The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

COACH Mario Bowleg said the men's national basketball team is prepared to put the devastating loss to the US Virgin Islands behind them and is eagerly looking forward to closing out play tonight against the Dominican Republic on a high note in the FIBA 2019 World Cup Qualifier.

The team, now down to nine players, is in Santo Domingo where they will take on the Dominican Republic at 8pm in the last of six games in the home-and-away series in Group D of the qualifying tournament for the 2019 World Cup in Russia. It will be the Bahamas' second match-up against the Dominican Republic, having lost the opener 96-63 in their first match-up at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Thursday, February 22.

Team Bahamas is coming off their 84-74 loss to the US Virgin Islands on Thursday in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a game that eliminated the country from qualifying for the World Cup. The US Virgin Islands won the opener 93-85 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium as well on Monday, November 27.

"Things are looking good. The guys are in high spirits. We watched the tape of the previous game (against the US Virgin Islands) and after reviewing the tape, we felt that the guys stuck to the game plan and we didn't play that bad at all," Bowleg said. "It just boiled down to the guys (US Virgin Islands) hitting some big shots in crucial shots. "We had some unnecessary turnovers in crucial situations and that resulted in the final outcome of that game. But the guys are in high spirits. Right now, we are left with nine players for Monday's game, so we will have a challenge ahead of us, but we don't feel it's something that will hamper our performance."

The New Orleans Pelicans have called for Dwight Coleby to attend a tryout for their National Basketball Association's team and he has to report there today, while Lourawls 'Tum Tum' Nairn has some commitments in the United States as well and won't be able to travel to the Dominican Republic.

The team will have the service of Chavano 'Buddy' Hield, the game's top scorer in his debut in the series of games against the US Virgin Islands on Thursday when he scored 23 points with 13 rebounds and six assists. Nairn was the only other player in double figures with 13 points.

"With those left behind with Buddy Hield, we're very confident that we will put out a good showing against the Dominican Republic," Bowleg stated.

"We have nothing to lose. We just want to build on the previous game and hope that we can improve for the future for the federation.

"The federation is going to continue to build on its foundation of trying to bring its better players together and at some point, looking at some of these other teams in our region, who are starting to diminish, we just have talent coming with Deandre Ayton and Kyle Jones and a few others who have some Bahamian heritage in them to get their documents to be able to compete for us."

Bowleg, however, said he made a promise that this will be his final game he will serve as the head coach of the national team and he will pursue the presidency of the federation when he attempts to move up from the post of first vice president when the election of officers is held during the annual general meeting in April 2019.

"I want to continue on with my knowledge and wisdom of knowing how the international arena is when it comes to the administration of the federation level so I can assure that I am there to lead the Bahamas Basketball Federation as we continue to build on our player development that will ensure that we get to the Olympics, which is our ultimate goal."

While this will be Team Bahamas' final game in the series, Bowleg said it would be good to go out in style, winning their only game. The Dominican Republic is currently sitting in second place behind Canada. Both teams are 4-1, having split their head-to-head encounter.

The US Virgin Islands won their only two games against the Bahamas to join Canada and the Dominican Republic in advancing to the second round of the FIBA Qualifying Tournament in September. The US Virgin Islands occupy third place at 2-3 and will close out play against Canada today as well in Ottawa, Canada.

Joining Bowleg on the coaching staff are Norris Bain and Kevin 'KJ' Johnson, Technical Director Steve Barnes and Chris DeMarco, an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. Also assisting the team are BBF secretary general Clifford 'Spike' Rahming, head of delegation, Moses Johnson, Rodney Wilson and Elvardo Kemp, the team manager.

The other players still with Hield are Michael Carey Jr, Lynden 'LJ' Rose Jr, Jaraun 'Keno' Burrows, Shaquille Cleare, Zane Knowles, Travis Munnings, Jaron Cornish and Kadeem Coleby.