Issuu

SPORTS SECTION E

New Year

Agenda, Page 3

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2018

Top hurdler Pedrya has new coach for final college season By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ack in action from an injury that prevented her from competing outdoors last year, women’s 100m hurdles national record holder Pedrya Seymour will resume her final season as a collegiate under a new coach and a new school. The 22-year-old graduate of St Anne’s High School will be wearing a University of Texas at Austin’s Longhorns uniform after graduating from the University of Illinois last year and will be coached by one of her idols who competed for the Fighting Illini. As a result of sitting out the outdoor season last year due to a hamstring injury to her trail left leg, Seymour said she had plenty of time to contemplate the future and she’s eager to see what the new year brings under assistant coach Tonya Buford-Bailey, one of the most decorated track student-athletes in the history of the University of Illinois where she was inducted into their inaugural class of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in June. “You can look for the return of the beast,” said Seymour of a nickname that she had acquired during her tenure at Illinois where she performed exceptionally well. “Going into the season, I am going

FLOWERS: ‘WE GREW UP, NOT JUST AS FRIENDS, BUT AS FAMILY’

to be open minded and ready. I’m just going to take it one meet at a time.” The season opener for the Longhorns is the Texas Tech Corky Classic in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, January 13. But Seymour is not sure whether or not coach Buford-Bailey will let her compete or if she will wait until another meet. In any event, Seymour said she will be ready because she has some personal goals that she wants to achieve, even though she declined to reveal any of them. Seymour, however, has indicated that she plans to represent the Bahamas at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England, March 2-4, although it comes smack in the middle of the Big 12 Conference Championships, February 23-24 in Ames, Iowa and the NCAA Indoor Championships, March 9-10 in College Station, Texas. “That’s the plan for now, but if the schedule doesn’t allow it, then I won’t be able to compete at the World Indoors,” said Seymour, who last represented the Bahamas at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she had an impressive sixth place in the final of the women’s 100m hurdles. “But it’s not the agenda.” And while she would also like to compete at the

SEE PAGE 2

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Brown, having ran a lifetime best of 45.58 in Sopot, has not missed a trip indoors and he indicated that it’s because of the tremendous success he has accomplished on the 200m track where he has to run two laps to complete the race. “I think my body is designed to the tight curve on the track and I enjoyed being out there running indoors,” he stated. “It’s just a special place indoors, so I enjoy running in it.” For this one, which is expected to be the final one for the 39-yearold veteran, the goal is to once again get on the podium. “As long as I’m healthy, I just want to continue representing the country and giving it my best shot,” he insisted. “Whether I get on the podium or I don’t get on the podium, I just want to go out there and continue to represent the country.

BUSINESSMAN and golfer Craig Flowers has called this one of the most difficult periods of his life, having lost his childhood friend and sporting legend Prince ‘Zorro’ Stubbs on Christmas Eve. Stubbs, 80, died at the Princess Margaret Hospital as a result of a stomach cancer. “I had the fortunate acquaintance of knowing this young man, who at the time, was not Zorro,” said Flowers about their connection at the age of 13 growing up on two separate corners. “We grew up, not just as friends, but as family. Neither of us had a mother growing up. Prince lived with his aunt in Ross Corner and I lived my dad in Quakoo Street, then known as Laid Street. That made us bond even closer together.” Reflecting on their journey through life, Flowers said he got attached to Stubbs through his association with Flowers’ older brother, Arnold. During those days they were able to frequent Flowers’ father’s restaurant, bar and pool parlour where everybody was attracted to the game of billiards or pool. “The thing I remembered was Prince was allowed to go in and play pool, but I wasn’t because I was a little too young,” Flowers recalled. “He would tell me how good he was and sure enough, he became one of the most dominant pool players in the country. “He played on several tournaments in the pool parlour. I eventually got to travel with Prince and another dear friend Ivan James, who got the permission from my father, like Prince, for me to travel with. Ivan’s credentials were his father was the Rev CB James on Market Street.” At the time they were growing up as a foursome, Flowers said they all got their nicknames as they travelled to the various tournaments around the island, dressing up and walking alike, not just playing sports, but participating in stakes and kite flying competitions. The late James, according to Flowers, was responsible for coining Stubbs’ nickname ‘Zorro’ after the

SEE PAGE 2

SEE PAGE 5

ON FAST TRACK: Pedrya Seymour, the national record holder in 100m hurdles, is expected to resume her final season as a collegiate at a new school under a new coach.

‘Fireman’ getting ready for indoor season By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER deciding to skip the remainder of the outdoor season, including the 16th IAAF World Championships last year, quartermiler Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown is preparing to return to the indoor season where he’s had a great deal of success. Undoubtedly, the most decorated Bahamian athlete indoors, Brown has made the podium five out of the past eight trips he’s made to the International Amateur Athletic Federation’s World Indoor Championships since he started competing at the 9th edition in 2003 in Birmingham, England. With the World Indoors going back to Birmingham, England from March 2-4, Brown will be hoping to make his ninth appearance and add to the three bronze, a silver and a gold he has on his

medal trophy case. “Right now I’m just taking it day by day. The body is in great shape and so I’m going to prepare and get ready for this indoor season,” said Brown in an interview with The Tribune from his home in Atlanta, Georgia. Since he started competing indoors in 2002, ironically in Birmingham, England, Brown claimed his first medal when he secured the bronze in the men’s 400 metres until 2006 in Moscow, Russia where the championships were moved to being staged every two years. The Whymms Bight, Eleuthera native would duplicate that feat two years later in Valencia, Spain in 2008 at the 12th Worlds before he emerged as the champion in Doha, Kota at the 13th Worlds in 2010. At the 14th Worlds in Istanbul in 2012, Brown again got on the podium, but this time had to settle for another bronze medal.

CHRIS BROWN However, in 2016 at the 15th Worlds, he improved on his previous performance as he picked up the silver medal in Sopot, Poland in 2016.

Mavin Saunders named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net MAVIN Saunders, the highly acclaimed redshirt junior tight end from the Florida State Seminoles, was awarded on Monday night as he was named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

Page 5

Saunders, a native of Bimini who was recruited by the Frank Rutherford Foundation in Houston, Texas, to play basketball, but made the transition to football, was named the Riley Elementary Outstanding Adult Volunteer of the Year for his work with the local Tallahassee school. He received his honour, along with 10 other FBS players during halftime of the 2018 Sugar Bowl game in the Superdome in New Orleans where the Alabama Crimson Tide routed the Clemson Tigers 24-6 to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championships. “It’s a great honour,” said Saunders on Florida State’s website. “I was moved by it from the beginning, so I decided to keep coming back and showing these guys the commitment.” Referring to one of the youngsters that he’s been mentoring, Saunders said at the beginning, he

MAVIN SAUNDERS was so shy, but he’s seen a drastic improvement as he worked with him. He said it was important for him to work with the youngsters so that they can become better people in life.

Saunders, who will be transferring to play for the Kansas Jayhawks in the fall, began volunteering his services with Riley Elementary for class credit, but has now worked with the students for nearly two years, fitting in time around his football and school requirements. In addition to Saunders’ work with Riley Elementary, he was named to the ACC Academic Honour Roll for a second time this year. This is the second consecutive year that a Seminole has been named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Last year, centre Alec Eberle earned the honour for his work with Uplifting Athletes and head coach Jimbo Fisher’s Kidz1stFund. Saunders is the sixth Seminole to earn the distinction, joining Corey Fuller (1994), Wayne Messum (1995), Sam Cowart (1996), Christian Ponder (2010) and Eberle (2016).

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognises incredible stories of selflessness and community service and honours their dedication to volunteerism and enriching the lives of others. In addition to going to New Orleans, Allstate will honour the Good Works Team players by creating special volunteer events in select markets throughout the season in conjunction with its All Hands In programme, which encourages the college football community to come together and do good. Saunders was rated a fourstar prospect in the 2014 class by 247Sports, ESPN and Scout, and a three-star recruit by Rival. He was also ranked the No. 3 tight end in the country and No. 23 player in Texas (No. 187 player overall) by 247Sports. Additionally, he was rated the No. 7 tight end and No.

SEE PAGE 3

PAGE 2, Wednesday, January 3, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Top sprinter Pedrya has new coach for final college season FROM PAGE 1 Commonwealth Games, set for April 4-15 in the Gold Coast, Carrara, Australia, Seymour said she may have to miss the trip down under as she has some obligations to compete for Texas at the UTSA Invitational in San Antonio, Texas, March 16-17. “I can’t give a definite answer for Commonwealth because it’s at the beginning of the outdoor season,” she reflected. “If it was in the summer, I would definitely run, but it all depends on what my coach says.” Now that she’s back at full strength, coming from the injury that sidelined her, Seymour said she’s eager to regain her progression to the sport, having made a remarkable transition in just one year from running the 400 hurdles to the higher 100m hurdles after competing for the Bahamas in the one-lap race at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain. “When you’re injured, you have a lot of down time to think. It gives you a better appreciation of what you are doing because you see people doing it and you want to be able to do it,” she insisted.

“I ran with injuries before, but not this severe, so not being able to push through this injury really hurt, but I’ve grown a lot from it,” she said. “Now I can take advantage of each opportunity.” During that time of recuperation, Seymour had a chance to look at the field of competitors as they participated in the IAAF World Championships in London, England in August. She said she got even hungrier to return to competition this year. “After watching the World Champs, it shows that people from the past can come up and take over the throne and people who were predicted to win, don’t show up or show out, so you have to be ready at all times because anyone can take the gold,” she pointed out. “With this being my last year of eligibility for college, I definitely have to show up and show out. If I want to run professionally after I’m done, I really have to do well at the collegiate level this year. The plan is for me to go pro after I finish with college.” Although she graduated from Illinois in August, Seymour is pursuing her Master’s degree at Texas in advertising and public relations, which will take her

through 2019 if she maintains her classes during her track programme. Under coach Buford-Bailey, a decorated three-time American Olympian who is now in her fifth season as associate head coach for Texas Track and Field, Seymour said she’s adjusting very well, especially to the weather. “The coaching is definitely different. The foundation off season is also deferent,” she stated. “I feel stronger and just being able to train outside all year round is a plus as well. “At Illinois, it was really cold, sometimes it got into the negative, but being in Texas, it’s hot all year round. So it’s good running hurdles outside in December.” Seymour, who holds the Bahamian national record at 12.64 seconds, is coming off a 2017 USTFCCA First-Team AllAmerica in the 60m hurdles indoors after making the 2016 USTFCCA Second-Team AllAmerica and was both a 2017 and 2016 USTDCCA All-Academic Team. In addition to that, she was a 2016 Academic AllBig Ten at Illinois. She is the daughter of Pedro BIG RETURN: Pedrya Seymour, the national record holder in the 100m hurdles, is and Cecily Seymour. expected to resume her final season at a new school under a new coach.

‘Fireman’ getting ready for indoor season FROM PAGE 1 “I want to make the Bahamas proud and continue to inspire the next generation of athletes coming behind, who want to pursue running indoors, just to let them see that nothing is impossible and so if they can continue running and follow their dreams and their goals, hard work will pay off.” For this one, Brown said it’s going to be all about having fun as this might very well be his last appearance at the World Indoors and, if it is, he wants to go out in style.

As for the outdoor season, many felt that last year was it after he didn’t go to the IAAF World Championships in London, England. But Brown said he only skipped the trip because he wasn’t mentally prepared. “Last year I made the team to go to the Worlds, but I decided because I wasn’t mentally ready to perform, I wouldn’t go,” said Brown, who was caught up in the fatigue of having his Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational (CBBI) called off and focusing on helping Grenada host their inaugural invitational. “Having some time off last year and thinking and to rest my

body, had definitely given me the momentum and the steam to keep moving forward,” he stated. “I definitely needed that rest and now I’m excited and I’m ready to go to Birmingham and put my best foot forward.” Heading to the season, Brown said he’s in tip-top shape and he feels like he’s 28 again. “I’m excited about the upcoming indoor season and getting to run the individual 400m and possibly the 4 x 4 (relay) with the guys,” he projected. “I’m just excited about the new season. My body is well rested and I’m ready to go.” Should the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations

assemble a relay team for Birmingham, Brown said he knows that they will be able to give a good account of themselves. “The guys are hungry to get on the track. The things that they normally would have done, they didn’t get to do last year, so I’m looking forward to seeing everyone coming out and giving their 100 per cent and getting back on the podium,” Brown reflected. “We got there before and I know that everyone is going to come out and be aggressive and just give it their best. So I’m looking forward to a good season and an exciting season for indoors. It just keeps everyone motivated

and ready to go, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.” If everything goes as planned for Brown, he could be competing in his season opener next month in Birmingham, Alabama or in Boston. But whenever he does, Brown said the public can expect to see him explode. “Everything is going very well. I can’t complain,” he summed up. “God has been good to me. I’m taking it day by day and just happy to see a new year and a new age. So I’m blessed.” Hopefully, Brown can also be blessed by getting his CBBI back on the calendar again this year.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, January 3, 2018, PAGE 3

As we welcome in 2018, what’s on our sporting bodies’ agenda? By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunmedia.net

take the best team possible to ensure that the country makes its presence felt.

AS we welcome in 2018, many sporting bodies are looking forward to the New Year with great expectations. • Here is some of what’s on their agenda:

Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation While he still holds onto the reigns as president of the federation, Wellington Miller said his days are numbered and that’s only because they are waiting on the International Boxing Federation to sanction the date for their election of officers. “We hope to have the elections early in January,” said Miller of the anticipated date of Saturday, January 6. “We have to wait until we get clearance by IABA. That’s the way our constitution is set up. I have informed them and I’m just waiting for them to come back and approve the date. “It’s crazy, but they have to approve the date and they have to approve the candidates before we can hold the elections. That is the only international body that does that. I don’t know why, but that is what IABA has stipulated in their constitution.” If they don’t have any approval before Saturday, Miller said they will have to once again postpone the elections, which they had intended to stage last year, but was called off because they didn’t get any names at the time to submit for approval. With no desire to continue as president, Miller said they are anticipating a three-way battle for the top spot whenever the elections are held. The list includes Vincent Strachan, Ikenna Johnson and Michelle Minus. In the meantime, the former president of the BOC said he’s confident that sports in general is in good hands and he’s excited about what they will do in this coming year. “I want to encourage all of the federations and associations to start preparing their athletes,” he said.

Bahamas Olympic Committee With an old deputy moving up as the new sheriff in town, immediate past secretary general Romell ‘Fish’ Knowles will begin his first full four-year term as the president of the top sporting body in the country. Elected in November to replace Wellington Miller, Knowles said one of their first objectives is to assist their member federations in any way they can to make them more successful and to work with the government to improve the facilities in the Family Islands and for an increase in the grants provided to the federations and the subventions for the athletes. The BOC is working feverishly at this time to get Team Bahamas ready for participation in the Commonwealth Games to be held in the Gold Coast, Carrara, Australia from April 4-15. “During those games, we hope to get a couple of sports to make their debut on the international stage,” Miller projected. “Triathlon and table tennis are two of the possible sports that we hope to include with swimming, athletics, cycling and boxing. “And we will also begin our preparation for the Youth Olympic Games where we will be focusing our attention on youth. We are now in negotiations with an international player to provide scholarship opportunities for deserving kids. And we will provide as best as we can, opportunities for our Family Island kids to attend the University of the Bahamas.” Later in the summer, the BOC will also be responsible for the team going to the Central American and Caribbean Games, July 19 to August 3 in Barranquilla, Colombia. Having just served as the chairman of the LOC for the Commonwealth Youth Games that was held here last July, Knowles said he understands the rationale behind the decision when government has to make a financial contribution. For the Commonwealth Games, Knowles said the Bahamas’ quota has been reduced by the Local Organising Committee, due to financial constraints, but he advised the public that the BOC will

Bahamas Swimming Federation In the continuation of being one of the more buoyant sports in the country, the BSF is looking forward to going to Kingston, Jamaica over the Easter holiday weekend to begin their international trek to success this year in defending their title at the Carifta Swimming Championships. “We are going to have a very strong team in Jamaica,” BSF president Algernon Cargill predicted. “That’s the position we are looking at for the rest of the year with the other big meets like the World Indoor Championships and the Commonwealth Games and the CAC Games.

NEW YEAR AGENDA: Rosamunde Carey, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations. “What’s so special is that Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace will be returning to competition in 2018 and Joanna Evans has also confirmed that she will be travelling to the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast in 2018.” The year will close with the World Championships in China December 7-11 and Cargill said they expect that Vanderpool-Wallace, Evans and their other elite swimmers like Elvis Burrows and N’Nhyn Fernander will all be around to carry the banner for the Bahamas. “We expect to have a great 2018 year,” Cargill said. Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations Having already kicked off their 2017/18 season with their Odd Distance Track and Field Meet in December, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will start this month off during a worship service. Having forged a relationship with the French Television Channel 7, which has a viewing audience of 1.7 million, the station was in town to cover the Odd Distance Meet and featured some of the top athletes and coaches. “It’s a part of what we wanted to do to change our image,” Carey said. “We wanted to expose the BAAA to high heights and we believe that we have done that with the partnership of the French Television. They got to capture what we do as an

explosive country. We will be exposed all over Europe, so we are excited for that opportunity.” With the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England first on the international agenda from March 2-4, Carey said they have their work cut out for them as the hosting of the Carfita Games here for the eighth time will follow over the Easter holiday weekend, March 30 to April 2. “The Bahamas will have the distinction of hosting the most Carifta Games. Barbados and Jamaica has hosted seven, but the Bahamas will host the most when we host it in March,” she revealed. This year’s games will be significant as it will revert back to the under-17 and under-20 divisions, which will enable the Bahamas to put its best foot forward in trying to dethrone perennial powerhouse Jamaica as champions. Following the Carifta Games, the biggest junior regional meet, will be the Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Carrara, Australia, April 4-15. Carey said the local focus will be the various national championships, including the Age Group Championships June 1-2 for the under-15 athletes, the junior nationals June 7-8 and the senior nationals June 22-23. “All of our championships will be held in New Providence this year,” Carey stressed. “We instituted the crowning of our national champions last

year and that will continue this year. We know that our athletes train tirelessly to be the best, so they deserve the honour of being crowned the national champions.” Competitors at the junior nationals will be vying for spots on Team Bahamas that will compete at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Finland in mid-July and the senior athletes will have another long championships as they prepare for the NACAC Senior Championships in Toronto, Canada, August 10-12 where they will compete for cash prizes. “For 2018, the big thing for the BAAA will be the elections and annual general meeting that will be held in November,” Carey said. “What is important about this election is that no executive or council member would be allowed to vote. The only persons who will be allowed to vote and to cast one vote only would be the registered and financial clubs.” Carey has already indicated that she intends to serve another four-year term in office. Bahamas Golf Federation As the New Year rolled in, Glen Archer has stepped aside to usher in the new president of the Bahamas Golf Federation. Lenford Neil Miller, who is employed as a pilot with Sky Bahamas, has taken over the helm from Archer during the federation’s annual general meeting and election of officers last

year. His vice president is Anthony Hinsey, employed at Odyssey, while Georgette Rolle will remain as the secretary general. In leaving office, Archer said he anticipates that the new administration will continue on with the projects that he left in place and improve on them as they look at introducing some new initiatives for the golfers. “One thing I can say as I go is that I’m leaving them in the black financially,” Archer boasted. “There are lots of things that I expect them to continue and they seem to be keen about doing that. They seem to be very cooperative, they are anxious and they are zealous. “They are also young people, who are young professionals. This is a young professional golfing team that is leading the BGF. They are connected to the properties, which is good. In one way, it might be bad and in another way, it may be beneficial with them being a part of the properties. They are connected with some influential people, so I expect some good things from this group.” Archer said he expects that the federation will also link up with the professional golf tournaments that come to the Bahamas, starting with the Pure Silk Women’s Tournament this month at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island and ending with Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge at Albany in November.

FSU tight end Mavin Saunders (centre) with his 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team award.

Saunders named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team FROM PAGE 1 45 player in Texas by ESPN and ranked the No. 14 tight end and No. 32 player in Texas by Rival. He was Scout’s No. 9 tight end prospect and PrepStar Magazine All-Midlands Region after he went to the United States from Bimini. He first played football his junior season of high school and helped lead Kincaid to an

11-0 record and the Southwest Preparatory Conference title by totalling 35 receptions for 468 yards and eight touchdowns. He had 40 catches for 590 yards and six touchdowns as a junior to lead the Falcons to an 8-3 mark and the SPC large-school title game and also starred in basketball for Kincaid where he held averages of 16.5 points and 8.6 rebounds following his junior season.

Saunders received college basketball offers from Connecticut and Oklahoma, among others, but he chose Florida State over football offers from Arkansas, Houston and Michigan State. Saunders, who will turn 23 on February 4, is majoring in criminology and he plays his final collegiate season with the Kansas Jayhawks, who finished just 1-11 last season and 0-9 in the Big 12.

MAVIN Saunders has been named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, January 3, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, January 3, 2018, PAGE 5 CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ Isaiah Thomas (3) passes against Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard (0) in the first half last night in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

FLOWERS: ‘WE GREW UP, NOT JUST AS FRIENDS, BUT AS FAMILY’ FROM PAGE 1

Thomas has smashing debut as Cavs down Trail Blazers 127-110 By TOM WITHERS Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) — Isaiah Thomas showed flashes of what made him an All-Star in his longawaited Cleveland debut as the Cavaliers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 127-110 win over the Portland Trail Blazers last night. Thomas scored 17 points and played 19 minutes in his first game in seven months, an impressive return to action for the dynamic point guard. Thomas added three 3-pointers and three assists before leaving with 8:10 left and the Cavs up by 12. LeBron James scored 24 points, Kevin Love had 19 and Jae Crowder added 15 for the Cavs, who were coming off losses at Golden State, Sacramento and Utah.

Damian Lillard scored 25 for the Blazers after missing five games with a hamstring injury. Jusuf Nurkic added 23 and CJ McCollum had 19 points for Portland. The Cavs were unable to separate from the Blazers until Thomas and Dwyane Wade teamed up in the fourth quarter. Thomas, who finished 6 of 12 from the field, knocked down a jumper and then fired a pass toward the baseline to a cutting Wade, who made a reverse layup. On Cleveland’s next possession, Thomas spotted up in the corner in front of Cleveland’s bench and buried a 3-pointer to give the Cavs a 100-91 lead. A few moments later, James was sent in for Thomas, who first got a hug from his teammate and another from coach Tyronn Lue as

the crowd roared. Thomas hadn’t played since May 19 because of a torn labrum in his hip that ended his 2017 postseason with Boston and threatened to derail his career. But the 5-foot-9 playmaker, who inspired the Celtics and an entire city last year, patiently stuck with his rehab. With 4:33 left in the first quarter, Thomas, wearing his familiar headband and No. 3, checked in to a loud ovation as Cleveland fans finally got to see a player they believe can help the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions win another title. Thomas picked up a quick assist with a pass to Crowder, who came with him from Boston in the summer trade that sent Kyrie Irving to the Celtics and shook the NBA. Thomas drained his next

shot, a pull-up jumper from 14 feet, and then made one of his signature moves. Driving the lane past Portland’s Shabazz Napier, Thomas dropped in a left-handed scoop shot while being fouled and crashing to the floor beyond the baseline. He got up and shook off the contact, clearing another important hurdle in his journey back. Lue plans to keep close tabs on Thomas’ minutes over the next few weeks while he builds up stamina and confidence. Initially, Thomas won’t play in any back-to-back games, which means he’ll sit out tonight’s homecoming in Boston. Thomas forever endeared himself to Celtics fans last year when he carried Boston in the postseason following his sister’s death in a car crash.

Spurs beat Knicks, Popovich alone in 5th for coaching wins By BRIAN MAHONEY Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — LaMarcus Aldridge scored 29 points, Kawhi Leonard had a season-high 25 and the San Antonio Spurs beat the New York Knicks 100-91 last night to give Gregg Popovich sole possession of fifth place on the NBA’s coaching wins list. Manu Ginobili finished with 12 points — three of them coming on what appeared to be a pass that went into the basket without everyone noticing. Popovich has 1,176 victories, all with the Spurs. The five-time champion broke a tie with his friend George Karl. The Spurs beat the Knicks for the second time in six days and won for the fourth time in five games. They beat New York 119107 on December 28. Michael Beasley had 18 points for the Knicks, who were playing one of just four home games this month. They play 12 times on the road. Kristaps Porzingis shot just 5 for 19 and was one of three Knicks to finish with 13 points. The Knicks led 29-25 after one quarter but couldn’t break 20 points in either of the next two. The Spurs began to pull away midway through the third and ended the period with the game’s most bizarre basket. Ginobili appeared to be attempting a lob pass from beyond the 3-point line to Aldridge, but the pass went over his head. Michael Beasley grabbed it

and began dribbling up the court as Ginobili and other Spurs waved frantically to the officials that the ball had actually gone into the basket. Referees eventually credited the basket to Ginobili — but only for two points. The basket was reviewed after the quarter ended and counted as a 3-pointer, giving San Antonio an 81-67 lead. Leonard played 30 minutes for the first time this season. It was just his seventh game after his return from a quadriceps injury. He shot 8 for 20 and grabbed eight rebounds. TIP-INS Spurs: Leonard missed his first five 3-point attempts, and then made his final three. ... Pau Gasol had 11 points and eight rebounds. Knicks: G Ron Baker missed the game because of a broken left orbital bone sustained when he was hit in the face trying to stop Anthony Davis’ drive to the basket in New York’s victory at New Orleans on Saturday. Coach Jeff Hornacek said Baker took part in the non-contact portion of practice Monday but the mask he was fitted for to wear in games wasn’t available yet. ... The Knicks have dropped six straight against their next opponent, the Washington Wizards. UP NEXT Spurs: Visit Philadelphia today. Knicks: Visit Washington today.

NEW York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first quarter last night in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

television character, who was dressed in black with a mask covering his face. He said James was impressed with Stubbs’ smooth black complexion. Stubbs, at the time, was nicknamed ‘Death’ because he was diagnosed with asthma. Arnold Flowers, who was a skinny boy, was aka ‘Skinny.” As for Craig Flowers, who developed long legs with his short pants on, was given the name “Lizzy.” Flowers said it was Stubbs who encouraged his brother to go to college in Canada and study chemistry because they were always enthused about what was going on around them and Flowers eventually went to Chicago to study. Stubbs was unfortunate to go, but Flowers said they remained closely connected. “Zorro was also one of the country’s best cricket players. He went on four teams that went to Jamaica and two teams that went to the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Flowers said. “I went on two of them. Zorro was a devastating spin bowler and a great batsman. He was the key person in any victory that we had because of his great bowling.” At the time, there was also table tennis where the expatriates came to town for jobs as policemen to play. Within three years, Flowers said he got to watch as Stubbs emerged as the top Bahamian table tennis player in the country. From there, they went to the driving range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Center where they played pool and table tennis. That eventually led to them getting associated with golf and, as they say, the rest was history. “Like any other sport he got involved in, Zorro excelled to the top,” Flowers said. “He would look at his opponents’ weakness and he beat you by taking advantage of their weakness. He had a tenacity to look at his opponent and found a way to beat him. “He always believed that before the game was over, there was going to be a door opening for victory.” Considered a “giant of a man,” Flowers said Stubbs will be remembered for the way he changed the scenic view of sports for so many people in general whom he came in contact with on a daily basis. “After he started to develop stomach cancer and he started to lose weight, he never tried to put any pressure on anybody,” Flowers said. “Three days before he was admitted to hospital, I had to break down the door to his apartment after I hadn’t seen or heard from him and I found him unconscious on the ground. “He spent two weeks conscious with his family, but the doctors were really realistic with his chances to recover. He had gone past any position of repairing or anything else. He had lost too much weight. I was there three days before he passed and I went there the night before.” During their final union, Flowers said Stubbs was very alert and in a jovial mood and they laughed and joked about everything from their childhood days to their times together as adults. Flowers said Stubbs advised him to thank Bruce LaFleur and the boys, Horace Miller and Kevin Marche, thanks for everything they did for him. “As I walked away, he said ‘Lizzy,’ I appreciate everything. I said no big deal and I walked away at about 10:30pm that Saturday night,” Flowers recalled. “Sunday morning around 9:30am, his daughter called and said the nurse wanted the family to come right away. She called about 15 minutes later to say he passed away.” Flowers said he immediately went to the hospital to confirm the death of his long-time friend and confidant.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, January 3, 2018, PAGE 7

NAPOLI OUT OF ITALIAN CUP AFTER 2-1 DEFEAT TO ATALANTA NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Serie A leader Napoli was eliminated from the Italian Cup after a 2-1 defeat at home to Atalanta yesterday. Timothy Castagne and Alejandro Gomez scored to send Atalanta through to the semi-finals, where it will meet either three-time defending champion Juventus or Torino. It was the first time Atalanta had reached the semi-finals since the 1995/96 season, when it went on to finish runner-up for the second time. It won the competition in 1963. “It was an amazing performance, and a fantastic achievement,” Atalanta

coach Gian Piero Gasperini said. “Having reached the semi-finals by winning at Napoli ensures that our season is already rich ... it’s a really important result for us.” Both sides had chances to score in an even first half before Castagne broke the deadlock five minutes after the interval. Gomez’s cross from the left found Andreas Cornelius and his effort came off Napoli defender Mario Rui. But the rebound went straight to Castagne, who slammed the ball home. Gomez appeared to have sealed the match with a wonderful solo effort nine minutes from time, but

Dries Mertens gave Napoli hope three minutes later when he headed in a cross from fellow substitute Lorenzo Insigne at the back post. Napoli leads Serie A at the halfway stage, with a point more than secondplace Juventus. But it was also eliminated from the Champions League last month. “We are having an extraordinary season,” Napoli coach Maurizo Sarri said. “We have the right attitude in the league but we suffer more in the cups ... certainly we could have done something better in the cups. “Maybe subconsciously we apply ourselves more in the league.”

JESUS TO MISS 4-6 WEEKS, SAYS GUARDIOLA MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Gabriel Jesus is likely to be out for between four and six weeks after sustaining ligament damage in his left leg. The Brazil striker limped off in tears midway through the first half of the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, with what City said was a “medial collateral ligament injury.” Guardiola predicted the length of Jesus’ absence after City’s 3-1 win over Watford yesterday.

ATALANTA’s Timothy Castagne celebrates after scoring yesterday during the Italy Cup quarter-final match against Napoli at the San Paolo stadium in Naples, Italy. (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP)

WENGER CHARGED FOR ACTIONS INSIDE OFFICIALS’ CHANGING ROOM LONDON (AP) — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was charged yesterday for his conduct inside the match officials’ changing room following a Premier League game in which his team conceded a contentiously awarded penalty. Wenger’s language and behaviour after Arsenal’s 1-1

draw at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday was “abusive and/or improper and/or questioned the integrity of the match referee,” the English Football Association said. Wenger was incensed at the awarding of a penalty against Arsenal for handball by Calum

Chambers. West Brom converted the penalty in the 89th minute for the equaliser. After saying the decision was “difficult to accept,” Wenger added that he thought referees “do not work enough,” having been a major driver behind making them professional.

He also hinted that Arsenal was being targeted by referees. “It was very disappointing,” Wenger said Tuesday, before the FA’s charge had been made. “What is more frustrating for me is it happened many times this season — at Stoke, Watford, Man City, now West Brom.

“It is a concerning coincidence for me. That is why as well I was not at all happy with the movement the referee made as to why he gave the penalty. It did not correspond at all with what happened. On that front, it’s a bit worrying. He saw what he wanted to see.”

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 52° F/11° C Low: 30° F/-1° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Becoming windy; a thundershower

Mainly clear and windy

Sunny, breezy and not as warm

Sunshine and patchy clouds

Some sun with a shower in places

Some sun with a stray shower; windy

High: 81°

Low: 60°

High: 70° Low: 57°

High: 72° Low: 58°

High: 74° Low: 61°

High: 77° Low: 65°

AccuWeather RealFeel

82° F

55° F

70°-58° F

72°-56° F

74°-56° F

76°-62° F

High: 55° F/13° C Low: 37° F/3° 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: 75° F/24° C Low: 59° F/15° C

12-25 knots

High: 68° F/20° C Low: 37° F/3° C

15-25 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 68° F/20° C Low: 42° F/6° C

N E S

WEST PALM BEACH

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 47° F/8° C

MIAMI

High: 70° F/21° C Low: 44° F/7° C

10-20 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 65° F/18° C Normal high ....................................... 78° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 66° F/19° C Last year’s high ................................. 82° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 69° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 0.00” Normal year to date ..................................... 0.12”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 60° F/16° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 66° F/19° C

KEY WEST

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 56° F/13° C

High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

8:27 p.m. 8:51 a.m.

3.6 2.8

2:04 p.m. -1.1 2:57 a.m. -0.9

Thursday

9:20 p.m. 9:47 a.m.

3.5 2.7

2:59 p.m. -1.0 3:49 a.m. -0.8

Friday

10:13 p.m. 10:43 a.m.

3.3 2.7

3:55 p.m. -0.8 4:42 a.m. -0.7

Saturday

11:06 p.m. 11:41 a.m.

3.0 2.6

4:52 p.m. -0.5 5:35 a.m. -0.6

Sunday

12:00 p.m. -----

2.8 -----

5:51 p.m. -0.2 6:28 a.m. -0.4

Monday

12:41 p.m. 12:57 p.m.

2.5 2.5

6:53 p.m. 0.0 7:23 a.m. -0.2

Tuesday

1:41 p.m. 1:54 a.m.

2.5 2.3

7:57 p.m. 0.2 8:17 a.m. -0.1

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C

8-16 knots

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

tiDes For nassau

6:56 a.m. 5:33 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

7:35 p.m. 8:15 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Jan. 8

Jan. 16

Jan. 24

Jan. 31

CAT ISLAND

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

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 63° F/17° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 80° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 79° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

4-8 knots

8-16 knots

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

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS SW at 15-25 Knots WNW at 12-25 Knots SW at 8-16 Knots NW at 12-25 Knots SSW at 8-16 Knots WNW at 12-25 Knots SSW at 8-16 Knots NNW at 8-16 Knots SSW at 10-20 Knots WNW at 12-25 Knots WSW at 15-25 Knots NW at 12-25 Knots SW at 8-16 Knots WNW at 10-20 Knots SW at 8-16 Knots NNW at 8-16 Knots SSW at 6-12 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots SSW at 8-16 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots SW at 8-16 Knots WNW at 8-16 Knots SW at 4-8 Knots NNW at 8-16 Knots SW at 8-16 Knots WNW at 12-25 Knots

WAVES 6-10 Feet 5-9 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 6-10 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-8 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 6-10 Feet 5-9 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-6 Feet

VISIBILITY 3 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 7 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 3 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 7 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 7 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 80° F 80° F 77° F 77° F 81° F 81° F 75° F 75° F 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 77° F 77° F 80° F 80° F 76° F 76° F