12212016 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016

Bahamas Bowl players settle in at Atlantis

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

U

nder unchannelled conditions and in a whole new environment, Eastern Michigan and Old Dominion have arrived and settled down at the Atlantis resort as they now wait for Friday’s showdown in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

Old Dominion head coach Bobby Wilder told the press yesterday after their first practice that everything is going great for his Monarchs football team.

“We went hard. Everything was

fast,” he said. “Everything was constant movement. We need to get acclimated to the 80 degrees and the 75 per cent humidity and we accomplished that this morning.”

And even though there’s a lot of excitement brewing at Atantis, Wilder said his Monarchs are focused on the task ahead of them, playing in their first bowl game.

“It was not hard to get them focused because we’ve addressed over the course of the last three weeks that we would keep our schedule the same – we would go hard in the morning, the focus would be practice,” he said.

“Right now we are at noon time and they are eating lunch, then they are meeting, watching practice, and then from that point they have the rest of the day. They did a very good job with curfew last night. They were all ready to go

this morning and this was a very good practice for us today.”

Eastern Michigan’s offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer said their Eagles’ players are enjoying every minute of the trip here.

“It’s fun. We have a beautiful day, a beautiful field,” DeBoer said. “Our guys gave a great effort. It’s a great day.”

Despite being away from home to play in another country for the first time, DeBoer said the Eagles are just as prepared as they would have been if they were still in the United States.

“They are maybe not quite as fo-

SEE PAGE 2

Racing against the odds

PELICANS WIN

NBA Tuesday, Pg 5

VICTORIOUS JUSTIN LUNN LOOKS TO MAKE DAVIS CUP TEAM

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net JUSTIN Lunn, looking to make his first Davis Cup team, pulled off a pair of victories yesterday as the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s round robin segment of the Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals Challenge came to a close.

Lunn, 25, now prepares for the start of the single elimination playoffs today at the National Tennis Centre as he joins Jack Kelly, the second place finisher at 2-1, in a field of 14 players vying for spots on the Davis Cup team that will play against Venezuela in February.

Tournament defending champion Baker Newman (30) and Jody Turnquest (2-1) have advanced out of pool A, while runner-up Spencer Newman (2-0) and Michael Cooper (1-1) advanced out of pool B. There were four other pools with the following players earning their berths in the playoffs scheduled to begin 9am today and continue on Thursday before the final is contested on Friday.

SEE PAGE 5

ELANA TO FACE SYDNEY FOR THE TOP SPOT IN POOL B

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ODD DISTANCE: Young athletes compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance Track Meet over the weekend.

SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 3 Photos: Shawn Hanna/The Tribune

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association will conclude the ladies’ round robin of the Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals Challenge today with a match-up between two undefeated players as Elana Mackey and Sydney Clarke will compete for the top spot in pool B. Mackey, limited to just one match a day due to her commitment to school at CR Walker Secondary High, pulled off an identical 6-2, 6-2 win over Gabriela Donaldson yesterday at the National Tennis Centre to move to 2-0 in the round robin. She joined idled Mackey, who is also 2-0.

Both players by virtue of their records will advance to the single playoffs that will be played on Thursday when they cross over to play the top two players out of pool A – Iesha Shepherd and Sierra Donaldson.

Shepherd, the defending champion, won pool A with a 2-0 record, while Donaldson finished at 1-1.

SEE PAGE 5

PAGE 2, Wednesday, December 21, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas Bowl players settle in at Atlantis FROM PAGE 1 cused as they need to be today, but the thing about our team right now is that we have enough veterans and this is important to them,” he said. “I have no concerns at all that tomorrow will be a much better practice.

“They will enjoy themselves today. They know that we are here to win a football game and every day will be better leading up to Friday’s game.”

Players from both teams have indicated that they are looking forward to the excitement leading up to the big game on Friday.

Old Dominion’s Rashaad Coward was right to the point, noting that their first practice was “hot and humid. But it was fun.”

And linebacker Anthony Wilson called it an amazing trip here so far.

“Ever since we got off the plane the weather has been great. Seeing the water, how clear it is, that’s amazing, it’s not like Virginia Beach back in Norfolk, so it’s been amazing so far,” he said.

“The hotel is humungous.

Last night we went around the hotel. We left through one side and came out the other and didn’t know where we were.”

In case you are wondering, Wilson said they’re not going to let the atmosphere distract them.

“The whole thing is all business,” he said. “We knew coming in that we

2 DAYS TO KICKOFF

were coming in to play a game and try to be 1-0 throughout the week.

“Coach is letting us have some free time, but at the end of the day, it’s all business.”

On the other hand, Eastern Michigan’s quarterback Brogan Roback said practice has been right on target.

“It is beautiful here. We are practicing in paradise.

The stadium is awesome.

The field is awesome,” he said. “Just getting back out here in the warm weather is different.

“We are used to the cold weather in Michigan, so we are getting used to that and staying hydrated. We have a lot to get through before the game and we will. We are cleaning up a few things, but mentally our guys are in it.”

What about the change in weather Roback?

“It’s a mindset that we have been preparing for,” Wilson said. “Staying hydrated and doing those things. Like I said, we can’t complain – it’s beautiful out here. It smells like football out here.”

Offensive linesman Andrew Wylle took it a bit further.

“The heat wasn’t bad,” he stated. “It took a little while to get used to. Obviously we are hydrating more. It feels good though. You come out here and you are already warm. The joints are loose.”

So far, Wylle said it’s been a lifetime experience for him and his teammates.

“It’s been hectic,” he pointed out. “We had a few hours to ourselves last night, which was nice. But overall it’s been hectic.”

This will be Wylle’s last game with the Eagles and he noted that he’s hoping to enjoy every moment of it.

THE Old Dominion University Monarchs practice for Friday’s showdown against Eastern Michigan in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

Photos: ODU Athletics “It’s going to be a blast,” he said. “We are going to give it all we’ve got. It’s our last time together, all four of us, the seniors. We are going to fly around, have fun and hit some people.

It’s going to be great.”

Both teams are cognisant of each other’s ability and neither is taking the other for granted.

Wilder put Eastern Michigan in perspective this way: “Number one is how hard they play. You can see how determined they are,” he said. “I know from talking to (EMU Coach) Chris Creighton and from reading articles about him, it all started for them like us.

“It started in January.

He met with his leadership and they had a goal to go to a bowl game coming off a 1-11 (season). We had a goal to go to a bowl game com-

ing off a 5-7 (record), and when you see the commitment by the players – similar to our team – a commitment to compete every play of the game, that’s when you know you’ve got a good football team.”

And defensive coordinstor Rich Nagy said the Eagles have a very good offensive scheme that they will have to deal with.

“They’ve got a good run game with some of their quarterback reads, so they are going to challenge you, make you play 11-on-11,” he said. “That’s always a challenge because you’re trying to keep some depth in your coverage sometimes.

“But if you’re not careful they can force you into some man situations. Then they get into their explosive plays by doing that, by forcing you to cover the run and

then have one-on-ones on the outside and make some throws.”

On the other end of the spectrum, DeBoer said Eastern Michigan is as prepared as they will ever be.

“This morning we were talking about what we saw the first day we clicked on the film, because your game plan is based on what we saw those first two or three days we watched film,” he summed up.

In the prelude to the anticipated showdown, members of both Eastern Michigan and Old Dominion will visit the Ranfurly Home for Children today before they join the USA Football staff members in a free-for-all clinic for Bahamian youngsters at the Roscoe Davies playing field at 3:30 pm.

The big game is set for 1pm on Friday.

DECEMBER 23, 2016 | 1PM - THOMAS A. ROBINSON NATIONAL STADIUM | LIVE ON EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES

OLD DOMINION MONARCHS

TICKETS STARTING AT JUST $10!

At the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium Box Office OR Online at nsa-bahamas.com FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT 325-0376

GAMEDAY FUN! Pregame Popeyes Fan Fest starts at 10AM + Performance by the Bahamas All-Stars + Valley Boys/Saxons Rush Out at Halftime! ®

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 21, 2016, PAGE 3

Double winners emerge in Odd Distance Track Meet SHYANNE Demeritte, Sherinique Sears, D’Arjha Davis, Doneisha Anderson, V’Alonee Robinson, Aiden Curry, Darius Pratt and Daniel Ermilus were double winners at the Odd Distance Track Meet over the weekend.

The meet kicked off the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ 2017 season at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

In the under-8 girls’ division, Soraya Wells from Club Monica won the 60m in 8.88, followed by Beginners Track Club teammates J’Kaiyah Rolle (9.06) and Jasmine Thompson (9.35).

Rolle, however, turned the tables in the 150m, winning in 24.28 with Wells taking second in 24.79 and Star Trackers’ Danielle Whylly coming in third in 25.28.

Shyanne Demeritte from Club Monica doubled up in the girls’ under-10 division.

She won the 80m in 7.85 ahead of Beginners’ Iesha Hanna (8.16) and Hurry Murray Athletics’ Stacyann Humes (8.30). Demeritte also won the 150m in 21.16 with Hanna second in 22.47 and Ava Taylor from Dtsp Wolfpack third in 23.10.

Sherinique Sears of the Roadrunners was also a double winner in the under-10 girls’ division. She won the 80m in 10.91 with teammate Alyssa Feerguson (10.97) second and Swift Athletics’ Chimija Skippings third in 11.25.

Sears also won the 150 in 20.22 with Ferguson (20.60) second and Wolfpack’s Karis Taylor (20.82) third.

Club Monica’s D’Arjha Davis got a pair of victories in the under-14 girls’ division after she won the 80m in 10.60, followed by Wolfpack’s April Adderley (10.63) and Rocks Athletics’ Leniqua Black (10.72).

Davis also won the 150m in 18.79, while Star Trackers’ Anthaya Charlton (18.85) second and Sun Blazers’ Paige Stuart (19.16) third.

Charlton won the long jump with 4.94m over Black (4.46m) and Star Trackers’ Tanisha Floyd (4.36m).

However, Star Trackers’ Reshae Dean won the 300m in 42.19 with Charlton (42.47) second and Stuart (44.00) third.

The under-16 girls division saw a split of the events with Jaida Knowles of the Star Trackers winning the 150m in 17.97 over Club Monica’s Megan Moss (17.91) and Galaxy Invader’s Wendira Moss (18.01).

Megan Moss won the 300m (39.19) with Wendira Moss (39.50) second and Knowles

ON TRACK: Athletes compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance Track Meet at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium over the weekend.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/The Tribune (40.47) third.

Maya Miller of the Ambassador Athletics’ took the victory in the 500m in 1:25.03 with Vandera Knowles of the Roadrunners (1:32.44) second and Lovena Camille 1:32.60) third. Akaya KLightbourne of Neymour Athletics won the 1,000m in 3:20.85 with Indea Cartwright of Sun Blazers (3:21.65) second and Deshante Forbes of Bahamas High Performance (3:45.12) third.

Leap of Faith’s Amina Forbes won the high jump with 5m over Hiltranique Pinder of Rocks Athletics with more knockdowns at the same height.

Doneisha Anderson was a double winner in the under-18 division. The TWD Athletics competitor won the 300m in 39.50 over Wolfpack’s Tyler Gray (40.32) and Star Trackers’ Tenae Miller (40.91).

Anderson won also the 600m in 1:40.18 with Sun Blazers’ Gabrielle Gibson (1:44.22) second and TWD Athletics’ Chanice Forbes (1:47.81) third.

Miller won the 150m in 17.75 with Star Trackers’ Catalyn Blayre (18.19) second and Club Monica’s Sasha Wells (18.25) third.

Jasonique Moss of Quick

Step won the 1,000m in 4:03.31.

In the open women division, V’Alonee Robinson posted a double win in the 150m in 18.28 over Ashonique Sands (19.63) from Silver Lightning and she did 42.69 in the 300m over Bahamas High Performance’s Alicia Morris (45.63) and Tia Thompson (49.66).

Raygene Minus of Bahamas High Performance won the 600m in 1:58.78.

University of Bahamas’ Beyonce Scott won the high jump with a leap of 5.10m over Sands (5m).

On the boys’ side, Aiden Curry got a double victory in the under-8 division, winning the 60m in 8.66.

The Club Monica competitor won over Hurry Murray’s Anthony Saunders (8.97) and Sun Blazers’ Simon Sands (9.10). Curry also won the 150m in 23.84 with Star Trackers’ Joshua Minus (24.18) and Kayden Ingraham (24.44) third.

Beginners Track Club’s Darius Pratt won the double in the under-10 division.

He took the 80m in 7.60 over Star Trackers’ Josiah Lockhart (7.85) and Beginners’ Trent Ford (7.97).

Pratt’s other win in the 150m in 20.44 over Rocks Athletics’ Tyrone Conliffe

(20.85) and Ford (21.41) in second and third respectively.

Daniel Ermilus of the Roadrunners won the under-12 80m in 10.47 with Swift Athletics’ Carlos Brown (10.53) second and Star Trackers’ Benjamin Sherman (10.88) third. Ermilus also won the 150m in 19.06 with Brown (19.56) second and Club Monica’s Mala Butterfield (20.03) third.

In the under-14 division, Otto Laing doubled as he took the tape in the 150m in 17.63 followed by Wolfpack’s Elkan Johnson (17.91) and Star Trackers’ Terrance Deveaux (18.56).

Johnson won the 80m in 10.00 with Another Level’s Kamran Clarke (10.21) second and Deveaux (10.35) third.

The under-16 division had three different winners.

Club Monica’s Adrian Curry won the 150m in 16.16 with Wolfpack’s Gareth Lewis (16.82) second and Moores Island Track’s Emrick Hield (17.32) third.

Hield was the winner of the 300m in 36.16 with Curry (36.32) second and Jumpers Inc.’s Symillian Loroda (36.44) third. High Performance’s Omavi Collison won the 500m in 1:09.10

with Hurry Murray’s Donovan Rolle (1:10.81) second and Moores Island’s Deshawn McKinney (1:14.76) third. Devontae Newbold (2:52.06) won the 1,000m with Rocks Athletics’ Clathon Henfield (2:55.66) was second and Rolle (2:56.94) was third.

The events were also split in the under-18 division.

Club Monica’s Denvaughn Whymms won the 150m in 15.56 with Swift Athletics’ Karon Dean (15.79) was second and Max Azor (15.85) got third in 15.85.

High Performance’s Branson Rolle won the 300m in 34.63 with Swift Athletics’ Karon Dean (34.72) second and Azor (35.50) third.

Phoenix Track Club’s Edward Munroe won the 600m in 1:21.12 with Swift Athletics’ Mookie Rolle (1:23.62) second and Quick Step’s Odson Delia (1:27.75) third.

Delia won the 1,000m in 2:37.85, followed by Phoenix’s Edward Munroe (2:49.63) and Roadrunners’ Dennis Whymns (3:05.76) third.

X-Treme Athletics’ Christoph Johnson had least knockdowns over teammate Kyle Alcine and Benjamin Clarke, who fin-

ished in first, second and third respectively in the high jump.

And Rickey Moxey Athletics Club’s Keiron Brown won the long jump with 6.10m over Rocks Athletics’ Latrell Taylor (5.30m) second.

And in the open division, there were a number of winners as well.

Star Trackers’ Tavonte Mott won the 150m in 15.56 with Club Monica’s Ian Kerr (15.76) second and Jumpers Inc.’s Tamar Greene (16.03) third. Anthony Adderley won the 300m in 33.77 with Mott (35.28) second and Kerr (35.66) third.

TWD Athletics’ James Carey won the 600m in 1:25.44 with Quick Step’s Rotario Adderley (1:26.32) second and Phoenix’s Kendron Adderley (1:31.53) was third. Adderley won the 1,000m in 2:43.25 with TBird Flyers’ Charles Butler (2:47.22) second and Quick Step’s Brandon Bastian (2:49.00) third.

On the field, Jyles Etienne won the high jump over University of the Bahamas’ Stony Duncanson and in the triple jump, Jumpers Ic. Dominated as Tamar Greene won over teammates Georgio Pratt and Ronald Ferguson.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, December 21, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

17-and-Under 1st Place - Pheron Collie

13-and-Under 1st Place - Christopher Knowles

10-and-Under 1st Place - Aiden Johnson

Congrats to winners of the Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy skills competition

• The golfers played nine holes from about 25 yards each for a total of 225 yards in Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy’s final skills competition for the year.

13-and-Under 2nd Place - Riya Miller

8-and-Under 1st Place - Chemari Pratt

10-and-Under 2nd Place - Alexander Knowles

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 21, 2016, PAGE 5

Davis has 31 points as Pelicans top the 76ers

By AARON BRACY Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Anthony Davis had 31 points and 16 rebounds to lead the New Orleans Pelicans over the Philadelphia 76ers 108-93 last night in a matchup of struggling teams.

Davis scored 11 in New Orleans’ dominant second quarter and Terrence Jones finished with 17 points and 10 boards for the Pelicans, who avenged a December 8 home loss to the 76ers while winning for only the third time in 11 games.

Ersan Ilyasova had 14 points to pace Philadelphia (7-21).

The Pelicans (10-20) built on their 13-point half-

time lead and were up 18 early in the fourth quarter.

Philadelphia got as close as 95-88 on Nik Stauskas’ 3-pointer with 5:25 left and had chances to pull closer, but misfired on two straight possessions.

New Orleans took a double-digit lead into the locker room following a big second quarter.

Davis and Tim Frazier combined for 21 points in the period as the Pelicans doubled up the Sixers 4221 to take a 57-44 halftime lead. New Orleans shot 55.6 per cent (15 for 27) from the field, including 66.7 per cent (4 for 6) from 3-point range.

The 42 points represented the most in a quarter for the Pelicans all season.

Philadelphia coach Brett

NBA CAPSULES CAVALIERS 114, BUCKS 108 MILWAUKEE (AP) — LeBron James made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 24 seconds left in overtime and the Cleveland Cavaliers held on for a 114-108 victory over Milwaukee last night to avenge a late November loss.

Milwaukee took a 108-107 lead on a tip-in by Giannis Antetokounmpo with 1:12 left. Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving missed a 3-pointer from the left corner on the next possession, but Jabari Parker’s lay-in attempt at the other end curled out.

James was fouled on the rebound by Antetokounmpo, his sixth. James then hit the deep 3-pointer to put Cleveland up 110108. Parker was fouled on a layup attempt on the ensuing possession but missed both free throws.

Irving hit a pair of free throws with 15.7 seconds left to make it 112-108.

James had 34 points and Irving 28 for Cleveland, which had lost at Milwaukee 118-101 on November 29. Parker had 30 points and Antetokounmpo added 25. The two teams meet again tonight in Cleveland.

Brown sat ineffective big men Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor for most of the third quarter, instead inserting Nerlens Noel with 6:49 left in the period. Noel has been the odd man out at a crowded centre spot.

Brown said Sunday that Noel, a 2013 first-round draft pick who missed the first 23 games while recovering from knee surgery, won’t be part of the regular rotation while he sees if Embiid and Okafor are a fit on the floor together.

Embiid and Okafor started alongside each other for the fourth straight game. Both had 11 points.

Fans gave Noel a rousing ovation when he entered and a louder cheer when he scored on a follow basket

SPURS 102, ROCKETS 100 HOUSTON (AP) — Patty Mills hit a 3-pointer with 12.9 seconds left to lift San Antonio over Houston.

Eric Gordon missed a 3-point attempt after that before Manu Ginobili missed two free throws to give Houston one last chance, but James Harden’s 3-point attempt bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

The victory is San Antonio’s fifth straight and improves the Spurs to 15-1 on the road. It also snaps Houston’s NBA-long 10game winning streak.

Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs with 21 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge added 17 points with 10 rebounds.

Harden finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

HORNETS 117, LAKERS 113 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kemba Walker had 28 points and 10 assists, Marco Belinelli scored 11 fourth-quarter points and Charlotte rallied from 19 down to beat Los Angeles.

Walker had 15 points in the third quarter and a key rebound with 27.9 seconds left in the fourth to set up a tiebreaking jumper by

PELICANS’ BUDDY HIELD, left, goes up for a shot against 76ers’ Robert Covington last night in Philadelphia. Hield scored 10 points with one assist and a rebound in 21 minutes.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum) with 5:40 left in the third.

But the Philadelphia crowd didn’t have much else to applaud after the first quarter.

Nicolas Batum with 13 seconds remaining.

Batum had 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting and added 10 assists. Belinelli finished with 13 points.

Jordan Clarkson paced the Lakers with 25 points with 7-of-9 3-point shooting, and Nick Young added 24 points while hitting 5 of 10 from 3-point range.

Los Angeles made 16 of 33 3-point attempts (48.5 per cent), but the Hornets still secured their second straight victory.

CELTICS 112, GRIZZLIES 109, OT MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 44 points, including 36 after halftime to lead Boston past Memphis in overtime.

After the Grizzlies took a 106105 lead on a rebound basket by Tony Allen with 1:10 left in the extra period, the Celtics scored the next five points.

Al Horford had 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Celtics, who overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half to win their third straight. Avery Bradley added 16 points.

Thomas also matched his career best for 3-pointers, going 7 of 10 from outside the arc.

Marc Gasol and Troy Dan-

UP NEXT Pelicans: Begin a fivegame homestand by hosting

iels led Memphis with 24 points apiece. Mike Conley had 19 points and eight assists for the Grizzlies, who lost their third in a row — all at home.

MAGIC 136, HEAT 130, 2 OT MIAMI (AP) — Nik Vucevic had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Evan Fournier scored 26 and hit the 3-pointer that put Orlando up for good, and the Magic topped Miami in double overtime.

Elfrid Payton scored 22 points and Serge Ibaka added 20 for the Magic, who beat Miami for the third time in the last 19 meetings.

Tyler Johnson had a career-high 32 points, the most any Heat reserve has ever scored in a game.

Hassan Whiteside had 32 points and 15 rebounds for Miami, which wasted a five-point lead in the final minute of regulation and a four-point lead in the last 40 seconds of the first overtime.

KNICKS 118, PACERS 111 NEW YORK (AP) — Carmelo Anthony matched a season high with 35 points and New York used a big second-half turnaround to beat Indiana.

The Knicks fell behind by 15 in the third quarter, then suddenly

LUNN LOOKS TO MAKE DAVIS CUP TEAM FOR 1ST TIME FROM PAGE 1 Philip Major Jr (3-0) and Ceron Rolle (2-1) advanced out of pool C; newcomer Trenton Smith (3-0) and Dylan Walker (2-1) are in from pool D; Davis Cupper Kevin Major Jr (3-0) and Joshua Turnquest (2-1) made it out of pool E and Davis Cup captain Marvin Rolle (3-0) and William ‘JJ’ Fountain (2-1) emerged out of pool F. Coming off a 6-1, 6-4 win over Donte Armbrister on Monday, Lunn beat both Jack Kelly 6-1, 6-2 and Lee Sweeting 6-0, 6-0 yesterday.

“I feel really good. I’m playing really solid, doing what I have to do,” said Lunn after his win over Sweeting.

“I’m just trying to make this happen because I want to make the Davis Cup team. This would be my first time, so hopefully I can do it and help make the Bahamas proud. I’ve been working very hard for this opportunity.”

Home after spending about two months in Barcelona, Spain with Jody Turnquest training, Lunn said everything is coming together for him.

“I’m actually very excited to start playing against the higher ranked players starting tomorrow (today),” he said.

“Everybody is playing good, so I have to be mentally tough. I just want to go out there and give it my all and see if I can make this team.”

In other men’s games of note, Baker

JUSTIN LUNN in action.

Newman blanked Michael Butler 6-0, 6-0; Marvin Rolle followed suit with his victory over Archie Burrows and Philip Major Jr was just as impressive in both matches weith identical 6-0, 6-0 decisions overt Calcum Moodie and Kyle Rolle.

Kevin Major Jr also pulled off a double header, winning 6-4, 2-6, 10-6 over Joshua Turnquest in what turned out to be the match of the day before he knocked of Oneal Mortimer 6-0, 6-1.

BLTA president Elwood Donaldson said he’s been quite pleased with the level of competition exhibited by the men so far.

“All of the former Davis Cup team members are here along with some of our other top players like Philip Major, Jody Turnquest and former junior player Joshua Turnquest. So it’s going to pretty good.”

Donaldson said they had anticipated the return of Devin Mullings, but he couldn’t make it anymore because of his coaching obligations, while Rodney Carey Jr is injured.

“But even though we didn’t have them, I’m still pleased with the way the competition has gone,” Donaldson said.

“We still have some very good players and a high level of tennis being played here this week.”

The single elimination playoffs will now get started at 9am today and continue on Thursday. The final is set for Friday. After that, the BLTA will select the team for the Davis Cup tie in February against Venezuela in the first round of the American Zone II. The team of Baker and Spencer Newman, Kevin Major Jr and player/captain Marvin Rolle pulled the Bahamas out of Zone III last year in La Paz, Bolivia.

ELANA TO FACE SYDNEY FOR THE TOP SPOT IN POOL B FROM PAGE 1 The other player in their pool was Sydni Kerr, who was winless at 0-2.

Rounding out pool B were Gabriela Donaldson at 1-2 for third and Afrika Smith at 0-3 in fourth place.

At the end of the tournament, the BLTA will select the team for the Fed Cup that will be played in July in Urugray.

BLTA president Elwood Donaldson said they were hoping that some of the senior players would have participated in the tournament, but he commended all of the junior players for their performances so far.

“Iesha has proven that she’s still the player to beat,” Donaldson said. “All of the participants are juniors, which shows that our future is bright for women’s tennis.

“We had a newcomer in Elana Mackey, who pulled off two upsets and another newcomer Syndey Clarke has played extremely well.

They will be going up against Fed Cup players Iesha Shepherd and Sierra Donaldson.

“So we look at this as a great competition and the week has gone very well so far for the ladies. So we’re looking forward to the elimination rounds coming up next.”

Donaldson, the senior players were missing either

because of injuries or their commitments to teaching full time.

“The older veterans like Nikita Fountain and Larikah Russell are full time coaches. We would like for them to come back in some type of coaching roles,” Donaldson said “We know that Kerrie Cartwright wanted to come here to compete, but due to her green card visa issue in the United States, she was unable to make it. Some of the college players are not finished, so they couldn’t make it.”

Although it was mandatory for all players to compete in the tournament if they intend to make the national

team, Donaldson said they are still hoping that the senior players will rally around and assist the younger players with their wealth of experience in the future.

“The talent level of the junior players has risen.

They are playing much better than they did last year,” he said. “But we still need the veteran or senior players to help guide them along.”

With one more match to be played today to complete the round robin for the ladies, their single elimination playoffs will get started on Thursday. If the final is not set to be played on Friday when the men are scheduled to play, Donaldson said they will wrap up on Saturday.

Oklahoma City tonight.

76ers: Open a four-game Western road trip Friday night at Phoenix.

seized control to snap a threegame losing streak. Anthony scored 26 in the second half.

Derrick Rose had 24 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 21 for the Knicks, who returned home after a poor finish to their five-game trip out West. They improved to 10-4 at home.

Thaddeus Young and Myles Turner each scored 21 points for the Pacers, who had won seven straight in the series.

RAPTORS 116, NETS 104 TORONTO (AP) — Kyle Lowry had 23 points, Norman Powell scored a season-high 21 and Toronto defeated Brooklyn.

Lowry, who shot 8 of 12 from the field and 3 of 5 on 3-pointers, added eight assists and four rebounds before sitting out the final 6 minutes as the Raptors (20-8) won their second straight.

Six different Raptors scored in double figures. Toronto never trailed and led by as many as 23.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 19 points, six rebounds and three assists for the Nets (7-20), who lost their third straight and fifth in six games.

It was the 10th straight road loss for the Nets. They are 1-13 away from home this season.

THE RESULTS: GIORGIO BALDACCI OPEN NATIONAL CHALLENGE • HERE’S a look at the results of the matches played yesterday as the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association completed its round robin segment of the annual Giorgio Baldacci Open National Challenge at the National Tennis Centre.

Ladies’ Round Robin Gabriela Donaldson def. Afrika Smith 6-1, 4-6, 10-5; Sierra Donaldson def. Sydni Kerr 6-3, 6-0 and Sydney Clarke 6-2, 6-2.

Men’s Round Robin Kevin Major Jr. def. Joshua Turnquest 6-4, 2-6, 10-6; Philip Major Jr def. Calum Moodie 6-0, 6-0; Justin Lunn def. Jack Kelly 6-1, 6-2; William ‘JJ’ Fountain def. Archie Burrows 6-1, 6-1; Oneal Mortimer def. Robert Smith 6-1, 6-4; Dylan Walker def. Rodney Carey Jr W/O; Baker Newman def.

Michael Butler 6-0, 6-0; Marvin Rolle def. Archie Burrows 6-0, 6-0; Justin Lunn def. Lee Sweeting 6-0, 6-0; Anthony Burrows def. Rodney Carey Jr W/O; Spencer Newman def. Wayne Russell W/O; Kevin Major Jr. def. Oneal Mortimer 6-0. 6-1; Philip Major Jr/ def. Kyle Rolle 6-0, 6-0; William Fountain def. Perry Newton Jr. 6-0, 6-1; Jack Kelly def. Donte Armbrister 6-1, 6-3; Ceron Rolle def.

Calum Moodie 6-1, 6-0 and Trenton Smith def.

Dylan Walker 6-7, retired.

• Here’s how they finished in the standings in each of the pools they played in during the two-day round robin: Women’s play Pool A – 1. Iesha Shepherd 2-0; 2. Sierra Donaldson 1-1; 3. Sydni Kerr 0-2.

Pool B – tie for 1st - Elana Mackey 2-0 and Sydney Clarke 2-0; 3. Gabriela Donaldson 1-2; 4. Afrika Smith 0-4.

Men’s play Pool A - 1. Baker Newman 3-0; 2. Jody Turnquest 2-1; 3. Michael Butler 0-3.

Pool B - 1. Spencer Newman 2-0; 2. Michael Cooper 1-1; 3. Wayne Russell 0-3.

Pool C – 1. Philip Major Jr. 3-0; 2. Ceron Rolle 2-1; 3. Calum Moodie 1-2; 4. Kyle Rolle 0-3.

Pool D – 1. Trenton Smith 3-0; 2. Dylan Walker 2-1; 3. Anthony Burrows Sr 0-3; 4. Rodney Carey Jr 0-3.

Pool E – 1. Kevin Major Jr 3-0; 2. Joshua Turnquest 2-1; 3. Oneal Mortimer 1-2; 4. Robert Smith 0-3.

Pool F – 1. Marvin Roller 3-0; 2. William ‘JJ’ Fountain 2-1; 3. Archie Burrows 1-2; 4. Perry Newton 0-3.

Pool G – 1. Justin Lunn 3-0; 2. Jack Kelly 2-1; 3.

Donte Armbrister 1-2; 4. Lee Sweeting 0-3.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 21, 2016, PAGE 7

Redskins lose control of playoff hopes with loss to Panthers

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins had their easiest path to the playoffs in front of them and they gave it away with another Monday night flop.

Cousins threw an interception and lost a fumble near his goal line, and the Redskins lost control of their playoff future with a 26-15 loss to the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers.

Washington (7-6-1) could have clinched a playoff berth by winning its final three games but now needs help. Carolina (6-8) kept its astronomical wild-card hopes alive and dealt a serious blow to the Redskins’ chances with two weeks left in the season.

“We didn’t get it done,” said wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who had seven catches for 111 yards. “Obviously it’s frustrating because we knew what we had at stake, we knew what we had on our hands and we

can’t really talk about playoffs until we handle who we need to handle and play better.”

After being picked off

by Kurt Coleman in the first half to set up a Carolina field goal, Cousins was sacked by Wes Horton and fumbled on the first snap after halftime as the Panthers took over at the 1-yard line.

They scored two plays later to take a 20-9 lead.

Cousins finished 32 of 47 for 316 yards with far too many missed throws in a game with such high stakes.

Cousins and coach Jay Gruden were at a loss to explain how the usually high-powered offence sputtered at such a key moment.

“We just never got any kind of rhythm whatsoever throughout the whole game,” said Gruden, referencing his team going 2 for 12 on third down. “Part of it was the running game was atrocious, part of it was we had no deep passing game and then the other part: Carolina was very good today.”

Reigning league MVP

Cam Newton showed no ill effects from a shoulder injury suffered last week, throwing for 300 yards and two touchdowns.

“He took a little bit of a shot early on, but when he came to the sideline and had a chance to take a breath he was ready to roll,” Carolina coach Ron Rivera said.

The Panthers took advantage of blunders by the Redskins, who lost their sixth consecutive Monday night home game. It was Washington’s most lopsided loss since being routed 3816 by Pittsburgh in the season opener, also on a Monday night.

“We didn’t play well enough to win,” Cousins said. “Just didn’t make enough plays.”

field goal range, moving the ball from the Washington 26 to the 41.

“I’ve got to be better than that,” Newton said. “That just can’t happen on my part.”

Redskins tight end Jordan Reed took an even costlier penalty late in the third quarter when he was flagged 15 yards and ejected for throwing a punch at Coleman. That penalty contributed to Washington settling for a field goal when trailing by 14.

PANTHERS QB Cam Newton (1) celebrates wide receiver Ted Ginn’s touchdown against the Redskins Monday night. (AP) but missed from 38 to end his streak at 13 in a row. ... Cousins broke his own single-season franchise record for passing yards after throwing for 4,166 last year. ... Coleman’s pick was his 11th interception since the start of 2015, the most by an NFC safety in that time. ... The Redskins are 2-15 on Monday night at FedEx Field, which opened in 1997. ... Despite being cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol, Carolina middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was inactive . ... Newton

BLACK AND BLUE REDSKINS The Redskins lost linebacker Ryan Kerrigan to a left elbow sprain, cornerback Quinton Dunbar to a concussion and special teams contributor Houston Bates to a left knee sprain.

They were already without linebackers Will Compton because of a knee injury and Su’a Cravens because of an upper-arm injury.

FLAGS FOR 15 Newton was penalised 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct in the second quarter for taunting Redskins linebacker Trent Murphy after scrambling for a 1-yard gain. The penalty took the Panthers out of

NOTEWORTHY Panthers K Graham Gano made four field goals

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny

Partly cloudy

Partly sunny

Partly sunny, a shower; breezy

Partly sunny, a shower; breezy

Partly sunny, a shower; breezy

High: 82°

Low: 70°

High: 82° Low: 71°

High: 82° Low: 71°

High: 83° Low: 72°

High: 83° Low: 72°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

89° F

71° F

89°-70° F

85°-72° F

87°-71° F

88°-70° F

ORLANDO

TAMPA

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 60° F/16° 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: 76° F/24° C Low: 70° F/21° C

4-8 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 79° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C

4-8 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

N

S

E

W

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

7-14 knots

KEY WEST

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2016

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

S

E

W S

8-16 knots

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

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

1:31 a.m.

1:43 p.m.

2.4 2.3

7:42 a.m.

8:10 p.m.

0.4 0.1

Thursday

2:29 a.m.

2:39 p.m.

2.4 2.2

8:43 a.m.

9:01 p.m.

0.5 0.1

Friday

3:23 a.m.

3:32 p.m.

2.4 2.1

9:42 a.m.

9:49 p.m.

0.5 0.1

Saturday

4:13 a.m.

4:23 p.m.

2.5 2.1

10:35 a.m. 0.4 10:34 p.m. 0.0

Sunday

4:59 a.m.

5:09 p.m.

2.6 2.1

11:23 a.m. 0.3 11:18 p.m. -0.1

Monday

5:42 a.m.

5:53 p.m.

2.7 2.1

12:08 p.m. 0.2 11:59 p.m. -0.1

Tuesday

6:22 a.m.

6:35 p.m.

2.8 2.2

12:49 p.m. 0.0 ---------

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:51 a.m.

5:26 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

12:15 a.m.

12:38 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Dec. 29

Jan. 5

Jan. 12

Jan. 19

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map H

UP NEXT Panthers: Host Atlanta Falcons on Saturday Redskins: Visit Chicago Bears on Saturday

CAT ISLAND

E

W

7-14 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 ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 72° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 79° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 67° F/19° C Last year’s high ................................. 79° F/26° C Last year’s low ................................... 73° F/23° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 49.61” Normal year to date ................................... 39.26”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

QUOTABLE Rivera on the Panthers’ playoff odds: “Without a doubt it’s minuscule, but it can happen.”

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 56° F/13° C

improved to 21-6 in regularseason games played in December or January. .. Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart had 25 carries for a seasonhigh 132 yards.

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

8-16 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 4-8 Knots NE at 3-6 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NNE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots E at 4-8 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots

WAVES 4-8 Feet 4-8 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 4-7 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-7 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 6-10 Feet 5-9 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet

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

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

PAGE 8, Wednesday, December 21, 2016

THE TRIBUNE