SPORTS SECTION E
Thursday, January 29, 2026
SUPER BOWL 60 - Page E8
Pacers beat Timberwolves By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net
ON THE REPLAY: The RM Bailey Pacers’ senior boys in action against the defending champions Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves in GSSSA regular-season action at the DW Davis Gym on Tuesday night. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr/Tribune Staff
THE RM Bailey Pacers made a statement on Tuesday night, handing the defending champions Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves a 58-46 loss in a tightly contested GSSSA regular-season senior boys' game at the DW Davis Gym. “It's a good feeling, you know, they are the defending champs, and we had this marked on our calendar all year,” said RM Bailey head coach Lamont Armaly. “My boys played good but still could be better in execution.” From the opening tip, it was clear the Pacers came in with a purpose as they jumped out to an early 8-0
RM Bailey senior boys make a statement with 58-46 victory over defending champions Anatol Rodgers run, fuelled by energy on both ends of the floor and an immediate control of the tempo. Anatol struggled to get clean looks early as the Pacers' length disrupted passing lanes and either challenged or blocked shots inside. Multiple early blocks set the tone, sending a message that nothing would come easy inside which seemed to be the offensive game plan for Anatol. Anatol eventually settled into the game and
responded by switching into a 2-3 zone, hoping to slow the Pacer’s penetration and force perimeter shots. The adjustment, however, never fully worked as the Pacers adapted and moved the offence beyond the three-point line with timely made threes and continuing to generate second-chance opportunities by dominating the glass. Even when shots didn’t fall, the Pacers’ rebounding kept possessions alive and put pressure on the defending champions.
Anatol Rodgers showed why they entered the season as the team to beat. Behind a long stretch of disciplined defence and timely scoring, Anatol clawed back into the game and took a slim 27-24 lead into halftime. The champions controlled stretches of the second quarter with patient offence and improved defensive rotations, briefly shifting momentum and quieting the Pacers’ run.
GSSSA - SEE Page E3
Rookie ‘VJ’ scores 12 to help 76ers beat Bucks 139-122
RISING STAR: Philadelphia 76ers’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe plays during an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photos/Matt Slocum) By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter Jburrows@tribunemedia.net VALDEZ “VJ” Edgecombe didn’t need a headline stat line to leave his mark against Milwaukee as the rookie guard played within the flow, helping steer the Philadelphia 76ers to a 139-122 win over the Bucks at home on Tuesday night. Edgecombe finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 31 minutes, shooting 4-for-7 from the field and knocking down all three of his attempts from deep, just two rebounds and three assists away from what would've been his first recorded triple-double. It was the kind of night that truly highlights his value to this 76ers team. Philadelphia’s stars did the heavy lifting on the scoreboard, with teammate Paul George leading all scorers with 32 points. Joel Embiid added 29 points and nine rebounds and backcourt partner Tyrese Maxey chipped in 22 points
and nine assists, pushing the tempo and capitalising on the space Edgecombe helped create. The balance he creates between the stars of Philly has become his calling card. Edgecombe, 20, repeatedly initiates the offence without forcing shots like a veteran and staying aggressive defensively. His plus-minus reflected it. He didn’t dominate the ball, but the game bent in his favour when he was involved, a trait that has earned him trust early in his rookie season. Edgecombe was selected for the Rising Stars Game and drafted onto Vince Carter’s team with Carter’s first pick in the draft that took place on the court before they played the Bucks. "I'm super excited that I'm with coach Vince. We're going to play hard, we locked in, man," said Edgecombe to Carter after the draft. Earlier in the season, flashes of Edgecombe’s explosiveness sparked comparisons to Carter, particularly after a series of transition finishes and
IN THE PAINT: Philadelphia 76ers’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, right, goes up for a shot against Milwaukee Bucks’ Ryan Rollins during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, in Philadelphia. high-point rebounds. Edgecombe has embraced the respect while staying grounded. “That’s elite… I’m VJ, man,” Edgecombe said. “Comparison is the
thief of joy,” he said earlier this season. “My main goal is to just go in there and win.” His teammates in Team Carter include Derik
Queen, Matas Buzelis and ROTY ladder contender Cedric Coward. “I want to be Rookie of the Year. I want to win a championship,” Edgecombe said on
draft night, setting a tone that has carried into his first season. That approach has shown up as the Rookie of the Year race has evolved. Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel entered the season as the consensus frontrunners, but Edgecombe’s consistency on a winning team has changed the conversation. Over the past stretch, he has climbed to third on the ROTY ladder, overtaking Cedric Coward and placing himself firmly behind only Flagg (second place) and Knueppel (first place). It was also announced that Edgecombe along with his backcourt running mate Tyrese Maxey are this month featured athletes to grace the cover of SLAM magazine. Philadelphia’s victory pushed the 76ers to 25-21 on the season, good for sixth place in the Eastern Conference. The Sixers look increasingly comfortable blending veteran star power with the rookie energy of Edgecombe.