12072018 SPORTS

SPORTS SECTION E

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2018

Mendelblatt, Fatih take the lead B

ahamas conditions set in on day three of the Star Sailors League Finals with 12-18 knot winds from the prevailing northeast-easterly direction. With this wind direction the race committee moved the course out of Montagu Bay, where there were bigger waves, with limited protection from the full force of the Atlantic.

Despite being dominated

by Olympic Finn sailors, the day ended with a new leader in Mark Mendelblatt and crew Brian Fatih, who now lead Robert Scheidt and Henry Boening by a mere point going into the last day of the Qualifiers.

Fatih, who has sailed with Mendelblatt since they teamed up for London 2012, observed: “We’re fortunate to be in this position: Robert is an amazing sailor, the benchmark so if you can stay up with him, you’re happy.”

However, following their 15-4-4 score today, gaining the lead was a surprise. “It was a struggle - we didn’t feel great on the boat. We weren’t terrible, it just wasn’t as smooth as normal.”

However, while yesterday’s first race became their discard, Scheidt and Boening had to count their 12th

SAILORS on the high seas yesterday. At right, Kiwi-Anglo duo, Hamish Pepper and Steve Mitchell, did a fine job recovering from their dismasting in the breezy last race.

• For full live coverage of today’s races, see www.tribune242.com in race two. It may also have been due to the more choppy conditions. “It was a battle trying to keep it in the groove downwind,”

Fatih said. “Usually from this direction the left is pretty solid, but it was back

SEE PAGE 5

Justin Roberts advances to Futures semi-final

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH another solid performance, Justin Roberts booked his ticket into the semi-final of the men’s singles in the International Tennis Federation’s USA F35 Futures Tournament in Tallahassee, Florida.

As one of the qualifiers, Roberts continues to turn heads, upsetting No.2 seed Dmitry Popko of Kazakhstan 7-6 (3), 7-6 (1) yesterday in his biggest career victory over a ranked player.

The 22-year-old Popko, who ended last year with a 226 ranking and 227 the year before, is currently pegged at 515 in the world.

Roberts, who turned 22 on Tuesday, is 1,970. Last year, he was

JUSTIN ROBERTS celebrates.

1,970. However, he is working his way back from an injury that hampered his progress.

Roberts, the only Bahamian player with any ATP computer points, said he was really thrilled with his performance.

“It was another good match, two tie breaks,” said Roberts, who is playing in the tournament while sitting his final exams for his studies at Arizona State University where he is studying sports law and business after graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in finance.

“Today, I served very well and the match had a couple of breaks.

In the first set, I went up a break and he broke me back and in the second set, he went up a break and I broke him back. “But I was pretty tough mentally and I played

two tough tie breakers again today and so I’m just happy that I won and moved on. I hope to continue to play hard in the next match.

I just want to hit some balls and have some fun.”

On Wednesday, Roberts clinched his berth into the quarterfinals with another hard fought 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) win over American Paul Oosterbaan, his training partner and good friend.

“We traded some service breaks in both sets, but I think I was a little more solid, a little more aggressive than he was in the tie breaks,” Roberts said. “It was a good performance so far all around this week.”

On his birthday on Tuesday, Roberts won his match in the main draw 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 over qualifier lucky loser Enzo Wallart.

Blaize making his presence felt for the Eagles

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BLAIZE Darling Jr, a versatile track and field athlete and basketball player, is making his presence felt for the Master’s Academy High Eagles in Orlando, Florida.

The St Bede’s Catholic Primary School graduate, who left Queen’s College after grade nine, is helping the Eagles men’s basketball team to an impressive 3-0 win-loss record so far this season.

In their latest game played this week, Darling Jr scored a game high 28 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals as the Eagles pulled off a 87-54 rout over Lake Howell.

Darling Jr, 17, made the transfer this year after spending the past two years at Lake Mary Preparatory School in Lake Mary, Florida, when he left the Bahamas in 2016.

Master’s Academy associate athletic director and basketball head coach Reggie Kohn said he’s thrilled about what Darling Jr means to their Eagles programme.

“Blaize is a tremendous athlete that impacts the game offensively and defensively with his speed and quickness,” said Kohn of Darling Jr, who is also an exceptional sprinter and long jumper.

So far this season, Darling Jr is averaging 15 points per game with 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 steals as he’s shooting 48 per cent from behind the three-point line.

“Blaize has worked extremely hard on his shooting and now can not only blow past his defenders to score, but he can also make the open threes,” Kohn reflected.

On and off the court, Kohn said Darling Jr has been a pleasant student-athlete to work with.

“Blaize plays with passion and energy and it’s contagious,” he

BLAIZE DARLING JR said. “He never takes a day off. He is a proven winner for us.”

The season is still early for the Eagles who have 22 more games to play. But Kohn said they are looking forward to Darling Jr playing a pivotal role in their success.

“The expectations are high to compete for a district championship and to make a run in the playoffs,” Kohn projected. “Blaize should be a big part of our success this year.”

According to Darling Sr, his son will probably do a year of college prep so that he could develop a little more before they look at competing at the next level in college.

After sending his son off to the United States in 2016, Darling Sr said he has no regrets of the progress he has made so far in high school. “The experience he’s had, not just in basketball, but the growth and exposure that he got,

SEE PAGE 3

BEST OF BEST

Regatta, Page 2

IN THE NPBA, BUCKET ROUT STAMPERS, GIANTS POUND PROS 87-61 THE Aliv Buckets and the Commonwealth Bank Giants emerged victorious in the New Providence Basketball Association double header at the AF Adderley Gymnasium on Wednesday night.

In the opener, Aliv Buckets defeated Triple K Stampers 121-102 and in the feature contest, the Commonwealth Bank Giants pounded the Pros 87-61.

Buckets 121, Stampers 102 Dylan Musgrove, playing 27 minutes and 44 seconds, scored 29 points on 11-for13 from the field, 1-for-1 from the three-point line and 6-for-10 from the free throw line to lead Aliv to their victory. Musgrove also had 10 rebounds, six steals, three assists and as many blocked shots.

Neil Sands came off the bench and connected on 25 points with nine rebounds, James Rolle had 16 points, five assists, two rebounds and a pair of steals as well, Akeil Bullard had 14 points and eight rebounds and Kashawn Wilkinson chipped in with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.

In a losing effort, Michael Turnquest scored a game high 31 points in 36:53 minutes. He also had six rebounds, six assists and four steals. Johnley Noel and Nathaniel Jean both had 16 points with nine and six rebounds respectively, Wilben Seraphin had 13 points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals and Ryan McKinney chipped in with 10 points.

Giants 87, Pros 61 Michael Bain (33:12 minutes) and D’Shon Taylor (30:04 minutes) shared game high honours with 24 points apiece to lead Commonwealth Bank.

Bain also had six rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocked shots, while Taylor had four steals, three rebounds and two assists.

No other players were in double figures, but all 11 in

SEE PAGE 3

LEVY, HOWARD AND RUTLEDGE ALL SET TO CALL BAHAMAS BOWL VETERAN ESPN SportsCenter anchor and college football commentator Steve Levy, 1991 Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl XXXI MVP Desmond Howard and sideline reporter Laura Rutledge are expected to call the 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.

The game between FIU (8-4) and Toledo (7-5) is scheduled for 12:30pm EST December 21 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Levy has been ESPN’s play-by-play

SEE PAGE 5

PAGE 2, Friday, December 7, 2018

H-20 finished 2nd in the Class C boats during the 1st series race.

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CLASS C boat Slaughter won the 1st series race.

BEST OF THE BEST REGATTA ROCKS MONTAGU BAY

RUFF Justice leads during the first lap of the Class A boats in the 1st series race.

Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS

EUDEVA finished 1st and Lady Sonia came in 2nd in the 1st series race.

THE Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources’ third annual Best of the Best Regatta got underway yesterday in Montagu Bay. The regatta, featuring the top sloop sailing boats in the country, will continue today with boats competing in Classes A, B and C. The regatta will run until Sunday.

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Friday, December 7, 2018, PAGE 3

Let’s make sure the international events stay on our calendar in 2019 and beyond THE Star Sailors League is back and they are off and sailing in Montagu Bay. The league’s grand finale has returned for another year with 25 teams and 50 sailors with the winner vying for a cash prize of $40,000 out of a jackpot of $200,000.

As usual, the line-up of competitors includes a host of Olympic gold medallists as well as champions from the Hempel Sailing World Championships.

What makes it so compelling for the SSL to come here since December 2013 has been the “incredible conditions in the month of December,” according to Rachele Vitello, the SSL media and communication manager.

“We have missed just a couple of days of racing in six years, normally you miss one or two race days per event,” she stated. “So I think this was the biggest benefit for the SSL, that we can sail everyday and have TV coverage for sure.”

One of the good things about the competition is that once their champion has been decided on Saturday, the competitors get a chance to mix and mingle with the local sloop sailing boats.

This weekend in Montagu as well, the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine

Resources will stage their annual Best of the Best Regatta where only the best boats get to compete.

And on Sunday, SSL sailors get a chance to sail on the local sloop sailing boats in what becomes a treat for the television crew that is carrying the event live around the world.

The Bahamas, once again, is getting some added promotions that the Ministry of Tourism would have had to spend thousands of dollars to promote.

It comes a week after ESPN was in town to cover the Hero World Challenge Professional Golf Association’s tour event that was staged by Tiger Woods at the Albany Golf Club.

The two back-to-back events will head into the final major event for the year when the 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl football championship game takes place between FIU and Toledo on Friday, December 21 at 12:30pm.

Veteran ESPN SportsCentre anchor and college football commentator Steve Levy, 1991 Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl XXXI MVP Desmond Howard and sideline reporter Laura Rutledge will be in town to call the game.

It’s an impressive line-up and one that should only

add more credence to our boasting that it is indeed “Better in the Bahamas.”

This has certainly been a banner year for international sports in the Bahamas and we only hope that these events will continue to be staged here.

It’s disappointing that the LPGA has decided to cancel the Pure Silk Ladies Golf Tournament that normally brings some of the best female players to Atlantis to compete for a week in January.

And the fact that the IAAF has been forced to move the fourth World Relays to Japan in April because of the lack of financial support from the government.

But we need to ensure that those events that are here remain on our calendar in 2019 and beyond and others like those in basketball and soccer continue as well.

A lot of people complain that they don’t see or feel the economic effect of

having some of these sporting events in the country.

But there are a lot of people who do feel it.

And from our standpoint as a tourist destination, you can not just only continue to rely on the old cliche of “sand, sun and sea” to attract persons to our shores, but the many things that they can do once they get here.

Shaunae Miller-Uibo So Close I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Shaunae Miller-Uibo in what has turned out to be a fantastic season in track and field.

It culminated on Tuesday night in Monaco where she was vying for the IAAF Female Athlete of the Year after producing a perfect 15-0 season in international events she competed in as she contested both the 200 and 400m.

She was in the running with four other female athletes for the top spot, but

was beaten out by Caterine Ibarguen, the 34-year-old Colombian, who dominated both the long and triple jumps.

It should be noted that the award was based on a voting procedure in which persons had to cast their ballots for their favourite athlete.

No doubt, coming from a much smaller country, Miller-Uibo would have been outnumbered in terms of the votes casted.

Even if every Bahamian voted twice, it still probably would not have been sufficient.

Ibarguen is considered a “rock star” in Colombia where she has been chosen as the best sportswoman in all sports, not just athletics.

So quite naturally, she will garner the support of more people voting for her.

Despite the loss, it has been an eventful year for Miller-Uibo, who was selected as the Bahamas National and NACAC Female Athlete of the Year.

Congrats Miller-Uibo, who also celebrated with her parents Shaun and May Miller on their 27th wedding anniversary and May’s 50th birthday this past weekend as well.

Thanks for the journey through 2018 and we look forward to 2019.

God bless you all.

JUNIORS REPRESENT BAHAMAS IN LIL MO TENNIS TOURNEY A CONTINGENT of young tennis juniors from the Bahamas represented the island nation at the Lil Mo International tennis competition in Florida.

The girls were Briana Houlgrave, Marlee Martin, Millie Beukes, BreAnn Ferguson, Kaylee Kanuka and Jasmine Sarah Thompson.

The boys in competition were Zamere Davis, Patrick Mactaggart, Brody Knowles, Jackson Mactaggart, Khai Rees, Michael Major Jr and Clint Newry.

The competition boasted over 450 players from 40 countries.

“This is a great opportunity for the Bahamian players to test their skills against players from around the world. Players play singles, doubles and mixed doubles,” said a press release.

The event was held at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens November 30 to December 5. “Little Mo International is open to players worldwide. These tournaments are designed to provide good competition whilst fostering new friendships and sportsmanship. Players are able to gauge their tennis ability against players of the same age,” said the release.

“The BLTA wishes these young tennis players great success in this competition.”

SPORTS NOTES TRACK BAISS CROSS COUNTRY THE Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools is set to hold its first Cross Country Championships on Saturday. The event will begin at 8am at St Augustine’s College. All of the schools in the BAISS are expected to participate.

TRACK THROWERS MEET THE RC Athletics Club, headed by coach Ronald Cartwright, is set to hold its annual Throwers Meet on Saturday, starting at 9am. The meet is open to all competitors, whether they are in junior and senior high schools, college or clubs or not affiliated with any organisation.

The registration fee is $8 and all competitors will be allowed to participate in any and or all events contested, including shot put, discus and javelin.

TRACK BANQUET UNDER the theme “Defying the Odds, Fulfilling Our Dreams,” the Roadrunners Track and Field Club will hold its 19th annual Awards and Presentation Banquet on Saturday at 7:30pm in the Crown Ballroom of the Beach Towers at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

This year’s scripture text is from Genesis 45: 6-8 and the theme song is “When You Believe” by Whitney Houston. The event will be held under the patronage of Elvera Pinder, Sonia Missick, Monique Forbes and Grenalda Bodie.

The club, headed by Dexter Bodie, will be honouring its athletes for their accomplishments on and off the track. Awards will be presented to the various winners in every age group category for athletics and academics.

SOFTBALL TRIALS THE University of the Bahamas Mingoes Athletic Department is set to open its softball trials on Saturday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, starting at 9am.

All female softball players interested in earning an athletic scholarship or attending UM to participate on their softball team are invited to attend, dressed in proper attire to go through the workout session.

YOUNG stars proudly display the Bahamian flag during the opening ceremony.

RUGBY NASSAU CUP THE Bahamas Rugby Union is scheduled to have a bi-week this weekend as they prepare for Nassau Cup final when Cuckoos take on Bailiou on Saturday, December 15 at the Winton rugby pitch.

Blaize Darling making his In the NPBA, presence felt for the Eagles Bucket rout FROM PAGE 1 we couldn’t pay for that,” said Darling Sr, looking back in the mirror.

“It was really Godordained when he went.

God was all over this thing because we had a conversation when he was in grade 7 or 8 and we talked about him going off.

“But at the time, I found a school that was really nice, but I wasn’t sure that I could find the tuition for it.”

However, Darling Sr said a few months later, Darling Jr attended a basketball showdown conducted by coach Curry and the same school, Lake Mary Preparatory, they had viewed before was here.

“After that, I saw this was God working,” Darling Sr pointed out.

“We had some conversation with the coach and our family made the decision to do it. I couldn’t believe it.”

After spending the past two years at Lake Mary Preparatory where he was the “go to player” on the basketball team, Darling Sr said he decided to make the switch to the Master’s Academy High, which is more of a Christian school.

“If he would have stayed at LMP, he would have basically carried the team by himself because all of the seasoned players had graduated,” Darling Sr stated.

“So I didn’t want to do that to him in his senior

‘It was really God-ordained when he went’ year. I wanted him to experience not being overworked trying to carry the whole team.

“So he made the transition to the Master’s Academy.”

At Master’s Academy, Darling Jr is staying with a host family, whose son, Corey Sawyer Jr, is in the 11th grade at the same school, so he was easily accepted on the team.

“The family he is staying with, they love him like a son,” Darling Sr said.

“The daddy was an ex-NFL player, Corey Sawyer Sr, and the mom,

Gladymer Sawyer, is Puerto Rican. So a lot of her ways are like a Caribbean mother.

“His environment that he was able to go into was really good. It was just him going off and having to defend for himself or whatever. So that all worked out pretty good.”

Sawyer Sr was a fourth round 104th pick in the 1994 NFL draft as a cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals where he played until 1998 before ending up with one season with the New York Jets in 1999.

While the focus right now is on basketball, Kohn is hoping that Darling Jr will be available to continue his track and field exploits for the Master’s Academy in the spring.

Stampers, Giants pound Pros 87-61 FROM PAGE 1 uniform scored. Their next best scorers were Trent Cox and Kevin Hinsey, both with six points. Cox also had eight rebounds. The Pros got 17 points and six rebounds from Colton Albury to lead their attack. Chico Francis had 10 points and 13 rebounds and Stephan Burrows also contributed 10 points with three assists.

Dereck Ferguson chipped in with nine points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench.

TODAY 7pm - Caro Contractors Titans vs Basden Elevator Elite.

8pm - Your Essential Store vs Breezes High Flyers.

9pm - Leno Regulators vs Discount Distributors Rockets.

PAGE 4, Friday, December 7, 2018

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Henry runs into NFL record book as Titans rout the Jaguars 30-9

By TERESA M WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn.

(AP) — Derrick Henry sped and stiff-armed his way to a record-tying 99-yard touchdown run and the Tennessee Titans routed the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-9 last night to stay in the playoff chase.

And that was just part of an amazing night for Henry.

Henry tied Tony Dorsett’s 99-yarder on January 3, 1983, for Dallas against Minnesota for the longest TD run in NFL history.

Henry ran to his left and ran up the sideline, stiff-arming first Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye, then rookie linebacker Leon Jacobs twice and finally a shove to linebacker Myles Jack to finish off the TD. The 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, celebrated by striking the Heisman pose not once, but twice.

Henry set a franchise record with 238 yards on just 16 carries, topping the previous mark of 228 yards set by Chris Johnson in 2009 against yes, the Jaguars.

Henry finished with a career-high four TDs, tying Lorenzo White and Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell for most rushing TDs in a single game in franchise history. Henry also became the first player in the NFL with four rushing TDs in a game since Jonas Gray of the Patriots in Week 11 in 2014.

Titans coach Mike Vrabel called Henry’s night “very impressive.”

With the rout and second win in a row, the Titans (7-6) stayed in AFC playoff contention with their fourth straight victory over their oldest division rival.

They’ve won six of their last seven against Jacksonville.

TENNESSEE Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Cody Kessler (6) during the first half last night.

(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) The Jaguars (4-9) have lost eight of their last nine.

Johnson called Henry’s 99-yarder “amazing” and congratulated Henry after passing him for the team record.

Marcus Mariota, wearing black tape on the back of his right hand, threw for 162 yards. The Titans outgained

the Jaguars 426-255, and they also had four sacks.

Jacksonville came in with the league’s fifth-best scoring defence after shutting out Andrew Luck for the first time in the NFL. But Jacksonville has been susceptible against the run, ranked 16th giving up 108.4 yards. Henry nearly

matched that on his recordtying run.

Henry’s TD capped a huge swing over two plays.

Titans rookie Cameron Batson muffed the punt at the Titans 7 before recovering at the 1 and being tackled in the end zone for a safety. The Jaguars took the ensuing free kick and

drove downfield where they picked up a fourth-and-1 at the Titans 5.

Then the Titans stopped the Jaguars on the next four plays, the last with rookie linebacker Rashaan Evans tripping up Leonard Fournette.

On the very next play, Henry started toward the

middle before turning left for a TD run where he simply couldn’t be stopped.

Henry had 129 yards on six carries with two TDs all by halftime to become the Titans’ first 100-yard rusher this season.

Before his night ended, he added TD runs of 16 and 54 yards .

Irving leads Celtics past Knicks 128-100

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving heard all of the doubts when the Celtics, who were among the favourites to win the Eastern Conference, still had a .500 record through Thanksgiving.

The low point may have been a home loss to the Knicks that snapped New York’s six-game losing streak.

“I was thinking about it since we lost to them,” the Celtics point guard said after scoring 22 points to coast past the Knicks 128100 last night and exact a measure of revenge for the embarrassing earlier loss.

“I remember players from other teams asking about what’s going on when we were 10-10.”

Irving also had eight assists before leaving the game with about four minutes left, rubbing his right shoulder and swinging it around in pain. He raised his hand for coach Brad Stevens to take him out of the game but couldn’t get his attention and instead walked to the bench at the next whistle.

The shoulder was wrapped in ice when he walked off the court at the end of the game. Irving thought it was his AC joint and said he would be OK. “I think he got hit,” Stevens said. “He didn’t seem too concerned about it, but he’s going to get looked over, as usual.”

Al Horford had 19 points and 12 rebounds for Boston, and Jaylen Brown returned after missing three games with a bruised lower back and scored a season-high 21 points. Jayson Tatum added 17 for the Celtics, who won their fourth straight game.

Tim Hardaway Jr scored 22 for New York, which has lost four of its last five games. Enes Kanter had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Noah Vonleh had 12 and 10.

NEW York Knicks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (3) looks for room to move against the defence of Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving (11) and center Al Horford (42) yesterday.

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola) “Not going to win in this league giving up 30 points per quarter,” Hardaway said. “Need to do a better job as a team and individually, including myself.”

NOT EVEN CLOSE The Celtics scored the first three baskets of the game and never trailed.

They led by eight after one, by 11 after two and by 15 points after scoring eight straight to make it 97-82 near the end of the third quarter.

New York was within 12 with five minutes remaining before Boston scored the next 11 points on baskets from five different players.

“Terrible defence tonight.

We just didn’t have it,” Knicks coach David Fizdale said. “Thought we were right there slugging away with them, but in the fourth we couldn’t keep up.”

LAST TIME The Celtics, who went to the Eastern Conference finals last year, were expected to be one of the league’s top teams after getting Irving and Gordon Hayward back from injuries. But New York won 117-109 in Boston on Nov. 21 loss and sent the Celtics to their third loss in a row.

Stevens wondered aloud after that one whether his team was “that good.”

“Maybe it’s not a wakeup call if you keep getting beat,” he said.

But Boston is 5-1 since then. “Disappointing loss against them recently here,” Horford said yesterday.

“We just wanted to come out and set the tone from the beginning and I felt like we were able to do that. ...

We played much better, and I felt better tonight.”

TIP-INS Knicks: Both teams shot better than 60 per cent in the first quarter, but the Knicks were just 8 for 26 in the second. ... Hardaway went down to the floor after taking an elbow from Marcus Morris Sr. in the head. The play was ruled a flagrant foul. Hardaway returned a few minutes later.

Celtics: The Celtics wore green, white and yellow jerseys reminiscent of the 1980s, and they enhanced the theme by using graphics on the scoreboard from the time. During breaks, they showed video of a Green Line train approaching the original Boston Garden on elevated tracks, neither of which exists anymore.

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Friday, December 7, 2018, PAGE 5

WILLIAMSON AND NICHOLLS SWELL NEW ZEALAND LEAD TO 198 RUNS IN 3RD TEST

Bahamas First General sponsors Future Stars BAHAMAS First General Insurance Company has committed to sponsoring the Future Stars Football Club for the 2018-19 Bahamas Football Association (BFA) season.

The Future Stars FC is led by Carlton Adderley and a member of the BFA. The Future Stars club started in 2012 and over the last six years has grown to over 100 players ranging in age from four years old to adult.

Said Leah R Davis, Bahamas First group marketing and communications manager: “We believe in investing in the local

community and supporting positive opportunities for young Bahamians. While team sports like football are fun and healthy activities for children, we believe it also cultivates leadership and teamwork competencies among other valuable disciplines.”

• Pictured accepting the sponsorship cheque (l-r) are Fred Lunn, Bahamas Football Association (BFA), Carlton Adderley, president of the Future Stars Football Club, and Leah R Davis, Bahamas First group marketing and communications manager.

Bahamas Bowl: Meet the Makers THE Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl press conference was held on November 30 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium to introduce the head coaches (FIU’s Butch Davis and Toledo’s Jason Candle) and athletic directors of the two participating institutions (FIU and Toledo) in the 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. The Bahamas Bowl game takes place on December 21 at the stadium. In group photo from left: Quinton Brennen, National Sports Authority General Manager; Richard Giannini, Executive Director of Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl; Lea Miller-Tooley, Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl/Marketing; Pete Garcia, Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment, FIU; Butch Davis, Head Coach, FIU Panthers; Charles Albury, Permanent Secretary, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation; Jason Candle, Head Coach, Toledo Rockets; Mike O’Brien, Vice-President & Athletic Director, University of Toledo; and Ed Fields, Senior Vice-President/Public Affairs, Atlantis Paradise Island.

Photo: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS

BAHAMAS BOWL FROM PAGE 1

voice for every game in the bowl’s history. Howard (analyst) will work his second-straight assignment at the bowl (2017), and Rutledge (sideline) will work for the third time in the Bahamas (2014, 2017). Levy has hosted SportsCenter from many of the biggest events in sports, including the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, Final

Four, College Football Playoff and more. He and ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose have covered the Stanley Cup Finals for ESPN every year since 1995.

The Washington Redskins selected Howard fourth overall in the 1992 NFL Draft. Howard spent three years with Washington, then moved on to the Jacksonville Jaguars – with whom he scored the first game-winning touchdown in team history – the Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2000 while playing with the Lions.

Steve Levy is one of ESPN’s longest-running SportsCenter anchors, having joined the network in August 1993. He is most often seen on the 11pm ET edition or other late-night shows, as well as on the SportsCenter programme on the ESPN App. In addition to his SportsCenter duties, in 2016, Levy returned to the college football play-by-play booth to work a weekly ABC/ ESPN afternoon game.

Desmond Howard joined ESPN in 2005 as a college football analyst. The 1991 Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl XXXI

MVP joined the network a few years after his remarkable 11 seasons in the NFL. He has been an analyst on the eight-time Emmy-Award winning College GameDay, the network’s signature Saturday morning show originating from the site of one of the day’s best games, since 2005 and also calls ESPN’s mid-week games.

Laura Rutledge joined ESPN’s coverage of the Southeastern Conference in 2014 as a reporter on SEC Network and ESPN. She recently signed a multi-year contract extension in summer 2018.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Captain Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls combined in a terrific double-century stand to propel New Zealand’s lead against Pakistan to a valuable 198 runs in the third test yesterday.

New Zealand overcame being 60-4 in the morning to reach 272-4 at stumps on the fourth day and regain the advantage in the series decider. Pakistan let it slip away through lapses in the field and taking a defensive approach.

Williamson, who resumed on the day on 14, batted the entire day and grafted an unbeaten 139 off 282 balls with 13 fours.

Left-hander Nicholls overcame a jittery start to be 90 not out off 243 deliveries.

New Zealand was still trailing Pakistan in its second innings by 14 runs when Nicholls joined Williamson before lunch. But they batted with determination and luck in an unbroken 212-run, fifthwicket stand to leave Pakistan worried about what total it may be chasing to win the series on the last day Friday.

New Zealand will be in charge and favoured for the series win when it will probably decide to end its second innings and leave enough time to bowl out Pakistan.

Pakistan does not have happy memories at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium, where New Zealand won the first test by just four runs after setting Pakistan a target of 176.

Pakistan made a perfect start to the fourth day when legspinner Yasir Shah became the quickest bowler to reach 200 test wickets by dismissing nightwatchman Will Somerville for 4.

But Shah dropped Williamson on 80 and 106.

And Imam-ul-Haq couldn’t hold onto a sharp reflex catch of Nicholls close to the wicket on the leg side soon after the left-hander completed his half-century before tea.

STAR SAILORS FROM PAGE 1

and forth with some light spots.” At the top scoring helm yesterday was Jorge Zarif, the 2013 Finn Gold Cup winner and this year’s Star World Champion, and Pedro Trouche, scoring 4-1-2 yesterday elevated the young Brazilians into third overall.

“In the free pumping conditions today (yesterday) - I am from the Finn and that is one of the most important things we do,” Zarif said. “We tried to pump and rock as much as we could, although you have to play the waves and shifts as well.”

Their race win yesterday came after taking the lead on the second beat after benefitting from a favourable shift on the left. “There was a huge shift there because of the geography,” said Zarif. “But in the third race there was a huge right.

There weren’t any clouds saying that. Sometimes you have to follow your gut.”

Losing the race to Zarif was Kiwi-Anglo duo, Hamish Pepper and Steve Mitchell, who had done a fine job recovering from their dismasting in yesterday’s breezy last race.

“It required a bit of effort to tidy up the boat and get rid of all the damage and to find a rig suitable,” admitted Pepper. “We finished it off this morning and our timing pretty good.”

Of their day, Pepper - the 2006 Star World Champion - was pleased. “We had two good races - an 8th and a second.” Of race two: “On the second beat we played the middle because it was getting shifty. There were a

lot of gains and losses. You couldn’t protect both sides and in the end it favoured the guys on the left.”

This year’s Finn Gold Cup winner, Hungarian Zsombor Berecz, posted yesterday’s second best score – 3-6-9 with Czech four time Finn Masters World Champion Michael Maier as crew, leaving them 10th overall.

This was despite not finishing Wednesday’s last race when they broke a spreader, turning their mast to spaghetti, requiring them to fit a replacement overnight.

“On the water sometimes we had very good speed, but not always. We’ve only had five days on the boat …”

said Berecz. “Downwind we were playing it quite safe. We didn’t put the mast forward enough, because we didn’t want to break it.”

Winner of yesterday’s first race were Star veterans France’s Xavier Rohart and Pierre-Alexis Ponsot, who also benefitted from the left side of the first beat.

They led at the top mark and then were never challenged.

“It is good to have a good plan and to be able to run with it to the end, to play the shifts and be a little bit in front of the pack…it was really a text book race,” said Rohart.

While many found fortune on the top left of the

course, in yesterday’s final race Brazilian veteran Lars Grael and Samuel Gonçalves repeated their tactic from Wednesday’s second race, by going hard right, with the same outcome – victory.

This has raised them to seven overall.

Tomorrow is the final day of Qualifiers at the Star Sailors League Finals and the target is to finish within the top 10 to progress through to Saturday’s quarter-final.

As Zarif observed: “We have four races to go. It is a long way. Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

At present any of the top 22 teams could still make the cut.

The winner of the Qualifiers fast tracks directly to the final race, while second place heads directly to the semi-final.

Those that finish the Qualifiers in third to 10th places, get to race in the quarter-finals.

The top five quarterfinalists progress through to the semi-final. The top three from the semi-finals join the winner of the Qualifiers in the finals.

Winner of the Star Sailors League Finals receives US$ 40,000 from a prize pot of US$ 200,000.

THE STANDINGS 1. Mark Mendelblatt (USA Brian Fatih (USA) 22

2. Robert Scheidt (BRA) Henry Boening (BRA) 23 3. Jorge Zarif (BRA) Pedro Trouche (BRA) 31 4. Diego Negri (ITA) Diego Negri (ITA) 32 5. Eivind Melleby (NOR) Joshua Revkin (USA) 39 6. Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL) Dominik Zycki (POL) 48 7. Lars Grael (BRA) Samuel Gonçalves (BRA) 51 8. Xavier Rohart (FRA) Pierre-Alexis Ponsot (FRA) 54 9. Augie Diaz (USA) Bruno Prada (BRA) 54 10.

Zsombor Berecz (HUN) Michael Meier (CZE) 56... ______________________

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 7, 2018, PAGE 7

ALL TOP PLAYERS SET FOR AUSSIE OPEN IN JANUARY

Durable Liverpool keeps Man City in its sights in title race

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer MANCHESTER City just cannot shrug off Liverpool in what is looking increasingly like a two-horse race for the Premier League title.

Three days after scoring a winner six minutes into injury time in the local derby against Everton, Liverpool needed rested stars Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah to come off the bench and help rally the team to a 3-1 win at Burnley on Wednesday.

Liverpool moved back to within two points of City, the defending champions, and the top two remain unbeaten after 15 of 38 games.

Fewer and fewer sides look capable of keeping touch with them.

Chelsea lost for the second time in three matches, squandering an early lead in a surprise 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The London club’s 10-point gap to City could grow further at the

weekend, with the leaders visiting Stamford Bridge.

Defeat for Chelsea allowed Tottenham to climb into third place — six points behind Liverpool — after a 3-1 win over Southampton.

Manchester United dropped Paul Pogba and was held to a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in a bruising match at Old Trafford, leaving Jose Mourinho’s team 18 points behind City.

Even the bare minimum of Champions League qualification could be beyond United, which is in eighth spot and eight points adrift of fourth-place Chelsea.

KLOPP’S GAMBLE Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp gambled by changing his entire forward line at Burnley, with Salah and Firmino dropped to the bench and Sadio Mane out injured.

It looked like that decision might backfire when Burnley took the lead in the 54th minute through Jack Cork. Klopp sent on Salah and Firmino soon after James Milner equalised in

Loftus-Cheek’s goalbound effort deflected inside the near post off the head of Wolves defender Conor Coady.

TOTTENHAM UP TO THIRD Harry Kane scored one goal and set up another in a win for Tottenham that showed the size of the task facing new Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuettl, who watched from the stands at Wembley Stadium on the day he was hired as Mark Hughes’ replacement.

Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min also netted for Spurs, which landed its 11th league win of the season.

Hasenhuettl will have been encouraged by Southampton’s performance when Tottenham eased off in the final 30 minutes, with the visitors getting a late consolation goal through Charlie Austin.

The other two matches finished in 1-1 draws between Fulham and Leicester, and Everton and Newcastle.

LIVERPOOL’s Xherdan Shaqiri scores his side’s third goal of the game against Burnley on Wednesday.

(Nigel French/PA via AP) the 62nd, and they made an immediate impression.

Firmino scored with his first touch to put Liverpool in front before Salah set up Xherdan Shaqiri for the third goal in injury time.

CHELSEA LOSES AGAIN Outplayed by Tottenham two weeks ago and now outfought by Wolves, these are worrying times for Chelsea.

And the coach knows it.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Open officials say the world’s top 102 women and top 101 men have confirmed they will compete at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2019.

World No. 1 Simona Halep heads up the women’s field and Novak Djokovic, seeking his record seventh Australian Open title, is the No. 1-ranked male player.

The tournament begins January 14 at Melbourne Park with Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki as singles defending champions. Serena Williams, ranked No. 16, plans to make her return to Melbourne Park for the first time since winning in 2017 while eight weeks’ pregnant with baby Alexis Olympia.

Tournament officials said Wednesday that Andy Murray, who is returning after an injury layoff, has entered using a protected ranking.

“Suddenly we conceded a goal and we weren’t the same team,” Maurizio Sarri said. “It’s very difficult for me to understand why.”

Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota scored in a four-minute span around the hour mark to complete Wolves’ fightback and condemn Chelsea to a second loss of the campaign.

Sarri’s side had taken the lead in the 18th minute when Ruben

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 58° F/14° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Mostly sunny, breezy and pleasant

Partly cloudy

Partly sunny and breezy

Periods of sun, a t‑storm; breezy

Clouds and sun, a shower; breezy

Mostly sunny and breezy

High: 81°

Low: 68°

High: 82° Low: 70°

High: 84° Low: 68°

High: 81° Low: 62°

High: 74° Low: 62°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

80° F

66° F

82°-71° F

88°-67° F

86°-59° F

73°-58° F

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 59° F/15° 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: 75° F/24° C Low: 72° F/22° C

8‑16 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 78° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C

8‑16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C

N

S

E

W

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C

MIAMI

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 68° F/20° C

8‑16 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 75° F/24° C Low .................................................... 69° F/21° C Normal high ....................................... 80° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 68° F/20° C Last year’s high ................................. 86° F/30° C Last year’s low ................................... 70° F/21° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 44.37” Normal year to date ................................... 38.73”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2018

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

7:33 a.m.

7:50 p.m.

3.2 2.4

1:12 a.m. ‑0.3 2:01 p.m. ‑0.1

Saturday

8:14 a.m.

8:31 p.m.

3.1 2.3

1:53 a.m. ‑0.2 2:43 p.m. ‑0.1

Sunday

8:54 a.m.

9:13 p.m.

3.0 2.3

2:33 a.m. ‑0.1 3:24 p.m. 0.0

Monday

9:34 a.m.

9:55 p.m.

2.9 2.2

3:13 a.m.

4:05 p.m.

0.0 0.1

Tuesday

10:14 a.m.

10:39 p.m.

2.8 2.1

3:54 a.m.

4:46 p.m.

0.2 0.2

Wednesday 10:56 a.m.

11:25 p.m.

2.7 2.1

4:37 a.m.

5:29 p.m.

0.3 0.3

Thursday

2.5 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:24 a.m.

6:14 p.m.

0.5 0.4

11:40 a.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

S

E

W

10‑20 knots

S

12‑25 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

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

6:42 a.m.

5:21 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

6:50 a.m.

5:54 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Dec. 7

Dec. 15

Dec. 22

Dec. 29

CAT ISLAND

E

W

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

10‑20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 81° F/27° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

12‑25 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: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS NE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 10‑20 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots NE at 12‑25 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 10‑20 Knots NE at 12‑25 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 15‑25 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 7‑14 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots NE at 12‑25 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots E at 12‑25 Knots

WAVES 3‑6 Feet 3‑6 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑6 Feet 4‑7 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 4‑7 Feet 4‑7 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 4‑8 Feet 4‑8 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 78° F 78° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 83° F 83° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 82° F 82° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F 83° F 83° F 81° F 81° F

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