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Volume: 121 No.37, January 16, 2024

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

UNITED IN PRAYER ...but Christian leaders divided on death penalty

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net GREAT Commission Ministries president Bishop Walter Hanchell said yesterday that opposing the death penalty is against the will of God while retired Mount Tabor Senior Pastor Bishop Neil Ellis said if the government won’t enforce death penalty laws it should remove them from the books.

The comments of Bishop Ellis and Bishop Hanchell came after the Bahamas Christian Council held a National Day of Prayer event on Bay Street in response to the growing murder rate.

SEE PAGE TWO

PEOPLE gather to pray for the country after a spike in homicides to start the new year.

Photo: Moise Amisial

SHANTY TOWN DEMOLITION Pintard says COP not telling truth AMERICAN CONTINUES AT ALL SAINTS WAY on investigation of Johnson attack BOY BITTEN

BY SHARK AT RESORT

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ABOUT 30 structures were demolished in the All Saints Way shanty town yesterday after the Ministry of Works resumed activities

in the unregulated community two months after beginning exercises there.

Demolition activities are expected to continue today.

Buildings Control Officer Craig Delancey told The SEE PAGE FIVE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader Michael Pintard said he believes Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander did not tell the truth about the status of the investigation into an alleged attack against Free National Movement vice chairman Richard Johnson.

FNM leader Michael Pintard

might be colluding with the Davis administration to distract from their “failure to lead on crime”.

Commissioner Fernander told The Tribune on Sunday that a young man had been taken into custody over the weekend for questioning after Mr Johnson was attacked outside an FNM meeting on November 30.

He suggested that police

SEE PAGE THREE

PIZZA HUT CLOSES OPERATIONS, SEVEN OUT OF WORK

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net LABOUR Director Howard Thompson said Pizza Hut is shutting down its New Providence branches because of the

losses the franchise has experienced over the past six years.

The closure of the fast food chain surprised many, with patrons expressing shock after a notice that the Saunders Beach, Carmichael, and Prince

Charles branches had been shut down was posted on social media. Some people complained that the notice did not appear earlier.

Mr Thompson told The

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FOUR

A TEN-YEAR-OLD boy from Maryland, United States, was reportedly bitten by a shark shortly before 4pm yesterday, according to police.

Authorities said the boy was bitten on his right leg by a shark while participating in an expedition in a shark tank at a local resort on Paradise Island.

He was transported to the hospital for medical attention and is currently in stable condition.

Investigations are ongoing into this incident.

The incident had been reported earlier in the day but police had been uncertain of the location where it had taken place. No further details were available at the time of going to press.

PAGE 2, Tuesday, January 16, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

United in prayer from page one Dozens of Bahamians, government officials, and religious leaders from the Anglican, Catholic, Baptist, and Pentecostal denominations united in praying and singing in Rawson and Parliament squares.

Eleven people have been killed in one of the deadliest starts to a year in Bahamian history, with the victims ranging from a 16-year-old girl charging her phone in her home to a 57-year-old grandmother driving her family.

Last week, Reverend Harry Bain, during an Opening of the Legal Year event at Christ Church Cathedral, said he does not support the death penalty because “life is a gift from God and must be cherished”.

Last night, Bishop Hanchell said: “I believe in capital punishment because it is completely biblical.

“We need to go back to it and it is the only way we are going to see true change in this country when we start obeying the laws of God, when we go back to capital punishment, we go back to corporal punishment.”

Bishop Ellis said: “Well my views are simple, I don’t know if you bring it back because it’s here, it’s here.”

“You don’t have to bring back what’s here.

My thing is if you are praying to solve problems and crime, at least keep the law you know.

“If you are not going to follow the law, take it off the books, but I don’t think it’s a question of bringing it back because it is already here now.”

Increased calls to reinstate the death penalty are common when serious crimes rise and typically decline when crime ebbs.

Nothing suggests the recent expressions would lead to government action on the issue.

Last week, former Cabinet minister Leslie Miller said legislators lack the guts to make corporal punishment happen again. Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martín, however, said she wouldn’t join the bandwagon calling for the punishment because its return is unrealistic.

In 2006, the Londonbased Privy Council ruled that the country’s mandatory death sentence for convicted murderers was unconstitutional.

Many believe the Privy Council would never uphold the death penalty.

Yesterday, Mr Davis said the prayer event allowed the country to come together to pray for God’s guidance and intervention.

“We must never lose faith in our power to make change, and we must never lose faith in one another,” he said.

“This is not blind faith.

It is faith in the love and mercy of our God and in the courage and resolve of the Bahamian people. So, we pray, as King Jehoshaphat did when he faced crisis.

“He sought God in prayer, and the Lord responded, saying: ‘Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.”

Bishop Fernander said the prayer service was the beginning of a movement within the nation.

“We know that peace will not come to our streets until we take the gospel to every part of The Bahamas. In the weeks and months ahead, we will take over every part with a popup worship,” he said.

“Every place where they gather, every place that they smoke, get ready for God to show up.”

POLITICIANS, government officials, clergy and members of the public gathered at Rawson Square to observe a National Day of Prayer in response to the growing murder rate in the country.

Photos: Moise Amisial

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 16, 2024, PAGE 3

Pintard says COP not telling truth on investigation of Johnson attack

FNM LEADER CONCERNED OVER IMPACT OF ‘intrusive policing’ on human rights

FNM leader Michael Pintard speaking at a press confernce yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

from page one Commissioner Fernander said the man was released from custody pending further investigation.

Mr Pintard said he and other FNM leaders had not been advised about this development.

“Quite frankly, we believe that it’s a lie, but that’s just us,” he said during a press conference yesterday. “If the police is making progress, we welcome that news and we ask them to let us know. We do have a suspicion, however.

“We suspect that this government, under duress at the moment, are questioning persons who may have witnessed something and have

sought to characterise that questioning as they have a person of interest. If they do have a person of interest, please let us know. We wish to assist you.”

Mr Johnson said he was talking to FNM members outside the party’s headquarters when someone came out of nowhere and hit him across his head, prompting him to defend himself.

FNM leaders later filed a police complaint against him, saying he falsely accused them of orchestrating the attack.

Mr Pintard said yesterday that FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands had not been told police had someone in custody despite helping with the investigation.

seven guns seized by police during recent operations SEVEN guns and more than 170 round of ammunition have been seized by police in recent operations.

Five pistols and two shotguns were among the seizures by officers from the Eleuthera Division, Operation Ceasefire and officers from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and Fox Hill and Cable Beach divisions between January 8 and 14.

Eight men have been charged with possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition.

UÊ Ê v À > Ê V « > ÌÊ has been filed of grievous harm after a recent incident involving an assault with battery on a woman.

Police said the incident had gained “significant attention” on social media.

The victim has been admitted to hospital, while a man has been arrested.

“If you don’t have a person of interest, why characterise it as if you do, and we say that the police is part and parcel along with the PLP machinery and possibly others in this ruse because persons who do respond to questioning in order to assist with the investigation mysteriously find camera persons available at the time that they show up and only them and the police should know that they’re going to show up to assist the police in its investigation.

“Something stinks.”

Commissioner Fernander did not respond to The Tribune’s questions about Mr Pintard’s claims before press time.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said he is concerned that civil liberties and human rights will be affected by the “intrusive policing” Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said will come in response to the rising murder rate.

During a national address on Sunday, Mr Davis said police will not violate civil liberties, but the public will likely be affected by more roadblocks and “unannounced police action”.

Mr Pintard said yesterday: “In this work, there are many decent men and women on the police force, unfortunately, sometimes supervised by persons who are doing the bidding of this government, and we are deeply concerned that what the prime minister

projects as going to be inconvenience may very well be an overreach into any number of people’s lives. They are already doing it to many of us, so we don’t expect very much from them, but we will challenge them at every turn, where they are making poor decisions.”

Mr Pintard connected the prime minister’s comment about intrusive policing to what he said has been police targeting of members of the opposition.

“So when I hear intrusive from the prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I am deeply concerned about civil liberties and human rights,” he said. “This is an intrusive government that has very little regard for guardrails.”

He said the prime minister missed an opportunity to allay the fears of Bahamians and others who reside in The Bahamas.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, January 16, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Pizza Hut closes operations, seven employees out of work

PIZZA Hut has closed their doors leaving seven people unemployed as 39 others will be absorbed into Myer’s Groups other restaurants.

from page one Tribune yesterday that 46 employees will be affected by the closure of the franchise, which the

Myers Group operated.

He said 39 employees will be deployed to other restaurants in the company at equal or greater salaries. The remaining seven

employees, he said, volunteered to take a severance package.

Mr Thompson said he and Minister of Labour Pia Glover-Rolle were

constantly communicating with The Myers Group since December 5 to help with the closure.

“The minister of labour and I were made to

understand that the decision to close the Pizza Hut locations was due principally to continuous business losses incurred over the past five to six

years,” he said.

The Myers Group of Companies operates KFC, Dunkin Donuts, Quizno’s, Burger King, and Anthony’s Bar & Grill.

PIA GLOVER-ROLLE CERTIFIES BPSU ELECTION OVERTURNING registrar’s decision not to

PUBLIC SERVICES MINISTER PIA GLOVER-ROLLE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net PUBLIC Services Minister Pia Glover-Rolle has certified the September results of a Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) election, overturning the decision of the registrar of trade unions, who declined to certify the results because of alleged irregularities in the voting process.

“Based on a thorough investigation and consultation process, we have made the determination that the irregularities identified were not of a magnitude that would justify overturning the results,” Mrs Glover-Rolle said in a statement yesterday.

“We are confident that the process produced an outcome that reflects the will of the participants.

However, we also acknowledge the need to make improvements so that future union elections are conducted in a manner that inspires confidence in the electoral process.”

Mrs Glover-Rolle’s decision means incumbent BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson has officially won the September 27, 2023 election, beating groups led

by Alexander Burrows, Jr, and former Labour Director John Pinder.

Mr Burrows and Mr Pinder had complained to Van Delaney, the registrar of trade unions, about the election process.

Mr Ferguson appealed to the minister after the registrar declined to certify the election results.

Yesterday, Mr Pinder said the minister’s decision

“really sets a bad precedent moving forward with other union elections.”

He said during meetings, a representative of the Office of the Attorney General was present, adding that a lawyer typically advises the registrar whether to certify election results.

“You can open polls late, can drop registers off late, can have incomplete registers, don’t open certain polls, and this says that’s not sufficient irregularities not to certify the result,” he said.

In a letter outlining their concerns in September, Mr Burrows and Mr Pinder said candidates and labour officials received an incomplete register of voters.

Among other things, they said the designated officer in Bimini did not receive a copy of the voter register until 2pm, while the officer in Inagua never received the list.

Agents were allegedly not allowed to witness the counting of ballots before polls opened.

A candidate with a rival team allegedly saw a designated officer receive a sealed envelope from a candidate from another group at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

One polling station at the Department of Environmental Health Services allegedly opened late and closed early.

According to Mr Pinder and Mr Burrows, the unofficial results showed Mr Ferguson got just over 500 votes in the leadership race, Mr Burrows received over 400 votes, and Mr Pinder finished third with over 300 votes.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 16, 2024, PAGE 5

Shanty town demolition continues at All Saints Way from page one Tribune last night that more than 50 structures are being targeted.

Superintendent Stephen Carey of the Unregulated Communities Action Task Force said eviction notices were given to shanty town residents in early November.

“The residents here, they are silent,” he said. “From November 5, they were given orders to vacate the premises, so they know that this day was coming, so they’re here. Some of them are still moving.”

“Last night, when we did our checks, a lot of them were moving. There were about ten trucks moving out, so all we’re saying now is that to all persons living in shanty towns, please move and vacate because they are going to be demolished, and the police are going to be there to assist in any security breaches that needs to take place.”

The Unregulated Communities Action Task Force began demolishing shanty town structures in the All Saints Way community in late November.

The move followed similar activities in the Kool Acres shanty town.

Myles Laroda, State Minister for Social Services, revealed last year that 18 rooms at the Poinciana Arena on Bernard Road were leased to provide housing assistance to Bahamians displaced by shanty town demolitions. It is unclear how many of those rooms are occupied by shanty town residents.

In an interview with ZNS, Works Minister Clay Sweeting said the Unregulated Communities Task Force would visit Abaco next week to assess shanty towns there.

DEMOLTION began at All Saints Way shanty town yesterday.

Photo: BIS

GBPA SAYS FURTHER SAFETY MEASURES ARE COMING AS COMMUTERS EXPRESS CONCERNS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Port Authority has responded to concerns raised about a pipeline installed at a causeway traversed daily by hundreds of commuters.

A pipeline bridge structure was recently installed above Grand Bahamian Way to facilitate a project by the Grand Bahama Shipyard.

However, residents, especially in West Grand Bahama, have expressed concerns about driving conditions in the area.

Iram Lewis, MP for Central Grand Bahama, believes more safety measures should be implemented in the area to ensure the safety of residents.

He questioned the stability of the structure installed above the road, saying: “I am not sure how stable

PIPELINE constrtuction taking place on Bahamian Way in Grand Bahama.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

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this whole contraption is because the pillars are not pinned to the ground. If there is any force, I don’t see any underpinning to stop it from swaying and giving way.”

There were also issues concerning the reported absence of flagmen to assist with traffic and proper lighting in the area.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Grand Bahama Port Authority said it is addressing residents’ concerns regarding the safety of the approach to the newly erected pipeline over Grand Bahamian Way. According to GBPA,

the project by the shipyard is expected to take eight weeks.

“GBPA is engaged with the Ministry of Works & Utilities to ensure that all essential safety mechanisms and signage are in place before the commencement of material movement through the pipeline,” the company said.

“During this preparatory period, the traffic management plan continues to be adjusted until both agencies are satisfied.”

The company noted that while some initial improvements have been implemented, such as increased visibility

and hazard warnings, additional measures are underway.

GBPA said it has insisted that more signage, adjustments to traffic barriers, and the demarcation of safe zones for emergency road pull-offs are implemented as soon as possible.

“Some of these items are currently in progress, being carried out by local vendors and external sources as needed. In the interim, the GBPA, along with the Ministry of Works’ local representatives, will continue to monitor the implementation of all required improvements,” the company said.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The Tribune Limited

THE TRIBUNE

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More CEOs fear AI and climate challenges MORE executives are feeling better about the global economy, but a growing number don’t think their companies will survive the coming decade without a major overhaul because of pressure from climate change and technology like artificial intelligence, according to a new survey of CEOs by one of the world’s largest consulting firms, PwC. The survey of more than 4,700 CEOs worldwide was released Monday as business elites, political leaders and activists descended on the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, and it showed a mixed picture of the coming years.

Of the executives, 38% were optimistic about the strength of the economy, up from 18% last year, when the world was mired in high inflation, weak growth, rising interest rates and more.

The CEOs’ expectation of economic decline has dropped to 45% from a record-high 73% last year, and fewer saw their company as highly exposed to the risk of geopolitical conflict, according to the PwC Global CEO Survey. That’s despite wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, including disruptions to global trade from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial ships in the Red Sea. Even with the improved economic outlook, the challenge isn’t close to over, with the World Bank saying last week that it expects the global economy would slow for a third consecutive year in 2024.

The executives, meanwhile, felt worse about the prospects for their companies’ ability to weather big changes. The survey shows 45% of the respondents were worried that their businesses wouldn’t be viable in a decade without reinvention, up from 39% last year.

The CEOs say they’re trying to make changes, but they are running up against regulation, a lack of skills among workers and more.

“Whether it is accelerating the rollout of generative AI or building their business to address the challenges and opportunities of the climate transition, this is a year of transformation,” Bob Moritz, global chairman of PwC, formerly known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, said in a statement.

Artificial intelligence was seen as both a way to streamline business operations and

a weakness. Nearly three-quarters of the executives said “it will significantly change the way their company creates, delivers and captures value in the next three years,” PwC said.

More than half the CEOs said AI will make their products or services better, but 69% noted that their workers needed training to gain skills to use the developing technology. They also were concerned about how AI would increase cybersecurity risks and misinformation.

Organizers of the Davos gathering warned last week that the threat posed by AI-powered misinformation, such as the creation of synthetic content, is the world’s greatest short-term threat.

Another worldwide survey released around Davos, the Edelman Trust Barometer by public relations firm Edelman, says innovation is being managed badly and is increasing polarization, especially in Western democracies, where people with right-leaning beliefs are much more likely than those on the left to resist innovation.

“Innovation is only accepted if there is a sense that we’re looking at the big picture of how we take care of the people whose jobs are going to change, how scientists are going to talk to the people directly so they understand it,” CEO Richard Edelman told The Associated Press on Monday. “And finally, that one way in another, AI is affordable and makes it easier for people to live.”

The online survey — which again showed that business is the most trusted institution among government, media, science and nongovernmental organizations — gathered responses from more than 32,000 respondents in 28 countries from Nov. 3 to Nov. 22.

Similar to AI, the PwC survey shows that the climate transition is both an opportunity and a risk. An increasing number of CEOs — nearly a third — say climate change was expected to shift how they do things over the next three years.

More than three-quarters of the executives said they have begun or completed changes to increase energy efficiency, but only 45% noted that they have made progress on taking the climate risks into account in financial planning.

The PwC survey of 4,702 CEOs in 105 countries and territories was conducted from Oct. 2 to Nov. 10.

Administer justice now EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHAT I try to do nightly is to find the time to watch the Bahamas’ evening news, because you know, just so much going on in the country, rather on New Providence Island.

The update by the Chief Justice Hon Ian Winder, was all right until he mentioned the part about the watered down version of the legal authority of the police charging criminals?

It haunted me all the way to disrupting my sleep cycle and rolling over in bed, I decided to pose that question to Father God; The Oxford School Dictionary’s definition of the word Charge - an accusation that someone has committed a crime of which he or she is facing,for whatever might the offence(s) be.

And here is Father God’s take: The police charge in a criminal case means everything for it is a compilation of events, a detailed

chronological step by step legal and binding accounting of moments leading up to the unlawful killing of a citizen(s), so reflected.

These facts have helped to lay the cornerstones, if you will, and if you doubting the seriousness of a Charge designation on all of that mound of context, this background to an event that helps to explain it - tell the chief justice then, to let the police have not indicated (the charge)? All of them seated in the courtroom setting, would have gathered up their bundle of documents and begun to head for the door, said God Most High has spoken. Lord your words are forever settled in the Heavens, hallelujah, amen.

Now, continuing: A charge said God is the key to opening the door, without which the door stays closed.

“To the chief justice and all of the others: Why were you all fighting so hard to defend the Trouble makers, the Offenders of

the Law? Who had no Mercy shown to their victim(s)?

Do you not know, or have you not heard that whatsoever you do to the least of these thy brethren, ye have done it unto me? And if you fail to keep murderers (even though accused), behind bars and you release them to Kill Again, said God Most High, the blood of those they killed, or themselves, will be on your hands and all of those tasked with Law reformation enforcement (referring to politicians, the lawgivers, said Jehovah)” Get on with the business of justice and its administration, before I decide to visit you all and you won’t like it (a life, for a life, is the only way out, said God).”

Lord, for behold your words are forever settled in the Heavens, hallelujah, amen.

FRANK GILBERT Nassau, January 12, 2024.

A SNORKELER watches a shoal of fish near a shipwreck off Cubagua Island, Venezuela, Sunday.

Photo: Matias Delacroix/AP

Thoughts on bail and crime EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Commissioner of Police has once again complained that the courts must take a look at the issue of the granting of bail to persons who are accused of committing serious crimes. Let us be honest, when Bahamians speak about serious crime they are speaking ostensibly of murder, even though I believe that the increasing numbers of crimes of incest, rape and sexual assaults on children are just as alarming.

The public is rightly alarmed because many of the incidents of violent crime are committed by and against young men on bail. The issue of the grant of bail for serious crimes must be publicly debated and addressed.

That is why I was happy to have listened to the Attorney General speaking to the issue in the Senate on 28th July, 2023, during the debate on the amendments to the Magistrates (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

The Attorney General explained that both the Constitution and the statute law dealt with the issue of bail. He explained that the granting of bail was based on Article 20 of the Constitution which states that there is a presumption of innocence until the defendant is found guilty in a court of law or the respondent pleads guilty. Furthermore, Article 19 of the Constitution provided a number of guidelines where a person is arrested or detained must be brought to court without undue delay, and if that person is not tried within a reasonable time ‘Shall’ be released (on bail) with or without conditions.

The Attorney General noted that Section 4(2) of the Bail Act provides that Bail shall not be granted to any person charged with certain crimes unless the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal is not satisfied that the accused person has not been charged within a reasonable time.

The Act also mandates that in deciding whether to grant bail to a person charged with a violent crime, the court must take

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net into consideration the antecedents of the person charged, the need to protect the safety of the public and the need to protect the safety of the victims.

Other factors that the courts must take into consideration before bail is approved include: · If there are sufficient grounds for the court to believe that the defendant would fail to appear for trial. · Would commit an offence while on bail. · Would interfere with witnesses. · Whether the defendant should be kept in custody for his own protection.

Now we know that all four of these factors have occurred. In fact, many of the incidents of murder and violent crimes have been perpetrated by persons on bail or those on bail have themselves been victims of murder and violent crimes.

The Attorney General went on to cite several recent rulings by the Court of Appeal which supported the denial of bail either to protect the safety of the public or to protect the defendant himself. The denial of bail is contingent on the defendant being brought to trial in a reasonable time.

That is the heart of the problem, the inefficiency of the legal and court systems.

The Chief Justice confirmed many of the points mentioned by the Attorney General at his address at the opening of the legal year. The legal and court systems now have to be overhauled and reformed to permit persons who are on bail for violent crimes to be brought to trial at the time the courts have defined as reasonable. All of the efforts of the police and the government will be in vain if these two central systems are not made right. Swift and certain justice is the best remedy.

I wrote a letter in 2023 in which I suggested and still

maintain that one remedy to reduce the incidents of criminal behaviour is for the authorities to bring order to the streets of New Providence. There is far too much chaos and recklessness on the streets of the capital particularly by the younger drivers. There is little regard for amber or red lights and stop signs.

Young people, and some not too young, drive dangerously by speeding, driving when intoxicated and high, making third lanes where there should only be two.

They do so as they are confident that there will be no or little consequences for their impatience and recklessness. More resources, both human and technological, should be put into detecting, deterring and in bringing order to the streets.

Most criminals use a vehicle to get to the scene of crimes and vehicles are used to make their getaway. The police and the Road Traffic Department must devote more resources to the streets of New Providence to put a dent in criminal activities.

Countless reports and studies in Europe, Canada and the United States have demonstrated the nexus between indiscipline and recklessness on the streets and criminal behaviour.

The Commissioner of Police is obviously upset and frustrated with the inefficiency and lack of efficacy of the courts. But despite his frustration he must assure the public that the police have the situation under control. He must do so by demonstrating that police actions have been successful in the arrest of those who have allegedly committed these latest murders. He must also do so by showing that the police have and are following a plan to attack the lawlessness in New Providence. The police must also give some comfort and assurance by their discipline and professionalism, by their relentless pursuit of criminals and by their visibility on the streets.

MAURICE TYNES Nassau, January 15, 2024.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 16, 2024, PAGE 7

Ministry of Education launches Co-Curricular Activities Programme CHESS, swimming, sailing, parenting, tracking and the National Honors Society are some of the branches of the Co-Curricular Activities Programme that the Student Development Section of the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training has launched.

Co-curricular activities comprise programmes

that school students participate in addition to their regular studies.

Along with the aforementioned, they include Spelling Bee, Student Christian Movement, Literacy and Numeracy Remediation Programme, Visual Arts Enrichment Programme, the Sports Unit, National Debates and Alternative Schools.

Glenys Hanna Martin,

MAN ON BAIL ACCUSED OF GUN THREATS AGAINST TWO MEN

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A BUSINESSMAN was granted bail after he allegedly threatened two men with a gun at a bar on Blue Hill Road last weekend.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Hugo Stubbs, 53, with possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to put another in fear.

Ian Cargill and Mark Penn represented the accused.

Stubbs is accused of threatening Michael Neely and Dejaneau Forbes with a loaded black Glock 27 .40 pistol at Higher Level Bar on January 12.

Stubbs was reportedly arrested at his residence as was the alleged weapon and 12 rounds of .40 ammunition.

After electing to continue

his case before the magistrate, Stubbs pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor ASP Lincoln McKenzie objected to bail, citing the recent proliferation of gun-related crimes and the potential risk to the public.

Mr Cargill said his client had no pending matters before the court and was a fit candidate for bail. He said bail had been granted in similar cases, adding that Stubbs is a father of four and owns multiple businesses with 30 employees under his supervision.

Magistrate Coleby granted the defendant bail at $9,500 with one or two sureties. Under this bail, Stubbs must sign in at the South Beach Police Station every Monday through Saturday by 6pm.

The defendant was also warned not to interfere with any witnesses.

Stubbs’ trial begins on March 13.

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER OF GRANDMOTHER LAST WEEK

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN is behind bars after allegedly shooting and killing a 57-year-old grandmother and injuring her four-year-old grandson as they were driving in Lily of the Valley last week.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Jameson Jacob, 27, with murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Jacob is accused of ambushing and shooting Renee Gray as she was driving with relatives in a grey Japanese vehicle on Lily of the Valley Corner on January 11.

The driver evaded the assailant and drove to Quakoo Street Police Station. The victims were taken to the hospital, where Mrs Gray died of her injuries, and her grandson, Adonai Moss, was successfully treated for injuries to his head. Ideana Moss and Lagina Barr were also in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

The accused was told that the matter would be moved to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants him bail.

Jacob’s VBI is due for service on February 1.

MAN ON BAIL FOR MURDER FINED FOR FAILING TO CHARGE MONITOR

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN on bail accused of murdering ten-yearold Lorencia Walkes in 2020 was sent to prison yesterday after being accused of again failing to charge his monitoring device.

Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Donald Cox, 27, with violation of bail conditions.

Cox was accused of the fatal shootings of 5th

grader Lorencia Walkes and Perron Bain in Belville Circle in 2020.

While on release on these charges, Cox allegedly failed to charge his monitoring device between January 5 and 6.

Cox was fined $3,500 for a previous bail breach in May 2023.

Although he pleaded not guilty to his latest bail violation, his bail hearing was deferred to January 19. He was sent to prison in the meantime.

WOMAN ADMITS STEALING $1,000 WHILE EMPLOYED AT STARBUCKS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN was ordered to do 200 hours of community service after admitting to stealing over $1,000 from Starbucks in Marina Village while she was working there last month.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Kennesha Butcher, 23, with stealing by reason of employment.

Butcher reportedly stole $1,123.70 from Starbucks in Marina Village during her

employment there between December 1 and 12, 2023.

After admitting to the offence, Ms Butcher was granted a conditional discharge. In addition to compensating her former employer, she must also attend 200 hours of community service. Defaulting on these conditions would result in a one-month prison term at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Butcher must return to court for a report on March 22.

GOVERNMENT officials are pictured at the launch of the Co-Curricular Activities Programme. From left: Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training; Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs; Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Leonardo Lightbourne, Parliamentary Secretary and Dominique McCartney-Russell, Director.

Photo: BIS Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, headed the list of dignitaries at the launch at the Ivy Dumont Building yesterday. Also in attendance were Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs;

Leonardo Lightbourne, Parliamentary Secretary; Lorraine Armbrister, Permanent Secretary; Earl Campbell, Acting Permanent Secretary; and Dominique McCartneyRussell, Director.

Mrs Hanna Martin said:

“We’re in difficult times.

We’re perplexed but we have to move beyond being perplexed. We have to develop strategies, plans and progress that take our people forward. No one is going to stop the progress of our people.”

Mr Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs said the integration of sailing into the nation’s education system makes a “significant” leap forward for junior sailing in The Bahamas.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, January 16, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Governor General finishes trip to Grand Bahama with church service and visit to Dorian memorial ON the final day of her inaugural official visit to Grand Bahama, Governor General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt travelled to the eastern end of the island, starting with a church service on Sunday at St Matthew’s Baptist Church in Pelican Point, accompanied by Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, Senators James Turner and Kirk Russell and a small delegation.

She also visited the memorial site for Hurricane Dorian victims in High Rock and went to the newly reconstructed home of 78-year-old Odetta Cooper, one of the survivors of the deadly storm.

Ms Moxey said: “She is one of the victims of Dorian who would have lost family members, who would have lost all that she had; lost her home. And the Ministry for Grand Bahama would have reconstructed a new home for her.

“She just got the keys for the home and it’s been such an emotional experience, but to have the GovernorGeneral here with her to share with her has been a blessing.”

FINAL DAY – Governor General, Her Excellency, Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt, accompanied by Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey and senior Government officials, on the final day of her first official to Grand Bahama travelled to East Grand Bahama on Sunday where she attended a church service at St. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Pelican Point, the Dorian Memorial site, and the home of a Hurricane Dorian survivor in High Rock.

Photos:Lisa Davis/BIS

MAJORITY RULE EXHIBIT OPENED IN GRAND BAHAMA

THE MINISTRY for Grand Bahama opens its Majority Rule exhibition at the COLLAB Unit, January 10, 2024 -- Majority Rule Day holiday -- giving viewers a look back at pivotal events in Bahamian history and the impact they made on the lives of Grand Bahama residents.

Photos:Lisa Davis/BIS MINISTER for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey last week officially opened a Majority Rule exhibition in the COLLAB Unit of the Harold Degregory Complex.

Guests were given a tour of the exhibit as they walked through a snapshot of the history of Grand Bahama via stories about life in West End in the 1930s and 40s, the original settlement of Pineridge in the 1950s, the development of the City of Freeport, growing up in Pinder’s Point, Old Freetown, and much more.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 16, 2024, PAGE 9

Betty Morley - teaching and reaching the hearts of future generations

BETTY Morley teaching children in Ghana, Africa, circa 2004 BEATRICE Elizabeth Morley, better known as Betty, has been teaching for most of her life. She has poured her heart into instilling education, good morals and a sense of self worth in thousands of children over decades, in The Bahamas, the USA, and in Africa. Today, as she celebrates her 80th birthday, she receives her flowers for selfless dedication to bringing up the next generation of leaders.

Betty was born in Nassau, but she spent her childhood growing up between Nassau and Exuma, which enriched her life. She was born to Helen Glass and Edmund Granger, and she grew up with her mother. Eleven years after she was born, Helen gave birth to Betty’s brother, Jimmy. They are both now deceased.

Helen was the manager of the bookstore at the airport in Nassau for many years, and she was known for her straight-to-the-point style and feisty spirit, which Betty inherited. She grew up in Jolly Hall, Exuma.

Jolly Hall was a quaint settlement that was so tight knit, that all of the village elders became “aunts” and “uncles” to the little Betty.

She got to spend much time there with her grandparents Julia and Levi Glass. The kind of community spirit that emanated in Jolly Hall is one that Betty feels the nation so desperately needs to return to today. While her elders are gone, she remained lifelong friends with her childhood mates, including Viola Cooper Canty, now a US resident, whose entire family treats her like family to this day.

Her grandmother, Julia, is sister to Reuben McKenzie, father of Dame Marguerite Pindling. Family, she says - whether by blood, community, or friendship - will be one of the most important bonds in an individual’s life.

Betty schooled at Georgetown All-Age School in Exuma for a time before attending Western Senior in Nassau. At the age of 13, she went to boarding school at Jewell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. She found it to be an enjoyable experience and once again, her life was enriched by strong community bonds.

When she returned to The Bahamas, Betty was hired as a teacher at Georgetown All-Age. Back at her old stomping grounds, the young Betty had a chance to sow good seeds into children the way they were sown into her.

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

She got married at a young age, but she continued to pursue her education. She travelled to Nassau to attend the Bahamas Teacher’s College in Oakes Field, where she graduated in 1973. She and some of her fellow graduates celebrated their 50th anniversary last year.

With her teaching certificate, endorsed by the University of the West Indies in hand, Betty returned to Exuma for what would be the second leg of a lengthy and stellar career in education.

She began her career as an untrained teacher in 1960, attained her teaching certificate in 1973, and became the first female principal of Georgetown All-Age School in 1975.

Two years later, Betty was sent to Elmira College in New York to further her education, thanks to an inservice scholarship.

When Betty returned to Exuma, she was placed at Rolletown All-Age School where she served as principal for ten years.

Betty was a willing and able teacher and principal, and the Ministry of Education called on her to serve as principal of many schools during her tenure. She was principal of Hope Town All-Age School in Abaco, Pleasant Bay All-Age School in South Andros, and McClain’s Town All Age School in Grand Bahama. She also spent a year at Beacon School in Grand Bahama, which served children with special needs.

In Staniel Cay, Exuma, she was responsible for reopening the all-age school there, serving as principal and reviving educational pursuits in that settlement.

In 2004, after her official retirement, Betty had the opportunity to work with Rita Marley, widely known as the queen of Reggae and wife of the legendary king of Reggae Bob Marley. The Rita Marley Foundation was busy establishing a school in Accra, Ghana. They called on Betty to help establish the school, utilising her decades of experience and wealth of wisdom. She first went to Accra to see if she

would be willing to live and work there. It was an eye-opening and fulfilling opportunity that Betty accepted with open arms.

She enjoyed this new journey in education with Rita, thanks to her daughter Stephanie, who pushed for Betty to spearhead the establishment of the school.

She worked with Ghanaian teachers who could BETTY MORLEY speak English as well as the Akan language.

Together, they developed a curriculum and a formula for successfromwhichmany Ghanaian children benefited.

A proud Bahamian, Betty also shared her Her Bahamian culture with the son, Derek A Morley, also children, teaching them known as “Bobo Ricky”, about ringplay, Junkanoo, who passed away in 2023, Bahamian story time and was a staple in Exuma as other aspects of Bahamian a well known and trusted culture. When Rita toured customs broker. Her daughAfrica, she had the opporter, Tina, is continuing the tunity to travel with her on tradition of excellence in a few occasions, including a business, taking over as memorable trip to Johan- manager of her father’s nesburg, South Africa. Rita company, CP Morley Enterand her foundation made a prises. She is proud of her significant impact in many daughter’s business acumen African villages where and endearing spirit. She her assistance was needed is also well known for her most. time as a morning radio “Working with Rita was show host on Exuma the excellent... it was very Breeze radio station. Betty beneficial, giving me great says her grandchildren also exposure and pleasant, make her proud in their everlasting memories,” Betty said.

“I truly enjoyed working with her and with her daughter, Stephanie, who is now like my daughter and is best friends with my daughter, Tina.”

Betty gave birth to three children. Gina Patrice Morley (now deceased) was a noted journalist and broadcaster in Jamaica and The Bahamas. She later became an attorney in The Bahamas and would go on to make a significant impact in the country providing free legal advice to countless Bahamians in person as well as through the radio show, “It’s the Law”.

RITA Marley leads a procession through a Ghanian village. Betty Morley, far right, helped establish a school there.

various pursuits.

She returned to The Bahamas after her time in Africa.

Although she was retired, she continued to serve the Ministry of Education as a “supply teacher”, also known as a substitute teacher, whenever she was called upon in both Nassau and Exuma. When she travelled to the United States, she would pour her knowledge into children she met there.

Even in her 70s, Betty was still aiding public schools who needed her advice in education and administration, lending her time teaching in classes, training other teachers, or helping to create good systems of administration. She did not stop doing this until her son Ricky died last year, meaning she continued working until she was 79 years of age, assisting a

pre-school in Exuma. She received several accolades during her career, including awards from the Bahamas Union of Teachers and Women of Excellence.

After Ricky’s passing, living in Exuma without him became a lot to bear.

She moved to Nassau to spend time with her childhood friends, Ethel and Ora McPhee, and she lives with Ora today. Lifelong bonds of friendship have allowed her to have wonderful people to lean on in times like these.

As she turns 80 today, she thanks God for a life well lived: “I truly enjoyed giving my gifts, talents and love to Bahamian children.

I have finally decided to rest.”

“My advice at fourscore years of age is to trust in God,” she said.

“Lean not on your own understanding. Be careful of how you treat people.

Remember, what you give to the world, you cannot take it back. Always, always remember the golden rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

PAGE 10, Tuesday, January 16, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Houthi rebels strike a US-owned ship off the coast of Yemen raising tensions JERUSALEM Associated Press HOUTHI rebels fired a missile, striking a US-owned ship Monday just off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, less than a day after they launched an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea. The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle, later claimed by the Houthis, further escalates tensions gripping the Red Sea after American-led strikes on the rebels. The Houthis’ attacks have roiled global shipping, amid Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, targeting a crucial corridor linking Asian and Mideast energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal onward to Europe.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which oversees Mideast waters, said Monday’s attack happened some 110 miles (177 kilometres) miles southeast of Aden. It said the ship’s captain reported that the “port side of vessel hit from above by a missile.”

Private security firms Ambrey and Dryad Global told The Associated Press that the vessel was the Eagle Gibraltar, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier. The US military’s Central Command later acknowledged the strike.

“The ship has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its journey,” Central Command said.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack in a recorded television address that aired Monday night.

“The Yemeni armed forces consider all American and British ships and warships participating in the aggression against our country as hostile targets,” he said.

The vessel is owned by Eagle Bulk Shipping, a Stamford, Connecticut-based firm traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

In a statement to The Associated Press, the company said the strike caused “limited damage to a cargo hold but (the ship) is stable and is heading out of the area.”

“All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured,” the firm said. “The vessel is carrying a cargo of steel products.

Eagle Bulk management is in close contact with all relevant authorities concerning this matter.”

Satellite-tracking data analysed by AP showed the Eagle Gibraltar had been bound for the Suez Canal, but rapidly turned around at the time of the attack.

Central Command said it detected a separate anti-ship ballistic missile launch toward the southern Red Sea on Monday, though it “failed in flight and impacted on land in Yemen.”

The US Maritime Administration, under the Transportation Department, also issued a warning of a continuing “high degree of risk to commercial vessels” travelling near Yemen.

“While the decision to transit remains at the discretion of individual vessels and companies, it is recommended that US flag and US-owned

THE BULK carrier Gibraltar Eagle is seen off Kristiansand, Norway, June 29, 2023. Houthi rebels fired a missile striking the U.S.-owned ship Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, just off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden, less than a day after they launched an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea. Photo: AP commercial vessels” stay away from Yemen in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden “until further notice,” the advisory said.

Sunday’s missile launch toward the American warship also marked the first US-acknowledged fire by the Houthis since America and allied nations began strikes Friday on the rebels following weeks of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthi fire in the direction of the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer operating in the southern reaches of the Red Sea, Central Command said.

The missile came from near Hodeida, a Red Sea port city long held by the Houthis, the US said.

“An anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported.”

The Houthis did not acknowledge that attack.

It wasn’t presently clear whether the US would retaliate for the latest attacks, though President Joe Biden has said he “will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”

The first day of US-led strikes Friday hit 28 locations and struck more than 60 targets

with cruise missiles and bombs launched by fighter jets, warships and a submarine.

Sites hit included weapon depots, radars and command centres, including in remote mountain areas, the US has said.

The Houthis have yet to acknowledge how severe the damage was from the strikes, which they said killed five of their troops and wounded six others.

US forces followed up with a strike Saturday on a Houthi radar site.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.

Even the leader of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group, Hassan Nasrallah, obliquely referenced the widening Houthi attacks on ships in a speech Sunday, saying that “the sea has become a battlefield of missiles, drones and warships” and blaming the US strikes for escalating maritime tensions.

“The most dangerous thing is what the Americans did in the Red Sea, (it) will harm the security of all maritime navigation,” Nasrallah said.

Though the Biden administration and its allies have tried to calm tensions in the

Middle East for weeks and prevent any wider conflict, the strikes in the Red Sea threaten to ignite one.

It’s also affecting shipping for the Middle East nation of Qatar, one of the world’s top natural gas suppliers. Three liquid natural gas tankers that had recently loaded in Qatar and were bound for the Suez Canal remain idling off Oman, while another coming from Europe to Qatar remains off Saudi Arabia.

QatarEnergy and government officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government-in-exile that the Houthis are fighting, sought to distance itself from the attacks on Houthi sites as it tries to maintain a delicate détente with Iran and a cease-fire it has in Yemen. The Saudiled, US-backed war in Yemen that began in 2015 has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.

The American military did not specifically say the fire targeted the Laboon, following a pattern by the US since the Houthi attacks began. However, US sailors have received combat ribbons for their actions in the Red Sea — something handed out only to those who face active hostilities with an enemy force.

IRAN STRIKES TARGETS IN NORTHERN IRAQ AND SYRIA AS REGIONAL TENSIONS ESCALATE IRAQ Associated Press IRAN said late Monday it had launched strikes against a “spy headquarters and gathering of anti-Iranian terrorist groups” shortly after missiles hit an upscale area near the US consulate in Irbil, the seat of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

The security council of the Kurdish regional government said in a statement that four civilians were killed and six injured in the strikes.

Peshraw Dizayi, a prominent local businessman with a portfolio that included real estate and security services companies, was killed in one of the strikes along with members of his family, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, by former Iraqi member of parliament Mashan al-Jabouri, who said that one of the missiles had fallen on Dizayi’s

IRAQ, and its capital Bagdad. “palace, next to my house, which is under construction on the road to the Salah al-Din resort.”

Other regional political figures also confirmed Dizayi’s death.

Soon after, a statement from Iran’s Revolutionary

Photo: AP Guards on state media said it had struck “terrorist operations” including Islamic State targets in Syria “and destroyed them by firing a number of ballistic missiles.” Another statement claimed that it had hit a headquarters of

Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, in the Kurdish region of Iraq.

The Islamic State extremist group claimed responsibility earlier this month for two suicide bombings targeting a commemoration for an Iranian

general slain in a 2020 US drone strike. The attack in Kerman killed at least 84 people and wounded an additional 284 at a ceremony honouring Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

Last month, Iran accused Israel of killing a high-ranking Iranian general, Seyed Razi Mousavi, in an airstrike on a Damascus neighbourhood.

An Iraqi security official said Irbil was targeted with “several” ballistic missiles but did not give further details. An official with an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia said 10 missiles fell in the area near the US consulate. He said the missiles were launched

by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

A US defence official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details that had not been made public said the US tracked the missiles, which hit in northern Iraq and

northern Syria, and no US facilities were struck or damaged in the attacks.

The official said initial indications were that the strike were “reckless and imprecise.”

In 2022, Iran claimed responsibility for a missile barrage that struck in the same area near the sprawling US consulate complex in Irbil, saying it was retaliation for an Israeli strike in Syria that killed two members of its Revolutionary Guard.

The strikes come at a time of heightened tensions in the region and fears of a wider spillover of the ongoing war in Gaza.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have launched near-daily drone attacks on bases housing US forces in Iraq and Syria, which the groups have said was in retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel, and in an attempt to force US troops to leave the region.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given MARC GERAL that JOSEPH of Fox Hill Road, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of January, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that ADAM BERNARD CALLOO of Soursop Street, Pinewood Gardens, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 16th day of January, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that DELIO FELIZ SUERO of South Beach, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of January, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 16, 2024, PAGE 11

Elite athletes make a name for themselves across United States

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net ELITE professional hurdler Devynne Charlton, pole vaulter Brenden Vanderpool and quarter-miler Lacarthea Cooper posted victories in their respective events to lead a host of Bahamian athletes over the weekend in various meets around the United States of America.

Prelude to World Indoors Charlton, the Bahamas women’s national indoor and outdoor high hurdles record holder, cleared her way to victory at the Rod McCrary Memorial Track and Field Meet at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.

Representing Puma, Charlton took the tape in the 60m hurdles in 7.88 seconds, holding of Kentucky’s graduate Masai Russell, competing unattached, who was second in 7.89. Rayniah James was third in 8.09.

Charlton had the second fast time in the semifinals in 8.13 behind Russell’s leading time of 7.96 and ahead of James in 8.13. But in the preliminaries, Charlton topped the list with 7.99 with Russell with second best in 8.09 and James third in 8.12.

“I thought I had a great meet overall. The 60 metres was first and I ended up running my fastest time since college so that was the first indicator of the shape I’m in,” Charlton said. “I think I’m right where I expected to be. Based on how practices have been going, I knew that I was in 7.8 shape or better.”

As she prepares for her trek to World Athletics’ World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland from March 1-3, Charlton said she wants to run a full season, which would include some sprinting to keep with her hurdles.

In the 60m, she had the fourth best time of 7.39.

Paige Archer, competing for the University of Central Florida, was 61st in 9.44.

Also on the track, Adam Musgrove, in his freshman year for Howard University, clocked 22.01 to win his heat for eighth place in the men’s 200m.

He was 20th overall in the 60m in 6.89.

And Otto Laing, also at Howard, was third in the men’s 60m hurdles in 7.95.

Laing had the second fastest time in the semifinal in 7.89 and the fourth best in the preliminaries in 7.91.

On the field, Calea Jackson, competing for the University of Miami, was 18th in the women’s discus with a heave of 43-feet, 6-inches or 13.26m and she was 22nd in the put with a toss of 35-8 ½ (13.26m).

National record-breaking performance At the Birmingham Metro CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama, Brenden Vanderpool, coming off a sensational year as a senior in high school, made his collegiate debut for Samford an impressive one, soaring 16-feet, 8 3/4-inches or 5.10 metres to improve on his Bahamian national record.

His team-mate Jed Sisco, a junior, followed closely behind with 16-6 ¾ (5.05m).

Come-from-behind victory At the 2023 Texas Tech Stan Scott Memorial, hosted by Texas Tech University Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas, New Mexico Junior College’s sophomore Lacarthea Cooper took the tape in a comefrom-behind victory in the women’s 400m in 54.04, edging out Niesha Burgher, a senior at UTEP, who did 54.35.

Her team-mate Amari Pratt, now in her freshman year at New Mexico JC, was 20th in the women’s 60m in 7.73. Pratt also doubled up in the 200m where she was 20th in 25.57.

BILLS TOP STEELERS 31-17 IN PLAYOFF WIN

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer

DEVYNNE CHARLTON

ADAM MUSGROVE

CALEA JACKSON

ANTOINE ANDREWS

AMARI PRATT

BRENDEN VANDERPOOL

LACARTHEA COOPER

JALEN CADET

KARON DEAN

SHATALYA DORSETT

MATEO SMITH

WENDIRA MOSS

XAVIER BUTLER

TERRENCE JONES

PHILIP GRAY

OTTO LAING

Two Bahamian seniors competed in the men’s 60m final where Grand Bahamian Terrence Jones got the better of the match-up with a time of 6.61 for fifth place, while Karon Dean, representing UTEP, was eighth in 6.80.

Jones had the fourth fastest qualifying time of 6.71 and Dean got the sixth best in 6.80. Xavier Butler, a freshman at UTEP, fell short of advancing to the final after he placed 10th in the preliminaries in 6.76.

Butler had a better showing in the 200m, placing fourth in 21.21 with Dean coming in 13th in 21.96.

And in the men’s 60m hurdlers, Jalen Cadet, a junior at UTEP, was 14th in 8.63. Antoine Andrews, a sophomore at Texas Tech, didn’t advance either after he had a false start in his preliminary race.

Andrews, however, came back and ran the second leg for Texas Tech’s 4 x 400m relay team that placed third in 3:12.45, ahead of UTEP, anchored by Butler in 3:12.87.

On the field, Cadet was fourth in the men’s long jump with 23-0 ¾ (7.03m).

Freshmen introduction At the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jonathon Fowler, a freshman at Oral Roberts University, was eighth in the preliminaries of the men’s 60m in 6.98, but he missed making the cut of the top six for the final.

Grand Bahamian Shatayla Dorsett, also in her freshman year at Louisiana Tech, was ninth in the women’s 60m in 7.54, but she too didn’t get a chance to compete in the finals, missing the final cut by one spot.

Philip Gray, yet another freshman, competed in the

men’s 400m where he was 12th in 49.58.

On the field, Mateo Smith, a sophomore at Louisiana Tech, had to settle for seventh in the men’s long jump with his best leap of 23-feet, 4 3/4-inches or 7.13m.

The winning leap was

24-11 (7.59m) by Jedidiah Udunna, a sophomore at UT-Rio Grande.

Senior experience At the Clemson Invite at Clemson University Indoor Track in Clemson, South Carolina, Wendira Moss had a series of events as

she goes through her senior year at Northern Colorado.

In the women’s 100m, she was 23rd overall.

Her best performance came in the 200m where she got seventh in her season’s best of 24.79. And in the 400m, she was 10th in 56.06.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and scored on a franchise playoff-record 52-yard touchdown run, and the Buffalo Bills beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-17 yesterday in an AFC wildcard playoff game that was postponed a day because of a lake-effect blizzard.

The Highmark Stadium stands erupted with snow being tossed into the air like confetti when Allen threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir with 6:27 remaining that restored a two-touchdown lead for Buffalo. Shakir caught the pass at the 10 over the middle, and then slipped Minkah Fitzpatrick’s tackle attempt by spinning around before outracing the rest of the Steelers defenders into the end zone.

The second-seeded Bills (12-6), who closed the regular season with five straight wins, advance to host Patrick Mahomes and the No. 3 seed Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round on Sunday night. The Bills have longed for a home playoff game against the Chiefs after their 2020 and ‘21 seasons ended with playoff losses at Kansas City.

Allen finished 21 of 30 for 203 yards and ran for 74 yards on eight carries, becoming the first quarterback in NFL playoff history to throw three or more TD passes while rushing for 70 or more yards and a score.

He didn’t have a turnover for just the fourth time this season.

Mason Rudolph threw two touchdown passes in his first playoff start for the Steelers (10-8), but Pittsburgh was too inconsistent on either side of the ball to keep up with Allen and the Bills. The Steelers lost their fifth straight playoff game; the franchise’s most recent postseason victory was exactly seven years ago.

Rudolph, a longtime backup, took over for the injured Kenny Pickett and ineffective Mitch Trubisky to lead the Steelers to three straight wins to close the regular season and was given the playoff start even after Pickett recovered from an ankle injury.

The Steelers came out flat, allowing Buffalo to score touchdowns on three of its first five possessions.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, January 16, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Draymond returns from NBA suspension but Warriors lose to Grizzlies, 116-107 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Vince Williams Jr. scored 24 points, GG Jackson added a career-high 23 and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Golden State Warriors 116-107 last night in Draymond Green’s return from his NBA suspension.

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 18 points despite shooting 4 of 20 from the field.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 26 points, and Jonathan Kuminga had 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Andrew Wiggins scored 16.

Green, suspended by the league indefinitely after he hit Phoenix Suns centre Jusuf Nurkic in the face December 12, played 23 minutes for the Warriors and scored seven points.

MAVERICKS 125, PELICANS 120 DALLAS (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 42 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 41 and Dallas split a two-game home set with New Orleans.

The second game in franchise history with two 40-point scorers came with superstar Luka Doncic missing his third consecutive game due to a sprained ankle. Irving and Doncic combined for the other such game in March.

Zion Williamson scored 30 points but was 6 of 11 on free throws, including a miss with 17 seconds left when he had a chance to get the Pelicans even after Dallas fouled him on purpose.

The Mavericks were down seven midway through the fourth quarter before Hardaway hit consecutive 3-pointers to give them a 112-111 lead. Hardaway finished one point off his career high.

CJ McCollum scored 23 points for the Pelicans.

CELTICS 105, RAPTORS 96 TORONTO (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 19 points and 14 rebounds, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White each scored 22 and Boston won its eighth straight meeting with Toronto.

Kristaps Porzingis added 15 points and Al Horford had 10 points and 11 rebounds as the Celtics completed a four-game season sweep of their Atlantic Division rivals.

RJ Barrett scored 24 points and Immanuel Quickley had 21 in the Raptors’ fourth consecutive loss.

Boston forward Jaylen Brown sat out because of a hyperextended right knee.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Brown is dealing with soreness but the injury is not considered serious.

The Raptors were without guard Gary Trent Jr. (flu-like symptoms) and center Jakob Poeltl (sprained left ankle).

Toronto shot a seasonworst 4 for 32 from 3-point range.

76ERS 124, ROCKETS 115 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid returned from his latest injury to score 41 points and grab 10 rebounds in Philadelphia’s win over Houston.

Embiid had his 16th straight 30-10 game. Tyrese Maxey added 27 points for the Sixers.

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 19 points.

Dillon Brooks scored 18.

The 29-year-old Embiid missed the previous three games with left knee inflammation (the 76ers went 1-2). He had played just two games this month after missing all four on the 76ers’ holiday road trip. The Sixers are 3-7 this

GOLDEN State Warriors forward Draymond Green wears a shirt honouring Martin Luther King Jr. before an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies yesterday in Memphis, Tenn.

(AP Photo/Brandon Dill) season without Embiid, the injured Tyrese Haliburton reigning NBA MVP and (left hamstring). two-time defending league MAGIC 98, scoring champion.

He KNICKS 94 entered Monday leading NEW YORK (AP) — the NBA in scoring at 34.6 Paolo Banchero had 20 points per game. points, Cole Anthony JAZZ 132, scored 10 of his 15 in the PACERS 105 fourth quarter and Orlando SALT LAKE CITY (AP) beat New York to stop a — Lauri Markkanen had three-game skid.

32 points and 10 rebounds, Wendell Carter Jr. added Collin Sexton scored a 17 points for the Magic, season-high 30 and Utah going 7 for 11 off the bench routed Indiana for its sixth after missing five games straight victory. with right knee tendinitis.

Markkanen made all 10 The Magic trailed by 11 of his free throws and has in the third quarter but took scored 30 points or more charge midway through the three times in January. final period. They grabbed Keyonte George had 19 the lead for good at 90-89 points and Jordan Clark- when Anthony tipped in son added 17 for the Jazz, a missed shot with 3:45 to who shot 55.6% and led play. wire-to-wire for the second Deuce McBride scored time this season. Utah (22- a career-high 20 points in 20) has won nine straight at a second straight start in home by an average of 16.8 place of Knicks guard Jalen points.

Brunson, who has a bruised Buddy Hield and Andrew left calf. OG Anunoby Nembhard each scored 14 added 17, but Julius Randle for the Pacers, who played shot just 5 for 18 and was their fourth game without held to 15 points.

CAVALIERS 109, BULLS 91 CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points, Jarrett Allen had 10 points and 14 rebounds for his ninth straight double-double, and Cleveland pulled away from Chicago late.

Caris LeVert added 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists off the bench as the Cavaliers extended their longest winning streak of the season to five, despite blowing a 21-point lead in the second half. Cleveland closed out the game on a 29-10 run.

Cleveland made 20 3-pointers in a franchise-record 57 attempts — an NBA season high in regulation.

Nikola Vucevic had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls. Coby White scored 18.

Cleveland is 10-3 since learning it will be without power forward Evan Mobley (left knee surgery) and point guard Darius Garland (broken jaw) until sometime in February.

PISTONS 129, WIZARDS 117 WASHINGTON (AP) — Alec Burks came off the bench to score 34 points and Detroit beat Washington for only its fourth win of the season.

Jalen Duren had 20 points and 19 rebounds, and Jaden Ivey added 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists to help the NBAworst Pistons (4-36) snap a seven-game losing streak.

Burks went 8 of 12 from 3-point range as Detroit shot almost 56% from the field.

Tyus Jones had 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds to lead the Wizards (7-32). The game came one day after the

teams made a trade, with the Pistons agreeing to send Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Livers to the Wizards for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala. The Pistons also will send two future draft picks to Washington.

HAWKS 109, SPURS 99 ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young sank his first six 3-point attempts in Atlanta’s victory over San Antonio.

Young had 36 points, passing 10,000 for his career, and 13 assists. Dejounte Murray, the former Spurs guard who has been discussed in trade speculation, added 13 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.

Atlanta opened the second quarter with 11 straight points to lead 46-16 and extended it to 69-34 at halftime.

But the Spurs closed to 99-93 behind Victor Wembanyama, who had nine dunks. The 7-foot-3 rookie scored 26 points with 13 rebounds after sitting out the second game of a backto-back Saturday, a 122-116 loss to Chicago.

The Hawks had lost two straight and four of five.

HEAT 96, NETS 95 (Overtime) NEW YORK (AP) — Jimmy Butler returned after missing seven games with a sprained toe and scored 31 points, including two free throws with 11.8 seconds left in overtime to help Miami beat Brooklyn.

Tyler Herro had 29 points and 11 rebounds, and Bam Adebayo added 11 points and 20 boards in the Heat’s third consecutive win.

Mikal Bridges scored 26 points and Cam Thomas added 23 for Brooklyn. The Nets have lost three straight and eight of nine.

BUCKS STUN KINGS ON LILLARD’S BUZZER-BEATING 3-POINTER IN OT

By RICH ROVITO Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard swished a 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to give the Milwaukee Bucks a stunning 143-142 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.

The Kings led by four late in overtime, but Brook Lopez made a 3-pointer from the corner to pull the Bucks to 141-140 with 11.5 seconds remaining.

De’Aaron Fox made one of two free throws. Lillard then inbounded the ball to Lopez, who passed it back to Lillard, who then dribbled across half court and sank a shot from about 30 feet that gave the Bucks their 15th consecutive win over the Kings as the Fiserv Forum crowd erupted and teammates mobbed him.

NPBA

FROM PAGE 16 William Rigby had 16 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and three assists, Jeron Smith had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Spurgeon Johnson chipped in with 11 points, eight assists and two rebounds.

For the losers, Delano Armbrister had 15 points, five rebounds, five steals and two assists. Erquantae Edgecombe had 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Heatwaves 83, Discount Distributors Rockets 75: Adon Stuart paced the Division II winners Friday night with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. Joshua Forbes had 16 points and four rebounds, Lynarchieo Moxey (five rebounds) and Rhameeko Butler (six assists, five rebounds and three steals) both had 12 points and Jarad Richardson had 11 points with 19 rebounds.

In a losing effort, Davito McIntosh had a game high 22 points with eight

Lillard said the play called for him to inbound the ball to Giannis Antetokounmpo, not Lopez.

“Two guys ran to Giannis and as soon as I looked up Brook was already running toward me and I knew that was what the play was going to get to eventually,” Lillard said.

After crossing half court, Lillard said he glanced at the clock before making a move to set up his gamewinner, which marked the 2,500th 3-pointer of his career. Lillard is in his first year with the Bucks after 11 years with Portland.

“I just changed direction and got into space where I could get a good look at the rim. It was a pretty comfortable shot,” he said.

“These are the kinds of game that you don’t want to let them slip. It’s a quality win against a good team.” rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.

Keith Rolle had 19 points and four assists, Stephon Johnson had 12 points, three rebounds and two steals and Torrez Basden had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Sand Dollar High Flyers 76, Leno Regulators 73: Van Hutchinson Jr exploded for 23 points, 14 rebounds, three steals and two assists to lead the way in their division one win on Saturday night.

Jeremy Neely had 18 points, four steals, three assists and two rebounds, Rus-shorn Strachan had 13 points and six rebounds and Jamon King (three rebounds, three steals and two assists) and Horris McKenzie (five rebounds and two assists) both added seven.

In a losing effort, Alexander Rolle had 19 points, six rebounds and three assists, Cleo Sands had 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, Dominique Fernander had 12 points and four rebounds and Zachary Pennerman added 10 points with three

Lillard led the Bucks with 29 points. Antetokounmpo had a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Malik Beasley scored 23 points and Bobby Portis added 22.

The Bucks improved to 19-3 at home.

Fox finished with 32 points to lead the Kings, and Domantas Sabonis had his 10th triple-double of the season with 21 points,

15 assists and 13 rebounds.

Sabonis trails only Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, who has 12.

Milwaukee built a 12-point early in the fourth quarter but Sacramento fought back late to force overtime.

“It was like we had the game and they stole it from us and we took it back at the end,” Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said. “When they went up six (in overtime) it would have been easy for us to throw in the towel, but those guys are resilient.

Probably one of our best wins of the season.”

Kings coach Mike Brown stormed onto the court with 9:27 left in the fourth and began screaming at referee Intae Hwang and was immediately ejected while having to be restrained by Sacramento players. Malik Monk wrapped his arms

assists, three steals and two rebounds.

Island Development Rebels 77, Tucker Boys 76: Toureque Cartwright canned a game high 23 points with 21 rebounds to pace the Rebels to their division one win on Saturday night.

Martin Conliff had 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, Theo Ferguson had 12 points and seven rebounds and Dejoan Sturrup added 12 points as well with five rebounds and as many assists.

For the losers, Clayton Tucker had 20 points and eight rebounds, Franz Smith Jr had 17 points and 21 rebounds, Leon Bain had 10 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals and Kieran Mortimer had seven points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Sand Dollar High Flyers 66, Rythm Rebels 62: In their division II game on Saturday night, Clive Knight Jr’s 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and as many steals was good enough to secure the win for the High Flyers.

Valante Styles had 11 points and 10 rebounds, Dieunel Joseph also had 11 points with four steals and two rebounds and Osee Olibrice had eight points, five steals and three rebounds and assists.

In the loss, Jay-Onn Joseph matched the game high honours with 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals and blocks, Keino Stuart Jr had 16 points and 13 rebounds and Joshua Williams added 10 points, 126 rebounds, four steals and three assists.

TMT Giants 80, Zulu Media & Symphony 72: Donovan Dean’s 23 points, seven rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists were good enough to get the division one win on Friday night for the Giants.

Adrian Thompson had 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals, Christoph Johnson had 14 points and 12 rebounds and both Rashad Sturrup (nine rebounds) and Ujamaa Johnson (five rebounds and five assists) both had seven points.

In the loss, Bertum Minns had 18 points, 12 rebounds

and two steals, Jonaldo Joseph had 16 points, 13 rebounds and a pair of assists and steals, Marc Taylor had 11 points and seven rebounds, Judino Wilson had nine points and seven rebounds and Lenardo Sweeting added eight points with four rebounds and two assists.

University of the Bahamas 68, Sunlight Cottage Stampers 65: Elano Armbrister produced 17 points with seven rebounds as the Mingoes pulled off their Friday night division one encounter.

Timothy Grant scored 15 points with five rebounds, Remiko McIntosh had 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal and Theodore Grant had nine points, nine assists, five rebounds and four steals.

For the losers, Kenrick Humes had 13 points, four rebound, three assists and three steals, Wilben Seraphin also had 13 points, three steals, two assists and two rebounds, Cameron Strachan had 10 points, 22 rebounds and two assists and Tomiko King had 10

MILWAUKEE Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo hugs Damian Lillard after overtime of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 143142 in overtime.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

around Brown and directed him off the court. Brown brought out a laptop in his post-game media session to highlight multiple calls that he found frustrating, as well as a disparity in free throws.

“The referees are human, and they’re going to make mistakes, but you just hope that there’s some sort of consistency and there’s some sort of communication between the refs,” Brown said.

“The refs tonight, they were great, they communicated with me all night. But in terms of consistency, you guys saw it right here. In my opinion, the consistency wasn’t here tonight.”

Griffin said Brown’s ejection fuelled the Kings.

“It was a good tactic because his team rallied,” Griffin said. “But I think our team was more resilient tonight.” points, nine rebounds and two assists.

Mekaddish Millionaires 94, Island Development Construction Rebels 75: Ronnie Pierre scored a game high 22 points with four rebounds, four assists and three steals in their division II match-up on Friday night.

Javon Adderley had 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and as many steals, Avery Nesbitt had 11 points and two rebounds, Evans Joseph had 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and as many steals, Clayton Miller Jr had eight points and three rebounds, Travjuan Alleyne had seven points, 10 rebounds and three assists and Chad-Vaughn James also had seven points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.

In the loss, Darius Dean had 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and as many steals.

Jude Vil had 11 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists and Andrew Strachan had nine points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 16, 2024, PAGE 13

SLOANE STEPHENS ENDS 5-YEAR VICTORY DROUGHT AT AUSSIE OPEN

SILENT Partner owners and crew celebrate their Best-of-the-Best Regatta victory over the weekend.

Silent Partner and crew find time to celebrate

By BRENT TUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER winning the Best-of-the-Best regatta title in December, it was time for the Silent Partner, formerly the Red Stripe, to celebrate over the weekend in Black Point, Exuma.

The A class boat owners and sailors came together as they reflected on their transformation of the boat since acquiring it from the late skipper Lundy Robinson’s family. “Winning this regatta was the highlight of

our achievement thus far as it had been only eight months since acquiring her,” said captain Dennis ‘Chucky’ Smith.

“We decided to take the celebrations back home because it’s home.

“Our focus now is George Town and we are looking forward to another victory by the father’s grace and mercy.”

The boat was acquired in February 2023 and immediately had some renovations made to get her ready for the National Family Island Regatta in George Town,

Exuma, in April where she placed fourth overall with captain Morris Rolle as the skipper.

After a few alterations were made, including her name change to Silent Partner, the boat went on to compete in the Long Island Regatta in Salt Pond, Long Island in June where she achieved another fourth place.

But during the Black Point Homecoming and Regatta in August, a friendly match-up took place for the home fans where, for the first time,

an A Class boat sailed in the beautiful harbour. With just a few months later before the Best-of-the-Best Regatta took place in Montagu shores, the boat went through its final repairs and trimming.

And with skipper Leslie ‘Buzzy’ Rolle now at the helm, the boat was victorious under its new management.

Originally named the Red Stripe, the boat was built in 2002 under the ownership of captain Robinson, who won numerous regattas in the

Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Reportedly, with a case of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent death of Robinson in 2021, the Red Stripe became a hot commodity.

Many offers were presented to the family, but none was as good as what was made jointly by captains Dwight ‘Skipper Fly’ Rolle and Smith, and the boat was sold. The rest, as they say, was history, hence the celebrations that took place in Black Point over the weekend.

OSAKA’S GRAND SLAM COMEBACK ENDS IN 1ST-ROUND LOSS TO GARCIA, GAUFF ADVANCES AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Moments after her Grand Slam comeback ended in a firstround loss, Naomi Osaka walked back through the players’ tunnel where her name has a prominent place among recent Australian Open champions.

Three matches into her return from 15 months off the tour, and six months after the birth of her daughter, Shai, Osaka lost 6-4, 7-6 (2) to 16th-seeded Caroline Garcia in a tight encounter at Rod Laver Arena last night.

“The competitive in me is really frustrated that I’m not winning these matches, of course,” Osaka told a post-match news conference. “So I wouldn’t say, like, this comeback is how I thought because I’m delusional enough to think I could have won the tournament.”

She smiled, before adding: “I think my delusion is what allows me to win the tournaments.”

Osaka won the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020, and the Australian title in 2019 and ‘21. This was the first time she lost in the first round in Melbourne, where she made her debut in 2016.

She took time out from tennis for her own wellbeing after first-round exits at the French Open and U.S. Open in 2022. She’s not planning any more breaks for now.

“Yeah, I think I just have to keep living day by day and training hard and playing a lot more matches,” she said. “And hopefully my dreams will come true.”

The big-serving Garcia didn’t give Osaka a look at a breakpoint in the match.

Most of the rallies were short — only three longer

than nine shots. The bulk were less than four. Most of the service holds were comfortable — except for Osaka’s one dropped game in the first set. That was all the difference.

“I have a lot of respect for Naomi as a person and as a player — 15 months she’s been away,” Garcia said. “I’m very glad to see her back. Six months after giving birth, she’s playing quite amazing already. We have to watch out.”

Osaka was one of three past Australian Open champions who returned to play at Melbourne Park for the first time as moms, joining 2016 winner Angelique Kerber and 2018 champion Caroline Wozniacki.

The Australian Open started Sunday and will be played over 15 days for the first time, with the first round spread over three days in a bid to cut down on the late-finishing matches.

Still, it was 1:39 a.m. local time by the time Felix Auger-Aliassime closed out a 4-hour, 59-minute win over 2020 U.S. Open winner Dominic Thiem that finished 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 5-7, 6-3. That match was briefly held up in the fourth set by a bird landing on the court at Margaret Court Arena and having to be chased off by a ball kid to laughter from the crowd.

It then flew around the stadium briefly before play could continue.

For Auger-Aliassime, the win ended a run of first-round exits at three consecutive majors.

In the opening match on Rod Laver, U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff needed just 60 minutes to advance 6-3, 6-0 over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.

The 19-year-old Gauff, who won her first major at the U.S. Open in September, said she had increased

NAOMI OSAKA, of Japan, waves as she leaves Rod Laver Arena following her first round loss to Caroline Garcia, of France, at the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) confidence in her serve thanks to some advice from Andy Roddick.

Fourth-seeded Gauff dropped just one point on her serve in the second set and credited Roddick, saying “he’s probably one of the best servers in history.”

Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova didn’t make it past the first round, losing 6-1, 6-2 to Dayana Yastremska and struggling with a hip injury.

A third 16-year-old reached the second round, with Mirra Andreeva beating 29-year-old Bernarda Pera 7-5, 6-2 to set up a second-round match with sixth-seeded Ons Jabeur, a three-time runner-up at Grand Slams.

Alina Korneeva and Brenda Fruhvirtova, both also 16, advanced after their first Grand Slam main draw wins on Sunday.

“I’m really excited for this,” Andreeva said about playing Jabeur. “I said many times before that she’s the player that I was looking up to. I really like the way she plays. I’m sure it’s going to be a great match.”

Australia’s newest top-10 player, Alex de Minaur, advanced after past Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic retired from their match. De Minaur was leading 6-7 (6), 6-3, 2-0 when the big-serving Canadian retired with an injury.

Third-seeded Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 and 2022 finalist at Melbourne Park, also advanced when his opponent retired from their match.

Medvedev had dropped the first set but was leading 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 1-0 when the 22-year-old Terence Atmane quit because of cramps.

“When I was feeling tired in the third set, I looked up the other end and saw he was cramping,” Medvedev said. “The conditions were fine but it has not been hot these seven days and then it was hot today, so you get more stressed.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lost last year’s Australian final to Novak Djokovic, advanced with a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win over Zizou Bergs.

Stan Wawrinka, who won the 2014 Australian title, was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 by Adrian Mannarino. That left 10-time winner Djokovic as the only Australian champion left in the men’s draw.

Five-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray lost to Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 and said it might be the last time he contests the season’s first major.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Sloane Stephens picked up her first win at the Australian Open since 2019 when she beat wild-card entry Olivia Gadecki 6-3, 6-1 today to reach the second round.

The 30-year-old American, who won the U.S. Open in 2017, won five straight games from 2-0 down in the opening set and eased through the second to clinch victory in just under an hour.

“Really pleased with the way I played,” said Stephens, who reached the semifinals of the event in 2013 but who has lost in the first round in seven of her past eight visits to Melbourne.

“I’ve been working a lot on making the opponents play. I think that’s something I had got away from.

Pleased with the win.”

Women’s No. 1 Iga Swiatek and men’s secondranked Carlos Alcaraz begin their title bids later Tuesday.

Swiatek plays another American, 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin.

Swiatek is looking to win her fifth Grand Slam title but first in Australia.

Alcaraz, last year’s Wimbledon winner, plays Richard Gasquet in the last match of the night session on Rod Laver Arena.

ZVEREV TO STAND TRIAL IN ASSAULT CASE BUT WILL NOT HAVE TO APPEAR IN COURT BERLIN (AP) — Olympic tennis champion Alexander Zverev will stand trial for alleged assault in Berlin in late May but will not have to appear in court in person, German news agency dpa reported yesterday.

The 26-year-old Zverev, who is competing at the Australian Open this week, is accused of assaulting a woman during an argument in Berlin in May 2020.

Zverev has denied the accusation.

A court in Berlin issued a penalty order in October ordering Zverev to pay fines amounting to 450,000 euros ($493,000), but the player contested the ruling which meant the case went to trial instead. Penalty orders are used in Germany as a means of resolving some criminal cases without going to trial, if the suspect does not contest the order.

The dpa news agency said Zverev’s trial will start on May 31, which is during this year’s French Open.

However, dpa cited a court spokesperson who said he will not need to make a personal appearance and can be represented by a lawyer.

The men’s tennis tour ruled last January that Zverev would not face disciplinary action after its own investigation into domestic abuse allegations against him found “insufficient evidence” to substantiate the claims.

Zverev was a finalist at the U.S. Open in 2020, won the men’s singles Olympic gold medal in 2021 and is sixth in the rankings. He will face fellow German Dominik Koepfer in the first round of the Australian Open today.

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PAGE 14, Tuesday, January 16, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

BUCCANEERS ROUT EAGLES 32-9 IN NFC WILD-CARD

By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns to lead the resurgent Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 32-9 wild-card playoff victory over Jalen Hurts and the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles last night.

The Bucs (10-8) won for the sixth time in seven games to advance to a NFC divisional round matchup on the road next Sunday against the Detroit Lions (13-5), another team — like the Eagles — that stymied Mayfield during the regular season.

David Moore scored on a 44-yard reception in the first quarter. Rookie Trey Palmer broke the game open with a 56-yard catchand-run for a TD that put

the Bucs up 25-9 late in the third quarter. Both receivers took advantage of a porous, poor-tackling Eagles secondary to make their way to the end zone.

Mayfield, the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick who’s playing with his fourth team in less than two years, completed 22 of 36 passes without an interception.

He capped his first playoff appearance since the 2020 season with a 23-yard TD pass to Chris Godwin.

It was a disappointing finish for Philadelphia (117), which lost to Kansas City in last year’s Super Bowl and then spent spent much of this season resembling a club focused and determined to get back to the title game.

The Eagles played without leading receiver A.J. Brown, who injured a knee in the regular-season finale.

TAMPA Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game last night.

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara) Hurts started despite dis- previous week, and was 25 locating the middle finger of 35 for 250 yards and one on his throwing hand the TD before being replaced

by backup Marcus Mariota in the final minute.

The Bucs, who lost to the Lions 20-6 in Week 6, regrouped following a stretch in which they lost six of seven games to go 5-1 over the last six weeks of the regular season to win their third straight NFC South title and clinch a franchise-record fourth consecutive playoff berth.

The Eagles entered Monday night looking for a solution to what ailed them during a stunning aboutface that saw them go 1-5 down the stretch after a 10-1 start to the season that included a dominant 14-point victory over Tampa Bay in Week 3.

Philadelphia outgained the Bucs 472 yards to 174, running 78 plays to Tampa Bay’s 44 in the first meeting. With Mayfield getting off to a quick start against

a porous, poor-tackling Eagles secondary, the Bucs offence gained 178 yards in the first quarter alone Monday night.

Chase McLaughlin kicked field goals of 28, 54 and 48 yards, the latter extending Tampa Bay’s lead to 16-3 late in the second quarter. The Eagles cut into their deficit with Hurts using a 55-yard completion to DeVonta Smith to set up a 5-yard scoring pass to Dallas Goedert.

The score remained 16-9, though. Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni took Jake Elliott’s conversion kick off the board after the Bucs were penalised for offsides. The Eagles lined up to go for 2 points from the 1-yard line, but Tampa Bay stopped Hurts for no gain.

Smith finished with eight receptions for 148 yards for the Eagles.

DEVAUGHN ROBINSON ELIMINATED - BUT ON TO THE GREAT ABACO CLASSIC FROM PAGE 16 or better to go and play in the main draw of the event over the final two days, but he fell short by nine strokes. “It wasn’t the best, but a lot of positives,” was how Robinson summed up his performance.

“It was good to knock off a little bit of the rust and get back in the swing of things.

“I have some things to clean up between now and next week, but I’m sure if I can do that, I will be able to contend and to compete and definitely have a better showing.”

Robinson, who used veteran golfer Jimmy Delancy as his caddie, admitted that it wasn’t the best of his putting game on display.

“I hit a couple of balls out of play and that prompted the bigger numbers on the scorecard,” Robinson said.

“But it was a very fine line to where I finished and where I needed to be to play very well. So I’m very disappointed and I’m also very hopeful.”

With a few exemptions in the field in Exuma,

Robinson said they will have to play much better than him in order to earn the rights to travel to Abaco.

He will automatically make the trip as the champion of the Bahamas Professional Golfers Association’s dual tournament played in December at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island.

“I intend to contend a lot better. You put together a game plan leading into tournaments like this and you test it out to see if it works,” he said. “For me, a lot of it worked to game plan, so I’m in a position where I get two cracks at it.

“If I revise my game plan and stick it for next week, then I could expect a much better finish.”

With a few days to make the necessary adjustments from one tournament to the next, Robinson said he will be working on a lot of what he did prior to playing in Exuma so that he can be better prepared for Abaco.

“I’m going to be working on the same things I did before this tournament and

studying the golf course,” said Robinson, who only played in Exuma last year.

“I don’t plan on changing too much.

“There’s a fine line to where I finished this week and what I need to do to contend.

“You’re playing against some of the best in the world. There’s not much separation from players like Tiger Woods and Rory Mcllroy, so to have a conversation about what I need to do to compete with these and not have a real conversation says a lot about my game and where I see myself.”

While he was joined by Cameron Riley last year, who qualified to play in Abaco, Robinson said it’s always an honour to represent the country and even to do it in the tournaments.

“We’re a small nation playing on the international stage and so it’s a proud feeling,” he said. “It’s even more proud when you see every face on the property on the island and you know they are rooting for you because you can feel

BAHAMIAN exempt professional golfer Devaughn Robinson is now looking forward to the next stop in Abaco at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at the Abaco Club January 21-24. the love and the support, it means the world to me.”

Robinson said he’s even more delighted to have an experienced caddie in Delancy, who guided him along the way for the two days of competition.

However, he said that could change in Abaco as Delancy may not be available. “He was really good this week. If I can get him through to Abaco, it would be good, but I may have to get a fresher set of legs,” Robinson said.

FROM PAGE 16 Organisation).”

The 34-year-old Williams, who fights out of the Contenders Boxing Gym in Fort Lauderdale under the supervision of Melvin Rivus and Steven Ray, has accumulated an impressive 10-2 win-loss record since he turned pro with a victory over Carlos Monroy on February 9, 2019.

He suffered his first loss in his next fight against Javaune James on March 22, 2019.

Since then, he went on a five-win streak before he dropped his second on October 15, 2022 to Elijah Flores.

In the four fights that he

FROM PAGE 16 Thursday CI Gibson at 4pm - LW Young vs TA Thompson junior girls and boys.

DW Davis Gymnasium at 4pm - CI Gibson vs CC Sweeting senior boys.

Friday CI Gibson at 4pm - CH Reeves vs DW Davis junior girls and boys.

DW Davis Gymnasium at 4pm - CV Bethel vs Anatol Rodgers senior girls and boys.

BASKETBALL BAISS ACTION The Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools will continue its basketball regular season this week with the following games on tap: Tuesday at 4pm Senior girls - St Augustine’s College at St Andrew’s School; Jordan

Prince Williams vs St John’s College.

Junior boys - St Augustine’ College at Kingsway Academy; Bahamas Academy at Jordan Prince Williams; Aquinas College at Queen’s College; St Anne’s at St Andrew’s; Nassau Christian Academy at St John’s.

Wednesday at 4 pm Senior boys - St Augustine’s College at Charles W Saunders; St John’s College at Queen’s College; Kingsway Academy at St Anne’s; Aquinas College at Jordan Prince Williams; Nassau Christian Academy at Bahamas Academy.

Junior girls - Queen’s College at Aquinas College.

Thursday at 4 pm Senior girls - Kingsway Academy at St Augustine’s College; Queen’s College at Aquinas College.

Junior boys - St Augustine’s College at Temple Christian Academy; St John’s at Bahamas

“But that’s up to the people that I speak to, if we can get a sponsor or donor money to make stuff like that happen.

“You are doubling the expenses when you have to do something like that.

But I’m hoping the people around me will be able to make it happen.”

Robinson said he’s just looking forward to making a better showing in Abaco with whoever he gets to caddie for him. It’s on to the Great Abaco Classic.

BOXER RASHIELD WILLIAMS PREPARES FOR TITLE FIGHT

RASHIELD Williams is now looking at getting his major breakthrough in the professional boxing ranks with a title shot. His management team in Florida confirmed that he will fight for the National Boxing Association’s junior middleweight title on March 2 in Tampa, Florida.

SPORTS NOTES

With his participation in the tournament falling squarely on him financially, Robinson said if feasible, he would like to engage the services of Riley, who played in Abaco last year and is quite aware of the course.

“It’s finding the financial support to get someone like him down here with me,” Robinson said. “If money wasn’t an issue, I would like to get that done. I think we would make a really good team for that event.

Academy; Nassau Christian Academy at Queen’s College; Aquinas College at Charles W. Saunders and St Anne’s at Kingsway Academy.

Friday at 4 pm Senior boys - St Augustine’s College at Nassau Christian Academy; Kingsway Academy at St Andrew’s School; Jordan Prince Williams at Bahamas Academy; Charles W Saunders at Aquinas College.

Junior girls - Queen’s College at St John’s College.

VOLLEYBALL NPVA ACTION The New Providence Volleyball Assocation will continue its regular season action this week at the DW Davis Gymnasium with just games being played on Wednesday at the Davis Gymnasium.

In the ladies’ opener at 7:30pm, the Panthers will take on the Lady Techs and in the men’s feature contest,

the Intruders will face the Warhawks.

No games will be played on Friday or Sunday.

MD – Temple Christian School vs Hillcrest Academy. PG – Freedom Baptist Academy vs Temple Christian School. PG – C. W. Sawyer Primary vs Freedom Baptist Academy. PM – Temple Christian School vs Hillcrest Academy. JB – Jordan Prince William vs Teleos Christian School. JB – Akhepran International Academy vs Freedom Baptist Academy. SB – Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy vs Boost Academy. AD – Teleos Christian School vs St. John’s College.

BASKETBALL BSAA ACTION The Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association will continue its basketball regular season action this week with games played every day at the Hope Center’s Michael ‘Scooter’ Ried

had in 2023, Williams was unbeaten.

This fight on March 3 will be his first for the new year.

“I’ve been waiting for this so long, I’m excited,” he said. “I’m just happy that I’m getting this opportunity.

I’m in the right place among the right people who are pushing me along and who appreciate what I’ve been doing.”

Williams said he’s taken any and every fight his handlers presented to him and so when the opportunity to fight for the title came along, he was prepared.

“He’s now looking forward to going back in the ring and get the job done.

“I usually don’t discuss with

them who I am fighting,” he stated. “I just go in the ring and get the job done.”

In preparation for the title shot, Williams said he intends to intensify his sparring and strength and conditioning sessions.

“The sparring is going to play a big part in my training right now,” Williams said.

As for the fight, Williams said it’s going to be important for him to be very smart in his performance.

“I have to be smart, be cautious and do my best to bring the title back home,” Williams said. “I am really looking forward to it.”

He’s just waiting to find out who his opponent will be.

Basketball Corts, with the following games on tap; Tuesday’s schedule, starting at 4 pm MD – Queen’s College vs Hillcrest Academy.

PB – Hillcrest Academy vs Genesis Academy. PB – Jordan Prince William A vs Queen’s College.

SMD – Teleos Christian School vs Queen’s College.

JG– Achiever’s Christian Academy vs St. John’s College. JB – Teleos Christian School vs Freedom Baptist Academy. SB – Teleos Christian School vs Boost Academy. SB – Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy vs Genesis Academy.

Wednesday’s schedule, starting at 4 pm MD – C. W. Sawyer Primary School vs Hillcrest Academy. PG – Sandilands Primary School vs Teleos Christian School.

PB – Genesis Academy vs Temple Christian School. JB – Teleos Christian School vs Greenville

Preparatory Academy. JB – Jordan Prince William vs Achiever’s Christian Academy. JB – ISBET vs Akhepran International Academy. INT – ISBET vs Teleos Christian School.

SB – Akhepran International Academy vs Genesis Academy.

Thursday’s schedule, starting at 4 pm JG – C. W. Saunders vs Achiever’s Christian Academy. JB – Teleos Christian School vs Achiever’s Christian Academy. JB – Freedom Baptist Academy vs Greenville Preparatory Academy. JB – ISBET vs Jordan Prince William.

SB – Akhepran International Academy vs Boost Academy. SB – Genesis Academy vs Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy.

SB – Greenville Preparatory Academy vs Teleos Christian School. AD – Akhepran International Academy vs St. John’s College.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 16, 2024, PAGE 15

Inspired by Dr King

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net DAUNTE Butler edged out the competition to take home the top prize at the 2nd Annual MLK High School Oratorical Competition.

The competition was organised by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in honour of slain American civil rights leader, The Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. Duante, a 16-year-old student at St Augustine’s College spoke about the need for society to come together building on Dr King’s quote: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

The eleventh-grade student noted

the need for Bahamians to “heed Dr King’s principle” and stand united against social ills such as misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia and crime.

He said: “We may not be facing a war like other countries. Or in the middle of an Essequibo fight like Guyana and Venezuela but xenophobia, homophobia, and misogyny, coupled with violence, have dogged our society for some time and all threaten The Bahamas if we don’t heed Dr King’s principle.

“As our pledge states, we are meant to be ‘one people united in love and service’. When we stain our image as a nation because we fail to be our brother’s keeper - the economic repercussions will be dire for our tourist

driven economy. Do we really want to be blacklisted again? When we continue to murder one another with increasing rates, our social state will continue to deteriorate. Would it truly be better in The Bahamas then?”

Ten students competed in the competition with Thoreon Evans, Hutley P Christie High, Andros coming in second place and Jefferson Lightbourn II, St Anne’s taking home third place.

Other competitors were Justin Blanc, Doris Johnson; Vejay Meadows, Aquinas College; Jazmin Miller, Windsor School; Chris Cesar O’Bryan, Anotol Rodgers; Kamroi Rolle, CC Sweeting; Kevin Williams, RM Bailey; and Ethan Williamson, St John’s College.

DAUNTE Butler with his parents, David and Lorieanne Butler.

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

ROOM TO READ

STUDENTS at Ridgeland Primary School received a reding room at the school courtesy of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Eta Psi Omega Chapter.

In celebration of the 116th Founder’s Day the sorority unveiled the reading room which will help the students on their educational journey.

The sorority also revealed that they will continue to partner with the school, focusing on holistic student

development and community engagement.

They introduced several initiatives including the Empowered Families Network where the Chapter will host presentations during PTA meetings on physical health, financial literacy and mental wellness.

Other initiatives are the Child Hunger Initiative Power Pack, which will meals to students during weekends and on breaks; the Ivy League Readers Club, which will encourage literacy and educational development and the Backyard Farming & Garden Project and Adult Literacy Programme.

Photos: Moise Amisial

Student Spotlight

TWINS Charity and Chasity Dorsett are sixth grade students at Gerald Cash Primary School.

This dynamic duo are both honour roll students with Charity being named head girl for the school year and Chasity awarded as a senior prefect.

• Do you know a student you’d like to nominate to feature in Student Spotlight? Email details to jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net and celebrate our next generation.

QC students on track

QUEEN’S College held its annual sports day last week, allowing students to display their athletic skills while being cheered on by their parents, teachers and peers.

Photos: Moise Amisial

SPORTS PAGE 16

Osaka, Page 13

TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2024

Baker, Wilson and Darville sign with Boston Red Sox

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

T

hree Bahamian teenagers signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox yesterday, bringing them one step closer to furthering their baseball careers.

Tavano Baker, Edwin Darville and Trent Wilson - all age 17 - inked the deal in front of their close friends and loved ones during a special signing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

Baker, who grew up in Sandilands Village, expressed gratitude to the baseball team for helping to make his dreams come true.

He also thanked his family and coach for their support.

“At seven years old, I learned to play baseball at the back of a churchyard.

Me and my grandfather and my cousin. Papi, he taught me the basic fundamentals of baseball. I’d like to thank my mom for always being there for me and for being my rock. I love you,” Baker said.

Next to sign was Darville, from Nassau Village, who offered brief but similar remarks.

“I just say thank you,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wilson - the last teenager to sign - had this advice for aspiring professional baseball players: “Stay focused and be humble and always smile.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, who’s an avid fan of the sport, congratulated the teenagers on

RASHIELD WILLIAMS PREPARES FOR TITLE FIGHT

By BRENT TUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IT has taken about five years, but Rashield Williams is now looking at getting his major breakthrough in the professional boxing ranks with a title shot.

Over the weekend, Williams’ management team in Florida confirmed that he will fight for the National Boxing Association’s junior middleweight title.

His opponent has not yet been determined, but the fight is scheduled to take place on March 2 in Tampa, Florida. “This is what we’ve been waiting on right here,” Williams said. “Once I’ve accomplished this goal, it would put me in the top 10 in the WBO (World Boxing

SEE PAGE 14

GOLFER DEVAUGHN ROBINSON ELIMINATED

By BRENT TUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SWEET 17: Tavano Baker, Edwin Darville and Trent Wilson have signed with the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball.

Photo by Dante Carrer their accomplishments and to see a young man…that “And I’m advised and Prime Minister Davis wished them well in their we could hold up to see I’m happy to know that also thanked Freedom careers. that there is a better way apart of this signing con- Farm Baseball League for “I’m so proud and and there is a way that tract guarantees them a “continuing to bring young appreciative of what we’re we can all be contributing university scholarship (so) men together and giving doing,” Mr Davis said. to our society and doing at the end of their playing them purpose and some“With all the distractions well.” days, they can better equip thing to strive for.” we’re having in our com“And what is very themselves for the world.”

Boston’s Bahamian munity today, the young important in this signHe encouraged the agent Dominique Collie men seemingly lost and ing and…that is these are young men to remain was also present for the engaged in so much sense- young men, they still have focused and dedicated, signing, welcoming the less and dysfunctional their educational pursuits advising that it will pay off young men to the Red Sox behaviour, it’s always good ahead of them. later. organisation.

SPORTS CALENDAR BASKETBALL NPBA ACTION THE New Providence Basketball Association will continue its regular season action this week with the following games on tap: Wednesday’s schedule at CI Gibson Gymnasium - 7:30pm - Javon Medical Shockers vs Cyber Tech Blue Marlins (DII). 8:30pm - Zula Media & Symphony vs Sand Dollar High Flyers (D1).

Friday’s schedule at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium - 7pm - Your Essential Store vs BIBT Grat Whites (DII). 8pm - University of the Bahamas Mingoes vs Zula Media & Symphony (D1); 9pm - Caro Contractors Shockers vs Commonwealth Bank Giants (D1).

Saturday’s schedule at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium - 7pm - Discount Distributors Rockets vs Mekaddish Millionaires (DII). 8pm - TMT Giants vs Brandon Deli Kings (D1). 9pm - Island

Jan. 2024

Development Rebels vs Discount Liquors Rockets (D1).

GSSSA ACTION THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association will continue its regular season action this week at both the CI Gibson and DW Davis Gymnasiums.

Here’s a look at the schedule of games: Tuesday CI Gibson Gymnasium at 4 pm - SC McPherson vs DW Davis junior girls and boys.

DW Davis Gymnasium at 4 pm - RM Bailey vs CI Gibson senior girls and boys.

Wednesday CI Gibson at 4 pm - Anatol Rodgers vs AF Adderley junior girls and boys.

DW Davis Gymnasium at 4 pm - CR Walker vs Government High senior girls and boys.

SEE PAGE 14

AFTER two rounds of play in the Korn Ferry Tour in the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resorts in Exuma, Bahamian exempt professional golfer Devaughn Robinson was eliminated from the final two days of competition.

But as the only player to represent the Bahamas against some of the best players in the world, Robinson is now looking forward to the next stop in Abaco at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at the Abaco Club January 21-24.

At the end of the two days of competition in Exuma yesterday, Robinson finished with a total score of 153. He needed atleast 144

SEE PAGE 14

NPBA: HEATWAVES, ROCKETS, SHOCKERS IN THE WIN COLUMN THE New Providence Basketball Association continued its regular season action over the weekend at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium with a series of games played.

UÊ iÀi½ÃÊ >Ê ÃÕ >ÀÞÊ vÊ what took place: Discount Liquor Rockets 100, Zula Media & Symphony 73: Kemsey Sylvestre led a balanced scoring attack with 18 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and a pair of steals and block shots as the Rockets secured the division one victory on NIGHT league players in acSunday. tion in the NPBA. Devon Ferguson had 17 points with three rebounds assists, two steals and a and a pair of assists, Liv- block, Chrisoff Stuart 12 ingstone Munnings had 16 points, four rebounds and points with 16 rebounds, two assists and Dominique four assists, three steals Beadle added 10 points, 12 and two blocks, Roosevelt rebounds and two assists.

In a losing cause, BerWhylly also had 26 points with 14 rebounds, three trum Minns scored a

game high 20 points with 14 points, four steals and three assists.

Jonaldo Joseph was the only other player in double figures with 19 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Both Uriah Rolle (five rebounds, three assists and as many steals) and Sherman Marshall (four rebounds, two assists and steals) had nine points each and Gamaliel Rose chipped in with seven points, 11 rebounds and two assists.

Caro Contractors Shockers 88, University of the Bahamas Mingoes 78: Dario McKenzie scored a game high 21 points with six rebounds and three assists to push the Shockers over the top against the Mingoes in their division one game on Sunday.

SEE PAGE 12