02232026 SPORTS

SPORTS

42nd Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic

Rattlers to face Jaguars in final

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

FOR the third straight year, head coach Kevin Johnson has guided the Rattlers into the Hugh Campbell Tournament final after a 57-49 semifinal win over the Anatol Rodgers T- Wolves yesterday at the A.F. Adderley Gymnasium.

With St. George’s High defeating Queen’s College 71-45 in the other semifinal, the stage is now set for another Grand Bahama versus Nassau showdown for the title.

After a tight start that saw the teams tied 7-7 midway through the first quarter, the Rattlers closed

New Providence versus Grand Bahama showdown all set

the period ahead 13-10. They widened the gap in the second, taking a 28-19 lead into halftime, behind steady half-court defence and work on the glass.

Senior Mario Rolle delivered a captain’s performance. Rolle scored a game-high 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 7-of-15 from two-point range, and went 6-of-7 from the free throw line for 85.7 per cent. He added 13 rebounds - eight offensive and five defensive - controlling the paint on both ends.

Sidney Higgs had a double-double with 14 points

and 13 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes of play.

Higgs shot 4-of-9 from the field, knocked down 5-of-8 from the free throw line, and added three assists.

His activity around the rim kept Anatol from generating second-chance momentum.

Leonardo Wright chipped in 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting and hit a three-pointer, while Larius Hanna added seven points and pulled down 13 rebounds, including 12 on the defensive end.

C.I. Gibson dominated the boards with Deareno Stubbs adding 16 rebounds. They finished the quarter

with a 36-22 advantage in points in the paint.

The third quarter was decisive as the Rattlers stretched their lead to 18 points, fuelled by defensive pressure that created transition opportunities. They scored 29 points off turnovers compared to 18 for Anatol.

Even when Anatol cut into the deficit late behind 19 points from Jathyn Jones and nine from Dinagio Fowler, C.I. Gibson answered with composed possessions and timely stops.

As a team, the Rattlers shot 21-of-62 from the field

and 12-of-25 from the freethrow line.

“We stuck to our game plan. First of all, I just want to thank God for the opportunity to coach these young men, a very young team, but they understand what it takes to get to this point,” said Johnson.

“This tournament is very hard and gruelling. At the end of the day, we need to just stay locked in and listen to the coaches and the rest is history,” said Johnson.

Coach Johnson noted after the game that this is a young roster, made up mostly of 10th and 11th graders, with only two

senior players providing veteran leadership. Despite that, the group has shown maturity in back-to-back elimination games.

“This is a very good team, the number one team in the country. We have the you have to defend.

“Definitely, we've got to box out. Number 22 and number 3 and another guy, they're pretty good shooters.

“You just have to make them make it difficult for them. And I think once we do that, we give ourselves a chance to win the game,” said Johnson on the game plan for St. George’s.

Oklahoma retires Buddy Hield’s No. 24 jersey

JERSEY RETIRED: Chavano “Buddy” Hield’s No. 24 jersey was formally retired by the

players in Sooners’ basketball history.

Devynne Charlton wins 60 metre hurdles in France

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS world indoor record holder Devynne Charlton has proven that she's ready to travel to the World Indoor Championships next month to go for her third straight title in the women’s 60 metre hurdles. Coming off her Invitational meet here at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium, Charlton travelled to Lievin, France, where she won the event at the Credit Mutuel - Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophée over the weekend. Although she's not going to the World Indoors, scheduled for March 20-22 in Kujawy Pomorze, Poland, sprinter Anthonique Strachan showed off her speed as she clinched a third place finish in the women's 60m at the SW Isaac-Henry Invitational Meet in Jamaica.

Oklahoma retires

Buddy Hield’s No. 24 jersey

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

CHAVANO “Buddy”

Hield’s No. 24 jersey was formally retired by the University of Oklahoma over the weekend, sealing his status as one of the most decorated players in Sooners’ basketball history.

The ceremony at Lloyd Noble Center brought the crowd to its feet, honouring the Bahamian guard whose four-year college career left an indelible mark on Oklahoma basketball.

It was a special homecoming for a player who redefined scoring in the Big 12 and remains among the school’s all-time greats.

"Being a lil kid from The Bahamas chasing big dreams, this was all I ever wanted was to come here and just leave an imprint on the university and to respect my country and my family and to represent myself in the right way," said Hield.

Hield arrived in Norman in 2012 after a standout high school career at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 7.8 points per game and earning the team’s Most Inspirational Award.

As a sophomore, Hield’s game took a big step forward, becoming a regular starter, averaging 16.5 points and 4.4 rebounds, and was named second-team All-Big 12, putting up numbers that hinted at his future offensive firepower.

AP All-American led the Sooners to 2016 Final Four

By his junior year, Hield was among the league’s leading scorers with 17.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, shooting 41 per cent from the field.

He helped lead the Sooners to a 24-11 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite receiving interest from the NBA, he chose to return for his senior season.

“I wanted to finish what we started here,” Hield said at the time of the decision, expressing a desire to leave an even bigger imprint on the programme. His senior season in 2015-16 was

historic. Hield started all 37 games and averaged a career-high 25.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, pacing the nation in made three-pointers.

He ranked among the NCAA’s top scorers, shot over 50 per cent from the field and nearly 46 per cent from three, and set Big 12 records en route to sweeping nearly every major award.

He earned the Big 12 Player of the Year, was a consensus first-team All-American, and won the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, and Oscar

Local Sports Calendar

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 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 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.

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 under-15,

Robertson Trophy as the nation’s top player. Hields' 2,291 career points are second only to Wayman Tisdale in school history, and he ranks first in Oklahoma history in three-pointers made.

Following his senior year, Hield declared for the 2016 NBA Draft and was selected sixth overall by the New Orleans Pelicans.

His professional career took him from New Orleans to the Sacramento Kings, then to the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and most recently, to the Atlanta Hawks in February 2026 as part of a blockbuster trade deadline deal.

under-20, under-40, under60, 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.

GOLF

SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP

THE Bahamas Golf Federation will hold its School

Golf Championships March 2-6 at the Nine-Hole Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

The registration starts at 8am and the fee is $15 per golfer. Interested persons can log onto www.bahamasgolffederation.com for more information.

BAHAMAS TRIATHLON 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.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS AWARENESS

WALK SAVE the date of Saturday, March 28, for the Special Olympics Bahamas Awareness Walk. It’s scheduled to start at 9am from the Western Esplanade and end at the Legends Walk of Fame outside of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. All groups/organisations are urged to contact Special Olympics Bahamas at 356-2433 to register to participate.

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 9:30-11:30am until Saturday, April 18.

Mako Aquatics Club wins another title, swimmers qualify for CARIFTA Games

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS Bahamas Aquatics continued its 2026 season after a short break, the Mako Aquatics Club continued where they left off, winning another title at the Alpha Aquatics Cupid Classic. At the end of the twoday meet over the weekend at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, Mako Aquatics dominated with a total of 1,359.50 points, followed by the Barracuda Swim Club with 595, the Blue Waves with 492, Alpha Aquatics with 480.50 and the Black Marlins rounding out the top five with 248.50. Mako Aquatics also

accumulated a total of 133 medals, including 56 gold, 31 silver and 46 bronze. The Blue Waves Swim Club had 20 gold, 15 silver and 11 bronze for a total of 46, while Alpha Aquatics collected 16 gold, 20 silver and 11 bronze for a total of 47 as well. Coming in fourth was the Barracuda Swim Club with 13 gold, 23 silver and 16 bronze for 52 medals and the Black Marlins Swim Club completed the top five with seven gold, eight silver and five bronze for 20 medals. Mako's head coach Travano McPhee said he was "pleased with the team's performance. The swimmers were excited to get back swimming at the aquatic centre."

Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Sailing Championship rocks Montagu Bay

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

SAILORS from across the country converged on Montagu Bay this weekend for the Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Sailing Championship, one of The Bahamas’ most established youth regattas. The annual event, named in honour of the nation’s first Olympic gold medallist Sir Durward Knowles, continues to serve as a proving ground for the country’s top junior sailing talent.

Racing was held across multiple fleets, including ILCA 4 and 6, Optimist Green, Optimist Championship and Sunfish. Six races were completed in most divisions over three days of steady breeze and competitive fleets. In the ILCA 6 division, Drake Knowles of MKJSCLong Island secured the title with a net 6 points after posting five wins in six races. Joss Knowles of Exuma National Sailing Club finished second with 9 net points, while Rico Major of Bahamas National Sailing School placed third with 16. The ILCA 4 fleet was won by Delano Davis of Bahamas National Sailing School with 22 net points. Leon

Zarchan of Lyford Cay Sailing Club was second with 28, followed by Ayden Bain of Grand Bahama Sailing Club with 33.

In Optimist Green, Kenson Pinder of Spanish Wells Sailing School delivered a consistent series to win with 17 net points. Marc Lorrenksy Maxime of Eleuthera Sailing Academy was second with 21, and Hailey Williams of Grand Bahama Sailing Club finished third with 29.

The Optimist Championship fleet, the largest of the regatta, was captured by Traysean McKenzie of Exuma Sailing Club. McKenzie rebounded from a 35-point opening race to win the division with 15 net points. Martin Escruceria of Lyford Cay placed second with 22 net, while Darren Cooper of Grand Bahama Sailing Club was third with 24.

In Sunfish, Dai Major of Exuma Sailing Club won with 11 net points after recording three race victories. Emit Knowles of Exuma was second with 12, and Sonny Ampleman of Exuma finished third with 16.

The E Class fleet saw Joss Knowles aboard Lady Kayla claim the overall win with 9 points. MJ Nash on Captain Peg and Yemaha Hauber on Sugar Loaf tied

A number of swimmers attained the qualifying standards for the CARIFTA Swim Championships, scheduled for the Easter holiday weekend.

One of them was Alpha Aquatics' Nat'a Belton, who attained the standard in three of her four events she competed in, including the girls’ 13-14 1,500m freestyle in 19:42.11, the 100m back in 1:12.86 and the 200m back in 2:37.54.

"It was really good. I enjoyed the meet," said Belton, a 14-year-old student of Lucaya International in Grand Bahama.

Although she's competed at CARIFTA in triathlon, Belton said she's hoping that she will make her first CARIFTA swim team this

year. But she knows that she will have to improve on her times at the last chance meet in two weeks.

Mako's Isabella Munroe also attained the standard in three events in the girls’ 11-12 200m freestyle in 1:04.00; 200m individual medley in 2:46.10 and the 50m free in 29.07, while Mako's Tiah Seymour did it twice in the girls’ 13-14 100m backstroke in 1:14.07 and the 50m freestyle in 28.38.

Isabella Cuccurullo also surpassed the CARIFTA standard in the girls’ 13-14 200m individual medley in 2:27.37; Grace Nottage did it in the girls’ 11-12 100m freestyle in 1:06.42; Mako's Gillian Albury did it in the girls’ 13-14 50m breast in

37.24 and Allissa Ferguson got one in the girls’ 13-14 50m backstroke in 32.59. Although he didn't make the cut yet, Rafael McBroom said he was just delighted to be home from Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 2025 Swimmer of the Year said he will definitely be back in two weeks for the last chance meet to try and make his first CARIFTA team. "My performance could have been better in some of my races, but I felt I did pretty good overall," said the 16-year-old. "In my 100m free, I dove in and I went too deep and had a hard time getting up to speed and it was too late

to finish where I wanted to be."

Latahara Forbes, the head coach for Alpha Aquatics, said they definitely had a great meet, considering that this was the first one hosted in the pool for a couple of weeks. "The pool was nice and warm, we had a lot of fast swims, some personal best performances and a few athletes made their cut for the CARIFTA Games," Forbes said. "The kids performed exceptionally well." Forbes, who served as the meet director, said after a two-week hiatus, it was good to see the swimmers taking advantage of the opportunity to compete, going into the last chance meet that Bahamas Aquatics will host in two weeks.

on 14 points, with Nash taking second on tiebreak. First contested decades ago, the Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Championship has grown into a key fixture on the

Bahamas Sailing Association calendar. The regatta not only honours Knowles’ Olympic legacy but also functions as a national benchmark for youth sailors progressing

through the Optimist and ILCA pathways. This year’s edition again highlighted the depth of talent across Exuma, Long Island, Grand Bahama, Spanish Wells and Nassau.

With strong participation and tight racing in every fleet, the championship reaffirmed its role as the country’s premier junior sailing test early in the season.

Track and field athletes take the spotlight across the United States

ATHLETES - from Page E1

second and Kambundji was third in 7.97. Skrzyszowska took heat two in 7.86, followed by Laeticia Bapté of France in 7.92 and Simmonds in third in 7.93. While Charlton holds the world record of 7.65, Skrzyszowska still holds onto the world’s leading time of 7.78 and Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent’s name remains on the meet record with 7.55. Strachan third At the S.W. Isaac-Henry Track and Field Invitational at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, Strachan finished third in the women’s 60m in 7.39.  Jamaica’s double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, in her second meet or the year in her comeback from a 19-month hiatus because of an injury, won the race in a season’s best of 7.20. Lavanya Williams was second in 7.28. Thompson third in heptathlon Kendrick Thompon, competing at the USATA Indoor Combined Events Championships at the Fall

Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis, Indiana, was third in the men’s heptathlon. He completed the seven events with a total of 5,963 points. The US got a sweep of the top two spots with Hakim McMorris first with 6,255 and Heath Baldwin second with 6,245. Davis shines at WHAC It was a fantastic debut in the women’s sprints for K’Leigh Davis at the 2026 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Indoor T&F Championships at the Alksnis Athletics & Recreational Building at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Davis, a freshman at Indiana Tech, won the 60m in 7.59 after turning in the fastest qualifying time of 7.61. She came back and got second in 200m in 24.93. Charity Jones, a senior at Madonna, won in 24.88. Also at the meet, Tamia Taylor, a sophomore at Indiana Tech, secured second place in the women’s 600m with a time of 1.37.78. Hallie Kooyer, a junior at Cornerstone, won in 1:36.32.

Knowles Triumph at Sun Conference Kenzie Knowles led a sweep of the men’s 600m for St. Thomas University at the 2026 Sun Conference and Southern States Conference Indoor Championships at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center in Gainesville, Florida. Knowles, in his sophomore year, took the race in a time of 1.19.55 for a new SUN meet record, replacing the previous time of 1:20.18 set by Davien Morels of Southeastern in 2024.  St Thomas took the top five spots in the race.  Forbes Jr and Evans runners-up Van Forbes, Jr, a sophomore at Park University, clocked 6.74 in the men’s 60m for second place at the 2026 Heart of America Championships in Maryville, Missouri. Youssef Harred, a junior at William Penn, won the race in 6.73. Also at the meet, Evans, a senior at Park University, got second place in the men’s long jump with a clearance of 23-feet,

9-inches or 7.24 metres on his second attempt.

His team-mate Sam Thomas soared 24-3 (7.42m) on his first attempt for the win.

Farquharson 1st and 2nd

Sabriya Farquharson, a junior St Benedict, turned in another pair of impressive performances at the 2026 St. Olaf Tostrud Classic at the Saint Olaf College-Tostrud Center in Northfield, Minnesota.

She captured the title in the women’s triple jump with 36-10 1/2 (11.24m) on her third attempt and, in the long jump, she was second with 17-7 (5.36m) on her second attempt. Svea Frantzich of St Olaf won with 17-11 3/4 (5.48m) on her third attempt.

Maycock’s PRs in Arkansas Ezthia Maycock had a pair of personal best times as she competed in the 2026 Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Maycock, a junior at Lincoln (Mo), ran 56.74 for fourth in her heat of the women’s 400m or 20th place overall. And in the 200m, she was third in her heat in 25.56 for 19th overall.

Otabor runner-up Aleah Otabor, in her senior year at Central State, was the runner-up in the women’s shot put at the 2026 the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Championships (SIAC) Indoor TF Championships at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Otabor threw 38-8 1/4 (11.79m) on her first attempt to trail Benedict’s champion Yassmine Chambers, who did 42-8 3/4 (13.02m) on her first attempt as well.

Thompson third At the 2026 Bill Clinger Classic at the Grand Valley State-Laker Turf Building in Allendale, Michigan, Tarryl Thompson, a sophomore of Indiana Tech, was also third in the men’s 60m in 6.95. The winning time was

6.85 by Xavier Wilson, a freshman at Defiance. SWAC

Lanisha Lubin and Erion Barr carried The Bahamas’ banner at the Southwestern Athletic Conference SWAC ITF Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama. Lubin, a sophomore at Alabama A&W, competed in the meet, placing 17th overall in the women’s triple jump with her personal best of 37-8 1/2 (11.49m) on her first attempt.  Daedrian Beville, a freshman at Alabama State, won the event with 41-6 1/2 (12.66m) on her fifth attempt. Barr, a freshman at Alcorn State, finished 17th overall in the  women’s 800m in her lifetime achievement of 2:25.68. However, she didn’t advance to the final.

Knicks rally from 18 down in fourth quarter to beat Rockets 108-106

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)

— Karl-Anthony Towns

scored 25 points, Jalen Bruson had 20 and the New York Knicks overcame an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Houston Rockets 108-106 on Saturday night.

OG Anunoby added 20 points, and Mikal Bridges had 11 for New York. The Knicks bounced back two nights after a disappointing loss to Eastern Conference-leading Detroit.

Kevin Durant scored 30 points for Houston. Jabari Smith Jr. had 21, Alperen Sengun added 16, and Amen Thompson had 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Rockets had won five a row.

The Knicks, who led by 13 points in the first half, began their comeback with an 8-1 run in the opening minutes of the fourth before Smith hit a 3-pointer in front of the Houston bench.

Houston missed eight consecutive shots and turned the ball over two times as the Knicks went on a 14-2 run, capped by Towns’ layup off the glass that cut it to 99-97 with 3:32 left. Brunson’s jumper tied it at 103 with 1:26 left. Durant then lost the ball near the sideline and committed an offensive foul on the following possession as he plowed into Brunson. Brunson answered with a pullup jumper that gave New York the lead for good. Durant had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but missed a 40-footer.

SUNS 113, MAGIC 110 (Double overtime)

PHOENIX (AP) — Jalen Green hit a 3-pointer from the right corner at the buzzer to give Phoenix a double-overtime victory over Orlando.

After Jalen Carter tied it for Orlando with 1.1 seconds left with a corner 3, Green hit all net from the corner as the horn sounded. Green struggled all game until that final shot, making only 6 for 26 from the field and 2 of 6 free throws. His winning basket was just his second successful 3 in 11 attempts.

Grayson Allen led Phoenix with 27 points after after missing four games because of a sprained right ankle. He scored all seven of the Suns’ points in the first overtime. Collin Gillespie added 19 points, and Green had 16.

Desmond Bane had 34 points for Orlando on 12-of-18 shooting before fouling out in the first minute of overtime. Paolo Banchero added 26 points and 14 rebounds. The Magic had won four of five.

The Suns played without Devin Booker, who is out for at least a week with a right hip strain.

Dillon Brooks played just seven minutes before leaving with what the team said was a left-hand injury. ESPN reported, citing sources, that Brooks’ hand is broken and that the forward will miss significant time. The team said it wouldn’t have an official update until Sunday.

PISTONS 126, BULLS 110

CHICAGO (AP) — Jalen Duren had 26 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a suspension to help Detroit take charge in the second half and roll to a victory over Chicago.

Cade Cunningham added 18 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds to narrowly miss his 15th career triple-double as the Pistons won their fifth straight game. Tobias Harris also had 18 points and Duncan Robinson

added 17 for league-leading Detroit (42-13), which dealt Chicago its season-high eighth straight loss.

Duren helped establish Detroit’s dominance after sitting out two games for his role in a fight at Charlotte on Feb. 9. He got a technical foul in this one for casually dropping the ball on the face of Chicago’s Nick Richards in the third quarter while Richards was down on the floor.

Josh Giddey had 27 points on 10 for 16 shooting — including five 3-pointers — but the Bulls couldn’t keep pace with the Pistons

after trailing only 53-50 at the half. Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith and Issac Okoro each added 15 as the Bulls committed 23 turnovers leading to 28 Detroit points.

Detroit outmuscled Chicago, scoring 68 points in the paint, compared to the Bulls 38. The Pistons had 26 on second chances and Chicago just 16.

SPURS 139, KINGS 122

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 28 points and 15 rebounds, and San Antonio beat Sacramento for its eighth

straight win and a sweep of their two games in Austin. Sacramento lost a franchise record 16th straight game, the last two after center Domantas Sabonis and guard Zach LaVine had season-ending surgery.

De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Keldon Johnson each scored 18 for the Spurs, while Wembanyama added six assists and four blocks.

Keegan Murray and DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 20 points apiece. Malik Monk scored 19 while Maxime Raynaud — a rookie from Stanford

and a friend of Wembanyama from France — had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

San Antonio, playing in a city the organization considers part of a megaregion that they’ve cultivated for several years, scored the first 11 points of the game, setting an aggressive tone that included three blocks by Wembanyama in the first 90 seconds.

HEAT 136,

GRIZZLIES 120

MIAMI (AP) — Andrew Wiggins scored 28 points on 9-of-10 shooting, Norman Powell finished with 25 and Miami beat Memphis. Tyler Herro finished with 14 points, Bam Adebayo added 13, while Kasparas Jakucionis and Jaime Jacquez Jr. each scored 12 for the Heat. Miami’s Kel’el Ware had 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Powell overcame a 2-of-7 performance at the free-throw line by converting 10-of-16 from the field, including 3-of-8 on 3-pointers.

Wiggins reached 15,000 career points with his lay-up early in the third quarter. With the game out of reach late and 1:19 remaining in the fourth quarter, Memphis’ Scotty Pippen Jr. charged at Miami’s Myron Gardner and shoved him near the first row. Both fell to the floor and briefly wrestled before they were separated and ejected.

After leading by five at halftime, the Heat pulled away when they outscored the Grizzlies 39-26 in the third quarter. Powell and Jakucionis each scored nine in the period. Jacquez’s bank shot with 1:19 remaining in the quarter gave the Heat their first 20-point lead at 109-89.

Despite committing 18 turnovers, the Heat finished with 36 assists.

Rising Stars MVP Valdez Edgecombe scores 24 in win over Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese

Maxey had 39 points and eight assists, Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe made a career-high six 3-pointers and finished with 24 points, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 135-108 last night to snap a four-game losing streak — all by double figures.

Maxey made 16 of 28 shots from the field and hit four of Philadelphia's 21 3-pointers. Quentin Grimes had 19 points, which included five 3s, and seven assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 18 points and four steals.

Coming off a 126-111 defeat Saturday night at New Orleans, the Sixers were again without centre

Joel Embiid, who missed his third straight game since the All-Star break due to right shin soreness.

Embiid also sat out three of the last five games going into the break with soreness in his right knee.

Minnesota had its three-game win streak snapped. Anthony Edwards scored 19 of his 28 points in the first half for the Timberwolves. Jaden McDaniels added 19 and Julius Randle scored 18.

Naz Ried (shoulder soreness) did not play for Minnesota, and Rudy Gobert served a one-game suspension for accumulating too many flagrant fouls. Gobert, the four-time NBA defensive player of the year, will be suspended two games for each additional flagrant foul this season.

Joan Beringer, a 6-foot-11 centre, made his first career start for the Timberwolves. Picked No. 17 overall in the 2025 draft, Beringer had two points and three fouls in five firsthalf minutes. Ayo Dosunmu started the third quarter in Beringer’s place and finished with 12 points.

Grimes hit a 3-pointer and then found a cutting Adem Bona for a dunk before Maxey drained a fadeaway jumper and a 3 to cap a 10-2 run that made it 35-26 at the end of the first quarter. Philadelphia led the rest of the way.

‘VJ’ makes career-high six 3s in 135-108 victory over Minnesota

(AP Photo/Jessie

Ayton and Lakers hold off Clippers 125-122 to split LA rivals’ season series

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP)

— Luka Doncic had 38 points and 11 assists, Austin Reaves added 29 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Los Angeles Clippers down the stretch for a 125-122 victory Friday night.

LeBron James had 13 points and 11 assists for the Lakers in their return from the All-Star break. Bahamian centre Deandre Ayton contributed 13 points, seven rebounds, one assist and a block.

The Lakers blew a 15-point lead in the second half, but Doncic scored 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers split the fourgame season series with their crosstown rivals.

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points before missing the final 5:10 with an apparent

Rookie ‘VJ’ scores 14 in 126-111 loss to Pelicans

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jordan Poole highlighted a 23-point performance with five 3-pointers, and the New Orleans Pelicans outscored Philadelphia 60-35 during the final 21 minutes to beat the 76ers 126-111 on Saturday night.

Zion Williamson added 21 points, Saddiq Bey had 20, and 17-year veteran centre DeAndre Jordan grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked four shots.

Jordan entered the night having appeared in just two games this season, and had not played since October 29. He made his presence felt defensively during 32 minutes on the court against the 76ers.

Tyrese Maxey scored 27 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. 25 for the 76ers. They lost their fourth straight game but remained in the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Sixers led from late in the first quarter until the final two minutes of the third, and by as many as 11 points. But the Pelicans chipped away and Jeremiah Fears' free throws put New Orleans back in the lead at 91-89.

Karlo Matkovic followed with a corner 3 and three free throws after being fouled on another deep shot. That gave him nine points — starting with his cutting dunk as he was fouled — during a 40-point period for the Pelicans.

New Orleans surged to a 97-91 lead by the end of three quarters and opened the fourth quarter on a 23-8 run, capped by Poole's 3 that make it 120-99 with 5:20 left. New Orleans remained comfortably in front from there, with Poole's virtually squelching any chance of a late Sixers comeback.

Herb Jones scored 14 points and Bryce McGowens 13 for the Pelicans, who combined to make 17 3s and shot 50% from deep. Matkovic finished with 12 points.

VJ Edgecombe scored 14 for Philadelphia, which shot 31.4% in the second half, missing 21 of 24 3-point attempts after halftime.

ankle injury for the Clippers (27-29), who fell just short of getting back to .500 in incredible fashion after their 6-21 start to the season.

Bennedict Mathurin had 26 points and seven rebounds in his second straight outstanding game for his new team before fouling out with 1:49 to play. The athletic guard acquired from Indiana for centre Ivica Zubac dropped a career-high-tying 38 against Denver on Thursday. Derrick Jones Jr. scored on consecutive possessions to trim the Lakers' lead to 123-120 with 46 seconds left. Nicolas Batum then stole James' pass in the final seconds, but the Frenchman missed a tying 3-point attempt with 4 seconds left. Doncic, James and Reaves were able to play together for only the 11th time in the Lakers’ 55 games

this season, thanks to a rare moment of full health for the Lakers coming out of the break. They responded with a prolific offensive performance, even while James managed just two points in the second half. In Doncic’s return from a four-game absence followed by a five-minute All-Star Game appearance due to a mildly strained hamstring, the Slovenian superstar scored 17 points with four 3-pointers in a dynamic first quarter for the Lakers, who made 16 of 17 shots in one stretch.

Leonard, who had just one bucket in the first, answered with a 19-point second.

The Clippers' John Collins was helped off the court with 18 seconds left in the first half after he bloodied his face on a hard landing while trying to catch a long pass at the rim.

Eze hurts Tottenham again to reignite Arsenal’s title hopes and Liverpool grabs late winner

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer

EBERECHI

Eze reignited Arsenal's title ambitions in the Premier League by being the scourge of Tottenham once again.

Three months after scoring a hat trick against Spurs, the England midfielder netted two more goals against Arsenal's fiercest rival in a 4-1 away win yesterday. Viktor Gyokeres also scored twice for the leaders.

Eze came close to joining Tottenham in the summer, only for Arsenal — his boyhood club — to swoop in and sign him instead for a reported 60 million pounds ($80 million). Spurs are suffering even more now — his only goals since the start of November have come against them.

Arsenal rebounded after two straight draws that have let second-place Manchester City back in the title conversation.

The Gunners regained their five-point lead but City has a game in hand and still has to host Mikel Arteta's team in the league in mid-April. They also meet in the English League Cup final on March 22. It proved to be a tough start to life

as Tottenham manager for Igor Tudor, who has made a habit of picking up good results early in his tenures at previous clubs.

Not this time, though. Tottenham did equalise two minutes after conceding the opener to Eze when Randal Kolo Muani dispossessed Declan Rice and drilled home a finish for 1-1 in the 34th.

Gyokeres made it 2-1 with a shot from the edge of the area in the 47th and Eze stretched the lead in the 61st with a rebound after Bukayo Saka's shot was saved. Gyokeres scored again in stoppage time.

Arsenal has 10 league games remaining in its bid for a first top-flight title since 2004.

Mac Allister grabs late winner for Liverpool Alexis Mac Allister just didn't give up.

After having an 89th-minute goal disallowed following a VAR check, the Argentina midfielder scored again in the seventh minute of stoppage time — and this time it survived a video review — to earn Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest. The dramatic end at the City Ground centered completely on Mac Allister, who thought he'd scored without

knowing anything about it after turning his back on a clearance by Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina. The ball rebounded off Mac Allister and into the net, but the VAR spotted it had struck his arm and the goal was scrubbed out.

However, he was on hand off virtually the last kick of the game when Virgil van Dijk's header was spilled by Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Barely six metres out, Mac Allister could hardly miss as he sidefooted the ball into the net.

There was a VAR check to see if Van Dijk was offside but the goal was given.

Liverpool stayed in sixth place but was tied on points with fourth-place Chelsea and fifth-place Manchester United, whose game in hand is at Everton today.

Palace wins as doubts swirl around Glasner’s future

With doubts swirling around the future of Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, his team dug out a 1-0 win over last-place Wolverhampton thanks to a last-minute goal.

Evann Guessand prodded home a far-post finish after coming on as a substitute.

Ahead of the game, Glasner, who led Palace to FA Cup glory last season,

Wolves stayed 17 points off safety. Sunderland has lost its home comforts

It wasn't long ago that Sunderland was the only Premier League team with an unbeaten home record.

was non-committal about whether he would be staying at the club until the end of the season. He has already said he’ll be leaving in the summer. The Austrian coach also urged Palace’s supporter base to “stay humble” and fans made their feelings about those comments known on Sunday, raising a banner that read, “Opportunities missed - board inept. Fans disrespectedGlasner finished.”

THE WEATHER REPORT

Raul

Ten days ago, Sunderland lost 1-0 to Liverpool for its first home

MARINE FORECAST

BLTA announces its first two national teams of 2026

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association has announced its first two national teams of 2026, with the country set to compete in the ITF Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup prequalifying tournament in Guatemala.

Competition runs February 22-28 and features the top under-16 players from the Caribbean and Central American region.

The weeklong event serves as a pathway to the

Bahamas to compete in ITF Junior Davis Cup and Junior Billie Jean King Cup

main draws of the ITF junior team competitions. Representing The Bahamas in the Junior Billie Jean King Cup are Caitlyn Pratt, Victoria Sandi-Aguilar and Danielle Saunders, coached by Sharon Greene.

It will be the first Junior Billie Jean King Cup appearance for Pratt, Sandi-Aguilar and Saunders. It is also Sandi-Aguilar’s

prequalifying

first time representing The Bahamas at the national team level.

“As a new team, the girls are excited to represent the country on an international level,” the BLTA said in a statement.

Patrick Mactaggart, Synaj Watkins and Noah Russell will compete in the Junior Davis Cup under coach Danny Rigby. The boys’

tournament in Guatemala

team also features two first-time participants at this level with Watkins and Russell making their Junior Davis Cup debuts. According to the BLTA: “The boys are also excited to represent the country on this stage.”

In total, five of the six Bahamian players will be competing in the event for the first time, highlighting the developmental nature

of this year’s teams. The tournament field includes Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands and host country Guatemala. The prequalifying format provides valuable

international exposure and ranking opportunities for emerging players in the country.

Teams compete in a round-robin and knockout structure, with advancement spots at stake.

The BLTA congratulated the selected athletes, noting that “your hard work and dedication continue to reap positive outcomes.”

The association also acknowledged the efforts behind the scenes, thanking its team travel committee volunteers “for their time and effort in organising the two teams for travel,” said a press release.