SPORTS SECTION E
TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018
Miller-Uibo, Gardiner in win column By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
Jamal Wilson, in the men’s high jump on Saturday night at the Jamaica International Invitational in Kingston, Jamaica. Gardiner, fresh off his victory in his second IAAF Diamond League Meet in Shanghai, China, built up enough stamina near the end of the men’s 200m to pull away to secure his win in 19.88 seconds as Panama’s Alonso Edward tried to catch him, but had to settle for second in a season’s best of 20.03. That was good enough for him to hold off Jamaica’s Jereem Richards, who did the same time. “They had a different set up, so overall it was better than last year,” said Gardiner as he told The Tribune about the race conditions.
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his time it was on the streets of Boston, but that didn’t stop the Bahamian twin towers of Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo to continue their dominance of the track and field competition this year. As two of three Bahamians competing at the 3rd Boost Boston Games on Sunday, Gardiner and Miller-Uibo both took advantage of their heights to surge from their field of competitors to easily win the men’s 200 metres and the women’s 150m. Meanwhile, it was a sweep for the Bahamas, led by Commonwealth Games’ silver medallist
SHAUNAE Miller-Uibo at the 3rd Boost Boston Games.
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Cavaliers even series By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James scored 44 points, surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar atop a postseason list and helped the Cleveland Cavaliers even the Eastern Conference finals at 2-2 last night with a 111-102 victory over the Boston Celtics, who are looking forward to getting home. Pushed by a raucous crowd that wasn’t so confident a few days ago, the Cavs held off Boston’s comeback in the fourth quarter and squared a series that is now a best-of-three. Cleveland is trying to become the 20th team — out of 300 — to overcome a 2-0 deficit and James, who has already orchestrated two such rallies, is a step closer to a third. But to do it again the Cavs will have to win in Boston, where the Celtics are 9-0 this postseason. Game 5 is Wednesday night at TD Center. Kyle Korver added 14 points with several hustle plays, and Tristan Thompson had 13 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland. Jaylen Brown scored 25 and Boston had all five scorers in double figures, but the Celtics fell behind by 19 in the first half and didn’t have enough to catch Cleveland. And, of course, they didn’t have James, who moved past Jabbar (2,356) for the most field goals in playoff history. James also recorded his 25th career postseason game with at least 40 points — his sixth in this postseason. The Celtics hung around in the second half and pulled within 100-93 on Marcus Smart’s basket with 4:29 left. But Thompson got free for a dunk, and after a miss by Boston, James recovered after making his seventh turnover by making a steal and layup. Moments later, James drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing to finally put away the young Celtics, who will now feel the immense pressure of trying to hold off the three-time champion. Celtics coach Brad Stevens considered changing his starting lineup, but decided to stick
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CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) reacts after a play against the Boston Celtics in the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals last night. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
NAUGHTY
Column, See page 5
LORRAINE LAFLEUR 4TH IN ARNOLD CLASSIC AFRICA By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net LORRAINE LaFleur’s debut as a professional bodybuilder resulted in a fourth place finish in the women’s physique category at the Arnold Classic Africa 2018. Over the weekend in the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, Gauteng, LaFleur was the lone Bahamian competing in the event that was held in Africa for the third time. She admitted that she did her best, considering that she was in virgin territory. But the performance was something that has inspired her to look ahead to the future with a lot of confidence. “I really didn’t know what to expect because this was my first pro show,” LaFleur told The Tribune from Africa. “From the amateur shows that I did in the past, they didn’t want that hard look so I really didn’t know what to expect. I just came here with an open mind as to anything the judges could be looking for. “It seems as if they are looking for that more hard look, which I used to get points taken off for, so in the future, I will have to go back to that more harder look like what I had as a bodybuilder and not now as a physique competitor.” Bahamas Bodybuilding and Powerlifting Federation president Joel Stubbs commended LaFleur for her gallant effort. “I am very proud of her taking the initiative to go all the way to Johannesburg to represent the Bahamas. Everybody knows long distance travel takes a toll on one’s body, especially a sport like bodybuilding and fitness,” Stubbs said. “However, we were in concert at all times, talking, giving her pointers on how she should stay on her game plan and she was very fierce and she presented a great physique to the judges on that end. “It was a good beginning for her to understand and see what it is that they truly look for in the pro athletes in women’s physique. As we talked and I looked at the photos that came back from her category, I now have a clear understanding of how we will proceed for in her future. But I’m very happy and proud of her getting in her first pro show.” Based on what she experienced, LaFleur said once she can get back to the harder look, she could be a real contender in future competitions.
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‘KJ’ Major wins singles title at USTA National Men’s Open By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FRESH from his graduation from college, Kevin ‘KJ’ Major couldn’t ask for a better way to start his professional career. One week after he was done with his two-year sting at Seminole State College Oklahoma, Major was on the court competing in the USTA National Men’s Open in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he won the singles title with an impressive 6-4, 6-2 win over Charlie Force in the final on Friday. Major, 23, advanced to the final by upsetting top seed Charlie Sullivan 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the semi-final. Before that, Major won 6-2, 6-0
over No.9 seed Jesse Ross in the quarter-final. He won his second round match 6-3, 6-2 over Gabriel Keymer and he opened up the tournament with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Jack Vance. Looking at his performance, Major said it was definitely the kind of debut that he anticipated. “This was the cleanest I’ve played in a while so winning the tournament was just keeping my mind stress free while playing to deal with tough situations easier made the difference,” Major told The Tribune about his performance. “I was really pleased with what I have achieved. With his first victory under his belt, Major said he will contemplate his future. He said he’s not
sure when he will compete again on the pro circuit. But he indicated that based on his success in his first tournament, he’s confident that he can make an impact as he looks to become the next to excel at the pro level. However, Major Jr said he will skip the trip to Escazu, Costa Rica for the American Zone III Davis Cup Tie May 28 to June 2. He said he prefers to take the time to work on improving on his pro career. He anticipates that he will need the time to get fully acclimated to the environment of competing as a pro. Since 2013, Major Jr has played in 12 matches in three Davis Cup ties for the Bahamas, compiling a 4-7 win-loss record in singles and was 1-0 in doubles.
KEVIN ‘KJ’ Major (right) with his coach Lawrence Carpio.