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Volume: 121 No.26, December 28, 2023

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SUPERSTARS SHINE U Saxons inch past Valley U Colours take top spot in B

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Shell Saxons Superstars unofficially won the Boxing Day Parade, dominating the major categories with its Ancient Rulers theme.

This was the iconic group’s first victory since 2019 when it won the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades, and a big comeback after placing fifth in last year’s Boxing Day parade.

The group scored 94.03 points, edging the Valley Boys with 92.14 points.

The group paid homage to kings and queens of the past, rocking Bay Street and Shirley Street with its music.

A MEMBER of Shell Saxon Superstars rushing during the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade. The Saxons placed first in the A category.

Photo: Dante Carrer

SEE PAGE TWO

FULL JUNKANOO COVERAGE ON PAGES 2,3,4,7,11,12,13,14,15,21,22,23,24

SERIAL GROPER SIDNEY COOPER CHARGED AGAIN - GRANTED BAIL

Fernander defends high number of ACPs

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander defended the high number of assistant commissioners in the Royal Bahamas Police Force after recent

promotional exercises brought the number to 14.

A manpower audit in 2018 found that the RBPF is top-heavy and only needs six assistant commissioners.

According to the Jamaican Constabulary Force’s

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE FIVE

Authorities must ‘go back to table’ after murder count tops 100 again

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AFTER missing his goal of keeping murders below 100 this year, police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said authorities must “go back to the table and see where we could strategise and do some things differently”.

Hours after he told reporters 107 people were murdered this year, another man was shot dead on Bernard Road yesterday.

He said in March that he wanted to keep the murder count under 100 and “stem the fear of crime”.

Asked if he was disappointed to miss

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

SERIAL groper Sidney Cooper was charged with indecent exposure and released on bail yesterday after allegedly flashing his privates and making unwanted sexual advances to a woman on Christmas Eve. He allegedly exposed his genitals to the woman on Fifth Street on December 24. He also allegedly rubbed his body suggestively on a nearby pole and told the complainant he wanted to do that to her.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Cooper, 47, with indecent exposure.

SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Thursday, December 28, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Saxons, Colours shine at Boxing Day Junkanoo from page one Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis rushed with the group as usual.

The Saxons won eight Division A categories: best free dancer, best Shirley

Street performance, best step down, best lead costume, best overall costume, best banner, best-choreographed dancers and best music.

As with most Junkanoo results, the Saxons’ victory was not well received by all,

with some highlighting similarities between the group’s performance and One Family’s winning warrior concept in last year’s Boxing Day parade.

The Valley Boys rushed under the theme “Once

Upon a Time”, depicting popular children’s stories and folklore like Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood, and Pinocchio. The group’s Cinderella carriage blew glitter into the air, dazzling the

crowd at Rawson Square.

Roots finished third with 87.92 points, Genesis finished fourth with 85.79 after a two-point penalty, and last year’s winner, One Family, placed fifth with 82.59 points and an six-point penalty.

Music Makers was disqualified for unclear reasons.

Junkanoo groups were restricted to one lap on Bay Street and one lap on Shirley Street after the parade was postponed because of

inclement weather that never came.

“It’s been quite an exhilarating experience,” Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said of the parade.

Colours was the unofficial winner of the B division with a score of 77.81. Fancy Dancers came second with 75.08 points. The Immortals placed third with 70.26, Original Congos finished fourth with 68.76, and Body of Christ came fifth with 68.36.

THE SHELL Saxon Superstars won the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade A category.

Photos: Dante Carrer

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394 COLOURS Junkanoo group took first place in the A category.

THE TRIBUNE

Shell Saxons Superstars

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Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 3

WINNERS of the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade the Shell Saxons Superstars performing on Bay Street.

Photos: Dante Carrer

PAGE 4, Thursday, December 28, 2023

Addressing citizenship inequalities is a priority next year, says Davis

THE TRIBUNE

MAN VISITING BIMINI ON A CRUISE SHIP DROWNS A 55-YEAR-OLD man from Pensacola, Florida, drowned in Bimini yesterday.

Police said the incident happened around noon.

The man, a cruise ship passenger, and a family member were swimming

on Radio Beach. The relative lost sight of him and later found him unresponsive onshore. CPR was performed on the man, and he was examined by a medical doctor at a local clinic, where he was pronounced dead.

MAN CHARGED WITH MOLESTING 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL REMANDED

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 20-YEAR-OLD man was locked behind bars yesterday after he was accused of molesting his seven-year-old niece earlier this month.

Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux charged the man, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim,

MAN CHARGED WITH HAVING ILLEGAL FIREARM GRANTED BAIL

PRIME MINISTER PHILIP ‘BRAVE’ DAVIS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said that addressing citizenship inequalities is a priority for his administration next year.

During the Junkanoo Boxing Day parade, he told reporters the issue must be rectified.

The Tribune reported yesterday that some people affected by a landmark Privy Council ruling earlier this year are frustrated waiting for the government to finalise protocols for those requiring DNA testing.

Attorney General Ryan

Pinder said in June 2022 that the administration would push legislation allowing Bahamian men and women to pass citizenship in all circumstances.

He later said this would happen after the Privy Council ruled on the status of children born out of wedlock to Bahamian men.

He reiterated last month that officials are working on legislation to address citizenship inequalities.

People born outside The Bahamas to a Bahamian mother and foreign father are not automatically citizens, and Bahamian women do not have the same rights as men to get citizenship for their

foreign spouse.

“We have to correct that,” Mr Davis said early on Wednesday. “Wherever inequality and equities exist, it is my mission to ensure they are eliminated, and so what is necessary to eliminate all inequalities amongst our citizenry will happen. That too will be part of our legislative agenda.”

Mr Davis noted that officials have spent years saying they will address the issue, but that other matters have been prioritised ahead of it.

He said his administration would pursue an aggressive legislative agenda in 2024.

“Next year, we have

a plan, a very ambitious and aggressive legislative agenda, all designed to relieve the challenges that the least amongst us have, particularly tackling the cost of living and issues relating to crime.”

“It’s very aggressive, and the issues will be legislation dealing with energy, cost of living, and crime.

Of course, there are other legislative issues that we will deal with to protect some of the other economic initiatives that we have. For example, the building of our orange economy, the intellectual property legislation to ensure that we protect what we build in the orange economy.”

Grand Bahama Junkanoo community mourns the loss of Anthony ‘Huck’ Williams

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama Junkanoo community is mourning the loss of cultural icon Anthony “Huck” Williams, the founder and leader of the Swingers Junkanoo Group, who died on December 24 after a long battle with cancer.

Anjoun Armaly, chairman of the Swingers, said his death was a blow to the group, calling him a father figure to many.

“He was a brother and mentor to all he came in contact with, and for the Swingers Junkanoo group, he always had a kind and positive word for us all.

He taught us a lot of life’s lessons and was a major influence on a lot of young people in the group as well as in the community of Grand Bahama.”

Armaly said the group will pay tribute to their leader at the New Year’s Day Parade.

Andrew Been, chairman of the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Corporation, said the corporation was deeply saddened to learn of his passing.

He said Williams had been involved in Junkanoo for over 40 years and was someone he called on for advice.

“He was my personal consultant whenever I needed advice about how to manage disagreements between the groups,” he said.

with incest.

The accused allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with his niece on December 1 in New Providence.

The defendant was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. His case will be transferred to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment slated for service on March 28, 2024.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was granted bail after he was allegedly found with a loaded gun outside a bar on Nassau Street following a brief police pursuit last week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Shandon Burrows, 31, with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Burrows was reportedly spotted by police amongst a group of men outside a bar on Nassau Street on the night of December 19.

Although the defendant attempted to evade police by walking away, he was allegedly found with a black Ruger SR9-C 9mm pistol. This seized weapon was also found with four rounds of 9mm ammunition.

After pleading not guilty to the charges, his bail was set at $9,500 with one or two sureties each.

Under the terms of the bail, Burrows must sign in at the Wulff Road Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 6pm.

The trial in this matter begins on March 12, 2024.

MAN HELD IN PRISON AFTER BREACHING HIS BAIL TEN TIMES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sent to prison yesterday after he allegedly breached his curfew and failed to charge his monitoring device ten times this year while on bail for stealing charges.

Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, charged Dante Scott, 20, with ten counts of violating bail conditions.

While on release for charges of stealing, receiving and threats

of harm, Scott allegedly failed to charge his monitoring device and breached his curfew ten times between August 25 and December 9.

Although the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, the prosecution objected to his bail, citing the extent of the violations.

Scott was denied bail and was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

His trial begins on February 8, 2024.

RBPF announce promotion exercise for 721 officers POLICE last week announced the promotion of 721 officers.

Thirty-six officers were promoted from superintendent to chief superintendent, 85 went from assistant superintendent to superintendent, 129 went from inspector to assistant superintendent, 251 were promoted from sergeant to inspector, 115 were promoted from corporal to sergeant, and 105 went from constable to corporal.

The promotions come after Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander

JUNKANOO ICON ANTHONY ‘HUCK’ WILLIAMS

announced that nine chief superintendents were promoted to assistant commissioner after their predecessors retired or took pre-retirement leave.

Deputy Commissioner Loretta Mackey and Assistant Commissioners Ashton Greenslade, Theophilus Cunningham, Ken Strachan, Craig Stubbs and BK Bonamy are the retirees.

Kirkwood Andrews was promoted from assistant commissioner to senior assistant commissioner of police. Corporate services remain his area of focus.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 5

Authorities must ‘go back to table’ after murder count tops 100 again from page one the mark, he noted there were fewer murders this year than last year.

“You set your goals and you try to achieve it,” he said. “We now need to go back to the table and see where we could strategise and do some things differently.”

“Last year, we finished with 128, so we are still down. One murder is too much and that still concerns me and we will continue to do our due diligence to serve the Bahamian people.”

Yesterday, Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson said police were alerted to the latest killing on Monastery Street after 2pm yesterday.

The victim was reportedly standing on the corner of Monastery Street and Bernard Road when occupants of a silver coloured Japanese car approached him. Two men got out of the car with handguns and chased him through the corner near a house where

he collapsed.

The victim, believed to be in his 20s, was not known to police.

His death came after a bloody holiday weekend that saw four killed in 48 hours.

Commissioner Fernander described the weekend as “rough”, with police responding to numerous crime scenes.

He said police see no connection among the murder incidents.

He also spoke about a viral video showing a group of boys fighting at Carnival, one of whom was lying in the grass while another boy stomped him in his face.

A girl screamed in the video: “They jicking him.”

“We say to parents, you have to know where your kids are,” Commissioner Fernander said. “And some of the parents who’ve seen the video know that that’s their child and they should reach out to the police. And we will not let those kids disrupt family orientation events like the Carnival and Junkanoo.”

Fernander defends high number of ACPs from page one website, Jamaica’s national police force has six assistant commissioners.

The Metropolitan Police Service, the United Kingdom’s largest police force with more than 47,000 officers, has seven.

Commissioner Fernander said early Wednesday morning: “I was able to justify the amount of officers

that were promoted to the board and we want effective management at the division.

“We got a black eye in social media in recent times where you saw two young officers was engaged in some altercation at the station and there was lack of supervision at those divisions.

“What you will see now is an assistant commissioner of police is in charge of two

CHIEF OF POLICE CLAYTON FERNANDER stations, and we will have a command structure across the board. You will see that, so I think the promotion went very well.”

The Minnis administration was criticised for a similar promotion exercise in 2020 that increased the number of ACPs to eight despite the conclusions of the manpower audit it ordered.

Commissioner Fernander said more senior

people are needed in growing Family Islands like Exuma, Eleuthera and Abaco.

“We are even trying to identify assistant commissioners to man those areas because the family of islands, they are growing, the economy is doing well and we are looking for safety across the board,” he said.

He also discussed the promotions in the context

of a recent ruling where the former head boy of Westminster College was awarded $60k in damages and costs for unlawful arrest and false imprisonment.

The youth was arrested in 2020, forced to sleep on the floor while in custody for 17 hours, and made to miss several BGCSE exams.

Asked if the officers involved in that will be disciplined, Commissioner

Fernander said: “My legal team is still looking into that matter, so I don’t want to go in-depth with it, but we are talking about leadership at those divisions, and you would see the structure in my meet the press in 2024, early January.”

This month, 721 officers were promoted through the ranks of corporal, sergeant, inspector, assistant superintendent, superintendent and chief superintendent.

Music Makers get backlash One Family optimistic despite over Hurricane Dorian theme hiccups and delays on Boxing Day

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE MUSIC Makers were disqualified from the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net JUNKANOO group Music Makers drew backlash for referring to Hurricane Dorian during the Boxing Day parade –– but its leader said its performance was meant to be an “expression of love”.

Some social media users bashed the group for its theme: “Dorian Aftermath

Expression of Love.” Critics said it was insensitive and disrespectful.

Gary Russell, chairman of the Music Makers, said the group did not intend to reopen wounds.

“It was an expression of love for those who stepped up and assisted The Bahamas with their pledges and donations,” he said. “You would have seen the different countries and nation flags who contributed.”

Photo: Dante Carrer

He said there was no portrayal of the category five storm’s destruction when it ripped through Abaco and Grand Bahama in 2019.

“As a matter of fact, it was a theme we wanted to bring earlier, but we didn’t have the opportunity to,” he said.

Music Makers was disqualified from the Boxing Day parade. Mr Russell said he did not know why the group was penalised.

A YEAR after sweeping the Junkanoo parades, One Family finished a disappointing fifth in the 2023 Boxing Day parade but remains in “high spirits”, according to its leader.

The group wowed crowds with its Wakanda-inspired theme in the Boxing Day parade last year and won the New Year’s Day parade with its “Happy Hour, Come Celebrate with Us” theme.

Its performance this year, however, was not as successful.

Christina “Muffin” Fernander, chairwoman of the group, said One Family faced several hiccups.

She said while the group took its banner to the parade, a wheel on the object broke, disrupting its plans.

She said her group also started its performance late, incurring a penalty.

“As an organisation, we have to come together,” she said. “We’ll be back in the shack today. So, we’ll go back to the drawing board and tighten up so that what happened this morning doesn’t happen New Year’s.”

“Being defending champions, in particular backto-back champions, there is a pressure to execute in

ONE Family performing on Bay Street for the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photo: Dante Carrer a certain way. That was the plan to top what we did last year, but unfortunately, due to hiccups, things didn’t go as planned.”

Ms Fernander said during the intense period of

preparing for the parade, she blacked out and was rushed to Princess Margaret Hospital because of dehydration and fatigue. She said she had recovered and expected to be ready for the next parade.

Serial groper Sidney Cooper charged again - granted bail from page one After pleading not guilty to the charge, Cooper was granted bail at $3,000 with one or two sureties.

Cooper was convicted of 20 sexual assaults over nearly 20 years. National Security Minister hosted

a press conference in August to warn the public about his release from prison under Registration of Sex Offenders regulations that allow authorities to notify the public about offenders leaving prison to heighten awareness of

their presence in an area.

In August, police took Cooper into protective custody after he was wrongfully accused of trying to abduct a 12-year-old girl.

His latest trial will begin on February 19, 2024.

PAGE 6, Thursday, December 28, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

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How many assistants does Commissioner need?

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander’s defence of the recent promotion exercise that has left the Royal Bahamas Police Force with 14 assistant commissioners is a curious one.

In 2018, an audit of the force recommended that it only needed six assistant commissioners, and found that the force was top-heavy.

There was something of a public debate when the Minnis administration brought the number of assistant commissioners to eight, despite being the ones who set the audit in motion.

Now we have 14.

By comparison, the United Kingdom’s largest police force is the Metropolitan Police, covering London and surrounding areas. It has no less than 47,000 police officers – and seven assistant commissioners, half the number Commissioner Fernander feels he needs to get the job done.

So what is his justification? He points to a lack of leadership. The leader citing a lack of leadership is an odd thing in itself, but here we are.

He noted an incident from a viral video that involved two young officers arguing in a police station and said there was a “lack of supervision” in that incident.

Then he noted a case where the former head boy of Westminster College was awarded $60,000 in damages and costs for unlawful arrest and false imprisonment and again, while not going too far with his comments as he said his legal team is still investigating, despite the ruling, he said “we are talking about leadership at those divisions”.

It would seem that he feels that in order for police officers to do the right thing, or behave correctly, he needs more people to tell them when behaviour is unacceptable.

It is hard to imagine how the officers in the incident of the viral video which saw two officers arguing before one was wheeled out of the station on an office chair could have felt that was appropriate behaviour no matter how many officers are above them, but that seems to play into his thinking as to why he needs 14 assistants.

Good officers do not need to be told when behaviour such as that is inappropriate, without saddling the public purse with bigger salaries for officers to tell them.

If they do not, they should not have gotten past training. That’s where good behaviour ought to be drummed in to candidates.

The same with the false arrest – and perhaps also by a proper disciplinary process. The talk of a legal team investigating was in response to a question of whether the officers who detained the head boy will be disciplined. The matter has been before the court, the compensation has been ordered – by now the force should long have known whether the officers involved behaved appropriately or not. What does the legal team still have to look into there?

And then there is the elephant in the room – the number of murders our nation continues to have.

In yesterday’s editorial, we highlighted that the commissioner had set a target of fewer than 100 murders twice, and missed that target twice.

Now he says that “we now need to go back to the table and see where we could strategise and do some things differently”.

With 14 assistants, he might need a bigger table.

Find a solution to the murder conundrum and it might well prove worth the extra investment. Fail to do so, and more questions will be asked.

What really needs to be done on roads EDITOR, The Tribune.

EVIDENTLY, the present Davis-led administration is moving full speed ahead with turning Gladstone Road into a dual carriageway, a project initially proposed by the former Minnis-led administration. No one can reasonably deny that New Providence has a traffic problem, so this road reconstruction project is welcome news.

But while the government’s intent is commendable, logic dictates that a dual carriageway in and of itself would not ease the flow of traffic on Gladstone Road. We will end up with a similar situation which presently exists on East Street, on Blue Hill Road, and on Milo Butler Highway, where dual lanes of traffic are backed up, inching their way north-bound towards Tonique Williams Darling roundabouts. The only conceivable change on Gladstone Road would be from a single lane of backed up traffic to a double lane of backed up traffic. Nothing will change. Road improvement notwithstanding, it would still be difficult for motorists to enter the (JFK) thoroughfare from Gladstone Road, because

of the steady stream of traffic heading westbound towards the airport. It seems obvious - to me at least - that the problem is at the roundabout.

No one wants to mention the elephant in the room, which is the dreaded overpass. Unsurprisingly, this concept seems not to be on any government’s priority list, past or present. But an overpass at this junction seems to be the most practical solution to this vexing problem. In my opinion, we are trying to postpone the inevitable. Meanwhile, more vehicles are added to our already crowded streets daily, and motorists languish in their vehicles sometimes for hours as frustrations mounts.

There is a view that overpasses are expensive, and that they detract from our indigenous looks. But do you think that an overpass at this intersection would cost as much as our new baseball stadium, which bears the fingerprints of both administrations? I think not. By the way, does anyone know the price tag of the new stadium? Secondly, we cannot maintain our indigenous Bahamian looks in every instance, and expect our country to grow and develop. There must be a give-and-take.

We will end up with a new

and impressive roadway, having all the bells and whistles, but with traffic at a standstill as is now the case, unless something changes at that roundabout. Respectfully, creating an additional four or five roundabouts of simply replacing a smaller roundabout with a larger one will not create a smooth flow of traffic. Millions of tax-payers dollars would have been spent without moving the needle in one direction or another.

The more things change, the more they remain the same (unknown). The government could construct that overpass now, or wait another five to ten years, in which time the cost would probably double. Think about it.

As a side note, good luck with that busing system that was talked about for more than twenty years, which no government was able to successfully implement.

Realistically though, how many Bahamians do you know would deny themselves the freedom, privacy, or comfort they experience while driving their private vehicles, and choose to ride a public bus instead? How many?

ZEPHANIAH BURROWS Nassau, December 20 2023.

OFFICE of the Prime Minister communications director Latrae Rahming lost a bet - then lost his hair. Mr Rahming had bet on the Valley Boys to win Junkanoo, or he would shave his head. The Saxons won - and Mr Rahming made good on his promise.

Laffer curve and taxes EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHAT is the Laffer curve? The tax rates and the amount of taxes collected by government, and the impact it has on the economy.

There is a certain peak in which the tax rate can be at a sustainable rate to help to balance an economy, then there is a breaking point in which the tax rate can force sales to decrease rapidly and in some areas all together.

The Bahamas is at that peak, unfortunately, their so-called advisors/ economist speaking to the nation’s leaders past and present are unfortunately giving them the wrong advice.

Because we have a kraken government system, past and present, that promotes a lot of socialism and places us at the mercy of what is known as - public choice theory (where people in this case, politicians) know something isn’t good for the economy and has certain ramifications, yet the politicians still do it because they care about their personal interest over the electorate’s interest who hired them to serve).

Because the size of government and their social practices, alongside the nepotism, lobbyism and cronyism, the government must find money to appease their demographic of people who fit one or more than one of the categories above.

Therefore, they have no money of their own so they have to come to the people with, direct taxes and many indirect taxes, which is compounding to far exceed the revenue they have set out to collect, this is why each time you would hear them say they did better

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net than they set out to do with the tax rates.

Now let’s see what are the ramifications of these actions taken and how it creates the Laffer curve effect, despite them painting a pretty picture and using their voodoo economics and then distorting the facts of the real outcome.

The taxes coming from different angles which create high inflation possibly can lead to stagflation, (high unemployment plus high inflation) but overall the ramifications of Laffer curve which is also because of this tax rate, causes the government to collect more money at the expense of causing the people to be in a position to shop less, until there’s no money in circulation to shop at all.

The United Kingdom experienced this in the 1970s, as there’s something called public choice theory (where decisions are made knowing it looks good to the people, but will have a negative outcome eventually, but for self-serving purposes its applied anyway) was conspicuous as the politicians used socialism, nepotism, lobbyism and cronyism as a means to try and secure their seats as we always do here in the Bahamas.

The taxes were so high, stagflation was the order of the day and as the Laffer curve effect took place the government taxed themselves out of any possibility of collecting any tax revenue.

The bigger the government, the smaller the private sector became, instead of putting infrastructure in place and

letting the markets work themselves out, the government felt they had to create jobs for the special interest people.

But when it’s time to pay these salaries, they went to the private sector and continued to extort them through taxes.

These actions led to great right sizing by the private sector to try and thrive in an economy on the death bed.

Because the government taxed the majority of businesses out of business and, therefore, there was no trickle economics, so most of the economy was economically dead.

The majority of businesses in the private sector had to close, because no money was in circulation, the people no longer had money to spend and the businesses couldn’t beat inflation.

United Kingdom was known as the welfare state, until God raised up one Margaret Thatcher, she had the brains to read up on some of the greatest economists who ever lived.

We are at that peak with taxes and if not met immediately with real solutions to conquer this pending destruction, we are heading towards what United Kingdom was in the 70s.

It mayn’t seem so, because our government is bragging about what they’re collecting, there are unintended consequences, I say to them don’t be like the dog with the bone that lost his bone because of greed.

Relieve the economy of all these taxes to accommodate special interest people and allowing the majority to suffer for your minority.

BAHAMIAN TYCOON Nassau, December 20, 2023

Readers say hotel should keep name

IN The Tribune’s latest online poll, we asked readers if they thought the British Colonial Hotel should change its name.

At the time of going to press, the majority

of those voting – 86 percent – did NOT think the hotel should change its name.

Don’t miss your chance to vote in our online polls on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 7

The Valley Boys

MEMBERS of The Valley Boys perform during the 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo parade falling to second place in the A category just a few points behind the Shell Saxon Superstars.

Photos: Dante Carrer

Programmes for at-risk youth should start with expert advice PAGE 8, Thursday, December 28, 2023

DURING the period of governance under Sir Lynden Pindling there was considerable discussion of introducing a national youth service. The idea of a service was influenced by such services in Guyana and Africa.

A number of newly independent developing countries considered national youth service as a critical component of national and youth development.

In Guyana, socialist Prime Minister Forbes Burnham introduced the Guyana National Service in 1973.

It was disbanded in 2000.

The service, modeled on the National Service of Tanzania, was introduced for a number of reasons, including as a means of addressing youth unemployment.

The Guyana Service included a paramilitary component. The Guyanese participants were mostly aged 15 to 20. They received both military and agricultural training.

The service proved highly controversial under the autocratic cult of personality and dysfunctional tenure of Burnham’s misrule during which Guyana spiraled into economic and political collapse. Some thought the service was used as an instrument of control by Burnham.

In Africa, a number of countries instituted mandatory national service for young people. In Tanzania, the late Julius Nyerere introduced a compulsory programme in 1963, which was suspended in 1994. The government has attempted to reintroduce a service, with mixed success and widespread controversy.

The purpose of the service was listed as: “to overcome the colonial legacy; to overcome ethnic and social cleavage; to imbue youth with patriotism; [and] to impart skills.”

Its primary role was defined as: “Nurturing Tanzania youth to become responsible and patriotic citizens [and] to engage in productive and economic activities.”

After he demitted office, Sir Lynden expressed regret that he did not introduce some form of service. Successive Pindling governments were hobbled by a lack of clarity on the purpose of a service and whether it would be mandatory or voluntary.

National youth service took on a particular identification and definition in the mindset of many Bahamians. Some viewed the idea in pejorative terms.

Sir Lynden realised that it was highly unlikely that a compulsory service would

have been accepted by most Bahamians. Still, had he introduced a smaller-scaled voluntary service programme with clear goals and greater clarity might it have had some success in encouraging volunteerism?

A lack of clarity on national youth service, including its definition, continues today. It is important to get the language, models and concepts correct.

National service has a specific connotation.

It often pertains to the types of mandatory programmes instituted in Tanzania and Guyana. It may also pertain to voluntary programmes which invite individuals of various ages to engage in community service.

In the United States, such national service is seen in a variety of national volunteer programmes, some publicly and privately-run.

The best known domestic service programme in the US is “AmeriCorps; officially the Corporation for National and Community Service, or CNCS, is an independent agency of the United States government that engages more than five million Americans in service through a variety of stipended volunteer work programmes in many sectors.”

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe recently opined on ways of addressing at-risk youth. While the minister clearly wants to address criminal behaviour by young people, his intervention betrayed some confusion in the government on the difference between volunteerism and at-risk programmes for youth.

Programmes to instill a spirit of service in young people should not be confused with behavioural and developmental programmes, especially for youth potentially predisposed to or involved in criminal conduct.

THE TRIBUNE

There are several international models of programmes designed specifically to respond at-risk young people, mostly male, from lives of crime. That is where the Government needs urgently to concentrate its efforts.

By example, governmentoperated and many private high schools have mandatory community service programmes in which students provide a number of services such as volunteering for clean-up initiatives, tutoring children or providing meals for the hungry.

These community service programmes are not the same as behaviour modification or intervention programmes that may be required by the courts or are a part of the work of institutions such as Simpson Penn and Willimae Pratt.

The Nassau Guardian of December 18 reported: “Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe said yesterday the government is making plans for a national youth service to target young people who are not in school

and not working, all in an effort to reduce the level of violent crime in the country.”

He is reported as saying: “We are also going to be looking to model, not exactly on the youth guard, but a national youth service for young people who are, for want of a better word, as the English would say, at a loose end – not in school, not working.

“This has to do with how people are raised. It’s kind of difficult to change it once it’s set in. You have to bend the tree when it’s young.

“Our National Youth Development Office of the defense force has been asked to come up with a concept proposal for us as to how it would work, what agencies will be involved, then, of course, you need budgetary modeling as to how you are going to fund it.

“For instance, let’s say you are going to engage with 20,000 young, unemployed people, you will unlikely be able to do that all at once.

In the first instance, how you will stage it is the proposal they will come up with.

“Something like this you have to discuss first because that is quite an imposition that you would want to have community and country buy-in … We have to start taking responsibility for our children.”

The Guardian noted: “Munroe said with so many young people falling into trouble, it is up to the community to intervene.”

While well-meaning, the minister’s comments are quite jumbled and not well-thought out. We must distinguish between varieties of programmes with different, though sometimes overlapping aims.

For example, the Defence Force Rangers and the Governor General’s Youth Award are both geared toward young people but they have different missions and programme elements.

The government needs to be clear about exactly what it has in mind. The talk of a voluntary national service that might eventually involve up to 20,000 young people in the same breath as talk of programmes for at-risk youth can be confusing.

What is most urgent now is that the government use its available resources to address the pressing need for interventions with our at-risk young people. They are the ones who are dropping out of school, being recruited by gangs and becoming involved in lives of crime including murderous gang warfare.

That is where we need to concentrate financial and other resources at this time.

In these situations, interventions are needed much earlier than the age of majority as is the case with most national service models.

There is a sociological maxim: “When it gets in early, it gets in deep.”

This applies to both positive and negative values and behaviour. This is why early intervention is critical. This may be child development programmes which include interventions to correspondingly improve parenting.

Moreover, to replace or remediate certain entrenched attitudes and behaviour requires specially designed programmes that are highly experiential and not just talk therapy or shouting at young people like drill sergeants.

There are several international models of programmes designed specifically to respond at-risk young people, mostly male, from lives of crime. That is where the Government needs urgently to concentrate its efforts.

One measure that could have a profound affect on a number of our young people is Outward Bound, an “experiential learning, expedition school and outdoor learning programme ... that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through challenging learning expeditions that inspire self-discovery, both in and out of the classroom”.

The highly successful global initiative also offers a programme known as the Intercept Programme for At-Risk Youth and Troubled Teens. It is designed for young people from ages 12 to 22 and addresses “the needs of struggling teens and at-risk youth beginning to demonstrate destructive behaviours, as well as the

needs of their families”.

The Intercept Programme serves “youth, young adults, families, schools and communities ... at risk of academic failure, dropping out of school, delinquency or becoming chronic offenders”.

Another measure is AMIkids, the brainchild of a judge who got tired of seeing the same juvenile offenders returning to his court over and over. Today, AMIkids is thought to operate “some of the most effective juvenile justice and alternative education programmes across” the United States.

We need to be careful in designing programmes for at-risk youth. A retributive and militaristic mindset pervades the thinking of many Bahamians. Such outdated mindsets should not be the basis for such programmes.

Our programmes should be based on a sound understanding of child, adolescent and youth psychology, not fundamentalist tropes and clichés.

Further, when a national youth service programme is viewed primarily as a way of addressing crime and youth violence it gives a negative connotation to the concept of volunteerism and community service.

We should promote a positive vision of community service and not service as a source of punishment or correcting behaviour.

The agencies responsible for various programmes will influence and colour the nature of these programmes.

It is likely best that various at-risk programmes should be run by other entities, including perhaps a government authority, rather than the Ministry of National Security.

We need greater clarity on the programmes we design and implement to address youth development in general and at-risk behaviour specifically.

It would be good if the government and the minister engaged experts in various fields to help them understand the issues at hand and the best ways to address the social dysfunction leading to the loss of many of our children and youth.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 9

Job 39

1

Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

without fear;

17

Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

2

18

3

19

4

20

5

21

6

22

7

23

8

24

Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.

Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.

Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.

The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.

Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.

He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.

He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

9 10

25

Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

11

26

12 13

27

14 15

29

16

30

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her’s: her labour is in vain

He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

28

She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.

From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar

off.

Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

THE BIBLE IS OPENED AND WHATEVER SCRIPTURE IT OPENS TO THAT IS THE SCRIPTURE THAT GOES FORTH

The Lord Servant

PAGE 10, Thursday, December 28, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Complexities of anti-Semitism, Zionism and anti-Zionsim as Israel Hamas war continues

STATESIDE with Charlie Harper

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SINCE Hamas launched its sneak attack on southern Israel nearly three months ago on October 7, the UN estimates that 21,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Thousands of Israelis have also perished. As the war drags on with both political and military leaders in Tel Aviv forecasting a lengthy continuation of Israeli military action, friends and families in the US are increasingly finding themselves conflicted about what to think about the situation.

Long-time friends Elizabeth and Rebecca had a long chat the other day. Rebecca is a practising Jew and a college history professor. Liz, her college roommate and still close buddy, is a corporate marketing director. Liz dropped around for coffee with a lot of questions.

“Becca,” she inquired, “you know I have always agreed with American support for Israel. It’s a democracy, their values are similar to ours, and they face seemingly constant existential threats to their survival as an independent nation.

But this war … some of my friends are saying the Israeli tactics in Gaza remind them of the Nazis in the Warsaw ghetto.”

“I’m glad to see you Liz, and I’m thinking out loud as I try to answer your questions,” Rebecca replied.

“I’m conflicted myself, and you know I love Israel. First of all, the Nazi comparison is ridiculous on its face, as you know. The Poles never attacked Nazi Germany.

They were simply in the way of Hitler’s advance eastward. Hamas attacked Israel, with devastating and deadly results. Israel had every right to retaliate.

“But I’m well aware of all the tumult on campuses and elsewhere in the US as the Israeli invasion drags on and seems increasingly disproportionate to the provocation. It indirectly cost the president of the University of Pennsylvania her job, and some pundits are saying others may lose their jobs too. There have been charges of Zionism and antisemitism and other stuff flying around.”

Rebecca paused for a

minute. “I actually wonder if Hamas and the theocrats in Tehran didn’t launch this attack at least partly to stimulate just the kind of discord we are seeing all over the US. But whatever the case, we all see these tragic images on television every day and night, and people will wonder when enough is enough.

“Then (Israeli president) Netanyahu goes on TV and says Israel has months more of ‘work to do’. It’s a bad look for Tel Aviv.”

Elizabeth said “something else has been bothering me.

I’m a little mixed up about antisemitism and Zionism and anti-Zionism and all these labels people are throwing around. Can you help decipher it all?”

“Like so much these days, it all depends on your point of view,” Rebecca replied. “Historically, after the Second World War anti-Zionism was widely interpreted to mean opposing the international (Western) effort to set up a Jewish state in a part of the Middle East that was then a British-controlled territory called Palestine. This seems to be generally agreed. And after all the horrors inflicted on the Jews in Europe by both the Nazis and the Soviets, anti-Zionism and antisemitism were almost equivalents.

“Now, anti-Zionism can mean support for the elimination of Israel as the sovereign homeland of the Jews. Many Jews say this anti-Zionism is not a pushback against a kind of imperial, expansionist Israel.

It is instead indistinguishable from hatred of Jews generally, or antisemitism.”

Liz sat up. “Wait a minute.

Just because you don’t support Israel stealthily settling more and more of the West Bank and other neighbouring areas doesn’t make you antisemitic. It means you don’t think Israel has a right to continue to colonise these adjacent areas while trying to hide behind false rhetoric.

That’s why we’re often the only votes in support of proPalestinian resolutions in the UN.” “I get that,” Rebecca replied. “It’s easy to be

critical of Israel. Their leadership clearly states that every economic, political and military move they make is designed to buttress their existence against a determined movement to exterminate the independent Jewish state, where many of the world’s Jews reside.”

Rebecca looked at her phone for a moment. “Did you see this report on Zionism and antisemitism in the New York Times?” she asked.

“Listen to this: ‘Jonathan Jacoby, the director of a group of academics and Jewish activists affiliated with the Bard Center for the Study of Hate, said the group had wrestled with the issue for several years now, seeking a definition of antisemitism that captures when anti-Zionism crosses from political belief to bigotry. He warned that shouting down any political action directed against Israel as antisemitic made it harder for Jews to call out actual antisemitism, while stifling honest conversation about Israel’s government and US policy toward it.’”

“Thanks. Whew!” Elizabeth said after a pause. “Let’s talk about something else.”

But the debate is likely to intensify. Republicans are taking potshots at Biden’s attempts to maintain a moderate, humane stance as death and destruction increase in Gaza and elsewhere in the region. Leftist anti-Zionists are easy to deride as antisemitic.

All the while, attention on this complex, tragic issue centres on Israel and the United States. That is because of the world’s estimated 20 million Jews, most of them – two-thirds, by many estimates – live in either Israel or the US. Nearly four million Muslims also live in the US. Together, then, the combined Jewish and Muslim residents of the US amount to about three percent of the American population.

While that may not compare in size to other ethnic and religious demographic groups, both groups are active politically.

It’s making life tough for Americans.

GREAT HOLIDAY FUN IN EUROPEAN PREMIER LEAGUE NOW in the midst of its traditional (and unique) “festive period” of lots of games during the Christmas – New Year’s Day holiday season, the English Premier League has reached the mid-point in its 2023-2024 season. It looks like only three of the EPL’s 20 teams have a realistic chance to win the title this year.

While most of Europe’s other major national soccer leagues give their teams and players a Christmas break, the EPL intensifies its scheduling. Teams play two or three times a week in a frenzy of competition that raises injury concerns and, to some observers, dilutes the product on the field.

But the EPL is also a stupendously rich league with unequalled television revenue and worldwide reach.

So there is little incentive to change. Indeed, the league’s recent decision to not schedule games on Christmas Eve next year was regarded as a significant concession.

On the field, meanwhile, only three teams enter the second half of this season with a realistic shot at the title. The favorite actually sat this week in fifth place, but has played two fewer games than its leading challengers.

That’s because Manchester City was off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, claiming its astounding sixth championship of 2023 at the Club World Cup tournament. Six other teams

EV ERTON’S V ITALIY MYKOLENKO, fights for the ball with Manchester City’s Kyle Walker during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.

(AP Photo/Jon Super) competed – two from Saudi Arabia and one each from Mexico, Japan, New Zealand and Brazil.

City returns to UK action as the betting favorite to claim its fourth straight EPL title and sixth championship in the past seven seasons.

But the Citizens already have lost three of their 17 league matches. Their main rivals Arsenal (two losses) and Liverpool (only one loss) are still ahead in the standings and will likely fight City to the end in May before the title is decided for this season.

Beyond this elite group of three title hopefuls lingers a group of pretenders, mostly with famous names and gaudy pedigrees.

Among these are Birmingham’s revived Aston Villa; North London’s Tottenham; Newcastle, and frequent

EPL champion Manchester United. These four will likely joust for next year’s European competition places that are left over after the top three claim their spots.

If City do prevail and win again, their title will be all the more impressive because they have not since the first 20 minutes of the season had the services of the league’s most prodigiously creative player, the Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne. This talisman has been sidelined virtually all season with a hamstring injury. When he returns next month, watch out.

Until then, we can expect some stumbling in the thicket of Christmas season games in the EPL, even by the front runners. It happens every year, and it should be great holiday fun.

THE TRIBUNE

Roots

ROOTS Junkanoo group takes Bay Street during the 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo parade.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 11

PAGE 12, Thursday, December 28, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Genesis

GENESIS’ theme centred on food for the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Dante Carrer

THE TRIBUNE

One Family ONE Family performs during the 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo parade, placing fifth in the A category.

Photos: Dante Carrer

Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 13

PAGE 14, Thursday, December 28, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Music Makers

THE MUSIC Makers performing at the 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade, however, they were disqualified.

Photos: Dante Carrer

Fancy Dancers

THE FANCY Dancers rush on Bay Street for the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Dante Carrer

Immortals

THE IMMORTALS performing on Bay Street in the B category for the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Dante Carrer

Congos

CONGOS rushing on Bay Street in the B category for the 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Dante Carrer

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 15

Body of Christ

THE BODY of Christ performing on Bay Street for the 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Dante Carrer

Conquerors

THE CONQUERORS Junkanoo group rushes at the 2023 Boxing Day Parade.

Photos: Dante Carrer

Redland

REDLAND brings a dragon to th 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Dante Carrer

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 19

JAMIAH NABBIE NAMED FEMALE JUNIOR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR J

amiah Nabbie capped off a successful track season crowned as the Tribune’s 2023 Junior Female Athlete of the Year.

It was a long but exciting year across all the sporting disciplines with the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games being hosted at home, the Bahamas Games making a return and the CARIFTA Aquatics team pulling off a five-peat.

Nonetheless, the results of the top junior performers of 2023 are now officially in.

Champion Jamiah Nabbie Nabbie made her mark and etched her name in the minds of Bahamians after turning in a remarkable performance at the 50th CARIFTA Games at home.

The Queen’s College student secured the first gold medal for The Bahamas on the track in the under 17 girls’ 100 metre finals.

The 16-year-old clocked a personal best time of 11.67 seconds to get the home crowd rocking at the Thomas A Robinson

SPORTS NOTES

FROM PAGE 16 coordinator, also expressed high hopes about this year’s World Championships. “I am looking for all three teams to do very well this year.

They’ve shown tremendous improvement in their level of play, and we even have a few of our players that are now off to school in the US, rejoin the team during the semester break so we’re that much stronger.”

The team left yesterday for San Anotnio, Texas and will play three games each on December 30 to determine seeding for the final day of play on December 31.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY FUN WALK THE Men’s Department of Macedonia Baptist Church is scheduled to hold a Family Fun Walk Race to kick off the new year and the beginning of its Men’s Anniversary at 6am on Saturday, January 6. The event will honour the late Minister Charles Albury, who passed away this year.

It starts at the church on Bernard Road, Fox Hill, and heads west on Bernard Road to the Village Road round-a-bout and returns on Bernard Road to the church.

Awards will be presented to the first three finishers in each category for men and women. Registration fee is $20 per person. Interested persons are urged to contact Brent Stubbs at 426-7265 or stubbobs@gmail.com for further information.

GORDON NEEDS 21 STITCHES AFTER CUTS TO FACE, HAND FROM DOG BITE DENVER (AP) — Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon needed 21 stitches after suffering lacerations to his face and right hand while being bitten by a family dog on Christmas, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because details of the incident, first reported

by The Athletic, haven’t been released. The Nuggets announced in a statement the 28-year-old “is in good condition” but will remain away from the team indefinitely to recover.

National Stadium. She collected another gold medal, this time in the 200m finals with a personal best of 23.67 seconds.

Her work at the track and field regional competition was not done as the relay team consisting of herself, Shayann Demeritte, Darvinique Dean and Bayli Major claimed the second podium spot in the under 17 girls’ 4x100m relays with a time of 46.43 seconds.

Nabbie’s run in 2023 was not done by any means.

The CARIFTA double gold medallist came away with a gold medal at the Speed Capital International Championships in the 100m event, notching 11.85 seconds for the win.

Meanwhile, at the 2023 Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) National Track and Field Championships, Nabbie pulled off two second place finishes in the 100m and 200m events with times of 11.63 and 24.10 respectively.

She was not only named the Tribune’s 2023 Female Junior Athlete of the Year

CHAMPION - Jamiah Nabbie

RUNNER-Up - Saleste Gibson

3RD Place Finisher - Keyezra Thomas

but also the Female Senior High School Student Athlete of the Year at the National Sports Awards.

The top CARIFTA performer played a pivotal role in helping The Bahamas to rack up 41 total medals, including nine gold medals, doubling last year’s total of 17 medals.

Runner-Up Saleste Gibson Saleste Gibson was equally as impressive for

The Bahamas at the 2023 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Willemstad, Curaçao. She competed in a total of 13 races in the 11-12 age group.

In the nine individual events she swam in, Gibson hauled in seven gold medals and one silver medal.

The top junior claimed victories in the 50 and 100m butterfly, 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle. Additionally, she conquered the

200m individual medley and captured her lone silver medal in 200m fly.

She reeled in four gold medals in the relay events as well.

Gibson was a force to be reckoned with in the pool, scoring 75 points in the 11-12 girls’ category to take the high point award and help The Bahamas to fivepeat at the 2023 CARIFTA Swimming Championships.

Third Place Finisher Keyezra Thomas Keyezra Thomas, who attends Bishop Michael Eldon, made it hard to ignore her strides in athletics in 2023.

She helped The Bahamas to yet another North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under-13 and U-15 Age Group Championship in July. Thomas placed second

in the U15 girls’ heptathlon with a total of 4,355 points for silver.

The 13-year-old also managed to qualify for the 50th CARIFTA Games, delivering outstanding first place performances in the 200m, 400m and long jump events at the CARIFTA Trials.

In the 400m event, she ran a swift time of 56.28 seconds to meet the CARIFTA standard but was unable to join the team due to her age.

At the Speed Capital International Championships, she earned her second fastest time of the season in the 200m 13-14 girls’ division with 24.66 seconds.

Although she was ineligible for the 2023 CARIFTA team, it would be wise to keep an eye out for Thomas on the track and field next year.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 28, 2023, PAGE 17

Pro Picks: Browns will beat Jets to clinch a playoff berth

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer THE Cleveland Browns saw the best of Joe Flacco up close last season with the New York Jets. Now, the veteran quarterback can show the Jets what they’ve been missing since losing Aaron Rodgers.

Flacco and the Browns (10-5) can secure a playoff berth Thursday night with a victory over New York (6-9).

The Super Bowl 47 MVP is 3-1 in four starts with 1,307 yards passing and 10 touchdowns since the Browns signed him last month and made him their fourth starting QB of the season.

The Jets have also used four QBs this season and will give Trevor Siemian his second straight start.

It’ll be a matchup of two of the NFL’s best defenses.

The Browns rank first in yards allowed and the Jets are third.

The Browns are 7 1/2point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Pro Picks likes the home team to celebrate a playoff berth.

BROWNS, 23-13 ARIZONA at PHILADELPHIA Line: Eagles minus 10 1/2 The Cardinals (3-12) will try to spoil Philadelphia’s playoff positioning when coach Jonathan Gannon faces his former team.

The Eagles (11-4) are coming off a shaky win that snapped a three-game losing streak, but still control their division title hopes and have a shot at the No. 1 seed if San Francisco slips up.

BEST BET: EAGLES, 30-16 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS at DENVER Line: Broncos minus 3 1/2 Russell Wilson got benched for Jarrett Stidham with the Broncos (7-8) nearing playoff elimination following a crushing loss at home to lowly New England. The Chargers (5-10) are onto next season.

UPSET SPECIAL: CHARGERS, 19-16 DETROIT at DALLAS Line: Cowboys minus 6 Undefeated at home, the Cowboys (10-5) still have a shot at the NFC East if they win and get help.

They’re a much different team on the road.

The Lions (11-4) remain in the mix for the No. 1 seed after winning their first division title in 30 years. They’ll need to win out and have the 49ers and

Eagles lose to earn a firstround bye.

COWBOYS, 31-27 MIAMI at BALTIMORE Line: Ravens minus 3 1/2 The AFC’s No. 1 seed is on the line when the Ravens (12-3) host the Dolphins (11-4). Miami is coming off its first win in four tries against winning teams. The Ravens just earned their seventh win by at least 14 points over a winning team this season.

RAVENS, 27-20 NEW ENGLAND at BUFFALO Line: Bills minus 11 1/2 Josh Allen and the Bills (9-6) can’t afford to look ahead to a potential showdown for the AFC East against the Dolphins. The Patriots (4-11) try to play spoiler after smashing Denver’s playoff hopes.

BILLS, 26-9 ATLANTA at CHICAGO Line: Bears minus 3 Justin Fields and the Bears (6-9) have won four of six and are trying to finish the season on an encouraging note. The Falcons (7-8) are nearing playoff elimination so they’ll be desperate for a win after Taylor Heinicke sparked the offense.

BEARS, 24-20 TENNESSEE at HOUSTON Line: Texans minus 4 1/2 The Texans (8-7) could get C.J. Stroud back after missing two games just in time to help them get a wild-card spot. The Titans (5-10) are playing for pride.

TEXANS, 24-17 LAS VEGAS at INDIANAPOLIS Line: Colts minus 3 1/2 The Raiders (7-8) need a win to stay alive in the playoff race after upsetting Kansas City on the road without completing a pass in the final three quarters.

The Colts (8-7) will get in with two more wins.

COLTS, 26-18 LOS ANGELES RAMS at NEW YORK GIANTS Line: Rams minus 4 1/2 The Rams (8-7) have won five of six to move into a wild-card spot in a season that began with low expectations. The Giants (5-10) are eliminated from the playoffs after starting the season with high aspirations.

RAMS, 23-18 SAN FRANCISCO at WASHINGTON Line: 49ers minus 12 1/2 Brock Purdy aims to bounce back from four picks and the 49ers (11-4) can move a step closer to locking in the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Commanders

CLEVELAND Browns safety Duron Harmon (30) intercepts a pass as Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown, bottom, tackles during the second half on Sunday in Houston.

(AP Photo/David J Phillip)

(4-11) are benching Sam Howell for Jacoby Brissett after losing six in a row to move in position for a top five draft pick.

49ERS, 34-13 CAROLINA at JACKSONVILLE Line: Jaguars minus 6 1/2 The banged-up Jaguars (8-7) are still in control of the AFC South despite losing four in a row. They may not have Trevor Lawrence against the Panthers (2-13) because of a shoulder sprain.

JAGUARS, 23-13 NEW ORLEANS at TAMPA BAY Line: Buccaneers minus 3 Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (8-7) are the hottest team in the NFC

and can secure their third straight NFC South title with their fifth straight win.

The Saints (7-8) need a win to stay in the playoff race.

BUCCANEERS, 23-18 PITTSBURGH at SEATTLE Line: Seahawks minus 3 1/2 The Seahawks (8-7) control their playoff hopes after consecutive comeback wins in the final minute.

The Steelers (8-7) need to win to stay in the wildcard chase. They’ll stick with Mason Rudolph at quarterback if Kenny Pickett can’t go.

SEAHAWKS, 22-20 CINCINNATI at KANSAS CITY Line: Chiefs minus 7

These aren’t the same Chiefs (9-6) who won the Super Bowl last season.

Patrick Mahomes and Co. are struggling but are still one win away from clinching their eighth straight AFC West title. The Bengals (8-7) are still chasing a wild-card spot with QB Jake Browning.

CHIEFS, 27-17 GREEN BAY at MINNESOTA Line: Vikings minus 2 The Packers (7-8) have struggled on defense since beating Kansas City on Dec. 3. The Vikings (7-8) need QB Nick Mullens to stop turning the ball over.

It’s a must-win game for both teams with fading playoff hopes.

VIKINGS, 26-23

OSAKA HITS PRACTICE COURT TO GET READY FOR TENNIS RETURN BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Former No. 1 and new mom Naomi Osaka hit the practice court yesterday ahead of the Brisbane International as she prepared for her much anticipated return to tennis.

Osaka will make her WTA comeback at the tournament which begins Sunday at Pat Rafter Arena.

A two-time Australian and OSAKA U.S. Open champion, Osaka pulled out of last year’s Australian Open in Melbourne before later revealing she was pregnant.

The U.S.-based Japanese player and her American rapper boyfriend Cordae became parents to daughter Shai in Los Angeles in July.

Osaka has only played one game since the 2021 U.S. Open in New York.

She was leading Daria Gavrilova 1-0 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in September 2021, before the Australian suffered a serious knee injury and had to retire in the match.

“She’s really pumped, excited to be back in Brisbane,” tournament director Cameron Pearson said Wednesday. “She arrived Christmas morning and was out practicing a few hours later. No Christmas pudding for her, she was straight into it.”

Rafael Nadal is also set to return from injury in Brisbane in a 32-man ATP field so strong that Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and 2020 U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem will have to qualify to feature in it.

Thiem made the Australian Open final in 2020 and Berrettini was a semifinalist two years later. Both are currently sitting outside the top-60 cutoff mark which received automatic entry into the season-opening event.

Holger Rune, at No. 8, is the highest-ranked male in the tournament. American Ben Shelton and three-time Grand Slam singles champion Andy Murray are also entered.

Reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko, Victoria Azarenka, Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens are in the 54-player women’s draw.

Man City inspired by world champion badge to rally for 3-1 win at Everton. Rare home win for Chelsea

By MATTIAS KAREN Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Trailing 1-0 to Everton at halftime, Manchester City didn’t much look like the newly crowned Club World Cup champion despite the new golden FIFA badge on the front of the players’ shirts.

But Pep Guardiola had a simple message to his players at the break.

“The manager (told us) at halftime to just keep believing, we haven’t got this badge for no reason,” City midfielder Phil Foden said. “In the second half, yeah, wow, I think we blew them away with the way we played.”

Foden started the comeback by equalising in the 53rd minute, before Julian Alvarez’s penalty and a late goal by Bernardo Silva secured a 3-1 win at Everton to put the defending champions back into the Premier League’s top four.

“That’s why we’re the world champions. The best team in the world,” Guardiola said with a smile in a post-game interview on

Amazon Prime. “Now I’m going to remind them every day. We have a standard to keep.”

The trip to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup was perhaps a bit of a distraction and allowed rivals Liverpool and Arsenal to widen the gap at the top.

But City now can now fully refocus on the task of winning an unprecedented fourth straight Premier League title, and this was a vital first step in showing that it can’t be counted out despite a recent poor run of form.

City is five points behind leader Liverpool with a game in hand, while Arsenal can go six points ahead of Guardiola’s team by beating West Ham on Thursday.

“We know after six games with just one win, the people were asking, which is normal because it is all about results,” Guardiola said about his team’s recent run. “I have a feeling this team, we’re going to be there.”

Even with Erling Haaland still out with a foot injury, City showed it has

MANCHESTER City’s Phil Foden, right, is congratulated after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match against Everton at Goodison Park stadium in Liverpool, England, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Jon Super) more than enough attacking threat to turn things around against a team that had beaten Newcastle and Chelsea in its last two league home games. But it came as a cost as centre back John Stones had to go off with an ankle injury before halftime.

“It doesn’t look good,” Guardiola said about the injury, “but we will see.”

CHELSEA GETS RARE HOME WIN League victories at Stamford Bridge have been hard to come by for Chelsea in 2023.

But its last home game of the year ended in a 2-1 win

over Crystal Palace after substitute Noni Madueke converted a late penalty for the hosts.

It was just Chelsea’s sixth home league win of the calendar year, and Mauricio Pochettino’s team once again struggled to turn possession into goals for much of the game.

With Chelsea fielding the club’s youngest ever starting lineup for a Premier League game — thanks to a slew of injuries and suspensions — the Blues took the lead through Mykhailo Mudryk in the 13th minute.

But the hosts missed several chances to double their

advantage before Michael Olise equalised just before the break.

Just as it looked like Chelsea’s inefficiency up front would cost it again, Madueke was tripped by Eberechi Eze inside the area and stepped up to the spot himself to send goalkeeper Dean Henderson the wrong way in the 89th minute.

That lifted Chelsea into 10th place, which is still far from where the club had expected to be at this stage when it hired Pochettino at the end of last season.

“The first half of the season has been really up and down and it’s been tough and difficult,” Pochettino said.

“But we’re positive and we need to show that we can compete.”

BRENTFORD’S COLLAPSE Brentford might need to start worrying about a relegation scrap.

Thomas Frank’s team fell to a sixth loss in seven games after making a couple of defensive howlers in a 4-1 home defeat against Wolverhampton.

South Korea forward Hwang Hee-chan scored twice as Wolves took full advantage of Brentford’s mistakes, including one that came straight after the kickoff following the visitors’ opening goal.

Nathan Collins’ back pass to goalkeeper Mark Flekken was under-hit, allowing Hwang to round him and tap into an empty net barely 10 seconds after the restart.

Brentford is in 14th place, just four points outside the relegation zone, while Wolves climbed to 11th place. “We performed well, we just made too many big mistakes that killed the game,” Frank said. “We just need to put in the good performance and things will turn around.”

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PAGE 18, Thursday, December 28, 2023

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ORLANDO Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers forward Marcus Morris Sr., right, while going up for a shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game last night in Orlando, Florida.

(AP Photo/Phelan M Ebenhack)

PHOENIX Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) is fouled during the first quarter of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets last night in Houston.

(AP Photo/Kevin M Cox)

Playing without reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid, 76ers beat Magic 112-92 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored ÓÎÊ « ÌÃ]Ê / L >ÃÊ >ÀÀ ÃÊ and De’Anthony Melton added 22 each ands the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Orlando Magic 112-92 last night while playing without reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid.

Paul Reed had 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for the 76ers while starting at centre for Embiid, the league’s leading scorer who missed a second straight game because of a sprained right ankle.

Franz Wagner scored 24 points for the Magic, who were held to a season low in scoring and have lost five of seven.

SUNS 129, ROCKETS 113 "1-/" Ê ­ *®Ê pÊ Kevin Durant had 27

points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 16 assists for his 18th career triple-double, helping Phoenix beat ÕÃÌ Ê Ì Ê i `Ê >Ê Ì Àii game losing streak.

Durant was 9 of 16 from the field and also had two steals and a block in Phoenix’s first road victory since Nov. 26. The Suns improved to 15-15.

Eric Gordon matched Durant with 27 points in ÃÊwÀÃÌÊ}> iÊL>V Ê Ê Õston since being traded in iLÀÕ>ÀÞ°Ê iÊ ÃV Ài`Ê £ÇÊ points in the Suns’ 43-point second quarter en route to a 73-55 halftime lead.

Devin Booker added 20 points.

Alperen Sengun led ÕÃÌ ÊÜ Ì ÊÓ{Ê« Ìð THUNDER 129, KNICKS 120 " " Ê CITY (AP) — Shai

RAYNOR

at Rutgers. It just felt great because all of the hard work and energy I put into my preparation is paying off. I now just have to go and finish it off.”

At Miami Norland, Õ `iÀÊ V >V Ê >ÀÞ iÊ i delburg, Andrews helped the Vikings to a perfect 14-0 win-loss record during the regular season, only to lose in the state championship game. They were the district and G-Mac champions.

As the anchor of the Vikings’ offensive line that produced more than 6,700 yards of total offence, Andrews was ranked at number 99 as an offensive tackle nationally by On3.

“That was a crazy experience because when I first transferred there, our main goal was to get to the state championship and win it,” Andrews recalled.

“We worked so hard the whole year. We beat every team, including Miami Central, the number three ranked team in the nation.

They won three straight championships, but we kicked them out in the playoffs.

“We beat three state championship teams in our regular season. But when it was time to close out, we took the team we played lightly and we underestimated them. But coming second place in the state championship, I won’t forget because I know I

have to play much harder because I don’t like losing.

I was mad for a couple of days.”

Although he won’t officially join the Scarlet Knights team until August, Andrews will be heading to Rutgers on January 11 having graduated already from Miami Norland.

But the 6-6, 315-pound left tackle already started his college workouts to get

his body fit and ready for the collegiate circuit.

“I primarily play left tackle, but there’s a senior player who decided to stay on, so after the right tackle left to declare for the draft and the backup entered the transfer portal, they said the spot is open and the head coach (Greg Schiano) told me I can come in and play that spot once I put my mind to it and put in

but Brown said if they can develop a level-headed mentality during the season, they can play much better and win more games in the AMC Conference in the NAIA Division One. “I believe that we can win the conference. We have a lot of key players that we recruited in the fall, who should definitely be able to help us in the spring,” she pointed out. “I feel like this team can mesh well together. The only person who will stop us from winning is ourselves.”

With the expectations for themselves, Brown said they are eager to surpass the performances of the team in the past and prove to everyone that they are a much better team and they can recruit more talented players in the future.

As the only Bahamian and even foreign player on the team, Brown said she felt right at home with her peers.

“As a walk-on with the team, I felt the expectations for me were there,” she said. “My team-mates find it funny that I’m from a different country. But they support me in anything I say, especially with my slang and some of the things that I say. They find it very funny.”

Likewise, Brown said it’s been a learning experience for her, just as much as it was for her team-mates.

“They learn from me and I learn from them,” she stated. “I am proud to say that I am from the Bahamas. Any time I get, I try to teach them something about the Bahamas.

So I think it’s fun for me as well.”

While home on a break for the Christmas holiday, Brown said the first thing she wanted to engage in was some good home cooking from her mother, Charlene Stubbs-Brown. Of course, she couldn’t resist getting a meal from Bamboo Shack.

The only thing she hasn’t indulged in is conch salad, but she intends to get some before she returns to school on January 8.

The 23-year-old finance major said she’s also enjoying her final year in college, especially playing softball.

“My last semester as I prepared for my graduation in May, I got a 3.8 GPA in my last semester so school is going very well,” Brown said. “I think softball has helped me to grow a lot as a

FROM PAGE 16

encouraged me and told me that I would be a great football player.

“When I narrowed down the schools, that was the best choice for the style of football that I play. Even their programme they offered was exactly what I was looking for. I spoke to my parents and my grandparents and they liked it too, so that was why I made it my choice.”

Andrews, who turned 19 on October 17, is a native of Black Point, Exuma, and is the oldest of three à ÃÊ vÊ > iÞ>Ê > Ì ]Ê who is married to his stepv>Ì iÀÊ Ì ÞÊ > Ì °Ê They were all on hand with his girlfriend Thalia Smith > `Ê iÀÊ «>Ài ÌÃ]Ê 1ÀL> Ê and Thelma Smith, as well as his coaches and some of his friends when he made it official, signing his papers on December 20 at Miami Norland.

“It was a surreal moment because all I was thinking about during the whole time was when I was back home and I was thinking about how I would get off to school,” Andrews said.

“To know that this is what my future is like was a crazy moment for me.

“To know that my people in Black Point were really happy for me because it was a big deal. I’m the first Bahamian student-athlete

LAURANN FROM PAGE 16

through high school at St. Anne’s until she graduated in 2018. At the same time, she was also playing in the Bahamas Football Association’s girls’ league with Cavalier Football Club.

During the past semester, Brown said they played fall ball and when she returns to school in January, they will begin preparation for the regular season, starting in February.

“We want to win a lot more games than we did in the past,” Brown stated.

“We just want to score a lot of runs, limit the errors and have a level headed mentality during the season.” >ÀÀ Ã -Ì ÜiÊ -Ì>ÌiÊ 1 versity is coming off a 6-37 win-loss record last year,

Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams each scored 36 points, and Williams hit a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter in Oklahoma City’s victory over New York. iÌÊ }Ài Ê >``i`Ê 22 points for Oklahoma City, which beat Western Conference-leading Minnesota on Tuesday night and was playing its third back-to-back this season.

The Thunder are 20-9.

Julius Randle led New York with 25 points.

BUCKS 144, NETS 122 NEW YORK (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Khris Middleton added 27 points and 10 assists and Milwaukee beat a Brooklyn team that treated it like a preseason game.

The Nets rested three starters and barely played two others on the night after a victory in Detroit that extended the Pistons’ losing streak to 27, an NBA single-season record.

Rookie Jalen Wilson had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets.

RAPTORS 132, WIZARDS 102 7 - /" Ê ­ *®Ê — OG Anonuby scored 26 points, Pascal Siakam had 22 points and 11 assists and Toronto eased past Washington.

Scottie Barnes had 20 points and 12 rebounds.

The Raptors snapped a three-game slide and fivegame road losing streak while beginning a stretch of nine of 10 on the road.

Washington has lost three straight to fall to 5-25 — the franchise’s

RAYNOR Andrews signing his letter of intent to Rutgers.

second-worst 30-game start.

CAVALIERS 113, MAVERICKS 110 DALLAS (AP) — Caris LeVert scored 29 points, hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, and Cleveland rallied from 20 points down in the first half to beat Dallas.

The Mavericks went five minutes without scoring in the fourth quarter as a nine-point lead turned into a 111-105 deficit with 1:13 remaining.

Jarrett Allen had 24 points and 23 rebounds, one off his career high, to help the Cavs improve to 3-1 in the four games Donovan Mitchell has missed with an illness.

Luka Doncic scored 39 points for Dallas to get to at least 30 for the 14th time in 15 games.

the work,” said Andrews, who intends to study business marketing. º iÊ ­-V > ®Ê Ã> `Ê iÊ doesn’t mind putting a freshman in the starting lineup at that position, so it’s possible that I can come in and play in that spot immediately. I just have to go through the workout sessions and the job is mine.”

While he has no regrets in making the switch over from basketball to football, Andrews said he’s appreciative of the support he got from persons like his father Raynor Andrews Sr, uncle Raymone Andrews and coach Geno Bullard and Noble Preparatory Academy, as well as the Black Point community in Exuma.

“To my family, I want them to know that I am doing this big for us and I will continue to do so to put our island on the map in football,” he said. “And to the kids back home who want to pursue their football dreams, don’t think that you can’t play football because you are in the Bahamas.

“There are a lot of connections out there to get you over here. You just have to put in the work and expose yourself a lot and the coaches and scouts will come looking for you.”

Andrews said he thanks “God” for all of his blessings he’s received so far.

person and so I really don’t have any regrets making the switch when I did. I don’t regret it at all.

“We got to travel to different states and had an overnight stay. We also made it to conference finals, which was also good. But in softball, there’s been a lot more travel and overnight stays. And to play in that stadium was amazing.”

Once she’s done this year, Brown said she’s contemplating on returning to grad school to get her master’s degree in sports administration or she may ÃÌ>ÀÌÊ Ü À }°Ê ÜiÛiÀ]Ê she doesn’t envision playing softball, but is more interested in returning to soccer.

“I have been training a little bit for soccer. I think I will try out for one of the semi-pro leagues and

PROVIDENCE CLASSIC FROM PAGE 16

10 in a losing effort.

“It was a good win. The guys were trying to burn off some of the food they ate over Christmas,” said CV Bethel’s coach Daniel Pratt. “But overall, the guys are just trying to get ready for the second half of the GSSSA season, so it was a good win and a good start to the tournament.”

Junior boys’ division ISBET 34, Teleos 31: Paidys Turnquest came through with 11 points and Zhyon Thompson chipped in with seven to spark the win for the Eagles. Raymond Lowe matched the game’s high honours with 11 for the Cherubim in the loss.

“They performed well.

This is the holiday season, so we’re just trying to get back into it,” said high jumper Kyle Alcine, who serves as the new coach of the team. “It was a good performance. We have a fairly good team. We just have to play more defence and we will be much better than we are now.”

Jordan Prince Williams 34, Anatol Rodgers 24: Antonio Knowles and Anthony Rolle provided a 1-2 punch with nine and eight points respectively to help fuel the Falcons in their win as they cut down the Timberwolves.

“We are out of sync. We need to get it together.

We’re just not playing JPW basketball,” said Falcons’ coach Ernest Saunders.

“We need to work on everything. We need to get our chemistry back, offensively and defensively. We have to get mentally prepared and physically tough.”

In two other junior boys’ games played, St John’s stomped past Charles W Saunders 47-8 and DW Davis knocked off Nassau Christian Academy 36-21.

UÊ iÀi½ÃÊ >Ê Ê >ÌÊ Ì iÊ schedule for today: Session one (senior boys), starting at 9am - Nassau Christian Academy vs CI Gibson A; Doris Johnson vs CC Sweeting; Teleos vs Charles W. Saunders; St John’s vs Government } Ê -V ÆÊ -ÌÊ ½ÃÊ ÛÃÊ ÛiÀ i ÌÊ } Ê > `Ê -ÌÊ George’s vs CI Gibson B. Session two (junior boys), starting at 4 pm - DW Davis vs Agape; AF Adderley vs TA Thompson; Queen’s College vs Nassau Christian Academy; St John’s vs Anatol Rodgers; Jordan Prince Williams vs Teleos; ISBET vs Charles W. Saunders; TA Thompson vs DW Davis; Agape vs Nassau Christian Academy; AF Adderley vs Queen’s College; Teleos vs St John’s; Anatol Rodgers vs Charles W. Saunders and Jordan Prince Williams vs ISBET.

see how that goes,” Brown said. “But after I graduate, I think I’m going to be done with softball. I’m good, but it’s not something I want to continue to pursue.”

Since she left home to attend college, Brown said she’s been pleased with the support she’s gotten from her mother, grandfather Charles ‘Chuck’ Stubbs, her Cavalier coaches and her college coaches in both soccer and softball.

“They all helped me to learn more of the game and about myself, so I’m really grateful for all that they have done in supporting me,” she summed up. «ivÕ ÞÊ >ÃÊ Ã iÊ }iÌÃÊ ÃiÌÊ to complete her collegiate tenure, Brown said she’s looking forward to making everyone proud of her accomplishments.

SPORTS PAGE 16

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2023

NBA

Page 18

Providence Classic starts with a bang

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

T

THE PROVIDENCE Basketball Club’s Holiday Basketball Classic got underway yesterday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

Photo: Moise Amisial

he Providence Basketball Club’s 24th annual Yuletide Basketball Classic got off with a bang yesterday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium, despite the organisers having to juggle the lineup in the absence of a few teams.

The tournament, which features both the junior and senior boys’ division, will continue today at 9am and will run through Saturday when the two new champions will be crowned.

Heading into the remaining three days, the junior division has been dropped to two pools of six teams each instead of the four pools as originally planned.

Pool one now comprises DW Davis, AF Adderley, Queen’s College, Nassau Christian Academy, TA Thompson and Agape,

while pool two will include St John’s, Jordan Prince Williams, ISBET, Charles W. Saunders, Teleos and Anatol Rodgers.

Likewise, the senior boys’ division still comprised four pools, but each has been reduced to just four teams.

The makeup of the pools are as follows: Pool 1 - CI Gibson A, Blazer Elite, Nassau Christian Academy and Mt Carmel. Pool 2 is made up of Charles W Saunders, Government High, Teleos and St John’s. Pool 3 features CC Sweeting, Galilee, Doris Johnson and Queen’s College. And in pool four are St George’s, CI Gibson B, Jordan Prince Williams and CV Bethel.

UÊ iÀi½ÃÊ >Ê Ê >ÌÊ Ã iÊ of the games played on day one: Senior boys’ division Charles W Saunders 45, St John’s 19: In a matchup of two private schools that was over from the first

quarter as the Cougars soared out to a 15-4 lead, the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools Sports’ champions kept the pressure on and made it look so easy.

Treymon Wright scored a game high 13 points and Gervasia Johnson added 10 to lead a potent offensive attack for Charles W. Saunders, who also clamped down defensively to take St John’s out of their rhythm.

Makelin Darling had 10 in a losing effort.

“It was excellent. I saw growth,” said CWS’ head coach Dario Burrows, who didn’t have all of his players participate in the game. “The team came out and executed well. They played team ball. We didn’t rebound as well, but these off-season tournaments will only help us to get better.”

CC Sweeting 46, Queen’s College 28: In another strong offensive attack, the Cobras were too much for

the Comets to handle with E. Adams leading the way with a game high 16 points.

Davon Davis had 11 in a losing effort.

“I wasn’t satisfied with the effort. We had a long break and some of the players went to junkanoo,” said CC Sweeting’s coach Darshtyan Baker. “It took us a little while to get our feet under us, but once we did, we started to play a lot better.”

CV Bethel 46, CI Gibson B: After getting out early in the first half, the Stingrays had to hold down the stretch to prevail against the late comeback surge from the Rattlers in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.

Daniel Bodie, who scored the game’s winning basket with nine seconds left on the clock, ignited their attack with a game high 23 points. Michael Pierre had

SEE PAGE 18

RAYNOR ANDREWS MAKES LAURANN BROWN MAKES IT OFFICIAL WITH RUTGERS ADJUSTMENT TO SOFTBALL

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER making the switch from basketball to football, Raynor ‘Big Ray’ Andrews now finds his way on the verge of joining one of the elite college football programmes at Rutgers University where he will be playing for the Scarlet Knights team next year.

The former student of SC McPherson Junior High School and Noble Preparatory Academy left the Bahamas in the 10th grade to attend Miami Jackson to continue playing basketball, but after he switched to Miami Norland last year, he completed his high school tenure as a football player for the Vikings through one of his advisors.

After starting off with just two offers for college, by the time he was ready to sign his letter of intent, he had more than 20 colleges and universities to choose from. Watered down to the final five, which included Florida State, West Virginia, University of Central

IN one year, Laurann Brown made an impressive switch to softball at HarrisStowe State University in Missouri after she transferred from Dodge City Community College where she played soccer.

The 5-foot, 6-inch outfielder, who occasionally plays infield, is now in her senior year and she’s quite thrilled about her transition, considering the fact she never played softball before.

“At first, the softball coach needed some help with numbers, so we decided to help out,” said Brown, who joined a few other soccer players who moved from soccer to softball. “With soccer, I sort of lost the love and passion, so I decided to try softball.

“It was kind of hard because the game was totally different. They apply two different things.

I believe soccer is more physical and softball is more mental. Having the

RAYNOR ANDREWS, also inset, with his mother Lakeya Hamilton and step-father Anthony Hamilton.

Florida and Colorado, all the potential schools.

Andrews made the commit- “Before they even offered ment to Rutgers. me a scholarship, they “When I first came over saw the potential in me. here (in Florida), that was They always stayed in one of the first schools I contact with me and they visited,” said Andrews about his college tour of SEE PAGE 18

SPORTS CALENDAR TRACK BAAA EVENTS AFTER hosting their Odd Distance Meet in December, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will be hosting a series of events in January to kick off the new calendar year.

Here’s a look at January’s schedule: January 5-6 - T-Bird Flyers Classic at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Sunday, January 7 - BAAA Church Service - venue and time yet to be released.

BAAA 20 DTSP Wolfpack at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

January 27-28 - Redline Athletics’ 4th annual Sonja Knowles Track Classic at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Dec 2023

BAHAMAS YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE THE Bahamas Youth Flag Football League is expected to have three teams representing the Bahamas at this year’s USA Flag Youth World Championships being hosted in San Antonio Texas, December 30-31. The 3 teams will compete in the 13U, 14U and High School divisions.

Team manager Alexandra DealCoakley expressed her excitement about these teams competing, particularly because these teams have been together for a few years now and are showing lots of chemistry when competing, with one of them even winning a qualifier last year in Tampa, Florida.

Jayson Clarke, assistant coach of the high school team and BYFFL

SEE PAGE 19

LAURANN BROWN, also inset, in action at bat. softball IQ was what I was working on. It’s been difficult, but I think I’ve gotten much better than where I was when I first started playing.”

From the fourth grade at Xavier’s Primary School, Brown started playing soccer.

She continued

SEE PAGE 18

GREENE ELECTED TO CAZOVA BOARD KURTWOOD Greene, Gisette Emer (second the third vice president of vice-president), Jamaica’s the Bahamas Volleyball Jacqueline Cowan (secretary Federation (BVF), was general) and board member elected to the Caribbean Filomena Daniel Curiel of Zonal Volleyball AssociaAruba along with newly tion (CAZOVA) Board of appointed Bahamian KurtAdministration during the wood Greene (treasurer) and electoral congress held at board member, Mark Lewis the Brix Hotel on Coblentz of Barbados.

Avenue in Port of Spain Greene is the latest board on Sunday, December 17, member from The Baha2023. mas since Don Cornish, The congress was who served as president in attended by 12 of 14 2001-2002. national federation mem“I am truly grateful to the bers and was held under BVF for nominating me for KURTWOOD Greene the supervision of North, this position,” Greene said.

Central America and “My focus is to provide full Caribbean Volleyball Confederation transparency, especially with all financial (NORCECA) president Cristóbal Marte matters while improving the conditions of Hoffiz. volleyball within the region and to repreCAZOVA members include Aruba, sent The Bahamas with pride.”

Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Cayman Greene, who is also vying for the Islands, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Haiti, presidency of the BVF in January 2024, Jamaica, Martinique, Suriname, US indicated that he will do everything in his Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and power to implement a strategic plan that Turks and Caicos Islands. includes amongst other things improving Mushtaque Mohammed of Trinidad good governance, building partnerships and Tobago was re-elected as president with all stakeholders, and providing a along with Cayman Islands’ Kennedy consistent development environment for McGowan (first vice-president); Bonaire’s athletes.