SPORTS SECTION E
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2017
Basketball fraternity mourning death of ‘Big O’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
T
he basketball fraternity, especially those in Grand Bahama, is mourning the passing of Oral ‘Big O’ Jones. The former forward/centre was 51 years old. He died in New Providence around 3am Tuesday following a massive heart attack, according to reports. Jones, a soft-spoken, gentle giant and native of Eight Mile Rock, was well liked by all who he came in contact with. Many would tell you that very seldom they heard Jones raise his voice with his teammates, whether they won or lost a basketball game. He was a source of inspiration to
his peers and even his opponents as he always possessed a big smile on his face. One of those coaches who was in awe of Jones was Wayde Watson, formerly from Grand Bahama. “He was always a formidable force in the paint and to me, he knew how to control the game,” Watson said. “He not only controlled the paint, but he could also start the fast break himself and he was a very intelligent basketball player, even though later in his years, his game started to diminish. “But off the court, he was a real humble guy. He would give you his last. I know over the last five years, he was back and forth here in New Providence and Abaco where he was doing some construction work, so we talked a lot more, even
though we didn’t hang out that much.” A few years ago Watson said Jones approached him about playing in the New Providence Basketball Association and he welcomed his leadership to the Mail Boat Cybots men’s basketball team when the league played in the CI Gibson Gymnasium. “He’s an old Eight Mile Rock Bluejays, who played with the Above The Rim out of Eight Mile Rock,” Watson recalled. “I think he played on the national team several times. But he was a good friend of mine. I’m going to miss him. It was sad when I got the news this morning. “As a matter of fact, he called me about six weeks ago before the ladies’ league ended and he asked me if I can train his daughter. I
started to do some work with her. I know she’s going to miss him a lot. I know his family is going to miss him a lot. The sporting world in Grand Bahama is going to miss him. He’s been a basketball icon in Grand Bahama for a long time.” When Grand Bahamian Charlie ‘Softly’ Robins was elected as president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation, he began a campaign to determine the top 40 players on the island. The list was cultivated by Denzal ‘Inch McGuire’ Swain, who pegged Jones at No. 23. The list was headed by Dereck ‘Bookie’ Nesbitt and followed by Basil ‘the Kid’ Sands and Robins in the top three. The Tribune extends condolences to the family of the late Jones. May his soul rest in peace.
‘Peace on da Streets’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
WHEN the 22nd version of the ‘Peace on da Street’ Basketball Classic is held next month, the Hope Centre and Youth Against Violence will show off its new outdoor basketball facility on their church grounds. With Aliv as its major sponsor, tournament director Dr Carlos Reid said all of the games in the double elimination format will be played July 10-15 in five different categories up to the final round, which includes the championship games that will be carried live on television. “We have developed a sporting complex, which is second to none,” said Reid of their facilities. “I believe that we can boast that we have the best basketball court in Nassau right now and we have been carrying the name Peace on Da Streets for so long, but it was in the gym. “We want it to become connected with the community and if you pass here on any given night, you will see hundreds of young men on this basketball court. We are pleased to have the Bahamas to come down and see what we have developed.” By the time they are ready to play, Reid said they intend to have two courts functioning to cater to the many games they will host, thanks to the generosity of KFC, who have agreed to purchase two more basketball backboards and posts to be erected. Teams will get to display their skills in the Jamaica Bahamas 13-and-under division, the Negril Café 16-and-under division, the Sol Bahamas 19-and-under division, the Sky Bahamas
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WARRIORS PARADE ON THURSDAY IN OAKLAND OAKLAND, California (AP) — After a night of celebrating the Golden State Warriors latest NBA title, fans snapped up victory shirts and hats yesterday, while Oakland crews were busy hanging championship banners along the parade route. The parade will take place Thursday morning in downtown Oakland, following the same route as the team’s parade to celebrate the 2015 NBA title. It will start at 10am at Broadway and 11th Street, wind through downtown streets and end with a procession to the Henry J Kaiser Convention Center. Fans are encouraged to line up for the parade and rally as soon as 5am Thursday and taking public transportation is encouraged. Following the victory Monday night, Warriors’ fans danced in the streets in downtown Oakland and wildly honked their horns in San Francisco. The party began as soon as Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and the Warriors beat the Cavaliers 129-120 at Oracle Arena to clinch their second championship in three years.
NADAL UP TO NO. 2, DJOKOVIC SLIDES TO NO. 4, WORST SINCE ‘09 By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
22ND EDITION: Dr Carlos Reid is flanked by sponsors and organisers of the 22nd ‘Peace on da Streets’ Basketball Classic, all set for July 10-15 at the Hope Centre and Youth Against Violence new outdoor basketball facility on their church grounds. Church Division and the Vitamalt Open Division. With all of the divisions just about stacked, Reid said there is the possibility that they may have to increase the teams participating. Additionally, there will also be the Sunshine Auto 3-point shootout, Rubis Slam Dunk contest and the crowd-pleasing Pastors versus Politicians feature contest. “Our organisation is committed to the continued fight against crime and violence in our country,” Reid said. “We are committed to providing
positive alternatives and solutions to help our young people discover their individual identities and turn from crime and violence. “If we are ever going to have a better and stronger Bahamas, then every law abiding and sensitive thinking citizen of the Bahamas must step to the plate and contribute their time, talents and resources. “We cannot and must not depend on the Government, the Police Force, churches or any other organisation to solve our community issues. The truth of the matter is that it
is each of our responsibility.” Powered by Aliv Bianca Bethel-Sawyer, events and sponsorship manager at Aliv, said the country’s newest telecommunications company is pleased to be a part of this year’s tournament as the major sponsor. “Our sponsorship includes financial support, which we hope will defray the cost of this event,” she said. “Sports, and by extension basketball, is very popular across the country. “We feel as though
whenever we invest in our youth, especially our young men, it impacts the entire community and produces a better society. We know that young men represent our future and with crime being so high, we hope that this event will actually be able to do what indeed it said it will do and that is to promote peace on the streets.” Rubis Slam Dunk Contest Shireen Seymour, retail sales executive at Ru-
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PARIS (AP) — French Open champion Rafael Nadal moved up two spots to No. 2 in the ATP rankings on Monday, his highest placing since October 2014. Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, slid from No. 2 to No. 4 in the new rankings, his lowest status in 7½ years. He lost in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, where he won the title a year ago to complete a career Grand Slam. That was also his fourth consecutive major championship, but he failed to defend any of those titles. Andy Murray retained his No. 1 ranking after a semi-final exit in Paris, while Stan Wawrinka stayed at No. 3 after losing to Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 in Sunday’s final. Roger Federer is still No. 5 after missing the French Open for the second year in a row.
Aliv Thunderbird set to defend title in Bimini Regatta By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net ALIV Thunderbird will be back to defend its title in the second annual Bimini Regatta, scheduled for June 23-25 in Alice Town. Lynden Johnson, of L Andrew Consultants, who are helping to organise the event, said they have partnered with a number of entities to make it a festive time as they “lay low in Bimini.” The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, BTC, Resort World Bimini, Caribbean Bottling, The Ministry of Tourism, L Andrew Consultants, Bahamas National Festival Commission, 112 Restaurant and Bar, Sherice M and the Bimini Big Game are among the sponsors.
ORGANISERS can be seen at the press conference to anounce the Bimini Regatta, set for June 23-25. The regatta will feature the Aliv Thunderbird from Andros, San Sally from San Salvador, the Dream Girl from Grand Bahama, Uncle
John from Acklins, Flash, also from Acklins, Melva B from Mangrove Cay, Andros and Lady Eunice from Black Point, Exuma.
“Once again, Bimini is the place to be from Thursday, June 22 to Saturday, June 25,” Johnson said. While the boats are
scheduled to arrive on the Sherice M from Thursday, June 22, just in time for the Skippers Party at Coca Plum, sailing will take place
Friday to Saturday, June 2324. The awards presentation will be held on Saturday, June 25, at a BTC-sponsored beach party where a number of Bahamian entertainers will perform. Although this will be the first time that the Aliv Thunderbird will sail since some work was done to her, Rev Dr Philip McPhee said they are eager to retain the title. “We expect to have great competition. We have six outstanding boats and we expect that they will put on a show,” he said. “What is key about Bimini is the number of tourists who come to Bimini from around Florida just for the event. “Last year, we had almost foru to 500 yachts that came
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