‘Practice makes perfect’
Women’s national basketball team preparing for the FIBA AmeriCup Centrobasket Qualifiers
Top 3 finishers take spotlight in St Barnabas
By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas women’s national basketball team continued preparations for the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup Centrobasket Qualifiers with its fourth practice session at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
While the coaching staff continues building toward the summer tournament, assistant coach Donnie Culmer said one of the programme’s biggest challenges remains securing consistent gym time for practices.
“We (are) reaching out to the powers that be, that we need gyms to practice, and if they choose to, we can’t get back in a gym until Sunday,” Culmer said.
“So whatever we’re going through today, then coming out of their muscles from getting back used from waiting all that time to practice again, you know, we got to keep practicing.”
“We need a gym to practice. All the powers that be, please help the ladies’ programme out. We need gyms to practice in,” he said.
“Thank you very much.”
Despite the difficulties, Culmer said Tuesday’s workout was productive as the team continues trying to get players back into basketball shape.
“We had a good practice tonight. Most girls came out tonight. We got 11 girls, and one just came in from school today, make 12,” he said.
“So as time going, schools close, things picking up, the better players are coming in. Right now, we’re just trying to get some cardio and get in shape.”
Head coach
Yolett “Coach Yo”
McPhee-McCuin was not in attendance for Tuesday’s session.
Culmer said the coaching staff is still in the early stages of installing systems put in place by head coach Yo and getting players comfortable within that structure.
“Well, just the basics she left for me to put in, the five-out, you know, and the two-three defence,” he stated.
“Just going into the normal basic stuff of basketball and making sure everybody get the plays down, where she’s supposed to be, who she is and the different cuts and stuff.”
The Bahamas is set to compete in Group A of the qualifiers alongside the Dominican Republic, Mexico and host nation Nicaragua.
Although the full roster has not yet been assembled, Culmer said he likes the potential of the group once everyone becomes available.
“I think once we get everybody, we should be competitive,” he said. He noted that several players were unavailable for Tuesday’s practice citing a few minor injuries and flight delays.
“We might be on the smaller side, but we’ll be nice and quick, and we can shoot the ball around the floor,” Culmer said.
The Bahamas Basketball Federation has also asked for fundraising from supporters as the team prepares for the upcoming qualifiers in Managua, Nicaragua.
Officials said that if any supporters are interested in donating to assist the women’s national basketball team, they can do so by visiting the Bahamas Basketball Federation's page on social media for the donation link.
By JONATHAN BURROWS
Sports Reporter
OUR women’s national basketball team (some members) during a practice session at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Tuesday night ahead of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup Centrobasket Qualifiers.
St Barnabas ACM Youth Track and Field Classic top three finishers
Jaliyah Rigby (X-Treme Athletics) – 9.84m
Amarie Amertil (X-Treme Athletics) – 7.07m
Boys Hammer Ball
Throw Amir Hercules (X-Treme Athletics) – 13.80m
David Smith (Kids Athletics) – 8.62m
Kaien Knowles (Kids Athletics) – 8.21m
UNDER-9
Track Events
Girls 100m
Milani Greenslade (Kids Athletics) – 16.04
Skai You (Speed365)
– 16.55
Kimora Rolle (Red-Line Rising) – 16.97
Boys 100m Al Darian Knowles (RedLine Rising) – 15.02
Luke Spence (Kids Athletics) – 15.63
Giovanno Bain (Kids Athletics) – 15.91
Girls 200m
Milani Greenslade (Kids Athletics) – 35.13
Kimora Rolle (Red-Line Rising) – 35.61
Skai You (Speed365) – 36.02
Boys 200m
Giovanno Bain (Kids Athletics) – 32.18
Luke Spence (Kids Athletics) – 32.66
Al Darian Knowles (RedLine Rising) – 33.33
Boys 800m Nowensky Desty (Unattached) – 3:04.11
Field Events
Girls Long Jump
Ledeya Walker (Speed365) – 3.19m
Milani Greenslade (Kids Athletics) – 2.89m
Daylee Alleyne (RedLine Rising) – 2.62m
Boys Long Jump
Giovanno Bain (Kids Athletics) – 3.26m
Luke Spence (Kids Athletics) – 3.17m
Kamaro Hunt (X-Treme Athletics) – 3.16m UNDER-11
Track Events
Girls 100m Savannah Taylor (Fast Forward) – 14.30
Bereeya Rolle (Red-Line Rising) – 14.60
Israel Spence (Kids Athletics) – 14.85
Boys 100m
Tahj Plakaris (Red-Line Rising) – 14.03
Gabriel Deleveaux (RedLine Rising) – 14.31
Lionel Mauricette (Unattached) – 14.53
Girls 200m Monae Miller (Unique Athletics) – 30.28
Israel Spence (Kids Athletics) – 30.63
Bereeya Rolle (Red-Line Rising) – 31.77
Boys 200m
Gabriel Deleveaux (RedLine Rising) – 29.16
Jason Babbs (Kids Athletics) – 29.79
Tahj Plakaris (Red-Line Rising) – 30.34
Girls 800m
Monae Miller (Unique Athletics) – 2:58.63
Khyanne Cash (Kids
Athletics) – 3:02.38
Rylie Munroe (X-Treme Athletics) – 3:35.15
Boys 800m Lionel Mauricette (Unattached) – 3:04.11
Girls 4x100m Relay
Kids Athletics – 1:05.17
Boys 4x100m Relay
Kids Athletics A – 1:03.09
Kids Athletics B – 1:12.53
Field Events
Girls Long Jump
Staviah Brown (X-Treme Athletics) – 3.81m
Israel Spence (Kids Athletics) – 3.72m Gianni Fernander (X-Treme Athletics) – 3.60m
Boys Long Jump
Lionel Mauricette (Unattached) – 4.02m
Jason Babbs (Kids Athletics) – 3.64m
Drew Outten (Kids Athletics) – 3.52m
UNDER-13
Track Events
Girls 100m
Tanaz Davis (Unique Athletics) – 12.86
Serenity Dean (Noble Prep) – 13.63
Cai Lily Catalyn (RedLine Rising) – 13.75
Boys 100m
Terel Way (T Bird) – 13.01
Tyler Culmer (Star Tracker) – 13.29
Kaydin Thompson (Unattached) – 13.35
Girls 200m Tanaz Davis (Unique Athletics) – 25.91
Cai Lily Catalyn (RedLine Rising) – 27.55
Serenity Dean (Noble Prep) – 28.05
Boys 200m
Tyler Culmer (Star Tracker) – 26.64
Liam Sherman (Swift Athletics) – 26.96
Terel Way (T Bird) – 27.10
Girls 800m
T’Myah Missick (Unique Athletics) – 2:46.74
Hadassah Griffin (Hurry Murray) – 2:48.97
Brooklyn Adderley (Noble Prep) – 3:06.66
Boys 800m Liam Bethell (Unique Athletics) – 2:34.01
Kaydin Thompson (Unattached) – 2:46.93
Jaylne Stuart (T Bird) – 3:04.12
Girls 1200m
Hadassah Griffin (Hurry Murray) – 4:31.00
Brooklyn Adderley (Noble Prep) – 5:24.74
Kyanah Clarke (T Bird) – 6:34.68
Boys 1200m
Jaylne Stuart (T Bird) – 5:11.86
Girls 4x100m Relay Red-Line Athletics – 59.46
Noble Prep – 1:01.46
Boys 4x100m Relay Red-Line Athletics – 59.12
Field Events
Girls Long Jump
Giselle Pearson (X-Treme Athletics) – 4.45m
Cai Lily Catalyn (RedLine Rising) – 4.17m
Dannie Albury (Swift Athletics) – 4.10m
Boys Long Jump
Kaydin Thompson (Unattached) – 4.15m
Seth Bowe (Red-Line Rising) – 3.83m
Kevaughn Pintard (Team Velocity) – 3.40m
UNDER-15
Track Events
Girls 100m
Dakaeja Duncombe (Fast Forward) – 12.86
Taaj Curry (Unique Athletics) – 12.88
Zhion Clarke (Upward Performance) – 12.96
Boys 100m
Andre Flowers (Fast Forward) – 11.38
Marcus Bethel (Swift Athletics) – 11.45
Jamaal McSweeney (X-Treme Athletics) – 11.64
Girls 200m
Taaj Curry (Unique Athletics) – 26.27
Britanya Knowles (Noble Prep) – 26.54
Romanta Miller (T Bird) – 27.05
Boys 200m
Marcus Bethel (Swift Athletics) – 23.34
Jamaal McSweeney (X-Treme Athletics) – 24.13
Laron Stuart (X-Treme Athletics) – 24.19
Girls 400m
Victoria Sandi Aguilar (Unique Athletics) – 1:02.66
Romanta Miller (T Bird) – 1:02.86
Shane Wallace (Noble Prep) – 1:05.20
Boys 400m
Caidan Stevens (RedLine Athletics) – 55.37
Laron Stuart (X-Treme Athletics) – 57.14
Jayden Jones (Unique Athletics) – 57.54
Girls 800m Haleel Munnings (Hurry Murray) – 2:31.96
Victoria Sandi Aguilar (Unique Athletics) – 2:38.51
Dallas Marsh (Hurry Murray) – 2:55.08
Boys 800m
Kaleb Howells (T Bird) – 2:23.90
Kelson Grant (Hurry Murray) – 2:25.03
Aiden Smith (Noble Prep) – 2:40.14
Girls 1500m
Haleel Munnings (Hurry Murray) – 5:24.74
Dallas Marsh (Hurry Murray) – 6:15.42
Treasure Stuart (T Bird) – 6:44.27
Boys 1500m
Mahki Newton (T Bird) – 5:00.51
Kelson Grant (Hurry Murray) – 5:01.69
Kaleb Howells (T Bird) – 5:19.23
Girls 4x100m Relay
Team Velocity – 54.41
Red-Line Athletics – 55.82
Noble Prep – 56.06
Field Events
Girls Long Jump
Renayah Mackey (Jumpers Inc.) – 4.33m
Caiyle Burrows (Jumpers Inc.) – 4.32m
Britanya Knowles (Noble Prep) – 4.30m
Boys Long Jump
Alex Russell (Unattached) – 4.58m
Aiden Smith (Noble Prep) – 3.90m
Amir Baker (Red-Line Athletics) – 3.85m
Girls Shot Put
Zoey Williams (X-Treme Athletics) – 6.75m
Boys Shot Put
Qaio Carey (Team Velocity) – 9.69m
Kevin McDonald (X-Treme Athletics) – 8.21m
Sa’Van Francis (Team Velocity) – 6.10m UNDER-17
Track Events
Girls 100m
Bailey Babbs (Red-Line Athletics) – 12.24
Nylah Whylly (Fast Forward) – 12.57
Rocelis Moxey (Swift Athletics) – 12.59
Boys 100m
Kamron Henfield (Team Velocity) – 11.05
Joel Cumberbatch (Fast Forward) – 11.32
Tyrone Johnson (Fast Forward) – 11.32
Girls 200m
Bailey Babbs (Red-Line Athletics) – 25.00
Rocelis Moxey (Swift Athletics) – 25.70
Paris Curtis (Unique Athletics) – 26.34
Boys 200m
Kamron Henfield (Team Velocity) – 21.63
Lavario Ferguson (Quick Step Athletics) – 22.44
Cordell Munroe (Team Velocity) – 22.55
Girls 400m
Zara Fraser (Fast Forward) – 59.07
Neveah Mackey (S.P.I.A Track) – 59.34
Paris Curtis (Unique Athletics) – 1:03.49
Boys 400m
Cordell Munroe (Team Velocity) – 51.27
Antonio Roberts (Team Velocity) – 53.08
Mc Nair Beneby (RedLine Athletics) – 53.78
Girls 800m
Kourtney Hepburn (T Bird) – 3:25.98
Boys 800m
Antonio Roberts (Team Velocity) – 2:11.90
Adrian Woodside (T Bird) – 2:16.46
Isreal Griffen (Hurry Murray) – 2:18.27
Girls 1500m
Lawrensky Gabriel (Hurry Murray) – 4:32.11
Adrian Woodside (T Bird) – 4:56.27
Isreal Griffen (Hurry Murray) – 5:00.12
Boys 3000m
Lawrensky Gabriel (Hurry Murray) – 10:13.80
Girls 4x100m Relay
Red-Line Athletics – 51.83
T Bird – 54.78
Boys 4x100m Relay
Team Velocity – 45.39
Red-Line Athletics – 46.82
Field Events
Boys Long Jump
Sherrad Knowles (Swift Athletics) – 5.70m
Ricardo Thomas Jr. (Jumpers Inc.) – 5.10m
Boys High Jump Kaden Brayen (T Bird) – 1.65m
Boys Triple Jump
Dwayne Capron Jr. (Jumpers Inc.) – 14.07m
Girls Shot Put
Nhoresse Russell (Quick Step Athletics) – 7.27m
Cartia Murphy (Hurry Murray) – 6.96m
Boys Shot Put
Ahmari McPhee (Noble Prep) – 11.49m
Aaron Collie (Fast Forward) – 9.21m
Girls Javelin
Cartia Murphy (Hurry Murray) – 13.50m
Nhoresse Russell (Quick Step Athletics) – 13.22m
Boys Javelin
Quinton Carey (Team Velocity) – 42.25m
Kamron Henfield (Team Velocity) – 31.60m
Boys Discus Ahmari McPhee (Noble Prep) – 21.15m
UNDER-20
Track Events
Girls 100m
Dream Watkins (Quick Step Athletics) – 12.40
Dallas Strachan (Fast Forward) – 13.11
Rihanna Kellman (Noble Prep) – 13.72
Boys 100m Everette Fraser (Fast Forward) – 10.88
Ishmael Rolle (Legacy Nation) – 10.90
Shamaro Armbrister (Team Velocity) – 11.07
Girls 200m
Dream Watkins (Quick Step Athletics) – 25.66
Iesha Hanna (Quick Step Athletics) – 25.72
Shania Major (Swift Athletics) – 26.49
Boys 200m
Ishmael Rolle (Legacy Nation) – 21.69
Shamaro Armbrister (Team Velocity) – 21.85
Tieano Ferguson (Hurry Murray) – 22.00
Girls 400m
Breynice Kemp (Hurry Murray) – 1:01.42
Breyteisha Kemp (Hurry Murray) – 1:04.71
Shania Major (Swift Athletics) – 1:04.70
Boys 400m
Varon Pinder (Noble Prep) – 49.08
Tieano Ferguson (Hurry Murray) – 50.32
Devon Alexis (T Bird) – 50.43
Boys 800m
Benryco Pierre (T Bird) – 1:57.01
Shelvine Johnbaptiste (T Bird) – 2:05.73
Dario Butterfield (Noble Prep) – 2:12.27
Boys 1500m Benryco Pierre (T Bird) – 4:09.45
Dario Butterfield (Noble Prep) – 4:27.04
Johnathan Marsh (Unattached) – 4:37.20
Girls 100m Hurdles
Rihanna Kellman (Noble
Cunningham conquers South Africa
MICHAEL Cunningham, president of The Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club, completed the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday, May 24, 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The event, recognised as Africa’s fastest marathon, attracted more than 27,000 participants. The field included several elite runners, among them Eliud Kipchoge, the world’s most decorated marathoner. Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia
won the race in a course-record time of 2:04:55. The race is being evaluated by Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) to become the 8th star, after Australia was added in 2025, becoming the 7th star in the AWMM race series. This will be the first AWMM race on the continent of Africa. All finishers were given a provisional star pending the completion of the evaluation. Cunningham completed the marathon as part of his
goal to run a marathon on all seven continents, with only Australia and Antarctica remaining. He plans to complete this journey by March 2027. “The Sanlam Marathon was especially challenging because of its many inclines. It was also a very scenic race course.” Cunningham was given a provisional AWMM 7th star, joining Charles Johnson as one of only two Bahamians to have completed seven of the eight AWMM (London, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago, Cape Town, Boston, New York, and Sydney).
