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Big Red Machine march past Saints

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MAREA Pickstock and Tichea James secured the clutch performances down the stretch as the Saint Augustine's College Big Red held off the defending senior girls’ champion Kingsway Academy Saints.

In their Bahamas Association Independent Secondary Schools marquee basketball game at Kingsway Academy yesterday, the Big Red Machine pulled off a slim 22-19 victory.

With the Saints holding onto a slim 19-18 lead, Pickstock was fouled on a drive to the bucket and she canned a pair of free throws to push the Big Red Machine ahead 20-19.

And after a turnover by the Saints, James powered her way inside for a lay-up to seal the deal with her buzzer-beating basket.

As they secured the win, SAC remained undefeated

at 4-0, while Kingsway Academy fell to 2-1, but both coaches felt there's still a lot of work to do as they prepare for the rest of the season.

"I love games like this because games like this, I like to see the girls' skills and talent," said SAC's coach Anastacia Moultrie, who played and coached in so many of these types of games. "I want to win, but when she can see the girls display their talent offensively and defensively, from both teams, you can say there's hope for women's basketball in the country."

Moultrie, whose Big Red Machine got eliminated in the playoffs last year, said as they are "patient with the ball" and "working our offence," they should be able to avenge their early postseason exit.

Tamaro Butler said after winning their last game by a blowout, he anticipated that they would have a tough matchup against the Big Red Machine.

"Simply mistakes, turnovers and couldn't make the lay-ups," were the tangibles that Butler felt were their downfall. "We also played some bad defence.

"Instead of staying in front of our man, we were trying to get a home run play to go for the steal. I think those things contributed to the loss."

Aidan Gorospe, 16, doesn’t make the cut in Bahamas Great Abaco Classic

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT was a mammoth task for Aidan Gorospe to accomplish as the youngest player participating in the Professional Golf Association’s Korn Ferry Tour at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic.

Short in stature, the 16-year-old tried to weather the storm against some of the world's best pro golfers, but his two day scores of 82 and 81 didn't enable him to make the cut for the final two days of competition. He watched as American Ian Holt wrapped up the four-day competition at the Abaco Winding Bay Club on Wednesday with a 12-under to cart off the second title in the 2026

Korn Ferry Tour in The Bahamas. Holt joins fellow American Taylor Dickson, who captured the first tournament in the Bahamas Golf Classic at the Ocean Golf Club on Paradise Island a week before.

Gorospe, who followed compatriot Cameron Riley, the Bahamian representative at Atlantis, said his performance in Abaco didn't go how he wanted it to, but he noted that the experience was priceless.  "The experience was great getting to meet a lot of the pros and getting to play with a bunch of them," Gorospe said. "My rounds didn't go well, I just couldn’t find my swing both of the days."

Prior to the start of the tournament, Gorospe said

he got a chance to work out on the course with his father, Lemon, who actually was his caddie.

"It’s a really tough course to play, especially when the weather conditions are not the best," said Gorospe, who had to get used to playing in the high winds and the rain during the tournament.

The reigning Bahamas Golf Federation's junior national champion said despite what he encountered, he didn't change his routine or do anything different playing against the pros. "I did feel comfortable when I stepped out on the first tee because I had practiced here," Gorospe pointed out.

"However, I was still very nervous."This was an incredible experience for

me, to be among these tour pros and getting to play a professional event with them in my home country at my age is an honour." Although he qualified by beating out a number of local pros, including his father, during the BGF's trials in December at the Ocean Club, Gorospe admitted that if there was anything he learned from the tournament, it's the fact that it's a lot harder playing against the pros than he could have imagined. "I’m looking forward to growing my golf game and look forward to competing for the opportunity to play again in the Korn Ferry tournament exemption qualifier next year," he stressed.

The 11th grader at US Performance Academy

Butler said they just have to get back to the things they were working on season long and that is "making the lay-ups and staying engaged in the game

and cutting out the simple mistakes. "Our turnovers killed us. They were not just forced errors, making bad passes. We just have to take better care of the ball and play better as a team." When it counted the most on the stats sheet, Faith Burns led SAC with seven, Pickstock finished with six, James had five and Charliah Thompson added four. In giving it her all, despite suffering a series of injuries during the game, Dashante Sears paced Kingsway Academy with a game high 13 and Michahayla Joseph chipped in with four. Behind Burns' five points, SAC jumped out to a slim 6-5 lead at the end of the first quarter. They went on to push their margin to 13-8 at the half as Thompson connected on four points in the second period. The Big Red Machine stayed ahead 17-14 after the third period and they outscored the Saints 9-5 in the fourth quarter as they held on for the win.

- a private online schooland a member of the Harris Golf Academy said now that the pressure of playing in the tournament is

Coach George Cleare shares some of his expertise

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE home on a break from coaching in the United States, George Cleare took the opportunity to share some of his expertise with both local coaches and athletes.

Cleare, who had the opportunity to work with both Olympic and world

400 metre champions Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner before they rose to international stardom, said it's always a joy to be home.

"I'm home for a while. It's been about a decade since I've been here, so I'm just taking this opportunity to hang out with family and friends before I head back to the United States in a few weeks," he said.

Cleare, who has coached at a number of high schools, colleges and universities in the United States, said he has certainly grown a lot through his experiences.

"I've gotten to understand a little more of the scientific way of how you train and why you train," he said. "Theoretically, I think I've really established a better foundation.

During his time away from home, Cleare said he took advantage of the opportunity to better prepare himself professionally in the sport of track and field and to increase his education for the next phase of his career.

"I want to move into the direction of being an administrator and providing a programme and putting things in place to help change and reshape the mindset of the people in track and field," he insisted. "I want to see how best I can serve the country and I think after doing what I've done as a coach, I want to go further and get into administration."

Cleare, however, said while the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations gears up for its election of officers in

"While I was gone, I completed my masters degree in kinesiology and health and I am one class away from finishing my PHD in education administration and supervision with a concentration on higher education."

November, he doesn't have any interest in serving on the administrative team.

"It's always been my belief that coaches need to focus on coaching," he stated. "I think one of the biggest handicaps that we get in the BAAA is that we have coaches trying to be coaches and administrators.

"It's hard. It's impossible for you to raise money, go

out and meet corporate Bahamas and do all of the little things if you are coaching in the morning and the afternoons and at track meets on the weekend."

He said it's better suited for the federation to have administrators take on the role of administrators and coaches stick to coaching so that they both can get the job done.  On his return home, Cleare said he has noticed that there are a number of new clubs and coaches within the BAAA system, which speaks volumes.

"The more athletes and coaches you have in the system gives the country the opportunity to grow the sport," he stated. "But for me, there's a gap that I see because there's not enough mentorship.

"I see people getting into this saying they want to coach, but I think if there

The Right Words at the Right Time: What parents should say to young athletes before, during and after competition

By DR KENT L BAZARD Sports Medicine Physician

IN the competitive world of youth sports, what parents say — and how they say it — can have a lasting impact on a child’s mindset, motivation, and long-term relationship with sport. While physical preparation often gets the spotlight, the emotional and psychological environment surrounding an athlete plays an equally powerful role in performance and development.

Across The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean, young athletes are pursuing ambitious goals — national teams, college scholarships, even professional careers. But behind every successful athlete is a village, and within that village, a parent’s voice carries the potential to uplift or unravel. It's time we pay closer attention to that influence, not just in the heat of the game, but in the quiet moments before and after.

Pre-Competition: Framing the Mindset

The minutes before competition are a mental crossroads. Anxiety, excitement, and self-doubt often swirl together, especially in adolescents. According to sport psychology research, pre-performance anxiety can either enhance or impair performance depending on how it’s interpreted. Parents can help frame this arousal as readiness — not fear — by using affirming language. Instead of putting emphasis on outcomes (“Win this one!”), aim for process-based cues. Say things

like: “Trust your training.” “Stay focused and breathe.” Or even simpler: “I love watching you play.” These messages support what's known as a task-oriented climate, which research shows promotes long-term motivation, lower stress, and healthier self-esteem than an ego-oriented, results-driven approach. Avoid over-coaching or injecting last-minute strategy. That’s not your job. The role here is to centre, reassure, and empower — not pile on pressure. Keep your voice calm, your energy steady, and your focus on the athlete’s effort and attitude.

During the Game: The Parent as Regulator, Not Reactor

Once the competition begins, many parents unknowingly fall into the role of “sideline coach.”

They shout instructions, show visible frustration at errors, or overreact to the highs and lows.

While this might feel helpful in the moment, it can disrupt the athlete’s focus and increase performance anxiety — especially when a young athlete is scanning the stands for approval or judgment.

Sport psychologists refer to this as attentional distraction. When athletes start focusing on pleasing parents rather than executing skills, performance suffers. Instead, aim to be a non-directive support system. Cheer with restraint. Show encouragement with posture, facial expression, and tone. Be the emotional safety net — the calm amidst the storm.

Even if things aren’t going well, your steadiness sends a powerful message: “You are more than this moment.”

Between Events: Resetting and Refocusing

In events that include heats, rounds, or multiple matches — like swimming, track, or tennis — what happens between efforts matters just as much as the

events themselves. Fatigue, disappointment, or even overexcitement can carry into the next round and disrupt performance. This is where self-regulation strategies become valuable. Encourage your athlete to hydrate, eat small appropriate snacks, and take a few deep belly breaths. Ask neutral questions like “How’s your body feeling?” or “What’s your plan for the next one?” to keep them focused without inserting too much opinion. Avoid breaking down previous mistakes in the moment. This is a recovery window, not a critique session. Let their coach handle technical adjustments. You manage the emotional temperature.

Post-Competition: Supporting Emotional Recovery

Whether the outcome is a win, a loss, or somewhere in between, the moments after a game are emotionally charged. Sport psychologists describe this phase as a “sensitive period of reflection.” A child’s identity, confidence, and sense of worth can feel exposed — especially if they underperformed. The best post-game message? Start with presence, not performance. Sit with them. Share a meal. Let them guide the conversation. Later, if they’re open, ask thoughtful questions: “What did you

feel proud of?” or “What would you do differently next time?” This promotes autonomy and helps them develop a growth mindset — the belief that ability is built through effort and learning, not fixed at birth. Avoid phrases that reinforce fear of failure, like “You let the team down” or “You weren’t trying hard enough.” These may lead to performance-based self-worth, which has been linked to burnout and early dropout in youth sports. Instead, say things like: “You handled that with maturity” or “I saw your effort, and I’m proud of how you stuck with it.”

A Long-Term Investment in Character, Not Just Medals

Across the globe, many national sport programmes have begun integrating parent education as part of athlete development — teaching families how to foster psychological safety alongside physical growth. In Canada, for instance, sport bodies emphasize “The Five C’s”: confidence, competence, connection, character, and caring.

In the U.K., parent workshops are embedded in high-performance youth programmes. And even in China’s rigorous system, former Olympians often mentor parents on the psychological toll of elite sport.

In The Bahamas, where talent is plentiful and the future of sport is bright, we can take similar steps. Parents are not just chauffeurs or cheerleaders — they are co-architects of the sporting experience. The more informed and intentional their words, the stronger the foundation we lay for generations of athletes to come.

So as you stand at the side of the track, the edge of the pool, or in the bleachers of the gym, remember this: Your voice echoes longer than the final score. Let it be one of wisdom, warmth and unwavering support.

NPVA: UB Mingoes women’s volleyball back in win column

DAYS after their fourgame win streak was broken on Sunday, the University of The Bahamas women’s volleyball team got the win over the Tech Titans in the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) action on Wednesday.

UB won the match after the Tech Titans were forced to forfeit the match due to an injury that left them with less than six players in the third set. Mingoes won in three sets - 25-11, 25-16 and 25-5.

UB’s captain Anjeniker Joseph said that the match went well for them.

“We connected on 90 per cent of our serves and that is a plus for us,” Joseph said. “We were hitting and we were passing. There was some shabbiness here and there but we tried to give everyone some playing time.”

UB put their stamp early in the game taking a 7-2 lead to get going after the late start. The set got out of hand after UB went up 20-7 before taking the 25-11 first set win.

UB had a slow start after they went down 6-2 in the second set. Outside hitter Hannah McBride had three aces to give them the slight 11-10 lead. Setter Zarria Rose service pushed UB to a 21-13 lead before a service error. UB went on to hold off the Tech Titans for the 25-16 win. It was a short third set after the

THE University of The Bahamas Mingoes women’s volleyball team players in action against Tech Titans in the New Providence Volleyball Association (NPVA) action on Wednesday, January 21 at the D.W. Davis Gymnasium. UB won 3-0.

Tech Titans were forced to forfeit the match after they were unable to field enough players due to an injury. UB won the set 25-5. McBride led UB with 10

Coach George Cleare shares some of his expertise with local athletes and coaches

was mentorship in place from the seasoned coaches, who they can work under, they can get a head start rather than trying to do it themselves.”

While home, Cleare said he met with some of the young coaches, who were eager to grasp some of the knowledge that he has attained.

Photos: UB Athletics

points with three of those coming from three kills. They return to the court to play Ballers at 7:30pm on Monday, January 26, at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

Eighth annual DTSP Wolfpack Track and Field Meet ‘a success’

ORGANISERS termed the eighth annual DTSP Wolfpack Track and Field Meet a success over the weekend at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. This year, the club honoured Doyle Burrows, the former manager of the TAR Stadium, who also served as a manager or delegate on a number of national teams that

represented The Bahamas in international competition. The meet saw some outstanding performances, including at least three athletes attaining the qualifying standards for the 2026 CARIFTA Games in Grenada over the Easter holiday weekend.

Club president and head coach Larry Clarke thanked all of the

run and a 10K run; the sprint will have a 750m swim, 20K bike and 5K run and the relay will comprise teams of two or three people competing together in both the Olympic and sprint courses. Interested persons can contact the BTA for more details.

EDRON KNOWLES TOURNEY

9am.

THE National Sports Authority will pay special tribute to the late Edron ‘Ed’ Knowles with a Home Run Hitting Showcase at the Bankers Field on February 20. The top 20 home run hitters in the country will compete for $500 cash plus five cases of beers for first place, $300 and three cases of beers for second and $200 and two cases of beers for third.    The event is being sponsored by GBall and A Sure Win.

athletes, coaches, clubs, officials, including the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials in Track and Field and the Tex team for a successful one.

However, he noted that they are also appreciative of the tremendous support they got from their sponsors, including Sun Oil Limited, Fidelity Bank,

CYCLING RIDE FOR EXUMA

THE Bahamas Cycling Federation will kick off its calendar year with the Ride for Exuma on January 24, starting at 8am in Georgetown.

The event will enable competitors to view the turquoise waters and breathtaking landscapes of Exuma. ROAD RACE MACEDONIA 60TH ANNIVERSARY RACE

AS a part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Macedonia Baptist Church on Bernard Road, Fox Hill, will stage a Family Fun Run/Walk Race, which is open to the general public.

The dual event will take place on Saturday, January 24, starting at 6am.

The walk race will leave the church and head west on Bernard Road to Village Road, turn around and head back east on Bernard Road to the church.  The run will leave the church and head west on Bernard Road to Village

Seahorse Sailing Adventure, Providence Law, URCA, Elite Security/ Andrew Johnson, Thompson Trading Caribbean Bottling, Vincent King, Walter Saunders, Adam Christie, Bahamas Engines Ltd, AG Electric Ltd, Original Patties Bakery, Global Tile Imports, Eldece Clarke, Shauna Eneas and Blessed Hands.

Road, turn onto Soldier Road, head to Prince Charles Drive, onto Fox Hill Road and west on Bernard Road back to the church.

The registration fee is $10 for the men and women 15-and-under, 20-and-under, 40-and-under, 60-and-under, 60-and-over and Ministers/Pastors.

Interested persons can whatsapp or call Brent Stubbs at 426-7265 or call the church at 324-1583 for more information.

6th RED-LINE

SONJA KNOWLES

CLASSIC

THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club’s sixth annual Sonja Knowles Track Classic will be held over the weekend of January 31 to February 1 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Classic.

The event will begin at 10am on Saturday, January 31 and continue on Sunday, February 1 at 1pm.

The categories for men and women will begin from under-7 to the masters.

He said he also got a chance to work with a small group of athletes and until he returns to the US, he is willing to assist any coach or athlete who seeks his advice.

“The coach’s education is the most important thing,” said Cleare about the future of the sport. “If I work with an athlete that is good. But if I work with a coach who works with a lot of athletes that’s better.

“That is something, even when I go through the US, I have tried to do because there is always an opportunity to learn something more about the sport, whether it’s sharing or receiving.”

He said it’s always good to have another eye and that is why he wants to be able to move away from coaching and get into assisting coaches so that they can better improve themselves.

Over the years, Cleare has been able to work with the BAAA, serving as a coach from the junior level at the CARIFTA Games to the top of the chart at the Olympic Games.

His last assignment was serving as the head coach for the 2016 Olympic team. In the future, he said he will be open to coaching another national team, but his goal is to continue to self develop, work with the athletes whom he’s working with and be a mentor for those who are following him.

To add to his feathers in his cap, Cleare coached Miller-Uibo when she was fourth at the World Championships in 2013 in Moscow, Russia, as the youngest finalist in the 200m at the age of 19. The next year, she won a bronze in the 400m at the World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland. Gardiner was also under Cleare’s tutelage when he first broke The Bahamas’ national record in 2015 and went on to be a member of the men’s 4 x 400m relay team that won a bronze medal at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016.

Cleare worked with Miller-Uibo up to the end of 2015 and Gardiner went to the end of 2016 before they both went on to train with their respective American athletes and became the Olympic and world champions.

Interested persons can contact coach Tito Moss at 425-4262 for more information.

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its annual Family Fun Run/ Walk Race on Saturday, February 26, starting at 6am from the Bahamas Baptist College on Jean Street.  The run will leave Jean Street and head north to Bernard Road, turn left onto Bernard Road and head to Village Road, turn left onto Soldier Road, turn left onto Prince Charles Drive, turn left onto Fox Hill Road and turn left onto Bernard Road, heading back to the church.  The registration fee is $10 per person in both the men and women 15-and-under, 20-and-under, 40-and-under, 60-and-under and 60-and-over as well as the Ministers/Pastors.  Interested persons can call Brent Stubbs at

THE annual Mario Ford Baseball Camp at Windsor Park, designed for boys and girls between the ages of 4-16 years, will be staged every Saturday between the hours of 9:30-11:30am until Saturday, April 18.  Interested persons are urged to contact camp director Mario Bowleg at 556-0993. BAHAMAS LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION SEASON OPENER

Knicks end losing streak with 120-66 win over Nets

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) —

The New York Knicks broke a four-game losing streak without breaking a sweat, crushing the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 on Wednesday night in the most lopsided victory in franchise history.

Jalen Brunson scored 20 points and Landry Shamet was 6 for 6 on 3-pointers and added 18 for the Knicks, who led by as much as 59 points before the 54-point victory that surpassed the previous largest victory margin of 48 points.

The Knicks had lost nine of their last 11 games so this was a good time to play Brooklyn, because they never lose to the Nets these days. New York won its 13th straight meeting in the local rivalry.

The Knicks were already on track to win this one easily before outscoring the Nets 16-0 to open the fourth quarter, extending a 32-point lead to 104-56.

Michael Porter Jr. shot 4 for 14 and was limited to 12 points, but was still the leading scorer for a Nets team that has lost eight of nine.

Two days after the Knicks were booed frequently while trailing by 30 points in the first half of their 114-97 loss to Dallas, the scoreboard was crooked in their favor.

A 14-0 run gave the Knicks an 18-6 lead midway through the first quarter, and they closed the period with a 14-3 spurt to open a 38-20 lead after Shamet finished the period with consecutive 3-pointers.

The Knicks led 60-38 at the break. They then outscored the Nets 60-28 in the second half.

CAVALIERS 94,

HORNETS 87

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

(AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points, Evan Mobley added 14 points and 14 rebounds and Cleveland jumped out to 21-point first-quarter lead and held on to beat Charlotte for its

fifth road win in the last six games. Jaylon Tyson scored 14 points and Jarod Allen added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who held the Hornets to 32 points in the first half on 26% shooting. Brandon Miller finished with 24 points and Kon Knueppel had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead Charlotte, which made just 8 of 46 3-point attempts and was outrebounded 60-47. The Cavs bolted to a big lead in the first quarter after making 11 of 15 shots from the field to open the game. Cleveland’s stifling on-ball pressure defence repeatedly forced Charlotte into uncharacteristic turnovers and hurried shots. Mitchell set the tone for the Cavaliers with 14 points in the first half, and Cleveland’s defence never allowed Charlotte to get into any rhythm in the first two quarters. The Hornets tied a season low with 12 points in the second quarter and trailed 56-32 lead at the break.

CELTICS 119, PACERS 104

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 30 points and 10 rebounds and Boston opened a 23-point first-half lead before coasting to a victory over Indiana.

Sam Hauser hit five 3-pointers, scoring 17 points for Boston, and Neemias Queta had 17 points and nine rebounds. The Celtics bounced back from Monday night’s one-point loss at Eastern Conference-leading Detroit. Pascal Siakam had 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who had won four of seven games since losing 13 in a row in December and January. Jarace Walker scored 19 points off the bench for Indiana. Hauser hit his first three attempts from 3-point range — two of them in the game’s first 68 seconds. The Celtics led 57-34 with 3:22

left in the second quarter, but Indiana cut the deficit to nine in the third before Anfernee Simons hit a 3-pointer.

The Pacers never got back within single digits.

HAWKS 124, GRIZZLIES 122

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Jalen Johnson had 32 points and 15 rebounds and a key basket in the closing minute as Atlanta used a fourth-quarter burst and held on to defeat Memphis.

Luke Kennard and Onyeka Okongwu added 18 each for the Hawks, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Ja Morant led Memphis with 23 points and 12 assists. His 3-point attempt at the horn was off the mark.

Jaylen Wells finished with 18 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Cedric Coward scored 17 points apiece. Memphis held a 110-108 lead with 5:39 left, but the Hawks scored eight straight points, capped by a pair of free throws from Johnson. Memphis never overtook

the Hawks the rest of the way, but were within 122121 on a Coward 3-pointer with 1:09 left.

Johnson’s basket from the lane with 40 seconds left kept the Grizzlies at bay.

There were 21 lead changes and 14 ties in the game.

PISTONS 112, PELICANS 104

NEW ORLEANS (AP)

— Jalen Duran scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, Daniss Jenkins added 17 points and Detroit never trailed while cruising to its fourth straight victory, beating New Orleans.

Duncan Robinson had 15 points while shooting 4 of 9 from 3-point range for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who have won seven of their last eight.

Saddiq Bey scored 20 points to lead the Western Conference-worst Pelicans, who have lost 14 of their last 16.

Zion Williamson, who started after being listed as questionable with an illness, went to the locker room

early in the third quarter and didn’t return. He had 4 points and four rebounds in 15 minutes.

Trey Murphy III shot just 6 of 19 from the floor and finished with 17 points, ending his streak of eight straight games with at least 20 points. Micah Peavy also had 17 points and added seven rebounds and four steals for New Orleans.

THUNDER 122, BUCKS 102

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 40 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds and NBA-leading Oklahoma City withstood multiple injury-related absences to trounce Milwaukee. The Thunder won for the seventh time in eight games despite playing without Jalen Williams (strained right hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (strained right soleus), Alex Caruso (strained right adductor), Aaron Wiggins (sore right groin) and Jaylin Williams (bruised left glute).

Gilgeous-Alexander picked

up the slack, as the reigning MVP shot 16 of 19 from the floor.

Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell scored 18 points in the first half and ended up playing 25 minutes before leaving with a hip bruise. Kenrich Williams also scored 18 points for the Thunder, who shot 54.4% from the floor.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.

RAPTORS 122, KINGS 109

SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — Scottie Barnes scored 14 of his 23 points in the third quarter and Toronto beat Sacramento.

Barnes shot 8 of 17 and had eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals while posting his season-high fifth consecutive game with 22 or more points.

Brandon Ingram also had 23 points for the Raptors, who outscored the Kings 43-21 in the third quarter and won in Sacramento for the first time since January 25, 2023. Sandro Mamukelashvili added 22 points and nine rebounds. Immanuel Quickley scored 18 points.

One day after shooting 59% overall while tying its season high with 21 3-pointers in an 18-point win over the Golden State Warriors, Toronto’s offence had sporadic success against Sacramento.

The Raptors blew a nine-point lead in the first quarter and trailed by nine at halftime before Barnes found his rhythm. He made five of six shots in the third quarter to help Toronto regain the lead and take control.

Russell Westbrook scored 23 points for the Kings. Zach LaVine had 19 points and five assists. Malik Monk scored 17. Sacramento has lost three straight since its season-high four-game winning streak.

QB Diana Flores hypes flag football

ahead of its 2028 LA Olympics debut

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer

QUARTERBACK

Diana Flores has won world titles and MVPs on the flag football field. She's starred in Super Bowl commercials to promote her sport, too.

This, though, confirmed just how far-reaching women's flag football has become — Kansas City Chiefs standout Patrick Mahomes once referred to her by name and mentioned her being a QB.

Game simply respects game, especially one on the rise.

Flores, the signal caller for the reigning world champion Mexico squad, is doing all she can these days to build up the sport ahead of flag football making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. It's quickly catching on, too, with the NCAA recently adding flag football to its Emerging Sports for Women programme. Nebraska announced it would be the first power conference school to add flag football as a varsity women’s sport, with competition beginning in the spring of 2028.

The 28-year-old Flores is an open book on the

subject. She just authored “Flag Football For Dummies,” which breaks down everything from the rules of the game to her involvement (she started at eight years old against much older players) to what it takes to be elite ("leadership is the backbone of a successful quarterback," she wrote).

“I just want to grow awareness of the sport, the importance of the sport for boys and girls, and how it can change lives, help open those doors and opportunities,” Flores said in an interview as she prepares to cover the Super Bowl on February 8 for TUDN, a Spanish-language sports network. “(The book) challenged me in ways I’ve never experienced before. It's just a huge opportunity for me to pour all the love and passion I have for the game to others.”

The stats reflect the growth of an NFL-backed sport: There were 267,000 girls aged 6 to 17 in the U.S. that participated in organised flag football in 2024, according to USA Football. It's an increase of 39% since 2020.

Flores is one of the most decorated players to take the flag-football field,

guiding Team Mexico to back-to-back World Games gold medals and winning the MVP in 2022.

She was recently honoured as the 2025 Game Changer Award recipient by the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Her commercial during the 2023 Super Bowl, titled

throwing a key block with a car door.

It was all part of promoting the game, with the end of the commercial featuring USA Football quarterback Vanita Krouch running alongside Flores in the street. Both were offensive coordinators of the 2023 Pro Bowl game.

So, how many times has Flores seen that commercial?

“I don’t even have the count,” Flores said with a laugh. “That’s been one of the most amazing moments of my life. It was the first time flag football was showcased in a big platform like that.”

“Run with it,” was a popular hit.

It starts out with reporter Erin Andrews talking to Flores, in uniform, and suddenly reaching for her attached flags. Flores looked surprised and juked to avoid the manoeuvre before bolting out of the stadium. Flores runs through parking lots, down sidewalks, over rooftops and through a hotel, with NFL players such as Sauce Gardner, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Heyward, Aidan Hutchinson and Davante Adams in pursuit.

Flores patterns her QB style after an array of players, ranging from Peyton Manning to Lamar Jackson to Joe Burrow and Mahomes. And it was meeting Mahomes a little while back that opened her eyes to her sport's soaring popularity.

Tennis great and women's sports advocate Billie Jean King played a role in

“I was doing an interview with (Mahomes) and introducing myself and before I even finished my sentence he was like, ‘Oh, yeah, Diana, you play flag football and you’re a quarterback, too,'” Flores recounted. “I didn't expect that to happen.”

Teen triplets who represent Jamaica send one to race at Olympics, two to cheer as sisters fall short

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer

THE teenage triplets who represent Jamaica in ski racing will be heading to the Milan Cortina Olympics — one to race and two to cheer him on from the stands.

The bid of Helaina and Henniyah Rivers to earn a spot with their brother, Henri IV, came to a close over the weekend as they fell just short. But Team Rivers will still all be heading to Bormio, Italy, next month to watch Henri IV compete in the slalom.

The triplets were on a quest this winter to represent their mother’s country of Jamaica at the Olympics and fulfil a family dream that started when their father found a pair of skis and boots in an attic as a kid. They want to be a catalyst to inspire other Black ski racers in what is a predominantly white sport.

Sure, the sisters were disappointed. Since November, they've each competed more than 20 times at races all over in an effort to earn a spot. But it's turned into nothing but support and happiness for their brother.

“I just told them how proud I was of everything that they’ve done up to this point,” their father, Henri, said in a phone interview

with The Associated Press. “It doesn’t matter if you qualify or not, you attempted to and you did your best. You left it out on the slope and that’s it. You do your best every time and wherever the results are, that’s what they are.”

The 18-year-olds born minutes apart in Brooklyn have been all over the globe competing in lower-tier races in an effort to qualify for the technical events, slalom and giant slalom. Their last chance was over the weekend at the Proctor Ski Area in New Hampshire, in a slalom race. Henniyah was 55th while Helaina made it to the second run but didn't finish. They simply ran out of time to lower their ranking enough to earn a place in Cortina, the site of the women's races that will feature Mikaela Shiffrin and 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn.

“They look at it like, ‘Oh, I didn’t make it,’" their father said.

“It has nothing to do with that. They persevered. We’ve just been on the road for the last eight weeks and they just stuck it out and they did what they had to do. They came up a little short. That’s OK.” In two weeks, the family leaves for Italy. They will watch Henri IV walk in the opening ceremony, in

his new Team Jamaica gear, and later root for him when he competes February 16 in the slalom. “No way we wouldn't be there for that,” the father said.

Following the Olympics, the triplets will set their sights on the world Alpine junior ski championships that take place in Norway from March 5-15. Then, it's training with an eye toward

got several more opportunities ahead of them."

Australian Open: Naomi Osaka turns up the heat

By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer

MELBOURNE, Aus-

tralia (AP) — Fashion and friction have been the defining features for Naomi Osaka in two rounds at the Australian Open that couldn't have been more different.

Osaka fended off Sorana Cirstea in a tense 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win at Margaret Court Arena last night. Cirstea's parting shot was at the net.

The pair barely exchanged a handshake over the net, with Cirstea glancing in Osaka’s direction briefly and then turning her head away.

As they walked toward the umpire’s chair, Osaka asked, “What was that for?”

Cirstea responded directly to the two-time Australian Open winner, upset with Osaka's efforts to pump herself up at stages during the match.

“Apparently a lot of ‘C’mons’ that she was angry

about," Osaka said, “but whatever. I think this was her last Australian Open so, OK, sorry she was mad about it."

Osaka got emotional in her on-court interview when asked to clarify why the tension heightened with the 35-year-old Romanian, saying, “She could have asked me (to stop).”

“Honestly ... no one’s ever complained about it before. Also the umpire didn’t tell me I was wrong — the umpire said I was fine. Like, I thought we moved past it."

She said she was open to talking it over with Cirstea.

“I guess that emotions were very high for her. I also want to apologise,” Osaka said. “I think the first couple things that I said on the court was disrespectful. I don’t like disrespecting people. That’s not what I do.”

Cirstea said the issue was blown out of proportion and she'd prefer to reflect

on her decades of experience at the Australian Open.

“There was no drama. It was just a five-second exchange between two players that have been on tour for a long time,” she said. “It stays between us.”

The tense finish was in stark contrast to Osaka's grand entrance that went viral two days earlier for her first-round win over Antonia Ruzic. Osaka walked onto the court wearing a wide-brim hat, a veil and holding a white parasol — a design she said her clothing sponsor, Nike, let her create.

For the second round, she dispensed with the couture hat, veil and parasol but was still wearing the jellyfish-inspired dress, a matching warmup jacket in the same blue and green aquatic hues, and a visor.

“Just something fun I like to do on the court. I like to express myself through clothes,” Osaka said of her prematch walk-on designs.

“I’m really glad that you love it,” she added, looking up at two women in the

of the wide-brim hat and veil that Osaka wore for her walk-on in the previous

“You guys look really cool by the way.”