SPORTS SECTION E
Monday, April 20, 2026
JUSTIN ROBERTS - E13
Keyshawn Strachan sets Huskies javelin record By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net BACK at full strength after an injured season last year, strongman Keyshawn Stachan opened his outdoor campaign with a Nebraska University Huskies men's javelin record and an NCAA-leading mark at the Big Red Classic in Michigan over the weekend. Meanwhile, Northwestern State duo Tarajh Hudson and Abner Johnson turned in some credible performances on the field as well in Azusa, California. A number of Bahamians, including versatile Anthaya Charlton and quarter-milers Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Javonya Valcourt, competed at the Tom Jones Memorial at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, Florida. There were also quite a few other athletes in competition in other meets around the United States of America that drew some noteworthy attention. Competing at the Nebraska Outdoor Track at the University of Nebraska, Strachan - a senior at Nebraska - tossed the spear 268-feet, seven inches or 81.86 metres to erase his previous mark of 265-9 (81.00m) that he posted last year at the Drake Relays. It turned out to be the second furthest in the United States of America for NCAA Division One standards for Strachan, which was shy of his Bahamian national record of 277-11 (84.72m) that he did at the Texas Relays on March 31, 2023. Although he posted his best heave on his sixth attempt, the 22-year-old Strachan led from the second round after he scratched the first. His next four series of throws were 234-2 (71.38m), 250-2 (76.26m), 234-5 (71.45m) and 241-6 (73.60m). Strachan's team-mates trailed
him in the next two spots with senior Augustus Henry second with 223-8 (68.17m) and sophomore Rayden Gorovitz was third with 223-8 (68.27m). Also at the meet, Taysha Stubbs, now a freshman at Nebraska, picked up a fifth place finish in the women's javelin with her best heave of 169-3 (51.59m) on her second attempt. Muddie Harris, competing unattached, was the winner with 186-10 (56.96m) on her sixth try. She led from start to finish. MT SAC/Bryan Clay Invitational At the Mt. San Antonio College Relays in Walnut, California, Abner Johnson had triple duties for the Demon where he won the men's shot put with a toss of 54-6 (16.61m), was second in the hammer throw with 157-10 (48.10m) and third in the discus with 146-06. Of his performance in the shot put, Johnson said he was confident, focused and he was able to execute his technique the way he's been working on in training. "The throw itself came together well, my timing, balance and power all clicked at the right moment," he said. "Once I saw the mark, I knew it would be tough for the rest of the field to match. Overall, this performance is a big step forward for me this season. It gives me confidence moving forward." Tarajh Hudson, the other member of Northwestern State, competed at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, where he won the men's discus for the Demon with a toss of 175-1 (53.36m). Tom Jones Memorial Charlton, competing for Puma, got second in the women's long jump invite with a best leap of 22-5 (6.83m) on her first attempt as she led the Bahamian delegation at the Percy Beard Track in Florida.
Lex Brown, representing Nike, surpassed her for the top spot in the fifth round with 230-2 1/4 (7.07m). Miller-Uibo, the Olympic and world champion competing for Adidas, won her heat in the women's 200m Olympic Development event in 22.64, but she had to settle for sixth place overall. American McKenzie Long, also competing for Adidas, had the fastest time overall in 22.42. In her absence from the 400m, led by Javonya Valcourt, in 50.86 for third place overall. The winning time was 50.55 by Dejanes Gidkey, a senior at Georgia, in 50.56. The other Bahamians in the event were Lacarthea Cooper, a senior at Texas A&M, was 10th in 51.63, Quincy Penn, a junior at Florida, was 16th in 52.30 and Grand Bahamian Cassidra Thompon, a senior at Auburn, was 32nd in 53,67. Indiana Little State Champs K'Leigh Davis, a freshman at Indiana Tech, picked up a second place finish in the women' 100m in 12.16 at the Indiana Little State Championships in Marion, Indiana. She was edged out by her sophomore team-mate Gabrielle Hoskins, who won in 12.15. Also at the meet, D'Arjha Davis, a senior at Taylor University, finished third in the women's 200m in 25.92. Davis also ran on the Trojans' 4x100m relay team of Blessing Ogbeiwi, Siefert, Nicole and Braz Domene that came second in 47.72. Joe Gillespie Invite Ranger Community College's sophomore Apryl Adderley came sixth in the women's triple jump at the Joe Gillespie Invitational at the Oscar Frazier Memorial Track in Stephenville, Texas, with her best leap of 38-9 3/4 (11.83m) on her second attempt. The winning leap was 41-0 (12.50m) by Sofia DeGroot, a junior at Tarleton State.
KEYSHAWN Stachan in action in this file photo.
‘VJ’ scores 13 in his first playoff game By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net VALDEZ “VJ” Edgecombe’s first playoff game was a learning curve against a championship-level opponent. The rookie guard finished with 13 points, three rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes as the Philadelphia 76ers fell 123-91 to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their first-round series yesterday at TD Garden. Edgecombe shot 6-of-16 from the field but struggled from deep, going 0-for-5 from three-point range. He added two steals and was active defensively, but Boston’s physicality and defensive pressure limited his overall efficiency. Boston set the tone early and never trailed, opening with a 33-18 first-quarter advantage and controlling the pace throughout the game. The Celtics extended the lead to double digits by halftime and continued 76ERS guard VJ Edgecombe (77) cannot stop an over-the-shoulder throw by Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) to build separation in the second half, winning every during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball game yesterday in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F Bukaty) quarter after.
Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 21 points and eight assists, while Paul George added 17 points. Kelly Oubre Jr chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds as the 76ers struggled offensively, particularly from beyond the arc. Boston’s balance was the difference. Jayson Tatum led all scorers with 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Jaylen Brown added 26 points. The Celtics shot efficiently and controlled the flow from start to finish, never allowing Philadelphia to mount a sustained run. Edgecombe's stat line reflects the adjustment to playoff basketball. The opportunities were there but the efficiency dipped against a disciplined and experienced Celtics defence. His ability to stay on the floor, handle the moment and contribute still stands out in his first postseason appearance. Game 1 goes decisively to Boston but, for Edgecombe, it marks the starting point of his playoff experience against one of the league’s top teams.