SPORTS
TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025
Thompson twins making it happen
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
They were separated at one point by Hurricane Dorian, but now fraternal twin sisters Cassie and Cassidra are back together and making the most of their collegiate experience as members of the Jacksonville Dolphins women’s track and field team. At the ASUN Outdoor Championships over the weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, senior Cassie repeated as the 200 metres champion in 23.24 seconds and was the runner-up in the 100m in 11.47, while Cassidra, a junior, also repeated as the champion in the 400m in 53.28.
The 21-year-old daughters of Veronnette Thompson and the late Kristnor Thompson, are in
different class levels, but are delighted just to be in each other’s company after they split up about two years ago as students of Tabernacle Baptist Academy in Grand Bahama.
“When Hurricane Dorian hit us, our school was affected really badly and I came to the United States to complete my senior year running track at Southlake High School in Florida,” Cassie said.
“During that time, the recruiting started and the coaches started to express their interest in me coming to their schools. I accepted the offer at JU and within the first year, I led the way and opened the door for my sister to join me here.”
While she opted to wait in Grand Bahama and take a year off before school resumed in Grand Bahama, Cassidra eventually got the call after she graduated to join her sister at JU and the rest was history.
“Obviously, it’s the best feeling ever, especially with us competing at the next level together,” said Cassie, who will once again leave Cassidra behind after graduating two weeks ago.
“We are now achieving all of the goals we prayed for like being the first generation to actually go to college in our family and to have my twin sister right behind me is the best feeling ever.”
Cassie will be leaving with her degree in health science, while Cassidra will be back next year to complete her studies in accounting.
“It’s something special because Cassie makes it kind of hard for me to be second best,” Cassidra said. “She goes out there
and she runs and it’s almost like you have to compete just as good.
“Overall, it’s amazing to know that we are sisters and she’s not just good. We’re actually both good in our events, even though we don’t get to compete
against each other that often.”
When she joined Cassie, who had already established herself in the sprints at JU, Cassidra said the coach wanted her to run the 800, but that didn’t work out in her freshman
Coach Sam Nichols to visit for his 26th annual Basketball Smiles camp
COACH Sam Nichols, retired Hall of Fame head women’s basketball coach at McMurry University, Abilene, Texas will be here again in June for his 26th annual Basketball Smiles Basketball Camp.
Based upon the tremendous success of the 2025 camp, this year’s Basketball Smiles Camp is an elite skills development camp focusing on upper-level basketball skills for serious-minded players. This year’s camp will be limited to junior high and high school players only. To ensure a quality coach-player ratio camp size is limited-first come, first-served.
The camp will be held at the Kendal Isaacs Gym and outdoor courts, June 16-18.
Basketball Smiles Camps are free and coordinated by HO Nash coach Patty Johnson. This is an intensive threeday comprehensive skills development camp and campers must attend all three days. No exceptions.
Basketball Smiles camps are wildly popular and unfortunately in years past we have had more students arrive for camp than we
can accommodate so several potential campers had to be turned away at the door. To avoid disappointment, you must come early to register (note registration times) so you won’t be left out – we can’t wait to see you. Here is the Camp Schedule:
Monday-Wednesday June 16-18
Girls Camp 9:00am12:00pm Registration at 8:30am Boys Camp 1:00pm4:00pm Registration at 12:30pm
*To provide a quality camp experience, size will be limited!
*For safety concerns absolutely no unsupervised children will be allowed at Camp.
*Closed Camp access only to registered campers, their parents, and Basketball Smiles staff including pre-approved volunteers. Since Basketball Smiles began, boys and girls across The Bahamas have benefitted from these free basketball camps and the life skills programme of Basketball Smiles. Over 12,000 children have been served through Basketball Smiles since our beginning in 1999.
COACHES Sam Nichols and Patricia Johnson.
In 2007, Nichols retired from 33 years coaching women’s basketball. The last 12 years was spent as head women’s basketball coach at McMurry University. He retired as the all-time winningest women’s basketball coach in McMurry University history. In 2017 he was inducted into the prestigious McMurry University Athletic Hall of Honour. Nichols has also been named as the women’s
basketball coach for the All-Century Team at McMurry University. Nichols guided the Lady Indians to national prominence during his 12 seasons at McMurry University. He also won several coach-ofthe-year honours during his career.
Nichols is joined by Texas coaches Jonathan Gibson, Trovoice Jackson, Kyle and Renee Williams, David Bookman, Chris
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year, so when they got in a new assistant coach, she was inspired to drop down to the 400m.
“In a year, the coach got me down to 53 seconds and it was history after that,”
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BAHA Mar, the Caribbean’s leading luxury resort destination, proudly announces the appointment of Derron Donaldson to director of racquets at the newly unveiled John McEnroe Tennis Center at Baha Mar. This world-class facility provides year-round excitement for tennis aficionados and perfectly complements Baha Mar’s unrivaled sporting experiences. Donaldson will help ensure that
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
TANISHA Seymour has had a relatively good tenure so far with the Davis & Elkins Senators women’s basketball season.
The 6-feet forward is now back home on a break after the Senators completed their 2024-2025 season on March 1 with a 62-45 road loss to West Virginia Wesleyan in Mountain East Conference at the Rockefeller Gymnasium in Buckhannon, West Virginia.
They finished the season with a 2-25 win-loss record, but Seymour said it was a learning experience, having completed her sophomore season.
“It’s been good. Come August, I will be starting a nursing programme, but basketball has been good,” said the 20-year-old Seymour.
“It’s been a love-hat relationship on the court. When I love it, I love it, but when I hate it, I hate it. I just need a break like I do with spring break and Christmas. It’s time to regroup.”
Despite turning in a losing season, Seymour said she and her team-mates, along with their coaching staff, get along very well.
She admitted that it wasn’t all about winning, but rather developing a chemistry and they bonded together. Hopefully, it will help to propel them to bigger and better things next year.
During this break, Seymour got a chance to work out with fellow Bahamian collegiate players Rhema
in the teaching style of Baha Mar tennis professionals. The John McEnroe Tennis Center at Baha Mar currently features eight meticulously maintained courts, including six professional-grade hard courts and two Har-Tru clay courts, along with six top-tier pickleball courts,
NATIONAL AQUATHLON/ TRIATHLON
THE Bahamas Triathlon Association has announced that its 6th Aquathlon/Triathlon National Championships is scheduled for from May 24-25 in Jaws Beach.
The event is open to all athletic levels. For more information, interested persons can visit bahamastriathlon.org.
TRACK OPEN HOUSE
THE Blue Chip Athletics is slated to hold its Open House Invitation on Saturday, May 31 from 9-11:30am at the Queen’s College campus. The competitors will get a chance to show off their skills in discus, shot put, javelin and the hammer throws. Interested persons are urged
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TWIN sisters Cassie and Cassidra Thompson displaying their awards.
Thompson twins are making it happen
FROM PAGE E1
Cassidra said. “So it’s a blessing to have someone like your sister here with you in college.
“Coming into a new environment, in a new country and not knowing anybody or what to expect, she made the transition for me that much easier. So it was really a blessing.”
With their track season not quite done yet, Cassie said she’s pleased with the progress she’s made.
“It could have been a lot better, but I’m just thankful to be healthy and winning,” she said. “It ain’t the best that I wanted it, but it’s been going great.
“This weekend, it was good. To come out with my second best times in both the 100 and 200m, I’m just thankful for it all.”
As the pacesetter for her sister, Cassie said it’s a great accomplishment because Cassidra can get to watch her and improve on the mistakes she made.
“We are actually doing what we love and accomplishing our dream is a great feeling,” said Cassie, who had a chance to lead by example during the indoors when they went head-tohead in the 200m with her claiming the gold, while Cassidra ended up with the bronze.
For Cassidra, her performance was a “valid” one, considering that she was recovering from a hamstring injury that prevented her from training for about a few weeks.
“I ran my personal best of 52 in the 400m and a week later I got the injury,” Cassidra recalled. “I sat out about two and-a-half weeks without practice.
“And so to come back and run my second fastest 400m ever, I would say my weekend went pretty well and it put me in a great position mentally going into the regional.”
Cassidra said coach Abner Saunders in Grand Bahama helped to keep her motivated when she and Cassie separated for a year.
“When I didn’t know whether or not I would be going to college, he took the time out to take me through the practice sessions and made sure I got what I needed. He had the most faith in me.”
The sisters also gave a lot of credit to Tabernacle Baptist Academy, its principal Norris Bain, coach Nikito Johnson and the Golden Eagles track club, headed by Dereck Wells.
“They are doing extremely well, both of them.
“The programme is working well for them. They are progressing really well,” said Wells, who served as the head coach for the CARIFTA team this year in Trinidad & Tobago.
“They have really good work ethics and they are well coached. The coaches are doing extremely well with them. Cassidra comes home every chance she gets and puts in the extra work. I think they will do well in
the next round and in the future.”
Before they started competing in track and field around the 11th grade, the twins participated in just about every sport
at Tabernacle Baptist Academy, including basketball, softball, soccer and volleyball.
They won numerous titles, but never made the CARIFTA or any national
SPORTS CALENDAR
to contact coach Corrington Maycock at 395-6381, coach Quell Harris at 818-2095 and or coach Acaci at 445-3915 for more information.
WOMEN’S GOLF DAY
THE Flamingo Women’s Golf Association is scheduled to hold its second annual Women’s Golf Invitational Tournament at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Nine-Hole Golf Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.
The event is scheduled for May 30-31. Interested golfers can call 422-3744 or email flamingowomensgolfclub@gmail. com
PEACE ON DA STREET
FAMILY NIGHT
PLANS are underway for the staging of the Peace on Da Streets’ Basketball Classics’ Road to 30 years of existence.
The event, being organised by the Hope Center under the theme “Shooting
team, but they continued to press on and once Cassie opened the door in Florida, Cassidra followed suit.
Hopefully, as they continue to progress in the sport, the twin sisters would
hoops instead of guns,” will be held from July 14-19 at the Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Center.
The highlight of the event will be the Family Night, scheduled for Sunday, July 20 at the 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 match-up. Lots of prizes, including round trip tickets, will be up for grabs.
BASKETBALL 12th BOWLES
CAMP
The International Basketball Association Bahamas will host its 12th annual Denykco Bowles Elite Skills Basketball Camp at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Under the theme “Developing Champions on all levels,” the co-ed camp for boys and girls will run from June 23 to July 19.
For more info, interested persons can contact 466-0049 or email ibabahamaspamthers@gmail.
like nothing better than to hear their names called as members of both the Bahamas’ World Championships and the Olympic teams in the future. They must keep up their good efforts.
com or log into info info. ibsbsshamas.
CYCLING NATIONALS
THE Bahamas Cycling Federation has announced that its 51st national road championships is all set to take place from June 6-7 in Mount Thompson, Exuma. The registration closes at 12am on June 2, 2025.
SOFTBALL THOMPSON/ WILLIAMS MEMORIAL SLOW PITCH TOURNAMENT THE Friends for Life Committee will host a joint Paul ‘Dingus’ Thompson and Cornelius ‘Money’ Williams Men and co-ed slow pitch invitational tournament over the Labour Day and Whit Monday holiday weekend, June 5-9.
The event will be staged at the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex softball field in Freeport, Grand Bahama and is expected to feature teams from Eleuthera, New Providence, Grand Bahama and the United States of America. For more details, interested persons can email friendsforlife242@gmail. com
SPRINTER Cassie Thompson striding ahead of the field.
TWIN sisters Cassie and Cassidra Thompson embracing each other.
QUARTER-miler Cassidra Thompson leading the pack.
Pickleball, tennis boost at Baha Mar
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
THE fastest growing sport of pickleball will join tennis in getting some tremendous support from Baha Mar and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture this summer.
The two sports, along with the introduction of padel, will host a series of events at the John McEnroe Tennis Center at Baha Mar, according to Derron Donaldson, the newly appointed director of racquets at Baha Mar.
A press conference was held yesterday at the resort, which claims to provide a world-class facility that can host year-round opportunities for racquet sports enthusiasts.
Donaldson, who previously served as the director of tennis at Lyford Cay for the past 11 years, said at Baha Mar, they can provide an atmosphere that is second to none for the racquet players in The Bahamas.
Through their partnership with the Bahamas Pickleball Federation, headed by president Kelly Anne Meade, Baha Mar intends to stage the Pickleball Night League and launch the Junior Pickleball programme for youth athletes.
“With some of them being on the Davis Cup team and playing college tennis, it’s great for us at
Baha Mar to be hosting these events,” said Donaldson of the vast amount of tennis players who are switching to pickleball.
“They could have gone to other places, I won’t call their names, but they chose to come to us, so we want to have more of these events here.”
In addition to the Baha Mar, Donaldson said plans are also in the making for the first Bahama Open Tournament in the very near future as they encourage more Bahamians to get involved in the fastest growing sport in the country.
On May 31 at Baha Mar, Donaldson said the BPF will host its Pro Ball where there will be a competition to crown the king and queen of the court.
Interested persons can register online through Baha Mar wirth discounts for members of the federation.
There will also be a clinic for those interested in learning to play the sport.
Additionally, there will be a ranking tournament in
the fall to determine who will secure their spots for national team consideration as the federation prepares to have teams compete at the Olympic Games.
Meade has seen a great deal of success at both the local and international level since the launch of the federation a few years ago.
“It’s a really wonderful sport and it is the fastest growing sport and it’s growing throughout The Bahamas and the Family Islands like wildfire,” Meade said.
“It’s a sport that appeals to both the young and the old. As Andre Agassi said, it’s a sport you can pick up in your late 50s, and 90s and get better. It’s a really wonderful sport.”
She noted that they have gotten sponsorship from Commonwealth Brewery, Harbour Island Canvas and they are hoping to get an initiative with Scotiabank (Bahamas).
The federation and Baha Mar will also be teaming up with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture
to conduct an introductory course for local physical education teachers during a youth summer programme.
Kelsie Johnson-Sills, the acting director of youth in the Ministry of Sports, confirmed that the youth camp, in conjunction with the other sporting disciplines, will take place at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex during the month of July.
She noted that about 50-70 youngsters between the ages of 5-18 years, will be engaged in the summer camp where the teachers will be given the theoretical course and the students will participate in the practical.
“We do appreciate the partnership with Baha Mar and Derron Donaldson, who has also offered us an opportunity to bring some of the kids here to participate,” Johnson-Sills said.
“So it’s a win-win situation for everyone in an emerging sport and we’re looking forward to 2028.”
Tennis, according to Alex Murbach, the organiser of the Nassau Cup, said they have a number of players
who are preparing to participate in the second year of their IC League, which will feature their Nassau Spring Cup on Wednesday and Saturday.
“We have 12 Bahamian professional players who will compete. We have three members of the Davis Cup team and former Davis Cup players, including the record holders,” Murbach said.
“So it’s going to be good competitive tennis and I want to encourage everyone who likes to watch good tennis, which we only see on the US Open or Wimbledon, to come here and watch it live because it will be very interesting.”
The first round of the Spring Cup will get underway at 4pm and will conclude on Saturday, starting at 9am.
The players will be selected to be placed on teams that are being sponsored by various corporations, including Baha Mar, McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes, MBH Corporate, FC Capital Investments,
“We have the young guard coming in, players like Denali Nottage, Michael Major Jr and Kofi Bowe, who will join the ranks and compete against the older guards like Justin Lunn, Rodney Carey and Jamaal Adderley,” Murbach said.
“So we have about 12 professional players that will be part of the teams where they will be matched against corporate teams so they can have more competition.”
Kit Spencer, the president of IC Bahamas, said the Council of International Lawn Tennis Clubs (IC Council) is made up of about 40 clubs all around the world, who like to give back to the development of tennis.
“So we’re pleased to be involved with this at the John McEnroe Tennis Center.
“It’s great to see a tennis centre with all of these facilities at Baha Mar,” he said.
“It’s really great to see Baha Mar with all these comprehensive facilities.
“It really makes quite a centre and I think it’s really great for The Bahamas,” he added.
Donaldson said Baha Mar will be rolling out a series of racquetball events, including paddle, which will be introduced to the public in July.
ALCARAZ IS THE CLEAR FAVOURITE FOR FRENCH OPEN
By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer
ROME (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz is the clear favourite for the French Open. Top-ranked Jannik Sinner is back from his doping ban, though, and building himself back up to full strength day by day. Those were the verdicts after Alcaraz beat Sinner to win the Italian Open a week before Roland Garros starts on Sunday. Alcaraz’s title in Rome boosted his
record on clay this season to 15-1. “On clay right now, you’re the best player,” Sinner told Alcaraz during the trophy ceremony after the Spaniard’s 7-6 (5), 6-1 win Sunday. Sinner held two set points during the first set against Alcaraz in his first tournament following his three-month suspension.
“The level he has played in this tournament is insane after three months without playing,” Alcaraz said. “He’s going to be better and
better. … He’s going to be a really dangerous player in Paris.”
If Alcaraz and Sinner meet again in Paris, it will be in the final, because Alcaraz moved up to No. 2 in the rankings yesterday — meaning they will be on opposite sides of the draw at Roland Garros.
Alcaraz beat Sinner over five sets in the French Open semifinals en route to the title last year. Alcaraz then also defended his Wimbledon title for his fourth
Grand Slam trophy. “It was good to play him before two Grand Slams,” Sinner said. “Certainly with my movement I need to understand better where to be at certain monents. That’s different on clay from hard courts. There are small things I need to improve.
“Clay is the surface where I have the toughest time. There’s no use hiding it,” the Italian added. Indeed, Sinner has won only one of his 19 career titles on clay, in Umag,
Croatia, in 2022 — when he beat Alcaraz in the final. Sinner’s three months away from the sport caught up with him when he couldn’t put up a fight in the second set against Alcaraz before his home fans at the Foro Italico. “I certainly need to increase my intensity and hold it for a longer period of time,” Sinner said. “I need to play more matches.” The loss to Alcaraz snapped Sinner’s 26-match winning streak.
plus a fully equipped pro shop offering premium tennis gear, with plans to expand to include padel courts in the coming year.
Suitable for beginners and advanced players alike, the tennis centre, led by Donaldson, will soon unveil a wide range of engaging programmes, clinics, resort tennis packages and private sessions designed for all ages and skill levels.
“We are elated to welcome Derron Donaldson to the Baha Mar team,” said Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar. “He will bring his years of experience to the recently reimagined John McEnroe Tennis
Center, and further enrich the exceptional guest experiences we strive to deliver at Baha Mar.” Donaldson currently holds the esteemed position of secretary general of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, where his tenure on the executive board marks him as the youngest member to date. Through his Olympic Committee role, he consistently displays an unparalleled level of dedication and commitment to advancing the interests of Bahamian athletes on the global stage. Beyond his involvement in the Olympic Games, Donaldson tirelessly orchestrates events and initiatives with a relentless pursuit of excellence, consistently setting new standards for himself and his team.
Previously assuming the pivotal role of president at The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association and chairman of the National Tennis Center, he became the youngest individual to undertake such responsibilities within tennis and, at the time, any major sporting association or federation in our country. His leadership was distinguished by innovation, inclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Throughout his esteemed career, Donaldson has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication to the athletes he represents and to promoting the nation’s presence on the international sports stage.
Sign Island, The Agency Real Estate, Tyreflex and Zaneli.
SHOWN, from left to right, Alex Murbach, Derron Donaldson, Kelsie Johnson-Sills, Kerry Baaker, Kelly Anne Meade and Kit Spencer in talks about tennis and pickleball at Baha Mar.
ALEX Murbach speaks as Kelly Anne Meade, Derron Donaldson, Kelsie Johnson-Sills and Kit Spencer look on.
CARLOS ALCARAZ, left, and Jannik Sinner pose for the photographers after their final tennis match in the Italian Open on May 18. (AP Photo/A Tarantino)
BELLINGER POWERS ‘JAZZ-LESS’ YANKEES PAST METS 8-2 WITH GRAND SLAM AND 6 RBIS
By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Cody Bellinger hit a grand slam that capped a six-run eighth inning and gave him six RBIs on Sunday night, sending the New York Yankees to an 8-2 victory over the New York Mets.
A throwing error by Mets first baseman Pete Alonso allowed Jasson Domínguez to score the tiebreaking run in the eighth. Paul Goldschmidt added an RBI single off Ryne Stanek (1-4) and Bellinger connected against left-hander Génesis Cabrera for his ninth career slam.
In a matchup of first-place teams, Max Fried pitched six effective innings as the Yankees took two of three at home in the first Subway Series this season. The crosstown rivals meet again July 4-6 at Citi Field in Queens. Juan Soto was booed all weekend and went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts Sunday
to the vocal delight of Yankees fans. He finished 1 for 10 with four walks during his first series back in the Bronx since leaving the Yankees for a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets.
An error by third baseman Mark Vientos helped the Yankees establish a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Bellinger’s two-run double that deflected off the mitt of a diving Alonso. Jeff McNeil pulled the Mets even. He laced a twoout RBI single in the second, then drew a leadoff walk in the fifth and scored without a ball leaving the infield.
McNeil alertly dashed home from third when Fried’s wild pitch to Soto kicked far enough away from catcher Austin Wells.
Fried and Mets starter David Peterson both permitted three hits in six innings. They exited with the score tied 2-all.
The season-high sellout crowd of 48,028 at Yankee
Stadium included former major league slugger Albert Pujols, new Giants quarterback Russell Wilson and Knicks big man KarlAnthony Towns.
Key moment Devin Williams (2-2) retired Soto, Alonso and Vientos in order in the eighth.
Key stats
The Mets fouled off 27 of Fried’s 102 pitches, preventing him from going further than six innings. ... Mets pitchers walked a seasonhigh eight.
Up next
Mets: A three-game series at Fenway Park, with RHP Kodai Senga (4-2, 1.02 ERA) starting the opener last night against Boston rookie RHP Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 3.90).
Yankees: Following an off day, rookie RHP Will Warren (2-2, 4.61 ERA) pitches tonight at home versus Texas LHP Patrick Corbin (3-2, 3.35).
Coach Nichols to visit for his Basketball Smiles
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Burrow, Larry Petite, Jeremy Cunningham, Billy Cunningham, Derek Speights, Tracie Robbins and Stephanie Holloway.
“After over 40 years of basketball camp experience, I’ve found that a fast-paced camp with three days of high intensity, quality instruction is the most
efficient way to conduct a basketball camp. We are so excited to, once again, offer an elite skills development camp to serious basketball players in The Bahamas. If young women and young men truly want to improve their skills to advance to the next level, Basketball Smiles Camp is for you!”
Basketball Smiles is sponsored in part by
Atlantis resort, Caribbean Coca-Cola, The Green Parrot, Kelly’s, Bahamas Wholesale, Lickety Split, D’Albenas Company, Doctors Hospital, New Providence Ecology Park, Wizard Signs, Original Patties, Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise, and Rotary Club of East Nassau. “This group of coaches comprise a tremendous staff of dedicated
coaches with big hearts who love teaching the game of basketball. We have the largest and most experienced staff in the history of Basketball Smiles. All of these coaches raised their own money and are giving of their free time to come and work with Bahamian boys and girls. The quality of instruction will be second to none, and the love these
coaches have for the campers will be second to none.”
The motto of Basketball Smiles is: “We bring a week of smiles and hope through basketball.”
According to Nichols, “Along with basketball, we conduct a daily life skills programme during the camp that emphasizes self-respect, academic success, good citizenship, and
spiritual values. Our goal is not just to develop basketball players but help build future leaders in The Bahamas.”
Coach Nichols’ itinerary will be coordinated by coach Patty Johnson of HO Nash Jr High. If you have any questions regarding the camp, contact Johnson at HO Nash Junior High - 242-323-6489.
RF INVESTS IN YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH FREEDOM FARM BASEBALL
SHOWN are coach Andrew Thompson alongside Freedom Farm players and coaches and
RF has proudly donated to the Freedom Farm Baseball League, a non-profit organisation that goes far beyond the baseball diamond. With a mission of “Higher Learning through the Sport of Baseball,” Freedom Farm is shaping the next generation of Bahamian leaders, providing not just athletic training, but also instilling values of teamwork, discipline and academic ambition. This donation will directly support both the young athletes and the league’s ongoing operations, including the upkeep of the playing fields and essential equipment.
“RF’s support of Freedom Farm reflects our deep belief in the transformative power of youth sports,” said Jontra Harvey,
RF donations committee president. “This partnership isn’t just about baseball — it’s about giving young Bahamians the chance to learn leadership, resilience and responsibility in an environment that’s safe, inclusive and inspiring. Investing in programmes like this strengthens our communities from the ground up, and aligns perfectly with
RF’s corporate pillar of youth development through sports.” RF’s youth sports pillar is grounded in the understanding that athletic programmes offer more than physical activity, they are essential platforms for life skills, mentorship, and future opportunities. By helping to maintain safe, accessible spaces like Freedom Farm, RF continues
to champion the power of community and the importance of nurturing the potential within every child.
“We’re incredibly grateful for RF’s generosity,” said coach Thompson, a longtime Freedom Farm coach. “This support helps us keep the field in shape, equip our players and, most importantly, continue our mission of building strong, confident young people.
It’s more than a donation, it’s an investment in their futures.” With
Jontra Harvey, RF donations committee president.
NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. wears a balaclava during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Intriguing Colorado Duo
Carlisle’s changing style has helped Pacers reach 2nd straight Eastern Conference finals
By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— Indiana Pacers coach
Rick Carlisle still prefers brutal honesty to nuance.
He doesn’t sugar-coat mistakes, doesn’t fear taking his critiques public and doesn’t shield players from high expectations. It’s not who he is — and these young Pacers embrace it.
Yes, after winning nearly 1,000 regular season games, one NBA title and surviving 23 up-and-down seasons as an NBA head coach, Carlisle has seemingly found the perfect fit in a locker room that views a tough, demand coaching through a more genteel prism.
“A savant,” two-time
All-Star Tyrese Haliburton dubbed Carlisle during Indiana’s semifinal series.
“When it comes to adjustments and getting the best out of guys, we follow his lead, and his intensity come playoff time is easy to follow. When we have a game like (the Game 3 loss to Cleveland), he sets the tone with our energy, practice, film or whatever.”
Carlisle is back in his third Eastern Conference finals not because he stuck to his old-school philosophy, but because he figured out how to adapt to the league’s new ways.
Instead of routinely calling plays from the bench or complaining when opponents produce 40-point quarters, the 65-year-old Carlisle trusts Haliburton and the Pacers ball-handlers on the floor and now understands high-scoring quarters are just part of today’s game — even if he doesn’t like it. The transition hasn’t come without
some rough edges such as the sideline clash between Carlisle and All-Star guard Rajon Rondo in February 2015.
“I would literally give him (Rondo) my play sheet, and he would make calls.” said Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers, who coached Rondo in Boston.
“I remember Rick calling me and the last thing I told him was ‘Rick, I may have created a monster, I don’t know. You’re going to have let him help you on the floor.’ It was like 24 hours later you see them getting into it on the sideline
because Rondo didn’t want to call that play.”
The two patched things up later. But in the decade since, things seem to have changed.
Centre Myles Turner, who grew up in Dallas, believes Carlisle has given the players more freedom to work their magic on the court. New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson also saw that side of Carlisle during his first five pro seasons in Dallas.
Brunson and Carlisle will meet for the second straight year in the playoffs Wednesday night in Game 1 at New
York. “Different personnel, but that’s just coach Carlisle. With the personnel he has he’s going to adapt and going to play with whatever their personnel’s strengths are,” Brunson said Monday. “What he’s been able to do there (with Indiana) in a short time is special.”
Carlisle’s coaching principles are the result of a 40-plus year resume that reads like a basketball history lesson.
He was teammates with Ralph Sampson, Larry Bird and the late Bill Walton. As a coach, he worked with stars such as Reggie Miller,
Chauncey Billups, Dirk Nowitzki, Luka Doncic and Brunson and endured the pain of playoff losses with some of the game’s biggest names — Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant. Carlisle won a championship with the 1985-86 Boston Celtics, one of the greatest teams in league history, and in 2010-11 as the Mavericks coach. And in between he dealt with the fallout from one of he NBA’s biggest black eyes, the 2004 brawl between Indiana and Detroit.
But Carlisle never shied away from a challenge, and he managed to navigate the NBA’s ever-evolving world long enough that he’ll head into next season as the league’s second-winningest active coach, behind Rivers, and needing seven victories become the 11th member of the 1,000-win club.
“I think all of us have had to change,” Rivers said. “Where Rick has been always good, in my opinion, he just coaches the team he has, and I think he realised early on with Haliburton, this may be one of those teams where ‘I just have to wind them up and let them go.’ I think that’s why he’s a sensational coach.” And Haliburton & Co. have taken full advantage.
A year ago, they ended a franchise-worst nine-game skid in the playoffs, won their first postseason series and reached the conference finals for the first time in a decade.
This year, they won 50 games and earned homecourt advantage for the first round for the first time since 2013-2014.
Now the Pacers are four wins away from reaching the NBA Finals for the second time and to nobody’s surprise, Carlisle is back on the bench for this run, too.
“He let’s players go out there and create,” Turner said.
“I think that helps, especially this time of year, because in the playoffs, everybody scouts, everybody knows your plays and whatnot. So you’ve got to freelance more. I think his experience with different personnel, different guys in this league, he knows how to adapt.”
By BRIAN
NEW YORK (AP) —
The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks have faced each other eight times in the postseason. Those matchups have produced some memorable NBA moments involving Reggie Miller, Spike Lee and others. With the teams set to meet again in the Eastern Conference finals beginning Wednesday, a look at some of those notable highlights. Headbutt The first playoff meeting between the teams came in the first round of the 1993 postseason.
The Knicks led 2-0 and were trying to complete a sweep of the best-of-five series when guard John Starks believed Reggie Miller was getting away
with fouling him and became frustrated. As they ran downcourt face-to-face exchanging words, Starks leaned in and headbutted Miller. Starks was ejected and the Pacers went on to win the game. Choke!
The Knicks were up 70-58 after three quarters in Game 5 of the 1994 Eastern Conference finals, seemingly on their way to a 3-2 lead in the series. Miller then scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Pacers to a 93-86 victory, taunting Knicks superfan Spike Lee on the sideline by making a choke signal. The Knicks would win the next two games to reach the NBA Finals. 8 points, 9 seconds Miller’s flurry to steal Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern
Conference semifinals remains one of the most memorable and improbable comebacks in NBA history.
The Knicks led 105-99 before Miller quickly hit a 3-pointer with about 16 seconds left after Indiana inbounded from the sideline. He then stole Anthony Mason’s inbounds pass, dribbled backward and fired in another 3 to tie the game.
Starks then missed two free throws, Patrick Ewing missed a follow shot and Miller grabbed the rebound and was fouled, hitting both free throws to make it 107-105 with 7.5 seconds remaining.
“Mason choked and threw it to me, I hit a 3, and we almost cost us the game when Sam (Mitchell) made that foul, but John Starks choked and we came up big,” Miller said in his
postgame interview with NBC on the court.
LJ’s 4-point play
The highlight play of New York’s run to the 1999 NBA Finals as a No. 8 seed came in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Pacers. With the Knicks trailing 91-88, Larry Johnson made a 3-pointer as he was fouled by Indiana’s Antonio Davis with 5.7 seconds remaining. Johnson hit the free throw to complete the four-point play and the Knicks held on to win 92-91.
A record romp The Pacers had one of the best offences in NBA history in 2023-24 and used it to carve up the Knicks in Game 7 of the Eastern
Conference semifinals. The Pacers shot 67.1% from the field, an NBA playoff record, in their 130-109 victory in Madison Square Garden. Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 26 points, then wore a sweatshirt with a picture of Miller making the choke sign to Lee at MSG to his postgame news conference.
INDIANA Pacers centre Myles Turner (33) talks to head coach Rick Carlisle in the second half of Game 4 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs in Indianapolis on Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/ Michael Conroy)
MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer
INDIANA Pacers’ Detlef Schrempf, centre, is restrained by teammate LaSalle Thompson, left, as New York Knicks’ John Starks, second from right, is sandwiched between the Pacers’ Reggie Miller during a third period scuffle that began when Schrempf clashed with Knicks’ Anthony Mason in New York’s Madison Square Garden, March 15, 1993. The Knicks went on to a 121-90 win. (AP Photo/Bill Koustroun)
Scheffler pulls away to win PGA Championship for 3rd major title
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
(AP) — Scottie Scheffler had every reason to worry the PGA Championship was slipping away.
A five-shot lead on the front nine was gone in four holes. Every shot seemed to go left and he didn’t know why. Jon Rahm was peeling off birdies and on the verge of tracking him down Sunday at Quail Hollow.
And that’s when Scheffler showed why he has been golf’s No. 1 player for two straight years, why he has compiled more PGA Tour titles quicker than anyone this side of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus since 1950.
And why he now has the Wanamaker Trophy to go along with two Masters titles.
Scheffler turned a tense Sunday into another runaway by not missing a shot when the pressure was at its peak, giving himself another pleasant walk to the 18th green with another major title secure in the hands of golf’s best.
“This back nine will be one that I remember for a long time,” Scheffler said. “It was a grind out there. I think at one point on the front I maybe had a four- or five-shot lead, and making the turn, I think I was tied for the lead.
“So to step up when I needed to the most, I’ll remember that for a while.”
There was nothing fancy about it, just fairways and greens and holing the putts that eluded Rahm in his first time in serious contention at a major since he won the 2023 Masters and left at the end of the year for LIV Golf.
Rahm’s hopes ended when he failed to convert birdie chances on the two easiest holes on the back nine at Quail Hollow, and then finished bogey-double bogey-double bogey. By then the tournament was effective over. It only cost Rahm money.
The only comfort for Scheffler was looking across the lake on the par-5 15th to see Rahm in a bunker, leading to bogey on the 16th that gave Scheffler a three-shot cushion. Scheffler recalls thinking, “If I birdie here, it’s going to go a long way.”
He drilled 3-wood just over the back of the green, and from the same spot where Rahm earlier that hit putter 12 feet by the hole, Scheffler cozied it up to a foot for birdie.
Scheffler closed with a bogey he could afford for an even-par 71, giving him a five-shot victory and his third major title. Scheffler became the first player since Seve Ballesteros to win his first three majors by three shots or more.
The margin doesn’t match up with the grind. That much was clear when Scheffler raised his arms on the 18th green and then ferociously slammed his cap to the turf, a brand of emotion rarely seen by the 28-year-old Texas star.
“Just a lot of happiness,” he said. “Just maybe thankful as well. It was a long week. I felt like this was as hard as I battled for a tournament in my career.” It was a lot sweeter than last year, when he was arrested outside Valhalla Golf Club for charges later dropped that he wasn’t following police instructions as they investigated a traffic fatality.
No change of that happening at Quail Hollow. He stayed close enough to walk.
Inside the ropes, this was no walk in the park the final margin might suggest.
Scheffler had a five-shot lead standing on the sixth tee. But with a shaky swing that led to two bogeys, and with Rahm making three birdies in a four-hole stretch around the turn, they were tied when Scheffler got to the 10th tee.
It looked like a duel to the finish, with Bryson DeChambeau doing all he could to get in the mix. Under the most pressure he felt all day, Scheffler didn’t miss a shot off the tee or from the fairway until his lead was back to four shots. Rahm wound up seven shots behind, but the twotime major champion was the only serious threat. After bogey on the 16th hole, he had to take on a dangerous pin at the par-3 17th. It bounded over the sunbaked green into the water for double bogey. And his last tee shot went left off the grassy bank and into the stream for another double bogey. All that work to make up a five-shot deficit at the start of the day and Rahm closed with a 73 to tie for eighth.
“Yeah, the last three holes, it’s a tough pill to swallow right now,” Rahm said.
“I’ll get over it. I’ll move on,” Rahm said. “Again, there’s a lot more positive than negative to think about this week. I’m really happy I put myself in position and
hopefully learn from this and give it another go in the U.S. Open.”
DeChambeau birdied the 14th and 15th to get within two shots, but he never had another good look at birdie and bogeyed the 18th for a 70. He tied for second with Harris English (65) and Davis Riley, who overcame a triple bogey on No. 7 to play bogey-free the rest of the way and salvaged a 72.
“I’m baffled right now. Just felt like things just didn’t go my way this week,” DeChambeau said. “I drove it as good as I can. ... I gave myself a good chance. I just felt like a couple breaks went a different way.”
J.T. Poston, the North Carolina native who also flirted with an outside chance, bogeyed the last two holes for a 73 to tie for fifth.
English finished his Sunday-best score as Scheffler was making his way down the third hole. He had a flight to catch that
afternoon. He also was the clubhouse leader. But he looked at Scheffler’s name atop the leaderboard and said with a smile, “I don’t see him slipping a whole lot. I see myself catching my flight.”
But then Scheffler unable to find his swing. He hit only two fairway on the front nine. He failed to convert birdies on the par-5 seventh and the reachable par-4 eighth. On eight of his nine holes, his miss was to the left. And he was tied with the red-hot Rahm.
But part of Scheffler’s greatness is his ability to wear down a field, which he did at the Masters both times he won.
“I hit the important shots well this week, and that’s why I’m walking away with the trophy,” Scheffler said. He finished at 11-under 273 and picked up his 15th victory in just his sixth year on the PGA Tour. Dating to 1950, Scheffler is the thirdfastest player to go from one to 15 tour wins, behind
only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, and even then by a matter of months. His victory comes a month after Rory McIlroy captured the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. The PGA Championship was always going to be a tough act to follow and it didn’t come close in terms of drama. But it served as a reminder why Scheffler has been No. 1 for two straight years, and why it will take a lot to replace him. McIlroy made the cut on the number, shot 72-72 on the weekend and tied for 47th. It was his lowest 72-hole finish in four years in the majors. McIlroy declined all four days to speak to the media. Scheffler came into the PGA Championship off an eight-shot victory in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. And then he won a major by five. It was the first time since Woods in 2000 that a player
won consecutive PGA Tour starts by five shots or more in the same season.
SCOTTIE Scheffler hugs his caddie Ted Scott after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club.
SCOTTIE Scheffler celebrates after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/David J Phillip)
SCOTTIE Scheffler holds the Wanamaker trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C.
(AP Photos/ George Walker IV)
Forward Tanisha Seymour fitting in with the Senators basketball team
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Collins and Denika Lightbourne, who are heading to Florida International University to play for the Panthers during the upcoming season through the transfer portal.
The trio got a chance to work out at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium under the supervision of local basketball coaches Anthony Swaby and Donnie Culmer.
“I used to workout with them at school at St John’s, at Tallulah Falls and night league, so it was good to be around them again,” she said. “I’m proud and happy
for them in their transfer to their new school. I would love to join them, but I love my school.” Seymour said right now, she just wants to enjoy her time at home with her parents LeeAldo and Christine Seymour.
She thanked them for the role they played in her transition since she started playing basketball at St Thomas More.
That was before she went to St Augustine’s College for grades seven and eight and St John’s for grade nine before she went on to complete high school at Tallulah Falls in
Tallulah Falls, Georgia. As a proud father, LeeAldo said he’s pleased with the progress his daughter has made in the short space of time she’s been at Davis & Elkins. “She has shown tremendous improvement and her confidence is sky high,” he said. “I’ve seen an all-around improvement. “She’s in better shape this year and both mentally and emotionally, she is doing much better.”
As a former player, who didn’t get the chance to go off to play collegiate basketball, Seymour said he’s a proud parent to watch his daughter fulfil her dream.
“I’m proud, I’m happy, but I’m still humble,” he insisted. “I give all praise to the one above.” He thanked coach Varel Davis, Oswaldo Taylor, Anthony Swaby, Donnie Culmer, Terrence
‘Red-Eye’ McSweeney and Randy Cunningham, who all played a role in the development of his daughter. “I apologise for whose names I didn’t call, but she had tremendous help from a lot of people,” he said.
Next season, father Seymour said he’s willing for his daughter to be “more developed” and to be able to “offer more” to the team as they try to improve on their performance this past season.
FATHER LeeAldo Seymour shares a moment with daughter Tanisha Seymour.
Intriguing Colorado Duo
Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder, Edwards’ T-wolves to face off in Western Conference finals
By CLIFF BRUNT AP Sports Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY
(AP) — Two years ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves met in the play-in tournament to determine which would get the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Now, they’ll face off for a trip to the NBA Finals.
Minnesota won that playin game in 2023, but that was in Minneapolis. Oklahoma City has homecourt in this series and will host Game 1 of the Western Conference finals tonight.
The Thunder earned the top seed in the playoffs after posting a franchise-best 68-14 record in the regular season. Minnesota is seeded sixth, but the Timberwolves closed the regular season by winning 17 of 21 games. The teams are 2-2 against each other this season, with each claiming a win on the other’s home floor.
This is Oklahoma City’s first trip to the conference finals since 2016. The Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals last season and lost to the Dallas Mavericks.
“Certainly last year’s experience helps a ton, and that’s what really this is all
about — layering these experiences on top of each other so you can draw from them time and again and gain confidence,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said. The ascent of both teams has coincided with the rise of their superstars — Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points in a Game 7 victory over the Nuggets in the conference semifinals and has averaged 29.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists in the playoffs. Edwards is averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists in the postseason. Neither player has reached the NBA Finals.
Gilgeous-Alexander said Oklahoma City’s approach won’t change just because the team has reached new ground. “Just trying to be where our feet are in the moment, see what’s in front of us and try to attack it, come out on the right end of it,” he said. “I think that’s why we’ve gotten this far in the season, and we’re going to continue to do so.”
‘Legend Killer’
Pro wrestling star Randy Orton has recognised Edwards as the “Legend killer” for sending some of the league’s royalty packing early the past two years.
Orton, who has long had the gimmick in World Wrestling Entertainment for defeating and sometimes embarrassing older stars, acknowledged Edwards on a post that has garnered more than 11 million views on X. In a cartoon of the two, Orton is handing Edwards a gold chain with a large pendant shaped into the words “Legend killer.”
Edwards has earned the recognition. Last year, his Timberwolves knocked out Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns in the first round and Denver’s Nikola Jokic in the second. This year, it’s been Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic in the first round and Golden State’s Stephen Curry in the second.
Gilgeous-Alexander, a two-time finalist for MVP who put Jokic out this season, could be next.
Family matters
Gilgeous-Alexander will have to face Minnesota’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, his cousin and teammate on the Canadian national
team. “If you know how close we are, he’s literally like my second brother,”
Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“He’s been through every stage of life with me, picking up a basketball to going to prep school to making the NBA. Like we’ve gone through every situation together. For us, for both of us to be where we are is special. To compete against each other even more special. But I am trying to take his head off for sure.”
Key veteran Thunder guard Alex Caruso has stepped up in the postseason.
The offseason pickup who won a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 has been a menace as a reserve in the playoffs. In the regular season, he averaged 7.1 points, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals in just over 19 minutes per game. Those numbers have jumped to 9.3 points, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals per contest.
In Game 7 against Denver, his defence was a key reason the Thunder held Jokic to 20 points.
Randle’s rhythm
The Timberwolves took a while to adjust to the arrival of Julius Randle, and vice versa, but after finding his groove down the stretch of the regular season, the veteran power forward has reliably provided an old-fashioned power game in the paint and some well-timed 3-pointers throughout the playoffs. This is just his third postseason appearance in 11 years in the NBA -- and his first trip to the conference finals. Randle said Finch has made the transition easier.
“He’s done an amazing job of allowing me to use all my tools,” Randle said. “I don’t necessarily want to just be a scorer or a rebounder or whatever it is. He puts me in positions to be multiple different things, many different things, on any given night. He’s really opened up my game, and I just knew eventually that would be the case as the season went along and my relationship and chemistry developed with my teammates.”
Shai’s freebies
After a rally to beat the Thunder on the road in February, Finch in complimenting his team’s performance made a point to complain about what the Timberwolves have felt is a discrepancy in fouls called against each team in matchups with their division rival.
“You can’t touch Shai,” Finch said then, lamenting the difficulty of guarding the leading contender for NBA MVP.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who was fourth in the league during the regular season with an average of 6.1 fouls drawn per game, has maintained that same rate in the playoffs.
“I do think there’s been more physicality allowed in the playoffs. I would hope that continues and that we’re able to be physical on some of these drives as long as we’re being smart,” Finch said. “He’s a very clever foul drawer. It takes a lot of concentration and toughness to be able to play through some of that stuff, but it’s just part of what you’ve got to do.”
OKLAHOMA City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dunks in the second half of Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/ Kyle Phillips)
TIMBERWOLVES guard Anthony Edwards goes up for a shot as Golden State Warriors guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield defends during the first half of Game 5 of their second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)