SPORTS SECTION E
Friday, February 20, 2026
JESSE JACKSON - Page E6
42nd Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic
First four teams eliminated By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
GREENVILLE Preparatory, CV Bethel, Government High and CC Sweeting were the first four teams eliminated from the 42nd Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic. As the prestigious weeklong tournament for senior boys’ basketball teams continued yesterday at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, those teams fell during the double elimination format from the all-losers bracket.
Falcons 51, Greenville Preparatory 28 Still keeping hopes alive, Jordan Prince Williams wasted no time in disposing of Greenville as they led from start to finish. They used an 11-2 run in the first quarter to state their case as they duplicated the margin in the second to go up 22-10 at the half. By the end of the third, they had already put their stamp on the outcome with a 38-28 lead. "We would like to thank God for the victory in our
do-or-die session," said Falcons' assistant coach Philip Hanna, who handled the coaching chores in the absence of head coach Ernest Saunders. "My guys came out and executed to the tee, so kudos to them." Coming off their opening loss on Monday, Hanna said a lot of the guys got their introduction to playing in the tournament, so they got over the jitters and are now ready to settle down. Clewshawn Newton led the attack for Jordan Prince Williams with a game high 17 points with four steals
and Antonne Stubbs helped out with 11 points and a pair of assists and steals. Akeem Storr scored 13 points with six rebounds and three steals for Greenville Preparatory. Marlins 56, Stingrays 32 It would have been a long dreary ride back home to Marsh Harbour, Abaco, for Patrick J Bethel, but they lived to play another game. Chancely Baptiste made sure of that as he pumped in a game high 20 points with six rebounds, three assists and as many steals.
Leandre Playdle had nine points, 13 rebounds and three steals and Tysean Stuart contributed eight points with six rebounds and four steals. Leonardo Romer, their head coach, said his team played a good game. "We had one or two mistakes, but we won at the end, so that was good enough for us," according to Romer. Romer said they just want to see how long they can stay in the tournament. "We're trying to at least get to Saturday for
the pool championships,” Romer stressed. In a losing effort, Torriano McPhee scored 12 points with eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks. And Michael Mackey added 10 points with four rebounds and three steals. After surging out front 18-10 at the end of the first quarter, the Marlins bit the Stingrays for a comfortable 34-22 lead at the half. And they went on cruise control in the second half of the game.
CLASSIC - SEE Page E2
Rising Stars MVP ‘VJ’ scores 20 for 76ers in loss to Hawks
BALL IN PLAY: Philadelphia 76ers’ Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe (77) reaches for the ball past Atlanta Hawks’ Dyson Daniels, second from left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE E3
Bonnie Basden passes away at her House of Hoops and Dreams By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
BONNIE BASDEN
IT was not business as usual for the Sunland Baptist Academy Stingers’ senior boys basketball champions from Grand Bahama. They were preparing for their second game in the 42nd edition of the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic yesterday at the AF Adderley Gymnasium when they got the news that their mentor, former coach and mother-figure Bonnie Basden had passed away at her House of Hoops and Dreams in the Royal Bahama Estates in Grand
Bahama. Basden, the 64-year-old former female national team player and little sister to the legendary Basil 'the Kid' Sands, housed at least eight members of the Stingers' team at her home. It's been a tradition she carried out over the past decade as she helped to build the dynasty at Sunland Baptist where the Stingers have captured five Tip Off Classic titles, three Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Association's crowns, a Catholic High title and three USA Christmas Tournament titles. They are here, hoping to add their third Hugh Campbell title to their ledger. But
upon hearing the news earlier in the day, head coach Jay Philippe said it was a difficult space to be in. "She's always been with us, but for some reason, she could not be with us on this trip for medical reasons," Philippe said. "We just spoke last night (Wednesday) about the games and to hear of her passing this morning (Thursday) is devastating for the entire sporting community in The Bahamas and in particular Grand Bahama and even more noteworthy Sunland Baptist. "For me, Bonnie was a mentor, a coach, a stepmother, who adopted me as her own child and so I am ever grateful to her for
showing me the ropes. She was responsible for me being recruited from New Providence to Sunland as a high school student from CC Sweeting." That bond enabled Philippe to step into the coaching ranks when he returned from college. It was always her dream for me to become a coach and I've not only done it under her at Sunland, but also at the junior national team level." Basden, who played up until the age of 55, followed in the footsteps of her parents, Elaine Turner-Sands and Basil Sands Sr, and her brothers Basil ‘the Kid’ and
BONNIE - SEE Page E8
Sunland Baptist Academy Stingers pull off 37-22 victory over Sir Jack Hayward Wildcats DESPITE playing with a heavy heart after hearing about the death of their mentor and mother-figure Bonnie Basden, the Sunland Baptist Academy Stingers pulled off a 37-22 victory over
their Grand Bahama rivals Sir Jack Hayward Wildcats. The game was the feature contest on day four of the 42nd Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic last night at the AF
Adderley Gymnasium. The Stingers, coached by Jay Philippe, won the game for Basden, who died on Thursday morning at her home in Grand Bahama. Sylvano Gibson led the way with 12 points and 11
rebounds. Karame Styles had nine points, seven rebounds and five assists and David Adderley added five points. In a losing effort, Lathrone Austin had six points and seven rebounds.
The other three games saw the Agape Christian School knock off Eight Mile Rock 74-36, Blazer Elite held off Teleos Christian Academy 38-34 and St George's routed ISBET 70-25.