02072017 sports by tribune242

SPORTS SECTION E

SUPER BOWL 51 Patriots, Pg 5

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2017

Charlton beats Seymour, Thomas 3rd By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

hile Donald Thomas was holding his own in Europe, a number of Bahamians were competing on the collegiate scene, which included another meeting between the top two Bahamian female high hurdlers Devynne Charlton and Pedyra Seymour. At the indoor meeting in Karlsruhe, Thomas cleared 2.28 metres or 7-feet, 5 ¾-inches for third place in the men’s high jump. He attempted 2.30 (7-61/2), but missed all three tries. Pavel Seliverstau posted the world’s best leap of 2.30m (7-61/2) for the win. Mateusz Przybylko of Germany had a season’s best of

2.28m (7-5 ¾) as well to get second. He had fewer knockdowns than Thomas. BAHAMIAN CONNECTION AT MEYO INVITATIONAL Charlton and Seymour, meeting for the second time this indoor season, had the outcome reversed in the women’s 60m hurdles. Flashback to their initial encounter on January 1 at the Rod McCravy Memorial meet, Seymour clocked 7.98 seconds to rank her second in NCAA Division, fourth in the world and moved her into second place on Illinois’ all-time list. Seymour was third and Charlton followed in fourth in 8.05. World record holder Kendra Harrison won the race in 7.75 and Leah Nugent of PUMA was second in 7.96.

This weekend, Charlton won the race in 8.02 for her fastest time this season and the third best in the country for the year. “Overall I was pleased with my race. I didn’t run as fast as I would have liked to, but it was the third fastest time I’ve ever ran so I can’t complain,” Charlton told The Tribune. “As I expected, it was a tough race with her (Seymour) right next to me. I’m happy we were able to push each other that way.” Charlton admitted that she still has some things to work on as she cleans up her technique before she heads into the Big Ten Conference. She intends to take a week off from competing to work on those details. In the preliminary round, Charlton won her heat in the fastest qualifying time of 8.21 and Sey-

mour won her heat in 8.25. And, in the semi-final, Charlton had the fastest time to win her heat in 8.13 and Seymour did 8.20 to win her heat with the second fastest qualifying time. In the 60m preliminaries, the Purdue duo of Carmiesha Cox and Charlton got second in 7.45 and fourth in 7.45 respectively. Only Charlton went on to run in the semi-final, posting the fastest qualifying time of 7.42. But Charlton opted not to contest the final. Cox, however, ran the 200m where she was second in 23.64. And in the women’s 4 x 400m relay, Cox ran the second leg for the Boilermakers as they came in second in a time of 3:36.04 - the 2nd best time in programme history.

SEE PAGE 2

Buddy sinks 11 to help Pelicans win

VARSITY BOYS SPRING CLASSIC SET FOR NEXT MONTH By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net FOR the second consecutive year, Noble Preparatory Academy will continue one of its newest initiatives aimed at fostering the development of achievement both on the basketball court and in the classroom. NPA is all set to host its Varsity Boys Spring Classic at Kendal Isaacs Gym March 16-18. The tournament boasts an unprecedented award for its Most Valuable Player as they will qualify for a full scholarship to attend Niagara College in Ontario, Canada. When the event was first announced, NPA President Geno Bullard said the invitational is intended to benefit our country’s youth through basketball, with an emphasis on mentoring and promoting educational success. “We wanted to offer other student athletes that same opportunity that our NPA students are getting.

SEE PAGE 3

MARCH 13 DECISION DAY FOR INGRAHAM By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

ON THE RELAY: Phoenix Suns centre Tyson Chandler, left, and forward P.J. Tucker, right force a jump ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield late in the second half of last night’s game in New Orleans. The Pelicans won 111-106. SEE NBA CAPSULES ON PAGE 2 (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

NATIONAL signing day came and went without a Bahamian football prospect making an impact but, next month, expect a decision from another looking to extend his career on the gridiron at the next level. Ivoine Torres Ingraham announced via Twitter that March 13 is when he plans to make his decision on where he plays collegiate football. He spent the last two seasons with the Northview Cougars in Dothan, Alabama, primarily on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver. The Cougars finished a disapponting 0-10 this season in the state’s 6A Region Two. Head Coach LaBrian Stewart was fired at the conclusion of the season in November after a 16-35 record in five seasons. Ingraham has been reported to run as fast as a 4.4

SEE PAGE 3

Volunteers ‘good to go’ for IAAF World Relays Bahamas By Local Organising Committee IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2017 A MAJOR sporting event such as the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2017 can only be successful with the integration of volunteers. For this year’s event the LOC is expecting more than 800 volunteers who will give of their time and talent to make the 2017 edition the best edition of the world event. The hundreds of volunteers have been busy ironing out the logistical details for the relays including accreditation, attachés, translators, helpers and the like. “An event of this magnitude just doesn’t happen,” said Jerome Sawyer, IAAF World Relays

communication director. “It is an intricate dance where many different partners and volunteers are a major participant in this dance. Without them we can’t have a successful event.” Many of the volunteers are never seen and some are never at the track. “There are volunteer translators in the four major languages for the event - Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch - who will only be at the host hotels assisting athletes and will never be at the track

and their service is just as important as the volunteers who run the athletes’ clothes baskets around the track,” Sawyer added. Many of the volunteers will be outfitted by the athletic equipment company ASICS which is the new uniform sponsor for volunteers. The company’s name is actually an acronym for the Latin phrase “anima sana in corpore sano,” which translates roughly as “a healthy soul in a healthy body.” “We have ordered a full com-

plement of uniforms for our volunteers,” said IAAF World Relays volunteer coordinator, Tarahan Mackey. To make sure there they have everything needed for the IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2017, the LOC will use the Bahamas High school relays March 18-19 as a test event for the World Relays Bahamas 2017. “It will be a test to see if we have the full complement of our volunteers, staff and then we know we are going to work and how it will run functionally,” Mackey added. There will also be four classes for volunteers leading up to the main event in an effort to streamline the functionality of the volunteers. “We are hoping that the classes are filled,” Mackey said. “Hos-

pitality is the only thing that we have, we have to be proponents of great and excellent service.” The 2017 programme for the IAAF World Relays includes heats and finals for the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, and the 4x800m for both men and women over the two days of competition. Runners will also contest a mixed gender 4x400m event. The 2017 Relays are also included in the IAAF World Athletics Series of events. The single session ticket prices for general admission is $15. Costs for the Silver section is $50, Bronze is $40 and the Gold section is $70. Tickets are available for the relays online at NSA-Bahamas.com and at the box office at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

PAGE 2, Tuesday, February 7, 2017

CAVALIERS guard Kyrie Irving celebrates last night’s overtime victory against Wizards. (AP)

NBA CAPSULES CAVALIERS 140, WIZARDS 135 WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 11 of his 23 points in overtime, including a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 35 seconds left, and the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Washington Wizards 140-135 in a playoff-type atmosphere Monday night. The loud, sellout crowd was standing, and so were the players on both benches, when James somehow missed a gimme layup late in the fourth quarter. Moments later, he banked in a maximum-degree-ofdifficulty, step-back 3 with 0.3 seconds left to send the game overtime, where he fouled out and Irving took over for Cleveland. James finished 32 points and a careerhigh 17 assists. Kevin Love had 39 points and 12 rebounds for the Eastern Conference leaders, who ended surging Washington’s winning streaks of 17 in a row at home and seven in a row overall. HEAT 115, TIMBERWOLVES 113 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Goran Dragic

scored 33 points and hit a career-high seven 3-pointers to lead Miami to its 11th straight victory. Hassan Whiteside had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and the Heat shot 53.6 percent (15 for 28) from 3-point range. Miami made 10 more 3s than Minnesota and held on late after a furious comeback attempt by the Wolves. Karl-Anthony Towns had 35 points and eight rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have lost four straight games. Andrew Wiggins added 27 points, but missed two shots with chances to win the game in the final 8.5 seconds. PELICANS 111, SUNS 106 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Davis capped his 34-point night with a key rebound and six made free throws in the final half-minute, Jrue Holiday scored five of his 30 points in the last minute and a half and New Orleans ended a four-game slide with a victory over Phoenix. E’Twaun Moore scored 12 points for the Pelicans, who led by as many as 10 in the first half but found themselves behind for much of the fourth quarter until Davis and Holiday took over late. Rookie guard Buddy Hield scored 11 points, including three three-pointers, grabbed three rebounds and dished out four assists in 28 minutes. PACERS 93, THUNDER 90 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Paul George had 21 points and eight rebounds, Jeff Teague scored 17 points and Indiana rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to beat Oklahoma City. Indiana has won seven straight games — its longest winning streak in almost two years. Russell Westbrook led Oklahoma City

with 27 points, a season-high 18 rebounds and nine assists, falling just short of his 26th triple-double this season. The Thunder struggled mightily in the second half, giving away a 52-41 halftime lead by midway through the third quarter. The Pacers then went on a 12-4 run to take a 79-72 advantage early in the fourth and never trailed again. RAPTORS 118, CLIPPERS 109 TORONTO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan had 31 points and Toronto overcame a triple-double from Blake Griffin to beat Los Angeles. Griffin, who had his fifth career tripledouble and first of the season in three quarters, finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. It wasn’t enough to prevent the Clippers from a third straight defeat against the Raptors and their seventh in eight games in Toronto. DeRozan, who had missed seven of Toronto’s last eight games with a sprained ankle, was 11 of 22 from the floor, while Kyle Lowry scored 24 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 21 points and 12 rebounds for his 20th double-double of the season. The Raptors were 3-4 in DeRozan’s absence and won for just the fourth time in their last 12 games. JAZZ 120, HAWKS 95 ATLANTA (AP) — Gordon Hayward scored 30 points and Utah broke open a close game with 10 straight points in the third quarter to beat Atlanta. Hayward scored a season-high 33 points in Utah’s 105-98 win over Charlotte on Saturday and had 15 points as the Jazz built a 27-14 lead in the first quarter in this one. Utah led 40-23 in the second quarter before Atlanta had a strong finish to the half and cut the deficit to 54-50.

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The Jazz led by only three points early in the second half before a basket by George Hill, who had 22 points, started the decisive 10-0 run. Hill had two three-point plays to close the run. LAKERS 121, KNICKS 107 NEW YORK (AP) — Lou Williams scored 22 points, Nick Young had 17 and Los Angeles handed New York an embarrassing defeat to stop a 12-game losing streak on the road. Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram added 14 points apiece for the struggling Lakers, who won for only the third time in 13 games overall. They had dropped 17 of their previous 18 away from home, with the only road victory during that stretch coming on Dec. 16 in Philadelphia. It was Los Angeles’ first victory over New York at Madison Square Garden in six years. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 26 points. Kristaps Porzingis and Brandon Jennings each had 16. PISTONS 113, 76ERS 96 AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Andre Drummond had 16 points and 17 rebounds, and Detroit pulled away at the start of the third quarter for an easy victory over Philadelphia. Detroit led 55-46 at halftime, then made its first six shots of the third quarter. The Pistons went on to outscore Philadelphia 34-21 in the period and were never seriously challenged after that. Detroit had seven players in double figures. Marcus Morris led the way with 19 points, and Reggie Jackson scored 14. Jon Leuer, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Aron Baynes had 12 each. Jahlil Okafor scored 16 points for the 76ers, who have lost four straight.

CHARLTON BEATS SEYMOUR IN 60M HURDLES, DONALD THOMAS 3RD IN HIGH JUMP FROM PAGE 1 Another Bahamian female competitor, Celine Thompson of the University of Miami, ended up in a three-way tie for 12th place with a leap of 1.61m (5-03.25). On the men’s side, Thompson’s Miami team-mate Henri Delauze got the better of the showdown with Purdue’s Kinard Rolle. Delauze got third in his heat in 47.65 for sixth overall, while Rolle was fourth in his heat in 48.17 for 13th place. The two ran on the same legs – second – on their respective men’s 4 x 400m relay with Rolle and Purdue coming second in 3:09.26

with Delauze and Miami taking fourth in 3:12.47.

Rolle came in 10th in the women’s triple jump with 39-9.75.

HIELD PERSONAL BEST In Boise, Idaho at the Jacksons/ NB Invitational, senior Kadeisha Hield came up with the best performance of her career for Nevada with a long jump personal record with her jump of 19-0.75 inches. The mark was good enough to put Hield tied for first in the event, and improved on her previous mark of 19-0.5 inches, fifth in Nevada history.

ROMER QUALIFIES Grand Bahamian Leslie Romer, competing for Taylor University at the Indiana Wesleyan Classic in Marion, Indiana, pulled off a victory in the men’s 60m in 6.87 to clear the NAIA A standard to earn a return trip to the NAIA Indoor National Championships next month.

ROLLE AT DRAKE At the Drake Invitational in their home meet, Drake’s Taryn

NEWBOLD MAKES AN IMPRESSION At the Grinnell Indoor Invitational in Grinnell, another Grand Bahamian Husani Newbold

placed fourth in the men’s 400m in 51.53. Newbold also anchored the Rams men’s 4 x 400m relay team to victory in 3:30:24. SAMSON SHINES Sprinter Samson Colebrooke cracked the top 10 of the men’s 200m, matching his personal best 21.54 to finish eighth Barton Community College at the the 42nd annual Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational. PIERRE AND SANDS IN NEW ENGLAND Highland Community College had two Bahamians competing at the 2017 Ward Haylett Invitation-

al at the Doane College in Crete, New England. Sprinter Prolene Pierre was fourth in the women’s 60m in 7.94. She also contested the 200m where she was second in 26.71. And Antoni Sands was tied for sixth in the women’s high jump with 1.57m (5-01.75), qualifying for the Junior Nationals. PINDER AT BROWN INVITATIONAL At the Vince Brown Invitational at the Christopher Newport -Freeman Center in Newport News, Virginia, Justin Pinder of Norfolk State was second in his heat and fifth overall in 1:59:83.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 7, 2017, PAGE 3

Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time! LET’S cut right to the chase this week, Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback of all time! There is no denying 5 Lombardi Trophies in 7 Super Bowls. Yes an asterix may have to be affixed to a few of them but this, his latest Super Bowl conquest, was all Tom Brady, fair and square. I know as some of you read, the thought is going through your minds, “Naughty is settling a bet, he lost obviously, and now he has to wax poetic about Brady.” Nope, no practical joke lying behind this one. Just a modicum of respect for a player who deserves it. Throw the record breaking stats and conspiracies out of the window, Brady’s performance in Super Bowl 51 was epic. As I watched him walking in to the locker room at halftime, down by 18

points, I noticed a certain look in his eye, I said to myself, if I didn’t know better, he’s looking to come all the way back in the second half and win this thing. Then I watched in amazement as he brought my words to life in the second half, willing his teammates to victory. Here’s where I knew Brady had finally earned my respect. When the Patriots scored to bring the score to 28-20 in favour of Atlanta, I found myself after 17 years actually rooting for Brady to pull it off. And he did in most impressive fashion, therefore I must tip my hat to him. I always give credit where it’s due, and this case is no exception. Brady was surgeon-like, dissecting the Atlanta defence methodically and eventually wearing it down and rendering it useless. Tom Brady, with the

SPORTING

MISCHIEF

& MAYHEM

AZELAYA BY INIGO ‘NAUGHT Y’ ZENIC heart of a champion, put his team on his back and willed them to win the Super Bowl, again. Malcom X once said “ the respect that you receive is the respect that you earn.” Well, as of Sunday night, Brady has more than earned my respect. With Brady’s fifth Lombardi Trophy, no one else has 5, he’s now the watermark. Just as NBA stars chase the 6 rings posted by his ‘Airness’ Michael Jordan, NFL stars, quarterbacks especially, now have an even loftier number to chase

than the 4 posted by Bradshaw and Montana, which seemed unreachable until Sunday. To best sum up my feelings toward Tom Brady, I will quote Vince Vaughn’s character Wes Mantooth in the Anchorman movie. “I hate you Ron Burgundy.....but damn it I respect you.” Now as far as the Patriots being the greatest team of all time, see next week’s column, it’s highly debatable. The Patriots, the jury’s still out on them. • Naughty presents ‘Mis-

NEW England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady poses with his MVP trophy yesterday during a news conference. (AP Photo/David J Phillip) chief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on

VARSITY BOYS SPRING CLASSIC ALL SET FOR MARCH 16-18 FROM PAGE 1

“We transfer our students directly to college every year. These players play all year but we want this tournament to be different because at the end of this journey, we want to be able to say that someone earned the opportunity to go to college for their expense and their hard work they put into winning. You play hard, you push your team to victory and we are going to provide you with the opportunity to go to college, on us,” he said. “This will be the first time someone externally from NPA gets this scholarship. We don’t just want them to walk away with a handshake and a trophy. The ultimate goal is to give them the opportunity at higher education.” NPA has been able to provide over $200,000 in scholarships in five years and has transitioned an additional 167 students to Niagara College to

obtain a college degree in seven years. In the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2016, NPA defeated the RM Bailey Pacers in the championship game. Kenneth Reckley was named the MVP after finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Last year’s tournament also included career planning sessions to assist players with life choices after basketball. This year, special invited coaches from Ridley College will conduct and camp and clinic. Special guests from 2016 included Niagara head coach Keith Vassell and Ridley director of basketball operations David Witty. Bullard said it is in keeping with the school’s theme – “When the game ends and the glory fades, educated students will be the ultimate winner.” “Basketball is the backdrop, but it’s bigger than that and we want it to be more than just a tournament. We want to de-

velop a true event that will enhance the players,” Bullard said. “We have very talented basketball players but throughout the year we never bring these questions to the forefront and we never check them. What are the kids going to do once we concluded basketball season and once they graduate in June? We want everyone, the players and schools to be aware that once you come to NPA you are going to get quality basketball and you are going to get educational opportunities to find guidance. Come out and compete and through this effort we can foster a better relationship between our coaches and their players as it opens the dialogue to ensure their players are academically sound. We can play as many games as we want, but we have to open this dialogue. Maybe we can encourage other tournaments to do the same.” In addition to being the

founder and the president of the NPA, Bullard is also the international recruiter for the entire Caribbean region for Niagara College. NPA has academic ties with Ridley, Niagara and Brock University. Bahamian players have been integral in the programmes for both institutions. Several NPA alumni have benefitted from the programme and competed at high schools colleges and universities in Canada. Van Hutchinson Jr, Jordan Wilson and Kevin Cooper are currently members of the Niagara Knights’ programme following the graduation of another Bahamian trio - Marako Lundy, Delroy Grandison and Tenero. Shamarr Burrows and Livingston Bromwell starred at Ridley College before moving on to the collegiate level. For more information on the tournament, contact the organisers at gbullard@npabahamas. com

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PUERTO RICO TOPS VENEZUELA, PLAYS FOR CARIBBEAN SERIES TITLE CULIACAN, Mexico (AP) — David Vidal hit his third homer in five games as Puerto Rico opened an eight-run lead in the sixth inning, then held off Venezuela 9-6 yesterday to reach the Caribbean Series championship game. The Criollos de Caguas, who finished 1-3 in the first round, will try to become the first team from Puerto Rico to win the title since 2000. Venezuela lost in the semi-finals after going 3-1 in the first round. Cuba played Mexico in the second semi-final, with the winner taking on Puerto Rico for the title today. Vidal hit a solo homer in the sixth and drove in three runs. The third baseman leads the Series with three home runs. Yadiel Rivera had two hits and two RBIs. Orlando Roman earned the win, giving up one run and seven hits in five innings. Mitch Lively, the starting pitcher for Venezuela’s Aguilas del Zulia, gave up four runs and four hits while getting just two outs.

MARCH 13 DECISION DAY FOR TORRES INGRAHAM FROM PAGE 1

IVOINE TORRES INGRAHAM

40-yard-dash and has been targeted by several National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I schools, most notably the Point University Skyhawks. Several Bahamian collegiate football players participated in NAIA Division I football last season, including Michael Bullard and Dwight Butler with the Peru State Bobcats. The Bobcats finished 5-6 overall and 1-4 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) in the NAIA. Bullard, the sophomore cornerback, finished with 24 tackles and

six passes defended on the year. Butler, in his freshman season at wide receiver, caught just two passes for 12 yards. Despite his team’s struggles, Ingraham made his mark individually and was selected to the fourth annual NUC All-American Game last December in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to the Senior AllStar Game, the event included a full week of activities for Youth (7th and 8th graders), including the NUC Youth All-Star Game. There were also events for High School Underclassmen (9th, 10th and 11th graders) that included a series of situational practices and functions.

The NUC All American Game weekend included 100 of the best players from each grade level. Point University finished the 2016 season at 5-6. The Skyhawks won their final two games and outscored their opponents 43-14. National Signing Day occurs every February, usually on the first Wednesday of that month, which is the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding national letter of intent for football with a school that is a member of the NCAA. Over time, the growing popularity of National Signing Day has had a marked impact on media coverage of young players and on loyal fans’ expectations.

JUNIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE OF NASSAU WEEKLY SCHEDULE/RESULTS

PAGE 4, Tuesday, February 7, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

GSSSA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS CROWNED

SENIOR GIRLS CHAMPIONS Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins.

JUNIOR BOYS CHAMPIONS DW Davis Pitbulls.

JUNIOR GIRLS CHAMPIONS HO Nash Lions.

SENIOR BOYS CHAMPIONS Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves.

SENIOR GIRLS RUNNERS-UP CI Gibson Lady Rattlers.

JUNIOR GIRLS RUNNERS-UP SC McPherson Lady Sharks.

SENIOR BOYS RUNNERS-UP CC Sweeting Cobras.

JUNIOR BOYS RUNNERS-UP AF Adderley Fighting Tigers.

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Tuesday, February 7, 2017, PAGE 5

Stunning rally raises the question: How do Patriots rank in history? By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — The Patriots have the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. Cue the debate on whether it translates into the greatest dynasty in the NFL, and maybe where New England ranks among dominant pro sports franchises. Perhaps the discussion hinges on the record-setting duo of quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick. There are some numbers that aren’t debatable, like most Super Bowl appearances for a team (nine) and a quarterback (seven). Brady’s five wins put him one ahead of Hall of Famers Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for the most by a quarterback, and Belichick’s five are one better than Bradshaw’s coach in Pittsburgh, Chuck Noll. Bradshaw and Montana

never had a Super Bowl rally that even remotely resembled the 25-point recovery engineered by Brady in a 34-28 win over Atlanta on Sunday night in the first Super Bowl to go to overtime. “We’ve got the greatest quarterback,” defensive lineman Trey Flowers said. “Calm, cool, collective and just make plays. That’s what he’s been doing all his career.” Green Bay won the first two Super Bowls with Bart Starr and has four titles. Bradshaw’s Steelers became the team of the 1970s, with Roger Staubach and the Dallas Cowboys not far behind. Montana’s 49ers dominated the ‘80s. Troy Aikman helped the Cowboys become the first team to win three titles in four seasons in the 1990s — and Brady matched him a decade later. Starr, Bradshaw, Staubach (they called him Captain Comeback), Montana,

PATRIOTS head coach Bill Belichick celebrates after Super Bowl 51 against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday night in Houston. The New England Patriots won 34-28. (AP Photo/David J Phillip) Aikman. Vince Lombardi, Noll, Tom Landry, Bill Walsh, Jimmy Johnson. None of them have a claim to the sustained excellence of Brady and Belichick, the only duo to go to seven Super Bowls and win

five. “He cast a wizard spell over us that changed everything,” tackle Nate Solder said of Belichick and the message at halftime, when the Patriots trailed 21-3 before going down 28-3 in the third quarter. Joking aside, the Patriots

probably never panicked because they can lean on things such as 16 consecutive winning seasons (Dallas has the record with 20) and an NFL-best 34 playoff games and 25 postseason wins for Brady. “At halftime, I would say we weren’t down at all,” said Brady, who won his fourth Super Bowl MVP award by leading two fourth-quarter touchdown drives that included 2-point conversions to force overtime. “We were disappointed in the way we played, and we knew that we could go out and do a lot better in the second half.” Brady and Belichick fall short of the nine NBA titles that Bill Russell and Red Auerbach won together in Boston, or the six that Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson celebrated in Chicago. There will always be arguments for the multiple dynasties of the New York Yankees, who have 27 World Series titles. Short-

stop Derek Jeter and manager Joe Torre won four together in a span of five seasons from 1996 to 2000, not to mention Mickey Mantle and Casey Stengle or Lou Gehrig and Joe McCarthy. And don’t forget about the Montreal Canadiens, who won 16 NHL titles in 27 seasons from the 1950s to the 1970s. Then again, leagues were smaller and rosters were thinner back then, and the conversation was nearly about Atlanta ending its championship drought. “To come back and just stall and just give Tom Brady a glimpse of a chance to come back, we did that,” Falcons receiver Taylor Gabriel said. “It’s tough to lose like that in the Super Bowl.” Instead, the spotlight is firmly back on Brady, Belichick and the Patriots, who might not even be done — they’re already favoured to repeat in 2018.

BRADY GIVES CREDIT TO HIS MOM, WHITE FOR SUPER BOWL MVP WIN By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Tom Brady doesn’t want to talk about “Deflategate.” He’d rather reflect on a night he will never forget and how much it meant to his mother. The New England quarterback spoke yesterday hours after he won his fifth Super Bowl ring and fourth MVP trophy. He called the 34-28 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons a “hell of a game” for his mother, who has been dealing with an undisclosed health issue and was not able to attend any other games this season. “It was great. She’s been through a lot,” Brady said. “Way harder than I went through last night. Way harder than everyone on our team went through last night. My dad’s been there every step of the way. They set such a great example for me. “All families go through challenging times personally. But she has a lot of support and a lot of love. I’m just happy last night to be able to celebrate with her.” What was missing from the celebration was Brady’s game jersey, which he said disappeared from the locker room. Texas’ lieutenant governor asked the Texas Rangers to help Houston police look for the jersey. Brady joked that he expects to spot it soon in an online auction. He would not say whether his fifth championship meant more to him than the others because of his four-game suspension stemming from the Deflategate scandal. Coach Bill Belichick said it

TOM BRADY celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. (AP) would be “inappropriate” to suggest that Brady put in more effort this season for any reason. “To insinuate that this season was somehow different, that this year he competed harder or did anything to a higher degree than anything he has in the past I think is insulting to the tremendous effort and leadership and competitiveness that he’s shown for the 17 years that I’ve coached him,” Belichick said. Brady had another uneventful interaction with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during a photo with the MVP trophy. He said teammate James White was more deserving of the award

PATRIOTS’ James White celebrates his touchdown in overtime. (AP) because of his three touchdowns in Sunday’s victory, including the winning 2-yard run. Two years ago, Brady gave the truck he received for winning MVP honours to Malcolm Butler for the rookie cornerback’s game-saving interception in the Patriots’ Super Bowl win over the

Seahawks. He hinted yesterday that he may not keep the next vehicle either. “I think James White deserves it. It would be nice for him,” Brady said. “It took a real team effort. ... We faced a lot of adversity this year and overcame it with a lot of mental toughness.”

That said, he is definitely keeping the trophy. When the news conference concluded, Brady looked down and grasped the silver football and cradled it under his arm as he walked off the stage. “I’m taking it home,” Brady said.

Atlanta Falcons head home after blowing 25-point lead By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons headed home yesterday, still in a bit of shock after blowing a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl. While the future looks bright for a team with MVP quarterback Matt Ryan and a promising young defence, let’s not forget the psychological impact of what happened in Houston. That could take a while to get over. The Falcons were ready to celebrate the first championship in their 51-year history when they built a 28-3 lead on the New England Patriots. Alas, Tom Brady led the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history — and, really, nothing else comes close — to pull out a 34-28 overtime victory . “I was thinking what anyone would be thinking — we had the game,” Atlanta receiver Taylor Gabriel said after the first overtime game in Super Bowl his-

tory. “At the same time, it’s Tom Brady. If you give him chances to come back and win the game, he’s going to do that.” No one seemed to take it harder than running back Devonta Freeman, who fought back tears and could barely speak above a whisper. “I’ll always remember this game,” he said, “for the rest of my life.” The Falcons flew back to a gloomy city that has only one major sports championship in 169 combined seasons for its NFL team, Major League Baseball’s Braves, the NBA’s Hawks and two now-departed NHL teams, the Flames and the Thrashers. Instead of returning to a massive celebration, the Falcons will face an offseason filled with questions about how they let a title slip away, overshadowing a year when so many things went right. “We have to learn from this,” safety Ricardo Allen said. “It’s a tough learning lesson. This is one of the

FALCONS’ Matt Ryan leaves the field after their overtime loss to the New England Patriots. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) worst learning lessons you can get in this world, but we’re just going to keep building. We have something good going here.” The most immediate issue facing the team will be finding a new offensive coordinator. Kyle Shanahan is leaving to become head coach of San Francisco 49ers, and his replacement will take over a unit that led the league in scoring, has two of the game’s elite players in Ryan and receiver Julio Jones, and showed enor-

mous versatility with 1,000yard rusher Freeman and a record 13 players catching touchdown passes. For coach Dan Quinn, it will be important to bring in someone who meshes well with Ryan and carries on the wide zone blocking scheme that worked so well this season. As for Shanahan, he moves on to a new job with some emotional scars. “This is the first time I’ve had this feeling,” he said. “It’s as tough as it gets. It’s not just me, it’s everybody

in this organisation.” Defensively, the Falcons made major strides over the second half of the season with a unit that started as many as four rookies and four second-year players. Right out of college, safety Keanu Neal and linebackers Deion Jones and De’Vondre Campbell claimed starting roles. After a disappointing rookie season, Vic Beasley Jr emerged as one of the game’s most fearsome pass rushers, leading the league with 15.5 sacks and earning All Pro honours. Second-year tackle Grady Jarrett had a breakout performance in the Super Bowl with three sacks of Brady. “It’s not over for this franchise,” said Dwight Freeney, who turns 37 in a couple of weeks and is one of the few greybeards on defence. “This is a young team, a very young team.” Freeney hasn’t decided whether he will return for a 16th season , saying he will take a couple of months to weigh his options. The only player with significant

experience on that side of that side of the line is 35-year-old tackle Jonathan Babineaux, the longest-tenured member of the team. As with all teams that have success, the Falcons can expect to face those pesky financial issues that always make it hard to keep a winning roster together. Freeman already created a bit of a stir early in Super Bowl week by saying he wants a lucrative contract extension that will make him one of the game’s highest-paid running backs. Otherwise, this is a team that likely will make only minor tweaks heading into its first season at MercedesBenz Stadium , a $1.5 billion, retractable-roof facility that replaces the Georgia Dome. The Falcons were hoping to open the new place by hanging a championship banner. Instead, they’ll be trying to forget a monumental meltdown. “There’s a lot of be proud about,” Freeney said. “It’s just tough right now.”

14 15 12578, Sutton Coldfield B73 9BT. Entries must be postmar THE TRIBUNE call helpline number. ● The winner will be the first rando

PAGE 6, Tuesday, February 7, 2017

NEED HELP? Call 0904 161 1609 for 5 extra clues! Cal 21 22 23

NAME

ADDRESS 27

JUDGE PARKER

CARPE DIEM

POSTCODE

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £100 CA letters in the highlighted squares to revea

TO ENTER: Call 0904 161 1603 and leave your to 84010. Calls cost £1.50 plus your telephone at midnight tonight. Or send your grid containin 12578, Sutton Coldfield B73 9BT. Entries must b call helpline number. ● The winner will be the f NEED HELP? Call 0904 161 1609 for 5 extra

THE DAILY EXPRESS 30-SECOND C

TODAY’S ANSWERS: BEGINNER = 5; INTERMEDIATE = 66; A

CROSSDOUBT NAME

ADDRESS

POSTCODE

Can you make two common five-letter MARVIN words from the nine lettersTHE given, DAILY EXPRESS 30-SEC TODAY’S ANSWERS: BEGINNER = 5; INTERMEDI using each letter only once? You can – but only if one letter features in both CROSSDOU words in the squares on theCan right. you make two common five-letter from the nine letters given, There’s at least one way to words do each it, andonly once? You can using letter – but only if letter features in both you have to have the right letter atonethe words in the squares on the right. crossover – but which one isThere’s it? at least one way to do it, and you have to have the right letter at the crossover – but which one is it? See if you can find the answer within See if you can find the answer within our target time. If you need our help, targetring time. If you need help, ring our clue-line below to find out the our clue-line below to find out the crossover letter. Solution tomorrow. Target times: Average: A C E H HAGAR THE HORRIBLE crossover letter. Solution tomorrow.

BLONDIE

TIGER

20 mins Good: 16 mins STUCK? CALL FOR A CLU Excellent: 12 mins 0901 322 560 Friday’s solution: Halve your Target Time! CREPT (across) *Calls cost 75p plus ROTOR (down) network

A C E H L O

Target times: Average: 20 mins Good: 16 mins STUCK? CALL FOR A CLUE Excellent: 12 mins 0901 322 5601 0901 Friday’s solution: TARGET BothTH toda Halve your Target Time! CREPT (across) CAN you The Target Alphabea *Calls cost 75p plus uses your telephon number r ROTOR (down) wordsaccess in network charg – or blac

C A R U T Y TARGETA C OTHE the main body of Chambers 21st Century Dictionary (1999 edition)

CALVIN & HOBBES

C A R U T Y A C O

DENNIS THE MENACE Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

HOW many wordsCAN of fouryou letters crack the The Target or more can you make from the letters shown here? In making Alphabeater? Saturdg usesword, each letter may be used a Each Black s number represents 11, 12, 16a once only. Each must contain the words in 30, 32, centre letter and there must be square. at – or black As Across least one nine-letter word. No the main Duplex,l Alphapuzzle, plurals or verb forms ending in “s”. every bodyTODAY’S of TARGETthe alphabet is Effluviu Knocks used Boxers. Good 12; very goodyou 18; excellent 24 complet Chambers have to Down: (or more). Solution tomorrow. Foment grid too! Use the givS 21st Jewel, SATURDAY’S SOLUTION Vodka, letters and black squ Century cede ceding cited deceit decent Iambic, deign dent detectbelow DETECTING the grid to sta Dictionary dice diene diet dine dinette ding Extra gridenticed is ‘rotationally dint edge edict edit geed (1999iced need netted symmetrical’ 090 teed tend – in(Deduc oth tented tide tied tined tinged edition) each tinted words, it looks theexts

you turn the page up HOW many words of four letters Call 0907 181 2585 for 090 down. Solution tom Target solution *Calls c or more can you make from thetoday’s *Calls cost 80p per minute plus your plus your telephone company’s netwo access charge. the task in Kakuro letters shown here? In making a as network Saturday’s solut Best described a number crossword, is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so word, each letter may be the used Black squares: sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its 2 Spoke Helpline 0333 202 3390the number PLAY left, and *SP: the sum of –each vertical block equals 11, 12, 16, 18, 21, 25 once only. Each must contain the on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level the Conceptis Kakuro 30,of 32, 35, 39. centre letter and there must be at increases from Monday to Sunday. Across: Flying, S least one nine-letter word. No Duplex, Effete, W plurals or verb forms ending in “s”. Yesterday’s Yesterday’s

Sudoku Answer

TODAY’S TARGET Good 12; very good 18; excellent 24 (or more). Solution tomorrow.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE 1 A help or a hindrance in the works (7) 5 Increases numbers of shapes (5) 8 It takes over lines of communications (7,6) 9 A bit like audible tranquillity (5) 10 He keeps saying I get it so mixed up! (7) 11 They put things on scales (6) 12 Give the signal to pass a bottle of wine (6) 15 Look after a new hotel for a jealous Moor (7) 17 Surrender profit (5) 19 No reason for helping others? (7,6) 20 Amphibians from northwest perhaps (5) 21 Painters in dire straits (7)

Call 0907 181 2585 for today’s Target solution

1 Cancel the fight (5) 2 Be a good citizen and live next door to

*Calls cost 80p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

a policeman (5,2,3,3) 3 It’s often faced with 11

resolution (3,4)

4 Pronounced

similarities (6)

5 Load the vehicle

*SP: Spoke –18 Helpline 0333 202 3390 17

brilliant! (7,6) 7 Free from bitterness (7)

11 Pays a brief visit to watch

over transgression (5,2) 13 Lousy at making spreads (4,3) 14 A shipwreck holds nothing for her (6) 16 Beastly places to live (5) 18 Put on something saucy? (5)

Yesterday’s Easy Solution

Across: 1 Tipsy, 8 Bread and water, 9 Snore, 10 Movement, 11 Acted, 12 Lea, 16 Encore, 17 Furore, 18 Eft, 23 Teach, 24 Talk shop, 25 Aloud, 26 Flagging, 27 Fewer.

Across: 1 Frump, 8 Charisma, 9 Means, 10 All there, 11 Moral, 12 Met, 16 Figaro, 17 On time, 18 Bet, 23 Fakir, 24 Temerity, 25 Again, 26 Last word, 27 Stink. Down: 2 Rhetoric, 3 Mandalay, 4 Shelve, 5 Grate, 6 Askew, 7 Cagey, 12 Mob, 13 Tot, 14 Straight, 15 Ambition, 19 Entire, 20 Still, 21 Smash, 22 Crown.

Across

Down

1 Policeman (7)

1 Bid (5)

5 An area’s plant life (5)

2 Palmist (7-6)

8 Permanently (3,4,3,3) 9 Choice of roads taken (5) 10 Faint, tremulous light (7) 11 Vast, treeless plain (6)

Effluvium, Enthus Kakuro Inland, Answer W Knocks, Boxers. Down: Islet, Spec Foment, Daze, Ad Jewel, Sidle, Yod Vodka, Nip, Ogre Iambic, Hexagon,

Extra letter c

0907 181 2

(Deduct three minu each extra clue lette

Full solutio

0907 181 2

*Calls cost 80p per plus your telephone co network access ch

and leave (5) 6 He’s going to be blooming

Yesterday’s Cryptic Solution

Down: 2 Innocent, 3 Surveyor, 4 Triode, 6 Taxes, 7 Edits, 12 Lee, 13 Aft, 14 True blue, 15 Preclude, 19 Frowns, 20 Stuff, 21 Cloak, 22 Usage.

SATURDAY’S SOLUTION cede ceding cited deceit decent deign dent detect DETECTING dice diene diet dine dinette ding dint edge edict edit enticed geed iced need netted teed tend tented tide tied tined tinged 5 6 7 tinted

Down

EASY PUZZLE

Across

Alphapuz the alpha you have grid too! letters a below th grid is ‘ro symmetr words, it you turn down. So

3 Detailed examination (5-2) 4 A salad vegetable (6) 5 Mushrooms, toadstools etc. (5) 6 In miniature (2,1,5,5) 7 In general (2,5)

12 Breed of sheepdog (6)

11 Man’s Westernstyle hat (7)

15 To raise (7) 17 A liking (5)

13 Sudden emergence (7)

19 Pompous (4-9)

14 Maintain (4,2)

20 Tend in illness (5)

16 In existence (5)

21 Hot-tempered (7)

18 Way in (5)

PLAY MORE

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 7, 2017, PAGE 7

IAAF freezing nationality switches, upholding Russia ban MONACO (AP) — The IAAF is upholding its global ban on Russian athletes and freezing all nationality switches. Following a council meeting in Monaco yesterday, IAAF president Sebastian Coe said Russian athletics should not expect “full reinstatement” before November. The decision rules out Russia competing at the world championships in August in London. IAAF task force chairman Rune Andersen added that although there have been “productive meetings” with Russian officials, many conditions were yet to be met for full reinstatement. In December, World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren published the second part of his damning report into state-sponsored doping, listing hundreds of failed drug tests which were allegedly covered up in Russia, including in disability sports. The Russian government and Russian athletics deny any state support for doping. Andersen presented Russia’s “roadmap” for compliance, and issued firm conditions. The testing of Russian athletes must take place without any further incidents. Russian athletics must explain

why in the past it in November 2015 has been unable after the first part of to enforce suspenthe McLaren report sions imposed on alleged mass doping its athletes and how and cover-ups. Since it plans to go about then, senior Russian doing this in future. athletics officials The IAAF also dehave been banned, manded an official and more WADA Russian response to reports provided McLaren’s findings details of drug use from the sports minand the swapping of istry and the FSB, tainted samples for Russia’s federal seclean ones. curity service. Since Febru“Our priority is to SEBASTIAN COE (AP) ary 2016, testing return clean athletes in Russia has been to competition but we must all overseen by the United Kingdom have confidence in the process,” Anti-Doping Agency because its Coe said. “Clean Russian athletes Russian counterpart was banned have been badly let down by their from handling samples due to cornational system. We must ensure ruption claims. they are protected and that those Last month, the IAAF providsafeguards give confidence to the ed new guidelines for Russians rest of the world that there is a hoping to compete in a neutral level playing field of competition capacity. The IAAF said 35 Ruswhen Russians return.” sians have applied, sending in At the council meeting in De- forms listing their drug-test hiscember, the IAAF task force said tory under newly relaxed IAAF Russia could not yet be reinstated rules which no longer insist on because of the lack of a functional Russian athletes training outside drug-testing agency there, and a their home country. lack of acceptance of the McLarIf the IAAF accepts all of en findings. them, Russia will have close to a The IAAF suspended Russia full team at the European indoor from all international competition championships in Serbia next

month, just without a flag. In a separate issue, the IAAF said it was freezing all nationality switches in athletics after complaints that a rising number of people were switching allegiance to countries where they had no ties, and that some were moving repeatedly. Coe said middlemen were touting lists of athletes around various countries, describing a form of transfer market similar to soccer. “I have spoken to many member federations who regularly receive a list of athletes that are out there and available for trade,” he said. “This cannot be a sustainable system.” Runners from Kenya and Ethiopia were among those who have often moved to represent other countries. Kenya-born Ruth Jebet won the 3,000-metre steeplechase at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics while running for Bahrain, which also won marathon silver through Kenya-born Eunice Kirwa. The decision did not affect 15 transfers already being processed. Council member Hamad Kalkaba Malboum compared the situation to a “wholesale market for African talent open to the highest bidder.” “Our present rules are being

manipulated to the detriment of athletics’ credibility,” he said. “Lots of the individual athletes concerned, many of whom are transferred at a young age, do not understand that they are forfeiting their nationality. This must end and a new way forward found which respects the athletes’ rights and the sports’ dignity.” In other issues: — Last year, the IAAF designated five other countries whose anti-doping programmes were in a critical condition: Ethiopia, Morocco, Belarus, Kenya, and Ukraine. The IAAF says it has received presentations from Morocco and Ukraine on their progress. Belarus, Ethiopia, and Kenya have to report again in three months, and Ukraine will report on a monthly basis. — The IAAF council approved Coe’s proposal to dispense with the formal bidding process by which the IAAF has traditionally taken applications to host international competitions. Instead, the IAAF will “assess the strategic goals for growing the sport in relation to each IAAF competition, targeting cities from countries and regions which will best assist the delivery of those aims.”

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 62° F/17° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Mostly clear

Plenty of sunshine

Mostly sunny

Partly sunny and comfortable

Times of clouds and sun

High: 81°

Low: 67°

High: 82° Low: 69°

High: 82° Low: 64°

High: 78° Low: 64°

High: 80° Low: 65°

AccuWeather RealFeel

87° F

70° F

98°-78° F

96°-64° F

81°-63° F

80°-62° F

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 65° F/18° C

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

almanac

ABACO

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 65° F/18° C

7-14 knots

WEST PALM BEACH High: 81° F/27° C Low: 64° F/18° C

8-16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

FREEPORT

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 66° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

7-14 knots

KEY WEST

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 67° F/19° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 66° F/19° C

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

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

4:23 a.m. 4:43 p.m.

3.0 2.3

10:53 a.m. -0.2 10:55 p.m. -0.6

Wednesday 5:22 a.m. 5:43 p.m.

3.1 2.5

11:51 a.m. -0.4 11:53 p.m. -0.7

Thursday

6:16 a.m. 6:37 p.m.

3.2 2.6

12:44 p.m. -0.5 ---------

Friday

7:07 a.m. 7:28 p.m.

3.2 2.7

12:47 a.m. -0.8 1:32 p.m. -0.6

Saturday

7:54 a.m. 8:16 p.m.

3.2 2.7

1:37 a.m. -0.8 2:18 p.m. -0.7

Sunday

8:39 a.m. 9:02 p.m.

3.1 2.7

2:25 a.m. -0.7 3:01 p.m. -0.7

Monday

9:22 a.m. 9:46 p.m.

2.9 2.6

3:12 a.m. -0.6 3:43 p.m. -0.6

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:49 a.m. 5:59 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

2:54 p.m. 3:40 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Feb. 10

Feb. 18

Feb. 26

Mar. 5

CAT ISLAND

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 67° F/19° C

8-16 knots

8-16 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 72° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 64° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 81° F/27° C Last year’s low ................................... 62° F/17° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 0.79” Normal year to date ..................................... 1.71”

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 68° F/20° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 68° F/20° C

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 71° F/22° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 84° F/29° C Low: 69° F/21° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 69° F/21° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 72° F/22° C

10-20 knots

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

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS SE at 8-16 Knots SW at 8-16 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots SW at 4-8 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots SW at 6-12 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots WSW at 7-14 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots SW at 4-8 Knots E at 10-20 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots E at 8-16 Knots S at 4-8 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots SSE at 10-20 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots E at 10-20 Knots SSE at 3-6 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots SW at 4-8 Knots

WAVES 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 0-1 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 4-8 Feet 5-9 Feet 1-3 Feet 0-1 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 73° F 73° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 77° F 77° F 75° F 75° F 76° F 76° F 80° F 80° F 78° F 78° F 80° F 80° F 74° F 73° F 78° F 78° F 76° F 75° F

PAGE 8, Tuesday, February 7, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Cameroon champion of Africa again, denies Egypt 8th title By GERALD IMRAY AP Sports Writer LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — Cameroon rose again after years of underachievement to win the African Cup of Nations title on Sunday with a fabulous goal in the 89th minute of the final for a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against mighty Egypt. As the final whistle got nearer, substitute Vincent Aboubakar controlled the ball just outside the area, clipped it over a defender, and then shot past the goalkeeper to clinch Cameroon’s fifth African title and first since 2002. Egypt’s 44-year-old ‘keeper, Essam el-Hadary, watched the tournamentwinning shot slide past him right at the end to deny the Egyptians a recordextending eighth title, and el-Hadary a fifth triumph an incredible 19 years after his first. “I cannot describe it. I know it was a wonderful goal. It was a great goal. It was the goal that gave us victory,” said Cameroon striker Robert Tambe, the player who was taken off to make way for Aboubakar. “We feel so much joy. We say thanks to Aboubakar.” Egypt led through Mohamed el-Neny’s goal in the 22nd minute but Cameroon’s substitutes came to the rescue at Stade de l’Amitie as defender Nicolas Nkoulou, off the bench early after an injury to Adolphe Teikeu, equalised with a header in the 60th minute. Aboubakar, the halftime super sub, completed the rally. Cameroon, already chosen to host the next Cup of Nations, will be defend-

ing champion for the 2019 tournament. Aboubakar’s celebration saw him sprint across the field toward the VIP section, in the process flattening a member of the Cameroon coaching staff who raced out to try and hug him. The big striker was determined to get close to the VIP area to deliver a message. As he approached the enclosure, he stretched out both his arms and pointed to where Cameroon great Samuel Eto’o, one of the African Cup winners in 2002, stood celebrating the goal as a spectator. The message was: We are back. We are champions again. We’ve done what you did. The final in Libreville was rich in African Cup history, although neither team was tipped to get to the title-deciding game at the end of the three-week tournament in Gabon. Egypt is the record seven-time champion but had qualified for the first time since winning a third straight crown in 2010. With political turmoil at home, Egypt’s team suffered badly and couldn’t even qualify for the final tournament in 2012, 2013 and two years ago. Cameroon, with four titles, was one of two teams with the next-best record after Egypt. But Cameroon hadn’t won a game at its last three major tournaments and came to Gabon without a bunch of its big-name players from the European leagues. They decided to turn down selection for the squad, perhaps fearing that Cameroon would fail again. Belgian coach Hugo Broos rebuilt the team with youngsters, took 14 players

CAMEROON players pose with the trophy after winning the African Cup of Nations final soccer match against Egypt at the Stade de l’Amitie, in Libreville, Gabon, on Sunday. Cameroon won 2-1. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) that had never been to a big event before to Gabon, and focused on team spirit. It clearly worked. Cameroon entered the stadium ahead of the final with players singing and dancing together. They exited in the same way, this time taking the trophy with them. On their way to the title, Cameroon’s youngsters beat Senegal in the quarterfinals and Ghana in the semi-finals, both of them among the pre-tournament favorites. Against Egypt, Cameroon also faced a formidable challenge after falling

behind to el-Neny’s sweetly struck shot from a tight angle. Cameroon needed to score two goals in the last 30 minutes to win, more than Egypt’s powerful defence had conceded in the entire tournament before the final. Cameroon did it. “Yes it shows the character, but that I knew from the beginning,” Broos said. “I said a few times, I do not have 23 players, I have 23 friends. It’s really unbelievable ... I think this is the reason why we won.” When defender Nkoulou powered in his header

to equalise, he lay on the ground celebrating and just about every one of his teammates piled on top of him. The game appeared set for extra time, but Aboubakar collected possession in the final moments, looked up and decided to go by himself. He breezed past Egypt’s last line of defense to take Cameroon back to the summit of African soccer. The victors are Cameroon’s new generation, but they also made sure to recognise history. Along with the nod to Eto’o, there was a far more

poignant tribute. The players all put on shirts with No. 17 on the back after the game. It was a reference to the year, they said, but also a tribute to Marc-Vivien Foe, the popular Cameroon player and two-time African champion who collapsed on a field in France in 2003 while playing for his country and died. No. 17 was Foe’s number. It was worn at this tournament by midfielder Arnaud Djoum. “You win big tournaments as a group, not as individuals,” Djoum said. “It was our togetherness.”