12122017 sport

SPORTS SECTION E

NAUGHTY

Column, Page 3

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2017

Boilermakers’ Charlton, Cox open indoor season in fast lane

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

T

he Bahamian hurdle and sprint duo of Devynne Charlton and Carmiesha Cox kicked off their Purdue Boilermakers indoor season on Saturday as they competed in the 2017 Hoosier Open at the Gladstein Fieldhouse at Indiana University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Charlton, a red-shirt senior competing unattached, clocked 8.09 seconds for second in the final of the women’s 60 metre hurdles behind University of

Kentucky’s Jasmine CamachoQuinn, who won in 8.04.

The times are now recorded as the two fastest so far in the United States for the indoor season.

Coming out of the preliminaries, Charlton had the fastest qualifying time of 8.18 in winning the last of three heats, just ahead of Camacho-Quinn, the winner of heat two in 8.20.

She also was 14th overall after placing fifth in the second of four heats of the women’s 300m in 39.48.

Cox, competing in the women’s 60m, was third in the first of three heats in 7.65 seconds, but it was only good enough for ninth

overall as she failed to get into the final.

And Cox ran the second leg of Purdue’s 4 x 400m relay team that won in 3:39.37. They won by 5.5 seconds over Tennessee to break the meet record and is now the eighth best ranked time in Purdue’s history.

Purdue’s head coach Lonnie Greene said the performances of the two Bahamian standouts is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Devynne won’t be eligible for the indoors for us, so we are just trying to get her ready to compete at the World Indoor Championships,” said Greene, one of two Bahamians on the coaching staff.

Greene, who is assisted by Norbert Elliott and his American wife Angela, said Charlton proved that she’s right on target for the trip to Birmingham, Great Britain, March 2-4.

“She’s looking good. I think by the time the World Indoors come around, she will be geared up and ready to compete. We can expect some big things from her next year.”

Once she’s done with the indoor season, Greene said they would then prepare Charlton to complete her eligibility in the outdoor season.

“We’re looking forward to her running some fantastic times next

year,” Greene projected. “If she can run in the 7.20s that could equal to about 12.60 or better.”

Charlton, 22, holds the national indoor record at 7.93 in the 60m hurdles, but the outdoor mark is held by her archrival Pedrya Seymour, a 22-year-old red shirt junior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who has ran 12.64. Charlton’s best time outdoor is 12.74.

As for 22-year-old Cox, Greene said she’s in the reverse position as once her indoor season is complete, she’s done and then the focus will be on getting her ready

SEE PAGE 4

Dolphins stop Patriots

PATRIOTS QB Tom Brady (12) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in the second half last night in Miami Gardens, Florida.

SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 8 (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

LOCAL GYMNASTS TO MAKE HISTORY THE Atlantis Crown Invitational has grown tremendously over the last six years but, this year, the event will make history in The Bahamas.

For the first time ever, Bahamian athletes will compete in the trampoline and tumbling events at the coveted tournament.

The opening ceremony is all set for 7pm to 8:30pm Thursday and the meet, which continues until Sunday, will bring over 1,000 male and female gymnasts from five countries, including The Bahamas, United States, Canada, Surinam and, for the first time, the United Kingdom.

The Bahamas is being represented by 82 gymnasts from three clubs.

Cindy Scharns, coordinator of the event, says many gymnasts look forward to the annual competition.

“We are excited to be returning to what we consider our second home to host the sixth annual Atlantis Crown. The event continues to grow and this year will boast 1,096 athletes representing 59 gymnastics clubs and five countries.

The athletes will compete from 1pm to 4pm on Saturday in the tumbling division.

“We encourage you to join us for this monumental event.”

Grand Bahama Secondary Schools crown softball champions THE Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Association crowned its softball champions recently with the St George’s Jaguars and the Sister Mary Russell Panthers taking home the senior and junior girls’ title respectively.

Page 5

Senior Girl’s Championship: Georges 22, Jack Hayward 4 After 10 years, including 10 high school senior girls’ championship runs, the Tabernacle Baptist Academy team had lost a game and failed to make the playoffs.

That opened the door to the crowning of a new champion.

For the first time in programme

history, the St Georges softball team has won a GBSSAA’s senior girls softball championship, and they had to beat the top seeded tournament team to do it.

No. 2 St Georges dominated No.1 Eight Mile Rock 22-4 on Friday at the YMCA. MVP Deaveon Missick went 2-3, scored two runs, and drove in four.

GBSSAA Junior Girl’s Championship: Sister Patricia Russell 10, Jack Hayward 8 Jaszmine Scavella tossed an eight hitter as Sister Mary Patricia Russell defeated Jack

SEE PAGE 4

ST GEORGE’S, the senior girls’ softball champions.

Best-of-the-Best

PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Three new champions were crowned over the weekend as the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources’ second annual Best-of-the-Best Regatta came to a close in Montagu Bay. After four days of competition, Stefan Knowles and his Running Tide took the A class title back to Mangrove Bush, Long Island, while Jeff Gale and his Lonesome Dove and It Ain’t Right carried the B and C class titles to Abaco. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was on hand to participate in the closing ceremonies, commending Minister Renward Wells and his staff at the ministry for putting on another successful event.

Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 12, 2017, PAGE 3

‘Lighten up’ on Lonzo Ball IF you follow the social media or turn on your TV or radio, the talking heads are trying sell, Lakers rookie PG Lonzo Ball is a bust and the Los Angeles Lakers made the wrong pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

SLOW YOUR ROLL It’s obviously way too early to know whether or not that’s the case, but it hasn’t stopped sports media outlets from jumping to conclusions or throwing out convenient stats, regarding Ball is shooting the worst percentage (29.2 per cent) of any player attempting more than 10 shots per game. The humble, and obviously thick-skinned Ball, recently told reporters he’s more than aware of the scrutiny he’s under, and why there is so much attention on him.

“I don’t really care, to be honest. I know I got to just keep shooting and improve it every game,” Ball told reporters.

“It’s amplified because it’s the NBA. UCLA was UCLA, but it’s global now, so there are a lot more eyes.”

The criticism Ball is ‌ receiving is also amplified because of how much more poorly he’s shooting than he did during his lone season in college, where he shot 55.1 per cent overall and 41.2 per cent on threes.

Here’s Lakers’ coach Luke Walton’s take on it.

“He’s an incredible player and he’s 20 years old. He almost had a triple-double tonight, but anytime you turn on any sports show all they talk about is his shot.

He’s already playing for the Lakers so he’s already got a lot more pressure on him than I think anyone has in a long time that’s come out from college.”

Walton also explained why he’s not worried about Ball’s controversial jumper.

“He just makes our team so much better when he’s on

THE

PRESS BOX ZELAYA

BY INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICA

the floor, even when that shot is not going in.

The way he can push the ball, the way he can make plays on the defensive end, the way he rebounds from the guard position is incredible.”

“So is it extra pressure?

100 per cent. But he’s a rookie that gets dissected by everybody. That is what it is, it’s not going to change, we’re just going to keep working with him to make plays and get better and he will. I’m excited to be a part of that and have him as a part of our group.” Walton added.

SMOKE & MIRRORS? The reality so far this season, despite Walton’s assertion, is that the Lakers have not been better while Ball is on the floor.

The Lakers’ offensive and defensive efficiency have been worse during Ball’s minutes, and the team has been better when Ball sits (outscoring opponents by 1.4 points per 100 possessions with Ball on the bench) according to NBA. com.

Playing the blame game with Ball for all of the Lakers shortcomings is not fair or sensible either.

The 19-year-old rookie has clearly shown his upside and vast potential during his time on the floor, contributing to a Lakers team that has been far better than most expected. (Becoming the youngest player in the history of the NBA, to record a triple double I might add.)

STRIKING SIMILARITIES This kind of stuff happens with rookie point guards especially.

The Sacramento Kings are worse with De’Aaron Fox on the floor, as are the Philadelphia 76ers when Markelle Fultz is playing.

So what makes Lonzo any different from his highly touted counterparts?

What I do find comical and highly ironic is that Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd judged Ball way too early during an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take.”

Saying comparisons to Ball and him was “a stretch” despite the fact, that the two basically did the same things during the first handful of games of their careers.

Almost identical!

LEAVE LONZO BE So again, lighten up on Lonzo, he’s far from being a ‘bust’ this soon.

He’s got a tremendous upside and potential, with a very high ceiling.

Let it play out, I think it will be very interesting and rewarding, for both Laker Nation and Lonzo, in the long run.

Now if you want to go in, on his incredibly pompous, crass father LaVar? Join the line, let’s go!

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1.

Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net

LAKERS’ Lonzo Ball waits to be introduced prior to the first half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia. The Lakers won 107-104.

(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Drake University students expected at Race Weekend for 6th consecutive year FOR the sixth year in a row, a group of students from Drake University will take part in the Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend (SIRW).

Approximately half of the 20 students from the Iowa school participate in Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas while others serve as volunteers to staff water stations and coordinate race logistics.

This year’s trip is led

by Melissa Sturm-Smith, associate provost for academic excellence and student success, and Chad Cardani-Trollinger, visiting instructor of leadership education and development.

“Our students’ involvement in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure® and Marathon Bahamas is an unique opportunity to participate in a meaningful event while visiting Nassau,” Sturm-Smith said.

“Whether as racers or water station volunteers, their involvement opens a new window into the culture and people of The Bahamas through experiential learning.

“I know it has been a highlight in previous years, and am so pleased this

event continues to be a tradition of the Leadership at Sea travel seminar.”

During the January term, the students will also take part in a leadership course on the high seas. Leadership at Sea is a blend of classroom and experiential learning focusing on leadership development, team building, and seamanship.

The experience is highlighted by a trip aboard the Liberty Clipper - a gaff-rigged, square-masted sailboat that becomes students’ classroom as they take command of the ship on the Atlantic Ocean.

Also during the trip, scheduled for January 8-20, students will learn from officials from the American Embassy and Bahamian government, meet with faculty and students at the University of the Bahamas, complete a historical tour of Nassau, and tour a major cruise liner. The course will teach students to apply leadership in a new environment, to work in teams, to communicate and manage conflicts, and to sail. “The Bahamas is such an amazing place, and being able to participate and cheer the marathon runners on during the race

STUDENTS from the Iowa school participate in the Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend while others serve as volunteers to staff water stations and coordinate race logistics. was a great experience for myself and the whole LEAD at Sea class,” said Emily Lammers, a thirdyear pharmacy student who

BASKETBALL CAMARADERIE AT THE SIMPSON PENN SCHOOL FOR BOYS EACH month, a group of Doctors Hospital’s male associates spend time mentoring the students at the Simpson Penn School for Boys.

The Doctors Hospital mentorship team recently teamed up with the Church of Christ Transformers Group to take on the students in a game of basketball to reinforce teamwork and camaraderie.

For more than a year, this group of dedicated, community minded Doctors Hospital associates has offered support and guidance to the young men during monthly visits to the school.

Paul Haven, Doctors Hospital vice president of human resources, leads the team and explained why they feel it is important to work with the students.

“It is important for us to contribute to the community and help our young men in particular,” he said.

“Reaching out to these challenged young men can provide hope and inspire them to positively contribute to society.”

- Pictured are members of the Doctors Hospital mentorship programme and The Church of Christ Transformer Group.

participated in the class in January 2017. “I will forever cherish the memories I made in Nassau and aboard the Liberty Clipper.”

Marathon Bahamas Race Weekend is set for January 13-14, 2018. - To register for Marathon Bahamas, visit marathonbahamas.com

- To register for the Susan G Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure, visit komenbahamas.org

PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Softball champions take the spotlight FROM PAGE 1

Hayward 10-8 to capture the 2017 GBSSAA Junior Girls’ Title on Friday at YMCA. Scavella, went 1-3 and singled in a run in being named MVP.

SISTER Mary Russell - junior girls’ softball champions.

Boilermakers’ Charlton, Cox open indoor season in fast lane FROM PAGE 1 for the international meets for the Bahamas, including the Commonwealth Games April 8-15 in the Gold Coast, Australia, the

Central American and Caribbean Games July 20 to August 3 in Barranquilla, Colombia and the NACAC Senior Championships, August 10-12 in Toronto, Canada.

“She’s off to a great start for us, having ran the 300m and a

super leg on our mile relay team,” Greene said. “So I’m also expecting some really big things from her next year.”

Both Charlton and Cox are coming off their appearances for the Bahamas at the IAAF World

Championships in London, England, in August.

The Boilermakers will now take a break for the Christmas holiday until Saturday, January 13 when they host their Gene Edmonds Open.

Two other Bahamians are on the Boilermakers’ roster, but Greene said sprinter Keanu Pennerman, a junior and quartermiler Kinard Rolle, a redshirt junior, would not start competing until next year.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 12, 2017, PAGE 5

Howard’s 23 points lead Hornets past Thunder OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Dwight Howard scored 23 points to help the Charlotte Hornets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-103 on Monday night.

Kemba Walker had 19 points for the Hornets, who had lost seven of eight.

Marvin Williams scored 18, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist finished with 17 points.

It was Charlotte’s second road win of the season in 12 tries.

Russell Westbrook had 30 points and seven assists and Paul George scored 20 points for the Thunder after missing the previous two games with a right calf contusion.

Charlotte shot 53 percent from the field against one of the league’s best defensive teams. The Bobcats made 13 of 25 3-point attempts.

The game was tied at 66 in the third quarter when

Charlotte went on a run and never relinquished momentum. A 3-pointer

by Williams made it 74-66, leading to a Thunder timeout.

Charlotte kept right on rolling. A 3-pointer by Frank Kaminsky put the Hornets up 86-68, and a layup by Kidd-Gilchrist made it a 20-point game.

The Hornets made 7 of 10 3-pointers in the quarter to go up 92-74 at the end of the period.

Oklahoma City cut the deficit to 11 on a dunk by Westbrook, but the Hornets quickly regained control for good.

TIP-INS Hornets: G Nicolas Batum sat out with a sore left elbow. ... G Jeremy Lamb, who started his career with the Thunder in 2012, started for the

Hornets. He finished with 14 points and five rebounds on 6-of-17 shooting. ... The Hornets outrebounded the Thunder 41-39.

Thunder: Defensive stopper Andre Roberson sat out with a left ankle sprain. ... Carmelo Anthony scored 11 points and passed Vince Carter to move into 22nd place in NBA history with 24,605 points. ... Anthony was issued a technical foul in the second quarter for complaining too much to official Tony Brothers.

UP NEXT Hornets: Visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Thunder: Visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

It will be George’s first time back in Indiana since he was traded for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in July.

CHARLOTTE Hornets centre Dwight Howard (12) shoots between Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony, left, and centre Steven Adams, right, in the second quarter last night.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Mirotic, Portis lead way as the Bulls blow out Celtics 108-85 CHICAGO (AP) — Nikola Mirotic scored 24 points, Bobby Portis added a career-high 23 and the Chicago Bulls blew out Boston 108-85 on Monday night with Celtics star Kyrie Irving sidelined because of a bruised left quadriceps.

Owners of the NBA’s worst record, the Bulls built an 18-point lead in the second quarter against the Eastern Conference leaders. And when Boston cut it to 12 in the fourth, the Bulls simply pulled away for their third straight win.

Mirotic made his first start of the season with leading scorer Lauri Markkanen sidelined because of back spasms.

The 6-foot-10 forward hit 9 of 14 shots and grabbed eight rebounds in his third appearance.

Portis shot 10 of 15 and nailed all three 3-pointers.

Before Monday night, Mirotic and Portis had only made headlines together this season for the wrong reasons.

Mirotic missed the first 23 games with facial fractures he suffered in a fight at practice with Portis.

Al Horford scored 15 for Boston. Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier added 13 points apiece in the Celtics’ most lopsided loss of the season.

Boston got within 12 in the fourth quarter when Portis hit

a jumper and Mirotic made a 3 to make it 90-73 with just under eight minutes left. The Bulls remained in control the rest of the way.

Mirotic came through with 16 points as Chicago grabbed a 56-42 halftime lead. Portis scored 15 in the first half.

The Bulls wiped out a fourpoint deficit and led 52-34 after a 24-2 run in the second quarter. Portis scored 10 during that stretch, nailing two 3s, and Mirotic finished it with a short hook.

TIP-INS Celtics: Coach Brad Stevens said he doesn’t expect Irving to be out long, though he added: “Who knows with muscular injuries.” ... Stevens also said doctors will re-evaluate F Marcus Morris’ ailing left knee on Tuesday. Morris sat out for the second straight night and the third time in four games.

He also missed the first eight games of the season.

Bulls: Markkanen participated in the morning shootaround and got treatment afterward. But coach Fred Hoiberg said the prized rookie’s back continued to tighten.

UP NEXT Celtics: Host Wednesday.

Bulls: Host Wednesday.

Denver

on

Utah

on

DRAGIC SCORES 19 AS HEAT ROUT GRIZZLIES 107-82 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Goran Dragic scored 19 points, and the Miami Heat pulled away from the lowly Memphis Grizzlies for a 107-82 victory on Monday night.

Miami shot 56.1 percent from the field and had seven players score in double figures in its second straight win. Josh Richardson had 17 points, and reserves Tyler Johnson and Bam Adebayo finished with 14 apiece.

Memphis lost for the 15th time in 16 games. Marc Gasol scored 19 points on 5-for-14 shooting and Andrew Harrison had 16.

The Heat carried a 70-60 lead into the fourth quarter and kept up the pressure in the final period. Johnson scored five straight points to run the advantage out to 18, and the lead ballooned to 27 in the closing minutes.

Miami shot 65 percent in the second half.

The first half was a sloppy affair with 11 turnovers for the Grizzlies and 10 for the

Heat. Miami led 45-42 at the break.

TIP-INS Heat: C Hassan Whiteside missed his sixth straight game with a left knee injury. ... It was Miami’s first trip to FedExForum since the firing of former Heat assistant David Fizdale as head coach of Memphis.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said he had lunch with his former assistant earlier in the day. “He’s going to get another opportunity,” Spoelstra said.

Grizzlies: G Tyreke Evans had 11 points on 5-for-17 shooting in his 500th career game. ... Memphis is winless in nine games against the Eastern Conference. ... Memphis went 18 for 27 at the free-throw line. ... Memphis is 1-14 since starting PG Mike Conley was shelved by left Achilles problems.

UP NEXT Heat: Host Portland on Wednesday night.

Grizzlies: Visit Washington on Wednesday night.

BULLS’ Bobby Portis signals after his three-point basket as Celtics’ Daniel Theis follows in the first half last night in Chicago.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Capela, Harden lead Rockets over the Pelicans 130-123 HOUSTON (AP) — Clint Capela had a career-high 28 points and James Harden scored 12 straight points for Houston in the fourth quarter as the Rockets rallied for a 130-123 victory to extend their winning streak to 10 games on Monday night.

The game was tied with about three minutes remaining after Harden made two free throws. Those were the first of seven straight points

by Harden that put Houston’s up 124-119 with 1:30 left.

Jrue Holiday made a basket after that, but Harden hit a 3-pointer seconds later to push the lead to 127-121. Harden stole the ball from E’Twaun Moore after a timeout by New Orleans. He was fouled and made both free throws to make it 129-121 with 34 seconds left.

After scoring 48 points in Houston’s last game, Harden finished with 26 on Monday, but he tied a career-high with 17 assists, finding the 6-foot-10 Capela under the basket again and again.

Holiday had a season-high 37 points for the Pelicans. Moore had a career-high 36 points and made a career-most six 3-pointers on a night New Orleans set a franchise record with 18 3-pointers.

The Pelicans led by seven entering the fourth and were up by eight with about 10 minutes left when Moore scored all their points in a 6-2 run.

Houston used an 11-3 spurt after that to tie it at 112-112 with about six minutes remaining. Paul made five points in that span and Capela capped it with two dunks.

New Orleans was without Anthony Davis, who sat out with a groin injury.

He missed three games after sustaining the injury on Dec. 1 but played in the last two games before the problem began to bother him again.

The Pelicans were up by 2 early in the third quarter when Holiday scored five quick points to push the lead to 89-82. They led by seven later in the quarter when Holiday got going again, scoring all of their points in a 5-2 run that made it 96-86.

Another basket by Holiday extended the lead to 13 points with about two minutes left in the quarter.

But Paul outscored the Pelicans 8-2 the rest of the quarter to allow the Rockets to get within 103-96 entering the fourth. He made two 3-pointers in that stretch, with the second one coming just before the buzzer.

DeMarcus Cousins received a technical foul in the second quarter

when he shoved Trevor Ariza away from him with two hands after Ariza fouled him. Ariza yelled at Cousins after the push and Chris Paul and Harden pulled him away as he walked toward him before order was restored.

The Pelicans led by 7 with just more than two minutes left in the second quarter before Houston used an 11-2 run to take a 78-76 lead into halftime. Capela had two dunks and a block in that span and Eric Gordon made a 3-pointer.

TIP-INS Pelicans: New Orleans set a season-high with 74 first-half points. ...

Holiday has scored 30 or more points in two straight games. ... Cousins had 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Rockets: Harden’s 14 assists in the first half tied a franchise record for assists in a half. Harden also did it last year and John Lucas did it on Oct. 27, 1977. ... Paul finished with 20 points.

UP NEXT Pelicans: Host Milwaukee Wednesday.

Rockets: Host Charlotte Wednesday.

on on

PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 12, 2017

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 12, 2017, PAGE 7

REAL MADRID TO FACE PSG IN LAST 16 OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

By GRAHAM DUNBAR Associated Press NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Real Madrid versus Paris Saint-Germain. Cristiano Ronaldo versus Neymar.

Historic achievement versus burning ambition.

Two-time defending Champions League winner Madrid was drawn Monday to play the tournament’s standout team in the last 16, made possible because the 12-time champions finished second in their group while PSG won its group.

“They (PSG) are really very strong in every department of the field,” Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said.

“But I have to underline, we are the holders and our players, they always rise to the occasion.”

PSG bought Neymar from Barcelona for a record 222 million euro ($262 million) fee in the offseason with a specific aim of winning a first European title.

Madrid won six European Cups before PSG was even formed in 1970.

“As I always say, we must be ready to play any team and we will be ready,” PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said in a statement on the club’s website.

Neymar scored in five straight wins as PSG finished ahead of Bayern Munich in its group, finishing with a competition record of 25 goals in the group stage.

Ronaldo scored in all six of Madrid’s matches to set another Champions League record.

Barcelona, which leads the Spanish league unbeaten despite the loss of Neymar, was drawn to face Chelsea in a meeting of recent champions. The English club is one of the few opponents Lionel Messi has failed to score against.

With eight former winners in the lineup, another clash of European champions pits Liverpool against Porto.

Also, it was: Basel vs.

Manchester City; Sevilla vs.

Manchester United; Juventus vs. Tottenham; Bayern Munich vs. Besiktas; and

LIONEL Messi celebrates after scoring against Villarreal at the Ceramica stadium in Villarreal, Spain, on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Alberto Saiz) Shakhtar Donetsk vs.

Roma.

The first legs will be played February 13-21, with the return matches from March 6-14.

The final will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine, on May 26.

Madrid and PSG met in the group stage two seasons ago when the French team’s leader was Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They drew 0-0 in

CRISTIANO Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against Sevilla Saturday. Ronaldo scored twice in Real Madrid’s 5-0 victory.

(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Paris and Madrid won 1-0 at home.

“Since then they have strengthened. They have signed very, very good players,” said Butragueno, whose club lost out to PSG in its pursuit of France forward Kylian Mbappe.

Barcelona and Chelsea will renew a rivalry that has included intense semi-finals in 2009 and 2012. Each took a turn to advance at the

other team’s stadium and go on to win the title.

Tottenham’s reward for taking four points from Madrid and topping its group is a pairing with Italian champion Juventus, the Champions League runnerup in two of the past three seasons. Shakhtar will host Roma in its adopted home city of Kharkiv. Its stadium

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

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Partly sunny

Partly cloudy

Partly sunny and comfortable

Nice with sun and some clouds

Mostly sunny and nice

Sunshine and a few clouds

High: 78°

Low: 68°

High: 77° Low: 64°

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High: 82° Low: 68°

High: 82° Low: 69°

AccuWeather RealFeel

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80° F

67° F

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ORLANDO

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 40° F/4° C

TAMPA

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 46° F/8° 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.

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MIAMI

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8-16 knots

KEY WEST

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 64° F/18° C

ELEUTHERA

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High: 78° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 71° F/22° C

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uV inDex toDay

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

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

3:13 a.m.

3:26 p.m.

2.6 2.4

9:30 a.m. 0.4 9:47 p.m. -0.1

Wednesday 4:08 a.m.

4:21 p.m.

2.7 2.4

10:29 a.m. 0.3 10:36 p.m. -0.1

Thursday

4:58 a.m.

5:10 p.m.

2.8 2.3

11:21 a.m. 0.2 11:20 p.m. -0.1

Friday

5:43 a.m.

5:55 p.m.

2.8 2.3

12:07 p.m. 0.1 ---------

Saturday

6:24 a.m.

6:37 p.m.

2.9 2.2

12:02 a.m. -0.2 12:50 p.m. 0.0

Sunday

7:03 a.m.

7:16 p.m.

2.9 2.2

12:41 a.m. -0.2 1:30 p.m. 0.0

Monday

7:40 a.m.

7:55 p.m.

2.9 2.2

1:19 a.m. -0.2 2:08 p.m. -0.1

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:45 a.m.

5:22 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

1:45 a.m.

1:57 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Dec. 18

Dec. 26

Jan. 1

Jan. 8

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N

S

E

W

6-12 knots

S

6-12 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 75° F/24° C Low .................................................... 67° F/19° C Normal high ....................................... 79° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 67° F/20° C Last year’s high ................................. 82° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 69° F/21° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 38.72” Normal year to date ................................... 38.87”

in Donetsk has been ruled unsafe for games since conflict flared in 2014 between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

“It’s very, very difficult,” said Shakhtar CEO Sergiy Palkin, whose team edged Napoli to advance. “It’s a very, very big effort for our club.”

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 68° F/20° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 71° F/22° C

6-12 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 77° F/25° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

7-14 knots

6-12 knots

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

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS SW at 7-14 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots NW at 6-12 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots N at 6-12 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots NW at 4-8 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots W at 7-14 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots NW at 6-12 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots N at 7-14 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots NNE at 6-12 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots NW at 6-12 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots N at 7-14 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots NW at 6-12 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots

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

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 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 10 Miles 10 Miles

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

PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Brady intercepted twice as Dolphins beat Patriots 27-20

By STEVEN WINE Associated Press MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tom Brady was intercepted twice by Xavien Howard and held without a third-down conversion Monday night, and the Miami Dolphins snapped the New England Patriots’ eight-game winning streak with a surprising 27-20 victory.

The Dolphins (6-7) were 11-point underdogs at home, but they kept the Patriots (10-3) from clinching their ninth consecutive AFC East title — at least for another week.

Brady went 24 for 43 for 233 yards and one touchdown. Miami sacked him twice and hit him five times, and held the Patriots to 25 yards rushing. New England was 0 for 11 on third down.

The Dolphins’ Jay Cutler threw for 263 yards and three scores, including two to Jarvis Landry. Kenyan Drake had 114 yards rushing and 79 receiving.

A Brady touchdown pass cut the deficit to 10 points with 13 minutes left, but the Patriots’ next three possessions netted 5 yards. After a New England field goal, Miami sealed the victory by recovering an onside kick with 53 seconds to go.

The Dolphins wore the uniforms from their perfect 1972 season and looked the part. For the first time in four prime-time appearances this season, they rose to the occasion.

Miami tried to turn the game into a laugher in the third quarter when Landry caught a touchdown pass and then set the ball down in the end zone and pumped it repeatedly — an apparent

end Rob Gronkowski, who served a one-game suspension for a late hit to the head of an opponent.

BALL HAWK Brady underthrew an open Brandin Cooks deep, and Howard closed for the interception and a 29-yard return to set up a touchdown.

Howard also had two interceptions a week ago against Denver.

Brady came into the game with only four interceptions all season.

SLOW START The temperature was 55 degrees at kickoff — frosty

by Miami standards — and the Patriots were sluggish from the outset. They were outgained 123 yards to 2 in the first quarter, when Brady went 0 for 4 with an interception.

ANTHEM The Dolphins’ Kenny Stills, Michael Thomas and Julius Thomas knelt in protest during the national anthem, as they’ve done for most of the season.

Stills was nominated by his teammates last week for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

DOLPHINS tight end Julius Thomas (89) drops a pass but recovers it as Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung (23) defends last night in the first half. TOP LEFT - Patriots QB Tom Brady (12) looks to pass. TOP RIGHT - Dolphins QB Jay Cutler (6) looks to pass. (AP Photos) reference to the Patriots’ Deflategate scandal.

Coach Adam Gase beat New England for the first time in four tries. His team snapped the Patriots’ 14-game road winning

streak, second-best ever behind San Francisco’s 18 in a row from 1988-90.

Gase threw a lot of wrinkles at the Patriots early, with tight end MarQueis Gray and receivers Landry

and Jakeem Grant taking turns lining up in the backfield. Cutler spun out of the grasp of blitzing safety Jordan Richards to throw a completion that kept Miami’s first touchdown

drive going. The 5-foot-7 Grant made a leaping catch against Malcolm Butler his first career touchdown reception, a 25-yarder.

Meanwhile, the Patriots sputtered without tight

INJURIES Patriots DT Alan left the game with injury. Starting S Chung limped off final minute.

Branch a knee Patrick in the

UP NEXT The Patriots visit AFC North champion Pittsburgh on Sunday in a possible playoff preview.

The Dolphins play the Bills in two of their final three games, including Sunday at Buffalo.