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SPORTS SECTION E

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017

FINISH LINE

Column, Page 3

It’s GameDay: 4th Bahamas Bowl kicks off in style By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE preparation for the stakeholders, participating teams, fans, locals and visitors are complete and game day is finally here. The fourth edition of the Bahamas Bowl, a matchup between the Ohio University Bobcats and the University of AlabamaBirmingham Blazers, kicks off 12:30pm today at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. The game represents a history-making experience for both teams as the Blazers will make their first bowl appearance since 2004 in their first year since the programme returned from

a shutdown while the Bobcats will play in their fourth consecutive bowl game. Blazers head coach Bill Clark called the bowl week events an experience that will resonate with his team well beyond the football field. “It is really good to be here. I can’t tell you how honoured we are to be here. What a great event. I got to come down to the Bahamas a few years ago at Conference USA’s invitation. Just to see the hard

LET THE BOWL BEGIN: Shown (l-r) are Lea Miller-Tooley, Bahamas Bowl director of sales and marketing, Bill Clark, UAB Blazers head coach, Frank Solich, Ohio Bobcats head coach, and Richard Giannini, Bahamas Bowl executive director.

work everyone has put in between the Bahamas Bowl staff, the Atlantis Bahamas, the Bahamas government is incredible. On behalf of UAB, we are very proud to be here. Our administration, students, team and fans are just so grateful to be here,” he said. “I have been here before and really knew how special it was. For these guys to experience something like this is special. We have discussed the percentage of these guys that will have the opportunity to come back. I have had guys that have been at bowl games at other places but I don’t think they have been to one that compares to what we have seen

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Nationals: Top tennis players secure their berths in finals

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net t will be a rematch between the Newman brothers in the men’s final of the Giorgio Baldacci National Open, while former Fed Cuppers Kerrie Cartwright and Danielle Thompson will meet in the ladies’ draw. The players all secured their berths in the semifinals of the main draw of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s weeklong tournament at the National Tennis Centre yesterday. Defending champion Baker Newman prevailed with a hard fought 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 win over fellow Davis Cupper Philip Major Jr, while runner-up Spencer Newman got by Philip Major Jr 7-5, 6-4. And as top seed Kerrie Cartwright outlasted Simone Pratt 6-4, 6-3, Danielle Thompson joined her in the final without having to break a sweat as her opponent, veteran Larikah Russell, didn’t show up.

The tournament served as the trials for both the Bahamas’ Davis Cup for men and the Fed Cup for women and by virtue of their performances, all eight players mentioned will be considered for selection by the BLTA.

KERRIE CARTWRIGHT (left) and Baker Newman in action during the Giorgio Baldacci National Open. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

MEN’S SEMIS Newman held off Major Jr In what turned out to be the epic match of the semifinal on the men’s side, Major Jr pulled away from a 5-5 tie to break Newman and went on to hold serve for the first set. In the second set, Major Jr went up 4-1, but he couldn’t close the door as Newman rallied back to force the 5-5 tie and returned the favour to even the score. As it got a bit dark on court three, officials moved the match to the stadium court under the lights and a rejuvenated Newman pulled away from a 1-1 tie to win the next five games to seal the deal.

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Sunland Baptist senior boys claim championship title in Orlando Page 5

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Sunland Baptist Academy Stingers senior boys basketball team spent the beginning of their holiday vacation playing against international competition. The Stingers claimed the championship title in the second annual Deep South Christian Christmas Classic, hosted in Orlando, Florida. The Stingers defeated the Gateway Christian Academy Eagles in the title game led by tournament MVP Howard Burrows who scored a team high 12 points and

grabbed 13 rebounds in the finale. Joshua Cornish, an All-Tournament team selection, finished with 11 points and seven assists. Kobe Symonette also contributed with 10 points and six rebounds. The Stingers advanced to the finals with a 61-59 win over Downey Christian School. They featured a balanced scoring attack led by Burrows and his 14 points. Eudancel McPhee had a career high 10 points, Cornish chipped in with 10 points and Martie Davis provided a spark off the bench with eight points and 10 rebounds.

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SUNLAND Baptist Stingers senior boys basketball team with their trophy.

PAGE 2, Friday, December 22, 2017

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PICTURED (l-r) are Guillermo Rameriz (IJF), Jeff Rodgers (MOT), Virginia Kelly (MOT), Jose Rodriguez (IJF), Tim Munnings (MYSC), Deacon D’Arcy Rahming (BJF) and Philip Kemp (BJF).

Officials discuss bringing World Junior Judo Championships to Bahamas in October next year BAHAMIAN officials met with Jose Rodriguez, director of the International Judo Federation (IJF), and Guillermo Ramirez, financier and president of the IJF Events company, to discuss bringing the World Junior Judo Championships to the Bahamas in October 2018. The Bahamas was able to be shortlisted for the tournament as North Korea was changed as the host country due to the political situation. “We met with government officials from

the Ministry of Sport and Tourism. “We toured some hotel properties and were pleasantly surprised at the reception,” Rodriquez said. “The Bahamas is an ideal country for an international sporting event.” Other countries on the shortlist are Thailand and Columbia. The Bahamas Government has until January 11 to decide. “These Judo Championships will impact us positively in many ways,” said Deacon D’Arcy

Rahming, president of the Bahamas Judo Federation. “Not only can we win at this level, no Bahamian could argue that the economics do not work.  “The IJF provides a turnkey solution and the return to the Bahamas in direct tax dollars, heads and beds and economic impact are many times the investment. “I am confident that we will win the bid and I have had some very positive indications that the championships will be held here. The IJF is even

guaranteeing 400 rooms up front and we expect this to be a minimum number,” Mr Rahming added. The World Junior Championships have regularly attracted over 2,000 persons from 100 countries, including athletes, support staff, fans and family. It will be aired in 106 countries and is streamed live over the internet. Judo emerged during the Commonwealth Youth Games as a medal sport. It is widely practiced in the Bahamas in clubs and various schools.

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Friday, December 22, 2017, PAGE 3

Taking ‘a different twist’ with my Christmas prayer ALL things considered, it’s Christmas and with it comes the expectations of the surprises in the presents wrapped under the tree. This has been another banner year for sports in the country and as we embrace for this most festive time of the year, I would just like to take a different twist to this week’s column by offering my Christmas Prayer.

ome what it may, Christmas has come faster than any of us anticipated, so we pause to acknowledge the man above, who has been with us from day one. God, in sending your son Jesus into this world as a babe, who grew up from a boy into a man and has ascended back to you, we appreciate and hold you in high esteem and appreciate all that you have done for us. ere, in the Bahamas, we have been fortunate this year to witness some miraculous performances by our Bahamians, both locally and internationally and it just shows what could be accomplished with hard work and dedication. Bless those who have succeeded, especially in keeping the name of the Bahamas high on the list and the national flag flying brightly at the major competitions like the Commonwealth Youth Games, the IAAF World Relays and the IAAF World Championships. emember those who have fallen by the wayside this year and have their mark in the sand of time. We thank them for the time they spent and the knowledge they shared through the contributions they made to the

development of our nation through sports. Our sporting bodies have been that much richer because they passed this way. We pray that their memories will be immortalised for generations to come by those they have left behind. ncrease the participation of our athletes so that they can continue to excel like those who did in securing professional contracts to play baseball and those who have been afforded the opportunities to pursue their athletic dreams on their attainment of scholarships. We look forward to watching their progress as they further develop their skills at their various institutions of higher learning and that they will be available to play a significant role on our various national teams in the future. tand by our executives and administrators as they govern the sports they have been entrusted with as leaders, abiding by the rules and regulations that have been the hallmark of the sporting bodies. Too many times, we’ve seen how administrators and executives have been voted into office or received their appointments, but they have not all lived up to the expectations that they have been entrusted with. each us all dear Lord to become better students of the game, improving on our craft by

abiding by the rules and ensuring that we don’t fall prey to those things that have affected sports such as the use of illegal substances. Where there have been issues of corruption, whether in the taking of enhancing substances or bribes to do something that is unethical, we pray that we do our best to stay on the straight and narrow path. ake this a place and a group of people who will continue to open doors for bigger and bigger things to come in the future. While we are appreciative of our achievements so far, we know that there is a whole lot more on the horizon because we know that the sky is the limit. ssist us Lord in providing the means to complete those projects that are still on the back burner and are so vital to the growth and development of our nation. I bring quickly to mind the new national baseball stadium that is sitting like a white elephant. It’s one of those projects that can make a world of a difference considering the tremendous success that we have seen achieved by the many players now in the pipeline for major baseball. ince we are on the eve of Christmas, I pray that we can unwrap the many gifts that you have placed under the tree for all of our people to

UAB faces Ohio, seeks first-ever bowl win in second try Bahamas Bowl: UAB (8-4) vs Ohio (8-4), Friday, December 22, 12:30pm ET (ESPN) Line: Ohio by 7 Series record: First meeting WHAT’S AT STAKE? The Blazers had their best year as an FBS team, restarting the programme after a two-year hiatus from competition and winning a school-record eight games. A victory in only their second-ever bowl game would do wonders for recruiting. Ohio had a strong season in the MidAmerican Conference and a victory would give the Bobcats their first bowl win since 2012. They have lost their last three. KEY MATCHUP The Ohio defence against UAB’s run game. The Bobcats held five opponents to under 70 yards rushing and the Blazers rank second in Conference USA with 27 rushing TDs and have had at least two rushing touchdowns in all but two games this season. UAB TB Spencer Brown, named Conference USA freshman of the year (1,292 yards rushing, 10 TDs), has excelled in the Blazers’ victories, averaging 125 yards rushing but averaged only 72 yards in their four losses. PLAYERS TO WATCH UAB: Senior CB Darious Williams finished the regular season ranked second nationally in passes defended with 20 (1.7/ game) and led Conference USA in both interceptions (five) and pass breakups (15). Ohio: QB Nathan Rourke passed for 2,018 yards and 15 TDs, and

WILLIAMS

ROURKE rushed for 1,032 yards and 21 TDs. He needs one more touchdown to tie the school record for touchdowns responsible for. FACTS & FIGURES UAB QB AJ Erdely accounted for 29 touchdowns in the regular season, 16 passing and 13 rushing, and completed 61.8

per cent of his passes with four interceptions. Ohio LB Quentin Poling, who will be playing his final game for the Bobcats, ranks 10th in school history with 370 career tackles and needs 18 to move into a tie with Scott Zele (1990-92). UAB ranks 18th nationally in red zone offence, scoring 34 TDs in 45 trips inside their opponents’ 20. The Blazers are tied for seventh nationally in third-down conversion percentage at 47.6 (81 for 170). Ohio has scored a schoolrecord 467 points this season and is the only FBS programme in the country to have had the same head coach, offensive and defensive coordinator over the past 12 years. The Bahamas Bowl is the first postseason FBS bowl game outside the United States or Canada between two US teams since the 1937 Bacardi Bowl in Havana, Cuba.

SEASON’S GREETINGS: It is Christmas and with it comes the expectations of the surprises in the presents wrapped under the tree. I pray that we can unwrap the many gifts that you have placed under the tree for all of our people to enjoy as we prepare for the uncertainty of 2018. enjoy as we prepare for the uncertainty of 2018. Let us not take for granted that we are indeed a blessed nation and you continue to watch and guide us in all

of our endeavours. I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all who constantly read this column and offer your sentiments from time to time. It’s those of you who

continue to inspire me to be as objective as possible in producing the pieces that help to sensitise the nation to the facts as they occur on a daily basis.

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Nationals: Top tennis players secure their berths in finals FROM PAGE 1 “It was a long match. PJ played well. It was my first long match in a long time, so I was happy with the win,” said Newman, who came from a 5-4 deficit in the second set to turn the match around. “There were some pressure points out there for sure.” Despite the loss, Major Jr said it was a match filled with a lot of emotions. “I was up 4-1 and serving at 40-15 and the momentum changed,” he said. “Because I wasn’t playing that much, the rust kicked in the brain more than physically and I paid the price. “Throughout the rest of the match, I was not mentally engaged. So it is just a part of missing the sport for so long. I’ve been out for about six months. So I’m not upset about how I played. I know I need to put in a lot of physical work and lose a lot of weight.” As for the final, Baker Newman said he expects that he and Spencer Newman will go to a third and deciding set when they play at 4pm today. In the meanwhile, Major Jr said he came into the tournament not expecting anything and now he’s back on the Davis Cup team, so he’s thankful for that and he assured the public that he will be ready for the competition next year. Newman swept Major Jr In what was billed as the marquee men’s match, Kevin Major Jr blew a 4-2 lead in the first set and 5-1 in the second as Spencer Newman surged back to pull off the two-set sweep. “It was next and next the entire time. In the first set, we were back and forth early. I was up a break and then he broke back and so it was good to get the (win),” Newman said. “Then in the second set, Kevin was up 3-1, but it

wasn’t over until it over. I just didn’t give up.” Back in the final for the third straight year, Newman said he was working hard for this opportunity and, even though he’s facing his brother, he’s not taking anything for granted. “I don’t look at the match any different no matter who I’m playing,” he said. “I’m coming prepared to play the same way and compete and leave it all on the line and look for the W (win).” In falling short of getting into the final, Major Jr said he made too many mistakes to hold off Newman. “Spencer is a very consistent player,” he said. “With my mistakes, it was pretty hard for me to stay ahead in the match.” But Major Jr said he’s excited that he will be back in the mix for the Davis Cup team and he’s confident that based on the quartet, anyone can play singles and they will be able to hold their own against their opponents. Cartwright earned her berth Prior to the start of the tournament, the build up was about the match-up between WTA ranked Kerrie Cartwright and collegian Simone Pratt as they made their return to playing in the Bahamas again. Both players didn’t disappoint the fans as they put on a show in their semi-final. However, after Pratt broke for a 2-2 tie in the first set, Cartwright got the break back to go up 3-2 and she stayed ahead for the win. Cartwright got a break to open the second set and when she went up 4-1 on another break, it was smooth sailing as she broke again at 5-3 and held serve to wrap up the set and match. “I think I played pretty good. I fought hard and I played good,” Cartwright said.

Pratt said it was a good match and she felt they both played well. “It was a good match,” Pratt said. “It was a good experience being back out here after playing some college tennis. I think we will have a great team going into the Fed Cup.” In the meantime, Cartwright has some unfinished business when she takes on Thompson at 2pm today in the final. “I love Danielle and I’m excited that she made it to the final too,” Cartwright stressed. “I can’t wait to play her tomorrow. We played a few times since we were juniors, so it will be good to see how we look against each other now.” Thompson, who got past Russell without playing, said she is looking forward to meeting Cartwright in the final. “I don’t know the last time I played Kerrie, but I’m just going to go out there and give it my all,” she insisted. “I just need to keep my competitive spirit up there and give it my best.” Thompson, who like Cartwright and Pratt was making her return to the tournament for a break, said she’s excited that the four players who emerged on top have all played together on the Fed Cup team. • Here’s how they advanced through the main draw: Men’s division Baker Newman def. William Fountain 6-1, 6-0; Philip Major Jr. def. Jody Turnquest 6-2, 6-2; Kevin Major Jr. def. Joshua Turnquest 7-5, 6-1, 4-0 retired; Spencer Newman def. Marvin Rolle 6-4, 6-2. Ladies’ division Kerrie Cartwright def. Sierra Donaldson 6-1, 6-0; Simone Pratt def. Sydney Clarke 6-1, 6-2; Larikah Russell def. Afrika Smith 6-0, 6-0 and Danielle Thompson def. Donesha Gibson 6-2, 6-0.

THE STINGERS defeated the Gateway Christian Academy Eagles in the title game led by tournament MVP Howard Burrows who scored a team high 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the finale.

Sunland Baptist senior boys claim championship title in Orlando FROM PAGE 1 The Stingers began the tournament with a 79-70 win over Conrad Academy in the semi-final. Marlin Desir led all scorers with a career high 26 points while Burrows added a double double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Cornish dished out a career high 11 assists and finished

one point shy of a double double of his own with nine points. Martie Davis chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds. In game two, the Stingers won their most lopsided game of the tournament with a 64-40 win over Victory High School. Symonette led the team with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Burrows added 10 points. Cornish

chipped in with six points and four assists and Davis added eight points and seven rebounds. Last December, the Stingers spent the holiday season participating in the 26th Annual Daytona Beach Sunshine Classic in Daytona, Florida. They finished the tournament at 2-2 and lost to eventual champions Atlantic High out of New Jersey.

It’s Gameday: 4th Bahamas Bowl kicks off in style FROM PAGE 1 so far. This trip has been above and beyond anything we could have asked for. Now we just have to go out and try and win a football game.” Clark added that a win in a bowl game would be a perfect ending to a storybook season and show gratitude to the Birmingham community that willed the programme back through fundraising efforts. “Our fans have been tremendous. This whole process was funded by our community. The proof was in the pudding. They not only talked about it, but they showed up and put their own money forward for this programme. Just seeing our fans walking around with pride is great. This is what it is all about,” he said. “We feel that is not only important to represent our city and fans but also our conference. Conference USA is a great conference and we play really well outside our conference. We are really proud at what we did inside the conference this year because it is so competitive. I think it shows in these bowl games. Our conference is doing well.” Bobcats head coach Frank Solich said the Bahamas Bowl experience presented new opportunities for his players and their families, but the focus remains on leaving with the title. “It’s been great. This gives an opportunity to a lot of players, a lot of coaches on our staff who had never been down here, and their families. It’s opened up a whole new ballgame for all of us so we certainly appreciate the opportunity. In my history of coaching I’ve been to an awful lot of bowls and I think you do a great job here. It’s second-to-none in terms of hospitality. I think you’ve got the right amount of activities for the players, and yet still allow the opportunity for free time. If you have free time, where would you rather have it than at the Atlantis properties? We’re very thankful for being here, and we hope to put on a great show,” he said. “We took the stance that you can have fun and win a bowl game. That’s what we came down here to do. We certainly wanted to give our

players some free time, let them get around and see the resort. There’s obviously an awful lot to do and an awful lot to see. As you get closer to the game there’s got to be some balance there, and I think our guys have done a great job of that. Now we’re starting to get off our legs and resting for the game – staying out of the sun, staying out of the water. I think we’ve got the right plan to have a great deal of energy when the game kicks off.” The 16 combined victories (eight each for UAB and Ohio) between this year’s teams is tied for the most in Bahamas Bowl history with last year’s matchup between Eastern Michigan and Old Dominion. This will be the first meeting between UAB and Ohio. Conference USA leads the Bahamas Bowl series, 2-1 over the MAC. UAB (8-4 overall, 6-2 in Conference USA play) is one of the most inspirational stories of the 2017 college football season. The Blazers football programme was cut, along with two other sports, after the 2014 season, but a unprecedented fundraising effort by businesses and fans in the Birmingham area resulted in an announcement six months later by the university that the programme would return in 2017. After the two-year hiatus, UAB returned to the field and won a school-FBS record eight games. Clark, who is in his second season (14-10 record at UAB; 25-14 in three seasons overall as a collegiate head coach) at UAB, stayed through the programme’s hiatus and led the Blazers to the school’s second bowl bid in its’ history (2004 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl). They come into the Bahamas Bowl with six victories in their last eight games to finish second in Conference USA’s West Division. UAB won all six home games, and the six C-USA victories were also the most in the Blazers’ history. Redshirt senior linebacker Tevin Crews led the team with 95 tackles. “A lot of people have fought for this university, for this football team to come back. It has been a tremendous driving force for this team. The days you do not feel

like working that hard, you think of how somebody has made a sacrifice for us and it is time for us to do the same for them. It has never gone unnoticed. We will never forget the people that did tremendous things to bring this programme back. We are very appreciative of the Birmingham community, we have a great fan base and we love them to death,” Crews said. “Earlier this week, we sat down and discussed prioritising. You enjoy the moment when you are out having fun at the water park and other things

like that but when we get up in the morning and go to the meeting rooms, it is all business. You have to understand that we are here to have fun but the main goal is to win a football game. We have some really good practices since we have landed in the Bahamas and that is because of how we prioritised our time.” Fellow senior linebacker Shaq Jones gained national notoriety for his article published in The Player’s Tribune detailing the emotional roller coaster of the fall and resurgence of the Blazers football programme. “It will be a proud moment if we get this win because it’s something I can tell my kids and my future grandkids,” Jones said. Ohio (8-4 overall, 5-3 in MidAmerican Conference play) will be led to its 11th all-time bowl appearance by Solich, who is in his 13th season (96-71 record) at Ohio and his 19th as a college head coach (154-90 record) overall. Solich, who also served as the head coach at Nebraska from 1998-2003, has taken the Bobcats to nine bowls, including in each of the last three seasons. He is the third-longest tenured coach in the FBS ranks. The Bobcats come into the Bahamas Bowl with four victories

in the last six games as Ohio finished second in the MAC East Division Sophomore quarterback Nathan Rourke holds the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 21 (second in FBS), and his 37 total touchdowns responsible for is one away from tying the Ohio season record. He also has thrown for 2,018 passing yards and 15 TDs. Rourke said the success of the offence has been based on balance, but that success will be tested against a stingy UAB defence. “It’s been a combination of things. You can’t really put it on one thing. First of all, our offensive line has been really experienced and gotten a lot of reps. It’s really allowed both our running backs and myself to get to some open lanes and expose some holes in the defence, and that’s just a complement to them. It’s a combination of balancing the run and the pass. When you can do both pretty efficiently, it’s hard for the defence to stop,” he said. “They definitely have some really good players in the secondary. They have a really good defence – I don’t know if you can just say the secondary. Their defence is very well-rounded and very well-coached. You can tell that throughout the games because we’ve watched them and they do a lot of great things and a lot of different looks. We’ve really got to figure out what they’re going to do against us and what their game plan is and move forward in that regard.” Redshirt senior linebacker Quentin Poling leads the team with 102 tackles, including 47 solo stops, 12.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He also leads the team with 5.5 sacks. “When I’m looking back on my career, I think the last game is going to be the one that sticks out the most obvious.” Poling said. “Talking to Dak Notestine, our strength coach, he played at Ohio and ended his career in a bowl game that didn’t go very well for them. He constantly reminds us that we don’t want to look back on our career and think about it and have that be the last memory

like he did. Having someone who really went through it all first hand in our shoes just a couple years ago has been a good reminder for us.” Tickets can be purchased in-person at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium Box Office or via National Stadium Authority-Bahamas website at NSA-Bahamas.com. Prices start at $10 for general admission and range from $10-$30. Prior to the big bowl game, football fans will be treated to the full NCAA football experience. The Tailgate Extravaganza will be held in the eastern parking lot of the stadium from 9am to noon. Entertainment during the event will include performances from the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band, the Valley Boys, Saxons, and marching bands from both participating schools. The 2017 gameday entertainment includes a pregame performance by the Bahamas All-Star Band, a halftime performance by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and Junkanoo groups will perform during the break between the first and second quarters as well as the break between the third and fourth quarters. For the second straight year, the game date falls at the start of a long holiday weekend in the Bahamas, allowing for an early Friday afternoon game. Crowds of over 13,000 each year in Nassau have watched the only current bowl game played outside of the US. The inaugural game in 2014 saw WKU beat Central Michigan 49-48 in a memorable offensive shootout. In 2015, Western Michigan beat Middle Tennessee 45-31 and last year, Old Dominion held off Eastern Michigan 24-20. “You don’t have to be a football fan, we ought to be a fan of every effort to put forth to promote this country and you get to see why we are going out into the market to host these events,” said NSA General Manager Jeff Beckles. “To those who experience the Bahamas for the first time, we want to create partnerships for a lifetime. The only place we want them to think about is coming to the Bahamas.”

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Friday, December 22, 2017, PAGE 5

Cavs assign Isaiah Thomas to G-League team to practice By TOM WITHERS Associated Press CLEVELAND (AP) — Isaiah Thomas is one big step closer to joining the Cavaliers. Cleveland assigned the All-Star point guard to its Canton G-League team so he could practice and scrimmage with the Charge yesterday, a significant development in his recovery from a torn labrum in his right hip. Thomas was scheduled to work out at the Cavs’ training facility in Independence. On Wednesday, Thomas said how his body responds from the stress of 5-on-5 scrimmages will determine how soon he’ll be able to make his debut with Cleveland. He’s been sidelined since aggravating a hip injury in the playoffs last season with the Boston Celtics. The Cavs have said since October that they believed

Thomas would be able to play in NBA games by January 1. The 28-year-old was acquired during a hectic offseason in a trade for All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. The Celtics sent Thomas, forward Jae Crowder, centre Ante Zizic and a draft pick to Cleveland in the blockbuster deal. Cleveland is eager to add him to the lineup, and LeBron James has sensed that Thomas is ready. “Yeah, his attitude is getting worse and worse because he’s getting closer and closer,” James said following the team’s morning shootaround before hosting the Chicago Bulls. “When you get closer and closer to something you love and you want, your attitude actually gets worse.” Thomas, who averaged 28.9 points last season as one of the NBA’s top playmakers, said he wants to be “special” when he returns

to the floor and not “just another body.” After a slow start, the Cavaliers have won 18 of 20 and 11 straight at home. They’ll visit the Golden State Warriors on Christmas and play at Sacramento and Utah next week before returning to Cleveland to face Portland on January 2. The next day, they’ll play in Boston for their second matchup with Irving. This time, they might have Thomas on the floor. “We’re all excited for when he’s able to come back to the team, but he’s been around the team all year,” James said. “It’s not like he hasn’t been here and he’s been at a rehab centre or something. Whenever he’s ready to go, we’ll be ready. He’s never had a timetable here. When he’s ready to go and the training staff gives him the OK and the docs give him the OK, it will be an exciting time for our team.”

IN this file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers’ Isaiah Thomas poses for a portrait during media day in Independence, Ohio. The Cavaliers have assigned injured point guard Isaiah Thomas to their Canton GLeague team so he can practice. Thomas is nearing his debut with Cleveland after being sidelined all season with a hip injury, and full-court scrimmages are the next step in his rehab. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

NBA CAPSULES LAKERS 122, ROCKETS 116 HOUSTON (AP) — Rookie forward Kyle Kuzma set career highs with 38 points and seven 3-pointers, and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame 51 points from James Harden to end the Houston Rockets’ 14-game winning streak with a 122-116 victory Wednesday night. It was Houston’s first loss since November 14 and snapped a three-game skid for the Lakers. The game was tied before Los Angeles scored 10 straight points — while Houston missed seven shots in a row — to go up 110100 with about four minutes left. Houston ended an almost four-minute scoring drought when Harden made a free throw, and he added three more after being fouled on a 3-point attempt a few seconds later to cut it to 110-104. But former Rocket Corey Brewer made a 3-pointer before Lonzo Ball hit two free throws to make it 115-104. HEAT 90, CELTICS 89 BOSTON (AP) — Kelly Olynyk scored a career-high 32 points in his rousing return to Boston, and undermanned Miami hung on a victory. On a night when the Celtics honoured their former forward in his first game back, the popular Olynyk received a standing ovation from Boston fans and led the Heat to another win against the top team in the Eastern Conference. Josh Richardson had 19 points and six assists for Miami, which took two of three in the season series. The Heat ended Boston’s 16-game winning streak earlier this season with a victory at home. Olynyk signed with Miami as a free agent during the offseason. His previous high was 30 points on December 15, 2014. Kyrie Irving paced the Celtics with 33 points, but missed a jumper from the right wing that bounced off the rim at the buzzer. WARRIORS 97, GRIZZLIES 84 OAKLAND, California (AP) — Klay Thompson scored 27 of his 29 points in the first half and made his first nine field goal attempts, leading undermanned Golden State past Memphis for its 10th straight win. Kevin Durant added 22 points and eight rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who were down five regulars again. Two-time MVP Stephen Curry sat out his sixth straight game with a sprained right ankle. Thompson shot 10 for 16 overall and didn’t miss until a 3-point try with 6:10 left before halftime. Marc Gasol had 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Memphis, which started a stretch with seven of eight games on the road. The Grizzlies were 10 of 44 in the second half and committed 17 turnovers overall. BULLS 112, MAGIC 94 CHICAGO (AP) — Denzel Valentine had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Nikola Mirotic had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Chicago beat Orlando for its seventh straight win. The Bulls had lost 10 straight with Mirotic out of the lineup prior to his return Dec. 8, and they haven’t lost since to improve to 10-20. Nikola Vucevic scored 18 points for Orlando, which lost its sixth in a row. SPURS 93, TRAIL BLAZERS 91 PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points, and Pau Gasol had 20 points and a season-high 17 rebounds in San Antonio’s victory over Portland. Aldridge hit 10 of 17 shots against his former team. Gasol and Aldridge each

HOUSTON Rockets guard James Harden (13) backs into Lakers guard Josh Hart (5) in the first half of Wednesday night’s game in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) scored 16 points during the first half to help the Spurs (22-10) win their third consecutive game. The short-handed Spurs were without Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker. Both were rested on the first night of a back-toback. Leonard and Parker are recovering from quadriceps injuries. TIMBERWOLVES 112, NUGGETS 104 DENVER (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Jimmy Butler also scored 25 and Minnesota beat Denver. Jamal Crawford added 20 points and seven assists off the bench for the Timberwolves, who rallied from 14 down to end Denver’s eight-game home winning streak. The Nuggets were without leading scorer Gary Harris and backup point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, forcing coach Michael Malone to use his 13th different starting lineup. Malone went with a bigger group and started Nikola Jokic and Mason Plumlee together for the first time this season. It worked for most of the game, but the Nuggets faltered after taking an 80-66 lead late in the third quarter. THUNDER 107, JAZZ 79 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Russell Westbrook had 24 points and 10 rebounds to help the Oklahoma City Thunder roll past the Utah Jazz 107-79 on Wednesday night. Westbrook made 10 of 13 shots and had seven assists and four steals. Oklahoma City has won eight of 11 after a rough start to the season. The Thunder (16-15) are

above .500 for the first time since early November. RAPTORS 129, HORNETS 111 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored 18 of his 28 points after halftime and Toronto overcame a slow start to beat Charlotte for its fourth straight win. Serge Ibaka scored 15 of his 24 points in the first half for Toronto, and OG Anunoby shot 6 of 7 from beyond the arc while scoring 20 points. Toronto has won 10 of 11 and is in third place in the Eastern Conference. PACERS 105, HAWKS 95 ATLANTA (AP) — Victor Oladipo scored 23 points, Myles Turner had 20 and Indiana beat Atlanta. Bojan Bogdanovic had 19 points as Indiana won for the second time in five games. The Pacers rallied from a sluggish start to shoot 48.8 percent. Atlanta has yet to win consecutive games this season and dropped to 7-24. The Hawks bench outscored Indiana’s 46-28, led by 18 points and nine rebounds from John Collins. KINGS 104, NETS 99 NEW YORK (AP) — George Hill scored 22 points, Zach Randolph added 21 and Sacramento completed its first backto-back sweep of the season by beating Brooklyn. The Kings got off to a sizzling start following their victory in Philadelphia a night earlier, then held on after Brooklyn cut a

21-point lead to two with just over a minute to play. MAVERICKS 110, PISTONS 93 DALLAS (AP) — Harrison Barnes scored 25 points, rookie Dennis Smith Jr. had 15 points and five assists in his return from a hip injury and Dallas beat Detroit. The Mavericks, last in the Western Conference, won for just the second time in eight games while ending a three-game Detroit winning streak that followed seven straight losses by the Pistons. Anthony Tolliver led Detroit with a season-high 18 points, going 4 of 6 from 3-point range. CLIPPERS 108, SUNS 94 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Rivers scored 21 points, DeAndre Jordan grabbed 20 rebounds and Los Angeles beat Phoenix to end a three-game skid. Back home from a 1-4 road trip, the injury-depleted Clippers had lost seven of 10 before leading all the way against a young Suns team that has its own injury woes. T.J. Warren led Phoenix with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Josh Jackson added 17 points. The Suns dropped their ninth in a row to the Clippers at Staples Center.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 22, 2017, PAGE 7

EUROPEAN SOCCER WEEKEND: WHAT TO WATCH IN THE MAIN LEAGUES WHAT to watch in the leading soccer leagues in Europe this weekend: SPAIN Barcelona will visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday looking to make a knockout blow to Real Madrid’s teetering title defence. Madrid is in fourth place and 11 points behind leader Barcelona, although it has a game in hand. A win for Barcelona, which is undefeated in all competitions since losing both legs of the seasonopening Spanish Super Cup, would put Zinedine Zidane’s side in an enormous hole before the winter break. Secondplace Atletico Madrid will also try to benefit from the match between its title rivals. Atletico visits struggling Espanyol today, six points behind the pacesetters and aiming for a fifth consecutive win. Third-place Valencia faces a tough regional derby against Villarreal on Saturday. — By Joseph Wilson in Barcelona

ENGLAND Arsenal has one of the strongest home records in the Premier League. Liverpool has been in exhilarating form on the road. Something has to give when two of the contenders for Champions League qualification meet at Emirates Stadium on Friday in the standout match of the 19th round, which marks the halfway point in the league. Liverpool has 16 goals in its last four away matches — all of them wins — and occupies fourth position in the standings, a point and a place ahead of an Arsenal team with eight victories in nine home games. On a 16-match winning run, Manchester City takes a lead of 11 points into a home match against injuryhit Bournemouth. Second-place Manchester United visits Leicester while Chelsea, three points further back in third place, is away to Everton. — By Steve Douglas in Manchester

REAL Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo connects with an overhead kick during the Champions League final match against Juventus at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff, Wales. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 59° F/15° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Mostly sunny and nice

Patchy clouds

Partly sunny

Mostly sunny and pleasant

Humid with plenty of sunshine

Mostly sunny with a shower in spots

High: 81°

Low: 70°

High: 82° Low: 67°

High: 81° Low: 67°

High: 82° Low: 68°

High: 81° Low: 69°

AccuWeather RealFeel

91° F

74° F

86°-74° F

88°-71° F

87°-69° F

86°-68° F

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 65° F/18° 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.

almanac

ABACO

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 71° F/22° C

4-8 knots

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 67° F/19° C

4-8 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

W S

WEST PALM BEACH

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 63° F/17° C

MIAMI

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 69° F/21° C

4-8 knots

ITALY The best attack faces the best defence as Juventus hosts Roma on Saturday. Juventus is second in Serie A with 41 points — one less than Napoli in what is shaping up to be the tightest title race in years. Inter Milan is third on 40 points, with Roma on 38 — but with a game in hand on the top three. Roma has conceded only 10 in 16 matches but its defence will be tested by Juventus, which has scored 44 in 17 matches. The sides had mixed fortunes midweek: Paulo Dybala broke his goal drought and also set up one as Juventus beat Genoa 2-0 in the Italian Cup. It would have faced Roma in the quarter-finals but the capital side lost at home to Torino 2-1. Elsewhere, Napoli hosts Sampdoria, while Inter will be looking to bounce back from its defeat to Udinese — its first loss all season — when it visits Sassuolo. — By Daniella Matar in Milan

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 64° F/18° C Normal high ....................................... 79° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 67° F/19° C Last year’s high ................................. 83° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 68° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 38.72” Normal year to date ................................... 39.20”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

KEY WEST

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

4-8 knots

6-12 knots

ANDROS

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

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

10:10 a.m. 10:34 p.m.

2.7 2.1

3:52 a.m. 4:40 p.m.

0.1 0.1

Saturday

10:49 a.m. 11:19 p.m.

2.6 2.2

4:34 a.m. 5:20 p.m.

0.3 0.2

Sunday

11:32 a.m. -----

2.5 -----

5:20 a.m. 6:03 p.m.

0.4 0.2

Monday

12:08 a.m. 12:20 p.m.

2.2 2.4

6:12 a.m. 6:49 p.m.

0.5 0.1

Tuesday

1:02 a.m. 1:13 p.m.

2.3 2.4

7:11 a.m. 7:40 p.m.

0.5 0.0

Wednesday 1:59 a.m. 2:10 p.m.

2.5 2.3

8:13 a.m. 0.4 8:33 p.m. -0.2

Thursday

2.6 2.4

9:17 a.m. 0.2 9:29 p.m. -0.4

2:57 a.m. 3:10 p.m.

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:51 a.m. 5:26 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

9:57 a.m. 9:20 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Dec. 26

Jan. 1

Jan. 8

Jan. 16

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

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

CAT ISLAND

uV inDex toDay

4-8 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: 78° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

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

8-16 knots

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

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

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

WAVES 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 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 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 81° F 81° F 76° F 76° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F 80° F 80° F 75° F 75° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F

PAGE 8, Friday, December 22, 2017

THE TRIBUNE