SPORTS
Third best rookie ‘VJ’ and 76ers stay alive
• Valdez Edgecombe Jr finishes 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting after strong career start
• Bimini native scores 10 points to help Philadelphia beat Boston 113-97
• Game 6 is back in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ on Thursday night
By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
FACING elimination on the road, the Philadelphia 76ers delivered a composed, efficient performance to extend their season with a 113-97 win over the Boston Celtics in game five last night.
Bahamian rookie Valdez ‘VJ’ Edgecombe Jr posted another steady postseason showing that showed the consistency he has built throughout his first year in the league.
Edgecombe finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in 39 minutes, continuing to play a significant role on both ends of the floor. He shot 3-of-8 from the field and knocked down 3-of-6 from three-point range, spacing the floor effectively while contributing on the glass against a physical Boston lineup.
In a high-pressure environment at TD Garden, Edgecombe did not force his offence but instead operated within Philadelphia’s structure, especially with the return of big man Joel Embiid who missed the beginning of the postseason due to an appendix surgery.
Edgecombe’s perimeter shooting helped stretch
Karting star Lenox Lockhart seeking financial support
IN a meeting at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture yesterday, Susan Schauff, vice president of the Motorsports Federation of The Bahamas/FIA Association presented an update of the sport and the progress being made by 10-year-old sensation Lenox Lockhart.
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite in a way that little else does," Schauff said. "It speaks to the youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”
Just four days ago, Schauff noted that Lockhart made history by becoming the first Bahamian to secure pole position at a European Championship karting event in Italy. This remarkable achievement follows his success in 2025, where he was crowned champion in the United States.
"As an elite young athlete, Lenox is already being watched by the highest levels of motorsport, including all 11 Formula 1 teams worldwide," Schauff said. "Through his performances, he continues to inspire the youth of The Bahamas and proudly
represents our nation on the international stage as a true ambassador for the country.
"We, the Motorsports Federation of The Bahamas and the FIA Association, are present here today through the support and vision of Bahamas Events & Sports. We share a deep belief in the potential of Bahamian youth and in the power of sport to inspire and create meaningful change. As Nelson Mandela famously stated, “Sport has the power to change the world.”
It is well known within the Formula 1 community including by seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton that EduKarting plays a vital role in nurturing young talent. Sir Lewis’s journey to becoming a world champion was only possible through the support of sponsors, despite his father working multiple jobs. Similarly, Lockhart’s parents work tirelessly to support his career, yet continued sponsorship is essential to keep him competitive and enable him to progress toward Formula 1.
"On behalf of the Motorsports Federation of
The Bahamas and the FIA Association, in the name of Lenox Lockhart, we extend our sincere gratitude to Bahamas Events & Sports for initiating this campaign to support our young champion," Schauff said. "We hope and pray that others will follow your commendable lead. It is
therefore an honour to accept this donation in Lenox’s name. We wish Bahamas Events & Sports continued success and prosperity as you inspire the next generation, and we look forward to Lenox Lockhart continuing his journey on the racetrack with your valuable support."
Boston’s defence, while his rebounding total ranked among the team’s best on the night. He also avoided costly mistakes, committing just one turnover in his extended minutes.
Philadelphia was led by Embiid, who posted 33 points, eight assists and four rebounds, controlling the game on offence. Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Paul George contributed 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a well-balanced effort.
The 76ers shot efficiently as a group, connecting on 52.2 per cent from the field and getting timely contributions from their bench, including 18 points from Quentin Grimes.
For Edgecombe, the performance fits a broader pattern that has defined his rookie campaign. He has been relied upon heavily from the start, appearing in 75 games while averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. His workload was notable, as he tied for ninth in the NBA in minutes per game, an uncommon responsibility for a firstyear guard.
That level of trust translated into production.
Edgecombe consistently impacted multiple areas of the game, showing scoring
ability, defensive activity and playmaking growth as the season progressed. His ability to handle extended minutes and remain effective has been one of the key indicators of his long-term potential.
In the Rookie of the Year voting race, Edgecombe finished third after a strong debut season. Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg secured the award, while Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel was named runner-up.
Despite not taking home the honour, Edgecombe established himself firmly in that conversation and reinforced his standing as one of the league’s most productive rookies. His transition to playoff basketball has followed a similar trajectory. While not always the focal point offensively, Edgecombe has provided stability and defensive effort, all while maintaining his composure in high-stakes situations. Game six now moves back to Philadelphia, where the 76ers will look to build on this performance and force a decisive game seven to keep their impressive playoff run alive. For a rookie playing heavy postseason minutes, his performance in this game offered another example of his readiness for the moment.
Minister Bowleg: ‘We have implemented the pension funds for our elite athletes’
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
AS he gets ready to demit office going into the 2026 general elections, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg acknowledged that he has "no regrets" in the manner in which he performed his duties.
Bowleg, a former banker and immediate past president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation, said the four and-a-half years in office under the Philip 'Brave' Davis led Progressive Liberal Party was a rewarding one.
"I can go on record and say under this administration, we have increased the subvention for all of our elite athletes and we have implemented the pension funds for our elite athletes," Bowleg said.
"We have increased the subvention for all of our federations from $20,000 to $80,000. With just those few things alone, we were able to help federations to get the necessary funding to be able to have their
national team travel and the athletes can get their training done as elite athletes."
In reflecting on his past four and-a-half year tenure in office, Bowleg said his ministry was able to carry out improvements to all of the sporting facilities throughout New Providence and Grand Bahama.
"Even though we are behind in our facilities in the Family Islands, we are working on those," said Bowleg, noting that a number of new sporting facilities are also being proposed for those islands that don't have any.
When asked if he has any "regrets," Bowleg said emphatically "none whatsoever."
Bowleg will seek another term as the Member of Parliament for Garden Hills where he will be challenged by the three-time National Basketball Association champion Ulrich “Rick” Fox as the candidate for the Free National Movement, along with Ayesha Cleare, the candidate for the Coalition of Independence.
POLE POSITION: Lenox Lockhart wih his parets Migueal and Gabriela Lockhart.
KEEPING OUR SEASON ALIVE: Philadelphia 76ers’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe Jr reacts after a dunk during the first half of Game 3 against the Boston Celtics in their first-round basketball series on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/ Matt Slocum)
Sporting road to the May 12 general election
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
JUST about every general election, we've seen more and more sporting personalities putting their names in the political hat to run for the various constituencies in The Bahamas.
On May 12 when the next general election takes place, there are over a dozen sporting personalities stepping forth to run, some against each other and others in isolated cases.
Today, as we continue our series of episodes on the sporting road to the 2026 elections, we focus on Michael "Mike' Butler, a former versatile player turned coach in various sporting disciplines.
Butler, a career banker and financial regulator and a life-time community leader
and advocate, has decided to enter the political race as an independent candidate for St Barnabas.
He will be competing against Progressive Liberal Party nominee Senator Michael Halkitis, Free National Movement candidate Senator Jamal Moss and Coalition of Independence candidate Dr Karen Butler. "For the most part, they are all good people but unfortunately I believe that God has prepared me well for such a time in our current challenged nation's history," Butler said.
When asked why he decided to seek the seat as an independent, Butler said it was because he didn't want to go with the political parties philosophies, but rather present one that would be inclusive for all residents.
He said his decision to contest the St Barnabas
MICHAEL BUTLER SR
Constituency was predicated on the following:
"My faith, which has been the leading inspiration to my 37 years of selfless service in youth development and empowerment programmes throughout various challenged communities inclusive of the Grove," he said.
"Furthermore, St Barnabas
is special to me because it's where I grew up, notwithstanding I wish to continue in the tradition of my late father Rev. Pastor Eugene Butler who currently still has a standing church ministry of 70 years in the community."
If elected, Butler said his goal is to take on the challenge of re-establishing St Barnabas as a clean and fun-loving place to be while continuing the "handing hand" tradition of the Butler family.
"If I am afforded the honour to serve as the Member of Parliament, I will endeavour to put forth my best effort," he stated.
He outlined an eightpoint plan that he presented to the constituents as he seeks their vote on May 12.
1) To create an entity called the St Barnabas Royalty Association with a Board composition of
constituents to give oversight of all social and civic affairs of the constituency.
2) To create a portal for all unemployed constituents for potential job placement.
3) To establish periodic town meetings for adult residents while identifying a Municipal Building/Centre to facilitate the same.
4) To create a registry for existing and new business owners while maintaining ongoing dialogue in order to address pressing concerns.
5) Promote, encourage and provide administrative assistance to residents desiring to start up new businesses.
6) To identify available space for a park construction on the N.E side of the grove.
7) Engage residents with the financial means to purchase vacant properties within our sub-communities
while encouraging them to build additional single and multi-family housing units.
8) To establish and maintain dialogue with church leadership throughout the constituency.
In December, Butler served as the manager of the Bahamas Baseball Association men's national team that finished as the runners-up in a 5-1 loss to Curacao at the 2025 Caribbean Baseball Cup at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.
Having worked in sports all of his life, Butler said he sees a correlation with politics and this is why he is confident that he will make a difference if elected.
"Sports is about planning and preparation with goals of obtaining a desired result whereas politics is a microcosm of the same through team work," according to Butler.
PARTICIPANTS, facilitators and
BFA leadership following the Women’s Football Development Workshop at the Beach Soccer Stadium.
GOAL! BFA hosts Women’s Football Development Workshop focused on building better environments
THE Bahamas Football Association (BFA) hosted a Women’s Football Development Workshop last week Wednesday at the Beach Soccer Stadium, bringing together club leaders, coaches and key stakeholders committed to advancing the women’s game in The Bahamas.
The workshop was facilitated by FIFA high performance specialist and talent development lead, Margret Kratz, and centred on a critical question: What does it take to create a football environment where girls and women can truly thrive?
Participants represented several leading clubs, along with parents, BFA officials, and FIFA leadership,
creating a collaborative space for open dialogue and shared solutions.
Through interactive group sessions, participants identified both the needs of female players and the realities within the current football landscape.
Discussions highlighted the importance of clear structure, consistent training, qualified and approachable coaches, and environments where players feel respected, included, and supported.
Anya James, president of the Bahamas Football Association, emphasized the importance of intentional action in moving the women’s game forward.
“If we are serious about growing women’s football
in The Bahamas, we have to be honest about where we are and deliberate about where we’re going.
“This workshop is about listening, learning, and making the right changes to create real opportunities for our girls.”
Technical director Bruce Swan pointed to the need for structure and long-term planning.
“Development doesn’t happen by chance. It requires structure, consistency, and a clear pathway. What came out of this workshop is a better understanding of what our players need and how we, as an organisation and as clubs, must respond.”
Participants also identified key gaps that must be
addressed, including limited resources, inconsistent systems, lack of visibility, and the need for stronger leadership and communication.
The importance of safe, well-maintained facilities and equal access to opportunities was consistently highlighted.
At the same time, the session brought forward practical solutions, including strengthening grassroots programmes, increasing the number of female coaches and referees, improving collaboration across clubs, and building environments that support both performance and personal growth. These priorities align with global best practices for supporting girls’ football development .
The workshop also reinforced the BFA’s ongoing commitment to women’s football through initiatives such as grassroots centres, youth leagues, and capacity-building programmes designed to create sustainable pathways for female players . Margret Kratz, FIFA high performance specialist and talent development lead, added:
“My role here is to support the Federation in strengthening the pathway for girls’ football, from early development through to higher performance. The Bahamas has strong potential. There is clear talent, but the focus now is creating the right structures and environment so players can
grow, believe in themselves, and reach the next level.” “Talent is only one part of the journey. What really makes the difference is the player’s mindset, the willingness to work, and the environment around them. When those pieces come together, that’s when real development happens.”
The session concluded with participants reflecting on their own environments and identifying immediate steps they can take to create more inclusive and supportive spaces for female players.
The BFA views this workshop as a key step in building a more structured, inclusive, and sustainable future for women’s football in The Bahamas.
Goals galore as PSG beats Bayern Munich 5-4 in record-setting Champions League semifinal 1st leg
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) — Titleholder Paris Saint-Germain trailed early, led by three goals and ultimately held on for a pulsating 5-4 win over Bayern Munich in the highest-scoring semifinal match in Champions League history yesterday.
And there's still next week's second leg to come.
PSG built a 5-2 lead early in the second half thanks to two goals each from flying winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé at Parc des Princes.
“We deserved to win, we deserved to lose, we deserved to draw,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said. “It was an exceptional match, I have never experienced a match of such intensity as a coach. I have never seen a rhythm like that, it was incredible, you have to congratulate all the players.”
Down by three goals, Bayern fought back brilliantly.
Defender Dayot Upamecano’s header midway through the second half from Joshua Kimmich’s free kick gave Bayern hope and Luis Díaz’s stinging strike made it a one-goal deficit heading into next Wednesday’s return leg in Munich.
“I think something special can happen at home, there will be 75,000 people, it will be a hell of an atmosphere,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said.
“The Allianz Arena is a mythical area where Bayern has enjoyed much success.”
Rather than scale back and defend more, Kompany said he was ready to take even more risks.
“There is no middle ground,” he said. "We will give everything, everything, everything we have. We’re waiting for them, we want this.”
Kompany was suspended and watched from the stands, so assistant Aaron Danks took over on the touchline as Bayern lost for the first time in any competition since January 24.
Harry Kane's penalty gave Bayern the lead in the 17th minute and Kvaratskhelia equalised soon after for PSG. Midfielder João Neves — who is 5-foot-7 — then headed PSG ahead from a corner.
A dramatic first half saw Michael Olise equalise for Bayern after bursting into the area before Swiss referee Sandro Schärer awarded a penalty for PSG when a video review spotted a handball from Canada defender Alphonso Davies.
PSG's penalty was contested by Bayern's players.
Davies turned his body to Dembélé’s right-wing cross but the ball bounced off his hip and hit his arm. Although Davies was turning away from play he failed to keep his hands behind his back.
“The rules about handball change every week," Kompany said. “The ball hits the body then the hand and you give a penalty, I don’t agree.”
Dembélé fired the penalty past Manuel Neuer — who guessed the right way — to send PSG ahead 3-2 at the break.
“Two great teams who attack and don’t question themselves,” Dembélé said. "It was an incredible match, but now we go to Munich to qualify. We won’t change our way of playing, and it will be two teams who attack.”
Bayern started well.
Moments after PSG defender Marquinhos was shown a yellow card for stopping Díaz in his tracks, the left winger earned a penalty when he was fouled by Willian Pacho, and from the spot Kane beat
goalkeeper Matvey Safonov for his 13th goal of the competition — two behind Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé — and 54th goal of another prolific season. Safonov made a good save moments later from Olise, then Dembélé missed a one-on-one. PSG equalised in the 24th when Désiré Doué’s pass
found Kvaratskhelia on the left.
And the Georgia star cut inside before curling the ball into the bottom right corner for his 10th goal of the competition. Dembélé and Doué missed further first half-chances from counterattacks which exposed Bayern’s tactic of
playing with a perilously high defensive line.
The lesson was not heeded in the second half as PSG scored twice from rapid counterattacks.
Kvaratskhelia rifled in a powerful shot in the 56th after running onto a ball across the area that eluded all the defenders and Bayern’s poor defending was exposed again two minutes later. Doué was given far too much room before feeding Dembélé on the left, and he scored with a low shot off in the post for a 5-2 lead.
“You were standing on the field going ‘what’s going on here?’ because we definitely weren’t three goals worse,” Kimmich said. "It was important that we stayed relatively calm.”
But at the end, PSG was struggling and Pacho headed Kimmich’s looping header off the line with seconds remaining in stoppage time.
“It was a very, very intense game,” Bayern defender Jonathan Tah told Prime Video. “We showed what sort of a team we are, that we can cope with adversity and also with difficult refereeing decisions.”
Luis Enrique was exhausted just watching.
“I’m so tired, and I didn’t run a single kilometer,” he said. “So I don’t how the players are feeling.”
He does not expect any respite next week.
“I just asked my staff ‘ how many goals do you think we will need to win this match?’ They said ‘minimum three.' Bayern Munich in their stadium are even stronger but we will try and show the same mentality.”
Spanish side Atletico Madrid hosts London club Arsenal today in the other semifinal first leg.
The final will be played in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30.
Bayern’s Michael Olise celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against Paris Saint-Germain yesterday. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
PSG’s Ousmane Dembele celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during a Champions League semifinal, first leg, soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in Paris, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)