SPORTS SECTION E
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017
Our ‘athletes are gelling very well’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
TEAM BAHAMAS’ FINAL TRAINING SESSION TODAY
TEAM manager Philippa Arnett-Willie likes the cohesiveness she’s seen so far at Team Bahamas’ training camp for the third edition of the IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas 2017. The team was together all week and will conduct their final practice today at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium as they prepare to compete on Saturday and Sunday night. “We’ve had two meetings so far and I must say, the athletes are gelling very well, which is the best thing for relay events,” said Arnett-Willie, a former
ing to camp healthy, Arnett-Willie said it bodes well for Team Bahamas. “Everybody is fit and ready to run in front of the Bahamian crowd.” She noted that all of the athletes have been advised about the emphasis being placed on getting both the men and women into the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m finals in order to automatically qualify for IAAF World Championships in London, England, in August. “Relay qualification is our main priority,” she stated. “The mixed 4 x 4 relay is an event that the IAAF is putting on as a
sprinter who competed on her share of relays. “They all came in and talked to the coaches. In the meetings, we have been very impressed with what they are saying and so we feel very excited about what is going to happen this weekend.” With everybody report-
fun event for the athletes and the spectators. “But we have made a decision that we will only run the mixed relay if our athletes compete in the 4 x 400. So far, everyone seems excited about what we are trying to achieve. We haven’t gotten any resistance to it.” The only member named to the team who will not be competing is Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown. He had indicated that he will make a determination over the weekend as to whether he is fit enough to compete. Over the past few months, Brown has been
courted to Grenada where he served as the athletes’ liaison officer. He was responsible for getting more than 100 foreign athletes to compete in the inaugural Grenada Invitational. “He will be missed, so will Ramon (Miller), who will not be competing either,” she said. “They have a wealth of experience, but in their absence, we’re putting the baton in a number of young, but talented quarter-milers. As they get ready to compete against more than 50 countries in the various
SEE PAGE 21
Carl Lewis in town By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
C
arl Lewis had an illustrious career that spanned at least two decades as the most decorated sprinter/long jumper of all-time. But of all that he’s accomplished, he wished he had the opportunity to compete in the IAAF World Relays. Lewis, a long-time close friend of former University of Houston team-mate Frank Rutherford for more than 30 years and co-worker of current Cougars’ assistant coach Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, is in town to view the third edition of the World Relays at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium this weekend. “I don’t think that there’s any day that I get up wishing something else,” said Lewis of the competitions that he got to compete in. But the biggest thing is that it isn’t like that. That isn’t how the world is. I only had the World Championships every four years, so it would have been great to have it every two years, it would have been great to have had World Relays. I would have loved to have those two events, but we didn’t have it.” If there’s one discipline in track and field that the fans love to see, it’s the relays, according to Lewis, who ran on some of the top-ranked American relay teams during his tenure. “You see these fast times from these 18 to 19-year-olds and so it’s a great event for them.” Yesterday, the winner of nine Olympic gold medals, one silver medal and 10 World Championships medals, including eight gold, was entertained by proprietor Vincent ‘Curly’ McDonald at Curly’s at Arawak Cay Fish Fry. At the same time, he was also introduced to Demetrius Pinder, Steven Gardiner, Michael Mathieu and Anthonique Strachan, who are all preparing to represent the Bahamas at the relays.
Former sprint, long jump great to attend IAAF World Relays
OLYMPIC champion Carl Lewis yesterday speaks with Bahamian athletes Demetrius Pinder, Steven Gardiner, Anthonique Strachan and Michael Mathieu at Curly’s, Arawak Cay Fish Fry. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff The athletes, who took the time out to meet Lewis after their training camp, were accompanied by team manager Philippa Arnett-
Willie. “It’s been a while,” said Lewis about one of his many visits to the Bahamas, including in the year 1992 to help Rutherford cel-
ebrate his triumph as the first Bahamian to win an Olympic medal
SEE PAGE 21
NBA ACTION
The Playoffs, Page 22
MLB SCOUTS GET A LOOK AT ASPIRING BAHAMIAN PLAYERS By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net FORTY aspiring baseball players had an opportunity to showcase their skills here at home before a group of Major League Baseball scouts. The Bahamas Baseball Federation hosted its first MLB Club Scouts Showcase Games at the Junior Baseball League of Nassau Fields last weekend. Two teams comprising 20 players each, emerged out of the BBF’s series of trials earlier this month hosted in New Providence and in Grand Bahama and featuring over 100 participants. Visiting franchises represented at the event included the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins and Pittsburgh Pirates. The MLB Scouting Bureau was also present at the event. The bureau is aimed at providing comprehensive information on prospects to help clubs make more informed selections in the draft. It provides a consensus scouting service for all MLB clubs. Position players are graded on hitting ability, power, running speed, arm strength and fielding. Prospective athletes at the showcase were evaluated on running, fielding and hitting drills followed by a pair of inters quad scrimmages. The Selection Committee included Shane Albury (Committee Lead), Joe Moss, Greg Burrows Jr (Player Selection, Coach), Dominic Elliot (Player Selection, Coach), Mario Ford (Player Selection/Coach), Patrick Knowles (Cincinnati REDS, Player Selection/ Coach), Andy Percentie (Coach), Warren Lavarity - Coach and Geron Sands – Coach. It was the first time a local showcase featured several different scouts and was conducted outside of the Academies, where players were selected based on tryouts. The partnership between the BBF and Major League Baseball has produced several events thus far in its early stages. The MLB conducted a summer instructional programme featuring prospective 10th, 11th and 12th graders. The first programme in the series was a coaching clinic last January in New Providence, featuring MLB Hall of Fame second baseman Roberto Alomar.
Tight end Saunders expected to be major contributor By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net MANY elite NCAA Division I powerhouse programmes have begun their preparation for the upcoming season, and the FSU Seminoles faithful had an opportunity to get a first look at the team in the Garnet and Gold Spring Game. Bahamian tight end Mavin Saunders is expected to be a major contributor this season and, according to Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher, his group at that position performed up to standard all spring leading up to the game. Just two offensive touchdowns were scored in the game as team Gold won 17-7 over team Garnet. “I liked scrimmage from the standpoint it was very physical. Guys tackled
well and played well,” in the Orange Bowl. Fisher said. “We’ve alSaunders finished his ways been able to throw sophomore season with the ball, we’ll throw and 10 receptions for 182 we’ll throw it well. yards, both career highs. I think they [tight The 6’6”, 258-pound ends] performed well, Bimini native was a Izzo caught a couple SAUNDERS standout last spring in balls, Mavin caught a the Garnet and Gold couple. Those guys will be a Game when he finished with factor in the game and they’re six receptions for 91 yards and doing some nice things.” a touchdown. Saunders was effective with Brendan Sonnone, who has the second unit; with his biggest covered the Seminoles for the play of the game a 13-yard re- Orlando Sentinel, Noles247 ception from freshman quarter- and CBSsports.com, said the back Bailey Hockman. progression should continue “We’re far from a finished next season in Saunders’ junior product - we got a lot of things season. to do - but there’s a lot to work “Saunders’ improvement with there,” Fisher said. “The from 2015 to 2016 was clearly attitude is going in the right di- visible to the eye and is reflectrection, so I’m pleased.” ed in his metrics. The former The Seminoles finished 10-3 basketball recruit led all FSU last season, capped by a win players with 18.2 yards-perover the Michigan Wolverines catch and 13.0 yards-per-target
after averaging just 4.7 yardsper-target in 2015. His jump in catch rate (54.6 per cent to 71.4 per cent) and success rate (27.3 per cent to 64.3 per cent) was equally impressive,” he said. Saunders is expected to be listed as second on the depth chart behind Izzo. “After having all those playmakers leave last year, we knew we were going to have to step up,” Izzo said. “We’re going to get those opportunities, so I think me and Mavin teaching Tre’ [McKitty] the process of what we’re doing right now so he can get used to that role. I think it’s definitely a more experienced group. “We’ve been through this a lot. Overall, we’ve been making more plays. Jimbo’s trying to implement more formations, just to get us out wide and do stuff like that.”
PAGE 20, Thursday, April 20, 2017
7 DAYS
THE TRIBUNE
The countdown is on UNITED ARAB EMIRATES World ranking: 10 Group C: with Panama (28), Paraguay (9) and Portugal (1) The road to Nassau United Arab Emirates (UAE) topped Group C at the 2017 AFC Beach Soccer Championship, comfortably seeing off Iraq 6-0 and Qatar 8-1 before confirming their rich vein of form with a 5-4 win over Japan. They booked their place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 with a 2-1 penalty shootout defeat of Lebanon in the semi-finals after the sides had drawn 4-4 after extra time. In the final, UAE went down 7-2 to Iran. Strengths and style UAE drew on their teamwork and togetherness in qualifying for the Beach Soccer World Cup for a fifth time, while goalscoring duties were evenly shared,
with Haithan Mohamed finding the back of the net five times and Ali Mohamed and Ahmed Beshr Salem four apiece. Also excelling in the continental finals was goalkeeper Mohamed Abdulla, who was beaten just five times in the group phase and made some vital penalty saves. FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup record Two-time Asian champions, the Emiratis have appeared at four Beach Soccer World Cups (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2013), hosting the competition on the third of those occasions. They have yet to advance beyond the group phase. • The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 will be held in Nassau from April 27 to May 7.
Player to Watch
TEAM UNITED ARAB EMIRATES topped Group C at the 2017 AFC Beach Soccer Championship.
WALEED BESHR (No.4) is one of the players to watch on Team UAE.
MILO BUTLER FUTURE STARS SOCCER TEAM SEALS CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY IN a strong finish, the Milo Butler Future Stars ended the 2017 season, winning the Bahamas Youth Football League Under-12 Boys’ KnockOut tournament. The players also secured the championship title in the Baha Juniors Community Shield Tournament under-12 boys’ category, defeating the United C with a score of 1-0. This is the second season Milo Butler Distributors has sponsored the youth soccer club - outfitting the entire team with uniforms. Started five years ago as a way to educate under privileged children on the sport, the Future Stars programme exposes players to new opportunities through soccer. Thanks to corporate partnerships like the one with Milo Butler, the team is able to pay league registration fees, purchase uniforms and secure much-needed training equipment. Nearly 100
CHAMPIONS: The Milo Butler Future Stars ended the 2017 season by winning the Bahamas Youth Football League Under-12 Boys’ KnockOut tournament. children under age 17 and some 35 kids in the over 17 category have
benefited directly from the Future Stars programme.
Fabian Fernander, marketing manager at Milo Butler, congratu-
lated the players and coaches on their victory in the recent championship. “All of the players on this team demonstrate values that our company represents - dedication and teamwork. We are proud of the growth and progress of the team over the past two seasons and would like to commend them on a job well done. A special thanks to the coaches for their own dedication and commitment to developing the youth in our community,” he said. Team coach Ricqea Bain thanked the company for its support of the programme. “Our players worked hard this season and we’ve had a very successful year. We are very proud of our boys and we would like to especially thank Milo Butler for supporting us over the past two seasons and we look forward to their continued support in to the future,” Ms Bain said.
No Barcelona comeback as Juventus reaches semi-finals By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Juventus made sure there were no more miracles at Camp Nou yesterday, as the Italian visitors held Barcelona to a 0-0 draw and advanced to the Champions League semi-finals. The second-leg stalemate sealed a 3-0 win on aggregate and came six weeks after Barcelona’s historic 6-1 thrashing of Paris Saint-Germain, when the home side became the first team to ever overturn a 4-0 loss in the competition. Juventus showed all the poise and experience that PSG had sorely lacked in the previous round. “We knew Barcelona were ready to risk everything tonight, but we closed down all the spaces,” Juventus centerback Leonardo Bonucci said. “Scoring three in the first leg and not conceding at the Camp Nou is the evidence that we are a great team. I think every team would like to avoid us now.” True to the Italian tradition of defending an advantage, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had little work to do until late in the game, as Massimiliano Allegri’s side expertly absorbed Barcelona’s
high-paced passing attack that ultimately produced few good scoring opportunities. And when Lionel Messi did get free inside the area, Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer squandered both his chances to spark a fightback. The only miracle seen in Barcelona this time was Juventus not getting a late goal, with the Spanish side barely having the legs to recover when defending. Barcelona forward Neymar was consoled by former teammate Dani Alves, now playing for Juventus, after the final whistle while Barcelona’s fans cheered their team despite the elimination. “Juventus is a great team and they were better than us,” Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said. “It was a difficult result to turn around, although we tried until the end. They are an Italian club and defend very well. I wish them the best and I think they can win the title.” Juventus joins Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Monaco in the semi-final draw on Friday. Monaco advanced after beating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in its quarter-final, second leg yesterday for a 6-3 aggregate win. Teenager Kylian Mbappe and forward Radamel Falcao struck early to
BARCELONA’s Lionel Messi reacts yesterday during the Champions League quarter-final second leg match against Juventus at Camp Nou stadium. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) put Monaco on its way. Even with Barcelona in fullattack mode, the same Juventus starting 11 from the first leg masterfully managed the match, bending but never breaking under the assault.
“On a psychological level, my team never dropped its guard. The force of the team is not getting too worked up, or shaken,” Allegri said. “My players were extraordinary tonight. They kept their cool.” Messi had a great chance to boost Barcelona’s chances in the 19th minute when a long buildup ended with Luis Suarez setting him up near the penalty spot, only for Messi to fire wide. Neymar volleyed Jordi Alba’s pass wide before Messi drew the first save from Buffon just past the half-hour mark. Juventus, however, tightened its defence, anchored by Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, and the hosts’ opportunities dried up. Messi’s frustrating first half had a painful ending when he was caught by Miralem Pjanic while jumping for a ball. Messi tumbled face first into the turf, and showed a small scratch that bled on his cheek once he got back on his feet. Neymar was then booked for an apparent retaliatory charge into Pjanic, earning him a one-game suspension for accumulation of yellow cards. The second half started with Barcelona taking more risks. Messi wasted another opportunity in the 67th when Suarez
found him in the box after Buffon left his line and failed to clear the ball. Andres Iniesta finally gave Buffon a real challenge with 10 minutes remaining, when his glancing effort off a cross made the veteran goalkeeper get down low to save. “Juve is a great team that knows how to defend perfectly. Even so, a goal would have changed the game,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said. “We created enough chances to score, but it wasn’t to be.” Juventus will be without midfielder Sami Khedira for the first leg of the semi-finals after he earned a yellow for fouling Suarez. The two-time European champions are set to complete an excellent campaign. Having now avenged their 2015 Champions League final loss to Barcelona, Juventus also leads the Italian league and has lined up an Italian Cup final against Lazio. The result ended Barcelona’s run of 15 wins in as many home European matches since the arrival of Luis Enrique, who will leave the club this summer. Barcelona must now rest and regroup for Sunday’s trip to play Real Madrid in a “clasico” match that will go a long way to deciding the Spanish league title.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, April 20, 2017, PAGE 21
LORD SEBASTIAN COE MEETS WITH BAAA EXECUTIVES AHEAD OF IAAF WORLD RELAYS By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net IAAF executives, athletes and spectators continue to file into the capital as the Bahamas prepares to host the IAAF World Relays for the third time. The 2017 IAAF/BTC World Relays Bahamas is all set for Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23, at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. IAAF President Lord Sebastian Coe, fresh off his appearance at the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships in Curacao, visited New Providence yesterday to meet with BAAA executives and conduct a walk through of the stadium as preparations for this weekend’s event continues. Coe will be unable to attend this year’s meet. “Honestly, the BAAA and the LOC have become friends not only to the IAAF, but also to me personally as well, and although I will be watching the relays from somewhere far away, I trust that my team, who will remain here, and the LOC will host another spectacular event,” Coe said. “I first came to this beautiful island about 30 years ago, and it didn’t take me long to realise that this is a community that appreciates track and field. I am delighted to be here, because this is becoming a favourite part to the international family of events. This is the third time that The Bahamas has so graciously hosted all of us. I am delighted, also because this event has now become a big event on the IAAF calendar.” More than 500 athletes from around the world will compete in
TIMETABLE
SHOWN (l-r) are Local Organising Committee CEO Rosamunde Carey, president of the BAAA, IAAF President Lord Sebastian Coe and LOC Chairman Keith Parker yesterday at IAAF World Relays press conference at British Colonial Hilton. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff five relay disciplines - the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m and to cap the competition, a mixed 4x400m. The top eight finishers in both the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m will earn automatic entry for the IAAF World Championships London 2017 to be held later this year. The field is expected to include approximately 180 world and Olympic individual and relay medal winners. Seven Olympic champions and 11 world title holders will also be represented. A total of 34 member federations have entered 513 athletes – 285 men and 228 women.
The United States will seek its third Golden Baton, awarded to the team with the highest point total. Teams will also compete for the total prize pot of $1.26 million. The gold medal team in each event will claim a prize of $50,000 and any team who breaks a world record will receive an additional $50,000 bonus by the IAAF. Second place finishers will receive $30,000; third place receives $20,000; fourth place - $12,000; fifth place - $10,000; sixth place – $8000; seventh place – $6000 and eighth place – $4000. The World Relays can boast of one current record still on the
books, the men’s 4x200m, set by Jamaica in a time of 1:18.63 secs at the inaugural event in May 2014. Kenyan teams set new records in both the men’s and women’s 4x1500m while the USA did the same in both divisions of the Distance Medley. Neither event will be contested at this year’s meet. The Bahamas was only able to get the men’s 4 x400m team qualified for the Olympics at the last edition of the World Relays. The other three fell short. The women’s 4 x 400m team took advantage of the last chance meet at the Blue Marlin Classic to secure their spot, although
Saturday, April 22 7:30 - Women’s 4x200m heats 7:50 - Men’s 4x100m heats 8:17 - Women’s 4x400m heats 8:53 - Men’s 4x400m heats 9:25 - Women’s 4x800m final 9:48 - Mixed 4x400m heats 10:12 - Men’s 4x100m final B 10:21 - Women’s 4x200m final 10:36 - Men’s 4x100m final Sunday, April 23 7:30 - Men’s 4x200m heats 8:00 - Women’s 4x100m heats 8:27 - Men’s 4x400m final B 8:38 - Women’s 4x400m final B 8:49 - Men’s 4x800m final 9:12 - Women’s 4x400m final 9:30 - Men’s 4x200m final 9:47 - Women’s 4x100m final B 9:56 - Men’s 4x400m final 10:14 - Women’s 4x100m final 10:30 - Mixed 4x400m final they had to wait on a court ruling against Russia before they were finally in. In Rio, while the men’s 4 x 4 team held on for the bronze medal, the women’s 4 x 4 team set a national record while finishing with a world ranking of No. 11. BAAAs president Rosamunde Carey said after she and IAAF councilwoman Pauline Davis, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson and Director of Sports Timothy Munnings met with Coe at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Bahamas was granted the rights to continue to host the relays for the 2019 edition.
CARL LEWIS FROM PAGE 19
in Barcelona, Spain. “When I retired from track, I actually got away from it completely I didn’t do anything. I just worked with my foundation and did things for 15 years. Four years ago, I moved back to Houston to just volunteering and now that has moved into coaching.” Lewis’ trip here for the World Relays is three-fold. One of his athletes from Perfect Method is competing on the United States of America’s team; Mario Burke from Barbados is also one of his athletes and he wants to help the USA win their first major 4 x 100m relay at the relays. “I will never be in an official role, but I have a number of athletes who will be coming in the next few years on the USA team for the World Relays,” he said. Urged on by Hershey’s one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in North America - to do some promotional events, Lewis said he gradually found himself getting into the flow of things in athletics once again. Always a part of successful USA teams that competed in the past, Lewis acknowledged that the 2012 Olympic Games was the worst for the American men, who fell victim to the Bahamas’ 4x400m relay team and the Jamaican 4 x 100m team. With all of the great athletes and the superb colleges and universities that produced a lot of their young stars, Lewis said he decided to get back to doing his part in revitalising their Olympic programme. “They allowed me to go out and do my own recruiting and I got full access to all facilities at the univer-
WORLD RELAYS FROM PAGE 19
events over the two days of competition, a couple of the athletes expressed their sentiments on the relays. Michael Mathieu “It feels good to be home. I know it’s always good for the Bahamas to host major events like this, so it’s good to be back,” he said. “I can’t say exactly how we will do, but we have some very good athletes who are capable of stepping in and taking over. I know my training is coming along
OLYMPIC champion Carl Lewis shares a special moment yesterday with Bahamian athletes Demetrius Pinder, Steven Gardiner, Anthonique Strachan and Michael Mathieu at Curly’s, Arawak Cay Fish Fry. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff sity for any athlete that goes through the programme, so our university programme is a training ground for the Olympics now.” Compared to when he was competing, running personal best times of 9.86 in 1991 in the 100m, 19.75 in the 200m in June 1983 in Indianapolis and 8.87 m (29 ft 1 in) 1991, w 8.91 m (29 ft, 2 3/4 in 1991 in Tokyo, Japan, Lewis said it’s good to see that the times are back to normal now. But he admitted that
while he did very well in securing the lucrative deals, endorsements and incentives when he was competing, his only wish is that there is even more cash prizes being offered to today’s athletes. “I think we need to continue to work hard to get more,” he said. “We should be getting $1.2 million per event. The NFL is a $9 billion dollar investment, so that is what we should aspire to. “We should push for
more and see how the athletes can work with the federation and the organisers to get the prize money up. I want more. What is missing from track and field is the middle class.” Just as it was when he competed, Mitchell said it’s obvious that the BAAA will have to find a way to generate the necessary sponsorship for the national teams to travel,” Adderley stated. “We have to be able to put persons in place who can help to make it happen.”
very slowly, but having ran a 45-second 400m so far this year, he’s anticipating that he will only continue to get faster.” He added that he’s even more excited because of the fact that it just so happens that Team Bahamas will have the number one ranked quarter-miler on their team.
“The World Relays is always exciting for me. It’s back in the Bahamas again, so it’s going to be good competing in front of the home crowd once more,” the Abaco native stated. Gardiner said he’s prepared to give it his best in the men’s 4x4 and hopefully in the mixed relay and have a good time in the process. “There’s no pressure on me. I just want to go out there and do what I do best,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to competing again for the Bahamas.”
Demetrius Pinder As one of the most experienced relay runners available to compete, Pinder said he will have to wait until the coaches make their decision on who will compete. “I’m ready. I just hope that the coaching staff will make the right decisions,” Pinder said. “I don’t know what they are going to do because when Chris was around, he was able to talk to them one-on-one.” Pinder said he hopes that Team Bahamas will field the best team for the 4 x 400
Steven Gardiner As the world’s fastest quarter-miler so far this year, Gardiner brings his share of excitement to the team.
and not put so much emphasis on putting together the mixed relay team. Anthonique Strachan With the relays putting more attention on more athletes, Strachan said she has to “put her best foot forward and run our best because she has to compete for the team. But I hope that the coaches will make the right decision on who will run best on each leg.” As she’s looking towards stepping up and eventually competing in the 400m, Strachan has her sights set
on making her contribution to Team Bahamas’ success this weekend. “This is the first time that we will be having the mixed relay so you can only look at the positive outlook of it,” she said. “It’s something brand new, it’s never been done before and they are trying it out at home.” This is Strachan’s first full season since having had surgery a year ago and coming out of her off-season training at full strength, Strachan said she has a more positive outlook for the rest of the year.
PAGE 22, Thursday, April 20, 2017
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Rockets grab 2-0 lead over Thunder By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden scored 35 points and the Houston Rockets overcame 51 points from Russell Westbrook in the highest-scoring triple-double in playoff history, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-111 last night to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round Western Conference playoff series. Westbrook set a franchise playoff scoring record and added 13 assists and 10 rebounds. It was the sixth career playoff triple-double for Westbrook, who had an NBArecord 42 in the regular season. But he shot just 4 for 18 in the fourth quarters as the Rockets clawed back from a double-digit deficit to surge ahead before holding on. Game 3 is Friday night in Oklahoma City. The game was tied before Houston scored 10 straight points with 3-pointers from Harden, Patrick Beverley and Eric Gordon to make it 114-104 with 1:22 remaining. Westbrook had four straight points to start a 7-1 run after that, but the Thunder wouldn’t get any closer. This was a much different game than the series opener, when Houston routed the Thunder 118-87. On Wednesday night, Houston
trailed by as many as 15 and didn’t take a lead until the fourth quarter. The Rockets benefited from a balanced scoring attack, with Lou Williams adding 21, Gordon scoring 22 off the bench and Game 1 star Beverley chipping in 15. The Rockets used a big run early in the fourth quarter to go on top for the first time in the game with about eight minutes remaining. Harden’s 3 about three minutes later made it 104-100. Andre Roberson added a tip-in layup for the Thunder before two free throws by Westbrook tied it at 104-all with about 3 minutes left. The Thunder led by three entering the fourth quarter and scored the first five points of the period, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Doug McDermott, to make it 94-86. Oklahoma City went more than three minutes without scoring to allow Houston to take the lead. The Thunder had missed seven straight shots when Westbrook got them back on track with a layup with about eight minutes left. The Thunder led by seven with about nine minutes left in the third quarter before Westbrook made four quick points to extend the lead to 79-68. Houston scored the next six points, but Oklahoma City an-
THUNDER guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives past Rockets guard Eric Gordon last night in Game 2 of their firstround playoff series. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith) swered with seven points in a row after that, with five from Westbrook, to extend the lead to 86-74
with about 3 minutes left in the quarter. The Thunder led by as many as
15 points in the first half, but Houston had cut the lead to 68-62 at halftime.
WIZARDS DEFEAT HAWKS 109-101 FOR 2-0 SERIES LEAD CLIPPERS By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Sports Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — In a rough-and-tumble, foul-filled game, Bradley Beal took over in the fourth quarter with 16 of his 31 points, including a key late 3-pointer, helping the Washington Wizards beat the Atlanta Hawks 109-101 last night for a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference firstround series. John Wall earned chants of “M-V-P!” while finishing with 32 points and nine assists, including the dish to Beal for his shot from beyond the arc with 38 seconds remaining that sealed the win for the hosts. Washington, which trailed 78-74 entering the final period, won despite only a combined seven points from starting forwards Markieff Morris and Otto Porter Jr, who were both in foul trouble early. The series now shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Saturday. Paul Millsap led the Hawks with 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Dennis Schroder scored 23 points. But Dwight Howard had only seven rebounds, half his Game 1 total, and six points. Millsap scored 14 points in the third quarter, including six during a 13-0 run by the Hawks that took them from a deficit to a 74-67 edge with a little more than 3½ minutes left in that period. But Beal and Wall were too much in the fourth, with some help from backup point guard Brandon Jennings, who accounted for eight consecutive Wizards points during one stretch — making three baskets and assisting on another.
After Washington won the series opener over the weekend, Millsap bemoaned aloud about how things went, saying: “The difference in the game is we were playing basketball and they were playing MMA.” That became a talking point during the off days, and perhaps affected the way Game 2 was called. It was hardly akin to a mixed martial arts bout, but the officials sure seemed determined to use their whistles upon seeing anything resembling a foul. Whatever debate might be had about how justified all the calls were, one thing was clear: All of those interruptions disrupted the flow of the game. Washington led 51-43 at halftime. More noteworthy: There were 29 personal fouls in the opening 24 minutes, 55 for the game. There was plenty of complaining by the Wizards throughout, and when sixth man Kelly Oubre Jr. got No. 4 and joined Morris and Porter on the sideline, the team was whistled for a delay-of-game foul, its second, resulting in a technical. About 30 seconds later, Howard picked up his fourth foul, while Kent Bazemore was at four entering the last quarter, too. When another couple of calls went against Washington in the third quarter, many voices in the sellout crowd of 20,356 rose in unison for full-throated chants of derision directed at the officials. TIP-INS Hawks: Shot 0 for 8 on 3-point attempts in the first half, and finished 4 for 20. After saying they
BEAT JAZZ 99-91, EVEN SERIES 1-1
WIZARDS guard Bradley Beal reacts last night after he made a 3-point basket in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) wanted to limit Washington’s transition game, the Hawks held the Wizards to 16 fast-break points, nine fewer than in Game 1. Atlanta is in the playoffs for the 10th consecutive year, the longest current streak in the East. Wizards: Porter scored his first basket of the game on a 20-foot
jumper just 16 seconds into the second half — and less than 1½ minutes later, he picked up his fourth foul and headed to the bench. Backup C Ian Mahinmi sat out again with a strained left calf. UP NEXT Game 3 tips off Saturday in Atlanta at 5:30pm ET.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Buoyed by a newfound sense of urgency, the Clippers took it to the Utah Jazz from the opening tip. The patch of real estate under the basket was all theirs, all game. Blake Griffin led a smash-mouth revival of Lob City with 24 points and DeAndre Jordan had a double-double in the Clippers’ 99-91 victory on Tuesday night that evened their playoff series at 1-1. Jordan finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Chris Paul added 21 points and 10 assists for the Clippers, who crushed the Jazz in the paint, 60-38. Los Angeles stormed to a 12-point lead in the first quarter, reeling off the kind of dunks that earned the team’s Lob City moniker years ago. Jordan’s tomahawk jam put an exclamation on the end of the period. The Big Three of Griffin, Jordan and Paul combined on 10-of-13 shooting and six rebounds in the first, when the Clippers shot 65 per cent. They outscored the Jazz 18-0 in the paint.
Carey Jr invited to 4th Gotham Hoops Invitational By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net FOLLOWING a stellar collegiate career, Michael Carey Jr will set his sights on positioning himself to pursue professional basketball. The evaluation process for the next level includes a number of combines and showcases for senior players and Carey was selected to compete at such an event this weekend. Carey received an invite to the 4th edition of the Gotham Hoops Invitational, to be hosted April 22 in Long Island, New York. The 2017 Gotham Hoops Invitational is an event that showcases 36 senior players to talent evaluators representing professional teams that compete in leagues throughout the globe. Since launching in 2014,
the event has produced over 70 pros throughout 50 leagues and 30 countries with alumni having gone on to compete in the NBA’s Summer League and Development League as well as EuroLeague and top divisions throughout Europe and Asia. Carey’s senior year with the Wagner Seahawks was filled with accolades despite the fact that the season came up short, ending with a loss in the Northeastern Conference Championship. The season came to a heartbreaking end when they lost the title game 7170 to Saint Francis on a buzzer-beating three pointer. Despite the loss, Carey had one of the best games of his collegiate career. He produced his 27th career double-double, finishing with a game-high 29 points on 12-22 shooting from the field, 4-7 from three-point
range and grabbed a game high 10 rebounds. It was his second dominant performance in the conference tournament after a career high outing in the quarter-finals. In a win over Fairleigh Dickinson, he scored a career high 32 points on 11-15 shooting from the field, 3-4 from three-point range and 7-7 from the free throw line. It was indicative of a productive senior season all year long for the 6’ 5” guard. In just over 34 minutes per game, Carey averaged 13.8 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 47 per cent from the field, 33 per cent from three-point range and 77 per cent from the free throw line. Carey scored in double figures in 47 games. He reached the 20-point mark 13 times and grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 31 games
and from the guard spot, was the team’s leading rebounder in 42 games. He also became just the fourth player in school history to record 20 doubledoubles or more for a career. He was named to both the 2017 All-Northeast Conference (NEC) First Team and 2017 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division All-District 18 First Team. In 34 games as a junior, Carey played 29 minutes per game and averaged 12.6 points and 9.1 rebounds. The Seahawks lost to Creighton 87-54 in the National Invitation Tournament second round. Carey, posted 15 doubledoubles on the season and was a two-time NEC Player of the Week honouree. He finished his two-year tenure with the Seahawks with 843 career points in 64 career games (13.2 ppg av-
MICHAEL Carey Jr in action for Team Bahamas. erage) while pulling down 583 rebounds (9.1 rpg) and recording 103 assists, while finishing 10th all-time in career free-throw shooting at 79.6 per cent (176-221).
In the offseason, Carey was also a member of the Bahamas’ senior national team which finished seventh at the Centrobasket in Panama.
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