02102026 SPORTS

SPORTS

Giants tie series 1-1

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE defending cham-

pions St John’s College Giants responded to a game one loss as they evened the BAISS Senior Boys championship series at one game apiece with a dominant 74-42 win over the Charles W Saunders Cougars in game two of the best-ofthree final.

Playing with urgency after dropping game one, St. John’s College Giants set the tone early, racing to a 20-8 lead in the first quarter. The Giants controlled the tempo from the opening tip, scoring in transition and forcing the Cougars into rushed possessions.

Charles W. Saunders was further disrupted when leading scorer Bryson Rolle arrived late and missed half of the opening quarter. Despite the slow start, the Cougars attempted to change the momentum by switching to a full-court press late in the first quarter. The adjustment produced some stops, but the damage had already been done as St. John’s carried a 20-8 lead into the break.

The Cougars opened the second quarter with renewed energy. Rolle scored the first basket of the quarter for the Cougars, and the press began to generate better looks.

The Cougars briefly found rhythm, trimming the deficit to nine points with 50 seconds left in the half. However, St. John’s responded with composure, closing the quarter with the

CI

St John’s College senior boys pull off dominant 74-42 win over Charles W Saunders Cougars

lead. The Giants went into halftime 29-20. Any hopes of a second-half comeback were quickly erased as St. John’s dominated the third quarter on both ends of the floor, stretching the lead to 60-30 by the start of the fourth.

The Cougars struggled to score against the Giants’ half-court defence and were unable to capitalise in transition, missing several layups and committing costly turnovers.

The game took an unfortunate turn with just over three minutes remaining. Following a foul call and brief altercation on the court, three Cougars players were ejected after leaving the bench area to go on the court.

At that point, the score stood at 63-37. Officials called six technical fouls against Charles W. Saunders, resulting in six consecutive free throws for St. John’s College and the possession, effectively ending any chance of a comeback.

The final minutes played out with the Giants firmly in control, closing out

the 32-point victory and evening the series at 1-1. The win was a statement performance from St. John’s, showcasing their depth and defensive discipline.

“It feels great to get a win, you know, we were resilient all year, we came in the season, undefeated, and you know, we just had to fight to keep our season alive,” said Giants head coach Dastyn Baker.

“We switched up a lot of defensive schemes and, my guys in this game, they were more focused and they were locking in and listening to the coaching. Game one their minds were everywhere, I think they were a little overly hyped for the game.

“I spoke to them about being focused, their discipline and that's what they did. They came to play in game two,” said Baker.

D'A'fer Gibson Jr led the giants with 16 points.

With the championship now on the line, game three is set for Wednesday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Both teams will have one final opportunity to claim the senior boys’ BAISS title.

playoff thriller over Timberwolves

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

JOE Valdo Wright will probably never forget his biggest play down the stretch that sent the CI Gibson Rattlers back to the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association senior boys’ basketball championship series. With 1.9 seconds left, Wright completed a threepoint play to lift the Rattlers to a hard fought 52-49 sudden death playoff thriller over the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves last night at the CI Gibson Gymnasium. While they clinched their berth as the second seeds, the top ranked RM Bailey Pacers out-lasted the pesky Government High Magicmen for a 67-57 triumph to earn their berth into the best-of-three finals that will get underway today at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Meanwhile, the senior girls’ matchup was also completed yesterday and will be another showdown between the undefeated top ranked defending champions CI Gibson and the second ranked RM Bailey.  Rattlers 52, Timberwolves 49 With the game keenly contested in the fourth quarter, Wright's threepoint play sealed the deal down the stretch as CI Gibson capped a 15-12 scoring spree in the fourth period.

Wright finished with 16 points, but Mario Rolle Jr poured in 19 to lead the attack. Dario Hanna had eight and Melvens Simeon helped out with five.

"We chose the most important game to play the worst offensive game, but we were tough enough to pull it out down the stretch," said CI Gibson's coach Kevin “KJ” Johnson. He noted that they will have their hands full with RM Bailey, but they will be prepared.  Lavan Aritis scored 14, Jathyn Jones had 12, Israel White had nine and O'Nagio Fowler added seven in the loss for Anatol Rodgers, who played without coach Denykco Bowles, who is serving a suspension from the GSSSA. Despite the Timberwolves making the most noise with their goatskin drums and their fans cheering, the Rattlers opened a 12-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.  Anatol Rodgers continued their intensity level on and off the court as they managed to dismantle CI Gibson to rally back for a 24-17 lead at the half.  Coming out of the break, the Rattlers got into a full court press and they disrupted the flow of the game, cutting down the Timberwolves to snatch a 37-35 lead at the end of the third.  Pacers 67, Magicmen 57 Coach Lamont “Redhead” Armaly relied on a balanced scoring attack, led by Quency Rigby, with 24 points, to hold off the pesky

fourth ranked Government High in one half of the senior boys’ matchup. What Rigby didn't provide, Stanley Pratt helped out with 17, Wodson Antoine powered inside with 15 and Keith Bonaby contributed 10. "It was a good game. Government High played a good game. We didn't play the way we wanted, but we grinded it out and got a tough win," coach Armaly said. As they prepare for the championship, he said his Pacers have to work on everything because he

knows CI Gibson will play a hard-fought game.

The Pacers set the pace for the game with a 19-8 margin in the first quarter, thanks to eight from Rigby and six from Antoine. They used another 19-17 advantage to post a 38-25 halftime lead. They came back in the third with a 14-12 run, but GHS made it close in the fourth on a 20-15 spurt as RM Bailey held on for the win.

Government High, coached by Ricardo Lees, saw Jameko Hart erupt for a game high 29, including eight three-pointers, but it

wasn’t enough Magic to get the win.

Aaron Brown was their only other scorer with 16, including four three-pointers. John Joseph, who also had a three-pointer, finished with six.

Rattlers 59, Stingrays 17 Vonnisha Rolle and Brihanna Farrington provided a 1-2 punch to lead CI Gibson as they routed the fourth ranked CV Bethel in one half of the senior girls’ showdown.

Rolle produced seven of her game high 29 points and Farrington had six of her 18 in the first quarter as the Rattlers took a 12-1 advantage at the end of the period.

Kyasia Rolle was the Rattlers' next highest score with six, while Savonte Rolle had four as CI Gibson never trailed and was never threatened the rest of the way. They opened an advantage at the half and surged to a leading margin at the end of the third.

Craig Smith Jr, one of the coaches for CI Gibson, said it was like clockwork for the Rattlers. "We did pretty well. We expected to win. We've been working pretty hard all season long," Smith Jr said. "Once we come out and play hard, everything else will take care of itself.  "We just have to be ready for RM Bailey because

when we played them in the regular season, the game went to double overtime and we won by a shot at the buzzer. I'm looking forward to the rematch." For the fourth ranked Stingrays, coached by Glenda Gilcud, Anthonique Pedican had nine and Gleniqua Cole Brooke chipped in with seven. Pacers 45, Knights 36 Kenisha Capron came up with 22 points and both Tyesha Johnson and Malia Bowles had 11 apiece as RM Bailey polished off the third ranked CR Walker Knights in the other half of the senior girls’ match up.

"It was a significant win for us because the jitters are out and everybody is now at 0-0 when we get to the championship," said Pacers' coach Bernice Penn.  Capron and Bowles both had five as the Pacers went up after the first quarter. They had six and four respectively in their 17-6 run for a 28-15 halftime lead.

But after going through a scoring drought in the third, holding onto a slim 34-33 margin going into the final break, they used an 11-4 run in the fourth to secure the win.

CR Walker, coached by Pamela Bethel, got 16 from Shania

and five each from

from Aniyah

and

Lynx Taekwondo Bahamas excels at the Florida Cup

ON Saturday, February 7, Lynx Taekwondo Bahamas proudly participated in the Florida Cup 2026, held at the Miami Airport Convention Center (MACC).

Representing The Bahamas on the international stage, the team fielded a small but spirited group of youth athletes - Kaylo Farquharson (9), Sheron “SJ” Thompson Jr. (10), and Goulandris Zayden Taylor Jr. (5).

The trio competed in Olympic sparring and board breaking, showcasing not only their skills but also remarkable courage and composure against larger and more experienced teams from the region.

Each athlete earned medals in both events, an outstanding accomplishment for such a young team. More importantly, they gained valuable exposure on the mat, along with lessons that will help shape them for future high-level competition and their journey toward Olympic aspirations.

Kaylo Farquharson: A Rising Star

Kaylo stood out as the star of the event, winning all five of his matches and becoming the most decorated youth competitor in the history of the Lynx Taekwondo programme. Though new to international competition, Kaylo’s rapid development and consistent victories have placed him at the forefront of youth taekwondo in The Bahamas.

Courage and Growth Among the Youngest Competitors

At just five years old, Zayden Taylor Jr. displayed exceptional bravery and enthusiasm. Despite his age, he competed with

admirable confidence and showed clear potential as a future leader in the sport.

Sheron “SJ” Thompson Jr., who joined Lynx in December, also delivered a strong performance. In his first international event, he advanced to the finals and was narrowly edged out in the last minute - an inspiring debut that has motivated him to train even harder.

Growth of the Lynx Taekwondo Programme

These achievements mark a significant milestone in the rebuilding and expansion of the Lynx Taekwondo programme.

After challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the long search for a proper training facility, the club is now thriving at its new home above Kenuth Electrical, #2 Carmichael Road West, where it offers a full spectrum of traditional and Olympic taekwondo training and fitness.

The athletes who competed at the Florida Cup represent only a small

fraction of the broader Lynx student base. Their success signals a programme resurgence grounded in the core tenets of taekwondo - courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.

Looking Ahead to the CAC Trials

With the Florida Cup behind them, Lynx now shifts focus to its senior athletes, who are preparing for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games qualifiers, scheduled for April in the Dominican Republic.

This marks The Bahamas' first serious push toward CAC-level competition in several years. Lynx is leading that charge in partnership with the Bahamas Taekwondo Federation, under the leadership of President Mr. Robert Butler.

A Message from the Coach

“Even though we brought a small group, their impact was tremendous. They fought hard, respected their opponents, and showed maturity beyond their years,” said coach Sheano Dorsett. “It takes strength to step into that ring, especially on international soil. I’m proud of every single one of them.”

Building the Future of Bahamian Taekwondo

Through community-supported programmes like Lynx and the renewed efforts of the Bahamas Taekwondo Federation, Bahamian taekwondo is making meaningful strides on the Pan-American competitive circuit. The goal is to develop a nationally and internationally respected team, starting with promising young athletes like Kaylo, SJ and Zayden.

Hurdles sensation Devynne Charlton has a new goal: Claim 3-peat title at World Indoors

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER entertaining three of her toughest rival friends this weekend in what has become one of the most competitive events in track and field, Bahamian hurdles sensation Devynne Charlton said her goal now is to claim a three-peat title at the World Indoor Championships.

The 30-year-old Charlton, the most successful women's 60m hurdler in the world, will be looking to go against the talented field when she defends her two-time world title at the World Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland, March 20-22.

Charlton, who also holds the world record at 7.645 seconds, said she was glad to have American Masai Russell and Jamaicans Megan Tapper and Danielle Williams in town over the weekend to support her during her inaugural Devynne Charlton Invitational for her Devynne Charlton Barrier Breakers Foundation.

And while she's coming off a second-place finish in 7.92 behind Williams'

“There’s definitely some things I have to clean up between now and the World Indoor Championships. We have six weeks to do it and I have two more meets to compete. So I have some time on my side and I’m eager to be able to go to Poland and to be able to defend my title. That’s the biggest thing right now. Everything else is secondary.”

winning time of 7.87 at The Track at New Balance in Boston on January 24, Charlton said the push is for the World Indoors.

"There's definitely some things I have to clean up between now and the World Indoor Championships," said Charlton, the Bahamian national indoor 60m and outdoors 100m hurdles record holder.

"We have six weeks to do it and I have two more meets to compete. So I have some time on my side and I'm eager to be able to go to Poland and to be able to defend my title. That's the biggest thing right now. Everything else is secondary."

Charlton's previous time of 7.92, her season's best, has placed her tied for seventh on the performance list for 2026 with Reetta

— Devynne Charlton

Hurske of Finland. Pia

Skrzyszowska of Poland has produced the world's fastest time so far of 7.78.

American Grace Stark is second at 7.86 and Williams with her 7.87.

"The thing is the women's hurdles is the most competitive event out there and you always know that you have to bring your A game when you come to practice," said Charlton, who is trained by Bahamian coach Rolando “Lonnie” Greene with training partners Russell and Tapper.

"When you put in the work, you know it's going to be the difference between coming first or sixth at the World Championships. The margin is that small."

While they are rivals on the track, Charlton said it's good to have some friends off the track and that was

Local Sports Calendar

EDRON KNOWLES

TOURNEY

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.

MARIO FORD

BASEBALL CAMP

THE Mario Ford Baseball Camp at Windsor Park, designed for boys and girls between the ages of 4-16 years, will be staged every Saturday from 9:3011:30am until Saturday, April 18. Interested persons are urged to contact camp director Mario Bowleg at 556-0993.

TRIATHLON RESCHEDULED

CHAMPIONSHIP

THE Bahamas Triathlon Association, which postponed its National Championships on February 1 due to the inclement weather, will host its new date on Sunday, March 15 at Jaws Beach, starting at 7am. The competition will have the Olympic competition including a 1.5 kilometre swim, 40K bike ride and 10k run, a sprint (750m swim, 20K bike and 5K run) and relay for teams of 2-3 people for all ages.

CYCLING

TOUR DE GRAND

BAHAMA

THE Bahamas Cycling Federation and the Grand Bahama Cycling Association will stage the 12th annual Tour de Grand Bahama in Freeport, Grand Bahama, over the weekend of February 14-15. On Friday, the competitors will compete in stage one in the 3-mile prologue starting at 8am followed by stage two with the criterium road race. Then on Saturday, stage three will conclude with the final stage with distance bycategory.

Categories include the mile open, masters open,

women open, under-23 and juniors. The registration fee is $140 for adults and $90 for juniors.

ATLANTIS

COLLEGIATE BASEBALL SERIES

ATLANTIS will be branching out its athletic programme by introducing its Collegiate Baseball Series at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium from February 27 to March 1.

The series will be played between Indiana State Sycamores and the Penn State Nittany Lions, two National Collegiate Athletic Association Division One programmes.

Tickets are currently on sale and will be 50% off for local residents using the code 242baseball at AtlantsBaseball.com. Kids 12-and-under will be admitted free.

TRACK ROADRUNNERS DLT

CLASSIC

THE Roadrunners Track and Field Club will stage

the 20th annual Diana Lynn Thpompson Track and Field Classic on Saturday, February 14, starting at 9am at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

The event is being held in memory of the late Diana Lynn Thompson, one of the founders of the Roadrunners Track Club, which is now headed by coach Dexter Bodie. Competition will be staged in all age group categories from under-7 to open for male and female athletes.

TRACK

RED-LINE FIELD AND RELAY

CARNIVAL

THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club, coming off its successful hosting of the Sonja Knowles Track Classic, will now prepare for their third annual Field Events and Relay Carnival at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

The Carnival is scheduled for February 28 from 10am

why it was so important to have Russell, Tapper and Williams here to support her at her invitational.

"We're not only competitors and training partners, but we are friends and they came here just as a favour to me," Charlton stated. "I told them I just wanted them to be here and interact with the kids and everybody I asked said yes and they showed up and supported the meet.

"So I'm really honoured that I have some people in my life who I can call on to come out and support me."

During the meet, Charlton's Foundation presented $1,000 scholarship funds each to Kaiden Kemp, Jackson Ozias and Jahtarie Hanna. Charlton said all funds received from the invitational will go to her foundation.

to 6pm with the long jump, triple jump, pole vault, discus, javelin and shot put and on March 1 from 1-6pm with the 4 x 100, 4 x 200, 4 x 400, 4 x 800 metres and both the sprint and distance medley relays.

The event is open to competitors from the under-7 to the open divisions.

ROAD RACE

BBSF FAMILY FUN

RUN/WALK

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its Family Fun Run/Walk Race on Saturday, February 28, beginning at 6am at the Bahamas Baptist College, Jean Street.

The walk will leave Jean Street and head north to Bernard Road, turn onto Bernard Road and head west to Soldier Road, turn onto Soldier Road and head south to Prince Charles Drive, turn left onto Prince Charles Drive and head

east to Jean Street, turn onto Jean Street and back to the Bahamas Baptist College.

The run will leave Jean Street and head south to Prince Charles Drive, turn left onto Prince Charles Drive and head east to Fox Hill Road, turn left onto Fox Hill Road and head south to Berard Road, turn onto Bernard Road and head west on Bernard Road and to Jean Street, turn left onto Jean Street and back to the Bahamas Baptist College.

The categories in both events are the under15, under-20, under-40, under-60, 60-and-over and 70-and-over for men and ladies. There will also be a category for Pastors/Ministers combined. The cost is $10 per person.

Trophies will be presented to the overall winners and medals

distributed to the first three finishers in each category. There will also be a trophy for the church or organisation that brings the most participants. A free health screening will take place as well as there will be a special appearance by fitness guru Natasha ‘Downtown’ Brown and souse will also be on sale at a cost of $10 each.

VOLLEYBALL

NPVA

ACTION

THE New Providence Volleyball Association will continue its regular season action this week at the DW Davis Gymnasium with the following games on tap: Wednesday 7:30pm - Setsy Poppers vs Lady Warhawks 8:30pm - Avengers vs Titans Friday 7:30pm - Aces vs Ballers

Jakucionis goes 6 for 6 from 3 as Heat roll past Wizards 132-101

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)

— Kasparas Jakucionis was 6 for 6 from 3-point range and scored 22 points, Bam Adebayo also had 22 and the Miami Heat routed the Washington Wizards 132101 on Sunday.

Norman Powell added 21 points for Miami, and Kel’el Ware had 19 points and 14 rebounds. The Heat snapped a two-game losing streak and added to their team record with a 14th 130-plus point effort of the season.

Andrew Wiggins had 11 points and 10 rebounds as eighth-place Miami closed

within a half-game of seventh-place Orlando in the Eastern Conference.

Tristan Vukcevic had 14 points to lead Washington. The Wizards lost back-toback games for the first time since a nine-game slide from January 7-24. Alex Sarr added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Wizards, who saw both Kyshawn George and Bilal Coulibaly depart early with injuries.

KNICKS 111, CELTICS 89 BOSTON (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 31 points and Josh Hart added 19 to help New York beat the cold-shooting Boston.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who never trailed over the final 42 minutes. Mikal Bridges (14 points) and recently acquired Jose Alvarado (12 points) rounded out the double-digit scorers for New York, which shot 14 of 45 (40%) from behind the 3-point line.

Jaylen Brown socred 26 points and Derrick White added 19 for the Celtics, who saw their five-game winning streak snapped, Baylor Scheierman started in place for the injured Sam Hauser and finished with 10 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

Boston shot 37% for the game and was 7-of-41 (17.1%) from behind the arc.

The matchup pitted two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, with Boston entering with a onegame lead over New York for second place. They’ll meet one more time during the regular season on April 9 in New York.

CLIPPERS 115, TIMBERWOLVES 96 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kawhi Leonard had 41 points and eight rebounds and Los Angeles beat the slumping Minnesota.

John Collins had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and

Yanic Konan Niederhauser also scored 15 points. The Clippers took command with a 17-3 run closing out the third quarter. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 23 points, and Julius Randle had 17. The Timberwolves have lost three of their last four, all to sub-.500 opponents. Minnesota made just 8 of 33 3-point attempts and committed 20 turnovers while being held under 100 points for just the second time this season.

Ayo Dosunmu, making his Timberwolves debut after being acquired in a trade with Chicago, had 11 points and two steals.

RAPTORS 122, PACERS 104 TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 14 rebounds to help Toronto beat Indiana. Barnes was 12 of 20 from the field and had six assists, four blocks and two steals in 33 minutes. Toronto won its second straight to move 10 games above .500 at 32-22.

RJ Barrett had 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 17 points.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 18 points, Jay Huff had 15 and Jarace Walker 13.

Buddy Hield, 33, arrives in Atlanta as seasoned scorer...

...with a career reputation as one of NBA’s most dangerous catch-and-shoot threats

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

ON February 5, 2026, the NBA trade deadline produced many new homes as the Atlanta Hawks acquired Bahamian sharpshooter

Chavano "Buddy" Hield and forward Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors.

In exchange, the Warriors received All-Star centre Kristaps Porziņģis, giving Golden State a veteran big man while Atlanta bolsters scoring and shooting on the wing.

Hield, 33, arrives in Atlanta as a seasoned

scorer with a career reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous catchand-shoot threats. Over his NBA career entering this season, he has averaged about 14.6 points per game, including strong three-point shooting that has made him one of the more prolific deep threats currently in the league.

This season with Golden State, however, his role and efficiency dipped, averaging eight points per game on 43 per cent shooting.

Hield’s last game for the Warriors came just before the deadline in a January meeting with the Dallas Mavericks. He scored six points on a 2-for-7 shooting

night and added a rebound while Golden State fell 123-115.

"Buddy Hield left a mark," said former teammate Draymond Green.

"Buddy Hield is one of my favourite teammates of all time. To see him go, you feel the gap, you feel the hole, you feel it. It's like I said before, it's the s--ttiest part of the business.”

"You're talking about a guy that no matter what, no matter what the playing time was, no matter if he hit seven threes in a game or missed and went 0 for 7, attitude's the same.

No matter if he was playing, starting, coming off the bench or getting DNPs, the

Warriors star Jimmy Butler undergoes right knee surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligament

By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)

— Golden State Warriors

guard Jimmy Butler underwent right knee surgery yesterday for his torn anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that ended his season last month. The surgery was performed by Dr. Bert Mandelbaum in Los Angeles, and the team said he would begin a rehabilitation programme immediately with an update on his progress expected early next season.

Butler was hurt in the third quarter of a win against his former Miami team on January 19 moments after catching a pass in the paint and went down hard and awkwardly following a collision with the Heat’s Davion Mitchell — who was called for a foul.

Butler’s knee buckled upon his landing and he grimaced and grabbed at the knee while down for a couple of minutes. He needed teammates Gary Payton II and Chavano “Buddy” Hield to escort him off the court and to the locker room after the fall on the Warriors’ offensive end. When he finally got up with assistance, he was

attitude was the same. No matter if it's rain, snowing, sun shining or just a normal spring day. Attitude the exact same.

“And when you get guys like that in your organisation, they leave marks,” said Green.

For Atlanta, Hield can provide a veteran shooting punch off the wing and spacing around stars on the roster.

With the Hawks running lineups that lean heavily on perimeter scoring and ball movement, Hield’s ability to spot up and knock down triples should be a welcomed addition once he makes his season debut, expected in Atlanta’s next

game after the All-Star break.

In Atlanta he may find himself playing smaller spurts in reserve but with more defined catchand-shoot duties and opportunities to stretch defences late in games.

Another Bahamian veteran, Eric Gordon, was also moved at the deadline.

The Philadelphia 76ers traded Gordon, 37, along with a 2032 second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gordon, who has averaged roughly 15.2 points and 2.7 assists over his 18-year career, had appeared in just six games this season, averaging 5.5

points off the bench in very limited minutes while taking rookies like Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe under his belt.

The Gordon deal was largely a salary move for Philadelphia, while Memphis added a veteran wing who can provide experience and spacing behind its young core.

With the trade deadline now passed, eyes will turn to how Hield settles into Atlanta.

And when he makes his first appearance in a Hawks uniform, with expectations that his shooting will help tip close games and give Atlanta a weapon that defences must respect.

CM Kendrick Knowles, centre, emerged victorious in the 2026 Bahamas National Chess Championship at Boost Academy with 6.5 points. He secured his sixth national championship title and earned an automatic place on the Bahamas Open Team for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan this September.

CM Kendrick Knowles wins sixth national title at Bahamas National Chess Championship

THE Bahamas Chess Federation recently hosted the 2026 Bahamas National Chess Championship from January 23 to February 1 at Boost Academy.

The championship brought together 10 of the nation’s strongest players to compete in a nine-round round-robin tournament for the coveted title of Bahamas national chess champion.

CM Kendrick Knowles emerged victorious with 6.5 points, securing his sixth national championship title and earning an automatic place on the Bahamas Open Team for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan this September.

Phillip Hanna made a strong return to competitive

play, also scoring 6.5 points and finishing second overall on tiebreak.

WCM Chika Pride, the only female participant, scored 6.5 points and placed third on tiebreak, continuing her rise as one of the country’s promising talents following her recent fourth-place finish at the 2025 CAC Youth Chess Festival. Former national champion FM Cecil Moncur placed fourth overall with six points, while 2024 national champion Avian Pride finished fifth overall with 5.5 points. The Bahamas Chess Federation also recognises Sohan Umesh, Kenville Lockhart, Curtis Pride Jr.,

William Davis and Bharath Nair for their participation and contribution to a highly competitive championship field.

The federation extends sincere thanks to Boost Academy for hosting the tournament and supporting the development of chess in The Bahamas, and to Chief Arbiter IA Andre White and NA David Sands for ensuring fair play and professionalism throughout the championship.

• Full results are available on Chess-Results:  Chess-Results Server Chess-results.com - Bahamas National Chess Championship 2026

Serena Williams is eligible to return to tennis later this month

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

SERENA Williams passed another stage on the path to a possible comeback to professional tennis, being listed yesterday by the sport's drug-testing organisation as eligible to return to competition on February 22.

That is six months after the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion initially registered with the International Tennis Integrity Agency.

Williams, who is 44, was listed on the ITIA website's reinstatement page Monday, a development first reported by Bounces.

What was not immediately known was when or where — or, truly, whether — Williams actually will play again.

When it was revealed last year that Williams had signed up with ITIA to return to the drug-testing pool, she wrote on social media: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”

Her agent did not immediately return a request for comment yesterday. Neither did a spokesperson for the WTA Tour.

Last year, when word emerged that Williams had made an initial move required for a return, U.S. Tennis Association

But it is not clear if she will

spokesman Brendan McIntyre said: “If Serena decides to return and compete at the professional level, together with her fans, we will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”

Williams, one of the greats of the game, has not competed since bidding farewell at the 2022 U.S. Open. At the time, Williams said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis.

Athletes returning to testing need to provide information on their whereabouts — details on their location when they are not at an official event and times when they are available to give samples.

Someone who retires while they are on the list and later comes back needs to be available for testing for six months before they are allowed to return to competition.

Williams’ older sister, Venus, returned to competition last July at age 45 after nearly one and-a-half years away from the tour; she

never had announced her retirement. At the U.S. Open, Venus became the oldest player to play singles at the American Grand Slam tournament since 1981.

on

When Venus, a seven-time major singles champion, came back at the DC Open, she spoke about wishing Serena would join her back on tour. They claimed 14 Grand Slam

doubles titles as a pair. “I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her,” Venus

THE WEATHER REPORT

said at the time when asked about a video on

media that showed

swinging a racket. “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”

MARINE FORECAST

BY ARNI