12222016 sports

SPORTS SECTION E

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

Kids have a blast at Youth Football Leadership Clinic

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DOZENS of students, from kindergarten to high school players, took part in various drills by USA Football staff players during the Youth Football Leadership Clinic at the Roscow Davies Soccer Field.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/The Tribune to go out and play with their buddies afterward. This provides a connection and all helps the sport to grow.”

The camp facilitated dozens of aspiring football players between the ages of seven and 13. Players from both schools and USA Football staff demonstrated basic

drills throughout the afternoon covering passing, catching, blocking and tackling. It proved to be a rewarding experience, not just for the participants but for the student athletes themselves. “It was a great day. We got to interact with the kids, teaching them what we know and about our sport and our lives,”

Monarchs freshman wide receiver Noah Ellison said. “I was just glad I got to help out the community and help out the kids. It was a special day and the entire week for me and my teammates, it was special experience.”

SEE PAGE 18

Sydney Clarke emerges as Pool B winner

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net SYDNEY Clarke emerged as the winner of pool B of the ladies’ division and all four Davis Cup players booked their spots in the men’s semi-final of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s annual Giorgio Baldacci National Open Challenge at the National Tennis Centre yesterday.

Completing the ladies’ round robin segment of the weeklong tournament, Clarke pulled off a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Elana Mackey. With the win, Clarke finished undefeated at 3-0, while Mackey dropped to 2-1.

The two will advance to the semi-final that will be played today against defending champion Iesha Shepherd and Sierra Donaldson, the top two finishers out of pool A. Starting at 2pm, Shepherd will face Mackey on court two and Clarke will meet Donaldson on court four to earn the rights to play for the final on Friday.

Then at 3pm, the semi-final in the men’s division will take place.

On court one, defending champion Baker Newman will face Kevin Major Jr and on court three, Spencer Newman will square off against player/captain Marvin Rolle.

The quartet clinched their berths in the playoffs yesterday.

Week 16 - Pages 20, 21

BAHAMIAN PRO BALL PLAYERS STANDOUT IN EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

B

owl week events continued for the third edition of Popeyes Bahamas Bowl as the organisers attempted to extend their community outreach and interaction between visiting players and locals.

Student athletes and spirit squads from both the Old Dominion Monarchs and Eastern Michigan Eagles participated in community-building exercises with aspiring youth football players yesterday.

First up, the contingent visited the Ranfurly Homes for Children, and in the second event on yesterday’s schedule, they hosted a Youth Football Leadership Clinic, in conjunction with USA Football, at the Roscow Davies Soccer Field.

At the youth clinic, dozens of students from kindergarten to high school players took part in various drills by the USA Football staff players.

Chris Maddox, USA Football representative and clinic coordinator, said similar clinics could be integral in bringing some of the country’s many talented athletes to American football.

“It was fun watching the kids run around and have a great time, they are getting to interact with and even tackle these guys and they had a blast doing it,” he said.

“There are a lot of good athletes here that play other sports, they’re just now learning to play American football. It can crossover and as the popularity of the sport develops your better athletes will gravitate towards it. These kids watch the Super Bowl but they don’t get

NFL PICKS

KEVIN MAJOR JR, SPENCER NEWMAN, MARVIN ROLLE AND BAKER NEWMAN ADVANCE TO THE SEMI-FINALS

SEE PAGE 18

Baker Newman, the top seed, got a bye in the first round of the playoffs and went on to win 7-5, 6-1 over Jody Turnquest. In his first match, Turnquest came from behind to eliminate William ‘JJ’ Fountain 3-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Kevin Major Jr pulled off a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Philip Major Jr to get into the semi-finals. Kevin Major Jr beat Jack Kelly 6-4, 6-2 and Philip Major Jr ousted Michael Cooper 6-0, 6-3 in their opening playoff matches.

Marvin Rolle, the No.4 seed, secured a walkover win over Justin Lunn to reach the semis. Rolle won 6-3, 6-4 over collegian Joshua Turnquest in his first match, while Lunn blanked Trenton Smith 6-0, 6-0.

And in the final segment of the

SEE PAGE 18

BAHAMIAN basketball players continue to post standout numbers on their respective circuits throughout professional leagues across Europe and the Middle East.

Jaraun “Kino” Burrows has been the top performer for his Hapoel Haifa BC in Israel, a powerhouse of the Liga Leumit, - the second tier level league in the country.

Burrows posted 21 points, eight rebounds and two steals Tuesday night in a 7773 win over Galil Elion.

In the prior matchup last week, he posted 23 points, 13 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a 95-81 win over Ironi K-A. On the season he has posted averages of 23 points, and 11.4 rebounds per game through 10 contests.

Burrows saw his stock rise after a dominant season last year with LF Basket in the Swedish Pro League.

The 6’8”, 220-pound forward had the second best scoring average in the league at 20.1 points per game and also averaged 9.2 rebounds per game.

His pro career has also included stops in Finland, Eastern Europe and South America.

Burrows recently completed play with the national team that finished 7th at this summer’s FIBA Centrobasket tournament in Panama. They earned qualification for the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Kentwan Smith has made the most of his new opportunity with Finnish club, BC Nokia of the Korisliiga - the top level of basketball in Finland.

Smith scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 73-67 loss to Salon Vilpas. He is currently averaging 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

BC Nokia finished third in the league last season after a loss in the semi-fi-

TENNIS CORRECTION

SYDNEY CLARKE in action in this file photo.

IT was incorrectly stated that Elana 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 on Tuesday at the National Tennis Centre to move to 2-0 in the round robin. It was actually Sydney Clarke.

The Tribune apologises for the error.

PAGE 18, Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

SYDNEY CLARKE EMERGES AS POOL B WINNER FROM PAGE 17

Kids have a blast at Youth Football Leadership Clinic FROM PAGE 17 Eagles freshman defensive back Jordan Porter said his hope was that the message of the events was able to resonate with the participants.

“It was so much fun being out here with the team we are competing against, but being out here for the kids, it was so much fun, we

loved it,” he said. “They were actually doing a really great job. Some of them knew football, some of them did not know what the sport is but it was fun just to be able to introduce it to the kids and have a great time, he said. “To be able to impact their lives in this short time they were here was a great feeling and I hope it’s something that sticks with them.”

Porter signed footballs and tshirts with his signature and the message “Stay in school! Love football!”

The active Bowl week schedule began with team arrivals and a welcome reception for their respective contingents on Monday. Tuesday, the players and staffs had an opportunity to see the newly upgraded Thomas A Robinson Stadium

and its Bermuda Grass field for the first time and were treated to a Beach Bash at the Atlantis Resort.

Today will feature media day and the final walkthroughs before Friday’s kickoff.

The matchup between the Monarchs and Eagles is scheduled for 1pm December 23 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium, broadcasted live on ESPN and ESPN Radio.

bracket, No.2 seed Spencer Newman was a 6-0, 6-1 winner over Ceron Rolle.

Newman got a bye and Rolle was a walkover winner against Dylan Walker.

The games came after a two-day round robin segment of the tournament where the players in both the men’s and ladies’ divisions were placed in pools and the top two in each advanced to the single elimination playoffs.

The Open Challenge will culminate on Friday with the ladies’ final at 11am and the men’s final at 4 pm followed by the trophy and special awards reception for participants and the 2016 Davis Cup Team.

Following the tournament, the BLTA will name its team for the American Zone II Davis Cup tie against Venezuela in February and the Fed Cup ladies that will be played in Uruguay in July.

Brothers Baker and Spencer Newman, Kevin Major Jr and Marvin Rolle pulled the Bahamas out of America Zone II this year in Bolivia.

And while Shepherd and Donaldson are returning Fed Cup players, both Clarke and Mackey are hoping to make the team for the first time.

• Here’s a look at the results of the matches played yesterday as the BLTA continued its Giorgio Baldacci National Open Challenge at the National Tennis Centre: Ladies play Sydney Clarke def.

Elana Mackey 6-1, 6-3 Men’s play First round - Baker Newman got a bye; Jody Turnquest def. William ‘JJ’ Fountain 3-6, 6-3, 6-0; Kevin Major Jr def. Jack Kelly 6-4, 6-2; Philip Major Jr def. Michael Cooper 6-0, 6-3; Marvin Rolle def. Joshua Turnquest 6-3, 6-4; Justin Lunn def. Trenton Smith 6-0, 6-0; Spencer Newman got a bye and Ceron Rolle def. Dylan Walker.

Second round - Baker Newman def. Jody Tunquest 7-5, 6-1; Kevin Major Jr def. Philip Major Jr 6-4, 7-5; Marvin Rolle def. Justin Lunn W/O and Spencer Newman def. Ceron Rolle 6-0, 6-1.

DOZENS of students, from kindergarten to high school players, took part in various drills by USA Football staff players during the Youth Football Leadership Clinic at the Roscow Davies Soccer Field. Photos: Shawn Hanna/The Tribune

TODAY’S SCHEDULE 2pm - Court two Iesha Shepherd vs Elana Mackey Court four - Sydney Clarke vs Sierra Donaldson 3pm - Court one Baker Newman vs Kevin Major Jr Court three Spencer Newman vs Marvin Rolle

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE 11am - Ladies’ final 4pm - Men’s final

BAHAMIAN PRO BALL PLAYERS STANDOUT IN EUROPE AND MIDDLE EAST FROM PAGE 17

left the team in May. Last season, his first as a pro, nals. In the 2014–15 season, Smith was an impact player for his they won the Finnish First Divi- BC Timisoara Club in Romania’s sion and received promotion to Liga National.

Burrows offered recommendathe Korisliiga. In their first season at the top level they finished tion when the BC Nokia coaches in the 8th place during the regular sought information on Smith, season but defeated top ranked leading to his signing.

Waltiea Rolle continues to Kataja in the first round to earn a dominate for Haskovo 2012 with trip to the semi-finals.

Smith’s previous stop this year her second double double in as was as a member of Fuerza Guin- many games in Bulagaria’s NBL da de Nogales in Mexican CIBA- League.

She posted 16 points and 19 COPA. In 12 games he averaged 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds but rebounds in a 79-71 win over

Montana 2003. In her season debut last week, Rolle finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds in her team’s 84-62 win over Neftochimic.

After dropping the season opener, Haskovo has reeled off four consecutive wins for a 4-1 record and remain in second position in the standings, one point behind league leader Montana 2003.

The 6’6” centre and University of North Carolina producct last played with Nymburk, of the Czech Republic’s ZBL League

in 2015, where she averaged 16.3 points and 10.4 rebounds in 31 games.

After a brief appearance in the NBA’s Development League, Zane Knowles has continued his pro career in Poland.

Knowles joined Siarka Tarnobrzeg of the Polish Basketball League or Tauron Basket Liga, the highest level of pro basketball in the country.

Through five games, he is averaging 13 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

Prior to his signing in Poland,

Knowles was in training camp with the D-League’s Salt Lake Stats, the exclusive farm team of the Utah Jazz.

Knowles, the 6’10” 255-pound forward joins a list of other Bahamians to play in the D-League that includes Magnum Rolle, Bennet Davis and Mitch Johnson.

Knowles participated in the Star’s Open Tryouts presented by University of Utah Health Care back in September at the Lifetime Activities Center-Bruin Arena on the Taylorsville campus of Salt Lake Community College.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 19

Westbrook scores 42, Thunder defeat the Pelicans 121-110

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Russell Westbrook had 42 points and 10 rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New Orleans Pelicans 121-110 last night.

Alex Abrines scored nine of his 18 points during a pivotal 11-0 run early in the fourth quarter.

The surge gave the Thunder a 100-87 lead with 9:18 left and New Orleans never got within eight points after that.

Enes Kanter, who hit a hook shot during that spurt, finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Anthony Davis had 34 points and 15 rebounds for

New Orleans. Jrue Holiday added 23 points and 10 assists, and Terrence Jones scored 21 points for the Pelicans, who’ve lost nine of 12.

Coming off a lopsided victory in Philadelphia a night earlier, New Orleans kept the game competitive through three quarters and was as close as 89-87 after Tyreke Evans’ 3-pointer with 11:10 left in regulation.

That’s when the Thunder suddenly pulled away by scoring 11 straight points over the span of just four possessions. Abrines hit a 3, then came Kanter’s hook, followed by Abrines’ three-point play on a driving layup as he was fouled

by Langston Galloway. After New Orleans missed its

NBA CAPSULES CAVALIERS 113, BUCKS 102 CLEVELAND (AP) — Kyrie Irving had 31 points and a career-high 13 assists, and LeBron James scored 29 as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their second game in two nights over the Milwaukee Bucks, 113102 last night despite being without two

WESTERN CONFERENCE

third straight shot, Abrines added another 3.

Abrines finished 5 of 11 from 3-point range and was the leading scorer among Thunder reserves, who combined for 52 points.

Westbrook, meanwhile, scored 16 of his points on 18 free-throw attempts.

Steven Adams scored 12 points for Oklahoma City, his fifth straight game with at least 10.

TIP-INS Thunder: The Thunder outrebounded New Orleans 49-34 and improved to 7-0 when outrebounding an opponent by 10 or more. ...

Westbrook has scored at least 20 in 11 straight. ... The Thunder evened its road record at 6-6. ... Westbrook

starters.

The NBA champs were not at full strength as Kevin Love didn’t dress for the second straight game with a bruised left knee, and JR Smith sat out after breaking his right thumb Tuesday at Milwaukee.

Smith needs surgery, and the Cavs won’t have a timetable on his return until after the operation.

They were barely missed as Cleveland won for the eighth time in nine games.

The only loss in that stretch was last week at Memphis when James, Irving and Love stayed home to rest.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points and Jabari Parker 27 for the Bucks, who took the Cavs to overtime at home but fell behind by 21 in the fourth quarter this time and couldn’t come back.

Tristan Thompson added 15 rebounds for Cleveland.

GRIZZLIES 98, PISTONS 86 AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Marc Gasol matched a career high with 38 points on 14-of-17 shooting, and Memphis beat Detroit in a matchup of slumping teams.

The Grizzlies ended their three-game losing streak, while Detroit dropped its fourth straight.

Memphis was boosted by the return of

was three assists short of posting his 14th triple-double this season.

Pelicans: New Orleans plays its next four games at home, where the Pelicans are 6-10. ... Davis had at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in a game for the 18th time this season. ...

Guard Tim Frazier scored 10 points. ... First-round draft choice Buddy Hield started and played nearly 20 minutes but was 0-of-3 shooting and finished with just two points on free throws.

UP NEXT Thunder: Visit Boston on Friday night.

Pelicans: Host Miami on Friday night.

THUNDER guard Russell Westbrook, top, makes a layup against Pelicans guard Tim Frazier last night. (AP)

Chandler Parsons, who missed the previous 17 games with a bone bruise on his left knee. He had two points and two rebounds in 15 minutes.

Jon Leuer and Reggie Jackson led the Pistons with 18 points apiece. Andre Drummond had 13 points and 19 rebounds.

TIMBERWOLVES 92, HAWKS 84 ATLANTA (AP) — Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and 18 rebounds in Minnesota’s victory over Atlanta.

Zach LaVine added 18 points for the Timberwolves, who earned consecutive wins for the first time since April 5-9 last season.

Dennis Schroder finished 21 points and Paul Millsap had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta, which has dropped six of seven at home. The Hawks have lost during that span to four teams with losing records: New Orleans, Detroit, Orlando and Minnesota.

off the Washington bench to spark a decisive fourth-quarter burst. Chicago closed to 97-93 with less than 3 minutes left, but Bradley Beal, Marcin Gortat and Wall followed with baskets to seal it.

Beal finished with 21 points, while Gortat had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Burke scored 10.

Jimmy Butler led a balanced Bulls offence with 20 points, and Dwyane Wade added 19. Rajon Rondo had 10 assists.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

WIZARDS 107, BULLS 97 CHICAGO (AP) — John Wall had 23 points and nine assists, and Washington rallied past Chicago for its third road victory of the season.

Trey Burke and Marcus Thornton came

WIZARDS’ John Wall (2) drives to the basket as Bulls’ Rajon Rondo tries to strip the ball from behind during the first half last night in Chicago. (AP)

BAYERN GIVES LEIPZIG COLD SHOWER IN BUNDESLIGA, GOES THREE CLEAR

By CIARAN FAHEY Associated Press BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich eased to a comfortable 3-0 victory over promoted Leipzig in their topof-the-table clash to claim the Bundesliga’s unofficial title of ‘autumn champion’ before the winter break.

“We wanted to send a signal,” Bayern captain Philipp Lahm said.

The two sides had been level going into their 16thround showdown, with Leipzig, boasting the league’s best away record, quietly confident of causing another upset to round off a remarkable first half-season of top-flight football.

Only founded in 2009, Leipzig was promoted as second-division runner-up last season but surprised many by making the best ever start for a new team in the Bundesliga.

But the visitors were already two goals down when their hopes were virtually extinguished with Emil Forsberg’s sending off for a dangerous lunge in the 30th minute.

“We all make mistakes,” Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuettl said. “It didn’t go as we imagined it would.”

Thiago Alcantara opened

the scoring inside 20 minutes, when he arrived at the right time to convert from close range with his thigh after Robert Lewandowski’s initial effort hit the right post.

Douglas Costa almost added another immediately afterward, only to see his effort from 14 yards (meters) strike the left post.

Bayern had more shots on goal, more possession and was winning more tackles than the visiting side.

Xabi Alonso made Bayern’s dominance count minutes later. Naby Keita, a key player for Leipzig, lost the ball to Arturo Vidal, and it went through Lewandowski and then Thiago, who set up a rare goal from open play for Alonso.

Leipzig’s task grew harder when Forsberg was sent off for a bad challenge on Lahm from behind.

Lewandowski made it 3-0 with a penalty before the break after Leipzig ‘keeper Gulacsi brought down Costa. It meant Lewandowski has scored against every Bundesliga club, the only active player to do so.

Gulacsi atoned somewhat by getting the better of Lewandowski in a one-onone after the break, before substitute Franck Ribery

struck the crossbar.

By then the game was decided, however, and players were already looking forward to their month-long winter break. “It was a lesson. The best team won.

Congratulations to Bayern,” Hasenhuettl said.

Bayern now leads Leipzig by three points, with thirdplace Hertha Berlin six points further back at the season’s halfway stage.

• Here’s a look at other matches yesterday: HERTHA BERLIN 2, DARMSTADT 0 Football was overshadowed in Berlin, where 12 people died and many more were injured following Monday’s attack with a truck on a Christmas market.

Darmstadt fans held up a banner saying “Stay strong Berlin” and thousands of candles were lit around the Olympiastadion as both teams and supporters observed a minute of silence for the victims.

It was early in the second half before home fans had reason to cheer when Marvin Plattenhardt struck with a brilliant free kick for Hertha.

Plattenhardt sent another

free kick in for Salomon Kalou to head Hertha’s second goal in the 66th minute.

“We won for the city of Berlin,” Kalou said. “Our fans showed that love is more important than anything else.”

HOFFENHEIM 1, WERDER BREMEN 1 Sandro Wagner’s first half strike looked to be enough for unbeaten Hoffenheim to stay third, but Serge Gnabry, arguably the best young player this season, equalised in the final minutes for relegationthreatened Bremen to grab a valuable point and allow Hertha sneak third place.

COLOGNE 1, BAYER LEVERKUSEN 1 Cologne will be happier to share the spoils from the Rhine derby, with Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt under pressure after a disappointing opening half of the season left his side ninth, 16 points off the pace.

Anthony Modeste fired the home side ahead in the 21st minute with a brilliant touch with the inside of his right boot to Frederik Soerensen’s cross, sending the ball over the ‘keeper and

under the crossbar.

But Brazilian defender Wendell equalised before the break, and ran to celebrate with his beleaguered

coach. Elsewhere, Two goals from Florian Niederlechner in the first half were enough for Freiburg to win 2-1 at Ingolstadt.

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PAGE 20, Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

THE EXPERTS’ VIEW - HOW THEY ARE FARING

WEEK 15

Naughty AP **Leo B

*Sancheska

Ricardo

*Renaldo

*includes two-game penalty **includes four-game penalty

11-5 13-3 10-6 12-4 15-1 15-1

SEASON 140-79-2 136-83-2 135-84-2 134-85-2 134-85-2 131-88-2

% .639 .621 .616 .611 .611 .598

WEEK 15 AWARDS The “I’m So Happy This Is a Thing” Award presented by Rodney Moncur’s appointment to the Senate – Coaches going for it on fourth down and going for two point conversions with regularity.

The “He’s Wrong a Whole Lot But When He Attacks…It’s Just Great” Award presented by Rodney Moncur’s appointment to the Senate – Aqib Talib sparking an argument in the Broncos locker following a loss to the Patriots.

The “There’s A Chance He’ll Lose This Just As Fast As He Got It” Award presented by Rodney Moncur’s appointment to the Senate – Tom “21” Savage being named the Texans’ starting quarterback.

WEEK 16

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles RENALDO: Remember when Odell Beckham Jr was a distraction? Not just because of his hair, but because of his stereotypical diva attitude and sideline antics. At that point the Giants were 2-3. Nine weeks later the Giants are 10-4.

OBJ is an MVP candidate and we’re all thankful we get to see him for another few weeks. Great distraction.

GIANTS over Eagles SANNIE: So I was in New York last weekend, only for a few hours but that counts lol, and I can’t wait to go back.

GIANTS over Eagles Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers RENALDO: I can’t wait for someone to hit Cam Newton again, not get flagged for it and give us a fake controversy to talk about during this game.

There’s no other reason anyone should find this game interesting. Maybe GQ wants to do some articles on Cam’s stupid parade of hats, but other than that…. we can all do without this game.

FALCONS over Panthers

SANNIE: Boy, as much as I love me some Cam, I need to beat Cardo more, every point counts. (sorry Cam) FALCONS over Panthers Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills RENALDO: I take back everything I said about

Matt Moore. I’m at the mercy of all overzealous Dolphins fans that believed in Moore and thought he could get us to the Super Bowl (Yes one of those exists. His name is John-Marc Nutt. He’s a real person).

This is the perfect trap game for the Same Ol Dolphins to return.

The Bills barely have anything to play for, but exacting revenge on Jarvis Landry and fantasy football implications. Dolfans can’t deal with another SOD game. The football gods have smiled upon us (other than the week against the Ravens that they forgot us) and that needs to continue.

I just need to remind all Bills players that losing this game pretty much ensures you rid yourself of Rex Ryan forever. Let’s prioritise here.

DOLPHINS over Bills

SANNIE: It seems the Dolphins have pulled themselves together and are finally winning. So, Im going to ride this one out with them.

DOLPHINS over Bills Washington Racial Slurs at Chicago Bears RENALDO: Jay Gruden admitted that he was outcoached by Ron Rivera in last week’s loss, which could only be the beginning of a new 12-step programme for everyone in this organisation. What’s next on the list of obvious things? Could De’Sean Jackson admit that he threw up a Crip sign years ago? Will the front office admit the mascot is a racial slur?

RACIAL SLURS over Bears SANNIE: Well this is easy, the Bears have only won three games.

WASHINGTON over Bears

New York Jets at New England Patriots RENALDO: If you thought Sheldon Richardson wasn’t concerned about the game while the Jets were at home last week, wait until he gets to Boston and sees all the Cape Verdian women. Someone may want to change his SnapChat password until Monday.

PATS over Jets

SANNIE: I see the Jets are still awful, why are they still playing again?

PATRIOTS over Jets San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns RENALDO: I’m just here to see the Browns go 0-16.

CHARGERS over Browns SANNIE: No way, the Browns still haven’t won a game? Impossible.

CHARGERS over Browns Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars RENALDO: Gus Bradley knows where the bodies are buried. It’s the only way to explain how he was allowed to remain as head coach long enough to compile his god-awful 14-48 record. Well the Jaguars front office finally decided that they don’t care if he snitches. “Go ahead, tell the people where the bodies are buried. We’ll take our chances, but we’re not letting you go 14-49. It’s over man.” – unknown Jags executive.

TITANS over Jags SANNIE: Boy this season has had some terrible teams, Jags included.

TITANS over Jags Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers RENALDO: Is Adrian Peterson the second best

running back in this game?

Is the best running back in this game a wide receiver?

Is everyone still going to ignore Sam Bradford’s jersey size? I give up on 2016. I don’t understand anything about this season.

PACKERS over Vikings SANNIE: I don’t really care about any of these teams so I will go with Green Bay just because I like the uniforms.

PACKERS over Vikings Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders RENALDO: The Vegas Raiders are giving the Bay Area an incredible send off this season and I’m just happy Bruce Irvin gets to be at the centre of this. He’s the most Al Davis Raider on this roster. High school dropout, turned homeless quasi drug dealer to reinvigorated student athlete to Juco journeyman to Big 12 star to NFL first round draftee to first player ever ejected from a Super Bowl to Super Bowl champion to sought after free agent to Raider to AFC Defensive Player of the Week.

This story is going to get so much better in Vegas.

RAIDERS over Colts SANNIE: I never thought I would ever be choosing the Raiders because they were the best team but apparently they are actually a good team now. I know, Im surprised too.

RAIDERS over Colts Tampa Bay Bucs at New Orleans Saints RENALDO: Nearly a decade after the decision and I’ll still never forgive the Dolphins front office for “the decision” (nonLeBron version). Daunte Culpepper is now 400 pounds somewhere practicing for a sumo wrestling contest and Drew Brees

is still leading the league in passing yards. He gets another 5,000 yards this season, Culpepper is on his 5,000th donut for the month.

SAINTS over Bucs SANNIE: So, I’m cheap and I’m not buying anything for Christmas so Merry Christmas brother, I am going with your team.

BUCS over Saints San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams RENALDO: Middle school offence meets middle school defence. Is Kap still kneeling? Is that still a thing? The problem didn’t go away, so do we just care about it less because he’s so bad and his team is so bad that their horrible football supersedes police brutality? Yes. NINERS over Rams SANNIE: One game, that’s all the 49ers have won. Geesh.

RAMS over Niners Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks RENALDO: Remember when the NFC West was a land of kings? That was all the way back in the before time…in the long long ago…pre Trump and pre Rodney. That was 2013.

SEAHAWKS over Cards SANNIE: Russell Wilson.

SEAHAWKS over Cardinals

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texas RENALDO: I need this Tom Savage hype train to continue. There’s an endless supply of 21 Savage puns and references to be made.

Whether the Texans win or lose, I just need him to play well.

BENGALS over Texans

Dolphins’ Pouncey says hip injury isn’t career threatening

By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer DAVIE, Florida (AP) — Miami Dolphins centre Mike Pouncey says the hip injury that ended his season isn’t career threatening, and he’ll be ready for the team’s offseason programme.

But with a rueful smile, Pouncey acknowledged mixed emotions regarding the possibility the Dolphins will make the playoffs without him.

“That would be a nightmare, but obviously I’m rooting for that to happen,” he said yesterday.

“I’ve been wanting to play in the playoffs for a long, long time. I’m ready for it.

Let’s go. I’ll be there cheering.”

The six-year veteran has never reached the postseason. This year the Dolphins (9-5) are in the thick of the AFC wild-card race even though their three-time Pro Bowl centre played in only five games.

Pouncey broke his hip during the preseason, came

back for Games 5 through 9 and aggravated the injury, ending his season.

“I probably came back too early,” Pouncey said.

“It was just me wanting to play.”

Pouncey also had problems with both hips in 2014 and 2015, and underwent surgery twice to repair ligaments. He said no surgery is needed this time, and a specialist told him he should be fine for 2017.

“Honestly with how I feel right now, I could play,” Pouncey said. “But we’ll let it rest and be ready for the offseason.”

Coach Adam Gase said the decision to put Pouncey on injured reserve last week was difficult, but done because of concerns the centre risked his career if he tried to return this season.

“I wasn’t going to put him in that kind of position to where I had to tell him, ‘You might not be able to ever play again,’” Gase said. “I want to be around Mike as long as he can possibly go.”

SANNIE: The original Houston girl got 9 Grammy nominations. Queen B is killing it.

TEXANS over Benagls Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers RENALDO: It’s not fair that Ben Roethlisberger is allowed to still have nice things, but he has Le’veon Bell and Antonio Brown, so we’re forced to deal with him.

STEELERS over Ravens SANNIE: I will go with the Steelers, no real reason.

Just because.

STEELERS over Ravens Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs RENALDO: The Dolphins need you Alex Smith.

Do your job. Andy Reid admitted that the team “got a little too conservative” in last week’s loss, which means Alex Smith gets loose this week – 400 yards passing and four touchdowns….in one game…not on Xbox. Book it.

CHIEFS over Broncos

SANNIE: Chiefs because Denver is having some terrible weather right now. (yes, that’s my reason).

CHIEFS over Broncos

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys RENALDO: Dak has restarted the clock on the “Romo- Resurgence” with his performance against the Bucs last week. He would have to have a Fitzpatricklike collapse to lose the job now. Also the Cowboys hired Sting to teach intimidation. They may never lose another game…ever.

COWBOYS over Lions SANNIE: Lets go Cowboys! It’s still in Texas and it’s still Beyoncé town.

COWBOYS over Lions

PETTY FULLY PRACTICES, WILL START FOR JETS AT NEW ENGLAND

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr AP Sports Writer

DOLPHINS centre Mike Pouncey (51) rests on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL game against the New York Jets on November 6. Pouncey says the hip injury that ended his season isn’t career-threatening, and he’ll be ready for the team’s offseason programme. But with a rueful smile, Pouncey acknowledged mixed emotions regarding the possibility the Dolphins will make the playoffs without him.

(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Bryce Petty is ready to roll.

The New York Jets quarterback was a full participant at practice yesterday and is on track to start at New England on Saturday.

Coach Todd Bowles said Petty would make his fourth NFL start after the quarterback suffered a bruised chest against Miami last Saturday night.

X-rays and a CT scan on Petty’s chest were negative despite him being forced out of the game after being sandwiched by Cameron Wake and Ndamukong Suh while completing a pass in the fourth quarter.

“I was concerned, but fortunately, everything showed that there wasn’t anything structurally wrong,” offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said. “It’s just him dealing with it and he’s handled it well. He’s gotten reps both days looks like he’s throwing the ball OK.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 21

All I want for Christmas is another good picking week AFTER a sizzling 15-1 week 15, there is hope.

I am now 134-85-2 on the year and a puncher’s chance away from a top two finish in The Tribune’s NFL picks competition.

Sunday is Christmas and, because of that, I have written to Santa for the first time in my adult life in the hope of above average weeks 16 and 17. #TrustTheProcess!

WEEK 16

NFL PICKS

BY RICARDO WELLS rwells@tribunemedia.net

Minnesota Vikings (7-7) @ Green Bay Packers (8-6) PACKERS

Indianapolis Colts (8-6) @ Oakland Raiders (11-3) RAIDERS

Miami Dolphins (9-5) @ Buffalo Bills (7-7) DOLPHINS

San Diego Chargers (5-9) @ Cleveland Browns (0-14) CHARGERS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) @ New Orleans Saints (6-8) BUCCANEERS

New York Jets (3-10) @ New England Patriots (12-2) PATRIOTS

Washington Redskins (7-6-1) @ Chicago Bears (3-11) REDSKINS

Arizona Cardinals (5-8-1) @ Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1) SEAHAWKS

Tennessee Titans (8-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) TITANS

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) @ Carolina Panthers (6-8) FALCONS

San Francisco 49ers (1-13) @ Los Angeles Rams (4-10) 49ERS

New York Giants (10-4) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-9) GIANTS

EAGLES QB Carson Wentz (11) scrambles with the ball during the first half of an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens. There’s plenty at stake when the Giants (10-4) visit Philadelphia (5-9) tonight. (AP) Cincinnati Bengals (5-8-1) @ Houston Texans (8-6) TEXANS Baltimore Ravens (8-6)

@ Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) STEELERS Denver Broncos (8-6) @ Kansas City Chiefs

(10-4) BRONCOS Detroit Lions (9-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (12-2) COWBOYS

LATE CHARGE FOR 2ND PLACE ‘TOO MUCH, TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE WELL would you look at that, a 15-1 week for the cellar dwellers Wells and Dorsett making a late charge for respectability and second place!

Nicely done gents, 15-1 is always an awesome feat, however it’s too much, too little, too late.

I’ve got this on ice, all I have to do is be my consistent self moving forward. And just as I said last week, l would rebound like my Cowboys would, this week I will officially wrap things up, leaving the best of the rest to fight for second place and scraps. Merry Christmas everybody!

• Who I like this week: THURSDAY GIANTS

SATURDAY BILLS FALCONS REDSKINS BROWNS PACKERS TITANS PATRIOTS RAIDERS RAMS SAINTS SEAHAWKS TEXANS

WEEK 16

NFL PICKS ZELAYA

BY INIGO ‘NAUGHT Y’ ZENICA

SUNDAY STEELERS CHIEFS

MONDAY COWBOYS

DOLPHINS defensive end Cameron Wake is a Pro Bowl defensive end for the fifth time, capping his comeback from a torn Achilles tendon. And now he has a chance to play in the postseason for the first time. (AP)

Adrian Peterson misses practice, outlook murky for Saturday

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI AP Sports Writer EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson did not practice yesterday and his outlook for the game against Green Bay on Saturday is in question.

Peterson said he had “a couple of nicks” that he was getting treatment and recovering after playing his first game in three months on Sunday.

Peterson played 12 snaps in his return from surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee, but the Vikings lost to the Colts, 34-6.

“I’m just taking it one day at a time, resting up,” Peterson said.

“Just came out with a couple of nicks and taking it one day at a time to see how it feels.”

Peterson rushed for 22 yards on six carries and had a fumble deep in Colts territory in the loss that likely knocked the Vikings (7-7) out of the playoffs.

Before he returned for that game, Peterson said he would likely not play if the Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention because it wouldn’t make sense to risk further injury.

“I’m focusing on making sure my body is completely

healthy and trying to get back out there as soon as possible,” Peterson said.

If Peterson is unable to play against the Packers or in the season finale against Chicago, there is a chance he will have played his last game as a Viking.

The 31-year-old is due to make $18 million next season and would likely have to take a significant pay cut to remain in Minnesota.

He is also coming off another injury, which could hurt his value on the free agent market.

Peterson declined to discuss his contract status, but said he has nothing to prove that would force him to try

to rush back on to the field if he’s not fully healthy.

“I’ve been here for 10 years and think I’ve done some OK things,” Peterson said. “You would have to ask the other side that question to see how they feel. For me, I don’t feel like I have anything to prove.”

Receiver Stefon Diggs (hip), safety Harrison Smith (ankle), receiver Laquon Treadwell (ankle) and right guard Brandon Fusco (concussion) also missed practice on Wednesday.

“Getting out there last week was big for me, just considering where I startVIKINGS running back Adrian Peterson warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on September 18 in Minneapolis. (AP)

ed,” Peterson said. “(Doctors told him) four to sixmonth recovery time. To be able to go out and try to help my team get a W, I

think that was good enough for everyone to see my heart and my desire to get back out there and help my team.”

GIANTS @ EAGLES BEGINS HOLIDAY WEEKEND OF PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer COMING off one of its best weeks ever, Pro Picks is ready to rock the holidays.

It all starts in Philadelphia tonight, and the Giants and Eagles can’t be too disappointed with a short week considering they get the Christmas weekend off.

For New York, the focus is on grabbing its first postseason spot in five seasons — or since it won the 2011 NFL title.

Sure, the Giants (10-4) still could win the NFC East, but they need plenty of help there, but a wild

card is their most probably avenue.

Besides, in their two most recent Super Bowl championships, they were road warriors in the playoffs.

“We talk about everything is out in front of us,” first-year coach Ben McAdoo says.

“We have to make sure we are taking care of the task at hand, and that is the important thing for us.

“We make sure that we focus our attention and we have to be where our feet are, especially in a week like this where every second counts. We can’t waste a second of any day leading up to the ballgame.”

PAGE 22, Thursday, December 22, 2016

Eastern Michigan’s bowl trip a long time coming

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer

EASTERN Michigan’s trip to the Bahamas Bowl this season caps a striking turnaround for the Eagles. Athletic director Heather Lyke began preparing for this moment a while ago.

“Two years ago, we started buying passports for our team.

That was all a part of the belief system,” Lyke said. “We were trying to show the kids that you have to expect success, and you have to be prepared for success.”

Two years ago, it was hard to imagine EMU playing any kind of postseason game. In fact, it was hard to envision it four months ago. The Eagles haven’t played in a bowl since 1987, but that drought finally ends Friday when coach Chris Creighton’s team takes on Old Dominion in the Bahamas.

The bowl is a primary partner for the Mid-American Conference. In fact, this game has had a MAC team from Michigan in all three seasons of its existence — Western Michigan went last year and Central Michigan played in the inaugural matchup in 2014.

So if a MAC team has any hope of being bowl eligible, it makes sense to plan ahead for a possible trip to the Bahamas, and Lyke figured buying passports could help instil in the players a sense of what was possible.

“They were like, ‘What are we doing?’” she said. “I was like, ‘We’re buying passports, because when we are bowl eligible, if the Bahamas calls, we are prepared and ready to go.’”

At that point, Eastern Michigan was one of the most consistently bad teams in the FBS. The Eagles went 6-6 in 2011 under Ron English, with two victories over FCS opponents. That was the only time from 2009-2015 that EMU won more than two games.

EASTERN Michigan head coach Chris Creighton, left, talks to wide receiver Mathew Sexton in an NCAA college football game against Missouri on September 10. (AP)

Lyke took over as athletic director in 2013, and Creighton was hired after the end of that year’s football season. The Eagles went 2-10 in his first year, then 1-11 in 2015. It seemed like not much had changed at EMU, but Creighton noticed progress.

“A lot of people like to talk about this season, but we made, I think, an enormous step from season one to season two,” he said. “Now, you don’t see that in the results, but in terms of the programme and the foundation and the culture and the people and the relationships and all of those things — we just weren’t good enough to win games, but so many of the necessary things were taking shape.”

While Creighton prepared for his third season at EMU, the programme’s very existence was called into question.

In April, a student and faculty report raised concerns about athletic spending and called on the school to consider drop-

ping football — or perhaps stop playing it in Division I. EMU responded with an open letter saying it had no plans to drop football or leave the MAC. If ever a team needed a good start to the season, this was it.

EMU opened against an FCS opponent, beating Mississippi Valley State 61-14. Then a trip to Missouri went predictably — the Eagles lost 61-21. The next two games — at Charlotte and home against Wyoming — would indicate how much progress EMU had really made.

Eastern Michigan beat Charlotte 37-19 and Wyoming 27-24, and just like that, the Eagles had as many wins as they’d managed through Creighton’s first two seasons. Then they opened MAC play with a 28-25 victory at defending champion Bowling Green.

In Creighton’s first season at EMU in 2014, the Eagles played road games against Florida and Michigan State, losing them by

a combined 138-14. The schedule was a bit more forgiving this time, which was important for a team trying to gain confidence and accumulate enough wins to play in a bowl.

“I feel as though the schedule the last two years has been very, very fair,” Creighton said.

“Whether we’re able to win those games or not, that’s up to us, but there’s a chance.”

EMU eventually secured bowl eligibility with wins at Ohio and Ball State, and when the Eagles won their regularseason finale against Central Michigan, they’d gone .500 in conference play after an 0-8 showing in 2015.

Now comes the Bahamas Bowl, the culmination of this season of accomplishment.

“I would say it’s a starting point,” Lyke said. “Our goal is to keep building upon this opportunity — and not to be another 29 years before we go to another bowl game.”

THE TRIBUNE

WESTERN KENTUCKY BEATS MEMPHIS IN BOCA BOWL, 51-31

By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer BOCA RATON, Florida (AP) — The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers threw to their tackle, ran a trick play from their victory formation and kept scoring touchdowns for Nick Holt, their one-and-done interim coach.

Senior Anthony Wales gained 329 yards from scrimmage and Western Kentucky earned a bowl victory for the third year in a row by beating Memphis 51-31 Tuesday night in the Boca Raton Bowl.

“Coach Holt gave us great energy,” Wales said. “We all love him, and we were able to show everybody how great we are.”

Oddsmakers had projected the game to be the highest-scoring of the bowl season, and even Western Kentucky left tackle Forrest Lamp got into the act, scoring on a 9-yard razzle-dazzle catch-and-run. The Hilltoppers (11-3) totalled 598 yards for Holt, who was filling in after coach Jeff Brohm left this month to become coach at Purdue.

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Sanford was chosen over Holt as Brohm’s replacement next season, and attended the game.

“I told the kids it has been two weeks of some of the happiest football of my life,” Holt said. “They don’t care really right now who’s the head coach. They believe in each other.”

Wales ran for a career-high 245 yards on 35 carries, added 84 yards on four catches and scored three times. Teammate Mike White threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

Taywan Taylor had nine catches for 144 yards and his 17th touchdown of the season.

It was another successful finale for the Hilltoppers, who won the Miami Beach Bowl last year and the Bahamas Bowl in 2014.

Memphis (8-5) lost in a bowl game for the second consecutive year. The Tigers’ Riley Ferguson threw for 372 yards and four scores, but they couldn’t keep up with the Hilltoppers.

“They’re good,” Memphis coach Mike Norvell said. “A missed assignment, a bust in communication, and they can expose you.”