04232026 SPORTS

SPORTS

Ayton and Lakers take 2-0 lead

LOS ANGELES (AP)

— LeBron James had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets for a 101-94 victory Tuesday night and a shocking 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Bahamian centre Deandre Ayton, in 27 minutes on the floor, contributed six points, five rebounds, one assist and a block for the Lakers, who have twice overcome the absences of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves with a comprehensive team effort led by the 41-year-old James. Marcus Smart had 25 points with five 3-pointers and seven assists.

Los Angeles did it in Game 2 despite the return of Kevin Durant, who scored just three of his 23 points in the second half

against the Lakers' tough defence.

“We executed the game plan offensively and defensively, shored up some of our mistakes from Game 1, and just got into a dogfight,” James said.

“When we have two big guns out like we have, we've all got to pick up our play, and that's all it's about. We're all just trying to make contributions on offence and seize the opportunity.” Luke Kennard scored 23 points for Los Angeles, which nursed a

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer

BOSTON (AP) — Paul George was in the middle of heaping praise on teammate and 76ers rookie Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe’s efforts in Philadelphia’s 111-97 Game 2 win over Boston, when he realised he wasn’t even sure about something.

“Are you 21 yet?” George turned and asked Edgecombe on the dais during their postgame news conference.

“No, 20,” Edgecombe responded with a smirk.

Nobody’s laughing about the elite company that the 76ers’ third overall pick in last June’s draft put himself into during just his second career playoff game.

“I just try not to overthink it,” Edgecombe said. “I try not to put pressure on myself. Everybody’s already putting pressure on us to perform. ... Plus, I’m around a great group of guys. That also helps me. Just keep instilling confidence in me. Just to keep going, keep going. Regardless of who’s

on the floor, who’s not on the floor.”

Edgecombe finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds to become the first rookie to record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game since Tim Duncan on May 5, 1998. He also became the first rookie in NBA history to post five 3-pointers and 10 rebounds in a playoff game. It was a bounce-back performance after a Game 1 in which he finished with just 13 points on 6-of-16 shooting. George said it’s the culmination of something they first saw glimpses of in The Bahamas native when Edgecombe scored 34 points in his first pro game in Philadelphia’s onepoint opening night win in Boston. “When you think about it how he started his first NBA game in this building, I’m sure he was in a small percentage or small group of players that what he did on that opening night,” George said.

Edgecombe’s opening-night performance was the third-most points

for an NBA player in his first game. Wilt Chamberlain scored 43 points in his debut in 1959 for the Philadelphia Warriors and also had 28 rebounds that night against New York. Frank Selvy scored 35 points for the Milwaukee Hawks against Boston in 1954.

Allen Iverson held the Sixers’ record with 30 points in his debut in 1996.

Edgecombe’s 14 first-quarter points on opening night were also the most ever for a player’s first NBA quarter. That record had been set by LeBron James in 2003.

Edgecombe finished the regular season averaging 16.0 points in 75 games. And he’s done it with a flair that is in some ways reminiscent of the fun-loving style that Iverson exuded during his 76ers’ tenure.

In Tuesday’s win, after knocking down his final basket of the night — a deep 3-pointer over Payton Pritchard to put Philadelphia in front 105-92 after Boston had gotten within 91-89 — Edgecombe

winked at the camera as he jogged back down the court.

George said it’s just a taste of what's to come from Edgecombe.

“To put a whole season together and get to a point where he’s showcasing who he is and his abilities. I’ve been saying all year long he’s far past a rookie,” George said. “It’s just impressive, man. (Edgecombe had) 30 and 10, but it’s just what we needed in the moments throughout the game when he took over, and kind of just put us at ease.”

Tuesday wasn’t all fun for Edgecombe, though. He did take a hard fall on his back early in the game that resulted in him limping to the locker room in both the first and third quarters.

But Edgecombe shrugged off any notion that his fall will hinder him going forward in this series.

“I just landed on my back, but I’m good. I was able to finish the game so I’m good,” he said. “That’s all I’ve got for you. I’m good, ain’t nothing wrong with me. I’m good.”

Our very own equestrians finish top 10 at the Puerto Rico Gran Copa

EQUESTRIAN Baha-

mas Youth Squad members

Kaitlyn Russell and Kelsey Pyfrom delivered solid performances and top placings at the Gran Copa Gobernadora 2026 Puerto Rico.

Riding under the guidance of coach Raishun Burch, the pair achieved three top 10 finishes in the Amplia 0.80m category over the course of the weekend to make the Bahamas delegation’s debut appearance at the competition a success.  Russell and Pyfrom were among more than 80 riders from Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Suriname, United States and The Bahamas competing at the Centro Ecuestre

RF Bank & Trust supports Bahamas Golf Federation with oneyear-long sponsorship

RF Bank & Trust (RF) has deepened an eight-year partnership with the Bahamas Golf Federation (BGF) through a newly announced year-long sponsorship, solidifying its commitment to the growth and development of Bahamian golf.

Since 2018, the regional investment bank and wealth management firm has proven itself to be a dedicated patron of the sport, supporting both junior and adult golfers at the amateur and professional levels.

Internacional de PR in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, over showjumping courses designed by Sr Cune Marroquin of Guatemala.

Riders from the visiting delegations rode borrowed horses, provided by the Puerto Rican hosts and assigned by random draw.

The lack of familiarity posed no problem for Kaitlyn Russell, riding Indiana Faith. The pair jumped two clear rounds in the TwoPhase Special class on the first day of competition, clocking 31.96 seconds in the speed phase to finish 7th out of 24 riders.

On the second day of competition they finished in the ribbons again, placing 7th out of 25 riders in

the Speed class with a clear round in 71.48 seconds.

Kelsey Pyfrom, riding Scarlet, was unplaced on the first day of competition in the 0.60m class. But after moving up to the 0.80m Amplia on the second day, she rode a clear round in a scorching 68.80 seconds, just 2.16 seconds behind the winner, to finish ahead of her teammate, in 6th place.

The Gran Copa Gobernadora, held annually, marks a new competition destination for Bahamas riders on the Caribbean circuit.

Members of the Youth Squad look forward to the next challenge - the final leg of the Grand Caraïbe circuit, which will be held in Guadeloupe in early May.

Through this year’s sponsorship, RF doubles down on its community impact efforts by backing three of the Federation’s pre-eminent tournaments. A crucial incubator for young golfers, the 2026 National School Golf Championship, held this past March, was the first tournament to benefit from RF’s sponsorship.

president Lynford Miller.

“Without our sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to make these tournaments happen.

“We are deeply grateful to RF for supporting our young golfers,” said BGF

RF Bank & Trust has always been a steady, reliable ally in advancing the sport here in The Bahamas, and so we thank them greatly for their continued partnership.”

Looking ahead, RF will proudly serve as the title

sponsor of two upcoming BGF tournaments - the National Amateur Championship, scheduled for April 23-25, with rounds hosted at the Albany, Ocean Club, and Royal Blue golf courses and the 2-day President’s Cup tournament, slated for September.

These premier sporting events will unite the

nation’s finest golf talent, testing their skill and tenacity while fostering lasting connections among the passionate players, supporters, organisers, and volunteers that make each tournament possible.

“We’re pleased to build on our longstanding partnership with the Bahamas Golf Federation.

“And we certainly will continue playing our part in developing the sport, and its players, at every level,” said the release.

“Golf is one of the many ways we give back to the communities we serve,” said Rachael Allahar, assistant vice president and head of marketing at RF Bank & Trust.

Basketball forward

‘Donnie’ Freeman commits to the St

John’s Red Storm

By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN forward

Donovan “Donnie” Freeman has committed to the St John’s Red Storm after entering the NCAA transfer portal, ending his two-year stint with Syracuse Orange.

The move comes after Freeman explored offers from several major programmes, including Kentucky, UConn and Alabama, before ultimately choosing St John’s.

“I realised it was time to leave Syracuse during the coaching change. I played under a great coach for two years, and when they moved on from him, I realised I had to do what was

best for me,” Freeman said in comments to a 247Sports reporter. Freeman now joins Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino and a St John’s programme coming off a deep postseason run.

His decision was heavily influenced by Pitino’s track record.

“I believe in what Rick Pitino is doing. He is a highlevel coach, and I believe he can get me to the next point in my career,” Freeman said via a 247Sports reporter. Freeman developed into one of Syracuse’s most productive players during the 2025-26 season, averaging 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals per game, also earning an All-ACC Honorable Mention. Across two seasons, he appeared in 37 games with 34 starts, though

injuries limited his overall availability.

His college journey began as a highly touted five-star recruit out of IMG Academy and a 2024 McDonald’s All-American. He made an immediate impact as a freshman at Syracuse, recording multiple double-doubles before a season-ending injury cut his year short.

He returned as a sophomore and took on a larger offensive role, consistently leading the team in scoring and rebounding while earning All-ACC honorable mention recognition.

Freeman, 20 and entering his junior season in college, now transitions to the Big East, where he is expected to play a key role for St John’s as the programme continues to build toward national contention.

Track and field community mourning the loss of eight-year-old Caiden Prince Bain

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamian track and field community is mourning the loss of eightyear-old Caiden Prince Bain, a young athlete whose personality and love for the sport left a lasting impression well beyond his years.

Bain, a member of the Hurry Murray Athletics Club, was remembered this week through tributes from the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) and the wider athletics community following his passing on April 20, 2026.

BAAA president Drumeco Archer reflected on the loss in a statement, pointing to the promise of a life cut short. “We live to

see our sons and daughters laugh and play… fall down and get back up… and dream their best dreams… whether it being a policeman, a scientist or even a track and field hero,” Archer said. “But it is one of the saddest moments when we learn of a boy whose life, which could have amounted to just about anything big, become no more.”

Archer recalled Bain’s presence at meets, describing a young athlete who competed with enthusiasm and joy.

“It always gave me great joy to watch young Caiden fly across the finish line with so much life and excitement, doing his ‘strongman’ pose,” he said.

Bain’s involvement in youth track made him a familiar face within the local circuit, particularly

among athletes and coaches connected to the Hurry Murray programme.

Tributes highlighted his bright personality, his love for competition and the way he connected with teammates.

“Now all we have are but fleeting memories of a kid whose life was just beginning to spring small wings,” Archer added.

“Though it is hard to say ‘gone too soon’, it is even more difficult to come to grips with this very sad reality of never seeing his little feet at the track and his incredible, loving smile.”

The BAAA extended condolences to Bain’s family, including his mother Carolyn Bien-Amie, foster grandfather Ralph Wood, as well as the Hurry Murray Athletics Club and the broader athletics community.

70th National Family Island Regatta underway in Elizabeth Harbour

“To my good friend, Ralph Wood, foster grandfather, his mother Carolyn Bien-Amie, the Hurry Murray and the entire BAAA family… we extend our most solemn prayer up to family and send our most sincere condolences to you,” Archer said.

He closed the tribute with a final message reflecting the impact Bain had on those around him.

“Caiden, may your little wings be as white as snow and that you be transformed into the fastest little angel in heaven. We will miss you.”

Bain is remembered as a young athlete full of life, whose short time in the sport left a lasting mark on teammates, coaches and the wider Bahamian track and field community. May his soul rest in peace.

Manchester City top of Premier League

as Haaland’s winner relegates Burnley

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer

MANCHESTER City completed its ominous, late-season rise to the top of the Premier League by beating Burnley 1-0 thanks to Erling Haaland's early goal yesterday, ending Arsenal’s 200-day stay in first place.

The result condemned American-owned Burnley to relegation after one season back in the top flight.

Haaland ran onto Jeremy Doku's pass to convert a deft finish in the fifth minute for his league-high 24th goal of the campaign, which allowed City to back up its 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday that, for many, turned Pep Guardiola’s team into the title favourite.

However, with goal difference potentially coming into play, City might regret not putting more past Burnley at Turf Moor.

Winning by a one-goal margin left City and Arsenal tied on both points (70) and goal difference (+37). City only leads courtesy of more goals scored (66 to Arsenal's 63). “I was not frustrated, why would I be?" Guardiola said. “We won three points, we are top of the league.”

Haaland and Rayan Cherki struck the goal frame and Nico O'Reilly had a weak shot saved with the net at his mercy as City's players threw everything at Burnley — they finished the game having had 28 shots — in an effort to rack up the goals. “In these types of games, if you score the second or third that you deserve, everything’s more fluid and natural,” Guardiola said. “But,” he added, “the main target was winning the game.” City was nine points adrift of Arsenal after drawing with West Ham on March 14. Three straight

wins, combined with backto-back losses for Arsenal, has seen the title race turn on its head.

Relegation was inevitable for Burnley For next-to-last Burnley, a third relegation from the Premier League in the last five seasons has been an inevitability for weeks.

Scott Parker's team slipped to its 22nd loss of the campaign and is 13 points from safety with four games left.

Burnley will be going down with last-place Wolverhampton, whose fate was sealed at the weekend, and one other team.

Leeds edges further clear of relegation

In the other match yesterday, Leeds scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth and edge nine points clear of third-to-last Tottenham, which occupies the other place in the relegation zone. Sean Longstaff's late equaliser denied Bournemouth a win that would have lifted the team to sixth place, four points off the

their