

Both Southampton goals came from former Chelsea players, with Oriol Romeu and Ryan Bertrand making it 12 league games since Antonio Conte’s side kept a clean sheet.

Romeu’s cancelled out Hazard’s opener. Manolo Gabbiadini was left unmarked to bring down James Ward-Prowse’s corner at the far post and strike at Thibaut Courtois. The goalkeeper parried the shot but the ball fell to Romeu for a simple tap-in. Chelsea was already 4-1 in front when Bertrand rose above Cahill to head in a cross from Cedric Soares.

The west London club seemed so relaxed about its advantage that captain John Terry had been brought on for his first league appearance since November and first since announcing he would

CHELSEA’S EDEN HAZARD, right, hugs Diego Costa after scoring the opening goal against Southampton at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) be leaving at the end of the season.

It’s likely that one of Terry’s last acts of a 22-year association with Chelsea will be to lift the Premier League trophy. There could also be an FA Cup to collect if Arsenal can be overcome in the final.

Conte gambled against Tottenham in Saturday’s semi-final by starting without Costa and Hazard. It paid off at Wembley and the effects were felt by Southampton as the refreshed duo unsettled the Southampton defense.

“My choices were right for the game against Tottenham and the game against Southampton,” Conte said. “It’s not easy to make these strong choices. I have squad full of great men and good players.”

The contribution of Fabregas shouldn’t be overlooked. It was the midfielder’s long defencesplitting pass that was cutback to Costa into the path of Hazard for the opener. The former Arsenal playmaker also whipped in the cross eight minutes into the second half that was nodded in

by Costa. It was Fabregas’ 103rd Premier League assist, overtaking former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard in a ranking that is topped by retired Manchester United great Ryan Giggs on 162.

EXPECTED TO MISS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is expected to miss the Champions League semi-finals because of a calf muscle injury.

The club said tests yesterday confirmed the extent of the left calf injury that forced Bale to leave the Spanish league game against Barcelona on Sunday before halftime.

Madrid did not specify how long it expects Bale to be sidelined, but similar injuries usually require three to four weeks of recovery time.

The first leg against city rival Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals is next week. The second leg is on May 10.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, April 26, 2017, PAGE 7

Halep, Cornet give Sharapova wild-card debate new impetus

By ERIC WILLEMSEN Associated Press STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — A day before Maria Sharapova was to play her first tennis match since being banned for doping, the debate about the Russian’s wild-card entry for the Porsche Grand Prix continued yesterday.

Simona Halep and Alize Cornet joined the growing legion of players criticising tournament organisers for offering Sharapova a direct spot in their main draws.

“For the kids, for the young players, it is not OK to help with a wild card the player that was banned for doping,” said the fifthranked Halep, adding that “it is not about Maria Sharapova here, but it is about all the players that are found doped.”

“I cannot support what the tournament director did, but also I cannot judge,” said Halep, who is seeded fourth and plays Barbora Strycova in the second round.

Cornet went a step fur-

ther in comments published

by French sports daily L’Equipe.

“Generally speaking, I find it shameful that the WTA is promoting a player who tested positive after all. It’s normal that people talk about her, she’s an immense champion, but from there to promoting her return to such an extent ... I find that unjust,” the 41stranked Frenchwoman said.

Sharapova’s 15-month suspension for the use of meldonium after the heart drug became a banned substance at the beginning of 2016, ends today. The fivetime Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 is scheduled to play Roberta Vinci in a first-round evening match at the tournament she won three times from 2012-14.

On Monday, Vinci joined the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Dominika Cibulkova, Agnieszka Radwanska and Angelique Kerber in publicly opposing wild cards for players returning from a doping ban.

Kerber, the two-time de-

Radwanska fell to Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday, leaving the Russian a second-round match against Sharapova or Vinci.

Cibulkova pulled out of the event with a right wrist injury.

In other first-round play, the eighth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova edged Kiki Bertens 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. The Russian will next play last year’s finalist Laura Siegemund, who defeated Shuai Zhang 6-2, 7-6 (4).

Besides Stuttgart, Sharapova has also been handed a free passage into the main draws at Madrid and Rome in May, but organisers of the French Open have yet to decide about an invitation for the Russian.

“I hope that (French Tennis Federation) president Bernard Guidicelli holds firm on what he initially said and doesn’t offer her a wildcard for Roland Garros,” Cornet said.

“A player who has tested positive should start from scratch like everyone else and win her place back.

You shouldn’t roll out the

SHARAPOVA (AP)

“A PLAYER WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE SHOULD START FROM SCRATCH LIKE EVERYONE ELSE AND WIN HER PLACE BACK. YOU SHOULDN’T ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET FOR HER.” - Alize Cornet fending champion, is the top-seeded player in Stuttgart. The seventh-seeded

red carpet for her,” she added. “Unfortunately tennis remains a business ... but, morally, it’s not good.”

While a growing number of players speak out against wild cards after doping bans, Sharapova also received some backing on Tuesday.

Karolina Pliskova pointed out that tennis needs characters like the Russian, even more now that Serena Williams has announced her pregnancy and won’t play anymore until next year.

“Definitely it’s a big thing for this tournament, not only for Stuttgart but for all the tournaments that are going to be next,” the second-seeded Czech said.

“From the tournaments’ side it’s a big plus. Obviously when Serena is going to be out now, tennis definitely needs a star like (Sharapova) is so I don’t have anything against it.”

Sharapova also got full support from another multiple Grand Slam winner and former No. 1, Kim Clijsters.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Mostly sunny

Partly cloudy with a stray shower

Partly sunny with a stray shower

A morning shower; partly sunny

Partial sunshine

Mostly sunny, breezy and pleasant

High: 87°

Low: 72°

High: 88° Low: 72°

High: 88° Low: 76°

High: 87° Low: 73°

High: 87° Low: 75°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

96° F

77° F

98°-76° F

96°-79° F

92°-73° F

90°-75° F

ORLANDO

TAMPA

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 71° F/22° C

ABACO

S

N

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

6-12 knots

S

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

E

tiDes For nassau High

almanac

E

W

W

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

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

N

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 62° F/17° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

MIAMI

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 75° F/24° C

6-12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

8:17 a.m.

8:45 p.m.

3.0 3.5

2:18 a.m. -0.7 2:28 p.m. -0.9

Thursday

9:06 a.m.

9:35 p.m.

2.9 3.5

3:09 a.m. -0.8 3:17 p.m. -1.0

Friday

9:57 a.m.

10:27 p.m.

2.9 3.5

4:01 a.m. -0.8 4:07 p.m. -0.9

Saturday

10:50 a.m.

11:21 p.m.

2.8 3.4

4:55 a.m. -0.7 4:59 p.m. -0.8

Sunday

11:47 a.m.

-----

2.6 -----

5:51 a.m. -0.5 5:55 p.m. -0.5

Monday

12:18 a.m.

12:48 p.m.

3.2 2.5

6:50 a.m. -0.3 6:56 p.m. -0.3

Tuesday

1:19 a.m.

1:53 p.m.

3.0 2.4

7:52 a.m. -0.2 8:02 p.m. 0.0

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:38 a.m.

7:38 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

6:55 a.m.

8:03 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Apr. 26

May 2

May 10

May 18

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

S

E

W

6-12 knots

S

4-8 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 84° F/29° C Low .................................................... 72° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 82° F/28° C Normal low ........................................ 70° F/21° C Last year’s high ................................. 84° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 68° F/20° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 2.68” Normal year to date ..................................... 5.93”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

“She has done her punishment,” the Belgian said.

“I was disappointed and surprised when the news came out but she’s had the career that she’s had and I don’t think she needs to be punished more.”

Clijsters, who was tournament director of the Diamond Games in Antwerp when the event was last held in 2015, added that “it’s up to the tournaments whoever they want to give a wild card or not.”

The Belgian, who led the WTA rankings for 20 weeks in total, interrupted her career for two years and became a mother. Having won three of her four career Grand Slam titles after returning in 2009, Clijsters had no doubt that Sharapova could have an equally successful return to the circuit.

“I am sure it was really tough for her to be on the sideline for that long,” Clijsters said. “But in a week’s time this news will be over and she will be back playing normally, and probably some of her best tennis.”

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

4-8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

6-12 knots

6-12 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 S at 6-12 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SSW at 6-12 Knots SSE at 7-14 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots

WAVES 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

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

PAGE 8, Wednesday, April 26, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Girls learn the basics at Diamond Basketball camp OVER the Easter holiday, coach Terrance ‘Red Eye’ McSweeney and his Diamond Basketball Club hosted a successful camp for girls at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.

McSweeney said the visiting coaches imparted some valuable lessons to the players who showed up and he hopes that they will put it to perfection when they return to their various basketball programmes.

“It’s been outstanding on several levels. The basketball coaches got to blend in with the local players, so it was a learning experience for both of us,” said Scott Morris, one of the coaches in attendance.

“Hopefully we were able to leave a lot of tips that they can use in executing the basic fundamentals of the game.”

The camp attracted players from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Andros.

“We saw the culture here for young ladies and it’s something that we feel can

CAMPERS enjoy Terrance ‘Red Eye’ McSweeney’s Diamond Basketball Club camp for girls at the AF Adderley Gymnasium over the Easter holiday.

Photos by Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff be corrected once they continue to concentrate on the basic fundamentals,” Morris said.

“The skills and the high level energy is what we see on television and that is the intriguing part. But they

don’t show the fundamental skills.”

During the camp, Morris said they got to go through the timing, the shooting and the spacing on the court which is what is lacking.

“That is something that

we introduced and we hope that we can plant a seed and have it cultivated in these young ladies,” he said.

Morris, however, said they are amazed at the level which the young ladies are playing.

“The game is so accessible and that opportunity is valued. But these girls are very hungry and they are razor sharp,” he said.

“So we hope that they can apply what we taught them to their games when

we go.”

Morris said he and the other coaches are looking to build on the experience and are looking forward to coming back and developing the relationship that they have started.