10252017 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2017

Top amateur golfers qualify for exemption

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net DEVAUGHN Robinson and Richard Gibson Jr, two of the top amateur players in the country, qualified for the Bahamas Golf Federation’s exemption spots into the main draw of the two Web. com tournaments to be held in the Bahamas in January.

Robinson, fresh off his successful appearances in a couple of tournaments in the United States where he is based, came home and took the top spot in Saturday’s qualifying round for the Web.com Great Exuma Classic to be played on Sandals Emerald Bay Course January 13-16.

One week removed from his participation in the US Mid-Amateur Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, Robinson pulled off a

score of 75 for a one-shot victory over Lemon Gorospe, a professional, who finished with a 76, while Grand Bahamian pro Greg Maycock was third with 77.

“I got what I needed to get done as far as qualifying goes.

I didn’t play as well as I wanted to,” said Robinson, a 29-year-old mechanical designer for Valco Instruments in Houston, Texas, where he resides with his wife, Fabricia Robinson from Grand Bahama. “But, at the end of the day, it’s just about getting the job done and that is what I did. So I was satisfied that I qualified for the Exuma event because I can play in that, but I knew I wasn’t going to play in the Abaco one because of a scheduling conflict.”

During the tournament, Robinson said he struggled in the first

SEE PAGE 8

Game 1, Page 3

SOFTBALL FEDERATION TO HONOUR ROZINA TAYLOR

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DEVAUGHN ROBINSON, above, and Richard Gibson Jr (not pictured), have qualified for the Bahamas Golf Federation’s exemption spots into the main draw of two Web.Com tournaments.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff

Buddy bounces back

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

uddy Hield had a bounce back game following his worst shooting performance of the young season but Monday’s game also displayed the Sacramento Kings’ logjam at the shooting guard position.

Hield finished with 14 points on 6-15 shooting from the field, 1-4 from three and also added five steals in Sacramento’s 117115 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He played just 17 minutes, the first time he dipped below 22 minutes for the year.

Two nights prior, Hield shot just 1-10 and scored three points in a 96-79 loss to the Denver Nuggets. “The thing about the NBA is you only have one or two days to go back and prove yourself and just try to get better, get a win for your team and move on,” Hield told Kings media following a late night shootaround. “You have to just keep growing and just know that this is all a process we have going on right now so I’ll just stick with it and build from that.”

Against the Suns, other players in the position battle posted more minutes than Hield. Bogdan Bogdanovic played 25 minutes and scored 12 points in his NBA debut and Garrett Temple tied a career high with 23 points in 24 minutes.

Hield played an average of 28 minutes through the first three games while Bogdanovic was sidelined, but said the competition has not affected their relationship.

“I tell him to stay positive and focused,” Hield said. “We’re glad to have him back and it’s a long season. It’s good for him to be back on the court with his teammates because (Bogdanovic) a big part of our team. He’s a good playmaker, good shotmaker.”

The Kings have opened the season 1-3 but the second year guard remains optimistic.

“We have a next one Thursday, a next one Sunday, we just need to build momentum and build confidence for this team so we can keep racking up wins while teams keep sleeping on us and build from that,” Hield said.

The matchup on Thursday (October 26) will be a particularly special one for Hield as the Kings host the New Orleans Pelicans at 10:30pm live on TNT.

WORLD SERIES

B

AFTER hanging up her cleats and putting away her glove, Rozina Taylor decided to concentrate on giving back to the sport of softball, serving as a scorer and statistician.

Her playing career started in 1973 when the New Providence Softball Association played at the Southern Recreation Grounds, but once she was introduced to scoring and compiling statistics under the late Boldrage Ellis, Burkett Dorsett and Robert’ Bob’ Sumner, Taylor knew that it wasn’t going to be long before she retired.

She walked off the field in 1991 as one of the prime outfielders that ever played the game and into the scorer’s booth a year later in the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association, the Masters Softball League, the Bankers League, the NPSA and the BSF and has been a permanent fixture ever since.

SEE PAGE 8

WINDSOR EXPRESS SELECTS JR CADOT WITH 13TH PICK

SACRAMENTO Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) in the first half on Monday night in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE next stop on JR Cadot’s pro basketball career gives him an opportunity to play in North America for the first time since his collegiate days at TCU. The Windsor Express selected Cadot with the 13th overall pick in the National Basketball League of Canada Draft.

It was the seventh draft in league history and took place at the conclusion of the two-day NBL Canada Combine hosted in Windsor, Ontario.

The 6’5” veteran wing impressed at combine which featured 142 players based in the continental United States, the Bahamas, Brazil and Sweden.

“We’re looking for the best available player who stands out of the 140-plus on the floor,” said Windsor Express head coach Bill Jones prior to the draft. “It’s hard to hone in on one or two players, those

SEE PAGE 2

Hitmen, Lady Wildcats set for national round robin tourney

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

NOW that the New Providence Softball Association’s

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2017 Godfrey ‘Gully’ Burnside Championships are over, the newly crowned champions Sunshine Auto Wildcats and the C&S Hitmen are turning their attention on the Bahamas Softball Federation’s Rozina Taylor National Round Robin Tournament.

The nationals, being held in honour of Taylor - a long-time scorer - is scheduled to begin on Friday in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex and will conclude on Sunday night.

The Lady Wildcats, crowned as the new ladies’ champions after they broke a four-year drought by dethroning the Johnson’s Lady Truckers in the seventh and final game on Monday night, are on a mission, according to manager Anthony Bullard. “We’re pretty excited because this is the first time in four years that we have been back here,” Bullard said.

MEMBERS of the C&S Hitmen show off their trophy.

“They say they want to practice (today) and I’ve never heard them say it like that. “Sunshine (Renee Davis) our motivator

has really inspired us to practice because we really don’t know who we will be facing. Our challenge has always come out of Grand

Bahama, but we don’t know if they are coming.”

Only three ladies’ teams will play this year, inclusive of the Lady Wildcats and the representatives from Abaco and Andros.

Regardless of who shows up, Bullard said they achieved one half of their goal in winning the NPSA title. The other is to add the BSF crown to their collection for sponsor Deanza ‘Sonny’ Cox. “We want to win it all for him because he has been there for us through thick and thin,” Bullard said. “That’s a big plate for us to fill, but we are up for the challenge.”

Bullard said they were really motivated after the Lady Truckers called their team “old.” He said they showed their disrespect and managed by Mario Ford and coached by Sidney ‘Bobby

SEE PAGE 8

PAGE 2, Wednesday, October 25, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

MEMBERS of the University of the Bahamas Mingoes men’s basketball team.

UB Mingoes ready for double header this weekend THE University of the Bahamas Mingoes men’s basketball team are all set to play a double header this weekend at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium against the visiting Florida College Falcons.

The Mingoes and the Falcons are scheduled to clash at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium at 8pm on Friday and again on Saturday at 7pm.

The Mingoes are coached by Bacchus Rolle, assisted by Lavar Johnson. The team is comprised of the following players: • Ramon Dames is a 5-10 point guard. The sophomore out

of Eight Mile Rock in Grand Bahama is a physical education major.

• Justin Smith is a 5-11 guard.

The junior out of Life Christian Academy in Canada is a physical education major.

• Kimsy Sylvester is a 6-4 forward. The sophomore out of South Broward High School in Hollywood, Florida, is a physical education major.

• Justin Munroe is a 6-7 centre.

The senior out of Sir Jack Hayward High School in Grand Bahama is a physical education major.

• Ujamaa Johnson is a 6-0 guard. The sophomore out of Kingsway Academy is a business major.

• Rashad Sturrup is a 6-4 forward. The junior out of SAC is a business management major.

• Jason Stubbs is a 5-11 guard.

The junior out of Tabernacle Baptist Academy is an electrical engineering major.

• William Brown is a 6-5 forward/centre. The freshman out of Sunland Baptist Academy is a mechanical engineering major.

• Javares McIntosh is a 5-11 guard. The freshman out of

Sunland Baptist Academy is an electrical engineering major.

• Brian Jennings is a 6-2 forward. The sophomore out of CV Bethel Secondary High is an architectural engineering major.

• Christoff McKenzie is a 6-2 guard. The freshman out of St Louis Christian Academy is a computer information system major.

• Timothy Grant is a 6-5 forward. The freshman out of Hope Academy is a physical education major.

• Donovan Dean is a 6-3 guard.

The freshman out of Arlington

County Day is a business management major.

• Romero Cornish is a 6-4 small forward. The freshman out of Sunland Baptist Academy is a tourism management major.

• Daniel Hall is a 6-0 guard.

The freshman out of Charles W Saunders High School is a marketing major.

- UB students will be admitted free with their identification to cheer on the Mingoes, while adults will be charged $5 and children under 12 will have to pay $3 each night.

WINDSOR EXPRESS SELECTS JR CADOT WITH 13TH PICK OVERALL FROM PAGE 1 diamonds in the rough, who are ready to compete in the league.”

The selected players received invites to the franchise’s training camps which take place in November.

If Cadot earns a roster spot with the Express it will be the second Bahamian connection that franchise has made in as many months.

In September, the team signed Robert Nortmann for the upcoming 2017-18 season. It will be his third NBL franchise after

he previously spent the past two seasons with the Island Storm and another with the Halifax Rainmen.

The former Dalhousie graduate also played professionally in Australia with the Maitland Mustangs as a development player with the Harlem Globetrotters and spent time in training camp with the Raptors 905 of NBA G-League.

The NBL was founded in 2011, when three teams formerly of the Premier Basketball League joined with four new franchises to form the NBL’s “Original Seven”. The league now boasts nine teams.

The league’s season begins in November and ends in April of the following year.

Cadot was most recently on the roster of Zornotza Saskibaloi Taleda in Spain where he averaged 11.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 31 contests.

Prior to that, he played for the UMF Skallagnimur Borgans in the Icelander League where he averaged 24.1 points, 16.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.9 block shots in 35 minutes per game.

He began his pro career with BKU Supa Nitra in Slovakia

where he averaged 16.5 point and 6.7 rebounds in 28 games.

He concluded his NCAA career with the TCU Horned Frogs, averaging 10 points and 6.5 rebounds in 65 games played, good enough for second place on the TCU AllTime list. He was also named to the All-conference team for the Mountain West during his senior season.

Prior to TCU, he spent two years at the junior college level with Sheridan College. Cadot posted impressive numbers at the junior college which garnered the attention of many D I

schools across the country. In his freshman season, he averaged 15 points and 6.6 rebounds per game but surpassed all expectations in his sophomore campaign.

As a sophomore, Cadot averaged 17 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.

Internationally for the Bahamas, Cadot has appeared on senior national teams for the CBC Championships in 2006 and 2011 and the Centrobasket Championships in 2012 and 2016.

His career averages at the national team level are 5.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 25, 2017, PAGE 3

Kershaw, Dodgers beat Astros 3-1 in hot World Series opener

By BEN WALKER Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — No sweat, Clayton Kershaw.

Changing jerseys to beat the 103-degree heat, the Dodgers ace with a checkered playoff history delivered a signature performance, pitching Los Angeles past the Houston Astros 3-1 last night in the World Series opener.

Boosted by Justin Turner’s tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning off Dallas Keuchel, Kershaw was in complete control against the highestscoring team in the majors this season. “I felt good. It’s a tough lineup over there,” Kershaw said.

“The way Keuchel was throwing it was up and down a lot, which was good.

It got us into a rhythm a little bit. I think for me personally, it helped out a lot.”

The left-hander had waited his whole career for this moment. And once he took the mound in his Series debut, he lived up every bit to the legacy of Sandy Koufax, Orel Hershiser and the greatest of Dodgers hurlers.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner struck out 11, gave up just three hits and walked none over seven innings, featuring a sharp breaking ball that often left Houston batters looking foolish. His lone blemish was a home run by Alex Bregman in the fourth that made it 1-all.

Brandon Morrow worked a perfect eighth and Kenley Jansen breezed through the Astros in the ninth for a save in a combined three-hitter. The Dodgers’ dominant relievers have thrown 25 straight scoreless innings this postseason.

With both aces throwing well, the opener zipped

by in 2 hours, 28 minutes — fastest in the World Series since Game 4 in 1992 between Toronto and Atlanta. Jimmy Key and the Blue Jays won that one 2-1 in 2:21.

And it certainly was unusual for this postseason, with games averaging 3 hours, 32 minutes — up 18 minutes from two years ago.

A pulsating crowd that came to see the Dodgers’ first Series game since 1988 enjoyed an immediate jolt when Chris Taylor hit a no-doubt home run on Keuchel’s very first pitch.

Taylor was the co-MVP of the NL Championship Series with Turner, and they both kept swinging away against the Astros.

The loss left the Astros still without a single World Series win in their 56-season history. In their only other Series appearance, they were swept by the White Sox in 2005.

Game 2 is tonight, with AL Championship Series MVP Justin Verlander starting against Dodgers lefty Rich Hill.

Kershaw has almost every imaginable individual accolade on his résumé — five ERA titles, an MVP trophy, a no-hitter and seven All-Star selections — but also was dogged by a shaky October past.

He began this outing in the twilight with a 6-7 career playoff record and an unsightly 4.40 ERA. He improved to 3-0 in four starts this postseason.

A Series opener that served as a showcase for several of the game’s best young hitters — Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Cody Bellinger and more — instead was dominated

by Kershaw.

Facing a team that had the fewest strikeouts in the

LOS Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws in the first inning of Game 1 of the World Series last night against the Houston Astros in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Tim Bradbury) majors this year, Kershaw fanned more Houston hitters than any starter this season.

The Dodgers, who led the majors with 104 wins

and a $240 million payroll, watched Kershaw put them ahead in this best-of-seven series. It was 1-all when Taylor drew a two-out walk in the sixth. Turner

followed with his drive off the bearded Keuchel.

While it was sweltering, the conditions didn’t seem to affect either side. There is no reliable record for

the hottest temperature at a World Series game. But weather data indicates this might’ve been the steamiest ever.

Notorious for late arrivals, Dodger fans showed up early and the seats in the shaded sections filled up fast. Keeping with the theme, the stadium organist played 1960s hits “Heat Wave” and “Summer in the City” as Houston warmed up.

When Vin Scully’s familiar recorded call of “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball” boomed over the PA system, the crowd really let loose, with the entire ballpark standing and chanting for the pregame introductions. Scully drew a huge ovation when he was later shown on the video board, sitting in a box. Several players clapped along for the Hall of Fame broadcaster, who’s nearly 90 and spent 67 seasons calling Dodgers games.

Dustin Hoffman, Jerry Seinfeld and Lady Gaga were among the many celebs in the sellout crowd of 54,253, along Dodgers great Tom Lasorda and part-owner Magic Johnson.

In every way, it sure was different than the last time Houston visited Dodger Stadium. That was 2012, when the Astros were in the NL Central, were stuck in the middle of three straight 100-loss seasons and Correa was a high schooler.

For a long time, these teams were familiar rivals, playing more than 700 times before the Astros switched to the American League. They also share a significant date — Dodger Stadium opened on April 10, 1962, when LA lost to Cincinnati. The very same day, Houston played its first game when the expansion Colt .45s beat the Cubs.

LeBron plays point, scores 34 as Cavaliers beat Bulls 119-112 CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers’ lineups are changing daily. Their defence is a mess, their slow starts are puzzling and the starting point guard is hurt.

Cleveland’s got some problems.

LeBron James minimises them all.

Making a rare start at point guard, James scored 34 points as the Cavs, using another early season lineup, awakened after a sluggish first half and beat the Chicago Bulls 119-112 last night.

Although he often handles the ball and runs Cleveland’s offence, James had not officially been listed as a guard since 2012 with Miami. The superstar added 13 assists, including a no-look, behind-the-back dish to Jae Crowder for a 3-pointer during Cleveland’s 15-3 spurt in the third quarter.

The Bulls did all they could. James just did more.

Kevin Love had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Dwyane Wade, who asked Cavs coach Tyronn Lue to take him out of the starting lineup, came off the bench and added 11 points.

Justin Holiday scored 25 and rookie Lauri Markkanen 19 for Chicago, which made a season-high 17 3-pointers. The 7-foot Markkanen became the first player in NBA history to make 10 3-pointers in his first three career games.

Cleveland trailed 92-91 entering the fourth before Love dropped a 3 and Kyle Korver made a pair of 3s in 33 seconds.

Chicago closed within six in the final two minutes, but the Cavs came up with two offensive rebounds to reset the shot clock before James drove past Markkanen for a left-handed layup to make it 118-110.

It was vintage James, perhaps the only player in the game who can play either guard spot, both forward positons and center.

The Cavs were coming off an embarrassing loss to Orlando and their defence was atrocious in the first half, when the Bulls made 12 3-pointers and scored 65 points — 12 less than in their previous game.

Lue has been experimenting with lineups and combinations because of new players and injuries. He trotted out another new starting five — his third in three games — against the Bulls, moving James to the point, and starting Tristan Thompson at centre so Love wouldn’t have to guard 7-foot-1 Robin Lopez the entire game.

But Cleveland’s starters let Chicago control things early.

Dropping uncontested 3-pointers, the Bulls opened a 14-point lead before the second group — led by Wade and Jeff Green — got the Cavs back in it. Green finished with 16 points.

CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ LeBron James, right, drives past Chicago Bulls’ Paul Zipser in the first half last night in Cleveland. (AP) CELTICS 110, KNICKS 89 BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 23 points, Jayson Tatum added 22 and Boston beat New York. Kyrie Irving added 20 points and seven assists. Al Horford finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds. After dropping their first two games to open the season, the Celtics have won two straight.

The Knicks remain winless through their first three games.

added 21 to lead hot-shooting Indiana past Minnesota.

Darren Collison had 15 points and 16 assists, Bojan Bogdanovic scored 19 points and Domantas Sabonis had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers, who shot 67 per cent from the floor.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and seven rebounds for the Timberwolves, who came out flat after a thrilling last-second win at Oklahoma City on Sunday.

PACERS 130, TIMBERWOLVES 107 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Victor Oladipo scored 28 points and Cory Joseph

MAGIC 125, NETS 121 ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Aaron Gordon scored a career-high 41 points,

including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 35 seconds remaining, and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Orlando over Brooklyn.

Evan Fournier added 28 points in game that went back and forth late in the fourth quarter. He finished the scoring with two free throws with 15.5 seconds to play.

D’Angelo Russell scored 27 points for the Nets, while DeMarre Carroll had 19 and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson 18.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, October 25, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Eagles remain No. 1 in the latest AP Pro32 poll

By SIMMI BUTTAR Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Carson Wentz has the Philadelphia Eagles on top of the NFL. And the second-year quarterback has also helped the Eagles maintain their perch atop the AP Pro 32 poll after Monday night’s 34-24 win over NFC East rival Washington.

The victory was costly as Philadelphia lost nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and starting linebacker Jordan Hicks (see story below) for the rest of the season because of injuries.

Philadelphia received 10 of the 12 first-place votes for 382 points yesterday in balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL. The Eagles are 6-1 and have the best record in the league. They host the 49ers, one of two 0-7 teams, on Sunday.

“Carson Wentz is playing at an MVP level. If he keeps this up, he will win the award,” said Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.

“But injuries to Jordan Hicks and Jason Peters hurt.”

The Patriots moved up a spot to No. 2 after Sunday night’s dominating 23-7 victory over Atlanta in a rematch of the Super Bowl in February. The Patriots earned the other two first-place votes for 362 points.

“(Coach) Bill Belichick knew it would take some more time folding in all the new pieces after a busy offseason, but now you’re starting to see the work pay off,” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said.

“After drubbing the Falcons in a rematch of Super Bowl LI, the Patriots are back in their rightful spot as the favourites to repeat,” he added.

The Steelers edged up to No. 3 after a pair of convincing wins and now lead the AFC North at 5-2.

“Hitting their stride,” Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki said.

The Chiefs slid two places to No. 4 after their second straight loss, 31-30 to Oakland on Thursday.

The Chiefs will try to end their brief losing streak when they host the AFC West rival Broncos on Monday night.

“After a 5-0 start, the Chiefs have given up ground the last two weeks,” said Jenny Vrentas of The Monday Morning Quarterback.

“The key to bouncing back will be tightening up the defence, which has been playing below its talent level, even with Eric Berry out for the season.”

The Los Angeles Rams, who lead the NFC West, climbed three places to No. 5.

“Jared Goff has silenced any remaining skeptics while directing the NFL’s top scoring offence,” SB Nation Radio’s Ira Kaufman

PHILADELPHIA Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (13) celebrates with teammates after catching a touchdown pass form quarterback Carson Wentz, second form left, in the second half against the Washington Redskins Monday night in Philadelphia.

(AP Photos/Matt Rourke) said of the Rams’ second-year quarterback.

The Seahawks and Vikings are tied for No. 6, trailing the Rams by only three points.

The Saints and Bills, both off to surprising 4-2 starts, each moved up six spots to Nos. 8 and 9, respectively. “Funny what can happen with a respectable defence,” The

Sporting News’ Alex Marvez said of New Orleans, which usually relies on quarterback Drew Brees and a high-flying offence for success.

TRAINERS take a look at Philadelphia Eagles middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) in the first half against FANS cheer as Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters, second from bottom right, is the Washington Redskins. carted off the field Monday night.

Philadelphia lose Jason Peters, Jordan Hicks for the season

By ROB MAADDI Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Staying on top became a little tougher for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters and starting linebacker Jordan Hicks will miss the rest of the season after being injured in Monday’s 34-24 win over Washington.

Peters tore his right ACL and MCL and Hicks ruptured his right Achilles tendon. Those are two big losses for the NFL-leading Eagles (6-1).

“Both of them are obviously significant,” coach Doug Pederson said yesterday. “They will be missed.”

The Eagles already lost veteran return specialist Darren Sproles and special teams ace Chris Maragos to season-ending injuries.

And top cornerback Ronald Darby has been out since Week 1 with an ankle injury.

“When you look at the injury list and the guys that we’ve lost, guys that are significant starters and role players, leaders on your football team, captains of your football team, it can make an impact,” Pederson

said. “It’s definitely the next-man-up (mentality).

We still have a lot of football left.”

Halapoulivaati Vaitai takes Peters’ spot. Najee Goode and Joe Walker filled in for Hicks against the Redskins.

Peters has anchored Philadelphia’s offensive line for a decade. He’s a team leader and teammates showed their respect by surrounding the cart before it took him off the field.

“He is a legend around here,” quarterback Carson Wentz said.

“He is a future Hall of Famer. We love that guy.

He means a lot to us.”

Hicks is a top playmaker on defence. He has seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries in 31 games.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries this year,” tight end Zach Ertz said. “I think it shows a lot about the character of this team that we’re able to fight through adversity each and every week with the guys we have. No matter who’s out there, we have a firm belief that we’re going to win the game.”

The Eagles will host the winless San Francisco 49ers (0-7) on Sunday.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 25, 2017, PAGE 5

Tiger Woods set to enter plea bargain for DUI arrest

By TERRY SPENCER Associated Press FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida (AP) — The diversion programme for intoxicated drivers that Tiger Woods is expected to enter Friday is one of several across the country aimed at reducing the number of repeat offenders and backlogs of court cases.

The 41-year-old superstar golfer is scheduled to plead guilty at a court hearing to reckless driving, a less severe charge than driving under the influence, as part of a Palm Beach County, Florida, programme that has graduated almost 2,500 first-time offenders since it began four years ago.

Deputy State Attorney Richard Clausi, who oversees the county’s misdemeanor prosecutions, said that less than one per cent of the programme’s participants have reoffended. He said the key has been getting offenders to take responsibility for their actions without requiring a

trial and making sure they complete the programme.

“It’s still early, but we think it has been a success,” he said.

In the diversion programme, Woods will spend a year on probation and pay a $250 fine and court costs.

He also must attend DUI school, perform 20 hours of community service and attend a workshop where victims of impaired drivers detail how their lives were damaged. Since he was intoxicated with prescription drugs and marijuana, according to court records, he will also be required to undergo regular drug tests.

To qualify, offenders must show a judge that they have already begun complying with these requirements.

If Woods completes the programme, he can ask a judge to expunge the reckless driving conviction, but if he is charged again, he could be treated like a second-time DUI offender. He would not be eligible again for diversion and he could face possible jail time, a

TIGER WOODS (AP) mandatory licence suspension and stiffer fines.

Similar DUI diversion programmes are offered in several other states, including Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Details vary and some, like Florida, let local officials decide whether to offer it.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor Mothers Against Drunk Driving knew of any recent outside

studies examining whether diversion programmes are effective.

J.T. Griffin, MADD’s chief government affairs officer, said the organisation supports diversion programmes like Palm Beach County’s because for drunken drivers, it requires the installation of an interlock device, which checks the driver’s blood-alcohol content before the car can be started. He said studies show interlocks decrease recidivism among first-time offenders by 65 per cent.

“It is good for the public because 50 to 75 per cent of drunk drivers are going to continue to drive, even on a suspended driver’s licence,” Griffin said. “With an ignition interlock, they can keep driving but in a safe way and the hope is that they will learn their lesson.”

Woods was arrested about 2am on May 29 when officers found him unconscious in his Mercedes-Benz, which was parked awkwardly on the roadside and had damage

to the driver’s side. It’s not clear how he damaged the car. Officers checked the area but didn’t find that he had hit anything. He was about 15 miles from his home.

Woods had the active ingredient for marijuana, two painkillers — Vicodin and Dilaudid — the sleep drug Ambien and the antianxiety drug Xanax in his system but no alcohol, according to a toxicology report released in August.

Woods issued a statement in August saying he had been self-medicating for pain caused by his fourth back surgery and insomnia. He did not specifically address the marijuana issue.

None was found in his possession. “I realise now it was a mistake to do this without medical assistance,” Woods said then. He completed a drug treatment programme in July.

Woods’ attorney, Douglas Duncan, did not respond to phone calls and emails seeking comment about Friday’s hearing.

The DUI arrest was the first time Woods had been in trouble since Thanksgiving weekend 2009, when he plowed his SUV into a tree and a fire hydrant outside his then-Windermere, Florida, home.

That led to revelations that he had multiple extramarital affairs, and a divorce from his wife Elin Nordegren, the mother of his two children. He spent 45 days in a Mississippi clinic where he was treated for sex addiction.

Woods’ 79 PGA Tour victories and 14 major titles both rank No. 2 alltime. He has not competed since February because of his back injury and is not expected to return this year.

His last win was in August 2013.

Woods has said his back is improving. Even though he has been a non-factor on the PGA Tour, Forbes Magazine lists Woods as the 17th best-paid athlete in the world in 2017, making $37 million, almost exclusively from endorsements.

LEAGUE CUP: MAN CITY WINS SHOOTOUT, ARSENAL RESCUED BY TEEN

By STEVE DOUGLAS Associated Press CLAUDIO Bravo was a forgotten man at Manchester City. Even the most loyal Arsenal fan probably knew little about Eddie Nketiah.

On Tuesday, both players were showered with praise after match-winning performances in the English League Cup. Bravo, now the secondchoice goalkeeper at City after an underwhelming first season at the club, made crucial saves in normal time and in the penalty shootout as Manchester City ousted Wolverhampton Wanderers in a gruelling last-16 match.

City won the shootout 4-1 — with Sergio Aguero deftly chipping the clinching penalty high into the net — after Bravo made flying saves from Wolves’ second and third kicks.

The match was 0-0 after extra time, but only after the Chile goalkeeper came to City’s rescue in repelling a series of shots from counter-attacks by the second-tier leaders.

Nketiah, an 18-yearold striker making only his second appearance for Arsenal, entered as a substitute against Norwich and

scored the equaliser within 15 seconds. His first touch of the ball took the game against another second-tier team to extra time, where Nketiah then grabbed a 96th-minute winner as Arsenal edged through 2-1 at home. There were wins for Manchester United, Leicester and Bournemouth, but fellow Premier League team Crystal Palace came unstuck in losing 4-1 at second-tier Bristol City.

• Here’s a look at Tuesday’s games: THANKS TO BRAVO Sergio Aguero might have scored the winning penalty in the shootout, but he still requires one goal to break City’s all-time scoring record, which he shares with Eric Brook on 177 goals.

Instead, this was a night to savour for Bravo, who was acclaimed by all four corners of Etihad Stadium as City’s players saluted the crowd after the match.

Last season, City fans were heard sarcastically cheering the rare saves made by Bravo, who had the lowest save percentage in the Premier League and let in too many easy shots.

He is second choice, behind summer signing Ederson, but showed he can be called upon this season if required. “I’m so happy for him,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “Last season was not easy for him, but he is a goalkeeper of a high level. He deserved that performance.”

NKETIAH TO THE RESCUE The home fans were chanting “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie” during extra time as Arsenal unearthed a potential new star. “To hear the fans singing my name was an amazing thing for me,” said Nketiah, an England under-19 player who was released by Chelsea at under-15 level and has scored 48 goals in the last two seasons for Arsenal’s youth sides. His only other senior appearance was as an 89th-minute substitute in a Europa League game at BATE Borisov last month.

Both of his goals came off corners as Arsenal struggled after making 11 changes.

LINGARD STARS FOR UNITED Jesse Lingard is saving his best for the League Cup these days.

side. Palace manager Roy Hodgson made 10 changes from his last league lineup and it showed as Bristol City came from behind by scoring four times between the 34th and 66th minutes.

Palace has lost eight of its nine league games, scoring only two goals.

MANCHESTER United’s Jesse Lingard celebrates scoring his side’s first goal of the game yesterday.

(Nick Potts/PA via AP) Four of the midfielder’s last five goals for Manchester United have been in this competition after he scored in each half of a 2-0 win over Swansea at Liberty Stadium — one a coolly taken, sidefoot finish and the other a header from just inside the area. It was comfortable for the titleholders,

who made seven changes from Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Huddersfield in the Premier League — the team’s first defeat of the season.

PALACE THRASHED In what is already a tough season for Palace, there was further humiliation for the Premier League’s last-place

WINS FOR BOURNEMOUTH, LEICESTER Callum Wilson converted a penalty in his first match in nine months to help Bournemouth clinch a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough.

The striker has been out since February because of a second cruciate knee-ligament injury in the space of three years.

Leicester also won 3-1 against a second-tier team, Leeds, thanks to goals by Algeria teammates Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez after a first strike for the club by summer signing Kelechi Iheanacho.

WRAPPING UP The last 16 is wrapped up on Wednesday when Chelsea hosts Everton and Tottenham is at home to West Ham. The draw for the quarter-finals is on Thursday.

DEULOFEU LEADS BARCELONA TO 3-0 VICTORY AT MURCIA IN COPA

By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Gerard Deulofeu created the opening goal and then scored with a superb solo effort as Barcelona beat third-division Murcia 3-0 in the Copa del Rey yesterday.

Jose Arnaiz, a 22-yearold reserve team player, marked his Barcelona debut by scoring the third goal for the cup holders in the first leg match of the round-of-32.

Deulofeu got Barcelona going two minutes before halftime when he cut back from the right flank and placed a perfect cross over a defender for striker Paco Alcacer to head home.

The goal was Alcacer’s first of the season as he has struggled to find minutes under coach Ernesto Valverde.

Deulofeu, who returned to Barcelona this summer after four seasons away, made it 2-0 in the 52nd when he slalomed past three defenders in the area before poking the ball under the goalkeeper.

Arnaiz added the third goal with a powerful shot in the 57th minute.

“He is a player who is daring, very good

one-on-one, and it’s good for him to score on his debut and to help the team,” Valverde said of Arnaiz.

Barcelona opened its defence of the cup title without stars Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez, while defender Thomas Vermaelen and goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen played their first minutes of the season for the Catalan club. “We are happy because we were playing with players from the reserve team and with some who don’t play very much,” Valverde said. “Once we scored, we were able to wear them down and get two more goals and several more chances.”

SEVILLA ENDS SLUMP Sevilla ended a threegame losing streak by beating third-division Cartagena 3-0.

Sevilla coach Eduardo Berizzo, who is in his first season with the club, was in need of a turnaround after his team lost 4-0 to Valencia, 5-1 to Spartak Moscow in the Champions League and 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao.

But Sevilla had little trouble making a positive start to Spain’s cup competition thanks to goals by Pablo

scored from the rebound after his initial shot hit the woodwork.

Michel was scathing in his criticism of his team after the defeat.

“I am angry. My future has no importance,” Michel said.

“We must demand more from our players. I don’t know if it is a question of attitude, or if maybe some are feeling the pressure, or if they just aren’t talented enough.”

BARCELONA’S GERARD DEULOFEU, left, scores his side’s second goal past Murcia’s goalkeeper Alejandro Santo during the Copa del Rey round of 16 first leg yesterday.

(AP Photo/Ferran Viros) Sarabia, Joaquin Correa and substitute Luis Muriel.

After Sarabia chipped in the 25th-minute opener, midfielder Ganso set up Correa with a back-heel pass 10 minutes later.

Ganso then set up Muriel in the 51st.

“We needed to change the dynamic, and that’s what we did,” Berizzo said.

“This gives us a big boost of confidence. Everyone took a step forward today.”

MICHEL IN DANGER Malaga coach Michel Gonzalez will face more pressure after his side conceded two goals in stoppage time to lose 2-1 at secondtier Numancia. The loss kept Malaga without a

win this season. It is in last place in the Spanish league with just one draw and eight losses. Jose “Recio” Garcia put Malaga ahead from a free kick in the 20th, but Numancia’s Ignacio Sanchez equalised after 90 minutes were up.

The hosts then snatched a stunning victory through Alberto Escassi, who

OTHER RESULTS Valencia carried over its strong performances in the league, where it is second behind leader Barcelona, with a 2-0 victory at seconddivision Zaragoza.

Rodrigo Moreno broke the deadlock in the 80th minute when he headed in a cross from Dani Parejo for his sixth goal this season.

Parejo added a penalty in stoppage time.

Alaves substitute Christian Santos headed home from a cross by Alvaro Medran with three minutes left to grab a 1-0 win at Getafe in the night’s only clash between top-flight rivals.

Real Betis forward Sergio Leon scored twice to give it a 2-1 victory at second-division Cadiz.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 25, 2017, PAGE 7

FEDERER BEATS TIAFOE IN THE 1ST ROUND

Venus beats Ostapenko, Pliskova reaches the semis at WTA Finals

By SANDRA HARWITT Associated Press SINGAPORE (AP) — Venus Williams needed three match points and more than three hours to defeat Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-7 (3), 7-5 at the WTA Finals yesterday.

The match, lasting 3 hours, 13 minutes, featured 20 service breaks, with neither player finding much confidence on their service games.

The 37-year-old Williams dropped her serve nine times, while the 20-year-old French Open champion conceded serve 11 times.

“I don’t know if there was any luck for me tonight, I just had to work for every point,” the fifthseeded Williams said. “It’s not easy to lose the first match, and both of us were in the same situation. What else can you do but fight to live another day?”

By contrast, Karolina Pliskova capitalised on a fourth match point to easily beat Garbine Muguruza 6-2, 6-2. Pliskova, at

2-0 in the round-robin, is guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.

“I’m just happy that I don’t have to play the next match (against Ostapenko) for qualifying, because last year it was pretty stressful to do that,” Pliskova said.

“If I win a few matches in a row it gives me confidence.”

The second semi-finalist from the White Group will be decided

by Thursday’s match between Williams and Muguruza, who both are at 1-1 in their group.

Williams and Muguruza met in this year’s Wimbledon final with the Spaniard winning the title.

Williams’s first match point came on Ostapenko’s serve in the 10th game of the second set, but she squandered the opportunity by netting a forehand.

Ostapenko kept the pressure on to force a tiebreaker and levelled the match.

Prior to this match, Williams had only lost two tiebreakers in 12 played this season.

But Williams, the runner-up at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, then started

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Top-seeded Roger Federer eased past United States teenager Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the Swiss Indoors yesterday.

Federer never faced a break point in the 61-minute match and won every point when his first service landed safely.

A seven-time champion at his hometown event in Basel, Federer clinched the victory when the 76th-ranked American put a backhand volley into the net.

Federer improved to 3-0 against the 19-year-old Tiafoe, whom he beat in five sets in the US Open first round two months ago.

Federer next plays Benoit Paire of France. Earlier Tuesday, Paire beat the 43rdranked American Steve Johnson 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Second-seeded Marin Cilic also advanced to the second round, winning the first set 6-3 before opponent Florian Mayer of Germany retired injured.

VENUS WILLIAMS, of the United States, defeated Jelena Ostapenko 7-5, 6-7 (3), 7-5 at the WTA Finals yesterday.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez) taking Ostapenko’s second serve from well within the baseline. She broke her Latvian opponent in the 11th game by forcing her into a backhand error.

Williams, the only player in the field to have won the WTA Finals

— back in 2008 — sealed victory with a backhand crosscourt winner.

Seventh-seeded Ostapenko — who is making her WTA Finals debut — fell to 0-2 in round-robin play.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 50° F/10° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Some sun with a t‑storm in spots

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

Periods of sun, a t‑storm in spots

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

High: 87°

Low: 72°

High: 85° Low: 73°

High: 88° Low: 78°

High: 88° Low: 78°

High: 89° Low: 76°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

98° F

77° F

87°-75° F

93°-83° F

100°-86° F

97°-79° F

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 55° F/13° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

12‑25 knots

S

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 55° F/13° C

10‑20 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 58° F/14° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

MIAMI

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 58° F/14° C

15‑25 knots

KEY WEST

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

12:12 p.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.9 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:50 a.m.

6:44 p.m.

0.8 0.9

Thursday

12:36 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

2.3 2.8

6:37 a.m.

7:34 p.m.

1.0 1.0

Friday

1:28 a.m.

1:53 p.m.

2.3 2.7

7:30 a.m.

8:28 p.m.

1.1 1.1

Saturday

2:26 a.m.

2:49 p.m.

2.3 2.7

8:29 a.m.

9:22 p.m.

1.2 1.0

Sunday

3:24 a.m.

3:45 p.m.

2.4 2.7

9:30 a.m. 1.1 10:14 p.m. 0.9

Monday

4:20 a.m.

4:38 p.m.

2.6 2.8

10:29 a.m. 0.9 11:02 p.m. 0.6

Tuesday

5:11 a.m.

5:28 p.m.

2.8 2.9

11:24 a.m. 0.7 11:48 p.m. 0.4

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

7:13 a.m.

6:34 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

12:05 p.m.

11:08 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Oct. 27

Nov. 4

Nov. 10

Nov. 18

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N

S

E

W

7‑14 knots

S

8‑16 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 88° F/31° C Low .................................................... 74° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 84° F/29° C Normal low ........................................ 72° F/22° C Last year’s high ................................. 85° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 72° F/22° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 33.12” Normal year to date ................................... 34.01”

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 76° F/24° C

S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map H

E

W

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

8‑16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 81° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 81° F/27° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

7‑14 knots

6‑12 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS SW at 10‑20 Knots N at 10‑20 Knots SW at 7‑14 Knots NNE at 12‑25 Knots SSE at 8‑16 Knots N at 10‑20 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots S at 8‑16 Knots N at 12‑25 Knots SE at 12‑25 Knots NNE at 10‑20 Knots S at 8‑16 Knots NNE at 12‑25 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots S at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 8‑16 Knots WNW at 6‑12 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots SSW at 6‑12 Knots SE at 8‑16 Knots SE at 12‑25 Knots S at 7‑14 Knots NW at 4‑8 Knots S at 8‑16 Knots NNE at 12‑25 Knots

WAVES 3‑5 Feet 4‑8 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 4‑7 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 82° F 82° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 81° F 81° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 82° F 82° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F

PAGE 8, Wednesday, October 25, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas’ top amateur golfers qualify for exemption FROM PAGE 1 couple of holes, but he was able to pull it together and he finished with an even par.

“It was windy both days. The first day wasn’t as windy as the second, but the course played tough, the pins were in some tough positions and the greens were pretty fast and it was just an overall tough tournament to play in,” he admitted.

“You had the best amateurs and professionals in the country.

It was a small group of guys that I felt I really needed to play well to beat. I felt there were a few people I had to play well against to beat and I got to take care of that.”

And being back home, Robinson said there was no better pleasure for him than to play on what is considered his home turf in the Bahamas and he had a little more incentive to play a lot better.

On the final day of competition on Sunday, Gibson Jr emerged as the qualifier of the Web.Com tournament in Abaco January 20-23 with a score of 76 followed

by Maycock with 77. Robinson and Ricardo Davis Jr were both tied for 3rd with 78.

“My performance was pretty decent,” said the 26-year-old Gibson, who didn’t get to compete until the final day of competition after he was urged by his bosses at Baha Mar to compete. “I wasn’t expecting to bounce back the way I did because there was a lot of wind.

“I managed to get back to even par before I made the turn to

DEVAUGHN ROBINSON, above, has qualified for the Bahamas Golf Federation’s exemption spots into the main draw of two Web.Com tournaments.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff go on the back nine and got to one-under-par at one point. But I made one or two bad swings with three pop up tee shots that really screwed me on the backside, which resulted in a double and two bogeys and caused me to finish with a 76.”

Gibson, however, said he would not be able to play in Great Abaco because he has confirmed along with Robinson to represent the Bahamas at the Latin American Amateur Championship in

Santiago, Chile, which will be played at the same time as the Abaco event.

“I don’t think my game is to the point where I feel as if I could play in it,” Gibson said. “I feel I need to get my feet wet to play on the bigger stage in some amateur tournaments in the Latin American region to see where my game really is.”

The BGF has confirmed that the spot has been awarded to Maycock who will now be eligible

to play at Abaco’s Winding Bay Golf Course.

When contacted in Grand Bahama on hearing the news, 58-year-old Maycock was ecstatic.

“This is the first nation-wide event that I will now get to compete in,” said Maycock, who indicated that since turning pro in 1981, he has competed in a number of tournaments, including the Hooter’s Tour in the United States to try and qualify for the main draw.

“Everything has turned around that quick. I was hoping to at least hear some news by November or December to do some things to turn things around. But they have given me the green light this early, so I don’t have no choice but to get ready now.”

Based at the Rugby Golf Club in Grand Bahama as a golf pro/ starter, Maycock said he’s looking forward to representing the country at home in such a prestigious event.

SOFTBALL FEDERATION TO HONOUR ROZINA TAYLOR FROM PAGE 1 This weekend, the Bahamas Softball Federation will honour her for her longevity as the chief statistician. The 2017 Rozina Taylor National Championships will be held Friday to Sunday in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

“I am humbled by it and grateful for the

recognition,” said Taylor, who decided to learn to score because of a shortage of scorers at the time. “It also shows that hard work pays off.

“I’ve always been consistent in my commitment to the league, always worked to the best of my ability with integrity. I never took sides. I was always neutral, as you need to be in that position.”

She remembers taking over in 1983 after the death of Ellis under the presidency of Dorsett in the BGDSA up until 2010.

When the NPSA moved from the John F Kennedy Drive Park to the National Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center, Taylor was asked to become the scorer, taking over from the late Jeff Roberts.

Over the years, Taylor has

developed a core of scorers that she has been working with during the NPSA and BSF games, including Marge Delaney, Lorraine Fowler-Woodside, Loretta Maycock and now her daughter, Desiree Coakley, who has given up playing to assist her mother.

Taylor admitted that while the singular honour is on her, she’s appreciative of the supporting cast that she’s been able to associate with. She also expressed her gratitude to Ellis and Sumner, who both played a pivotal role in getting her started and Dorsett, who opened the door to give her the first opportunity to serve in the BGDSA as a scorer.

Fowler-Woodside said she has been pleased to have had the pleasure of working along with Taylor, whom she regards

ROZINA TAYLOR keeping score in the booth.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff as a woman of integrity.

“I was always impressed with her because in all the years that I worked with her, I’ve never seen her show any impartiality to any teams, even when her daughter was playing,” Fowler-Woodside said. “We have worked well together here in the scorer’s booth.

She has passed on her knowledge as a scorer and statistician to us and that has made us better scorers.”

On behalf of the rest of the scorers in the booth, Fowler-Woodside said they join the BSF in saluting Taylor for her honour. “It’s long overdue,” she summed up. “She really deserves it.”

Hitmen, Lady Wildcats set for national round robin tourney FROM PAGE 1 Baylor’ Fernander, two national team coaches, Bullard said they had a lot to prove in the series.

Having won it behind the performance of mainstay pitcher Mary ‘Cruise’ Sweeting, Bullard said they intend to ride her as long as she goes, but they have one or two players like Linda Knowles to carry some of the load in the round robin.

Sweeting said they wanted to send a message to all those persons who called them “too old.”

“We pushed and pushed and this is what we got. But I think this is going to be my last year playing, so I think this would be a good retirement present for me to go out as the national champion. To God be the glory.”

After disposing of the BTC Elite Warriors in a four-game sweep to repeat as the NPSA men’s champions, Hitmen’s manager Darren Stevens said they are confident that they can win the national title.

They lost out last year to the Bulldogs from Abaco.

The Bulldogs will be back to defend their title and will play against the Hitmen as well as the Eleuthera and Grand Bahama representatives.

“We had a good practice on Sunday, going over some defensive drills and so we feel if we get a chance to play for the title, we will go for it,” Stevens said.

“We know that the competition is going to

be strong, but we feel we match up with the other teams coming from the various islands. We feel pretty confident.”

Despite winning the fourth and final game by default over the Elite Warriors, Stevens said his team’s moral is very high and they are looking forward to the nationals.

“We wanted to beat them on the field and not give them any excuses as to this is why they couldn’t play,” he said. “We took it as it came, but it didn’t demoralise us one bit.

“We are still focused, we are trying to keep the team morale going and keep our spirits high because we have a bigger task ahead of us in the nationals.”

If there’s anybody pumped up and ready to go, it’s Hitmen’s pitcher Alcott Forbes, who was the MVP of the NPSA series.

“God has been absolutely amazing to me. I’m injury free,” he stated. “I had an accident at the beginning of the season and I was out of action for a while.

“BTC say they wanted me. They got me in the championship and they didn’t know how to deal with me. God showed up and showed off.”

As he turns his focus on the nationals, Forbes said the Hitmen are going to come out and play softball at their best and have some fun doing it.

“I think this is the year that New Providence will take it all,” said Forbes, indicating that they are

looking to join the Lady Wildcats in winning the title.

“I’m feeling good and I look to show you that on the first night of play on Friday. We want to show you what the Hitmen are all about for 2017.”

Note: A technical meeting is set for 11am Friday at the facility house at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex for all managers and coaches.

• Here’s a look at the tentative schedule for the weekend: Friday 5pm - Abaco vs Andros (W) 6:45pm - Grand Bahama vs Abaco (M) 8:15pm - Official opening ceremony 9pm - Andros vs New Providence (W) 10pm - Eleuthera vs New Providence (M) Saturday 10am - NP vs Abaco (M) 11:30am - Abaco vs New Providence (W) 1pm - Grand Bahama vs Eleuthera (M) 2:30pm - 2 (W) vs 1 (W).

4pm - Abaco vs Eleuthera (M) 5:30pm - New Providence vs Grand Bahama (M) 7pm - 3 (W) vs Loser 2 vs 1 (W) 8:30pm - 4 (M) vs 3 (M) 10pm - 2 (M) vs 1 (M) Sunday 1pm - Winner 4 vs 3 (M) vs loser 2 vs 1 (M) 5pm - Ladies’ final 7pm - Men’s final