02282017 sports by tribune242

SPORTS SECTION E

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2017

UB Mingoes

New mascot, Pg 8

CHAMPIONS: Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons celebrate last night after winning the 35th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

Tabernacle Baptist Falcons win Hugh Campbell Classic By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

abernacle Baptist Academy Falcons, behind the game high 27 points from most valuable player Franco Miller, held off the CI Gibson Rattlers 58-52 to clinch the 35th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic victory at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium last night. The win, coming at the end of the week-long competition that started at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, enabled the Falcons to to complete a two-year reign to carry the title to Grand Bahama for the first time since they won it in 2010. It was their seventh title in the history of the tournament. “We worked hard for this one,” said Falcons’ coach Kevin Clarke. “We knew they were going to give us a god run, but we kept our composure and we stuck with our game plan.” The Falcons, playing out of the winner’s bracket, clinched their berth in the final with a 70-68 win over the BAISS champions Jordan Prince William Falcons on Saturday night. The Rattlers advanced to the final on an event Sunday when they knocked off Jordan Prince William 67-64 in their semi-final match from the losing bracket. The victory also denied Rattlers’ coach Kevin Johnson from tying the record for the most wins by a coach in the tournament with Tabernacle’s Norris Bain, both with six. Johnson first won in 2002, three-peat in 2004-06 and came back and added his fifth in 2014. Bain, now entering the political ranks for the Progressive Liberal Party in the upcoming general elections, won his six titles with the Falcons in 1995-96, 1998, 2000 and 2009-10. Bain was on the sidelines cheering for the Falcons. He praised Clarke, whom he called his son. While Clarke led the attack, Desmond Butler, who hit the winning two free throws after he got a steal and was fouled, had 10 points - the same as Regis Cooper. Alfredo Brown added six. For the Rattlers, who were still hyped up after playing three games on Sunday, Terrance Storr had 19 points, Tyrell Butler had 11 and Domnick Burnside 10.

Franco Miller named Most Valuable Player

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Franco Miller scored a game high 27 points to help the Falcons hold off the Rattlers 58-52. SEE TABLES ON PAGE 3 Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff The Rattlers, however, played the game without Asher Sacavella, who was ineligible to play in the game. With 0.8 seconds left, Butler got a steal, was fouled and sanked a pair of free throws to secure the win. His charity shots came after Miller converted a pair of free throws with nine seconds to extend Tabernacle’s lead to 57-52. The Falcons had broken away from what was a close game to take a 54-42 lead on a three point-

er from Miller. The Rattlers managed to come back for a 54-50 deficit with 52.4 seconds on the clock. In what was a seesaw battle in the third, Butler canned two free throws for a 40-38 CI Gibson lead. But with 1:13 left, Regis Cooper and Miller hit back-to-back baskets to push Tabernacle up 42-40. Then with 5.2 left, Deon’Ta Tinker scored on a jumper to even the score with the Rattlers at 42-42 going into the final break.

As they started the second quarter, Franco Miller hit a jumper and on a steal on the inbound pass, he made a reverse layup for a 16-13 lead for Tabernacle. But two minutes later, Terrance Storr canned a three-pointer to pull CI Gibson even at 16-16. In the last two minutes, the Falcons stayed ahead as Seandre Todd drilled in a two-handed dunk for a 25-22 lead and with 29.4 on the clock, Miller powered in another dunk and completed

the three-point play for a 28-25 margin. But the Rattlers pulled within one (28-27) at the halftime break. In the first quarter, the Rattlers came from a 10-9 deficit on consecutive layups from Derrio Saunders and Tyrell Butler, who added two free throws with 24.9 left to take a 13-10 lead. But with 2.8 seconds on the clock, Desmond Butler drove inside for a layup to bring the Falcons within one (1312) at the initial break.

PAGE 2, Tuesday, February 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas ‘good to go’ for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER a keenly contested 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship on Sunday, the focus now switches to the ninth edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. The historic event is all set to be hosted in the Malcolm Park beach soccer stadium at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge April 27 to May 7 and will feature 15 teams from around the world. While the Bahamas earned the rights to compete by virtue of being the hosts, Mexico and Panama booked their ticket to join the CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean region) by virtue of their first and second place finishes. The other teams expected here are Nigeria and Senegal, the CAF (Africa) representatives; Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay out of the CONMEBOL (South America); Tahiti, appointed by OFC (Oceania) and Italy, Poland, Portugal and Switzerland from the UEFA (Europe). It’s not known who will carry the banner for AFC (Asia). They are expected to conclude their qualification by March 11. The official draw ceremony will be held 8pm tonight in the Atlantis Theatre on Paradise Island. In the final on Sunday

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson with members of the men’s national beach soccer team. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff night, bringing the curtain down on what turned out to be an exciting week of action between 16 participating teams, Panama dethroned defending champions Mexico with a 4-2 victory. It was the same identical score as the game prior when the United States of America clinched fifth place over the Bahamas. Panama and Mexico gained the rights for a return trip to the Bahamas by winning their respective

semi-final matches on Saturday night. While Panama prevailed with a 3-2 win on a penalty shot over El Salvador, Mexico shut out Guadeloupe 3-0. The Bahamas, meanwhile, reeled off three straight victories to clinch the top spot in Group A. As a result of the team’s performance, the Bahamas has climbed to No. 44 in the world with 314 points, which placed them sixth in CONCACAF.

Mexico holds onto the top spot in CONCACAF with 1,266, followed by El Salvador with 1,093, the USA with 744, Panama with 593 and Costa Rica with 473. Portugal heads the world list with 3,477, followed by Russia with 3,204 and Brazil with 3,136. Mexico is 10th, El Salvador 13th and the USA 21st. At the end of the CONCACAF Tournament, Alfonso Maquensi of Panama was awarded the Golden Ball as the most valuable

player. Diego Villasenor of Mexico took home the golden glove as the top goalkeeper. Marlon Meza from Belize and Jose Ramon Maldonado Alonso from Mexico earned a two-way tie as the top scorers, beating out Bahamian Lesly St Fleur, who trailed with 11. The CONCACAF fair play award went to Canada and 16-year-old Jamal Haynes of Guyana was the youngest player to participate.

• The final standings at the end of the tournament were as follows: 1st: Panama; 2nd: Mexico; 3rd: El Salvador; 4th: Guadeloupe; 5th: USA; 6th: Bahamas; 7th: Trinidad & Tobago; 8th: Jamaica; 9th: Costa Rica; 10th: Canada; 11th: Antigua & Barbuda; 12th: Guyana; 13th: Belize; 14th: Turks & Caicos Islands; 15th: Barbados and 16th: US Virgin Islands.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Panama dethroned defending champions Mexico with a 4-2 victory.

‘TEAM BAHAMAS FED OFF’ BAHAMIAN FANS’ OVERWHELMING SUPPORT By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Football Association President Anton Sealey said he was extremely pleased with how the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship turned out at the Malcolm Park beach soccer stadium. The week-long tournament wrapped up on Sunday night with Panama dethroning defending champions Mexico 4-2 for the title, while the Bahamas lost to the United States of America by the same score to finish in sixth place. “We knew that we would have attracted some fans, but the overwhelming support that we got from the Bahamian fans surpassed our imagination, so we are very pleased with that,” Sealey said. “Team Bahamas fed off that enthusiasm and support from the fans and gave an exceptional performance the entire week, just succumbing to fatigue having played six games in the sand in a seven-day period.” Sealey said although all of the 16 participating teams were subjected to the

same conditions, this was something relatively new for the Bahamas and so he commended the players and the coaching staff, led by head coach Alexandre Soares from Brazil and his assistant Stephen Bellott. Team Bahamas, with Eugenia Patton as the physician, comprises of goalkeepers Torin Ferguson and Ivan Rolle and players Alexander Thompdon, Timothy Munnings Jr, Lamar Cancino, Kyle Williams, Gary Joseph, Nesly Jean, Dwayne Forbes, Daron Beneby, Lesly St Fleur and captain Gavin Christie. When the Bahamas was awarded the bid from FIFA to host the event that will lead up to the FIFA World Cup in April, Sealey said he knew that the event would be a “spectacular” and not a sport, so once the Bahamian fans were exposed to it, they would show their support for the product on the soccer pitch. “I think the team fed off that infectious support of the Bahamian fans and gave a very good performance,” he said. “We brought in a coach from Brazil who took that team to four World Cups, so obviously we had some-

body who could get the maximum of the talent that we had. “He’s only been with us for a mere two months, but the difference in their play in that short space of time was just nothing short of being spectacular.” With a brand new facility to host the event, Sealey said the BFA put together an excellent team of project engineers, architects and the contractors assembled, calling it a “dream team.” “For them to have accomplished what they did and to get the stadium in a state of readiness for this event in such a short period was just remarkable,” he stated. “It just speaks to the level of professionalism that we

have in this country. “This was at the height of the construction period and we had at least 100 men working diligently on that project and they produced a masterpiece as far as I’m concerned.” Scheduled for April 27 to May 7, Sealey said the management and coaches will have to decide on which direction they will proceed in getting the team ready as the hosts of the 15 other participating countries from around the world. “I haven’t had a chance to sit down with the coaching staff or the management team,” he pointed out. “As the president, I prefer to refrain from that. Once I name the personnel, I tend to allow them to make the necessary preparations and if they need my assistance to perform at their best, I would do that. “I can assure you that they will be preparing diligently. They have an opportunity to train in the facility now for the next six weeks, so that should give them an advantage.” In preparation for the CONCACAF Championship, the Bahamas team got to travel to Europe to train and compete in a series of

games. However, Sealey said he’s uncertain if that will occur this time around with the short time in between the two tournaments. “We might take a train to Fort Lauderdale where Hungary and Japan will be there in the next couple weeks to train,” he suggested. “I know Tahiti is also here and we may seek to do a joint camp with them. “I know Switzerland will be coming in shortly. So those two teams will be here shortly, so there will be opportunities for us to engage some teams in the next few weeks.” As for the fans, Sealey said they got a taste of what to expect at the World Cup. “The CONCACAF Qualifier on a scale of 1-10 would be a four compared to the World Cup, so you definitely won’t want to miss the World Cup,” he said. “I would encourage you to come out early because the games will start early this time. “We started games from as early as 12:30. We do work, but the crowds started to build at 4:30. But if you come at 7, the chance of

you getting into the stadium was slim.” Unlike CONCACAF when around 200 fans flew in from Panama just for the championship, Sealey said they anticipate that every country will be bringing in their own fans for the duration of the tournament, which is typical for the World Cup. “I encourage the Bahamian fans to come out early. It’s a free event, but it’s a first come, first serve,” he stated. “Unfortunately for safety reasons, we can only allow so many fans to come into the stadium.” For the World Cup, Sealey said they will be erecting a fan zone on the Malcolm Park basketball court where there will be giant screens for the fans to view the games, rather than congregating on the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge as they did during the CONCACAF because they couldn’t get into the stadium. “As exciting as the CONCACAF was, the World Cup will be doubly exciting,” Sealey said. The draw for the World Cup will be done tonight at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 28, 2017, PAGE 3

5 Legendary NFL Combine players: where are they now? MARCH is upon us and the NFL Draft in April will soon be here. But before we get to the NFL Draft and all its related coverage of the top outcoming collegiate football talent in the nation, there is the NFL Combine, where ‘legends’ are born, and ‘no names’ become ‘big names’ overnight. Size and speed are two of the hottest commodities at the combine. A player can have a meteoric rise due to an impressive overall combine, or in some cases just by running the infamous 40-yard dash impressively. An extremely fast time by a player, regardless of position, can turn the draft upside down, and a player’s earning potential as well. • Here are 5 Legendary NFL Combine performances, and where these ‘Legends’ are now. 1. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, 2009 As a receiver from Maryland with just 13 career touchdowns, Heyward-Bey was a marginal prospect in the 2009 draft. But a remarkable combine day that saw him run the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, jump 38.5 inches in the vertical leap and excel in on-field drills launched HeywardBey into the first round when the Raiders picked him seventh overall. Where are they now? In 7 seasons with the Raiders, Colts and most recently the Steelers, Heyward-Bey has collected 12 career touchdowns. His best season came in 2011 with 975 receiving yards including four touchdowns. He caught three passes for 33 yards in 16 games with Pittsburgh this season and is set to become a free agent.·

2. Chris Johnson, RB, 2008 Coming out of Eastern Carolina University in 2008, Johnson was considered to be a very good running back prospect. But his showing at the combine introduced him to the nation. Johnson is still the record holder for the fastest electronically-timed 40yard dash mark with 4.24 seconds. To be sure, Johnson would’ve been drafted within the first three rounds. But his record-setting combine propelled him to the 24th selection in ‘08 by the Tennessee Titans. Where are they now? Johnson did claim some history in his time with the Titans, becoming just one of the seven players in NFL history to have cracked 2,000 rushing yards in a single season when he logged 2,006 in 2009. Johnson played 9 seasons with the Titans, Jets and Cardinals, who just released him, making him a free agent. 3. Vernon Davis, TE, 2006 Coming out of Maryland, he was always considered an exceptional athlete. But by the time Vernon Davis left Indianapolis, he was a guaranteed top 10 pick. He composed one of the best all-around combine performances in the history of the event, running a 4.38 second 40-yard dash, bench pressing 225 pounds 33 times and jumping an astonishing 42 inches in the vertical leap. That’s part of the reason why the 49ers selected Davis with the sixth-overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. Where are they now? In 11 seasons with the 49ers, Broncos and Redskins Davis has experienced highs and lows. He’s

SPORTING

MISCHIEF

& MAYHEM

AZELAYA BY INIGO ‘NAUGHT Y’ ZENIC

Jaguars, Jones played in 54 games, but started only 15. He caught 166 passes for 2,153 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Jaguars released Jones in 2009 after multiple substance abuse issues and a questionable work ethic. Jones received interest from other teams, but never played another game in the NFL.

Currently working as an analyst for NFL Network, Sanders is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a remarkable 14-year career. Though he primarily played defense, Sanders scored 22 touchdowns with five teams, most notably the Falcons, Cowboys and the 49ers. Sanders collected 53 career interceptions.

And the ‘Greatest NFL Combine Legend of All Time 5. Deion Sanders, CB, 1989 This was perhaps the greatest show of swagger at the combine. The story goes that Sanders arrived late and had to be talked into running the 40-yard dash. It was the only drill he participated in. He ran a hand-timed 4.27 and didn’t stop. He reportedly kept running through the tunnel and into the locker room, according to Brandt. Sanders didn’t need to do anything else. The Falcons selected him with the fifth-overall pick in the ‘89 draft. Where are they now?

– Until next week I will leave you with this, especially for you fans who’s team, wherever they may be, and on whatever level they compete, is having a tough run lately, some inspiration from legendary NFL Coach and broadcaster John Madden “The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer.” Keep your heads up, and keep playing hard, it will get better! • Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net

FINISH ON THE CRUISE RUN/WALK SANDERS: The ‘Greatest NFL Combine Legend of All Time. under contract in Washington, where he’s experienced a career renaissance, for one more season. 4. Matt Jones, WR, 2005 The ‘Great White Hype’ Though he played quarterback at Arkansas, Matt Jones knew he would have to change his position to get drafted. And auditioning as a wide receiver, Jones lit up

the combine. The 6-foot-6, 237-pound Jones ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds, jumped 39.5 inches in the vertical leap and lunged 10-feet-10-inches in the broad jump. Despite the lack of experience at the position, the Jaguars plucked Jones in the first round with the 21st overall selection. Where are they now? In only 4 seasons with the

THE 2017 Finish On The Cruise Run/Walk is all set for today when the Buckeye Cruise For Cancer visits the Bahamas. Fellow cruisers will compete in a 3-mile run or 1-mile walk that is scheduled to begin at 9am from Nassau’s Pompey Square and end at the same spot after travelling on a course on the western end of the island. Each participant will receive an official Buckeye Cruise For Cancer-themed event shirt and a Buckeye Cruise For Cancer-themed official finisher’s medal. All proceeds benefit the Buckeye Cruise For Cancer and the Urban & Shelley Meyer Fund For Cancer Research. The Finish On The Cruise Fun Run/Walk is sponsored by Byers Dublin Subaru. The Buckeye Cruise For Cancer is sailing February 25 to March 2 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Visit www.buckeyecruise.com for more information.

RUNNERS-UP: The CI Gibson Rattlers hold their heads high last night after finishing as runners-up in the 35th Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Tabernacle Baptist Academy

Kevin Clarke

Franco Miller

Tabernacle Baptist Academy

PAGE 4, Tuesday, February 28, 2017

YOUNGSTERS compete in the “Urban Love Games” at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Saturday.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Youngsters burn up the track at the ‘Urban Love Games’ BTC was again the title sponsor of the “Urban Love Games” and the annual event lived up to its promise of being fun and exciting for all at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium Saturday morning. Teams from all nine Urban Renewal Centres in New Providence took part in the event, which included a number of relays, including pastors vs. pastors, armed forces and MP (Member of Parliament) relays.

relays Wilton Russell, director of sports for the Urban Renewal Commission, noted: “This is our second year putting on this event and we are certainly proud that BTC has again agreed to support us. The Urban Love Games provides a positive outlet for the young and young at heart. We expect participation from just over 3,000 athletes at the event.” Leon Williams, chief executive officer of BTC, said: “BTC remains committed

to its support of wholesome youth and sports initiatives. The year is off to a great start. “Already, we’ve title sponsored the BAISS games, we are the official telecommunications partner for FIFA, and the CARIFTA games will take place in the coming weeks. We are again happy to lend our support to the Urban Love Games and we wish the organisers and the participants all the best.” BTC has been a patron of

urban renewal for several years now. The company has adopted the “Mother Pratt Park,” which is branded and maintained by BTC. BTC also continues to support the Urban Renewal Basketball League and Smokey’s Karate School, which are folded into the Urban Renewal Programme. In 2012, BTC provided over $20,000 in band equipment for the establishment of the Urban Renewal Marching Band.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 28, 2017, PAGE 5

Russian athletes fight back against doping, state control By JAMES ELLINGWORTH AP Sports Writer MOSCOW (AP) — A group of Russian track and field athletes want to beat dopers with science and show that their country can win cleanly. Formed in the shadow of Russia’s doping scandals, the Rocket Science Project is hoping to encourage whistleblowers and create an independent training camp with a strict no-drugs policy. The group says ignorance and greed have driven Russian athletes to use drugs for years as a short cut to success, justifying it with the belief everyone else does it too. “It’s stupid to deny that we have big problems with doping in our country. As a consequence of that, sports technology, science and knowledge are probably 20 years behind the modern world level,” says Evgeny Pishchalov, the slightly built distance runner-turned-coach who leads the project. “If our system doesn’t restructure, we’re at risk of ending up without any Olympic medals in the coming years. We’ve been left with no choice — change or die.” Rocket Science has already launched a hotline for doping whistleblowers, and is working to set up the training camp. Members will have to pay a $25,000 fine if they ever test positive. The group wants to stay independent of Russian institutions and sports officials accused of overseeing widespread doping. Sergei Litvinov, a top hammer thrower, says Rocket Science will accept limited cooperation but “as soon as we feel any kind of pressure, we’d rather shut it all down.” Russia’s ban from international track and field in 2015 for widespread drug use sparked anger from Russian athletes who felt the sanction wasn’t fair. As denials dominated social media debates among Russian athletes and coaches, a minority argued for reforms and a doping crackdown, and said Russia shouldn’t be proud of drug cheats’ medals. That sowed the seeds for the Rocket Science Project,

IN THIS photo, Russian runner and participant of he Rocket Science Project Vasily Permitin (inset), competes in the Russian Indoor Championships in Moscow, Russia, on February 21. An upstart group of Russian track and field athletes want to beat dopers with science and start showing their country can win clean. Formed in reaction to Russia’s doping scandals, the Rocket Science Project is hoping to encourage whistleblowers and create an independent training camp with a strict no-drugs policy. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) though convincing more Russian athletes to follow their lead is hard. “We’ve got the mentality that all the others (in other countries) are gulping down banned substance and we do it a little less, so we’re the good ones,” says Vasily Permitin, a runner who’s part of the project. “And if you believe everyone is taking it, reporting on them is seen as bad.” Russian history breeds hostility toward whistleblowers like Vitaly Stepanov and Yulia Stepanova, the husband-and-wife team whose testimony of mass drug use sparked the first inquiries into Russian doping in 2014. Memories of Soviet-era repression mean informers are rarely welcome in Russia, but Rocket Science’s supporters argue that if doping violators are called out by other Russians, it’ll show the

culture is changing. Using an anonymous service on a Russian social network, they’ve asked users to submit footage of coaches and athletes who continue working despite their bans, a persistent problem in Russia. As well as catching cheats, they want to show that Russia’s doping culture is changing. That’s a key condition for Russia to be reinstated by track’s world governing body, the IAAF. The longer Russia’s ban goes on, the harder it is for athletes to make a living without competing in lucrative competitions abroad. “I know people who, as the situation has carried on and continued, they can’t feed their families,” marathon runner Stepan Kiselyov says. “They’re forced to quit and go to work. There are quite a lot of athletes like that.” Rocket Science’s athletes know

little of state involvement in doping, a charge vehemently denied by the government. Instead they describe a system with cut-throat rivalries, every reason to dope and little interest in stopping cheats. Yaroslav Rybakov, a former European high jump champion, says he felt uncomfortable as a clean athlete on the national team. He believes Russian officials deliberately avoided testing team members who used drugs, instead testing him repeatedly. “They just told me: ‘You’ve been picked once again,’” said Rybakov, who now plans to coach for Rocket Science. The competition was fiercest at the national championships, where a good finish guarantees state grants for the next year. “The stakes were very high,” Rybakov said. “It was perhaps even harder or just as hard to win the Russian nationals while

clean than the main competitions that season, like the world championships or Olympics.” Drug use starts in childhood for some athletes — even Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko has acknowledged coaches in Russia’s vast network of sports schools often encourage youngsters to dope. Cash prizes at regional youth competitions incentivize doping, argues Permitin, adding that young talents often develop a “disgust for sport.” Rocket Science’s athletes want to fund training with sponsorships, rather than government money. Most top Russian athletes have contracts with the regional governments and federations that often mean they aren’t allowed to choose which competitions to enter. They can also make it hard to leave a coach whose methods are unsuitable — or illegal. Rocket Science remains far from its dream of an independent, clean Russian athletics base. They’ve found a site in the provincial city of Yoshkar-Ola, but must recruit more coaches and raise funds. They hope companies will rush to be linked with fresh faces in the tainted world of Russian track. Instead of doping, chief Rocket Science coach Pishchalov plans to help athletes with sophisticated data analysis, movie-style motion capture technology and even electrical stimulation of the brain. The Russian Olympic Committee already has an “innovation centre” packed with modern training and analysis equipment, but he says it’s underused because many coaches lack the right knowledge. Rocket Science has moral support from top Russian track officials keen to show Russia’s drug culture is changing, but its members say they will resist any attempts to manipulate their work. For hammer thrower Litninov, reforms are overdue. If they help him compete at a fifth career world championships later this year, so much the better. “The situation was probably terrible for ages, but now a lot of people are recognising it,” he says. “We need to get together and change it.”

LEBRON SHAKES OFF STREP THROAT, LEADS CAVALIERS PAST BUCKS 102-95 By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James returned from a bout with strep throat and scored 24 points, Kyrie Irving added 25 and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Milwaukee Bucks 102-95 last night. James missed Saturday’s loss to Chicago — the Cavs fell to 0-4 this season without their superstar — and was listed as questionable before arriving at Quicken Loans Arena. He looked fit from the start, delivering an early dunk and adding one in the fourth that he capped by screaming,

“That’s and one!” at MiIwaukee’s John Henson, who fouled him. James’ dunk triggered an 11-0 run that helped put away the Bucks, who were within 86-85 midway through the fourth. Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 to lead Milwaukee, and Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored just nine on 4-of-13 shooting. The Bucks may have sustained a costly injury as forward Michael Beasley sprained his left knee in the first half. Beasley’s knee buckled grotesquely as he tried to defend James on the baseline. He scored 11 points before going down and had to be helped to Milwaukee’s locker room.

Looking to stay on top in the East, the Cavs signed free agent point guard Deron Williams before the game. The three-time All-Star gives Cleveland depth, someone to lead its second unit and a reliable backup for Irving. Williams negotiated a buyout of his contract last week with Dallas before being waived and informing the Cavs he wanted to join them and try to win a title. Cleveland is more than happy to add him to a bench that has improved in the last month with the additions of Kyle Korver and Derrick Williams, who combined for 27 points in the win. There’s also a chance

WESTERN CONFERENCE

the Cavs could sign free agent centre Andrew Bogut, who was waived by Philadelphia on Monday and is being courted by several teams. Derrick Williams beat the horn ending the third quarter by dropping a 3-pointer from 35 feet to give Cleveland a 77-73 lead entering the fourth. The Cavs were down by seven earlier in the quarter before going on a 13-0 run. TIP-INS Bucks: Beasley started for G Khris Middleton, who didn’t make the trip as part of the team’s plan to rest him in back-to-back games. He missed three months with a torn hamstring.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

CAVALIERS’ LEBRON JAMES, bottom, looks to pass under pressure from Milwaukee Bucks’ Mirza Teletovic in the first half of last night’s game in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 28, 2017, PAGE 7

Leicester beats Liverpool in its first match post-Ranieri LEICESTER, England (AP) — Leicester began life without manager Claudio Ranieri by easing its English Premier League relegation fears after a stirring 3-1 home victory over Liverpool yesterday. In its first game since Ranieri was sacked last Thursday by the club’s Thai owners, Jamie Vardy scored twice for last season’s struggling champion. Danny Drinkwater also netted with a superb longrange strike. It helped propel Leicester out of the relegation places and up to 15th, two points above the drop zone with 12 games remaining. Vardy scored 24 league goals last season but the England international’s strikes in either half were just his sixth and seventh of this campaign. “We’ve come in for a lot of unfair stick with things that have been in the press, but you’ve seen that the lads wanted to react,” Vardy said. “We needed to show that

we’ve got that fight, and win or lose as long as the performance was right, we could hold our heads up high.” Liverpool, which was out of sorts despite a warmweather training break in Spain, could not match Leicester’s energy, intensity and commitment. It remains in fifth place. Ranieri was dismissed nine months after masterminding one of the biggest sporting shocks of all time by leading the 5,000-1 outsider to league glory. But Leicester has failed to replicate that form. Before facing Liverpool, it had won just five league games. Five consecutive league defeats sent it spiralling down the standings. There was a strong show of support for the former manager at the game, with fans donning Ranieri masks and holding placards inside and outside King Power stadium. One banner held aloft said “Thank you Claudio for making our dreams come true.”

LEICESTER City’s Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring his side’s third goal goal yesterday during the English Premier League soccer match against Liverpool at the King Power Stadium. (Nick Potts/PA via AP) im charge, Leicester made a bright start. Shinji Okazaki forced Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet into an early diving save. Centre back Robert Huth wastefully headed over from a corner, and Mignolet blocked Vardy’s volley

Leicester’s players, some of whom have denied any part in an alleged revolt that led to Ranieri’s sacking, had their names cheered by fans and appeared up for the highly charged occasion. With Ranieri’s assistant, Craig Shakespeare, in inter-

as Leicester showed plenty of attacking intent. The home side’s pressure was rewarded when a through ball from Marc Albrighton sent Vardy away on goal and last season’s leading scorer calmly slotted past Mignolet to give

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Partly sunny

Patchy clouds

Mostly sunny

Brilliant sunshine

Partly sunny, a shower

Mostly cloudy with a few showers

High: 85°

Low: 72°

High: 86° Low: 69°

High: 84° Low: 67°

High: 81° Low: 67°

AccuWeather RealFeel

88° F

72° F

90°-71° F

94°-76° F

99°-63° F

81°-65° F

ORLANDO

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 66° F/19° C

TAMPA

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° 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: 83° F/28° C Low: 64° F/18° C

8-16 knots

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

10-20 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

W S

WEST PALM BEACH

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

MIAMI

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

7-14 knots

KEY WEST

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 84° F/29° C Low .................................................... 75° F/24° C Normal high ....................................... 78° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 64° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 75° F/24° C Last year’s low ................................... 58° F/15° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 0.83” Normal year to date ..................................... 2.80”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 68° F/20° C

uV inDex toDay

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

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

8:51 a.m. 9:16 p.m.

Low

Ht.(ft.)

3.0 3.0

2:43 a.m. -0.6 3:10 p.m. -0.7

Wednesday 9:35 a.m. 10:04 p.m.

2.9 3.0

3:31 a.m. -0.6 3:53 p.m. -0.7

Thursday

10:22 a.m. 10:55 p.m.

2.8 3.0

4:21 a.m. -0.5 4:39 p.m. -0.6

Friday

11:13 a.m. 11:51 p.m.

2.6 2.9

5:15 a.m. -0.3 5:30 p.m. -0.5

Saturday

12:10 p.m. -----

2.5 -----

6:14 a.m. -0.1 6:26 p.m. -0.4

Sunday

12:52 a.m. 1:13 p.m.

2.9 2.3

7:19 a.m. 0.0 7:29 p.m. -0.3

Monday

1:58 a.m. 2:21 p.m.

2.8 2.3

8:28 a.m. 0.1 8:36 p.m. -0.2

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:34 a.m. 6:12 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

8:00 a.m. 8:27 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Mar. 5

Mar. 12

Mar. 20

Mar. 27

CAT ISLAND

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 68° F/20° C

10-20 knots

10-20 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Leicester the lead after 28 minutes. Just 11 minutes later, Leicester fans were on their feet again to acclaim an outstanding goal from Drinkwater, the midfielder sending a dipping volley past Mignolet from fully 30 meters. Vardy got his second on the hour when he headed in a Christian Fuchs cross and, although Liverpool enjoyed its best spell after Philippe Coutinho pulled a goal back in the 68th, Leicester held firm. Whether Leicester moves quickly to appoint a permanent successor to Ranieri or lets Shakespeare make his case to step up remains to be seen. Nigel Pearson, sacked by Leicester in June 2015 after saving the club from relegation, a move which led to Ranieri’s appointment, is among the names linked with the job. Guus Hiddink, Roy Hodgson, Roberto Mancini, and Martin O’Neill are also in the frame.

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 68° F/20° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

10-20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 68° F/20° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 69° F/21° C

12-25 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 E at 10-20 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ESE at 10-20 Knots

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

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

WATER TEMPS. 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 76° F 76° F 78° F 78° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 76° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 78° F 78° F 75° F 75° F 78° F 79° F 76° F 76° F

PAGE 8, Tuesday, February 28, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

PROUD MASCOT: The University of The Bahamas introduced its new Mingoes mascot in the Harry C Moore Library yesterday. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Say hello to University of the Bahamas’ new Mingoes mascot By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

he University of the Bahamas introduced the new mascot for its Mingoes Athletic Department. The unnamed flamingo bird, decked in UB’s blue and white uniform and wearing No. 30 (no specific reason given), was produced by a team led by Renbert Mortimer, former COBUS president of the previously named College of the Bahamas. Since transforming from COB to UB in November 2016, the Athletic Department was on a mission to produce its new nickname and Athletic Director Kimberley Rolle said they were happy to finally launch the Mingoes’ mascot, which will bring a new awareness to their programme. The launch was held yesterday in the conference room of the Harry C Moore Library & Information Centre and attended by UB’s president Dr Rodney D Smith, who lauded the Athletic Department for their progress made. Smith noted that back in 2010 they began the progress, but when Rolle provided the initial concepts from Mortimer, they loved what they saw and the rest was history. “This is really an historic day for the University of the Bahamas,” Smith said. “Our student athletes are already making their presence felt in the country as well as outside of the country. “This is just an indication of what is going to be coming down the road. We are going to be competitive, we’re going to be visiting, we’re going to bring back trophies and we’re going to be hosting tournaments in the years to come.” Rolle said they are excited about their athletic launch and the introduction of their mascot, which was produced by a company headed by Mortimer, a COB alumni. “He and his team have used their creative genius in support of the University of the Bahamas,” she stated. “Our constituents, more of all our student-athletes, students and alumnus have contributed to the brand that we are launching today. “What simply started as a conversation between Renbert and I a year ago has really blossomed into something that all stakeholders at the university can be very proud off.” At an estimate of $95,000, the UB and Mortimer and his team was able to create the mascot to blend into the Mingoes athletic programme. Mortimer said it was a collaboration of his Waynehead company

with Novio, the apps creators; Chimera, who produced the computer solutions; Lamaro Smith, producers of the animation; Kriston Saunders, the videographer and Vashon Smith out of San Salvador, the game designer. Calling it his “baby,” Mortimer said his company also engaged the services of a number of young persons from various islands, all of whom he met when he attended COB to produce the final product. “We have indeed made history, so on behalf of my creative team, we want to say thank you,” Mortimer stressed. “Never stop believing that you can’t leave your mark on this nation and in the world.” The mascot, according to Mortimer, is a majestic flamingo of what they saw in UB. He said it’s the essence of their spirit and so the spirited beast is fierce, bold and courageous. “It’s a marriage between the institution’s identity and that spirit that is branded through the colour blue and the characteristics that UB blue, which is our primary colour, should represent,” he pointed out. “Much like the spirit that is embodied, the flamingo is an aggressive bird and thus better in large crowds. We are preparing teams to succeed on a global stage and our athletes are always ready to soar.” In developing their competitive teams over the past three years, Rolle said they have attracted some of the best student-athletes and coaching, introducing Rupert Gardiner and Ednal Rolle, the new head and assistant track and field coaches and Dion Godet, the soccer head coach. “We’re beginning to see the results of the efforts in the performances of our athletes locally and internationally, as well as the caliber of coaches whom we have selected to lead our teams.” On Thursday, Rolle invited the UB community to come out and show their support to the Mingoes men’s basketball team at a 2pm rally on Independence Park in preparation for their UB Mingoes game against the Pros in the New Providence Basketball Association regular season 8:30pm Saturday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium. The game is expected to be carried live on ZNS, but Rolle said they wish to have their fans in the gym cheering for their team rather than having them stay at home to watch it. Team captain Justin Smith said when he arrived on COB’s campus three years ago, he was anxious to leave because he felt there was synergy between the students and the athletes and their athletic look was not up to his standard. Smith, however, said they have shown a vast improvement and

THE University of The Bahamas’ new Mingoes mascot - the spirited beast is fierce, bold and courageous. they are continuing to get better. “Our student-athletes are coming together and being more supportive of each other,” he stated. “Our coaches and administrators believe in us and we are excited about the new Mingoes name and our mascot. “I am proud to say that I had something to do with us becoming the Mingoes as I was one of the student-athletes who provided imput and suggestions. “I am proud to be a part of UB’s athletic history. As the captain of

the men’s basketball team, I am equally and pleased to represent the UB Mingoes in our historic launch game on Saturday, March 4.” Smith, a native from Grand Bahama, assured the audience that they will do their best to uphold the principals and standards of the UB Mingoes both home and abroad to the best of their abilities. Rolle said there has been a lot of interest from the local clubs

and schools as coaches and parents are showing a lot of interest in their athletes becoming a part of the Mingoes’ athletic programme made up of the men and women track and field, men’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s volleyball and women’s softball. “So the future is bright in the Mingoes Athletics and we say to all of our student-athletes in the high schools, parents, our coaches and parents, come, join the Mingoes family,” said Rolle.