Brent Stubbs

Basketball standout Rhema Collins prepares for Ole Miss

AS she continues her transition to college, University of Mississippi bound Rhema Collins came home to take advantage of some training from professional player Ryan Moss and veteran women’s coach Anthony Swaby. Moss and Swaby took Collins through a series of workouts yesterday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium as the 6-foot, 2-inch forward took the break from her final season with the Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Elana Mackey upsets Clarke for ladies’ title

WITH her college roommate as her lucky charm on the sideline cheering her on, Elana Mackey stunned defending champion Sydney Clarke to capture her first Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals women’s title. In the rematch of last year’s final of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s week-long tournament at the National Tennis Centre, Mackey prevailed with an impressive 6-2, 7-5 triumph over Clarke on Thursday.

BLTA Nationals: Denali Nottage takes home men’s crown

One day after enduring his longest match ever to book his ticket to the finals, a well-rested Denali Nottage got his shortest time on the court to hoist the 2022 Giorgio Baldacci Open National Championships. In what he anticipated to be an early present for his 19th birthday on Saturday, Nottage, fully regrouped from his three-set thriller over fellow Grand Bahamian Rodney Carey Jr on Wednesday, only played one game against Kevin Major Jr before he was crowned the new champion.

Major Jr and Nottage face off in men’s final

It will be youth versus experience and Grand Bahama vs New Providence when rising teenager Denali Nottage faces former champion Kevin Major Jr in the men’s final of the 2022 Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals. The tournament, hosted by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, will come to a close today at the National Tennis Centre when the women’s champions will be decided as well in a rematch of last year’s finals between champion Sydney Clarke and runners-up Elana Mackey.

Cousins making their presence felt at Nationals

WHEN they are not playing each other or teaming up together in doubles, close cousins Saphire and Breann Ferguson are on the sidelines cheering for one another. The daughters of two brothers - Barron and Bjorn Ferguson - recalled how they got introduced to the sport of tennis by their grandfather Roscoe Ferguson, whom they call “pappa.”

Sparks Rowing Camp set for December 27-30

DURING the Christmas holiday, instead of taking time off to relax and enjoy the festivities, the Nassau Rowing Club will be busy entertaining the Sparks Rowing Camp for the second consecutive year. The camp, scheduled for December 27-30, will be staged at the NRC’s headquarters at Oaks Hills Road, according to Kyle Chea, the president of the association.

Don’t Blink Home Run Derby continues to grow

WHEN they got the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby started in 2018, neither Todd Isaacs Jr nor Lucius Fox envisioned that the event would become such a spectacular for the world to see in the Bahamas. The duo not only assemble the best talent available in the professional baseball ranks in the Major League affiliations and now there’s a wide range of celebrities coming on board to participate in the week-long festivities.

Hoopfest in Paradise: ‘We’re looking forward to an even bigger draw’ in 2023

ORGANISER Glenn Smith was so impressed with the initial staging of the Hoopfest in Paradise High School Basketball Tournament over the weekend that they are already looking at returning for the second edition in 2023. Smith, who serves as president of Hoopfest in Paradise Basketball Incorporated, said they were able to display some top-notch basketball competition with some of the top stars coming in from the United States.

Eagan Neely crowned Athlete of the Year

ALL of the sacrifices and hard work paid off for Eagan Neely as he was crowned the Red-Line Athletics Club’s 20022 Athlete of the Year. The honour was bestowed upon the 14-year-old sprinter during the club’s Christmas party and awards ceremony that was held at the National Training Agency on Sunday.

BLTA Nationals: Sydney Clarke, Elena Mackey lead the charge

COLLEGIANS Sydney Clarke and Elana Mackey, the top seeded players, led the charge for the ladies during day one of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals at the National Tennis Centre yesterday. Top seed Clarke, a senior at the University of Arlington at Birmingham, pulled of a hard fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Simone Pratt, while Mackey, the No.2 seed, easily secured a 6-0, 6-0 triumph over Saphirre Ferguson.

BLTA Nationals: Major, Rolle advance

After knocking off collegian Donte Armbrister in a three-set thriller, high school sensation Michael Major Jr didn’t have anything left in the tank as he went down in two straight sets to number one seed Kevin Major Jr. With a couple players opting out of competition, Major Jr was the only player to have to play a pair of matches yesterday as the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association kicked off the 2022 Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals at the National Tennis Centre.

BJ Murray III wins Home Run Derby

POWER hitting third baseman Bertram Murray III, coming off an impressive year in the Chicago Cubs minor league baseball organisation, capped off the first All-Bahamian final to become the first home grown player to capture the Don’t Blink Home Run Derby title. In a dramatic showdown as the fifth edition of the event returned from Paradise Island to the Montagu shores, Murray, better known as ‘Deeja,’ out-slugged Trent ‘T-Money’ Deveaux 9-8 in the final of the country’s biggest event that highlighted the majority of the players playing in the minor leagues or in college.

Hoopfest Tournament a blast with top high school teams from US

WITH a little more time to work with their teams, coaches for both the New Providence and Grand Bahama All-Stars feel as if they could have had better showings against the Miami Northwestern High School in the Hoopfest High School Tournament at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium over the weekend. On Friday, the New Providence All-Stars got off to a slow start and ended up getting routed 71-36 by Miami. On Saturday, the Grand Bahama All-Stars got off to a good start, but couldn’t maintain their composure, losing 66-47 to Miami.

Bahamas Bowl: Blazers take title to UAB

THE University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers, the athletic programme that features Bahamian star Sydney Clarke on their women’s tennis team, came back to town on Friday and took home the 2022 HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl football title. The Blazers, with the go-ahead touchdown from Jermaine Brown Jr on 4th-and-1 with one minute and 33 seconds left, held on as Rennard Ellis tackled Jalen Walker at the 1-yard line on the final play of the game that was sealed with kicker Matt Quinn booting in the extra point for a 24-20 win over Miami (Ohio) RedHawks at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

Joanna Evans ends up 3rd overall

With a first and second place finish in the women’s 400 and 200 metre freestyle races respectively in her regional competition in San Antonio, Texas, Grand Bahamian Joanna Evans placed third overall in both events at the US Open Swimming Championships.

BLTA hosts successful International Tennis Federation National School Officiating Course

AMIDST the loosening of the COVID-19 restrictions, the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association hosted a successful International Tennis Federation’s National School Officiating Course at the National Tennis Centre over the weekend.

Mikhail McLean making impact as assistant director of player development

AFTER suffering an injury, Bahamian basketball player Mikhail McLean thought his career was over.

Derrick Atkins named head women’s track and field coach

Men’s national 100 metre record holder Derrick Atkins, who still holds the distinction of being the only Bahamian to win a male sprint medal at the World Championships, has been named the new head women’s coach of the Trailblazers’ track and field club at Dixie State University in Utah.

Kendal Isaacs Gym ‘not available for us to use’

The Bahamas Basketball Federation was faced with the dilemma of securing the necessary funding to send its men’s national team off to the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers from November 27 to December 1.

Michael Carey Jr won’t be making trip to Indiana

WHILE the men’s national basketball team is preparing to head to Indianapolis, Indiana, in a couple of weeks for the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers, professional player Michael Carey Jr has made it clear that he won’t be making the trip.

In Japan, Mark St Fort wins, Kadeem Coleby suffers loss

IT was contrasting results for Bahamian professional basketball players Mark St Fort and Kadeem Coleby yesterday as they continued their journey in the regular season of the Japanese B League.

Roadmasters’ Bahamas Half marathon, 10k race goes virtual

IN the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Bahamas Roadmasters has decided to take its 2020 Bahamas Half & 10 kilometre race virtually, powered by the Cancer Treatment Centres of America.

NACAC says Miller-Uibo’s concerns ‘require urgent attention of World Athletics’

North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) is supporting Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo in questioning why World Athletics didn’t penalise women’s 400 metre world champion Salwa Eid Naser from Bahrain for apparently missing a series of drug testing.

Bahamians invited to participate in One Run Global Challenge

BAHAMIANS are being invited to participate in the One Run Global Challenge on December 10.

Basketball, bodybuilding national teams won’t get full funding

THEY won’t get the full funding, but the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will make a contribution to the Bahamas Basketball Federation and the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation as they prepare to send their national teams off in the next few weeks.

Top athletes in spotlight for National Sports Heritage Month

WITH sports taking on a new look due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has made some changes to its National Sports Heritage Month.

Kadeem Coleby posts double double for win on birthday

Birthday boy Kadeem Coleby helped the Akita Northern Happinets pick up their second straight victory in two nights over his celebrated weekend against the same team in the Japanese D1 professional basketball league.

In Spain, Lashann Higgs sinks 13 in losing effort

Bahamian guard Lashann Higgs turned in another outstanding performance, but it wasn’t quite enough to lead her Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre PDM women’s professional basketball team to victory in the Spanish League yesterday.

Justin Roberts and Maginley ousted in semifinals

THE run for the men’s doubles title at the Legacy Bank NWA Tennis Series ended in the semifinals for Bahamian Justin Roberts and his long-time partner Jody Maginley from Antigua & Barbuda.

Swaby: ‘He got me with a really good left hook to the body’

BAHAMIAN professional boxer D’Angelo Swaby suffered his second straight defeat as a heavyweight and now he’s contemplating dropping down to the cruiserweight division for his next bout.

Walkover victory: Roberts and Maginley advance to semifinals

A positive test for the coronavirus by one of their opponents enabled Bahamian Justin Roberts and his close friend and long-time partner Jody Maginley to advance to the semifinal of the men’s doubles in the Legacy Bank NWA Tennis Series.

Major fast tracks to 2022 Commonwealth Games

WITH the postponed 2020 Olympic Games that have been pushed back to next year in Tokyo, Japan out of his grasp, cyclist Jay Major is focusing his attention on his third appearance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Justin Roberts and Maginley stay alive in doubles

AFTER they both got eliminated the day before in their singles, Bahamian Justin Roberts and his close friend and long-time partner Jody Maginley from Antigua and Barbuda stayed alive in the men’s doubles in the Legacy Bank NWA Tennis Series.

Miller-Uibo, Gardiner don’t make nominees’ list for athlete of year

Unlike the two years, no Bahamian athletes made the list of nominees for the World Athletics’ 2020 Male or Female Athlete of the Year.

Jimmy Norius: ‘There’s no reason why I can’t crack the top three in this show’

THEY’VE been married for the past two years and training together, now Jimmy and Serena Salius Decius-Norius are planning to compete in the same venue, albeit in two different events, in one weekend.

Joanna Evans: Training for US Open Swim Championships ‘going pretty good’

While she continues to train at her alma mater at the University of Texas, Bahamian multiple national record holder Joanna Evans is preparing to get back into the pool when she competes in the 2020 US Open Swimming Championships.

‘Reno’ gets busted lip ‘stitched right away’

TUREANO ‘Reno’ Johnson was on the verge of setting himself up for one of the greatest accomplishments in Bahamian boxing history. But that was thwarted by Mexican Jaime Munguia at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, on Saturday night.

Serena 2nd in bikini class

Serena Salis Decius-Norius is fast becoming a household name on the local and international bodybuilding scene.

Mike Sands: ‘We have to get the message out about who is NACAC’

THE North American, Central American and the Caribbean (NACAC), in its bid to bridge the gap in all aspects of the region, hosted a virtual meeting with the media to ascertain the way forward and, in particular, the highly acclaimed CARIFTA Games as it reaches close to its 50th anniversary. The meeting was hosted by NACAC’s newly elected president Mike Sands and facilitated by Trinidad & Tobago’s journalist Kwame Laurence and local photographer Kermit Taylor and events manager Dianne Woodside-Johnson.

Impressive showing for Albury and Believe Prep in Florida

DESPITE losing their first game of the pre-season, Deyton Albury and the Believe Prep Academy basketball team had an impressive showing at the Big House Complex in Tavares, Florida, over the weekend.

BBF needs to secure at least $80,000

After missing out on the opportunity to host the second window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2022 Qualifiers in a bubble here, the Bahamas Basketball Federation will now have to secure at least $80,000 to send the men’s national basketball team off to compete.

Garreth looks forward to the competition in college

After participating in a few Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Basketball Tournaments this summer, Garreth Edgecombe is eagerly looking forward to competing at the collegiate level.

Leevan Sands: ‘My goal is to qualify for Tokyo’

AS he prepares for his second season as an assistant coach with the Bears’ track and field team at the University of Northern Colorado, Leevan “Superman” Sands is eagerly looking forward to his final appearance at the Olympic Games.

‘Golden Girls’ celebrate 20 years

In a five-year span that began in 1995, collectively the team of Savatheda Fynes-Coke, Chandra Sturrup, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and Eldece Clarke culminated the journey being crowned champions of the women’s 4 x 100m relay at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

34th Mario Ford Baseball Camp underway at Windsor Park

AFTER being delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, the 34th version of the Mario Ford Baseball Camp is currently underway at Windsor Park. Despite the inclement weather on Saturday, the camp staged its second week since resuming after Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, the Competent Authority, recently reopened the parks.

Deyton Albury enrols at Believe Prep Academy

AS he continues to work through the best offer for his collegiate experience, rising young basketball star Deyton Albury has enrolled at Believe Prep Academy in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Coming off a series of AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Tournaments in July and August as he reunited with his former Temple Christian Suns’ coach Jamal Smith and team-mate Garreth Edgecombe, Albury said he’s eager to showcase his talent for coach Kevin Jackson.

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