SPORTS
MONDAY, JULY 21, 2025
Gardiner ‘back on track’ with victory
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
After stopping and not completing in his previous meet, Bahamian Olympic and world champion Steven Gardiner got back on track with a victory over the weekend.
Wins 400 metres in 45.68 seconds
At the PVA HP Meet, Gardiner pulled away from the field to easily take the tape unchallenged in his winning time of 45.68 seconds in his specialty in the men’s 400 metres.
NEW YORK YANKEES’ JASRADO ‘JAZZ’ CHISHOLM
JR HITS RBISINGLE IN 4-2 WIN OVER BRAVES – PAGE 8
The 29-year-old Bahamian national record holder at 43.48 was well ahead of the second place finisher Jarrett Gentles, who got second in 46.33. The time was well off the qualifying time of 44.85 for the 2025 World Championships scheduled for Tokyo, Japan, from September 13-21. But it was a good sign heading into the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ 2025 National Championships, set for August 1-3 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Going into the meet, Gardiner has the fastest time this year by a Bahamian. The second best time of a Bahamian is by Wendell Miller, who ran 45.67 on February 22 in Kingston, Jamaica, where he has been training for the last few years.
In the last race on July 12 at the 2025 Ed Murphey Track Classic in Memphis, Tennessee, Gardiner stopped running heading into the final two 200m. He didn’t finish as 17-year-old American Quincy Wilson won, lowering his world under-18 record to 44.10.
Pastors top Politicians in ‘Peace on da Street’ Basketball Classic
By Jonathan Burrows
IN a spirited battle of faith and governance, the annual “Peace on da Streets” Basketball Classic Pastors vs Politicians game lit up the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium yesterday evening, drawing a lively crowd and showcasing a blend of competition, camaraderie and community unity. From the tip-off, the energy of the game was unmatched but, by halftime, the Pastors had stormed to an eight-point lead with a score of 21-13, utilising their speed and unselfish ball movement.
“Well, the reality is that we wanted to see what their game plan was in the first half. We know that they are bigger than us, so we really were just feeling them out in the first half and using our speed to our advantage and ensuring that we get the right passes,” said Pastor Delvone Duncombe on their lead at the half.
The Politician team seemed to be out of place and out of rhythm as they fell behind at halftime.
“We are playing their game right now, and that
is not how we play. Those guys are in better shape than we are, and we are trying to keep up with them. We are not playing smart and to our strengths right now, we need more ball movement and to stop putting our heads down and driving to the basket,” said Member of Senate Bacchus Rolle. The Politicians, however, were not about to go down without a fight.
Spearheaded by Bacchus Rolle and Leandro Lightbourne, the team chipped away at the deficit in the second half with an aggressive zone defence and timely buckets. In the final minutes, the Politicians had clawed their way into a lead by a single point, flipping the narrative on what looked like a blowout in the first half.
The Pastors responded with poise. A clutch andone basket and the free throw by Pastor Don Clarke put the Pastors back on top. With the score at 40-39 and time ticking away, MP Clay Sweeting had a chance to tie or put the Politicians up one point but missed a pair of crucial
throws, sealing the win for the Pastors with an ending score of 42-39.
was a hard-fought battle,” said Pastor Dave Burrows, head coach of the Pastors’ team.
guys stayed composed in the final minutes, and they handled it
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
THE Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated secured bragging rights as the old and new champions of the “Get Your Spike On” Volleyball Tournament. The one-day event was held at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Saturday. The tournament was hosted by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
‘GOLDEN girl’ Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie was overwhelmed by the recognition she got this past week on her return home. Ferguson-McKenzie, who is preparing to transit back home for good, said she was thrilled to know that the Member of Parliament for Bain & Grants Town, Wayde Watson and organiser Sean Bastian decided to remember her for her contributions by naming her as the honouree for their fourth annual Summer Games.
“I’m always grateful to be honoured while I’m alive,” said Ferguson-McKenzie as she attended the completion of the basketball tournament on the court at the Southern Recreational Grounds.
“But it’s important for the next generation to be able to do what could be done if they put in the hard work to be successful.”
The 49-year-old highly decorated FergusonMcKenzie, who has won individual and relay medals at every level of competition from the CAC Youth Championships and CARIFTA Games to the World Championships and the Olympics, said she was glad that she could spend the time home with her husband Adrian and mother Elka.
Watson said they couldn’t have selected a better choice than FergusonMcKenzie to honour this year. They presented her with a plaque during the
Incorporated for sorority teams in New Providence. Jayde Knowles, one of the coordinators, said this year’s event turned out to be the best they’ve enjoyed since they started the volleyball tournament.
“All of the sororities participated, which was a first for us,” she said. “We were very pleased with the turnout but, next year, we have to find a venue that is much cooler because it was very hot here, in addition to the
THE SPORTS CALENDAR
SPECIAL OLYMPICS RAFFLE GRILL
FUN DAY
SPECIAL Olympics
Bahamas is scheduled to hold their annual raffle grill fun day fundraiser on Saturday, August 16 from 11:30am to 6pm at the Stapledon School Grounds on Dolphin Drive.
Dinners will include chicken, steak, fish, hot dogs, burgers, pastries
July
and soft drinks. Domino’s, Connect 4 and basketball games will be played during the day. Interested persons are urged to call 426-0233, 477-0304 or 359-3558 for information on ticket purchases.
BOXING FUNDRAISER THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas is planning to host a souse
JULY - See Page E2
UNDER THE RIM: The Pastors beat The Politicians 42-39 last night at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium in the hghlight of the annual ‘Peace on da Streets’ Basketball Classic. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
SPEEDY IS BACK: Bahamian Olympic and world champion Steven Gardiner pulled away from the field to easily take the tape unchallenged in his 400 metres specialty at the PVA HP Meet.
By BRENT STUBBS
BLTA SENDING U12 TEAM TO COMPETITION IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) is sending the fifth team for international representation at the U12 Team Competition in the Dominican Republic. The team consists of captain Paula Whitfield, Londyn Mortimer, LisaAnne Cambridge and Kennadi Major. This is the first time all three girls will be serving for the country in tennis. Other countries representing at the competition include the host nation Dominican Republic, Bermuda and Puerto Rico. Londyn, Lisa-Anne and
SPORTS CALENDAR
JULY - from page E1
out as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the National Boxing Training Center, Blue Hill Sports Complex.
The event is scheduled to take place from 9am to 3pm with chicken pig feet and sheep tongue with Johnnycake or rolls on the menu for a donation of $15. Soft drinks, potato, coconut and zucchini breads will also be on sale. This is part of our effort to meet our goal of $60,000, according to federation president Vincent Strachan. “We are seeking your support by purchasing tickets and additional donations of food items, if possible,” Strachan said.
The 15 members are expected to participate in The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championships in St Lucia from August 1-3.
The team is expected to depart July 31 and would remain there for a training camp with the St Lucia national boxing team.
Kennadi will debut at the 2025 U12 Team Competition and are expected to play against other top tennis juniors in the U12 category in the region. The BLTA has two more teams that will round out international competition for 2025 in August.
The team will see action today as the event continues until Saturday, July 26. The BLTA and The Bahamas wish the young girls strong performances as they represent the country.
• The U12 team is pictured as they head off to Santo Domingo.
FUNERAL WINSTON MARSHALL PLANS have been revealed for the memorial and funeral service for the late Winston Marshall. A wake is scheduled for 7pm Friday, July 25 at #32 Thompson & Trinity Lane, Stapledon Gardens. The funeral service will be held 10am on Saturday, July 26 at St Matthew’s Anglican Church on Shirley and Church Streets.
ASSISTANCE CHARLTON BARRIER BREAKERS FOUNDATION THE Devynne Charlton Barrier Breakers Foundation is offering emergency assistance to athletes needing assistance with travel and/or accommodations for the upcoming Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Senior Nationals, scheduled for August 1-2. Interested athletes are urged to contact Laura Pratt-Charlton for more information and to apply for support. The email contact is dcbarrierbreakers@ gmail.com and the phone contact is 357-3109.
They would depart for Georgetown, Guyana from August 14-18 for the school boys and girls championship and seniors. They would remain in Guyana for another training camp until August 27. Then will head to St Maarten, for The Battle Of The Islands Championships.
Pastors earn their bragging rights in ‘Peace on da Street’ Basketball Classic
Beat up Politicians... 42-39
Despite the loss, the message rang loud.
“This game was very important just to show the Bahamians that there is unity among politicians, as we’re not all PLPs on this team and, of course, it’s always good to show the public the camaraderie between the church and the state.
“But as a whole, this tournament is so important for young Bahamian men in general, to give them an opportunity to be seen and acknowledged for doing something positive,” said Bacchus Rolle on the importance of the Politicians vs Pastors game.
In the end, the Pastors may have taken the win, but the real victory belongs to the community – a reminder that when leaders of faith and leaders of government come together, they can inspire a nation to rise above division.
Sorority volleyball champions
heat that the players displayed on the court.”
Men’s championship
The Alpha Kappa Alpha, behind the high leaping performance of Donovan Wilmott, pulled off a twoset sweep in set scores of 25-18 and 25-19 over the Omega Psi Phi in the men’s championship game.
Versatile player/coach
Eric “Pappy” Johnson said the Alphas came out and played like the true champions they are.
“When we come to play, we always play with heart and we demonstrated that on the court,” he said. “It was inevitable that we would get the sweep. We just knew we had a better team than they did.”
As the defending champions, Johnson said there was no way that they were going to lose, considering the fact that they added a couple younger players to their roster, which made the difference in the outcome of the game.
Randy Elliott, player/ coach for the Omega Psi Phi, said their goal was to come out and compete and they did it, making it to the championship.
“In the elimination game, we had to come back from seven points down to win,” he said. “So I was extremely happy with the team’s performance today.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t come up with the win in the end.”
Against a team that featured three national team players, Elliott said he felt they gave a good account of themselves with their own national team player Byron Rolle anchoring their attack.
“They got the best of us, but we will come back bigger and stronger and ready to go,” Elliott promised.
Ladies’ championship Katrina Johnson emerged as the MVP among a list of players who all helped to power the Delta Sigma Theta in their two-game sweep as they dethroned the champions Zeta Phi Beta in a 25-17 and 25-19 triumph.
“We brought the championship title back home,” said Krystal Brown, the captain for the winners.
“They had a very good team. But we were very disappointed when we lost the title to them last year.
“So this was our chance to redeem ourselves. We
were a little shaky at the beginning of the tournament, but we had to shake off the rust and we played well to win.”
With players such as Terae Sweeting and Je’Nae Saunders-Greene, Brown indicated that they will be back next year for a repeat and their fourth overall title.
But while they relinquished the title, ZPB’s spokeswoman Wandalee Harris said it in no way diminished the way in which they played.
“We came together and gave it our all,” she said. “I think if our serves were much better, we would have performed much better because it improved at the end.
“But in any sport, you have to play from the beginning. Other than that, we played pretty good.”
Among some of the players from the ZPB team were Michelle Thompson and Charma Smith.
‘Golden Girl’ overwhelmed by recognition she got on her return home
HONOUR - from page E1
track meet last week and during the finals of basketball, she presented the awards to the winning teams. “She was able to come out and attend all of our events as she interacted with the people in the community,” Bastian said. “A lot of the athletes who participated were thrilled to see her.” Bastian noted it’s always good when someone from within the community where they grew up gets to be honoured for their contribution to society.
During the initial Summer Games, Bastian said they honoured Governor General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt and former minor league baseball player Fred “Papa” Smith, who both played multiple sports and played very well.
For the second games, “Golden Girl” Pauline
Davis was the recipient, followed by Olympian Nathaniel “Nat” McKinney and basketball standout Deckery Johnson. This time around, Bastian said they were
really thrilled to be able to honour FergusonMcKenzie, who has made a valuable impact on the community that she grew up in.
“We try to look within the community to find those individuals who have done very well professionally, in college or at the Olympics,” said Bastian, a former basketball player.
“We try to bring them in during our summer games so that we can show the participants that if they perform as well as they should, they too could one day follow in the shoes of the honourees.
While the competition in track and field and basketball was fierce over the week of competition, Bastian said they will be making some adjustments for 2026, which would enable them to include events for more of the ladies to compete in.
VOLLEY - from page E1
SHOWN, left to right, Jeannie Scavalla, Debbie Ferguson, Wayde Watson and Sean Bastian.
DEBBIE Ferguson with one of the young boys.
MEN’s volleyball champions.
WOMEN’s volleyball champions.
Photos by Chappell Whyms Jr
PEACE - from page E1
THE PASTORS defeated The Politicians 42-39 last night at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium in the hghlight of the annual ‘Peace on da Streets’ Basketball Classic.
Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger stars for Germany at Women’s European Championship
By DANIELLA MATAR AP Sports Writer
BASEL, Switzerland
(AP) — She had the save of the tournament so far, two stops in the penalty shootout and a successful spot kick of her own. AnnKatrin Berger pulled out all the heroics for Germany on Saturday.
Germany recovered from going a player and a goal down early on to hold France to a 1-1 draw in their Women’s European Championship quarterfinal and triumph on penalties.
A stunning team performance saw Germany stifle the France onslaught and when Les Bleus did get through they came up against the impassable Berger.
The Gotham FC goalkeeper was — unsurprisingly — named player of the match but Berger was quick to deflect the praise for her display onto her teammates.
“I was not happy that we had to go to a penalty shootout … but I think, I did my part of the game now,” Berger said.
“Because the team, in 120 minutes, they worked incredibly hard and I think that all the credit should go to the team, not me.
“Maybe it was the decisive moment in the penalty shootout, but everyone here should talk about the performance of the team because that was amazing and incredible.”
“Amazing” and “incredible” could also be used to describe Berger’s performance.
The 34-year-old saved nine of the 10 shots she faced, with her best of the night — and possibly of the whole tournament — coming in extra time when a backward header from Germany captain Janina Minge had Berger scrambling back to scoop it off the line with an astonishing one-handed stop to spare her teammate’s blushes. Stars in shootout Then came her heroics in the
GERMANY goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save during the Women’s
(AP Photos/Alessandra Tarantino)
GERMANY goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger celebrates in front of the fans after
at St. Jakob-Park.
GERMANY goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger picks up the ball after scoring her penalty during a penalty shootout at the end of the Women’s Euro 2025 quarterfinals on Saturday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
GERMANY’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save during the Women’s Euro 2025 quarterfinals soccer match against France. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)
Scottie Scheffler dominates in British Open victory for his 2nd major title this year
By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — The enormous yellow scoreboard above the 18th green at Royal Portrush perfectly illustrated the state of golf these days. Scottie Scheffler’s name was at the top. No one was close.
That’s how it was in the British Open yesterday, when Scheffler never gave anyone a chance from the time his 9-iron settled a foot away for birdie on the first hole until he tapped in for a 3-under 68 and a four-shot victory over Harris English.
That’s how it is in the sport, a level of dominance not seen since Tiger Woods.
“He is the bar that we’re all trying to get to,” Masters champion Rory McIlroy said. “In a historical context, you could argue that there’s only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run the one that Scottie’s been on here for the last 24 to 36 months. Incredibly impressive.”
Scheffler not only won his second major this year — and fourth in the last three years — he captured the third leg of the career Grand Slam, now missing only the U.S. Open.
He became the first player in more than a century to win his first fourth major title by at least three shots, and if not for his lone blunder from a bunker on the eighth hole when he had a seven-shot lead, he would have played bogeyfree on the weekend.
“Being able to walk up 18 with the tournament in hand is a really tough thing to describe. It’s a really cool feeling. I have a lot of gratitude towards being able to accomplish something like this,” Scheffler said, the silver claret jug on the table next to him.
“It’s taken a lot of work — not only a lot of work, but it takes a lot of patience,” he said. “It’s a high level of focus over 72 holes of a tournament. This was, I felt like, one of my best performances mentally.”
The emotions he showed were telling.
Until he had his name etched on golf’s oldest trophy, Scheffler had
a week marked by his extraordinary insight on how he views winning. He said celebrations last only a few minutes. He has wondered, “What’s the point?” He loves the work required to be the best. He thrives on competition. But in terms of fulfillment, he often questions why he wants to win so badly when the thrill of winning is fleeting. On the golf course, his biggest fist pump was for a par on the sixth hole. As he crouched to line up his birdie putt on the 18th, he rested his head on his hand with a slight smile of deep satisfaction. When he tapped in the final putt, he plucked the ball from the cup and put it in his pocket as if he had just won a regular PGA Tour event.
But when he finally found his family — wife Meredith, 15-month-old son Bennett, and his parents — Scheffler went crazy. He thrust both arms in the air, pumped both arms, screamed and threw his cap in the air.
That’s what it’s all about for the 29-year-old from Texas. “She’s always the first person I want to celebrate with,” he said. “She knows me better than anybody.
That’s my best friend. It takes a lot of work to be
able to become good at this game, and I wouldn’t be able to do it without her support.”
McIlroy had referred to the outcome as “inevitable” when Scheffler built a fourshot lead going into the final round, and it was every bit of that.
The tap-in birdie on the first hole. A brilliant approach between two knobs to 7 feet for birdie on the fourth. A 15-foot birdie on No. 5. Most telling was his biggest celebration, a powerful fist pump when he made a 15-foot par putt on No. 6. It was reminiscent of when Woods saved his biggest fist pump for a par on the 16th hole of his historic 15-shot victory at Pebble Beach in the 2000 U.S. Open, when it was clear Woods was competing mainly against himself.
That’s what it felt like until Scheffler’s one wobble a double bogey on No. 8 when it took two shots to get out of a fairway bunker. That ended his streak of 32 consecutive holes without a bogey. The lead was down to four shots when Scottish Open winner Chris Gotterup birdied the ninth. And then Scheffler birdied the next hole. He played the back nine with eight
pars and a birdie because that’s all he needed. No one could catch him.
“I played with him the first two days, and honestly I thought he was going to birdie every hole. It was incredible to watch,” Shane Lowry said. “If Scottie’s feet stayed stable and his swing looked like Adam Scott’s, we’d be talking about him in the same words as Tiger Woods. ... His bad shots are really good. That’s when you know he’s really good.”
Scheffler, who finished at 17-under 267, won for the fourth time this year. He now has won 20 times worldwide in the last 30 months. This was the 11th straight time he turned a 54-hole lead into a victory.
“I don’t think we thought the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon, and here’s Scottie sort of taking that throne of dominance,” said Xander Schauffele, the defending champion who tied for seventh.
“You can’t even say he’s on a run. He’s just been killing it for over two years now,” he said. “He’s a tough man to beat, and when you see his name up on the leaderboard, it sucks for us.” English capped off a memorable two weeks in
the United Kingdom. His caddie of eight years couldn’t get a new travel visa because of a 10-year prison term he served two decades ago. English had a replacement last week at the Scottish Open and another this week.
It didn’t stop him. English closed with a 66 and was runner-up in a major for the second time this year — both times to Scheffler — as he strengthened his case for the Ryder Cup team.
“The only guy to beat me at the PGA and this week. I’m playing some good golf,” English said. “I wasn’t playing professional golf when Tiger was at his peak. But it’s pretty incredible, just how good of a front-runner he is.”
Li Haotong of China (70), Matt Fitzpatrick (69) and Wyndham Clark (65) tied for fourth. That gets Li into the Masters next year. As for McIlroy, there were few complaints. He needed an electric start like he had Saturday and was eight shots behind an hour into the final round. No matter.
The Masters champion soaked up adulation across Royal Portrush, closing with a 69 to tie for seventh.
“I wish I had have been closer to Scottie going into
today and been able to make a real push,” McIlroy said.
“But he’s been on a different level all week and he’s been on a different level for the last two years to the rest of us. He is the bar that we’re all trying to get to at this point.
“But for me to be in front of everyone here at home and to get that reception up the last, absolutely incredible. I’ll remember that for a long time.”
The only stumble from Scheffler came from his 15-month-old son, who tried to walk up a slope to the 18th green toward his dad and the claret jug, only to face-plant. “I don’t think he’s ever been up a hill that big before,” Scheffler said with a laugh.
That also goes for players chasing Scheffler.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, of the United States, with his son Bennett as he poses for photographers with the Claret Jug trophy after winning the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, yesterday.
(AP Photos/ Francisco Seco)
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, of the United States, poses for photographers with the Claret Jug trophy after winning the British Open at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, yesterday.
RORY MCILROY, of Northern Ireland, acknowledges the crowd as he walks onto the 18th green during the final round of the British Open golf championship.
Ionescu wins 3-point contest, Cloud claims skills competition in Liberty All-Star sweep
By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— Sabrina Ionescu put on another shooting clinic to win the 3-point contest for the second time at All-Star weekend on Friday night.
The Liberty’s star guard, who also won the title in 2023 with a record performance, had a strong final round, scoring 30 points to beat defending champion Allisha Gray. It completed a New York sweep of the night with Liberty teammate Natasha Cloud winning the skills competition.
“It’s fun, I was so excited for her, we were talking about it before we even came out here,” Ionescu said.
“About being able to participate in it together and cheer each other on.”
Ionescu’s effort was less than her record-breaking mark of 37 two years ago when she made 25 of 27 shots — the most ever in either the WNBA or NBA.
The total of 30 matched the second-highest in the event, matching Allie Quigley’s mark. Quigley is the only other player to win the contest more than once, doing it four times.
Ionescu didn’t participate in last year’s WNBA All-Star 3-point contest as she was focused on getting ready for the Olympics. But she was in Indianapolis for the NBA one, competing against Steph Curry in a special shootout. She fell just short then, but wouldn’t lose again in Indianapolis.
“I called Steph and showed off the trophy,” Ionescu said.
(AP Photos/Michael Conroy)
Plum, from the Los Angeles Sparks, was looking to become the first player in WNBA history to win an All-Star MVP (2022), skills challenge (2023) and 3-point contest. Lexie Hull who was a fillin for Indiana teammate
Atlanta’s Gray, who made her own history last year by winning the 3-point shootout and skills competition, fell short in both this time. She had 22 points in the 3-point contest. Gray went last in the opening round and needed to beat Kelsey Plum’s 22 points to reach the final round. Gray hit her final four shots, including the money ball to tie Ionescu and advance.
Caitlin Clark, who injured her right groin on Tuesday night, scored 20 points to finish fourth. Clark hyped up the crowd from the sideline before Hull’s turn.
Washington rookie Sonia Citron scored 19 points in the opening round. Cloud had the fastest time in the first round of the obstacle course that combines passing, dribbling and shooting. She needed to beat Seattle’s Erica Wheeler’s mark of 37.5 seconds in the finals. Cloud won despite missing all three of her shots from the corner over the windmill defender. She was able to get through the obstacle course in 36.4 seconds — 1.1 faster than Wheeler.
After beating Wheeler, Cloud hugged Ionescu. She then picked up her girlfriend and Liberty teammate Isabelle Harrison and gave her a hug and kiss. Harrison had told Cloud that she needed to win so they could put a down payment on a house.
“You’re gonna get that house,” Cloud said after winning.
Cloud received $55,000 from Aflac as part of a partnership with the WNBAPA. She also receives $2,575 from the league for the victory, which was part of the collective bargaining agreement. Ionescu earned $60,000 for her win from Aflac plus the $2,575 from the league.
Ionescu said that she was going to give half of her money to Citron, a promise she made to the rookie before the contest.
“I told Sonya that I would give her half if I won
when we were sitting on the bench, being the only rookie she was nervous, and I was nervous for her. Obviously have to hold up my end of the bargain. So half is going to go to her.”
This was Cloud’s first All-Star weekend appearance in her 11-year career. She had never been invited to compete in the skills contest or play in the AllStar Game. “I’m just really thankful for the opportunity,” Cloud said.
Wheeler competed a year after missing the competition in Phoenix because of flight issues due to a faulty software update that caused technological havoc worldwide. Wheeler spent a few years in Indiana and received a loud ovation from the fans when she was introduced.
Defending champion Gray, who was wearing custom A’ja Wilson shoes with “money sign” on them, was in trouble after missing all three of the chest passes, which slowed her time and spoiled her bid for a repeat. She finished the course in 39.4 seconds, which was behind Cloud and Wheeler’s opening-round times. Courtney
Williams (42.0) and Skylar Diggins (44.3) also didn’t make the final round.
NEW York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu, left, holds the 3-point contest trophy while New York Liberty’s Natasha Cloud holds the skills challenge trophy during the WNBA All-Star basketball weekend on Friday in Indianapolis.
NEW York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu shoots during the 3-point contest during WNBA All-Star basketball weekend,
NEW York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu holds the trophy after winning the 3-point contest at the WNBA All-Star basketball weekend in Indianapolis.
NEW York Liberty’s Natasha Cloud holds the trophy after winning the skills challenge at the WNBA All-Star basketball weekend.
NEW York Liberty’s Natasha Cloud shoots during the skills challenge at the WNBA All-Star basketball weekend.
TEAM BAHAMAS TO COMPETE AT WORLD CLUBS TOURNAMENT IN LAMOTTE-BEUVRON, FRANCE
FOR the second consecutive year The Bahamas has fielded a team of four riders to compete at the World Clubs Tournament in Lamotte-Beuvron, France.
After the Parade of Nations yesterday morning, The Bahamas team of Sienna Jones, Marlo Pinder, Alana Pyfrom and Connor Watkins entered the ring for a practice round, preparing for the two-day competition which begins today.
The World Clubs Tournament is part of the Generali Open de France Competition, one of the largest equestrian events in the world.
This year 10 countries will participate in
the competition, including Cambodia, Chile, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Taiwan, Türkiye and Venezuela as well as The Bahamas.
The team is accompanied by coach Rai Burch and chef d’equipe Heidi Mello. of Bermuda, a Grand Prix rider and trainer Rai Burch of Bermuda.
Last year Team Bahamas participated in the World Clubs Tournament for the first time and finished on the podium, winning the bronze medal. This year’s team is aiming to make their mark, perhaps finishing even higher on the podium. Go Team Bahamas!
GO TEAM BAHAMAS: Shown, from left to right, Marlo Pinder, Sienna Jones, Alana Pyfrom and Connor Watkins with coach Rai Burch and Chef D’Equipe Heidi Mello who will compete against teams
from Europe, Asia and South America in the World Clubs Tournament 2025 in Lamotte-Beuvron, France.
‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr hits RBIsingle in 4-2 win over Braves
AARON JUDGE TIES A-ROD ON YANKEES’ ALL-TIME HOME RUN LIST AT 351 IN WIN OVER BRAVES
By BILL TROCCHI Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) — Aaron Judge hit the first
home run of his MLB career the day after Alex Rodriguez retired. Now, the two are tied on the Yankees’ all-time home run list.
Judge hit his 351st career homer in a 4-2 win over the Braves yesterday, moving into a tie with A-Rod for sixth place in Yankees history.
“Just an incredible honour, especially, you know, growing up watching A-Rod for so many years and watching what he did in pinstripes,” Judge said. “He’s a legend. One of the best ever players.” Judge trails Yankee greats Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536), Lou Gehrig (493), Joe DiMaggio (361) and Yogi Berra (358) in career homers for New York.
Judge’s homer yesterday was his 36th of the season. He is two behind MLB leader Cal Raleigh of the Mariners, who won the Home Run Derby in Atlanta on Monday.
Judge hit a solo shot in the first inning that travelled 409 feet to right field off Grant Holmes, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead. It was his eighth home run in his last 17 games. The Yankees travel to Toronto to face the AL East-leading Blue Jays in a three-game series starting today.
YANKEES outfielder Aaron Judge, centre, walks with his team back to the dugout in the sixth inning. (AP Photos/Mike Stewart)
NEW York Yankees’ Aaron Judge (99) celebrates his solo home run against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of a baseball game yesterday in Atlanta.
NEW York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) moves on the field in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves. (AP Photos/ Mike Stewart)
JAZZ Chisholm Jr. (13) hits an RBI-single against the Atlanta Braves yesterday in Atlanta.
JAZZ Chisholm Jr. (13) bunts against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning.
CHISHOLM Jr. (13) speaks with the umpire in the seventh inning.
JAZZ Chisholm Jr. (13) speaks with an official in the sixth inning.