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Raptors celebrate

CH Reeves reclaims GSSSA junior schools’ track and field

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER losing their title to the SC McPherson Sharks last year, the CH Reeves Raptors returned with a vengeance as they reclaimed their Government Secondary Schools Sports Association junior schools’ track and field crown.

The Raptors, who assembled for their team celebrations long before the final scores were tallied and announced last night, completed the twoday meet at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium with almost a 200-point difference between their nearest rivals.

CH Reeves accumulated a total of 720 points, compared to 535.83 by the HO Nash Lions for second and SC McPherson, who dropped to third with 498.50.

The remaining four schools in order were the DW Davis Royals in fourth with 472.50, LW Young Golden Eagles in fifth with 345.17, the AF Adderley Fighting Tigers in sixth with 324.50 and the TA Thompson Scorpions in seventh with 190.

Raptors' head coach Varel Davis said this one was for the student-athletes who put in the long hours to get the title back that slipped away from them last year.

"We started from the school that opened in September," said Davis about her team's preparation. "Our job was to go out there and regain our championship title."

She noted that her Raptors left the stadium last year with a bitter taste in their mouth and she indicated that the hard work paid off and now they are standing on top of the GSSSA again.

"We had a goal in mind and the goal was to come

back and win our championship," she insisted. "This is the 32nd year of the GSSSA. CH Reeves won 29.

"That tells you about the programme, the sacrifices and the hard work of the coaches and these kids behind me. That is why we are celebrating here today."

While the meet came to a close for the juniors, the senior division will be wrapped up today. The former champions CR Walker Knights are in the same position as CH Reeves as they look to regain their title they relinquished last year to the CV Bethel Stingrays.

The Knights hold a 31.5point lead with 300.50, while the Stingrays are trailing with 224. The RM Bailey Pacers round out the top three with 216.50.

championship

The CI Gibson Rattlers are in fourth with 198.5, the CC Sweeting Cobras are fifth with 136, Government High Magics sixth with 127, Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins seventh with 91.50 and the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves in eighth with 87. The 200 and 800m took the spotlight for the final day of competition for the juniors. In the under-13 girls’ division, Khasliah Brown of CH Reeves won the half-lap in 58.89 and Jahlani Major of Anatol Rodgers won the two-lap race in 2:50.37. McKaya Rahming, also from CH Reeves, won the under-5 girls’ 200m in 27.21 and Acaiya Clarke of LW Young won the 800m in 2:47.38. SC McPherson's Angel McPhee, coming off her win in the under-17 girls’ 100m the night before in 12.71, added the 200m to her collection in 26.54. Raynik Neilly of HO Nash also got her second win in the 800 in 2:45.60. She won the 400m the previous day in 1:05.21. CH Reeves' got another outstanding performance from Daniel Culmer in the under-13 boys' sprints. He won the 100m the day before in 13.22 and came back to take the 200m in 27.59. Carlos Hamilyon of SC McPherson won the 800m in 2:41.49. Elysse Garry continued the hot streak for CH Reeves with his win in the under-15 boys' 200m in 24.58. Justin LaFleur of DW Davis took the 800m in 2:21.34. He also won the 1,500m in 5:08.45.

And in the under-17 boys’ division, Lavar Deveaux emerged as another double winner for CH Reeves. He came through in the 200m in 22.79 after taking the century the day before in 11.07. Wresh Honore of DW Davis was the winner of the 800m in 2:17.67. One of the highlights from the senior division came from CR Walker's Keilesha Saunders, who

celebrated her 16th birthday with her second record breaking performance in the under-17 girls’ 100m hurdles in 14.94.  "I knew I could do it again, but I wasn't expecting it, especially on my birthday," said Saunders about the record she first broke in the preliminaries on day one on Wednesday. "I don't know how I will celebrate, but I know I will do something."

Her team-mate Brittany Flowers was second in 18.00 and T'Neesha Bowleg of RM Bailey was third in 18.25. Jaden Taylor Deveaux, competing in the under20 boys’ 110m hurdles, had one of the performances to remember. He was leading the race by a large margin, clipped the final of the 10 flights of hurdles, tumbled over, got up and still managed to win. As soon as he crossed the line, he did two flips back-to-back to celebrate. Antwan Armaly of CC Sweeting was second in 16.95 and Kendrick Rolle, also from RM Bailey, got third in 17.71. Taevia Wright of CV Bethel easily won the under-20 girls' 100m hurdles in 16.12 with Kenisha Capron of RM Bailey second in 18.42 and Raven Young of CC Sweeting third in 19.80.

Tottenham loses again and faces fight for Premier League survival

LONDON (AP) — Tottenham's Premier League survival hopes took another blow with a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace yesterday.

Spurs — one of the richest teams in Europe and a founding member of the Premier League — is just one point above the relegation zone and without a domestic win in 2026.

“We know that the position we are in is not where we want to be. We need to figure out how to get out of it as soon as possible," said Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke.

“There have been difficulties, but we aren’t in the position to make excuses. We need to do the job on the pitch.”

Spurs' latest defeat was the fifth in a row and the third under new coach Igor Tudor, who was tasked with the responsibility of turning the season around.

He watched as his team capitulated in front of a home crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — conceding three goals in the first half, having

taken the lead and then gone down to 10 men when Micky van de Ven was sent off.

Palace took full advantage by scoring three times in seven minutes before the break.

Ismaila Sarr struck twice — one from the penalty spot — with Jorgen Strand Larsen getting the other for the visitors.

That was after Solanke had given Spurs the lead in the 34th minute. Van de Ven was red-carded four minutes later for bringing down Sarr in the box and Palace took control.

“I am very disappointed, like the fans,” Tudor said.

"We know what the moment is and we need to keep working and believe.

“But after this game I believe more than before because I saw something in the team and in the dressing room after the game. When we will be complete it will be good, I believe.”

The deepening crisis at Tottenham comes after winning the Europa League last season and advancing

to the knockout stage of the Champions League this term, where it faces Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 next week.

But its desperate league form has carried on from last year when it finished one place above the relegation zone — its lowest

final position in the Premier League era. Its plight also comes amid a tumultuous period when it has had seven managers in less than seven years.

Tottenham has spent only one season out of England's top flight since 1950 and has been an established

member of the Premier League since the competition's inception in 1992. It is a two-time English league champion and was a Champions League finalist in 2019. It's near-63,000 capacity stadium is one of the most impressive in Europe

and regularly hosts NFL games, as well as top

concerts.

Deloitte ranked Spurs ninth on its most recent rich list in January with revenues of $781 million. That placed Tottenham

Why your joints click and pop: Understanding sounds in the shoulders and knees

By DR KENT L BAZARD Sports Medicine Physician

MANY athletes - and even people who exercise casually - notice it sooner or later. A shoulder pops during a press. A knee clicks while climbing stairs or squatting. Sometimes the sound is loud enough to draw attention. Other times it’s subtle, almost like a small snap or shift within the joint.

The immediate reaction is often concern: Is something torn? Is my joint damaged?

In many cases, the answer is no. Joint noises are extremely common, and the majority are harmless. But in certain situations, clicking and popping can signal mechanical problems that deserve medical attention. Understanding the difference can help athletes train with confidence while recognising when evaluation is necessary.

The Science Behind Joint

Sounds

The medical term for joint noises is crepitus. These sounds can occur for several reasons. Sometimes they come from gas bubbles within the synovial fluid - the lubricating fluid inside joints. As joints move, pressure changes can cause tiny bubbles to collapse, producing

the familiar cracking or popping sound. Other times the sound is mechanical. Tendons and ligaments glide across bones as joints move, and occasionally they shift over bony structures, producing a snapping sensation. This is particularly common in areas with complex movement patterns such as the shoulder. In many healthy individuals, these sounds occur without pain, swelling, or loss of function. When that is the case, they are usually benign.

Why the Shoulder Pops The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body. It sacrifices stability for range of motion, allowing athletes to throw, swim, lift, and reach overhead. But this mobility also means many structures are moving in close coordination - muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the labrum that deepens the socket. When the shoulder pops or clicks, it can sometimes be the rotator cuff tendons sliding over nearby bone structures. In swimmers, baseball players, and athletes who perform repeated overhead motions, these tissues may become irritated or tight, creating friction during movement.

Another common cause is mild instability. If the

shoulder joint becomes slightly loose - often due to ligament laxity or muscular imbalance - the head of the humerus may shift subtly within the socket during motion. This can produce clicking sensations even without a major injury.

In more concerning cases, popping may indicate a labral tear or structural injury. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that helps stabilize the shoulder socket. When damaged, athletes may experience catching, pain with overhead motion, or a sensation that the shoulder is slipping.

Why Knees Click and Crack

The knee joint also produces a wide range of

sounds, many of which are harmless.

Tendons sliding over bone, particularly around the kneecap, often create snapping or clicking sensations during bending and straightening.

The patella itself - the kneecap - moves along a groove in the femur. If the surrounding muscles are tight or imbalanced, the patella may track slightly off-centre.

This can create grinding or popping sensations known as patellofemoral crepitus.

For athletes who squat, run, or jump frequently, these noises are often noticed during deep bending movements. If there is no pain or swelling, they are typically not a cause for concern.

However, persistent clicking accompanied by locking, swelling, or sharp pain may suggest problems with the meniscus, the cartilage cushions inside the knee. A torn meniscus can create mechanical catching sensations and should be evaluated by a sports medicine professional.

When Noise Mattersand When It Doesn’t

One of the most important distinctions in sports medicine is whether joint sounds occur with pain or without it.

If joints click or pop but remain strong, stable, and pain-free, they are usually normal variations in joint mechanics. Many elite athletes have joints that make noise during movement without any functional limitation.

But if the sound is paired with swelling, loss of range of motion, instability, or discomfort during activity, it becomes more significant.

Painful crepitus may indicate inflammation, cartilage wear, or internal joint injury.

The body is often giving a signal that something in the movement pattern needs attention.

Supporting Healthy Joint Mechanics

Maintaining joint health requires more than simply avoiding injury. Strength, mobility, and neuromuscular control all play a role in keeping the shoulder and knee moving smoothly.

For the shoulder, strengthening the rotator cuff and stabilising muscles of the scapula helps maintain proper alignment of the joint.

Athletes who spend long hours in front of screens or with rounded posture often develop weakness in these stabilisers, increasing the likelihood of clicking during overhead movement.

For the knee, balanced strength between the

quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles helps guide the patella along its proper path.

Poor hip control is one of the most common contributors to knee discomfort in runners and jumping athletes.

Flexibility also matters. Tight hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles can alter joint mechanics and increase friction during movement.

The Takeaway Joint noises can sound alarming, but they are not always a sign of injury. In many cases, clicking and popping simply reflect the complex mechanics of joints designed to move freely and absorb load.

The key is paying attention to the context. Pain-free sounds are usually harmless. Painful or progressive symptoms deserve evaluation.

Understanding how the shoulder and knee function - and supporting them with proper strength, mobility, and movement mechanics - allows athletes to train confidently without fear of every snap or pop.

Sometimes the body makes noise simply because it is working. The important question is not whether your joints make soundbut whether they continue to perform.

‘Advantage Her’: Prizes

inaugural Women’s Doubles Classic

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports

Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

JOHN McEnroe Tennis Center hosted its inaugural Women’s Doubles Classic titled “Advantage Her,” drawing more than 25 participants for an afternoon centred on competition, instruction and community building around women’s tennis.

The event began with a doubles clinic led by director of racquets Derron Donaldson, who guided players through key elements of doubles strategy. Donaldson was joined on court by former national standout and Fed Cup representative Nikkita Fountain along with former national player Jody Turnquest. Participants worked through drills focused on court positioning, communication between partners, and match-play tactics that are essential in doubles competition. The clinic served as both a learning opportunity and a warm-up before the tournament portion of the event began. After the instructional session, players transitioned into a round-robin

tournament

Holmgren scores 28 as Thunder edge Knicks 103-100 for fourth straight win

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) —

Chet Holmgren had 28 points and eight rebounds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the New York Knicks 103-100 on Wednesday night.

Holmgren tied a career high with six 3-pointers and Lu Dort added 16 points for the Thunder, who recovered after the Knicks took the lead with a 40-point third quarter, going back ahead early in the fourth and nursing a small advantage the rest of the way.

Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby missed tying 3-point attempts on the final possession as Oklahoma City won its fourth straight and snapped New York’s three-game winning streak.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Knicks. Brunson had 16 points and a season-high 15 assists, but shot just 5 for 18. Anunoby also had 16 points.

HORNETS 118,

CELTICS 89

BOSTON (AP) — Kon Knueppel scored 20 points and Charlotte extended its win streak to six games with a win over Boston.

Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball each added 18 points. Coby White finished with 17 points and six assists to help Charlotte move above .500 for the first time since October 26.

The Hornets never trailed and led by as many as 29 points while committing only five turnovers.

Derrick White led the Celtics with 29 points. Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 11 rebounds as Boston’s win streak was stopped at three games.

The Celtics came out sluggish playing in their sixth game in nine days, shooting just 38% (30 of 79) from the the field and committing 16 turnovers that led to 21 Charlotte points. Boston also was mostly cold from the 3-point line, connecting on only 10 of 36 attempts

Despite playing on the second night of a back-toback, the Hornets sprinted out to an 8-0 lead as the Celtics missed their first eight shots.

76ERS 106, JAZZ 102

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Quentin Grimes hit two tiebreaking free throws with 16.4 seconds remaining, Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and short-handed Philadelphia beat Utah. Grimes finished with 16 points and Jabari Walker had 22 points for the 76ers, who were without Joel Embiid, Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe and suspended Paul George.

Keyonte George scored 30 points for the Jazz, who have lost seven in a row.

Philadelphia, which entered in sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, trailed 100-94 with 4:51 left after George hit a 3. But Utah missed its next six field goals, and Philadelphia tied it at 100 on Adem Bona’s follow dunk with 1:50 left.

Isaiah Collier’s layup 46 seconds later put the Jazz ahead by two points, but Grimes tied it on a drive with 46.8 seconds remaining. After George misfired on a long-range shot for Utah, Grimes converted both free throws after being fouled.

Utah coach Will Hardy did not call timeout, and a wide-open look from long distance by Kyle Filipowski was off.

TRAIL BLAZERS 122, GRIZZLIES 114

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)

— Jrue Holiday had 35 points and 11 assists, and Jerami Grant added 30 points as Portland snapped a two-game skid with a win over Memphis. Portland (30-33), making a push to qualify for the postseason, used a 24-19 scoring edge over the final nine minutes to seal the win. The Trail Blazers had lost three of their last four and four of their last six games entering Wednesday.

Robert Williams III had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Portland.

Matisse Thybulle contributed three rebounds, an assist and a steal on his 29th birthday.

The Grizzlies got double-figure scoring from seven players, but it wasn’t enough against Portland as they lost their second straight and for the ninth time in 12 games.

Memphis was playing the second game of a back to back after falling to Minnesota 117-110 on Tuesday.

HAWKS 131, BUCKS 113

MILWAUKEE (AP) —

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Atlanta defeated slumping Milwaukee to win its fifth straight game and move above .500 for the first time since December.

Local Sports Calendar

GOLF REGISTRATION FOR TOP CLASS SESSIONS

THE opening session of the Top Classic Golf Institute is scheduled to get underway on Saturday at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s Nine-Hole Driving Range. It will end on Saturday, April 11.

There will be one hour per session beginning at 8 am and will run every hour on the hour until the final session for each day kicks off at 4pm.

The class size will be a maximum of four students per class.

Fees are determined by the number of students and includes four students = 30.00 P/S; 3 Students = 40.00 P/S; 2 Students = 60.00 P/S and 1 Student = 120.00.Coach Vernon Lockhart and JP Michielson will conduct the sessions.

To register, golfers are urged to contact administrator Agatha Mona DeLancy 819-3184 or email her at delancyagatha6@gmail.com for more information.

BBSF ELECTION OF OFFICERS

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation, now heading into its third year since the transformation from the Baptist Sports Council, will hold its first election of officers.

The election of officers will take place at 10am on Saturday, March 14, at the Bahamas Baptist College/ University on Jean Street. All positions, including president, first vice president, second vice president,

Atlanta was 15-12 after a Dec. 14 victory over Philadelphia, but the Hawks lost their next seven games and hadn’t owned a winning record since.

Onyeka Okongwu had 21 points and Jalen Johnson added 20 points and nine assists as the Hawks erased an early 16-point deficit.

CJ McCollum scored 18 points, while Dyson Daniels had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Hawks outscored the Bucks 65-42 in the second half.

Atlanta didn’t have Jonathan Kuminga available due to inflammation in his left knee, while Milwaukee was missing Kevin Porter Jr. because of swelling in his right knee.

third vice president and fourth vice president, along with the secretary general and assistant secretary and the treasurer and assistant treasurer, will be up for grabs. Nominations will be taken from the floor.

BAHAMAS TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP

THE Bahamas Triathlon Association’s National Championships is scheduled for Sunday, March 15 at Jaws Beach, starting at 7am. The competition will have the Olympic competition

Milwaukee fell five games behind 10th-place Atlanta in the Eastern Conference standings, putting the Bucks’ bid for a 10th straight playoff berth in serious jeopardy. The Bucks have lost their last four games by a combined 97 points.

CLIPPERS 130, PACERS 107 INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points, Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 on 8-for-11-shooting, and Los Angeles won its third in a row, beating Indiana. Brook Lopez had 17 points for the Clippers while Darius Garland had 12 in his first home game since being acquired in a trade from the Cleveland

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

SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas is scheduled to hold its Awareness Walk on Saturday, March 28, starting at 9am at the Western Esplanade. The route will leave from the Western Esplanade,

Cavaliers last month. Pascal Siakam had 29 points in his return after sitting out three games with a left wrist sprain to lead Indiana, but the Pacers lost their seventh in a row and fell to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 15-47 record.

Jay Huff had 18 and was 4 of 8 on 3-pointers, and Jarace Walker finished with 17. The Clippers led 42-25 after one quarter and 63-51 at halftime, with Leonard racking up 20 points. The Clippers pulled away with a 16-2 run in the third quarter to extend a seven-point lead to 21 points. The Clippers shot 12.2 percentage points better from the field (55.1%) than the Pacers (42.9%).

Street to Poinciana Drive, continue south to

sity Drive and ending at the entrance of the

Elizabeth Sports Centre’s Legends Walk of Fame. Individuals and groups/ organisations are invited to participate. Registration is now open. Persons can enter the QR code, open the link, complete the applicable Individual OR Group Registration Form, submit along with their donation and they are all set to go.