05222019 SPORTS

SPORTS SECTION E

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2019

$22m baseball stadium finished by November

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

he construction of the new national baseball stadium is well on the way and, when completed, project manager Michael Foster said it will be a multipurpose venue with all of the amenities.

Originally, the stadium was to be completed by November 2017 after construction began in August 2016 on an 18-month contract by the Progressive Liberal Party. But there was a contractual delay when the Free National Movement government came into power.

Now that work resumed in August 2018, it’s progressing and the stadium is now projected to be

T

finished by November 2019 with an estimated budget of $22 million.

Project manager and architectural designer Michael Foster said the more you delay, the more you pay.

“Barring any changes, we should be on target for the new date,” said Foster while taking The Tribune through a tour of the facility located in the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre adjacent to Government High School.

“This facility has an extension of three other fields because the projects designed for these facilities are for both local and international events. So we have to construct two more fields that will be in the second phase of construction.”

Under the first phase, the facility will comprise of a major league size diamond and a 5,000 seating

PROJECT manager Michael Foster checks out the new baseball stadium.

capacity with the capability to expand to about 8,000. There will be two dugouts that will also feature a bullpen and warm up area for the players.

Underneath the grandstand, Foster revealed that there will be sufficient space to accommodate a full complement of staff from both the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Minister of Education, Science and Technology.

Foster said there have already been a number of requests from the Major League, universities and colleges as well as private leagues seeking permission to either host games or use the facilities as a practice site.

“So the additional fields are important to this complex in phase

SEE PAGE 3

Raptors tie series

PAGE 2

‘PORK’ BURROWS INVITED TO OFFICIATE AT WORLD GAMES

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MARTIN ‘Pork’ Burrows Sr will add the Babe Ruth League to his list of achievements as a Bahamian baseball/softball international umpire.

Burrows Sr, the director of umpires for the recently defuncted Bahamas Baseball Federation, has been invited to officiate at the 2019 Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series in Branson, Missouri.

The trip, arranged through Babe Ruth League Incorporated, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 31 to Sunday, August 11.

“It’s a childhood dream to be a part of the World Games,” Burrows Sr said.

“I had to send in my résumé first to be accepted and then they replied and told me that I was accepted.

“Not everybody can get that opportunity to officiate at the World Games, so I am just happy to be able to do it as a Bahamian.

I always wanted to do it,

SEE PAGE 3

KEY ROLES OF NEWLY ELECTED BASKETBALL FEDERATION

TORONTO Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks on Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals last night in Toronto.

SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 3 (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

AS a means of accountability, the newly elected Bahamas Basketball Federation would like to inform the general public of the key roles that our team will serve in.

Each executive is eagerly building support teams that will consist of representatives from each island of the Bahamas. The names and roles of these individuals will be revealed at a later date.

President- Mario Bowleg In addition to the duties outlined in Article V-A in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s constitution, Mario Bowleg will serve as the primary overseer of the growth and development of men’s and women’s basketball throughout the Bahamas. He will govern all national and international basketball competition in addition to overseeing the specific development of basketball in the Southern region (San Salvador, Long Island, Rum Cay, Ragged Island, Exuma, Crooked Island, Acklins, Mayaguana, and Inagua) of the Bahamas.

First Vice PresidentEugene Horton In addition to the duties outlined in Article V-B in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s constitution,

SEE PAGE 3

PAGE 2, Wednesday, May 22, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

SARA GOTTBERG, riding Erika Adderley’s Valhalla, was the joint winner of the Junior High Point Rider award.

EQUESTRIAN BAHAMAS HOLDS ITS SIXTH ANNUAL END OF YEAR AWARDS CEREMONY FANS of equestrian sport gathered on Saturday to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2018-2019 season at Equestrian Bahamas’ 6th Annual End of Year Awards Ceremony.

Riders and horse owners proudly stepped up to receive the beautiful aqua, black and gold prize rosettes awarded to the high point scorers in each category of the competition.

This year for the first time ever there was a tie for the Junior High Point Rider of the Year. Lila Cafferata of Grand Bahama and Sara Gottberg of New Providence were joint recipients of the D’Aguilar Equitation High Point Rider Trophy, awarded to the rider(s) amassing the most points in a single equitation division.

The excellent horsemanship of Bahamian riders was on full display as they celebrated and appreciated their equine partners: Camperdown Equestrian Centre’s ‘super pony’ Trade Secret swept the honours, being named Hunter Pony of the Year, Jumper Pony of the Year, and winning the Dr Francis Adderley Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the horse or pony with the highest overall points accumulated in Jumper Divisions. Kathryn Goulandris’ Dreamboat was named Hunter Horse of the Year, while Erika Adderley’s Casino Royale won Jumper Horse of the Year.

Molly McIntosh was the winner of the prestigious Equestrian Bahamas Junior Sportsmanship award, emerging as the top candidate out of a field of seven riders who were nominated by their peers and their coaches for demonstrating sportsmanship, consistent effort, a positive attitude and a commitment to equestrian sport.

The End of Year Awards ceremony marks the end of Equestrian Bahamas’ 20182019 show season.

Riding will continue over the summer in a series of instructional summer camps that are open to all, and competition will resume in the fall.

JUNIOR Sportsmanship Award winner Molly McIntosh poses with fellow nominees (l-r) Isabella Coello, Elle O’Brien, Alexis Neymour, Molly McIntosh (winner), Peyton Wong and Sara Gottberg.

LILA CAFFERATA, joint winner of the Junior High Point Rider award, shares a special moment with her mother, Mrs Rebecca Cafferata.

CAMPERDOWN Equestrian Centre head trainer Mrs Kimberly Johnson celebrates with her students (l-r) Alexis Osazuwa, Crossrails Equitation Reserve Champion, Shiloh Cox, owner/rider of Relax Jack, Crossrails Hunter Reserve Champion, Mrs Johnson, Sienna Tinker, Crossrails Equitation Champion.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, May 22, 2019, PAGE 3

Raptors rout Bucks to even East finals

By IAN HARRISON Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Kyle Lowry scored 25 points, Kawhi Leonard had 19 and the Toronto Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 120-102 last night to even the Eastern Conference finals at two games apiece.

Serge Ibaka had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Raptors, who improved to 7-2 at home this postseason. Reserve Norm Powell scored 18 points, and Marc Gasol had 17.

The home team has won all four games in the series so far. Game 5 is Thursday night in Milwaukee.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the top-seeded Bucks. Khris Middleton scored 30 points.

Milwaukee lost its second straight following a six-game winning streak.

It dropped consecutive games just once during the regular season, at Utah on March 2 and at Phoenix on March 4.

Toronto’s Fred VanVleet, who missed 16 of 20 shot attempts through the first three games of the series, went 5 for 6 from the field in Game 4. He made each of his three 3-point tries and finished with 13 points.

Ahead 94-81 to start the fourth, the Raptors extended their lead with a 10-3 spurt, including seven points from VanVleet.

Powell’s fast-break layup with 8:35 left put Toronto up 104-84.

Antetokounmpo shot 5 for 8 in the opening frame, matching the number of made baskets he had

MILWAUKEE Bucks forward Nikola Mirotic (41) reaches for the ball but can’t stop Toronto Raptors forward Norman Powell’s three point basket during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals last night in Toronto.

(Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) during Milwaukee’s double-overtime loss in Game 3. However, the Bucks star went 4 for 9 the rest of the way.

Leonard missed three of his four attempts in the first but Lowry scored 12 points for the Raptors, who rallied from an early

seven-point deficit to lead 32-31 after one.

After scoring the final four points of the first quarter, the Raptors widened

their lead with a 9-0 run to begin the second.

Ibaka’s dunk with 9:56 to go gave Toronto a 41-31 lead.

New national baseball stadium by November FROM PAGE 1 two,” said Foster, pointing out they will be available for pony league, high school, and the international play, utilising the space in between the new stadium to the softball fields at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

“It is also intended to restore the softball field at the Banker’s Field so that we can accommodate both a softball and baseball tournament being played at the same time.”

Based on the recent accomplishments of so many young baseball players signing professional contracts to play in the minor league, Foster said this facility will bode well for the future growth and development of the sport.

Although there have been talks about the budget being ballooned to about $40 million, Foster said this is because the Ministry of Works is adding in the realignment of the road and the sewerage plant.

PROJECT manager Michael Foster tours new national baseball stadium.

“We have gotten delay charges from Woslee Construction and we expected that because of the disruption in the work,” Foster stated. “That is something that we couldn’t avoid.

“But as far as the actual cost for the construction of the stadium, it’s still on the projecture budget of $22 million. It is on par with any minor league stadium in the USA.” Foster revealed that the project features a strong Bahamian connection. “There are no foreigners on the design team,” Foster pointed out. “The only foreigners we have are the people who fabricated the steels that were designed by our engineers.

“This is a project that is being done primarily by Bahamians and when completed, it will be a stateof-the-art event that will be the envy of the Caribbean. It’s taking shape and will be a beauty to behold.”

‘PORK’ BURROWS INVITED TO OFFICIATE AT WORLD GAMES FROM PAGE 1 whether as a coach, manager or official. I am glad that I can do it as an umpire. It’s a big thing for me.”

Burrows Sr thanked Greg Burrows Sr, the founder of Freedom Farm, for affording him the opportunity to apply for the officiating job. Burrows Sr and his Freedom Farm organisation won the regional tournament for under-12 boys in 2014.

Freedom Farm will be returning to this year’s tournament where they will be among 24 teams participating from Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Australia, Korea, Canada, Dominican Republic, and the United States.

During an extensive international umpiring career that started in 2014 following his time on the field as a player turned coach, Burrows Sr said he has officiated in games that involved at least three of the top five pitchers in the world.

After making his international debut as a player in 1989 in Wichita, Kansas, Burrows Sr started coaching men’s fast pitch softball in the New Providence Softball Association with the New Breed in 1998.

Although he started officiating games in 1995 at the Bahamas Softball Federation’s Austin Knowles National High School Tournament, it wasn’t until 2005 that he switched to baseball, umpiring at the Junior Baseball League of Nassau.

From 2014 to 2017, Burrows Sr cemented his feet on the international scene when he umpired the ISGU Men’s International Fastpitch Softball Tournament in Orlando, Florida, under the supervision of Lou Davis UIC. In 2016, he was named the Umpire Chief for the BBF and a year later, he went to his first international baseball high level umpiring course in Santo Domingo.

He returned home and was named the chief umpire for the Bahamas Baseball Association’s Nationals last year in Grand Bahama.

Since last year, Burrows Sr has hosted clinics for baseball and softball throughout the Bahamas.

He is the father of two sons who actively played both softball and baseball, including Martin Jr, a national year member and a player with the Hitmen, and Chad, who graduated from college in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he was on a scholarship.

His daughter Diva is also one of the top female pitchers in the NPSA with the Johnson’s Lady Truckers.

KEY ROLES OF NEWLY ELECTED BAHAMAS BASKETBALL FEDERATION FROM PAGE 1 Eugene Horton will primarily oversee the specific development of basketball in the Central region (New Providence, Eleuthera, and Andros) of the Bahamas in addition to governing all national competitions.

Second Vice PresidentFreddie Brown In addition to the duties outlined in Article V-B in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s constitution, Freddie Brown will serve as the primary overseer of the growth and development of table officials and referees throughout the Bahamas.

Third Vice PresidentQuentin Hall In addition to the duties outlined in Article V-B in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s constitution,

Quentin Hall will primarily oversee the specific development of basketball in the Northern region (Grand Bahama, Bimini, and Abaco) of the Bahamas in addition to governing all national competitions.

Secretary GeneralJurelle Nairn-Mullings In addition to the duties outlined in Article V-C in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s constitution, Jurelle Nairn-Mullings will primarily oversee the specific development and growth of women’s basketball throughout the Bahamas.

Assistant Secretary General - Latoya Silver In addition to the duties outlined in Article V-D in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s constitution, Latoya Silver will primarily

assist the secretary general with the specific development and growth of women’s basketball throughout the Bahamas.

TreasurerSimone Beneby In addition to the duties outlined in Article V-E in the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s constitution, Simone Beneby will be primarily responsible for fundraising and the overall financial management of the BBF. Additionally, she will govern the junior women’s national basketball team.

Assistant Treasurer Ijanna Rolle Ijanna Rolle will primarily assist the treasurer with fundraising and the overall financial management of the BBF.

Public Relations John Marc Nutt John Marc Nutt will primarily serve as the liaison between the Bahamas Basketball Federation and the general public.

He will plan publicity strategies and campaigns to help build trust and credibility and raise awareness about the BBF and its initiatives.

Officers - Rodney Wilson, Joemond Jones, Sherwin Williams Rodney Wilson (Grand Bahama), Joemond Jones (Bimini), Sherwin Williams (Grand Bahama) will primarily assist the vice presidents with executing and overseeing their responsibilities on their individual islands of residence.

National Technical Director - Steve Barnes is primarily responsible for all technical aspects of the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s programmes, including the delivery of current programmes, oversight of all coaching staff, building out new and existing programmes, and sustaining and achieving best practices in basketball.

The Bahamas Basketball Federation was established in 1962 as the governing body of basketball in the Bahamas.

Our mission and vision is to implement sustainable national basketball programmes and events for administration, coaches and players resulting in high quality basketball at the national, regional, and global levels that will

produce Olympic standard athletes and coaches that are nation builders.

The mission of BBF by “Taking Basketball Back to the Community” through 5 strategic pillars: 1. Development and Training of Executives and Administrators; 2. Development, Training, and Certification of Statisticians, Table & Floor Officials; 3. Development, Training, and Certification of Coaches; 4.

Re-establishment of Youth Development Programmes; 5. Restoration of Women’s Basketball throughout the Bahamas.

For more information, visit us at bbfbasketball.com or on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter by searching “BBF Basketball”.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, May 22, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

MANNY PACQUIAO, left, and Keith Thurman stand face to face during a news conference yesterday in New York. The two are scheduled to fight in a welterweight world championship bout on Saturday, July 20, in Las Vegas.

(AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

THURMAN PROMISES TO END PACQUIAO’S LEGENDARY CAREER

By BARRY WILNER AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Keith Thurman keeps calling Manny Pacquiao a legend, and in the boxing world, he probably is correct.

Then the undefeated welterweight champion keeps promising to end the ring career of the senator from the Philippines.

That could happen, too. For once, Pacquiao is the underdog in the July 20 fight in Las Vegas for the WBA belt.

Or Pacquiao, holder of titles in eight weight classes during 24 years in the sport, could continue his Hall of Fame-calibre career at age 40 with another impressive win.

“I have been in boxing for two decades and I am never scared or intimidated with my opponent,

and I am so excited for this fight,” Pacquiao said yesterday at a news conference announcing the Fox pay-per-view bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“Keith Thurman is the kind of fighter you can respect. He is undefeated and this gives me more encouragement, motivation to work hard — like I did before, in my previous fights with big names in boxing.

“I will make sure I am in 100 per cent condition and ready for the fight, and let’s see who is tougher in the ring on July 20. It is going to be exciting and I like it. I like it I am the underdog for this fight, this is fun, this is what I want.”

What Thurman wants is to fully establish himself as the top gun in a loaded division. It’s his first payper-view fight despite being 29-0 with 22 knockouts.

It’s also an opportunity to prove that the rustiness he showed in a January decision over Joselito Lopez is gone after Thurman fought only three times in three years, in part due to injuries.

And yeah, it’s a chance to send Pacquiao packing to full-time politics. “Come July 20, he will disappear. He belongs as a senator in the Philippines,” Thurman said. “What I am doing to Manny Pacquiao is what he did to Oscar De La Hoya.”

That would be the 2008 manhandling that sent De La Hoya into retirement and established Pacquiao as a worldwide boxing force. “This is a big fight, bombs are being dropped,” the 29-yearold Thurman added. “I waited 22 months to get back in the game (after injuries). We have our ups and downs in this sport; your boy Keith Thurman is back on the

rise. You will want to be there, especially because this will be this man’s last fight.”

Pacquiao smiled at Thurman’s boast. He smiled a lot at the smack talk yesterday, though the verbiage never got out of hand like it did for his previous bout, when he toyed with Adrien Broner for 12 rounds in January.

Pacquiao-Thurman is an intriguing matchup. Although Pacquiao had lost a unanimous decision to Jeff Horn in 2017, he determined he was not through when many — possibly most — in the boxing world had written him off. He won the WBA crown from Lucas Matthysse a year later, then easily beat Broner.

If nothing else in a 61-7-2 career, he has staying power.

Thurman seemed headed toward elite status in the sport when he won the interim WBA

title in 2013 and the full championship in 2015. His wins over Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia were close but fair, and his performances were stellar.

But right elbow surgery slowed him in 2017 — he jokes that his “One Time” nickname became “Sometimes” — and he’s been an infrequent defender of his title.

Thurman vows that will change once he sends Pacquiao into retirement. “Come July 20 you will see the best,” he said. “It has been four years since I fought two times in one year. “Trash talk doesn’t mean nothing, but when he is on that mat and catching that ‘night night,’ it’s really going to mean something.”

The undercard will feature two unbeatens. Caleb Plant (18-0, 10 KOs) makes the first defence of his IBF super middleweight belt against Mike Lee (21-0, 11 KOs).

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, May 22, 2019, PAGE 5

Column: Why it took 4 majors for Koepka to get his due

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Majors matter more than any other golf tournament.

They are not the sole measure of greatness.

And that might be one reason it took Brooks Koepka winning four majors — as many as Rory McIlroy, one more than Jordan Spieth among his contemporaries — for the 29-year-old Floridian to get the kind of attention his game deserves.

Never mind the No. 1 ranking that came with his victory Sunday in the PGA Championship. That could change in two weeks.

Koepka now is at that level — and it took back-toback titles in the US Open and PGA Championship to get there — that he makes people look when he walks onto the range, that he’s considered a top favourite wherever he goes without anyone having to look up the odds.

Why wasn’t it enough when he won last summer at Shinnecock Hills to become the first repeat winner of the US Open in 29 years, and only the second player to successfully defend the US Open since Ben Hogan in 1951? Same major, yes, but Erin Hills and Shinnecock were entirely different tests.

What kept him from megastar status when he added the PGA Championship last summer at Bellerive to join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to win the US Open and the PGA in the same year? That kind of company is as elite as it gets. What made Koepka

BROOKS Koepka poses with the Wanamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship golf tournament on Sunday at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) different was that he seemed to show up only at the big events. That’s a nice problem to have.

Koepka now has won four of his last eight majors, a stretch not seen since Woods won seven of 11 in an amazing run through the 2002 US Open at Bethpage Black. The only other tournaments Koepka won during his run of majors was the Dunlop Phoenix in Japan in 2017 (by nine shots) and the CJ Cup last fall in South Korea.

Woods won 19 other times during his stretch of majors, 15 of them on the PGA Tour.

Roger Maltbie’s description of Woods at Pebble

Beach — “It’s not a fair fight” — goes well beyond that 2000 US Open. It’s never fair to compare Woods with anyone. He won at a rate never before seen in golf, and it probably won’t happen again.

Koepka is aware that his trophy collection is weighted heavily toward the majors. Justin Ray of a golf analytics group called “15th Club” pointed out over the weekend that Woods and Koepka are the only active players who have more victories than missed cuts in the majors: 15-9 for Woods, 4-2 for Koepka.

Don’t get the idea that Koepka would trade any of his four majors for a

few more Texas Opens or Phoenix Opens. It simply explains why it took longer for golf fans to embrace what he has done in the last two years. Koepka touched on this Saturday night after he had a seven-shot lead — a PGA Championship record — and faced questions that were intended to find out what he was doing differently to win majors so regularly. “I’m just that much more focused,” Koepka said. “I think I’m more focused than anybody out there. My focus probably goes up, I don’t know, tenfold of what it does in a tour event — which isn’t good. I mean, it’s good that I’m doing it in the majors,

but I need to do that in regular weeks.”

Consider some other players from his generation.

McIlroy won 12 times starting with his first major in the 2011 US Open through his fourth major in the 2014 PGA Championship.

Spieth won the Masters and US Open in 2015 when he chased the Grand Slam, but he also won the Valspar Championship, the John Deere Classic and the Tour Championship that year.

Spieth was 23 when he won the third leg of the career Grand Slam at the 2017 British Open, and he already had 11 titles on the PGA Tour (14 worldwide).

They also had name recognition before they turned pro. McIlroy was the low amateur at Carnoustie in the 2007 British Open when he was 18. Spieth tied for 16th in the Byron Nelson Classic when he was 16.

Koepka?

His last name was pronounced “Cupcake” on the first tee at the Phoenix Open in 2015, his first PGA Tour victory.

The game was always there.

His caddie, Ricky Elliott, recalls being asked to work for Koepka in the 2013 PGA Championship. He saw him for the first time on the range at Oak Hill. “I watched him striping it and thought to myself, ‘Happy day,’” Elliott said.

In a 2015 interview with Golf Digest, Steve Williams, who was on the bag for 13 of Woods’ majors, was quoted as saying: “Once in a great while, a player comes along who hits a golf ball the way it was meant to be hit.

“Powerful, piercing, the perfect trajectory. Of the young players out there, one I’ve seen has that special ball flight: Brooks Koepka.”

Majors should never be dismissed for their value, for the legacy they create.

At this point, Koepka really doesn’t need to win more PGA Tour titles to add to his reputation.

“Now he’s got it. And he got it in the right way,” Paul Azinger said Tuesday.

“He has built his brand through self-belief and intestinal fortitude. By not getting attention, he has become a (tough guy) with a chip on his shoulder who says, ‘I can do anything you say I can’t.’”

That should do.

PHELPS HONOURED FOR HIS HONESTY ON MENTAL HEALTH, HELPING OTHERS

By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer BALTIMORE (AP) — While swimming to Olympic glory, Michael Phelps found comfort in the pool and quite a bit of angst out of it.

His bout with depression reached its nadir in 2014 after a second DUI arrest.

That’s when the most decorated Olympian of all time checked himself into a rehabilitative centre in a desperate effort to make sense of it all.

“When I was in my room and not wanting to talk to anybody for a number of days and not wanting to be alive, I wanted to see what other roads I could take to see if there was help,” Phelps recalled.

The treatment he received — and continues to receive — charted his post-Olympic course.

“I know it’s something that changed my life and saved my life and allowed me to be able to be where I am today, enjoying the platform of talking about something that’s so important,” Phelps told The Associated Press in an interview yesterday.

Because he is willing to share his story of depression and raise awareness of mental health issues, Phelps was to be given the fifth annual Morton E Ruderman Award in Inclusion last night in Boston.

After participating in four Olympic Games and collecting 28 medals, including 23 gold, Phelps has dedicated his time and energy to promoting the importance of water safety and advocating for the de-stigmatisation of mental health problems through the Michael Phelps Foundation.

“When I first really opened up about the struggles that I had in ‘15, obviously I dreamed of being able to get more publicity to this and to really share my journey and have other people share their

SUPPORT THE BLOOD BANK

MICHAEL Phelps arrives at the ESPYS in Los Angeles in 2017.

(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) journeys with me as well,” Phelps said.

“Honestly, I never thought it would be as big as this, but it’s been a true dream to be able to watch the growth that mental health has taken, almost being at centre stage,” said Phelps.

To say this endeavour has been fulfilling is an understatement.

“Through this, if I can save one life, two lives, five lives, a thousand, a million, to me that’s so much more important than winning a gold medal,” he said.

The 33-year-old Phelps believes his bout with depression is a story that many can share, including CEOs and other retired athletes.

After accomplishing every goal he set for himself, what was left to do?

“Probably my first real depression spell was after 2004, then the next big one was after 2008,” he said.

“When you set out to be an Olympian, your whole life is put on hold. All the eggs are in one basket. I would say 2004, 2008, 2012, partly after ‘16 (all Olympic years) I’ve dealt with pretty severe depression spells.

I was kind of lost at that point.”

The Baltimore native is in a far better frame of mind now.

“To have my wife (Nicole Johnson), who’s always by my side, two amazing little boys at home and a third one on the way, I’m extremely thankful of the support I’ve had to get me through these times,” Phelps said.

The Ruderman Award is given to individuals who are passionate about providing opportunities for others.

Phelps certainly fits that description.

“Michael Phelps is a unique leader who has used his fame and status as the greatest swimmer of all time to challenge our society to remove stigma surrounding mental health,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “For me, this award means everything because this is where my passion is and the next chapter of my life is really heading,” Phelps said. “We’re kind of scratching the surface of what can be done, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey and accomplishing some of the goals that I have — de-stigmatising mental health and just getting the point across that it’s OK to not be OK.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, May 22, 2019, PAGE 7

TOP-SEEDED ALEX ZVEREV ADVANCES AT GENEVA OPEN GENEVA (AP) — Topseeded Alexander Zverev eased to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Ernests Gulbis in the second round of the Geneva Open yesterday.

The fifth-ranked German, seeking his first title in 2019, saved eight of the nine break points he faced against the 80th-ranked Gulbis.

Former No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov had to come through two rounds of qualifying after all the wild cards were allocated, only to lose his first-round match 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 against Federico Delbonis.

Dimitrov’s ranking has fallen to No. 47 after a shoulder injury, and he let Delbonis convert all five of his break points.

Damir Dzumhur also came through qualifying and the 57th-ranked Bosnian beat wildcard entry Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-5 in the first round.

Dzumhur will play secondseeded Stan Wawrinka today.

Sixth-seeded Adrian Mannarino lost 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-2 to Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

The Geneva tournament and another clay-court event this week in Lyon, France, are the final men’s warmups before the French Open begins Sunday.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV, of Germany, celebrates defeating Ernests Gulbis of Latvia during their second round match at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tournament in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. ( Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 70° F/21° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunshine; breezy in the afternoon

Mainly clear

Partly sunny, breezy; a p.m. shower

Sunshine, breezy and pleasant

Mostly sunny, breezy and pleasant

Mostly sunny and comfortable

High: 85°

Low: 75°

High: 84° Low: 71°

High: 84° Low: 73°

High: 85° Low: 74°

High: 85° Low: 74°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

92° F

76° F

90°-70° F

87°-73° F

90°-76° F

93°-76° F

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 72° F/22° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

7-14 knots

S

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 74° F/23° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 75° F/24° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 70° F/21° C

MIAMI

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C

6-12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2019

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

11:10 a.m.

11:33 p.m.

2.2 2.8

5:20 a.m. -0.1 5:11 p.m. 0.0

Thursday

11:58 a.m.

-----

2.1 -----

6:06 a.m.

5:58 p.m.

0.1 0.2

Friday

12:20 a.m.

12:49 p.m.

2.7 2.1

6:54 a.m.

6:48 p.m.

0.3 0.5

Saturday

1:09 a.m.

1:42 p.m.

2.5 2.0

7:44 a.m.

7:42 p.m.

0.4 0.6

Sunday

2:00 a.m.

2:38 p.m.

2.4 2.1

8:34 a.m.

8:40 p.m.

0.5 0.7

Monday

2:52 a.m.

3:33 p.m.

2.3 2.2

9:24 a.m.

9:39 p.m.

0.5 0.7

Tuesday

3:45 a.m.

4:25 p.m.

2.3 2.3

10:12 a.m. 0.4 10:36 p.m. 0.7

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:23 a.m.

7:51 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

11:31 p.m.

9:34 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

May 26

Jun. 3

Jun. 10

Jun. 17

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

S

E

W

6-12 knots

S

7-14 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 74° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 85° F/29° C Normal low ........................................ 72° F/22° C Last year’s high ................................. 85° F/30° C Last year’s low ................................... 76° F/25° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 10.64” Normal year to date ..................................... 7.71”

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

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

7-14 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 83° F/28° C Low: 79° F/26° C

L L

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

7-14 knots

6-12 knots

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

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS NE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots

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

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

WATER TEMPS. 79° F 79° F 81° F 82° F 80° F 78° F 83° F 81° F 82° F 76° F 81° F 81° F 82° F 81° F 84° F 82° F 83° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 83° F 81° F 81° F 78° F

PAGE 8, Wednesday, May 22, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night in Portland.

(AP Photo/Ted S Warren)

Warriors beat Blazers 119-117 in OT for NBA Finals berth

By ANNE M PETERSON AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) — Experience bred confidence for the Golden State Warriors, even when challenged by the upstart Portland Trail Blazers.

No matter how far they were down, they’ve been through too much to ever think they’re out.

“We just really understand what we’re capable of on both sides of the basketball,” Draymond Green said. “We’re never out of the fight. That’s just always our mindset.”

The Warriors swept their way to a fifth straight NBA Finals, getting triple-doubles from Stephen Curry and Green in a 119117 overtime victory on Monday night.

The two-time defending champions overcame a double-digit deficit for the third straight game against the Blazers, back in the conference finals for the first time since 2000.

Green had 18 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, and made a key 3-pointer in overtime. Curry added 37 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. They became the first teammates to have triple-doubles in the same playoff game.

The Warriors will face the winner of the Eastern Conference finals between Toronto and Milwaukee.

The Warriors came back from 17 down after erasing an 18-point deficit in Game 3 and a 17-point hole in Game 2 “We’ve been here before.

We’ve seen everything, every experience you can imagine. So we relied on that,” Curry said.

Playing without Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and DeMarcus Cousins, the Warriors became the first team to reach five straight finals since the Boston Celtics went to 10 in a row from 1957-66.

Damian Lillard, playing with separated ribs, had 28 points and 12 assists for Portland. He missed a 3-point attempt as time ran out in the extra period.

Meyers Leonard added a career-high 30 points along with 12 rebounds.

The Warriors were up 114-113 in the extra period after Green missed the first of a pair of free throws.

CJ McCollum’s jumper from out front briefly gave Portland the lead but Alfonzo McKinnie’s basket

put Golden State back ahead and Green made a 3-pointer to push it to 199115 with 39 seconds left.

Lillard made a layup and Curry missed a jumper to give Portland back the ball. Facing stifling defence from both Green and Klay Thompson, Lillard couldn’t get off a shot but the ball went out of bounds in the scramble. The Blazers got it back with 3.3 seconds left but Lillard’s final shot didn’t fall.

Blazers coach Terry Stotts was asked if he was expecting another buzzer-beating winner from Lillard, who had a memorable 3-pointer at the buzzer to clinch the first-round series against Oklahoma City.

“Yeah, I did. I thought it was going to — kind of meant to be,” Stotts said.

“When he shot it, it had a good arc. I thought it had a chance.”

The Blazers stretched the lead to 17 points in the third quarter, but the Warriors went on a 12-0 run to close within 95-90 early in the final period.

Green’s long baseline jumper gave the Warriors a 108-106 lead with 3:30 left. Lillard’s 3-pointer put the Blazers back ahead and Leonard’s dunk extended it to 111-108 with just under 2 minutes to go.

After Thompson’s 3-pointer tied it up again both Curry and Lillard missed 3s.

Curry made a 3 from the corner with 10.7 seconds left but he was called for travelling first and it didn’t count.

Lillard’s layup bounced around the rim and out and the game went to overtime.

Iguodala was out because of a sore left calf. The veteran swingman, who is averaging 10.1 points in the playoffs, was hurt in the second half of Saturday’s Game 3 victory.

It was not known how long he’d be out, but the Warriors said an MRI Sunday was clear.

Golden State was already missing Durant because of a sore right calf.

It’s unknown when the two-time NBA Finals MVP will return.

Also sitting is Cousins, who injured his left quadriceps in the opening round.

“We’ve had guys step up all along this entire time and we’re going to look forward to those guys continuing to step up, no matter what happens with

3-pointers from Leonard, who finished with five 3s in the first half. Curry hit a 3-pointer with 2.6 seconds left in the half to close the Warriors within 69-65 at the break.

Portland pushed the lead to 83-72 on McCollum’s 3-pointer. After he made another 3 to push the lead to 91-78, he gestured to the crowd to make noise.

McCollum finished with 26 points.

TIP INS: Warriors: Curry has made a 3-pointer in a playoff-record 106 games.

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was among the fans at the game, sitting a few seats down from the Warriors bench. Per Elias Sports and the Warriors, Curry had a streak of 81 consecutive free throws made in the fourth quarter and overtime in the postseason — before he missed one with 9:25 left in the game against the Blazers.

Trail Blazers: Leonard, who didn’t even play in five of Portland’s postseason games, had a playoff-high 16 points in Game 3. After scoring 25 in the first half, fans at the Moda Center chanted his name.

FIVE AIN’T EASY The Warriors are just the sixth professional team from North America to go to five straight championships, along with the Montreal Canadiens (NHL), Boston Celtics (NBA), Cleveland Browns (NFL), New York Yankees (MLB) and New York Islanders (NHL).

GOLDEN State Warriors centre Andrew Bogut, top, dunks over Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner during the first half of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

(AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer) the injuries that we have,” Green said.

“You know, we’re trying to go win this thing. Never the goal is just to get there.”

Lillard separated his ribs in Game 2 but was playing through the pain. He

averaged 33 points in the first-round playoff series against Oklahoma City but struggled against Golden State’s defensive focus on him.

Playing with urgency in an elimination game,

Portland pulled in front 30-28 in the opening quarter on CJ McCollum’s layup and free throw, but Curry answered on the other end with a step-back 3-pointer.

Portland went ahead 59-50 after back-to-back

HONOURING LOWE Former Oregon wide receiver Keanon Lowe got a standing ovation when he was introduced to the crowd at the Moda Center in the first quarter.

Lowe, a coach at Portland’s Parkrose High School, stopped a student who came to the school armed with a shotgun on Friday.

“I saw the look on his face, the look in his eyes, I looked at the gun, I realised it was a real gun and then my instincts just took over,” Lowe, 27, said about wrestling the gun away from the teenager. Lowe spoke to reporters before the game.

The suspect, 19-yearold Angel Granados-Diaz, pleaded not guilty earlier Monday during a brief court hearing.