SPORTS SECTION E
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
KEVIN DURANT - Page E8
Teeing off on day 1 Windsor and King’s College emerge as the early leaders in National School Golf Championships
By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net
PRIVATE primary schools set the early pace across four divisions as day one of the National School Golf Championships got underway yesterday at the Bahamas Golf Federation Driving Range and Academy. The opening round featured boys and girls in both lower primary (grades 1-3) and upper primary (grades 4-6). With separate team and individual titles on the line, players competed in stroke play, looking to position themselves for Wednesday’s interschool finals. In the Upper Primary Girls’ division, Poitier Golf Home School was atop the leaderboard from the start. Zaire Poitier posted a 6-over-par 33 to claim first place individually, finishing three shots clear of Zion Poitier at 36 (+9). Zeden Poitier tied for third at 40 (+13) alongside Azaria Bethel of Lyford Cay International School. The depth of Poitier Golf Home School proved decisive in the team standings. On the boys’ side in the Upper Primary division, Maximilien Demole of King’s College School, The Bahamas, delivered the round of the day. He shot even par 27 to win the individual title by 11 shots. Connor Stevenson of St Andrew’s placed second at 38 (+11), followed by
PRIVATE primary school students on the podium with their trophies yesterday on day one of the National School Golf Championships at the Bahamas Golf Federation Driving Range and Academy. Dakota Bastian of St. Andrews at 41 (+14). King’s College used that performance to secure the team lead. In the Lower Primary Girls’ division, Jermany Dawkins of St. Cecilia’s Primary School took top honours with a 38 (+11). Eliana Rodarmel of King’s College finished second at 42 (+15), while Lauren Zamora of Windsor School placed third at 51 (+24). The Lower Primary Boys’ division saw Windsor School’s Enok Saulnier shoot 29 (+2) to edge Liam Bethel of King’s College, who finished at 32 (+5). Luca Greaves of Windsor
School was third at 33 (+6). Windsor’s consistency across its lineup translated into a strong team total. With day one complete, Windsor School and King’s College School emerged as early leaders in multiple categories, while Poitier Golf Home School made a statement in the Upper Primary Girls’ division. Official day one results: UPPER PRIMARY GIRLS – PRIVATE PRIMARY Individual Zaire Poitier (Poitier Golf Home School) – 33 (+6) Zion Poitier (Poitier Golf Home School) – 36 (+9)
Zeden Poitier (Poitier Golf Home School) – 40 (+13) T3. Azaria Bethel (Lyford Cay International School) – 40 (+13) Sarah Scheidecker (Nassau Christian Academy) – 42 (+15) Skyrah Chambers (Home School) – 42 (+15) Team Poitier Golf Home – +28 Queens College – +100 St. Cecilia’s – +105 UPPER PRIMARY BOYS – PRIVATE PRIMARY Individual Maximilien Demole (King’s College School) – 27 (E)
Connor Stevenson (St. Andrews) – 38 (+11) Dakota Bastian (St. Andrews) – 41 (+14) Tyhler Rolle (Nassau Christian Academy) – 43 (+16) Marius deGraaf (King’s College School) – 44 (+17) Team King’s College School – +37 St. Andrews – +52 Lyford Cay International School – +66 Windsor School – +71 St. Cecilia’s Primary School – +80 DNF. Queens College LOWER PRIMARY GIRLS – PRIVATE PRIMARY
Individual Jermany Dawkins (St. Cecilia’s Primary School) – 38 (+11) Eliana Rodarmel (King’s College School) – 42 (+15) T3. Lauren Zamora (Windsor School) – 51 (+24) T3. Alessandra Advani (Windsor School) – 51 (+24) Sarah Saulnier (Windsor School) – 53 (+26) Savannah Mackey (St. Andrews) – 53 (+26) Team Windsor School – +74 St. Cecilia’s Primary School – +85 Queens College – +100 LOWER PRIMARY BOYS – PRIVATE PRIMARY Individual Enok Saulnier (Windsor School) – 29 (+2) Liam Bethel (King’s College School) – 32 (+5) Luca Greaves (Windsor School) – 33 (+6) William Stevenson (St. Andrews) – 36 (+9) Zane Gibson (St. Andrews) – 37 (+10) Team Windsor School – +29 St. Andrews – +32 Queens College – +71 T4. Lyford Cay International School – +87 T4. St. Cecilia’s Primary School – +87 • Competition continues today with the public primary divisions, as teams look to secure spots in Wednesday’s Primary Interschool Golf Championship finals.
Career night: Donnie Freeman erupts for 28 points in 88-83 loss to Deacons By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net
range and went 6-of-7 at the free throw line. He added five rebounds and consistently scored in key stretches to keep the Orange within striking distance. Freeman was aggressive early with 15 points in the first half. He attacked closeouts, stepped confidently into perimeter jumpers and finished through contact in the lane. When Syracuse needed a bucket, the ball found him. He scored at all three levels and showed poise against a physical Wake Forest defence. Syracuse shot 51.9 per cent from the field and hit 13 three-pointers as a team, but Wake Forest controlled the rebounding margin 30-18 and executed late to secure the win. The loss
DONNIE Freeman delivered a career night at Wake Forest and did everything he could to carry Syracuse on the road. The sophomore forward erupted for 28 points in an 88-83 loss to the Demon Deacons, putting together one of the most efficient performances of his college career. It marked a career high in points in ACC play and one of his strongest allaround offensive showings this season. Freeman played 36 minutes and shot 9-for-13 from the field. He knocked down 4-of-7 from three-point
drops the Orange to 15-14 overall and 6-10 in conference play. Freeman has been Syracuse’s most reliable offensive piece this season. Through 20 games, he is averaging 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He is shooting 49.6 per cent from the field, 32.9 per cent from three and 75.6 per cent from the free throw line. He has scored 345 total points and started 18 games, anchoring the frontcourt with versatility and efficiency. Earlier this season, after returning from injury, Freeman spoke about what being back meant to him, saying: “All stats aside, I’m just happy to be back out here… doing what I love with the people I love.
Ayton scores 12 to help Lakers beat Kings
ON FORM: Bahamian centre Deandre Ayton contributed 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting for the Lakers. The big man, who played 18 minutes, also had four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE E8 (AP Photo/Godofredo A Vásquez)
No better feeling.” That approach has defined his year. He has embraced the role of go-to scorer and has delivered consistently in big moments. Syracuse, under head coach Adrian Autry, is fighting to stay relevant in the NCAA Tournament conversation. The Orange are currently outside the projected field and likely need a strong finish plus a deep ACC Tournament run to improve their chances. What Freeman showed at Wake Forest is that he is capable of taking over highlevel conference games. If Syracuse is going to make a late push toward March, it will be because Freeman continues to play at this level.
SYRACUSE forward Donnie Freeman, right, reaches to block a shot by North Carolina forward Jarin Stevenson (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
UTR tournament shows signs of continued growth in junior tennis By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net THE UTR Junior Tournament wrapped up this past weekend, held for the first time at Baha Mar’s John McEnroe Tennis Centre, with organisers pointing to strong participation and competitive matches as signs of continued growth in junior tennis. The two-day event was held in collaboration with GSM Tennis Solutions with a full slate of matches across multiple age divisions. From 10-and-under to under-16, players logged valuable match time in a structured competitive setting designed to build experience and confidence. Tournament directors Derron Donaldson and Nikkita Fountain said the
weekend met expectations on and off the court. Both stressed that consistent match play remains one of the biggest factors in longterm player development. They noted that expanding competitive opportunities across the country is key to raising the overall standard of Bahamian junior tennis. Action in the Under-16 Yellow Ball final saw Tatyana Madu deliver one of the most decisive performances of the tournament, defeating Harrison Van Onselen 6-2, 6-2. In the 10-and-under Orange Ball division, Lorenzo Bisterzo claimed the title with a 4-1, 4-0 victory over James Fernandez. The 12-and-under Yellow Ball final featured a notable international presence with Akshara Nagarajan, who travelled from Turks and
Caicos, defeating Graydon Glassman 4-0, 4-2. In the 12-and-under Green Dot division, Finley Bacon topped the pool with a perfect 4-0 record. The structure of the UTR format ensures players receive meaningful court time regardless of early results, an approach organisers believe is critical for skill progression. Rather than focusing solely on championship matches, the tournament emphasizes exposure to different playing styles and experience in pressure situations. With the next junior tournament scheduled for March 6-7, momentum continues to build. Organisers expect participation to remain strong as families and players recognise the value of consistent, organised competition.