11072018 SPORTS

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2018

Kevin Major Jr wins title in Florida tourney

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

evin Major Jr, now full-time on the professional tennis scene, won the men’s singles title at the 2018 UTR/Reel Tennis Open Circuit 9 Tournament.

On Monday at the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in Plantation, Florida, playing as the No.3 seed, Major Jr upset top seed Zandrix Acob with a 7-6 (6), 6-1 decision.

“It was a pretty good performance,” Major Jr told The Tribune. “I have three tournaments coming up in the Dominican Republic, so I am just using these USTA Tournaments to get some practice matches in.

“Obviously it’s good to win the tournament, but it just shows how good I am playing right now.”

Major Jr, 23, advanced to the final with a 6-1, 6-3 decision over Ramazan Nureev. He won his quarter-final match 6-1, 6-0 over No.8 seed Ellis Guernsey.

In the round of 16, Major Jr beat Ricardo Pabon 6-2, 6-3. The round of 32 saw him win 6-2, 6-4 over Nicolas Rodriquez.

He was awarded a bye in the first round of 62 players at the start of the tournament. It was the second victory in three Futures Tournaments for Major Jr. In the other tournament, he was a runner-up.

The tournaments in the Dominican Republic are International Tennis Federation ranking and will start on November 26 in Santo Domingo.

The second one is set to start on December 3 and the trip will wrap up with the third and final tournament starting on December 10.

Major, who is coached

by Lawrence Carpio and trains at the LAT Tennis Academy in Boynton Beach, Florida, said he is pleased with his performance, just six months full time on the pro circuit.

K

SEE PAGE 4

BAHAMIAN Kevin Major Jr (left) with his coach Lawrence Carpio.

Ayton, Page 3

SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO BAY STREET MILE ON SATURDAY

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN between the announcement of major off-the-track awards for her performances this year, ‘Golden Girl’ Shaunae Miller-Uibo will be back home this weekend to stage her second annual Bay Street Mile.

The Shaunae Miller-Uibo Bay Street Mile is all slated to take place 7am Saturday from the straw market on Bay Street. It will travel east and finish at the Bahamas Football Association’s beach soccer stadium at the foot of the bridge.

This year, organisers have extended the categories to include the under-9, under11, under-13, under-15, under-17, under-20, under30, under-40, under-50 and 50-and-over for men and women.

David Ferguson, who is responsible for organising this year’s event, said they are looking forward to some fierce competition across the board.

He also indicated that Miller-Uibo plans to invite some of her training partners and friends to come and participate in the event for the first time.

The entry fee is priced at $5 for children under 20 and $10 for adults.

Miller-Uibo, still enjoying the success of her season that culminated with her triumph in the IAAF Continental Cup as a member of the Americas team, was unavailable for comments.

Last week, she was named the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Senior Female Athlete of the Year.

The announcement was made by NACAC president Victor Lopez, who congratulated Miller-Uibo, Jamaica’s Fredrick Dacres and Brianna Williams, the respective senior male and junior female athlete of the year as well as Cuba’s Jordan Diaz, the Junior Male Athlete of the Year.

Miller-Uibo, 24, will be

SEE PAGE 4

NPBA season opens at AF Adderley Gymnasium tonight

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH this coming to the end of his four-year term in office as president, Eugene Horton said

PAGE 5

he’s pleased to see the New Providence Basketball Association heading in the right direction.

From the time he took office, Horton said it was his intention to get the association realigned with a division II league that would allow the teams to complement division one.

When the 2018-19 season opens tonight at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, Horton said it would have a total of nine teams in both division II and one participating.

“We have a few new teams with some of the division one teams bringing in division II teams,” Horton revealed.

“So it’s shaping up the way we really wanted it to go with division one teams bringing division II teams so we can try to get back to the club system.

“It looks like we are on the way there, but unfortunately this is going to be my last season as the NPBA president. Elections are in May and I probably won’t be coming back for re-election. It’s just time for me to move on and let someone else take it to the next level.”

In his dialogue with the coaches, Horton has pressed upon them the urgency to identify a possible successor and allow the potential candidates to work with him this season so they can be familiar with the ins and outs of the association.

Over his tenure in office, Horton has helped to transform the NPBA into one of the role model associations in the country with the live statistics provided after every game.

“We still have a way to go with it, but most of the leagues in New Providence are using the concept that we implemented,” Horton said.

“We are trying to see if we can get the Family Islands up to speed with the system. We also want to put that system into the high schools as well.”

The season will begin with two games on tap tonight. Thereafter, Horton revealed that they will be playing double headers nightly on Mondays and Wednesdays and triple headers on Fridays and Saturdays.

There will only be one division, instead of splitting the teams into conferences, which will allow each team to play each other twice before the playoffs are tentatively set to get underway on March 4.

The two teams will get a bye in the playoffs and the teams that finish third, fourth, fifth and sixth will play for the third and four spots in the first round.

“In this way, I think it will be a lot more exciting because we have a lot of player movement and sometimes when you set the divisions, they are unbalanced,” he said. “So this way, the top six teams will be eligible for the playoffs.”

Horton, however, said they have a challenge in that they have to complete a total of 144 games

by April 11 when the Bahamas Basketball Federation hosts its national round robin in Bimini.

“The nationals is being moved this year to the week before

SEE PAGE 3

PAGE 2, Wednesday, November 7, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

JOB WELL DONE: Shown (l-r) are Senior Lieutenant Elvis Bullard, RBDF Public Service Liaison Office, Lieutenant Elizabeth Simms, Training Executive Officer, Able Seaman Ryan Ferguson, Able Woman Marine Aniska Bonaby, Commodore Tellis Bethel, Leading Woman Marine Denise Oliver, Leading Seaman Devon Sands, Woman Marine Erica Longley, Force Chief Petty Officer Oral Wood, Command Force Chief, and RBDF Training Officer (Acting), Senior Lieutenant Origin Deleveaux.

(RBDF Photo by Marine Seaman Michael Turner)

RBDF commodore presented with coveted floating trophy IN a special presentation at the Coral Harbour base, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel was presented with the coveted floating trophy won by his officers in the inaugural 18th Annual National Public Service Week Fun Run/Walk and Health Screening Day. The RBDF won the greatly desired award for having the most participants and winning

the most medals at the inaugural event, which was one of many activities being coordinated by the Public Service Committee in recognition of those persons who have retired from the public service within the past year.

The six-mile road race commenced at the Botanical Gardens and culminated near the Melia resort, Cable Beach. Other groups and organisations from

various government and nongovernment agencies throughout the island also took part in this event.

Participants from the RBDF included Marine Seaman Troy Seymour and Able Seaman Ryan Ferguson who placed second and third respectively in the male under-30 category.

Leading Seaman Devon Sands won the male 30-49 category and

Able Woman Marine Aniska Bonaby and Leading Woman Marine Denise Oliver finished first and second in the female 30-49 category.

Able Woman Marine Stephanie Darville came first in the female 50 and Over walk category.

Commodore Bethel commended Senior Lieutenant Origin Deleveaux, RBDF

sporting officer and Senior Lieutenant Elvis Bullard, RBDF liaison officer, Chief Petty Officer James Darling, director of the RBDF Fitness Training School and a key coordinator for the activities, Leading Seaman Devon Sands, a key coordinator for the event, and members of the wider force for their invaluable contributions to the Public Service Week of activities.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 7, 2018, PAGE 3

LeVert scores 26 to lift Nets past Ayton and Suns 104-82

By JOSE M ROMERO Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — Caris LeVert scored 26 points, D’Angelo Russell added 15 and the Brooklyn Nets beat the struggling Phoenix Suns 104-82 last night.

The Nets won their third game in the past four, while the Suns have lost eight of nine.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 20 points but made just 6 of 21 shots. Deandre Ayton had 15 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes on the hardwood.

Brooklyn held the Suns to a season low in points and field goal shooting at 34.6 per cent.

The Suns went on a 9-0 run to turn a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to 63-58 difference on Trevor Ariza’s corner 3 with 5:31 to play. The Nets regained a 14-point lead, 74-60, with Dinwiddie’s 3 at the 2:18 mark.

Phoenix never threatened in the fourth, the Suns’ cold shooting helping the Nets remain in control.

Ed Davis’ dunk made it 92-74 with 4:15 to play.

The Nets’ strategy seemed to be to let the 7-foot-1 Ayton shoot mid-range shots rather than allow him to work inside the paint. It worked for much of the game, as the Suns’ high-profile rookie made just 6 of 17 shots.

Both teams struggled to hit shots in the first quarter, with field goal percentages of less than 40 both ways. The Nets, up two after one quarter, led by 14 during the second quarter. Rondae HollisJefferson’s short turnaround bank shot made it 47-34 with 2:53 to go before halftime. Phoenix got backto-back 3s from Mikal Bridges and Ariza to cut the lead to 50-42, and the Suns trailed by 10 at the half.

Suns backup centre Richaun Holmes had season highs of 13 points and 10 rebounds.

TIP-INS Nets: G Jared Dudley returned to Phoenix for the first time since being traded in the offseason. He spent seven seasons over two stints with the Suns. ... F DeMarre Carroll has yet to play this season due to a right ankle injury.

Suns: F T.J. Warren returned after missing the team’s last game with back spasms. ... Booker entered the game second in the

from PAGE 1

Easter because the federation wants to make allowances for Exuma to participate because after Easter, it’s regatta time in Exuma,” said Horton, who also serves as the public relations officer for the BBF. “So we have decided to move it up to the week before Easter because we want Exuma to be able to participate. So the challenge for the NPBA is to fill all our games in during that period.”

During the nationals in Bimini, the federation will hold its election of officers and Horton said there’s a possibility that he will be contesting the position of first vice president. “I will still be around basketball doing my thing, but probably not with the NPBA,” he stated.

Prior to the completion of their season, the NPBA will also have to vacate the AF Adderley Gymnasium from February 4 and until the completion of the prestigious Huge Campbell Basketball Classic.

During that time, he noted that they have applied to play games at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. There are also plans to play at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the UB Mingoes host their home games.

Teams entered are as follows: Division II teams Breezes High Flyers, Triple K Stampers, Basden Elevators Elite, Caro Contractors Resistance, Sun Oil Rockets, Caro Contractors Titans, Your Essential Store (YES) Giants and Leno Eagles Nest.

NETS forward Joe Harris passes the ball around Suns centre Deandre Ayton in the first half last night in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) NBA with an average of 9.8 points per game in the fourth quarter. He had four in the final 12 minutes. ... G Jamal Crawford moved into 29th place career in games played (1,271).

DUDLEY DOING RIGHT Dudley, with 11 pro seasons to his credit, has started all 11 games for the Nets this season, and coach Kenny Atkinson said Dudley gets an “A-plus” for leadership. “He’s

doing it in the locker room and he is also doing it with his play because he doesn’t need the ball in his hands,” Atkinson said. “He’s going to space the floor and he’s an intelligent defender.”

EQUESTRIAN BAHAMAS AND THE PRINCETON EQUESTRIAN LEAGUE ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIP EQUESTRIAN Bahamas is proud to announce the establishment of a partnership with the Princeton Equestrian League based in Princeton, New Jersey.

The Princeton Equestrian League was founded by the owner of Princeton Show Jumping, Andrew Philbrick, and is dedicated to providing high-quality competitions for Hunter, Equitation and Jumper riders of all levels.

The league provides an opportunity to riders to compete at member shows throughout the year, gain points towards year-end awards, and qualify for the prestigious Princeton Equestrian League National Finals at Princeton Show Jumping in Skillman, New Jersey.

NPBA OPENS TONIGHT

“We are very excited and proud to become partners with the Princeton Equestrian League, and to be able to provide our federation members with this wonderful opportunity for additional exposure, competition and recognition amongst their equestrian peers abroad,” said Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre, president of Equestrian Bahamas.

The Equestrian Bahamas horse show season is now in full swing, with the next show being held on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11, at Camperdown Equestrian Centre in eastern New Providence.

Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend.

Division I teams Caro Contractors Pirates, Commonwealth Bank Giants, Fort Charlotte Defenders, Discount Distributors Rockets, PJ Stingers, JD’s Seafood Shockers, University of Bahamas Mingoes, the Pros and Leno Regulators.

TONIGHT 7pm - YES Giants vs Leno Eagles Nest 8pm - JD’s Seafood Shockers vs Leno Regulators SATURDAY 7pm - PJ Stingers vs Fort Charlotte Defenders 8pm - Breezes High Flyers vs Aliv Buckets 9pm - Commonwealth Bank Giants vs Discount Distributors Rockets

BOWLING

THE PRINCETON Equestrian League provides first-class competition for Hunter, Jumper and Equitation Riders of all levels.

LOCAL riders such as Hannah D’Aguilar and Elle O’Brien are excited to have the opportunity to compete for Princeton Awards.

Photo: Carol O’Brien

THE most valuable player in City Bowling League competition on Monday night at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre was a red hot Richie Pyfrom of Telco Enterprises, who mowed down the pins for an outstanding 699 high three game set and just missing the exclusive 700 Club by one pin.

The runner-up was teammate David Slatter with another huge set of 670.

Godfrey Forbes of TK Falcons, Raymond Adderley of Carib Construction and Phillip ‘Grease’ Bethel of Giga Tech all had a 248 high game for the evening.

The leader in the ladies’ category was Tara Johnson of E&U Watercoolers with a 529 high three game set. She was followed by Tara Culmer of Island Game Strokers with a 523 second high set. Kayla Nixon of CDM Knights struck for the high game of 215 with Marina McClain of Carib Construction downing the pins for the second high game of 198.

The team scores for the evening were as follows: E&U Watercoolers 1.5, BEC Shockers 1.5 Telco Enterprises 3, Carib Construction 0 CDM Knights 2, Island Game Strokers 1 Checker’s Cafe 3, Fresh Blend 0 The Avengers 2, Ten Back Strikers 1 Bahamasair Flyers 2, Giga Tech 1

PAGE 4, Wednesday, November 7, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Walker scores 29, leads Hornets to 113-102 win over the Hawks

By RICHARD WALKER Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kemba Walker had 29 points and seven assists, extending his strong start to the season as the Charlotte Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 on Tuesday night.

Marvin Williams added 20 points for the Hornets (6-5), who won for the third time on a four-game homestand. Walker has scored 25 or more seven times in 11 games.

Jeremy Lamb and Malik Monk each had 13 points for Charlotte. Nic Batum scored 10.

Playing against his former team, Jeremy Lin had 19 points off the bench to lead the Hawks (3-7), who led by seven late in the first half.

The young Hawks started 2018 first-round draft picks Trae Young, Kevin Huerter and Omari Spellman for the first time this season and pushed Charlotte before losing for the eighth time in the last nine meetings.

Young finished with 18 points and 10 assists. Kent Bazemore added 16 points.

Even after falling behind 81-77 entering the fourth quarter, the Hawks forged an 84-83 advantage with 10:04 to play before the Hornets went on a 19-4 surge to give them a comfortable lead down the stretch.

Charlotte eventually led by as many as 15.

Neither team led by more than seven until the fourth quarter. Atlanta was up 54-51 at halftime.

By DAVE JACKSON Associated Press

TIP-INS Hawks: Count first-year Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce among those who consider Walker one of the NBA’s top players.

“I’m a huge fan of Kemba. I’ve known Kemba for a long time. You’re seeing a confident and elite scorer,” he said.

Pierce first met Walker at Nike Elite camps years ago and in August 2017 was a part of the NBA Africa trip with the Hornets’ two-time All-Star guard.

Hornets: Michael KiddGilchrist dislocated his right pinkie in the first half but returned to play in the second.

Charlotte coach James Borrego thinks the 20-yearold Young fits the league perfectly.

“He fits today’s NBA for sure. The minute he crosses halfcourt, he’s a threat. He’s a guy that can play-make, get to the rim, pass, finish, shoot the ball. The Hawks have a very good point guard for years to come,” Borrego said.

UP NEXT Hawks: Host the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

Hornets: At the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

DONCIC, SMITH LEAD MAVS PAST WIZARDS 119-100 TO STOP SKID

CHARLOTTE Hornets guard Tony Parker, centre, tries to get past Atlanta Hawks guard Vince Carter in the first half last night in Charlotte, N.C. (AP)

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 23 points and Dennis Smith Jr. made three key plays down the stretch as the Dallas Mavericks ended a six-game losing streak by beating the Washington Wizards 119100 Tuesday night.

It was the Mavericks’ 16th win in their last 17 meetings with the Wizards.

Wesley Matthews added 22 points for Dallas, and Harrison Barnes had 19 points and 13 rebounds.

John Wall led the Wizards with 24 points. Otto Porter Jr. and Bradley Beal had 19 each, but Beal was 1 for 9 on 3-point attempts.

Washington trailed by 24 in the first half and 21 at halftime, but forced 11 Dallas turnovers in the second half and climbed back into the game behind its top three players.

The Wizards were within six when Smith scooted past Dwight Howard to grab an offensive rebound and fed a cutting DeAndre Jordan for a dunk that put the Mavs up 101-93 with 5:33 left.

Just 30 seconds later, the pair collaborated again on a pretty alley-oop, then Smith stole the ball from Beal and got it to Barnes for a threepoint play and a 13-point lead. Smith finished with 19 points and seven assists.

Kevin Major Jr wins title in Florida tournament FROM PAGE 1

“The way I’m playing right now is just better than I expected,” he stated. “The

only thing that has changed is my level of focus on the court and being able to stay

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in the match from the start to the very end.

“Before, my mental attitude to the game was one of my weaknesses, but now it’s one of my strongest strengths.”

One of the things that Major Jr said he’s been forced to learn is the fact that he has to play the match from start to finish.

“Unlike the junior division where when you start to win, the other guy just gives up, these guys play until it’s over,” Major Jr pointed out.

“So you can’t expect to win just because you are better. You still have to go out there and beat them every single time. But that’s the fun part of it because you get to test yourself and see how far you can really go.”

And as far as Major Jr goes, the sky is the limit.

“I’m just taking it step by step,” he said. “Every day is a new day and I get to progress. So it’s just a journey.

The fact that I get to play tennis and win is an added bonus. Obviously I want to win, but that is just a bonus. I want to be playing as much tennis as possible.

I will take the win any day, but I want to be able to play everyday.”

While he’s holding court in his Futures tournaments, Major participated in two ITF Tournaments in California in September. In the first one in Laguna Niguel, he was eliminated in the first round of qualifying.

Two weeks later, he advanced to the main draw in Fountain Valley, only to get ousted in the first round

by American Govid Nanda 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

“I know what it takes now (to be able to compete at this level),” he said. “I thought I was far away, but I’m right there with everybody who is doing the same thing that I am doing.

“So once I play a little more, I know I can win some of these ITF tournaments. That is my goal. It may not happen this year, but I know I will be ready for it next year.”

While the tournaments in the Dominican Republic will be his final appearances overseas, Major Jr said he’s looking forward to coming home and competing in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s 2018 Giorgio

Baldacci National Tennis Tournament and Davis Cup trials in late December at the National Tennis Centre.

“I will finish my season in Nassau,” Major Jr projected. “I’m looking forward to coming home. It’s the Davis Cup trials, so if I qualify, I want to play on the team again next year.”

The last time Major Jr suited up for the Bahamas at Davis Cup was in 2016 when the Bahamas advanced out of the American Zone III in Bolivia when he teamed up with brothers Baker and Spencer Newman and player/ coach Marvin Rolle.

In 2017, Major Jr missed a return to the Davis Cup as he concentrated on school at Seminole State College in Oklahoma. The Bahamas ended up getting relegated to zone III. This year in Costa Rica, the Bahamas advanced back to zone II for 2019.

Major again didn’t participate because of his decision to test his hands at the pro level.

He said he’s now eager to return to play for the Bahamas with some professional experience under his belt.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo Bay Street Mile on Saturday FROM PAGE 1 nationally recognised when the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture stages its National Sports Awards at 7pm on Friday, November 30 at SuperClub Breezes just before the Hall of Fame is set on Tuesday, November 20, at Government House.

Miller-Uibo, last year’s female and athlete of the year, is in the running for those two honours again.

The voting process for the IAAF Athlete of the Year will be closed on Tuesday, November 13. But it won’t be revealed until the Athletics Awards 2018 are held on Tuesday, December 4, in Monaco.

A three-way voting process will determine the finalists.

The IAAF Council and the IAAF Family will cast their votes by email, while

fans can vote online via the IAAF’s social media platforms. Individual graphics for each nominee will be posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram this week; a ‘like’ on Facebook and Instagram or a retweet on Twitter will count as one vote.

The IAAF Council’s vote will count for 50 per cent of the result, while the IAAF Family’s votes and the public votes will each count for 25 per cent of the final result.

Voting for the Male World Athlete of the Year closes on November 13.

At the conclusion of the voting process, five men and five women finalists will be announced by the IAAF. Miller-Uibo is in the running with Great Britain’s sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, Kenya’s steeplechaser Beatrice Chepkoech, Netherland’s distance runner

Sifan Hassan, Colombia’s long/triple jumper Caterine Ibarguen, Russian high jumper Mariya Lasitskene; Croatia’s discus thrower Sandra Perkovic, Republic of South Africa’s Caster Semenya, Belgium’s heptathlete Nafissatou Thiam and Poland’s hammer thrower Anita Wlodarczyk.

Miller-Uibo was undefeated in all competitions in 2018. After winning the Commonwealth 200m title in April, she won three races at her specialist distance of 400m – including a world-leading national record of 48.97 in Monaco – and then turned her focus back to the shorter sprint.

She won at the IAAF Diamond League final in Brussels and at the IAAF Continental Cup Ostrava 2018, capping a superb year which started back in February by equalling the world indoor best for 300m.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 7, 2018, PAGE 5

Jerry Jones: Cowboys are ‘not in anything’ without improved play’

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Even if the Dallas Cowboys were better than 3-5, Jerry Jones says he would have plenty of cause for concern based on what he saw in a damaging loss to Tennessee.

And the normally upbeat owner and general manager doesn’t care to discuss the NFC East standings, even though the Cowboys can pull even with defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia by getting their first road win of the season at the Eagles on Sunday.

“We’re not in anything if we don’t play better,” Jones said after a 28-14 loss to the Titans that looked like it could be a blowout win for Dallas midway through the first quarter. “What I recognise is not so much the three wins and five losses but the way we lost this game and the way we played in the game.

“We’ve got to play better. Our record could be better than it is right now, and we’d still be in trouble.”

The Cowboys traded for a new No. 1 receiver in Amari Cooper and fired offensive line coach Paul Alexander during a surprisingly busy open week. The changes

DALLAS Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett. (AP) looked good early, with Cooper scoring the first Dallas touchdown and star running back Ezekiel Elliott having 75 yards from scrimmage in the first quarter.

Everything changed with Dak Prescott’s throw to Cooper in double coverage in the end zone with a 7-0 lead. Kevin Byard intercepted, Tennessee drove 80 yards in 15 plays for the tie and the Titans never trailed again.

Now the Cowboys are looking at a second straight year of missing the playoffs since the remarkable rookie seasons for Prescott and Elliott, who powered Dallas to an

NFC-best 13 wins before a divisional round loss to Green Bay. Since a franchise-record 11-game winning streak for an 11-1 record two years ago, the Cowboys are 14-15, including the loss to the Packers.

Jones was peppered with questions about Garrett’s job security after the loss to the Titans, at one point flatly saying he wouldn’t fire him during the season. Anything less than a 6-2 finish would leave Garrett with three winning seasons, and two playoff appearances, in eight full seasons.

“I don’t know how to articulate my patience or lack thereof, and I’m not trying to be smart,” Jones said. “I just don’t have an assessment of my patience right now.”

Prescott committed his first two turnovers at home this season in Dallas’ first loss at AT&T Stadium.

The interception was the gamechanger. A fumble while trying to churn for yardage on a sack at his 40-yard line set up Tennessee’s go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.

While it’s realistic to expect Prescott and Cooper to need time to work together and an offensive line to adjust to an in-season coaching change, the Cowboys are running out of it.

“As coach Garrett said, we’ve got a decision to make,” said Prescott, who threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns. “We’ve got to buckle down, lock arms and be together more than ever. Not let anything break us apart.”

Garrett revealed a possible crack yesterday. A few weeks after strongly backing Scott Linehan when asked if he still had faith in his offensive coordinator, Garrett had a different tone when asked if he envisioned a scenario where he took over play-calling.

“Right now, Scott Linehan is going to call the plays on offence,” Garrett, who called plays early in his tenure as head coach, said after the Cowboys had just 109 yards total offence in a scoreless second half against the Titans.

If the Cowboys lose to the Eagles, not much else will matter, other than the question of Garrett’s future beyond this season.

Jones declined several chances to address that issue.

“I think we realise we have eight games to go, we’ve got a long way to go in this season,” Jones said.

“We want to play better than we played tonight, so I certainly think each individual and coach and front office person is going to have to do better, including me.”

ROETHLISBERGER EXPECTS TO FACE THE PANTHERS

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sat out practice yesterday to give his broken left index finger a rest but he is expected to play on Thursday night when Carolina visits Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger said the finger was “fine” after he threw the ball 47 times in last Sunday’s victory over Baltimore. He did leave the game briefly in the third quarter after getting the wind knocked out of him, but he returned after missing just one snap.

The 36-year-old is on pace to top 5,000 yards passing for the first time in his career. He came close in 2014 when he tied Drew Brees for the league lead with 4,952.

Roethlisberger said reaching the 5,000-yard plateau “is still a pretty big deal” but he is keeping his focus on the team.

The Steelers (5-2-1) have ripped off four straight wins to climb into first in the AFC North.

NEW Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) smiles after converting a first down to clinch the win in the second half against the Los Angeles Rams in New Orleans on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Saints on top of latest Pro32 poll as KC, Pats tied for 2nd

By SIMMI BUTTAR AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Who Dat on top of the latest AP Pro32 rankings?

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints knocked off the Los Angeles Rams 45-35 on Sunday, handing them their first loss of the season.

The Saints jumped three spots to No. 1 in the latest AP Pro32 poll. They received seven of 12 firstplace votes and 377 points in balloting yesterday by media members who regularly cover the NFL. “Beat the Rams big time,” Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki said.

The Kansas City Chiefs and the surging New England Patriots are tied for No. 2.

The Patriots, who have won six in a row, got two first-place votes and the Chiefs received the remaining three, giving both teams 364 points.

“Andy Reid has been a terrific coach for so many years, but Patrick Mahomes’ brilliance allows Reid’s true play-calling

talents shine through like never before,” Newsday’s Bob Glauber said of the Chiefs.

The Rams fell from the top spot to No. 4. They will look to get back to their winning ways when they host NFC West rival Seattle on Sunday.

“Although they couldn’t stop Drew Brees when it counted, the Rams are still in very good shape to secure an NFC playoff bye,” said Ira Kaufman of Fox 13 in Tampa, Florida.

The Carolina Panthers and the LA Chargers followed at No. 5 and No. 6.

The teams flipped spots from the previous poll.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who open Week 10 when they host the Panthers on Thursday night, remained at No. 7.

The Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans each moved up a spot to No. 8 and No. 9 as they enter their bye weeks. The Texans have won six in a row after a 0-3 start.

And the Chicago Bears climbed five spots to round out the top 10 after their 41-9 rout of the woeful Buffalo Bills.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 7, 2018, PAGE 7

Red Star beats Liverpool 2-0 in big Champions League shock

Kane’s late double gives Tottenham 2-1 win over PSV

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Red Star Belgrade produced one of the biggest upsets of this season’s Champions League by beating Liverpool 2-0 yesterday, reviving memories of its time as one of Europe’s top soccer teams.

Milan Pavkov scored in the 22nd and 29th minutes as the Serbian champions earned a first win in their debut appearance in the Champions League group stage.

They last played in the European Cup in 1991 as holders, when beating the likes of Liverpool would not have been regarded as such a surprise.

Back then, eastern European teams were genuine contenders for club football’s biggest prize — Steaua Bucharest of Romania was European champion in 1986 — and Red Star had some of the world’s best players like Robert Prosinecki and

LONDON (AP) — Harry Kane boosted Tottenham’s chances of advancing from its Champions League group by scoring two late goals in a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven yesterday.

The English team was in danger of heading out of the competition after just four games when it went behind after just 61 seconds at Wembley Stadium.

Instead, Kane’s goals — in the 78th and 89th minutes — gave Tottenham a glimmer of hope of a toptwo finish in Group B with matches still to come at home to Inter Milan and away to already-qualified Barcelona.

Tottenham is in third place, three points behind second-place Inter.

“We had to dig deep and find another level when it mattered,” Kane said.

“We have been grinding results out here and there all season. We are getting wins.”

Dejan Savicevic. Nearly three decades on, Red Star doesn’t have a household name in its squad and needed to qualify for the group stage through the playoffs. It was also thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield in the previous round when the gulf between the sides was huge. Two weeks later, Red Star — playing in front of a loud and passionate home crowd — kept Liverpool’s fearsome attacking unit quiet and, in Pavkov, had its own star striker.

He leapt highest at a corner to head in a rightwing delivery from Marko Marin and put Red Star ahead.

Pavlov then showed another side of his game, shrugging off Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to get the ball onto his right foot and smash a fierce shot past goalkeeper Alisson from 25 metres.

MILAN Pavkov scores his second goal yesterday. (AP) Daniel Sturridge, who started up front for Liverpool in place of Roberto Firmino, sidefooted over the bar from close range in the first half.

And Mohamed Salah saw his shot strike the post after halftime. A deflected cross from Liverpool left back Andrew Robertson also bounced onto the

crossbar after the break in Belgrade.

Red Star moved onto four points and its home form means it still has a chance of a top-two finish.

Red Star drew 0-0 with Napoli in its previous home game. Liverpool finishes the group with a trip to PSG and a home game against Napoli.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 69° F/21° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

A t‑storm in spots in the afternoon

A t‑storm in spots in the evening

Partly sunny and breezy

Partly sunny

Partly sunny

Partly sunny

High: 86°

Low: 74°

High: 86° Low: 74°

High: 86° Low: 74°

High: 86° Low: 75°

High: 86° Low: 75°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

92° F

77° F

92°-77° F

95°-83° F

94°-79° F

92°-80° F

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

6‑12 knots

S

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 74° F/23° C

6‑12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

E S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

W

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

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

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

MIAMI

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 73° F/23° C

4‑8 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 84° F/29° C Low .................................................... 74° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 82° F/28° C Normal low ........................................ 71° F/22° C Last year’s high ................................. 84° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 69° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 43.82” Normal year to date ................................... 36.30”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 74° F/23° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

S

E

W

6‑12 knots

S

7‑14 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

7:10 a.m.

7:28 p.m.

3.5 3.0

12:53 a.m. ‑0.2 1:34 p.m. 0.0

Thursday

7:54 a.m.

8:12 p.m.

3.5 2.8

1:36 a.m. ‑0.2 2:19 p.m. 0.0

Friday

8:36 a.m.

8:55 p.m.

3.4 2.7

2:18 a.m. ‑0.1 3:04 p.m. 0.1

Saturday

9:19 a.m.

9:39 p.m.

3.3 2.5

2:59 a.m.

3:48 p.m.

0.1 0.2

Sunday

10:02 a.m.

10:23 p.m.

3.1 2.4

3:41 a.m.

4:32 p.m.

0.3 0.4

Monday

10:46 a.m.

11:11 p.m.

2.9 2.3

4:24 a.m.

5:19 p.m.

0.5 0.6

Tuesday

11:33 a.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.8 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:11 a.m.

6:08 p.m.

0.7 0.7

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:21 a.m.

5:26 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

6:10 a.m.

5:47 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Nov. 7

Nov. 15

Nov. 23

Nov. 29

CAT ISLAND

E

W

In the Premier League, maybe, but this was Tottenham’s first victory in its Champions League group and there was a touch of fortune about it.

For the winning goal, Kane met a cross from Ben Davies with a header that was directed straight at goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet.

The ball, however, deflected into the net off PSV defender Trent Sainsbury, who held his head in his hands.

PSV, which stayed on one point and cannot now qualify for the knockout stage, had defended stoutly after going ahead through Luuk De Jong’s header from Gaston Pereiro’s corner.

It was the earliest goal Tottenham has conceded in a Champions League game.

Inter drew 1-1 with Barcelona in the other Group B game yesterday, a result that saw Barca become the first team to reach the round of 16.

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

7‑14 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

6‑12 knots

8‑16 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 NE at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots NE at 6‑12 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots NE at 7‑14 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 6‑12 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots

WAVES 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 4‑7 Feet 4‑7 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

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

WATER TEMPS. 80° F 80° F 84° F 82° F 83° F 81° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 81° F 82° F 82° F 83° F 82° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 84° F 82° F 82° F 83° F 82° F 84° F 82° F

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PAGE 8, Wednesday, November 7, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

TOP sailors from around the world, including five of this year’s world champions, are set to compete in the Star Sailors League Finals in December.

World champions set sights on Bahamas for the Star Sailors League Finals in December FIVE of this year’s world champions from the Hempel Sailing World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, are set to compete in the Star Sailors League Finals this December in the Bahamas.

Three of the five have competed in Nassau before - Pavlos Kontides (Laser, Cyprus) in 2015, and Šime Fantela (49er, Croatia) in 2016.

Zsombor Berecz (Finn, Hungary) also competed in 2016, crewing for his friend, the three-time Olympic medallist from Slovenia, Vasilij Žbogar.

As for the other two, they are set to compete in the 25-boat Star fleet for the first time: Kevin Peponnet (470, France) and Ruggero Tita (Nacra 17, Italy).

Three of these world class sailors come from small sailing nations, and are used to punching above their weight.

They aren’t easily intimidated, not even by the likes of big name legends such as Paul Cayard, Lars Grael and Freddy Loof.

Kontides has become a hero of his country since becoming the first Cypriot medal winner in any Olympic sport when he took silver in the Laser fleet at the London 2012 Games.

The 28-year-old has since gone on to win the Laser World Championships in 2017 and again this season in Aarhus.

In similar fashion, Šime Fantela has overcome any small-nation disadvantage, forging a spectacular career in the 470 class that resulted in the Croatian dominating the 2016 season with his friend and sailing partner Igor Mareni, and which culminated in a dominant gold medal performance at Rio 2016.

Since then, Šime has teamed up with his brother Mihovil and in the space of just 18 months has mastered the challenge of the 49er skiff to win the World Championship earlier this year.

It’s an incredible feat of transformation, proving that Šime Fantela is one of the best sailors of the modern era.

Aarhus also threw up another surprise in the Finn class when Zsombor Berecz became the first ever Hungarian to win gold at a Sailing World Championships.

Unlike Kontides and Fantela, this will be Berecz’s first time helming in the Star Sailors League Finals, although traditionally Finn sailors have proven very adaptable to the two-man hiking keelboat. His experience crewing for Zbogar two years ago will have been a useful introduction to the SSL. Kevin Peponnet has been knocking on the door of the top tier in the 470 fleet, but this year the Frenchman sailed out of his skin to beat the favourites and take a world title won by his uncle, Thierry Peponnet, back in 1986. Now Kevin hopes to emulate his uncle at Tokyo 2020, to see if he can win an Olympic medal like the bronze Thierry won in 1984, or the gold he won in 1988.

After a 49er campaign for Rio 2016 where he finished 14th for Italy, Ruggero Tita has found a boat that really suits his aggressive style. Utterly fearless, Tita drives the

foiling Nacra 17 catamaran faster than anyone else right now, having won just about every major event on the Olympic circuit in 2018. Will he be able to carry those winning ways into the slower pace of Star racing? Last year, his British Nacra rival Ben Saxton proved to be one of the most adaptable sailors in

Nassau, steering the Star to 8th despite no prior experience in the boat.

Of course Paul Goodison was another Star class rookie who went on to win the ultimate prize last year, beating his former Laser class rival Robert Scheidt by just 1 second in the winner-takes-all four-boat final. Kontides draws great

encouragement from the performance of Goodison, the 2008 Olympic Champion from Great Britain and reigning Moth World Champion.

“It was really nice for the sport to see someone from outside of the Star class win it. I know that Goodie did some training before, but what he did is not

comparable with the years that the Star sailors spend speed testing and training,” he said. “The format of racing at the Star Sailor League Finals really allows everyone to be competitive, because the races are shorter than they are at the Star World Championship and starts are really crucial.”

One sailor who got to grips with the SSL format very quickly was Fantela.

He won three of the last five Qualifying races in 2016 and went on to finish 10th overall, crewed by fellow Croatian Antonio Arapovic.

“I love the format, I love the venue, and you get to sail against the legends,” he said. “The Star is really tactical, so you fight your opponent with your brain, not just with your muscles although you have to be strong and hike a lot. If you win, for sure it was not luck.”

Will this be the year for Fantela or one of the other heroes of Aarhus to round off their year with victory in Nassau? Goodison proved what is possible. It will be fascinating to watch it play out at the Star Sailors League Finals, taking place from 4 to 8 December.

The Opening Ceremony for the Star Sailors League Finals will take place on Monday December 3rd in the late afternoon.

The Medal Ceremony will be held right after sailing on Saturday December 8th, on a big podium on Montagu Beach and will be followed that evening with the Gala Dinner with the Prize Giving Ceremony at Nassau Yacht Club.

The action will be streamed LIVE on the Internet with expert commentary from special studio guests.

On the water, the latest in hi-tech camera technology, as well as Virtual Eye 3D Graphics, will provide thrilling viewing.

Keep following us on the official website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to be updated on the SSL Finalists’ entries, social events and more Star Sailors League major events of the year.