SPORTS SECTION E
Thursday, May 28, 2026
‘Practice makes perfect’ Women’s national basketball team preparing for the FIBA AmeriCup Centrobasket Qualifiers By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net
OUR women’s national basketball team (some members) during a practice session at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Tuesday night ahead of the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup Centrobasket Qualifiers.
Top 3 finishers take spotlight in St Barnabas ACM Youth Track and Field Classic By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@ tribunemedia.net THE fourth annual St Barnabas ACM Youth Track and Field Classic was held on Saturday at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium with athletes from clubs across New Providence competing in age groups ranging from Under-7 to Open. • Below is a full breakdown of the top three finishers in all track and field events. UNDER-7 Track Events Girls 100m Jaliyah Rigby (X-Treme Athletics) – 17.64 Amarie Amertil (X-Treme Athletics) – 18.84
Oriel Rolle (Speed365) – 20.48 Boys 100m Kevin Turnquest III (Speed365) – 17.87 David Smith (Kids Athletics) – 19.48 Kaien Knowles (Kids Athletics) – 19.58 Girls 400m Amarie Amertil (X-Treme Athletics) – 1:29.95 Jaliyah Rigby (X-Treme Athletics) – 1:29.97 Boys 400m Kevin Turnquest III (Speed365) – 1:37.51 Kaien Knowles (Kids Athletics) – 1:37.96 Amir Hercules (X-Treme Athletics) – 1:52.50 Field Events Girls Hammer Ball Throw
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THE Bahamas women’s national basketball team continued preparations for the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup Centrobasket Qualifiers with its fourth practice session at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Tuesday night. While the coaching staff continues building toward the summer tournament, assistant coach Donnie Culmer said one of the programme’s biggest challenges remains securing consistent gym time for practices. “We (are) reaching out to the powers that be, that we need gyms to practice, and if they choose to, we can’t get back in a gym until Sunday,” Culmer said. “So whatever we’re going through today, then coming out of their muscles from getting back used from waiting all that time to practice again, you know, we got to keep practicing.” “We need a gym to practice. All the powers that be, please help the ladies’ programme out. We need gyms to practice in,” he said. “Thank you very much.” Despite the difficulties, Culmer said Tuesday’s workout was productive as the team continues trying to get players back into basketball shape. “We had a good practice tonight. Most girls came out tonight. We got 11 girls, and one just came in from school today, make 12,” he said. “So as time going, schools close, things picking up, the better players are coming in. Right now, we’re just trying to get some cardio and get in shape.” Head coach Yolett “Coach Yo”
McPhee-McCuin was not in attendance for Tuesday’s session. Culmer said the coaching staff is still in the early stages of installing systems put in place by head coach Yo and getting players comfortable within that structure. “Well, just the basics she left for me to put in, the five-out, you know, and the two-three defence,” he stated. “Just going into the normal basic stuff of basketball and making sure everybody get the plays down, where she’s supposed to be, who she is and the different cuts and stuff.” The Bahamas is set to compete in Group A of the qualifiers alongside the Dominican Republic, Mexico and host nation Nicaragua. Although the full roster has not yet been assembled, Culmer said he likes the potential of the group once everyone becomes available. “I think once we get everybody, we should be competitive,” he said. He noted that several players were unavailable for Tuesday’s practice citing a few minor injuries and flight delays. “We might be on the smaller side, but we’ll be nice and quick, and we can shoot the ball around the floor,” Culmer said. The Bahamas Basketball Federation has also asked for fundraising from supporters as the team prepares for the upcoming qualifiers in Managua, Nicaragua. Officials said that if any supporters are interested in donating to assist the women’s national basketball team, they can do so by visiting the Bahamas Basketball Federation's page on social media for the donation link.