SPORTS SECTION E
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016
SNIPE SAILING
World Masters, Page 13
Matthew destruction forces Junkanoo Jam to relocate By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
D
ue to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Matthew, the internationally renowned Junkanoo Jam basketball tournament was forced to relocate. Traditionally hosted in Grand Bahama, Basketball Travelers and tournament organisers announced this week that the 2016 event is now scheduled to take place at the Gateway Christian Academy Gym in Bimini November 24-26. All teams and supporters that purchased tournament packages through Junkanoo Jam and Basketball Travelers, will be automatically assigned rooms at the brand
new Hilton at Resorts World Bimini. The relocation effort began once the damage to the Grand Lucayan Resort was assessed following the passage of Hurricane Matthew through Grand Bahama. “Obviously we are disappointed that the tournament had to be moved from Grand Bahama Island, but we are grateful to our friends in the Bahamas, who have been extremely helpful in relocating the tournament,” said Neal Holden, tournament director and BTI president. “Our first priority is always to the safety and well-being of our teams, fans and stakeholders. We are keeping the Bahamian people in our prayers as they recover from this natural disaster and hope we can still provide travellers with an
unforgettable experience, while showing off the beauty of the Bahamas.” The Junkanoo Jam will again feature some of the top NCAA Division I women’s basketball programmes and will also showcase an appearance by a Bahamian player. Event organisers officially released the eight-team field for the 14th edition of the event hosted over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The field includes Bahamian Shanea Armbrister and her Georgia Bulldogs, the Creighton Bluejays, Dayton Flyers, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Minnesota Golden Gophers, Missouri Tigers, South Florida Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels. As a transfer after a storied
junior college career, Armbrister played in 21 games last season for the Bulldogs. After battling through a torn meniscus in the early part of the year, the 6ft 2in wing player hit 45 per cent from three-point range, the best average on the team for players with 10 or more attempts. Over the season she averaged 2.2 points and one rebound per game. Since the inception of the Junkanoo Jam in 2002, many of the nation’s top women’s programmes have converged on Grand Bahama to test their skills in meaningful regular season competition. Local favourite Jonquel Jones, now with the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, returned to Grand Bahama at the 2014 Junkanoo Jam. Jones delivered an MVP perfor-
mance and led her George Washington Colonials to the Freeport Division title at the St George’s Gymnasium. The junior forward posted a double double in the title game 14 points, all in the second half, and 14 rebounds - in the 79-59 win over the Purdue Boilermakers. The tournament traditionally boasts a talented group of teams which range among some of the best in the NCAA. The 2015 field included the Baylor Bears, Boston College Eagles, Cincinnati Bearcats, University of Denver Pioneers, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Michigan State Spartans, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Oklahoma Sooners, UCLA Bruins and Utah Utes. Six of those teams advanced to the NCAA tournament.
Champions By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Sports Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nneka Ogwumike’s short jumper with 3.1 seconds left gave the Los Angeles Sparks a 77-76 victory over the defending champion Minnesota Lynx for their first title in 14 years in the deciding game of the WNBA Finals last night. The league MVP joined her teammates in celebration as a stunned crowd slowly filed out after finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Candace Parker had 28 points and 12 rebounds to earn MVP honours of the Finals. It was Parker’s first WNBA title. Rebekkah Brunson made one of two free throws with 23 seconds left to give the Lynx a 7473 lead. Parker answered with a layup on the other end that Maya Moore countered with a jumper with 15 seconds remaining. Ogwumike’s first try for the win was off the mark, but she worked her way over to the loose ball for another attempt that she coolly swished. Lindsay Wahlen’s final shot from just inside halfcourt wasn’t close, setting off Los Angeles’ celebration. Moore had 23 points and 11 assists for the Lynx, who fell short of matching the WNBA record of four championships. The Houston Comets won four straight titles from 1997-2000. The Lynx played in the finals for the fifth time in the last six years. They won three. Parker finally had help with the scoring when reserve Chelsea Gray reeled off 11 consecutive points for the Sparks. Gray capped that run with a smooth up-and-under layup to put them in front 60-59 early in the fourth quarter. Parker’s putback with 3:06 left gave LA a 71-63 lead, putting the Lynx in trouble. But Moore seized the moment with a 3-pointer that brought Minnesota within four points,
Los Angeles earns 1st WNBA title in 14 years
SPARKS’ ALANA BEARD, left, and Chelsea Gray celebrate after the Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx 77-76 to win the WNBA basketball finals last night in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) and Parker forced an off-balance 3 on the other end. Lindsay Whalen stole the ball from Kristi Toliver and finished the fast break with a layup to tie the game at 71, setting up the final flurry. On the next play, Ogwumike hit a jumper that appeared to come after the shot clock expired. The officials signalled for a review, but never looked at the basket and Los Angeles led 7371 with just over a minute left. The WNBA’s new postseason format with the field ordered by overall record regardless of con-
ference sure worked well, leading to this classic matchup between the two teams that fought all summer for the top seed and featuring several of the league’s biggest stars. The game was remarkably close, with 11 lead changes and six ties in the first half alone. Moore gave Minnesota its biggest lead of the first 20 minutes with a pair of free throws in the closing seconds of the second quarter to make it 34-28. The Sparks had an opportunity for a surge when Sylvia Fowles exited with an injury to
her right hand, scoring on a fast break while Fowles was wincing in pain by the bench and out of the play and then picking up a bonus point on a free throw for Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve’s technical foul. Augustus and Renee Montgomery knocked down 3-pointers from the top of the key down the stretch of the third quarter, though, and Fowles soon reentered the game. She made her presence felt with a powerful take to the rim for a layup and a 53-47 lead. With the area schools out for
fall conferences and the Lynx with the chance to repeat as champions for the first time, the crowd at Target Center was predictably packed to the rafters and bouncing to the blaring hip-hop beats well before tipoff. The sea of green T-shirts displaying the team slogan “Roar,” donned by roughly 90 per cent of the fans, produced a deafening soundtrack from start to finish befitting a game for the trophy. Even Magic Johnson was there, wearing all black while sitting courtside to root for the Sparks team he’s a part-owner of and spoke to after the loss at home in Game 4 on Sunday. His presence was all the more impressive considering the Dodgers, the other pro club he’s invested in, were playing baseball in Los Angeles at the same time in Game 5 of their National League championship series. The Lynx had celebrity backing, too, with Timberwolves players including Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Cole Aldrich and Nemanja Belica in the seats to support the women they share an arena with. FOUL TROUBLE Ogwumike joined Toliver and Essence Carson with three fouls in the first half and played less than 4 minutes in the second quarter. UNDER CONSTRUCTION If the finals return to Minnesota next year, Lynx could have yet another place in which to try to pop the corks with a major renovation set for Target Center next summer. They’ll play across the Mississippi River in St Paul at Xcel Energy Center, the hockey home of the Minnesota Wild.
BAHAMAS’ TOP JUNIOR GOLFERS TURNQUEST, ANAND IN ANNIKA INVITATIONAL By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net TWO of the Bahamas’ elite junior golfers are participating in a top regional tournament aimed at developing the game among young ladies. Haylie Turnquest and Sophie Anand are representing the Bahamas at the ANNIKA Invitational, Latin America, hosted at the Hurlingham Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Turnquest finished day one tied at No.19 in the field with an opening round of 80, +9 over par. Anand is ranked at No.49 after an opening +22 over par, 93. Local Argentinian Elabelen Anacona leads the field as the only golfer under par at -2, 69. The event is co-hosted by Anni-
ka Sorenstam’s ANNIKA Foundation and Asociacion Argentina de Golf (AAG). It is also sponsored by The R&A. The event is designed to be the premier event for junior girls (ages 12-16) in Latin America and the Caribbean. Both golfers continue a stellar 16 season which also saw them represent the Bahamas at the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships among other events. Over the years, Turnquest has had multiple wins as well as player of the year awards throughout South Florida. She finished first in the Girls 14-15 Bahamas Junior National Championships. She lists that one of her immediate career goals is to the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. Anand, after just two years in
HAYLIE TURNQUEST
the sport, has achieved national team recognition and is the reigning junior girls club champion at Albany Golf Club. She was also a part of this year’s winning proamateur team at the LPGA Bahamas Pure Silk Classic. She recently finished in second place at her latest tournament on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, earned runner-up honours in the Girls’ Under 13 HJGC’s Tampa Bay Junior Challenge and at the BGF’s National Junior Championships. Sixty of the region’s leading players, representing 20 countries, are competing at the ANNIKA Invitational for World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, with the winner receiving an exemption into the 2017 South American Amateur Championship in Lima, Peru.
In addition, the top three finishers will earn an invitation to the 2017 ANNIKA Invitational USA in Orlando, Florida. “I’m honoured to partner with The R&A to bring a world-class junior golf event to Latin America,” says Annika, who began her ANNIKA Foundation upon stepping away from the LPGA in 2008. “With golf’s incredible showing at the Olympic Games earlier this year in Brazil, the time is right to bring an ANNIKA Invitational to this part of the world.” Sorenstam will be intimately involved and onsite for the championship. Some scheduled activities are a clinic for competitors during which she’ll share her “Winning Approach” philosophy, a gala dinner and an awards presentation.
PAGE 12, Friday, October 21, 2016
Men’s national volleyball team in NORCECA qualifier THE men’s national volleyball team, which had very little time to practice because of the passing of Hurricane Matthew and the unavailability of a gymnasium, is competing in the NORCECA qualifying tournament in Martinique October 20-25. The women’s team will have a little more time to prepare as their tournament will not be played until next month in the Cayman Islands. Both teams will have to finish in the top two in order to qualify for the Caribbean Volleyball Championships and the NORCECA Championships. The men, coached by Covance Mortimer, comprises Princtanique Wilson, Byron Ferguson, Renaldo Knowles, Jamaal Ferguson, Tonny Simon, Javari Southard, Jon Isaacs, Lorenzo Williams, Glen Rolle and JeVaughn Saunders. They
will compete against Martinique, Aruba and Bonaire. “We’ve been having some problems getting in consistent practices because of the hurricane, but I feel as if we will do alright because of the teams that are there,” Byron Ferguson, the centrepiece of the team said. “I feel we should definitely finish first in this tournament.” Once the men’s team return, the women’s team will travel to the Cayman Islands to compete November 11-14 against the hosts, Guadeloupe and Bonaire. The team, which is not yet finalised, will be coached by Jason Saunders. The BVF is also planning another Jerk Out at DW Davis Gymnasium on October 29. All tickets sold for the postponed date will be honoured on the 29th and additional tickets can be purchased from national team members.
THE TRIBUNE
TRAINING DAY: Men’s national volleyball team members can be seen here in training at the Kendal Isaacs Gym earlier this week before they left for the NORCECA qualifying tournament in Martinique. Photos by Tim Clarke/The Tribune
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 21, 2016, PAGE 13
Olympian Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown visits site of Grenada Invitational BAHAMIAN Olympian Chris “Fireman” Brown visited the National Athletic Stadium - the site for the Grenada Invitational - on Wednesday morning in preparation for the first Area Permit Meet of the 2017 outdoor season. He was accompanied by some members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Grenada Invitational, scheduled for April next year. The site visit began at 10am and Wednesday’s schedule also included meetings with the Grenada Tourism Authority and the Grenada Athletic Association. On Tuesday, Mr Brown visited the St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) where he spoke to the school’s assembly
at a morning-long session followed by an interactive discussion with members of the Intercol team. SAASS won the 2016 Intercol Athletic Championships. He also met with Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell and Sports Minister Roland Bhola and later with the members of the LOC. Dr Mitchell welcomed him to Grenada and reiterated government’s support for this private initiative. Minister Bhola explained that apart from their personal support the Cabinet is fully on board, noting the economic and social benefits. “This is not about personal ego but what is right to do for our people and especially the young people of Grenada,” said Dr Mitchell. Mr Brown, who has held
CHRIS BROWN speaks to children and teachers during assembly at the St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School in Grenada on Tuesday. the successful Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational, will
be working along with the LOC to ensure the success
of this inaugural event in Grenada. Chris Brown is
a five-time Olympian representing the Bahamas at Olympic Games in Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London and Rio and winning medals in four of the five, including the gold medal in the men’s 4x400m relay at the London 2012 Games. He is a multi-medallist at World Championships, World Indoor Championships, Pan American Games, CAC Championships, Continental Cups and CARIFTA Games. The official media launch took place 10am yesterday at the main conference room of the Athletic Stadium. Following the launch, which was attended by government and athletic officials, media members had an opportunity to ask questions.
ARGENTINA LEAD SNIPE WORLD MASTERS
Luis Soubie and Diego Lipszyc out in front after race 3
ON THE HIGH SEAS: Racing resumed yesterday in the Royal Nassau Sailing Club’s international regatta as 70 competitors from nine counties were welcomed for the ID Crook Snipe World Masters regatta last Saturday. The fleet was able to get two more races in on Thursday. Moments from the finish line during race two, the boats skippered by Augie Diaz (USA) and Ernesto Rodriquez (USA) battled for first place in a tacking war. During a tack Diaz didn’t settle in securely and slid out of his boat causing it to capsize. Rodriquez went on to win race two. Diaz was able to right his boat and load him and crew in time to secure a second place finish. The winners of race three, and current leaders of the regatta, are Luis Soubie and Diego Lipszyc (ARG). The regatta continues with two races today and the last two races on Saturday. Photos by Tim Clarke/The Tribune
PAGE 14, Friday, October 21, 2016
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THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 21, 2016, PAGE 15
THE RIDE for Hope Gran Fondo, a long-distance road cycling event in which participants ride a marked route, is all set to be held on February 18, 2017.
RIDE FOR HOPE 10TH ANNIVERSARY GRAND FONDO EVENT IN celebration of 10 years of raising hope and resources to aid cancer research, care and survivorship across The Bahamas, Ride for Hope is excited to announce details about next year’s 10th Anniversary event: a Gran Fondo. The Ride for Hope Gran Fondo, a long-distance road cycling event in which participants ride a marked route, is all set to be held on February 18, 2017 in Eleuthera. The Ride will be staged at Coco di Mama resort in Governor’s Harbour. Rider participation levels will be linked directly to the amount of funds each rider raises, and each rider’s promotional package and recognition will also be based on the funds they raise. Susan Larson, co-founder of The Ride for Hope, said: “The Ride For Hope is a fundraiser. We garner funds together to meaningfully impact a critical cause, and eradicate cancer from our shores. Our riders’ donations help save lives every day, and we are committed to helping riders do so by putting on a high-caliber event in 2017.” After a successful event in Nassau, RFH is returning to its roots - organisationally and geographically. Larson explained that “returning to its roots” means focusing solely on the Ride’s main goals. “Those goals,’ said Larson, “ are, firstly, planning a safe event for all participants, while ensuring funds are raised for an extremely important cause in The Bahamas. And, secondly, hosting the event in Eleuthera, one of the most beautiful and accessible cycling venues in the country.” Larson continued that the burdens of cancer care and treatment are great and
demand a partnership between all public and private stakeholders. She stated that cancer treatments are extremely expensive, and frequently beyond the ability of families across the nation to pay, and that cancer treatment regimes often create deep and lasting financial stress for families involved, at the very least. Considered one of the most successful fundraising events in The Bahamas, the Ride for Hope has raised close to $3,000,000 since its inception. Given meaningful corporate sponsorship, every dollar raised by participants goes to fund programmes created and supported by Ride for Hope to assist Bahamians in the fight against cancer, through education, testing, early-screening, research and direct financial assistance. Ride for Hope has used those funds to assist the Cancer Society in paying off the mortgage incurred building the acclaimed Cancer Care Centre on Collins Avenue in Nassau, and complete their headquarters in Eleuthera. And the money was used to create and maintain the Treatment Assistance Fund, the first of its kind in the country, which supports cancer patients with their treatment costs through financial grants. Ride for Hope funds the Cancer Society’s nationwide Cancer Education Programme, a grassroots outreach effort that sends trained nurses to communities throughout The Bahamas to educate, raise awareness, and teach selfscreening and good health choices. The Family Islands Mammogram Screening Programme (FIMS) is another ongoing Ride For
THE RIDE will be staged at Coco di Mama resort in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. Hope programme, which brings women from family islands to New Providence for free mammogram screening. Ride for Hope also made a major contribution to the purchase of the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation’s digital mammography machine. “We are grateful for our riders, sponsors and volunteers who have made all of this possible,” said Larson. However, Stephen Holowesko, co-founder with his sister, explained that while the number of riders participating in Ride for Hope has increased steadily over the years, the dollars raised per rider has decreased dramatically. “Since inception, the rider count has increased an astonishing 450
per cent, yet funds raised per rider have gone down 71 per cent,” said Holowesko. “This reality has made the Ride’s organisers take pause and strategically consider the best way to fulfill our pledge both to our riders for a safe ride, and to our commitment to raising funds.” “To help achieve our goals, fundraising will be linked to the experience and will need to be raised, and submitted, in advance,” explained Karen Eldon, Ride for Hope Administrator. “For all participation levels, the Registration Fee of $50 is required at the time of registration. Registration closes on January 13. All fundraising money
must be submitted no later than Friday, January 20, said Eldon. Larson also shared news of various prizes being offered at next year’s event. “We also are excited to announce that the top four fundraisers will be recognised. Prizes include round trip transportation to and from Eleuthera, a new bicycle, a spa package, or dinner for two at one of Nassau’s finest restaurants.” Eldon stated that to qualify for award levels, fundraising totals must be submitted by the January 20 deadline and winners will be announced at the High Carb dinner in Eleuthera. Registration is now open on Ride for Hope’s new website. When registering
online, Ride for Hope accepts MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards. A registered charity in The Bahamas, Bahamian dollar cheques, payable to Ride for Hope, and cash, may be delivered to the Ride for Hope office at the Templeton Building in Lyford Cay, or at Cycles Unlimited on Mackey Street, Nassau. US dollar cheques may be made payable to the Bahamas Hope Foundation (a 501(c)(3) organisation) and also delivered to our office or Cycles Unlimited. All of the details of the Gran Fondo event, for participants, sponsors and volunteers, is available on Ride for Hope’s new website: www.rideforhopebahamas.com