SPORTS SECTION E
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 2025
NBA, Page 5
Pro volleyball players Hepburn and Wilson looking to contribute By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
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ack home after completing their past season on the professional circuit in Europe, Shonari Hepburn and Kyle Wilson are both eager to make their presence felt on the Bahamas men’s national team at the Caribbean Volleyball Championships. Hepburn, 32, just wrapped up his season with Panionios in Greece as a middle blocker and Wilson, 25, completed his first season with the Daugavpils Universitate/ Ezereme as an outside hitter. This past weekend, the duo played in the men’s scrimmage games at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium in preparation for the
Dynamic duo eager to make their presence felt at Caribbean Volleyball Championships CVC tournament, scheduled for August 15-23, at the same venue against eight visiting men’s teams. Seven teams are expected to join The Bahamas ladies’ team as well. Hepburn, who has played on the pro circuit since 2016 after graduating from Niagara College where he played on the Knights team from 20132016, said he’s thrilled to get the opportunity to display his skills in front of the home crowd. At 6-feet, 6-inches, Hepburn said this is going to be his first opportunity
to compete at home in a major international tournament. “To be hosting CVC is like a dream come true,” Hepburn said. “Having played in the Bahamas Games, I saw the crowd and I felt the energy. “I was just hoping that someday soon we would get to play at home in the CVC. So if we could win at home, it would be magical.” Looking at the landscape of the team coach Glen Rolle is assembling, Hepburn said he likes what he’s seeing and is
confident that Team Bahamas can perform very well. “When I came home, I was a bit sceptical, but after a few practices and seeing how the young guys are playing, I’m really looking forward to it,” Hepburn said. “I feel it’s our tournament to lose. Everybody can play and everybody is physical, but there are a few guys who haven’t played at that level. “So they just have to understand what to expect playing for Team
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KYLE Wilson and Shonari Hepburn (right).
Powerlifter Turner-Bain delivers By Jonathan Burrows
2ND ANNUAL ELITE SUPER BLITZ FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT – PAGE 2
BAHAMIAN athlete Aliczia Turner-Bain delivered a powerful performance this past weekend at the 2025 USA Powerlifting Raw Nationals, earning a 10th-place finish in the fiercely competitive 90kg weight class. Representing the JKS Fitness Powerlifting Team, Turner-Bain competed for the first time on Sunday, June 29, in College Park, Georgia, at the Georgia International Convention Center in hopes of qualifying for the coveted USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Pro Card. Turner-Bain, 32, began her journey into the sport
EARNS 10TH PLACE AT 2025 USA POWERLIFTING RAW NATIONALS in 2022, driven by personal interest, inspired by a desire to challenge herself physically. By 2023, she started formal training, and just three years later, she is making waves on the national stage. Although initially drawn to the sport on her own, it was her current coach, Je’Vaughn Saunders, who encouraged her to pursue it competitively. Turner-Bain, reflecting on her recent performance, said she was pleased with her top 10 feat. “I think I did really great considering
it was my first time at a national meet, and when you consider everybody from the United States and I finished top 10, I feel like it was a great performance,” Turner-Bain said. Under the guidance of Saunders and handler Indera Gibson, Turner-Bain showcased her strength and determination across three lifts - squat, bench press and deadlift. She set new meet personal records with a 175 kg (385 pounds) squat, 95 kg (209 pounds) bench press, ALICZIA Turner-Bain in action.
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MINISTRY OF TOURISM RF Bank & Trust proudly ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP returns as title sponsor of BGF WITH NEW YORK YANKEES Amateur Golf Championships RF Bank & Trust proudly returned as the title sponsor of the Bahamas Golf Federation (BGF) Amateur Golf Championships held this past weekend, reaffirming its longstanding commitment to advancing the sport of golf and supporting the federation’s year-round development initiatives. This renewed sponsorship forms part of RF’s broader partnership with the BGF for 2025, aimed at fuelling grassroots programmes, national competitions and coaching development throughout the calendar year. “At RF, we believe in supporting initiatives that not only develop talent, but also reinforce character, discipline and mental strength — all of which are values deeply embedded in the game of golf,” said Michael Anderson, president at RF Bank & Trust. “Golf rewards patience, strategy and consistency, which aligns perfectly with how we think about investing and long-term financial growth.” More than just a sport, golf is a powerful educational tool, teaching
THE Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) is proud to announce a partnership with the iconic New York Yankees for the 2025 baseball season, solidifying The Bahamas as a proud partner of one of the most celebrated sports franchises in the world. As part of this strategic collaboration, The Bahamas will engage with Yankees fans throughout the season via in-stadium branding, digital activations and hospitality events.
Leveraging the global power of sports, the initiative aligns with The Bahamas’ broader tourism strategy to inspire travel and deepen emotional connections with visitors. “The New York Yankees represent a global standard of excellence, and we are proud to partner with such an iconic organisation, said I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “This
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THE SPORTS July CALENDAR
REPRESENTATIVES along with BGF president and vice president, shown from left to right, are Quentin Gibson, Danielle Campbell, Anthony Hinsey. respect, self-governance, and resilience. RF’s sponsorship of the Amateur Championships and continued support of the BGF reflects a shared belief in nurturing young talent and creating opportunities for Bahamians to learn through sport. The annual tournament remains a key fixture in
the BGF’s calendar, helping to identify rising stars and offering a platform for amateur golfers across the islands to test their skills at a national level. RF’s support of golf is part of its wider commitment to youth development and community engagement, one of the four giving pillars
under the RF Charitable Donations Committee, which includes health, the environment and education. “We want to make sure that young Bahamians see golf as not only an elite sport, but an accessible one - one that offers life
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SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY CAMP THE Southern University is all set to host a free basketball camp at the Agape Grace Gym from July 7-8. The camp is designed for boys from grades 7-12. All participating players must bring their own food and drinks. Interested campers are urged to contact coach Stephen Johnson at 1-242-577-1035.
SUMMER FEST TOURNEY THE Crusaders/ Warhawks Volleyball Club, in conjunction with the Bahamas Volleyball Federation, is scheduled to host its inaugural Summer Fest Beach Volleyball Tournament from July 10-13 in Rolleville, Exuma. The tournament, sponsored by Fidelity and
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