06282017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

NATIONALS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2017

Results, Page 12

12-member volleyball team to represent Bahamas at the CAZOVA Senior Championships for Men

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Volleyball Federation has selected a 12-member team, featuring two professional players, some savvy veterans and a few collegiate players, to represent the country at the CAZOVA Senior Championships for Men. The team, coached by Covance Mortimer and Lloyd ‘Ratty’ Davis, will be heading to Couva, Trinidad this weekend to participate in the tournament that will run from July 2-10.

Named to the team are pro players Byron Ferguson and Shonari

Hepburn, veterans Printanique Wilson, Toney Simon, Glen Rolle and Jamaal Ferguson, collegians Eugene Stuart and Rajahl Moxey, along with JeVaughn Saunders, Javari Southard, Lorenzo Williams and Shedrick Forbes.

“I think this is probably the best 12 that we will travel with in a while since I’ve been on the team,” he said. “So I feel we have a lot of players that we can interchange in crucial movements in the game that we didn’t have in previous tournaments.”

Jamaal Ferguson took it a step further. “ A lot of teams are trying to emphasise on their power or right side player. Our coaches

have seen the evolution in volleyball and they are trying to replicate the same things that others are doing, so I think it will work for us because a lot of teams don’t know what we are doing,” he said.

“It’s going to be a good challenge, but we are looking to win as the favourites. We just have to go out there and play up to that expectation.”

The Bahamas has been placed in Group E with Jamaica, Haiti and Barbados. The team’s opening game will be on Tuesday against Barbados, followed by Jamaica on Wednesday (July 5) and Haiti on Thursday (July 6).

The playoffs are slated to begin

on Friday (July 8) and wrap up on Sunday (July 9).

The tournament comes just before the women’s tournament is played July 26-31 when the Bahamas will be placed in Group D with Martinique, Trinidad & Tobago and Guadeloupe.

On Monday night during a practice session at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the federation made the final cut. Coach Mortimer said he’s quite pleased with the selection. “You can expect us to do the best that we can do,” Mortimer said. “We have a veteran team with some of the players having been a

SEE PAGE 13

All four relay teams get set for London

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

W

hile the numbers have not been what was anticipated in terms of the athletes who have qualified for individual events, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations is still looking forward to a solid team assembled for the IAAF World Relays with all four relay teams expected to compete.

In the BAAA/Aliv National Open Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex over the weekend, there were no additional qualifiers although Shaunae Miller-Uibo and TyNia Gaither both attained the standards in the women’s 200m and Steven Gardiner did it in the men’s 400 metres.

Those that didn’t make it will have until Sunday, July 23 to book their tickets to the championships, scheduled for August 5-13 in London, England. In an attempt to give athletes their last chance to make it, the Blue Marlin club will hold their second annual Track and Field Classic at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

Shavez Hart relinquished his men’s century title to Warren Fraser, but he bounced back to retain his crown in the 200.

“I wasn’t really for the 100, so I had to come back in the 200 to really get my mind into competition mood,” Hart said. “Now I’m finally rounding into form and this is the fastest that I’ve ever been. So

I’m pretty excited. I’m just ready to transfer practice into competition.”

Teray Smith, coming off his final year at Auburn University, said his performance wasn’t what he expected, but he will be ready for Worlds having qualified for the 200m.

“I’ve been training heavy and it’s taking its toll on my body,” he said. “But I will be ready.”

Gaither has also qualified for the women’s 200m, but she’s not going to rest on her laurels.

“I’m pretty contented with my performances.

I still have a lot of work to do, so I’m just looking forward to the future,” Gaither said. “This was just my third 100m for the year. I felt pretty good. I was comfortable. I felt I executed very well, but the time wasn’t where I wanted it to be.

“In the 200m, I felt really good. Coming back, I had a little mishap with my back, but I felt pretty good.”

Gaither said in this, her first year on the pro circuit, she’s very content with the progress she’s making because it’s making her stronger.

For Anthonique Stachan, runner-up in the 100m and third in the 200m, the weekend was quite a satisfying one considering how she’s just trying to get into tip-top shape since she was hampered by a series of injuries.

“It wasn’t my best race, but at least I finished strong and healthy, so there’s nothing more I could ask

SEE PAGE 14

OLYMPIC 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo at the Nationals in Grand Bahama.

Photo: 10thYearSeniors

VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SHONARI HAS GREAT ROOKIE SEASON IN GREECE

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AS the second Bahamian to travel to Greece to begin his professional volleyball career, Shonari Hepburn said the experience this past year was more than he anticipated.

Hepburn, following in the footsteps of fellow pro baller Byron Ferguson, said his appearance on the Kyzikos roster in the city of Nea Peramos was a great experience in his rookie season.

“I saw a lot playing wise that I didn’t see at home,” said Hepburn during a practice with the men’s national team as they prepare for the CAZOVA Senior Championships in Trinidad & Tobago next week.

“It was something good for me to bring home to my peers and the younger ones still in college so that they can get better and take their game to the next level.”

At the end of the season, Hepburn helped Kyzikos to finish in ninth place out of a field of 12 teams with a 10-20 win-loss record as they participated in the top league in Greece for the first time.

With the season completed, Hepburn said he is waiting on confirmation from his agent on exactly where he will play when the new season starts in September.

If he returns to Greece, Hepburn said he was advised that he could sign with one of the playoff teams in the league, which would only help him to enhance his game.

“Right now, my agent is negotiating for me to also look in France, which is a higher market,” Hepburn said.

As a player coming from the Bahamas via Canada where he played on the collegiate scene with Niagara College, Hepburn said it was quite different from what he had experienced in the past.

“The only Bahamian to play pro ball was Byron (Ferguson), so everybody knows what to expect out of Bahamians,” Hepburn said.

“There was more pressure on me to succeed because people know that the Bahamian players are athletic.

“With Byron also having played in Greece, people know the calibre of play they will get from the Bahamas. So it was good for me to go there because he had a successful season individually and also as a member

SEE PAGE 13

FIVE BAHAMIAN PLAYERS ALL SET FOR 9TH BASKETBALL WITHOUT BORDERS AMERICAS CAMP FIVE Bahamian players will get the opportunity to compete with some of the best young talent in the region when the National Basketball Association (NBA), International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) host the top 66 boys and girls from 16 countries and territories in the 9th Basketball without Borders (BWB) Americas Camp.

The camp is scheduled for July 5-8 at the Kendal GL Isaacs National Gymnasium in Nassau, marking the first time that the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach programme will be held in the Bahamas. Nike will serve as the official partner.

Dominic Bridgewater, Samuel Hunter and Derryn Johnson have been selected by the BBF to rep-

resent the boys, while Briontae Riley and Diondrea Nixon got the nod for the girls.

NBA and FIBA players and coaches, including JJ Barea (Dallas Mavericks; Puerto Rico), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks; Canada) and Sasha Vujacic (New York Knicks; Slovenia), will coach the high school age campers.

Barea, Powell and Vujacic will be joined by WNBA Legend Ebony Hoffman (US).

BWB, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach programme, have reached more than 2,720 participants from 134 countries and territories since 2001, with 46 campers drafted into the NBA. Twenty-three former BWB campers, including four former BWB Americas campers, were

on opening-night rosters for the 2016-17 season, including Bruno Caboclo (Toronto Raptors; Brazil; BWB Americas 2013), Thon Maker (Milwaukee Bucks; South Sudan; BWB Americas 2015) and Kelly Olynyk (Boston Celtics; Canada; BWB Americas 2009).

Three former BWB campers were drafted in the 2017 NBA Draft: Lauri Markkanen (No. 7 overall pick – Chicago Bulls; Finland; BWB Europe 2014/BWB Global 2015), Frank Ntilikina (No. 8 overall pick – New York Knicks; France; BWB Europe 2015/BWB Global 2016) and Isaiah Hartenstein (No. 43 overall pick – Houston Rockets; U.S.; BWB Europe 2015/BWB Global 2016).

Current NBA assistant coaches James Borrego (San Antonio Spurs), Jim Boylan (Cleveland Cavaliers), Darvin Ham (Atlanta

Hawks) and David Vanterpool (Portland Trail Blazers) will also serve as BWB Americas coaches.

Patrick Hunt (President of the World Association of Basketball Coaches; Australia) and Ronald Cass (FIBA Coach) will serve as camp directors for the boys and girls respectively.

Armando Rivas (Chicago Bulls) will serve as the camp’s athletic trainer.

Players and coaches will lead the campers through a variety of activities on and off the court, including movement efficiency, positional skill development, 5-on-5 games and daily life skills seminars focusing on health, leadership and communication.

One boy and one girl will be named BWB Americas Camp MVPs at the conclusion of the camp.

BWB Americas will also include a Jr NBA clinic with local youth in the Bahamas in partnership with community organisations, which will highlight the power of sport to promote cultural understanding while teaching the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle and the values of the game, including teamwork, integrity and respect.

Nike, a BWB global partner since 2002, will outfit the campers and coaches with Nike apparel and footwear.

The NBA and FIBA have staged 49 BWB camps in 30 cities across 25 countries on six continents. More than 230 current and former NBA, WNBA and FIBA players have joined more than 185 NBA team personnel from all 30 NBA teams to support BWB across the world.

PAGE 12, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

RESULTS: BAAA/ALIV OPEN NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS • HERE’s a look at the athletes’ performances in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ 2017 Aliv Open National Track & Field Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex over the weekend: Men 400M Hurdles OPEN Finals - 1, Gibson, Jeffery, Unattached, 49.42. 2, Colebrook, Andre, Unattached, 51.32. 3, Coakley, Xavier, Unattached, 53.03. 4, Ponder, Durante, Unattached, 53.95. 5, Thompson, Avery, Unattached, 57.99.

Women 100M Dash OPEN Preliminaries - 1, Gaither, TyNia, Unattached, 11.51Q, w:-1.9. 2, Albury, Keianna, Unattached, 11.58Q, w:-1.3. 3, Ambrose, Janae, Unattached, 11.59q, w:-1.9. 4, Strachan, Anthonique, Unattached, 11.60q, w:-1.3. 5, Cox, Carmiesha, Unattached, 11.63q, w:-1.3. 6, Bethel, Brianne, Unattached, 11.71q, w:-1.3. 7, Brown, Adanaca, Unattached, 11.87q, w:-1.9. 8, Ferguson, Debbie, Unattached, 11.90q, w:-1.9. 9, Carter, Tayla, Unattached, 12.01, w:-1.9. 10, Robinson, V’Alonee, Unattached, 12.05, w:-1.9. 11, Grey, Alexis, Unattached, 12.24, w:-1.9. 12, Kemp, Ivanique, Unattached, 12.27, w:-1.3. 13, Ferguson, Ronecia, Unattached, 12.55, w:-1.9. 14, Deveaux, Antonishka, Unattached, 12.58, w:-1.3.

Women 100M Dash OPEN Finals - (w: -1.1) 1, Gaither, TyNia, Unattached, 11.47. 2, Strachan, Anthonique, Unattached, 11.50.

3, Cox, Carmiesha, Unattached, 11.62. 4, Albury, Keianna, Unattached, 11.68. 5, Bethel, Brianne, Unattached, 11.72. 6, Ambrose, Janae, Unattached, 11.81.

Men 100M Dash OPEN Preliminaries - 1, Hart, Shavez, Unattached, 10.30Q, w:0.9. 2, Fraser, Warren, Unattached, 10.39Q, w:-0.4. 3, Griffith, Adrian, Unattached, 10.48Q, w:-1.2. 4, Smith, Teray, Unattached, 10.49q, w:-0.4. 5, Bartlett, Blake, Unattached, 10.61q, w:-0.9. 6, Stuart, Sean, Unattached, 10.71q, w:-0.4. 7, Johnson, Joel, Unattached, 10.72q, w:-0.4. 8, Davis, Delano, Unattached, 10.75q, w:-1.2.

9, Rolle, Jamial, Unattached, 10.83, w:-0.9.

10, Kerr, Ian, Unattached, 10.84, w:-1.2. 11, Bain, Karon, Unattached, 10.89, w:-1.2. 12, Miller, Kohfe, Unattached, 10.93, w:-1.2. 13, Johnson, Robert, Unattached, 11.03, w:-0.9.

14, Moss, Jamal, Unattached, 11.26, w:-0.9.

15, Munnings, Xavier, Unattached, 11.32, w:-0.4. 16, Knowles, Perez, Unattached, 11.65, w:-0.9. 17, Anderson, Salathiel, Unattached, 11.85, w:-0.9.

Men 100M Dash OPEN Finals - (w: 0.1) 1, Fraser, Warren, Unattached, 10.31.

2, Smith, Teray, Unattached, 10.35. 3, Hart, Shavez, Unattached, 10.36. 4, Griffith, Adrian, Unattached, 10.43. 5, Stuart, Sean, Unattached, 10.67. 6, Johnson, Joel, Unattached, 10.71. 7, Davis, Delano, Unattached, 10.72. 8, Bartlett, Blake, Unattached, 10.82.

Men 1500M Dash OPEN - 1, Lowe, Bryant, Unattached, 4:22.49. 2, Adderley, Kendron, Unattached, 4:34.00.

Women 400M Dash OPEN Preliminaries - 1, Brown, Rashan, Unattached, 52.43Q. 2, Clarke, Lanece, Unattached, 53.47Q. 3, Dorsette, Shaquania, Unattached, 54.00q.

4, Amertil, Christine, Unattached, 54.01q.

5, Byfield, Miriam, Unattached, 55.00q. 6, Anderson, Doneisha, Unattached, 55.01q.

Women 400M Dash OPEN Finals - 1, Dorsette, Shaquania, Unattached, 52.57.

2, Clarke, Lanece, Unattached, 53.04. 3, Amertil, Christine, Unattached, 54.26. 4, Anderson, Doneisha, Unattached, 56.66.

5, Byfield, Miriam, Unattached, 1:00.78. --, Brown, Rashan, Unattached, DNF. Men 400M Dash OPEN Preliminaries - 1, Gardiner, Steven, Unattached, 46.29Q. 2, Miller, Ramon, Unattached, 46.58Q. 3, Ferguson, Ojay, Unattached, 46.95Q. 4, Brown, Chris, Unattached, 47.24Q. 5, Mathieu, Michael, Unattached, 46.86q. 6, Thompson, Kendrick, Unattached, 47.03q.

7, McBride, Elroy, Unattached, 47.06q.

8, Delauze, Henri, Unattached, 47.22q.

9, Bain, Andretti, Unattached, 47.28. 10, Newbold, Stephen, Unattached, 47.53. 11, Pinder, Demetrius, Unattached, 47.78. 12, Adderley, Anthony, Unattached, 47.86.

13, Dormeus, Bradley, Unattached, 48.03.

14, Cartwright, Janeko, Unattached, 48.30.

15, Roberts, Donya, Unattached, 49.12. 16, Rolle, Kinard, Unattached, 49.19. 17, Sherrod, Corey, Unattached, 49.36. 18, Williamson, Isreal, Unattached, 49.79. 19, Simms, Tyrell, Unattached, 49.80. 20, Clarke, Auston, Unattached, 50.60. --, Cenesus, Randall, Unattached, X46.07.

Men 400M Dash OPEN Finals - 1, Gardiner, Steven, Unattached, 44.66, WC. 2, Mathieu, Michael, Unattached, 45.93.

3, Miller, Ramon, Unattached, 46.13. 4, Thompson, Kendrick, Unattached, 46.22.

5, Ferguson, Ojay, Unattached, 46.49. 6, Brown, Chris, Unattached, 47.01. 7, Delauze, Henri, Unattached, 47.22. --, McBride, Elroy, Unattached, DNF. Women 800M Run OPEN - 1, Byfield, Miriam, Unattached, 2:35.68.

Men 800M Run OPEN - 1, Jean-Lou-

CRUISE CONTROL: Shown (l-r) are Brianne Bethel (5), Anthonique Strachan (33), Keianna Albury (1), TyNia Gaither (117), Janae Ambrose (2) and Carmiesha Cox (14) in the women’s 100 metres won by Gaither in 11.47 seconds.

HIGHER HEIGHTS: Jamal Wilson in the men’s high jump.

Photos: 10thYearSeniors is, Rocky, Unattached, 1:56.55. 2, Lowe, Bryant, Unattached, 1:59.65. 3, Knowles, Zelmon, Unattached, 2:02.60.

Women 100M Hurdles OPEN Preliminaries - (w: NWI) 1, Charlton, Devynne, Unattached, 12.87Q, WC. 2, Brown, Adanaca, Unattached, 13.10q. 3, Kemp, Ivanique, Unattached, 13.24q. 4, Simmons, Vashanti, Unattached, 13.25q.

Women 100M Hurdles OPEN Finals - (w: -0.4) 1, Charlton, Devynne, Unattached, 12.95, WC. 2, Brown, Adanaca, Unattached, 13.49. 3, Kemp, Ivanique, Unattached, 13.76.

Men 110M Hurdles OPEN Preliminaries - (w: NWI) 1, Thompson, Avery, Unattached, 14.80Q. 2, Gibson, Jeffery, Unattached, 14.81q.

Men 110M Hurdles OPEN Finals - (w: -0.3) 1, Thompson, Avery, Unattached, 15.15.

Women 200M Dash OPEN Preliminaries - 1, Uibo-Miller, Shaunae, Unattached, 22.54Q, WC, w:-0.4. 2, Gaither, TyNia, Unattached, 23.23Q, w:-2.1. 3, Ambrose, Janae, Unattached, 23.29q, w:-0.4. 4, Strachan, Anthonique, Unattached, 23.32q, w:-2.1. 5, Cox, Carmiesha, Unattached, 23.38q, w:-2.1. 6, Albury, Keianna, Unattached, 23.40q, w:-0.4. 7, Bethel, Brianne, Unattached, 23.62q, w:-0.4. 8, Grey, Alexis, Unattached, 24.56q, w:-2.1. 9, Ferguson,

Ronecia, Unattached, 25.49, w:-0.4. 10, Deveaux, Antonishka, Unattached, 25.65, w:2.1.

Women 200M Dash OPEN Finals - (w: +0.0) 1, Uibo-Miller, Shaunae, Unattached, 22.21, WC. 2, Gaither, TyNia, Unattached, 23.02, WC. 3, Strachan, Anthonique, Unattached, 23.23. 4, Albury, Keianna, Unattached, 23.53. 5, Cox, Carmiesha, Unattached, 23.55. 6, Bethel, Brianne, Unattached, 23.85. 7, Grey, Alexis, Unattached, 24.57.

Men 200M Dash OPEN Preliminaries - 1, Mathieu, Michael, Unattached, 20.64Q, w:-1.0. 2, Hart, Shavez, Unattached, 21.12Q, w:-0.6. 3, Smith, Teray, Unattached, 20.68q, w:-1.0. 4, Adderley, Anthony, Unattached, 21.15q, w:-1.0. 5, Davis, Delano, Unattached, 21.25q, w:-1.0. 6, Bartlett, Blake, Unattached, 21.56q, w:-1.0. 7, Kerr, Ian, Unattached, 21.62q, w:-0.6. 8, Dean, Yurick, Unattached, 21.91q, w:-0.6.

9, Ponder, Durante, Unattached, 22.21, w:0.6. 10, Moss, Jamal, Unattached, 22.36, w:0.6. 11, Smith, Johnny, Unattached, 22.44, w:-0.6.

Men 200M Dash OPEN Finals - (w: -0.3) 1, Hart, Shavez, Unattached, 20.58.

2, Mathieu, Michael, Unattached, 20.67. 3, Smith, Teray, Unattached, 21.02. 4, Adderley, Anthony, Unattached, 21.32. 5, Davis, Delano, Unattached, 21.42. 6, Dean, Yu-

rick, Unattached, 21.75. 7, Kerr, Ian, Unattached, 22.27.

Women High Jump 150m-5cms to OPEN - 1, Sands, Ashtoni, Unattached, 1.65m.

Men High Jump 1.85m-5cms t OPEN - 1, Wilson, Jamal, Unattached, 2.25m. 2, Thomas, Donald, Unattached, J2.25m.

3, Alcine, Kyle, Unattached, 2.15m. 4, Miller, Shaun, Unattached, 2.00m. 5, Wilson, Timothy, Unattached, 1.90m. --, Ingraham, Ryan, Unattached, NH. Women Long Jump OPEN - 1, Stuart, Bianca, Unattached, 6.12m, w:-2.8. 2, Robinson, V’Alonee, Unattached, 5.93m, w:0.6.

Men Long Jump OPEN - 1, Martin, Holland, Unattached, 7.13m, w:0.7. 2, Whymms, Denvaughn, Unattached, 6.87m, w:-1.0. 3, Pratt, Jamieson, Unattached, 6.41m, w:0.7. 4, Rolle, Dravton, Unattached, 6.18m, w:-2.6. 5, Wilson, Timothy, Unattached, 5.74m, w:-2.0. --, Carey, Trae, Unattached, FOUL. Women Triple Jump OPEN - 1, Myers, Tamara, Unattached, 13.77m, w:-0.8.

Men Triple Jump OPEN - 1, Sands, Leevan, Unattached, 16.14m, w:-0.9. 2, Culmer, Kaiwan, Unattached, 15.83m, w:-1.1. 3, Ferguson Jr., Ronald, Unattached, 13.57m, w:-0.8. --, Pratt, Jamieson, Unattached, FOUL. Women Discus Throw OPEN - 1, Brown, Serena, Unattached, 50.60m. 2, Harris, Laquell, Unattached, 43.80m.

Men Discus Throw OPEN - 1, Uibo, Maicel, Unattached, 46.58m.

Women Shot Put OPEN - 1, Harris, Laquell, Unattached, 11.88m. 2, Brown, Selina, Unattached, 10.64m.

Men Shot Put OPEN - 1, Uibo, Maicel, Unattached, 13.75m.

Men Javelin Throw OPEN - 1, Romer, Leonardo, Unattached, 59.84m.

Men Decathlon OPEN - 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 6500.00. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 5130.00.

Decathlon: #1 Men 100M Dash OPEN Decathlon - (w: -0.4) 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 11.22. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 11.40.

Decathlon: #2 Men Long Jump OPEN Decathlon - 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 6.85m, w:-1.1. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 5.92m, w:-1.3.

Decathlon: #3 Men Shot Put OPEN Decathlon - 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 12.65m. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 10.03m.

Decathlon: #4 Men High Jump OPEN Decathlon - 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 2.02m. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 1.55m.

Decathlon: #5 Men 400 Meter Dash OPEN Decathlon - 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 49.18. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 51.21.

Decathlon: #6 Men 110 Meter Hurdles OPEN Decathlon - (w: -2.2) 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 15.08. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 17.52.

Decathlon: #7 Men Discus Throw OPEN Decathlon - 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 35.24m. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 30.13m.

Decathlon: #8 Men Pole Vault OPEN Decathlon - 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 2.57m. --, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, NH. Decathlon: #9 Men Javelin Throw OPEN Decathlon - 1, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 46.54m. 2, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 33.16m.

Decathlon: #10 Men 1500 Meter Run OPEN Decathlon - 1, Williamson, Dennis, Unattached, 4:31.95. 2, Mullings, Ken, Unattached, 5:32.66.

Women Hammer Throw OPEN - 1, Hill, Evia, Unattached, 41.72m, WC.

FAST TRACK: Shown (l-r) are Warren Fraser (65), Shavez Hart (69), Adrian Griffith (68), Blake Bartlett (45) and Joel Johnson (73) in the men’s 100m, won by Fraser in 10.31 seconds.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, June 28, 2017, PAGE 13

JONQUEL JONES POSTS ANOTHER DOUBLE DOUBLE IN 87-79 LOSS TO SPARKS UNCASVILLE, Connecticut (AP) — Our very own Jonquel Jones scored 13 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in another stellar double double performance this season.

However, the double column effort wasn’t enough for her Connecticut Sun to claim the victory over the Los Angeles Sparks at home.

Jasmine Thomas led Connecti-

cut with 19 points.

Nneka Ogwumike scored 17 of her 21 points in the first half to help the Sparks beat the Sun 8779 last night.

Candace Parker added 14 points, seven rebounds and five blocks for the Sparks (10-3), who have won six straight.

Los Angeles led by six at the half thanks to Ogwumike, who made her first eight shots.

The Sparks scored 16 of the first 20 points in the second half to open up a double-digit lead.

Riquna Williams, who is filling in for injured guard Essence Carson, spearheaded that burst and finished the game with 13 points.

The Sun (6-7) were down by 19 and got to 68-61 early in the fourth, but could get no closer as Los Angeles scored the next eight points..

Ogwumike scored 13 points in the first quarter as Los Angeles jumped out to a 10-point lead.

The Sun trimmed their deficit to six behind the strong play of Thomas and Courtney Williams, who combined for 16 points in the opening half.

TIP-INS: Sparks: Ogwumike set the WNBA record when she went 12

for 12 last season from the field in a game against Dallas. She finished 9 for 13 against the Sun. Carson injured her groin against Phoenix and may join the team in Atlanta according to coach Brian Agler.

Sun: F Lynetta Kizer suited up for the first time since injuring her back in practice in early June.

Kizer missed 5 games. She played 3 minutes and had two points.

BASEBALL NATIONALS: JUNIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE OF NASSAU TEAMS BRING FOUR OF FIVE TITLES BACK TO NEW PROVIDENCE

JBLN 11-12 MAJOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

JBLN 9-10 MINOR LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

JBLN 7-8 COACH PITCH CHAMPIONS

GRAND BAHAMA 16-18 HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONS THE Bahamas Baseball Federation’s 2017 Grand Bahama Port Authority National Baseball Championships concluded on Sunday at the EMERA Baseball Stadium with the Junior Baseball League of Nassau taking four of the five titles back to

JBLN 13-15 CHAMPIONS

VOLLEYBALL PLAYER SHONARI HAS GREAT ROOKIE SEASON IN GREECE FROM PAGE 11 of his team.”

Hepburn said he felt he had a relatively good season individually and it will only help to motivate the young players who are following in their footsteps.

“Just work hard and don’t quit,” said the 24-year-old 6-foot, 7-inch Hepburn.

“The things that you are re-

ally good at, just continue to work on them and make them better.

“If you get to go pro, everything you used to be doing at home or in college you might be asked to do something differently. So you have to be open and make the adjustment because you never know what the coach might want to implement in your game.”

Hepburn, a middle block-

er, said he learned so much during his rookie season on the pro circuit and he’s hoping that he can impart some of his knowledge to his teammates when they travel to Trinidad to play next week.

While Hepburn waits to find out exactly where he will continue his career later this year, Ferguson is gearing up to head to France.

12-member volleyball team to represent Bahamas at CAZOVA Senior Championships for Men FROM PAGE 11 fixture on the team for a while, so the experience on the international level is there, so I expect us to do very well.”

The tournament serves as a qualifier for the World Championships with the first two teams earning their automatic berths into the next round.

“We are basically playing to fine tune ourselves because we have always played at a high standard in the past and we have been ranked a lot higher than most of our opponents,” Mortimer said.

Looking at the mix-up of the team, Mortimer said their strength has and will continue to be up the middle, but they are looking at

the transition from the middle to the right side.

“Every individual on the team has some sort of asset that they can contribute to our success, so that makes us overall an excellent team,” he said.

However, Mortimer pointed out that if there was any weakness, it would have to be their mental aspect with regard to how focused the players will be when they get ready to play.

Davis said they have instilled in the players that in order to advance to the next round, the team will have to win.

“This is a very pivotal tournament for us,” he said. “The further you go, the better it is for you. We will have some challenges, if we qualify, because we will start meeting the big-

ger countries like Cuba and Mexico.

“But we have a pretty young team which can do some damage. We just have to start with this tournament. We have to win in order to look ahead to the next level.”

Shedrick Forbes said there are a lot of expectations that he and his teammates have to live up to.

“We are more focused this time around mentally and now there is an expectancy of being the top team winning the gold medal at the tournament to move onto the NORCECA Championships in September to try and qualify for World Championships 2018 in Japan,” he said.

• SEE VOLLEYBALL PLAYER PROFILES IN SPORTS THURSDAY

New Providence.

The only crown that stayed in Grand Bahama was the high school (16-18 years old) division that saw the Grand Bahama Little League emerge as the champions over JBLN.

PAGE 14, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

All four relay teams get set for London FROM PAGE 11 for,” she said. “The 200m is still my favourite event, but it just sucks that I didn’t do as well as I wanted to do. I will go back to Auburn and talk to my coach (Bahamian Henry Rolle) and see where I go from there.”

JAMAICAN sprinter Usain Bolt gestures Monday during a press conference prior to the Golden Spike Athletic meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Bolt will compete in the 100 metres at the Golden Spike today.

(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

BOLT CURIOUS ABOUT WHO WILL REPLACE HIM AS FASTEST MAN

By KAREL JANICEK Associated Press OSTRAVA, Czech Republic (AP) — Usain Bolt is curious as to who will replace him as the world’s fastest man.

He’s confident nobody will know at his last major race, at the world athletics championships in August in London.

Bolt was unperturbed when asked on Monday if he was afraid of losing his last race before retirement.

“My coach always finds a way (for me to win),” he said. “I’m not worried.”

As for his successor, he was looking forward to the years ahead.

“I’m definitely excited just to see sit and watch and to see who’s going to be the next Olympic champion in the 100, 200 metres,” he said. “There’re a lot of young stars coming up. It’s exciting to see who is really going to step up to be a champion.”

Bolt has dominated the sprints for nine years, and won all of the major titles there are to be won. But

knowing he’ll be finished racing in less than two months makes everything bittersweet.

He’s competing in his ninth and last Golden Spike today, running the 100 metres in the eastern Czech city of Ostrava.

“Every meet will be emotional,” he said. “I know it will be my last time competing. It’s an emotional season.”

He likes the Golden Spike because it’s a fast track, and the stands are always packed, no matter if it’s rainy or cold.

The only other race he’s scheduled before the worlds is the Diamond League meet in Monaco on July 21.

He’s undecided about other races.

He won’t leave athletics after his last race. He intends to remain part of his racing group in Jamaica.

“When it comes to coaching, my coach really pushed me hard to try to get into coaching,” he said. “Maybe next season I’ll be at the track a lot. I won’t be a coach but I’ll oversee and watch.”

TYNIA Gaither competes in a 100m heat at 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 12. (AP)

After delighting the crowd with her performance in the 200m, MillerUibo spent a lot of time entertaining the crowd by signing autographs and taking photos with the children on hand.

“I love the kids. I remember being at that age and wanting autographs as well, so it’s a great feeling to inspire the kids,” said Miller-Uibo as she turns her attention to London where she intends to pursue the 200/400m double.

She admitted that it’s going to be tough, but with another meet to compete in on July 4 in her second 400m for the season, she’s eager to see how things would unfold.

“I’m pretty comfortable with it.” said Miller-Uibo about her quest at the World Championships.

“My coach just told me to take it easy. But we came out here and put down a pretty good time, so I’m excited about it. I’m hoping to go into London injury free and hopefully put everything together there.”

Miller-Ubo said she enjoyed competing in Grand Bahama because the crowd really came out and showed their support.

She was even more elated to see Strachan running as well as she did under the

ANTHONIQUE STRACHAN, of the Bahamas, watches the replay after finishing third in her semi-final of the 200m at the Pan Am Games on July 23, 2015, in Toronto. (AP) circumstances.

“I won’t sleep on her.

She’s coming back strong,” Miller-Uibo said.

“But it’s also good to get to compete with some of the younger athletes. Everyone is coming up strong and so we should put on a good performance in London.”

As for the relays at Worlds, Miller-Uibo said she would definitely like to run a leg in the final if any of the teams qualify because the change in the

schedule will work directly in her favour as she gets set to add to the Olympic gold that she snatched from American Allyson Felix when she dove across the finish line in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Whoever she lines up against, including her training partner Torie Bowie from the United States and Jamaican Olympic double sprint champion Elaine Thompson, MillerUibo said she’s going to give it her best shot.

SPECTATORS enjoy the Nationals at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex over the weekend.

HEALTHY AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT, MERRITT RETURNS TO WORLDS

By PAT GRAHAM Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif.

(AP) — Aries Merritt will be making a return to the world championships. This time, with a working kidney.

The world-record holder Merritt finished second behind Aleec Harris in the 110-metre hurdles at the US track and field championships Sunday. His place — as long as it was top three — didn’t really matter. He just wanted a spot.

Merritt won bronze at the 2015 world championships in Beijing with his kidneys barely functioning because of a genetic disorder. He received the transplant from his sister less than a week later. Now healthy, he’s ready to see what he can do with worlds being held at the venue where he won an Olympic gold medal during the 2012 London Games.

“I always felt once I was healthy, all it would take is for me to put in the work,” Merritt explained. “That’s something I’ve been lacking. I haven’t been able to put in the work in two years.”

Harris proved uncatchable as he finished in 13.24 seconds. Merritt was 0.07 seconds behind, and former

University of Oregon football player Devon Allen took third.

“I talked with (Merritt) when we first got here and asked him how he felt, and he said he felt really good,” Harris said. “It was great to hear that.”

The 31-year-old Merritt knew he would be able to make a strong return to the hurdles — even if others didn’t buy in.

“I was told, ‘You’ll never come back to the sport with the medications you have to take that are life long,’” said Merritt, whose mom and sister were in the stands. “It was something that went in one ear and out there other.

“No matter what someone may tell you, whether it’s a doctor or not, you can’t give up hope. You always have to stay positive and look at the brighter picture.”

• The highlights from the last day of nationals: DID YOU SEE THAT One of the biggest crowd eruptions was on Ryan Crouser’s final heave in the shot put, when he surpassed Joe Kovacs. Crouser had a mark of 74 feet, 3 3/4 inches (22.65 metres) to hold off Kovacs, who already had an automatic bye into worlds as the defending world

Devon, earned a spot in the decathlon earlier at nationals.

QUOTABLE “It seems like everyone I grew up with 12 years ago on this circuit is no longer competing,” said pole vaulter Jenn Suhr, who won a gold medal at the London Games. Suhr finished second to Sandi Morris on Sunday.

FROM left, Devon Allen, Aries Merritt, and Aleec Harris run the men’s 110-metre hurdles at the US Track and Field Championships on Sunday. Harris won the event, Merritt finished second, and Allen finished third. (AP) champion.

“It’s a confidence boost, showing I can come through on the last throw,” Crouser said.

FAST RACE Olympic 400 hurdles gold medallist Dalilah Muhammad won the event at nationals in a fast race that saw the top three all go under 53 seconds.

“That’s so amazing,” Muhammad said.

CAUGHT AT THE LINE Just like in the 100, Chris-

tian Coleman took the early lead in the 200. And just like in the 100, he was caught at the last moment.

Coleman was out-leaned at the finish by Ameer Webb, who finished in 20.09 seconds to win by 0.01. Elijah Hall-Thompson, who’s coached at the University of Houston by Carl Lewis, was third.

“Racing at this high level you can never think you have it,” Coleman said. “He got me today.”

FROM THE OUTSIDE Oregon standout Deajah

Stevens won the 200 from the outside lane, edging Kimberlyn Duncan and Tori Bowie.

“The 200 is my baby. I love this race,” Stevens said.

“It felt to go out there and execute the way I know I could.”

THE COLLEGE TRY Kendell Williams of the University of Georgia captured the heptathlon title and Florida’s Eric Futch won the men’s 400 hurdles.

They both won at NCAA championships earlier this month. Williams’ brother,

FACTS & FIGURES 17-year-old Sydney McLaughlin set a world under-20 record in the 400 hurdles with a time of 53.82.

Evan Jager (steeplechase), Ajee Wilson (800), Jarrion Lawson (long jump), Emmanuel Corvera (men’s race walk), Maria Michta-Coffey (women’s race walk), Bryan McBride (high jump), Donavan Brazier (800) also won. Teenager Noah Lyles was one of the favourites in the 200, but didn’t race in the semi-finals because of a strained right hamstring.

LaShawn Merritt didn’t start, either. In the women’s 200, Allyson Felix didn’t race the final. Felix and Merritt already have automatic entries into worlds in the 400. Clayton Murphy was dealing with hamstring issues and didn’t race in the 800 final.

WADA ALLOWS RUSSIAN DOPING AGENCY TO RUN DRUG TESTING AGAIN

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH Associated Press KAZAN, Russia (AP) — The World Anti-Doping Agency has partly restored drug-testing duties to the Russian anti-doping agency.

RUSADA was suspended in 2015 when its staff was accused of helping to cover up drug use, but will now have wide-ranging authority over testing.

After intense negotiations and sweeping personnel changes at the Russian agency, WADA said yesterday it has now allowed RU-

SADA to “plan and coordinate” drug testing under the supervision of British agency UKAD, which has overseen testing in Russia during the national anti-doping body’s suspension.

“Resumption of testing represents an important step forward in rebuilding anti-doping in Russia,” WADA president Craig Reedie said.

“We strongly encourage Russia to continue their efforts in the interest of clean athletes worldwide.”

RUSADA will have free rein to choose which athletes to test,

even if UKAD disagrees with its choice, and employees will now be allowed to collect samples from athletes. Previously, UKAD oversaw testing and hired private firms to collect the samples.

“UKAD will continue to be involved in the training and development of RUSADA,” WADA spokeswoman Maggie Durand told The Associated Press in an email. “UKAD does not have the authority to overrule RUSADA testing plans.”

Two WADA appointees attached to RUSADA since last year will monitor the testing, Du-

rand added.

Samples will have to be sent to laboratories abroad. Russia’s only drug-testing laboratory remains suspended after its former director said he switched dirty samples for clean ones to cover up doping.

WADA said it allowed RUSADA to resume testing after Russia fulfilled some conditions, including releasing some blood samples from the suspended lab and providing guarantees that drug testers would be allowed in “closed cities” where many Russian athletes train in military units.

Earlier Tuesday, an account-

ancy executive took the place of pole vault great Yelena Isinbayeva as RUSADA chair.

Alexander Ivlev, who heads financial services firm EY’s Russia operations, was elected Tuesday to chair the RUSADA supervisory board.

Isinbayeva had first been appointed as chair in December, which angered WADA because of her persistent criticism of probes into Russian doping. Isinbayeva stepped down as chair last month because WADA said her senior role at the Russian Olympic Committee was a conflict of interest.