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SPORTS SECTION E

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

NFL, Page 5

‘There was a delay in the subvention payments this year’ ROCKETS By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER not receiving their subvention cheques for almost two months, Tim Munnings, the director of sports, confirmed that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is in the process of meeting its obligations to the athletes, not just in track and field, but the eight other disciplines. Some athletes, especially in track and field, have complained that the delay in payment has caused them some anxiety as they have not been able to

meet their monthly obligations as it pertains to their training conditions in the United States of America. Munnings, in an interview with The Tribune, was also responding to the claims of the National Sports Authority being in disarray and the inflated cost that they will incur to have the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium completed. Athletes’ Subvention The joint programme introduced by the Ministry of Sports in conjunction with the Bahamas Olympic Committee to assist elite

TIM MUNNINGS athletes with their training, based on certain criteria, came under heavy criticism by athletes, who say they

are still waiting to find out when they will be paid. “There was a delay in the subvention payments this year. All of the federations were informed of the delay and that would have really related to the fact that for the first time at the end of the fiscal year, we got a new minister and a PS (permanent secretary) at the same time, both of whom needed to be educated about the programme,” said Munnings. “That was explained to the federations. They were understanding and most of them indicated that they would have informed their

athletes, some did not, which caused for their athletes to be confused as to what was happening. That process is now complete. Both Minister and PS, who had taken leave, are back and they have signed off on it and everything has been processed, so the athletes should be compensated.” Although track and field has the lion’s share of the pie, Munnings said athletes from eight other sports are being subvented. “We’re trying assist as many athletes as we can.” said Munnings, a former

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PLAY ACTION: The C&S Hitmen put together a late surge last night (after the game was interrupted by the rain) to knock off the Chances Mighty Mitts 13-2 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five semi-final playoff series in the New Providence Softball Association in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff

Hitmen in driver’s seat By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

he C&S Hitmen moved one game closer to defending their men’s title in the New Providence Softball Association. Last night in the Banker’s Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the Hitmen put together a late surge after the game was interrupted by the rain to knock off the Chances Mighty Mitts 13-2 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five semi-final playoff series. “This is the playoffs time so everybody wants to be winners,” said Hitmen’s ace pitcher Alcott Forbes. “I think we took them for granted early until we understood that we had to win the game.” The game could have been stopped in the bottom of the fifth inning. Leading 7-1 at that point, Forbes made an errant throw to third baseman Marty Burrows, which allowed Mighty Mitts’ left fielder Steffan McKenzie to scoot home from third with Chances’ second run to extend the game. Light showers of rain fell and the game was halted briefly before play was resumed. When they did, the Hitmen tacked on four more runs as they held the Mighty Mitts scoreless to preserve the win and prepare for game three on Saturday night and a chance to face the Commando Security Truckers, who swept the BTC Elite Warriors in three straight games to advance to the final.

“My only concern is the weather, but you can’t do anything about it,” Forbes said. “We just have to adjust our minds and deal with the adversities. Anytime we come out here, we just have to play Hitmen softball.” And, if they do, he said they will definitely be ready for the Truckers. “They’ve been waiting now for four years,” Forbes stated. “We’re going for our fifth championship. Ain’t nothing about to change now. This is the Hitmen’s league.” Forbes backed up his words on the mound when he held Chances, managed by Alphonso ‘Chicken’ Albury, to just one hit. He also struck out 21 batters to record all of his outs on a variety of pitches. Both of the Mighty Mitts’ runs, including one by Ellis Adderley in the second, were unearned. On the other side of the ledger, Forbes and his team-mates racked up seven hits off starting and losing pitcher Victor Grant before he was relieved by Travis Smith in the seventh. By then the Hitmen, managed by Darren Stevens, had already scored one run in the first, three in the fourth and four more in the fifth. Rodney Forbes walked and after advancing on two consecutive wild pitches, eventually scored the first run of the game on an error. In the third, Philip Johnson opened the floodgates as he connected on a 1-strike pitch for a solo homer over the left field fence.

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Take commanding 2-0 lead in best-of-5 semi-final playoffs

RETURN TO BAHAMAS FOR MINICAMP By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Houston Rockets have returned to the Bahamas and the Baha Mar resort for another mini-camp as they prepare for the upcoming 2018-19 National Basketball Association campaign. The Rockets players organised their second consecutive offseason trip to the Bahamas and hosted a series of workouts this week at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Rockets All-Star point guard Chris Paul said the trip to the Bahamas offers the players an opportunity to bond amongst themselves ahead of next month’s official training camp. “We had an opportunity to come down here last year with our team. We had a great season, didn’t get to where we would have liked to, but it was a great season. Everyone has been unbelievable and gracious to us, we just want to say thank you to everyone involved.” Paul, the 13-year veteran, has visited the Bahamas on several occasions, previously making appearances at the Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp. “I’ve been coming down here since I was a rookie and I’ve always enjoyed being here. My parents should be here in about two weeks as well,” he said.

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YOUNG, FOX 0-4 AT PLATE IN GAME 1 LOSS By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net IT was a disappointing start to the postseason for Lucius Fox and Chavez Young as both of their respective clubs suffered game one losses in their first round series. Both players went 0-4 at the plate as their teams now face must-win situations in an attempt to stave off elimination. Game two in both series took place last night, however results were unavailable up to press time. Fox and the Montgomery Biscuits suffered a walkoff 4-3 loss in 10 innings to the Jackson Generals in game one of the DoubleA Southern League North Division series. Heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Biscuits had a 3-2 lead but surrendered an RBI single and a walk off walk to conclude the road loss at The Ballpark at Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi. In the Single A-Advanced Midwest League, Young and his Lansing Lugnuts also trail in the series after a 10-inning loss at Cooley Law School Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The Bowling Green Hot Rods emerged with a 4-3 win in a game that took just over three hours to

TEAM EFFORT: The C&S Hitmen (in the huddle) moved one game closer to defending their men’s title in the New Providence Softball Association.

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PAGE 2, Friday, September 7, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Hitmen take 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 semi-final playoffs FROM PAGE 1 Johnson continued his hitting streak with a runproducing single and Edron Knowles had a two-out RBI double to highlight the fifth. After Grant was replaced, the Hitmen took advantage of Smith in the seventh as Knowles got a

RBI sacrifice fly, Rudy Fox had a RBI single, Martin Burrows Jr a RBI sacrifice fly and Rodney Forbes and Alcott Forbes followed with back-to-back RBI singles. Alcott Forbes, however, got called out for leaving first too early with Philip Johnson at the plate to represent the ninth batter in the inning.

ON THE REPLAY: The C&S Hitmen defeated the Chances Mighty Mitts 13-2 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five semi-final playoff series in the New Providence Softball Association in the Banker’s Field, Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff

‘There was a delay in the subvention payments this year’ FROM PAGE 1 track and field athlete who competed in the men’s 4 x 400 metre relay team that represented the country at both the IAAF World Championships and the Olympic Games. “We have to look at all sports.” At the end of last year, Munnings said the ministry convened a committee to review the subvention process. “We went on pause because of the transition in government, but that will pick up again because a lot of work has been done and we know that there is still a lot of fine tuning to be done. Once we would have done that, we would introduce it again to the federations for discussion and to the athletes before it is agreed upon in the next fiscal period.” Track and field, swimming, soccer, judo, boxing, basketball, bodybuilding, tennis and cycling currently have athletes on

subvention from $12,000 to $34,000 a year. Once the committee makes its recommendations, Munnings said some of the athletes may not be reconsidered and others added and some figures could increase or be reduced based on the performances by the athletes. Exorbitant Cost for Stadium While it was reported in The Tribune on Thursday that the cost of the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium had ballooned from the initial price tag of $16.5m in 2014-15 to almost triple to about $43m, the Ministry of Sports is now committed to seeing it come through to completion. “That increase maybe related to just the incurring cost to the stadium’s inactivity,” he said. “I have not gotten a report as yet from the Ministry of Works as to what these new numbers relate to, but I expect to get an

update from them very shortly.” And with the work in progress, Munnings said they have not yet had an indication of whether there will be modification to the plans that were laid out for the construction of the stadium before work ceased last year when there was a change in the government. “Unless otherwise informed, the stadium is a go,” Munnings stated. “Right now, a lot of work has gone into the ground and a lot of payments have been made, so the government is moving forward with the project.” Munnings admitted that the delay in commencing the work was due in part to a number of factors. “A part of the structure is being imported from abroad, so they are designed to specifications, which really had to be spot on,” he said. “The structure that is being imported here to be placed on the

structure here is being built to specification, so any deviation from the design here will impact the overall building. So a lot of care has taken place to make sure it’s a proper fitting.” As for the huge budget now targeted for completion, Munnings said they had to make sure of the timely payments of bills and that was prevented because of the change in government, who wanted to review the expenditure of the stadium before continuing with its completion. The stadium is not projected to be completed within 12-14 months,

barring any further delays, according to Munnings. He said the Ministry of Works will have the final say on any further modification or alterations to the stadium that is being done by Woslee Construction, who had fallen into a contractual dispute with the former Progressive Liberal Party government and they ceased work prior to the general election. New NSA Chairman With the former general manager of the National Sports Authority position completed at the first quarter this year, Munnings said they issued a

MINOR LEAGUE from PAGE 1

complete and included a pair of rain delays. The Lugnuts had previously rallied from 1-0 and 3-1 deficits, but were unable to rally in the bottom of the 10th inning. The series now shifts to Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for

public advertisement for his replacement. “A number of applications have been received and are being reviewed by members of the National Sports Authority Board,” he said. “That list was short-listed and candidates have been interviewed for the position.” In the interim stage, Munnings noted that board member Lester Cox has been bridging the gap for this time and overseeing the day-to-day operation of the stadium. “In short order, it will be announced who the new candidate is whom we have selected for the position,” he said.

game two and a possible game three in the best-of-three series. The Hot Rods need one more win to move into the Eastern Division Finals against the winner of Great Lakes/West Michigan. Jazz Chisholm and his Visalia Rawhide will also begin their playoffs in the Single A-Advanced league this week. They will host the first home playoff game tonight against the Stockton Ports.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 7, 2018, PAGE 3

IAAF’s Diamond League Finals ‘truly two beauties to behold’ THE International Amateur Athletic Federation continues to broaden its horizons in providing more innovative events for their athletes to compete in around the world. The Diamond League Finals, held back-to-back in two different cities in Europe over the weekend, was a prime example. The format – the Weltklasse Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday night and the AG Memorial Van Damme in Brussels, Belgium on Friday – provided the athletes the opportunity to compete for a share of the huge $3.2 million cash purse that was $50,000 for first place to $2,000 for eighth place. All of the athletes competing got a chance to put something tangible in their pockets after competing in a series of 12 events over the course of the season to earn an appearance in one of the two cities. In one or two cases, a few athletes had a chance to be featured in the two because of the way the meets were designed. But what really stuck out for me, in addition to the introduction of the athletes before the start of their disciplines, was the fact that at the end of the two meets, the 16 winners in the two meets were reintroduced as the respective champions and they were awarded

their heavy diamond cup hardware as they were recognised before the audience on a massive award podium and then escorted around the track for their victory lap in chauffeured driven cars to the tune of ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Shirley Bassey. Just Shaunae Miller-Uibo was fortunate enough to receive the treatment as she successfully defended her title in the women’s 200m at the end of the programme in Brussels. High jumper Donald Thomas had a chance, but he slipped to fifth place in Zurich. Steven Gardiner once again failed to cash in on the men’s 400m after he pulled up in the lead with a cramp on the home stretch. The IAAF is taking advantage of their innovations to improve the quality of the meets that they bring to the public and indicated that they were pleased that the fans were appreciative of their efforts as they stayed to the very end in both cases to witness the closing ceremonies and fireworks that brought the curtains down on another successful event. I’m glad that I got to witness it for myself. It was truly two beauties to behold. IAAF World Relays While in Europe, the buzz was still around the hosting of the 2019 IAAF World Relays.

SHAUNAE MILLER-UIBO, of the Bahamas, crosses the finish line to win the 200m final during the Diamond League Memorial Van Damme athletics event at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels. Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP Although the Bahamas Government has indicated that they are not in a position to host the event for a fourth time because of the inflation of the cost to $5 million, 10 months away from the event returning here May 10-11, 2019. On its website, the Bahamas is still listed as the venue and an IAAF representative, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were still looking at the Bahamas hosting it at a reduced cost. If that doesn’t work out, they are hoping to seal a deal for another venue by November. It’s not the ideal situation that they are faced with,

considering the fact that the host nation will need at least a year or two to complete the logistics required to stage such an event. In the short time left, the IAAF is hoping that wherever it goes, it will continue to grow as it did in the Bahamas with the introduction of the mixed gender relay. Fans waited until the last drop of competition on the final night to watch as the combo of Gardiner, MillerUibo, Anthonique Strachan and Michael Mathieu provided the hometown thrill as the champions of the inaugural event contested at a major competition in the world.

Change in World Championships schedule When the IAAF takes the World Championships to Doha, Qatar from September 28 to October 6, not only will they be introducing a midnight marathon for the first time, but they have revamped the competition schedule by removing all morning sessions and splitting the evening sessions with one hour intervals to incorporate combined entertainment and familycentred activities. They’re still working out the details, but the IAAF also intends to make the mixed gender relay the climaxing event at the

championships. That would mean that the usual 4 x 400m relay conclusion will be run either on the final day or the day before. This is expected to bring more excitement to countries as they structure their teams. Hopefully this will not create a travesty that occurred at the last championships in London, England, last year when Gardiner refused to run in the men’s 4 x 400m heats and was eventually put before a tribunal by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Federations, only to be vindicated when it was discovered that he didn’t do anything wrong.

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WINNING team in SuperSprint (l-r) Duran Roberts, Erin Pritchard, Basil McGee and Jose Magno.

ASSOCIATION NAMES THE CARIFTA TRIATHLON AND AQUATHLON TEAM THE Bahamas Triathlon Association has named its 2018 CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon Team that is expected to compete in Tobago September 29-30. “The 13-member team includes nine boys and four girls, three of the boys being from Spanish Wells. “Most of the athletes competed on Sunday in a SuperSprint Triathlon as a fundraiser for the travelling team. The race was a great pre-race practice and also a way for the team to compete with and against older triathletes,” said a press release. SuperSprint Results Super Sprint Mixed Team Relay September 14 Place Team/ Names Leg Overall Time 1 Jose Magno 30:31 Erin Pritchard 30:49 Basil McGee 24:52 Duran Roberts 24:48 1:51:00 2 Cameron Roach 23:53 Jordan Cheetham 28:39 Anjaleah Knowles 32:22

Jason Cates 28:30 1:53:24 3 Ben Derbyshire 24:42 Enea Gervasini 32:42 Kami Roach 30:43 Jamin Sawyer 26:27 1:54:34 4 Simone Bertoldo 22:35 Zane Munro 31:07 Lynn Pritchard 31:52 Jaci Derbyshire 29:28 1:55:02 5 Kordero St. Cyr 31:06 Matthew Reid 29:39 Taliyah Bowe 36:35 Liz Shaddock 28.47 2:06:07 This CARIFTA will be the second edition of the Triathlon and Aquathlon Championships. Last year it was held in Barbados and The Bahamas took a four-member team and won a bronze medal in the 11-12 boys Aquathlon (Noah Roach). The Bahamas looks to improve on that performance this year. The BTA is also holding another fundraiser on September 16 with the Superhero Challenge. This fun event will consist of participants dressing up as superheroes to compete in a fun triathlon.

Prizes will be awarded for best costumes, not places. “This event is for everyone, whether you have ever competed in a triathlon before or not, it will be fun for the whole family,” said event organiser Lori Roach. The Rotary Club of East Nassau will be on site with their famous hamburger van and there will also be fun activities for the kids as well as a chance to watch or compete with the current CARIFTA team. All proceeds will fund the travel expenses for the team. For more information on the event you can go to the BTA’s Facebook page or e-mail Lori Roach at goldenwingscharter@gmail.com 2018 CARIFTA Team 11-12 Girls – Kami Roach, Anjaleah Knowles, Taliyah Bowe, Erin Pritchard 11-12 Boys – Jordan Cheetham, Zane Munro, Matthew Reid, Enea Gervasini 13-15 Boys – Jessie Zywiolek, Jason Cates, Basil McGee 16-19 Boys – Jamin Sawyer, Duran Roberts

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PAGE 4, Friday, September 7, 2018

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NET GAIN: WILLIAMS INTO 9TH US OPEN FINAL, WILL FACE OSAKA By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Serena Williams was a bit shaky at the start of her U.S. Open semifinal. For all of six minutes. That’s how long it took her to drop the opening two games last night. Williams spent the next hour playing flawlessly, particularly up at the net, grabbing 12 of 13 games to beat No. 19 seed Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-3, 6-0 and reach her ninth final at Flushing Meadows and 31st at all Grand Slam tournaments. “I’ve been working hard on my volleys. I have won a few doubles championships, so I know how to volley,” Williams said with a laugh, before adding this punch line: “I just usually come in only to shake hands.”

With one more victory, Williams will earn her seventh U.S. Open championship and her 24th major singles trophy, equaling Margaret Court for the most in tennis history. Williams already owns the mark for the most in the half-century professional era; Court won some of hers against amateur competition. On Saturday, Williams will face No. 20 seed Naomi Osaka, a 20-year-old who is the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam final. Osaka saved all 13 break points she faced Thursday and defeated 2017 runnerup Madison Keys 6-2, 6-4. Asked during her oncourt interview how she managed to stave off all of those break chances, Osaka replied with a laugh, “This is going to sound really bad, but I was just

SERENA Williams returns a shot to Anastasija Sevastova. (AP) thinking, ‘I really want to play Serena.’” Why? “Because she’s Serena,” Osaka said. “Like, what do you mean?” Williams had lost in the semifinals in her previous two trips to New York — against Roberta Vinci in 2015 while bidding for a calendar-year Grand Slam,

and against Karolina Pliskova in 2016. A year ago, Williams missed the U.S. Open because she gave birth to her daughter, Olympia, during the tournament. She then dealt with complications related to blood clots. The American returned to the tour in February and

to Grand Slam action at the French Open in May, when she had to withdraw from the field with an injured chest muscle. At her second major back, Wimbledon, she was the runner-up. Now comes a chance to take a title and become, a few weeks shy of turning 37, the oldest woman to win a Slam in singles. “It’s honestly really incredible. A year ago, I was fighting for, literally, my life at the hospital after I had the baby,” Williams said, her voice wavering. “So every day I step out on this court, I am so grateful that I have an opportunity to play this sport, you know? So no matter what happens in any match — semis, finals — I just feel like I’ve already won.” Sevastova was participating in a major semi for the first time at age 28.

While she began the evening well enough in Arthur Ashe Stadium by turning in two error-free games for a quick 2-0 lead, that all soon changed. The roof was closed hours earlier because of a forecast calling for rain and strong wind, and so the screams and applause reverberated through the place whenever spectators roared for Williams, during the pre-match introductions, when she stepped to the baseline to serve in the opening game, and then after nearly every point she won. And there were plenty of those. Total winners? Williams led 31-10 in that category. And Sevastova’s penchant for drop shots did not pay off: She lost three points in the first set alone with miscues that landed on the wrong side of the net.

Ohtani has big night at plate after arm surgery recommended ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Shohei Ohtani homered twice during a huge night at the plate after getting bad news about his pitching arm, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Texas Rangers 9-3 on Wednesday. Perhaps headed for Tommy John surgery, the two-way rookie sensation went 4 for 4 with three RBIs, four runs and a stolen base to power the Angels. About two hours before the game, the team announced Ohtani has new damage in his right elbow and ligament-replacement surgery has been recommended. The club said the Japanese star had an MRI earlier in the day that revealed the problem in his ulnar collateral ligament. Ohtani’s homers were towering drives into the right-field seats. With his second two-homer game, the designated hitter tied Kenji Johjima’s 2006 major league record of 18 homers by a Japanese rookie. Andrelton Simmons also homered for the Angels and drove in three runs. Adrian Beltre hit a tworun shot for Texas, the 472nd homer of his career, in the sixth inning against Jim Johnson. Three of Beltre’s 10 homers this season have come in the last five games. Los Angeles rookie Jaime Barria (10-8) beat Texas for the third time and 45-year-old Bartolo Colon (7-12) for the second. ROCKIES 5, GIANTS 3

DENVER (AP) — Trevor Story homered in his first three at-bats, including one projected at more than 500 feet, and Colorado beat San Francisco in a game delayed 68 minutes by rain at the start. The All-Star shortstop had a chance to tie the major league record of four homers in a game but struck out in his final at-bat in the eighth inning. Story powered Colorado to its fifth straight win, and the Rockies increased their NL West lead to 1 1/2 games over Arizona and Los Angeles. It was the first threehomer game of Story’s career and his fifth multihomer game this season. The outburst came at the expense of Giants starter Andrew Suarez (6-10). Story’s solo homer in the fourth traveled an estimated 505 feet. It was the longest homer in franchise history and the longest since Statcast began tracking distances in 2015. Harrison Musgrave (2-3) got the win and Adam Ottavino closed for his sixth save. San Francisco has lost five in a row. ATHLETICS 8, YANKEES 2 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Stephen Piscotty hit a two-run single, Matt Chapman and Matt Olson each doubled in a run, and Oakland jumped on New York early. Jed Lowrie added a runscoring single as the A’s backed Mike Fiers (11-6),

who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning. Fiers is 4-0 in six starts since joining Oakland, and the A’s have won all his outings. The A’s moved within 3 1/2 games of the Yankees for the top AL wild card and remained 3 1/2 back of the AL West-leading Astros. Gary Sanchez hit a tworun homer for New York but had all sorts of trouble behind the plate. Luis Severino (17-7) was done with two outs in the third for his shortest outing of the season. He allowed six runs — five earned — and six hits. Severino threw two wild pitches that scored separate runs in the first, when Sanchez also had a pair of passed balls. ASTROS 9, TWINS 1 HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman homered and had five RBIs, and Evan Gattis hit his 25th home run to help Houston rout Minnesota. The defending champs have won five straight, finishing a 10-game homestand with a 7-3 record. Houston has won 12 of its last 15 games entering a three-game series in major league-leading Boston. Bregman gave the Astros a 2-0 lead in the third inning with his 29th homer of the season, a line-drive shot off Jake Odorizzi into the leftfield Crawford Boxes. He added a three-run double off the left-field wall with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, his 47th double, to put Houston up 9-1. Gattis extended Houston’s lead to 4-0 with a two-run homer in the fourth inning off Odorizzi. Houston went up 5-1 with an RBI single to right from Yuli Gurriel off Odorizzi (5-10). Houston starter Framber Valdez (3-1) went 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits and three walks while striking out five. METS 7, DODGERS 3 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zack Wheeler stayed in the game after getting hit in the chest by a line drive, pitching seven sharp innings to lead New York over Los Angeles. Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger homered for the playoff-contending Dodgers, who lost for third time in their past 12 games. Los Angeles finished with three hits. Wilmer Flores had a pair of RBI singles and Amed Rosario got three hits for the Mets. They went 5-4 on their road trip to Wrigley Field, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Wheeler (10-7) retired the first 11 batters before Justin Turner hit a liner in the fourth inning that struck the pitcher. The exit velocity on Turner’s ball was clocked at 91 mph. Wheeler got a visit from the Mets’ medical staff and gave up a home run to Muncy three pitches later. Hyun-Jin Ryu (4-2) was the loser. CUBS 6,

BREWERS 4 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Daniel Murphy and Kyle Schwarber homered to back a solid start from Jose Quintana, and Chicago held off Milwaukee to avert a three-game sweep. Pedro Strop closed out a tense ninth inning as Chicago boosted its NL Central lead to four games over the second-place Brewers. Quintana (12-9) allowed two runs in 6 2/3 innings, improving to 3-1 at Miller Park with the Cubs. Strop allowed a walk and a single to open the ninth but got the final three outs, striking out Curtis Granderson with two runners on to preserve the win. Granderson belted his first home run as a member of the Brewers in a pinchhit role in the seventh, a two-run shot that cut Chicago’s lead to 6-4. The Cubs finally broke their string of 16 scoreless innings against Milwaukee right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (14-6) when Murphy led off the fourth with an opposite-field homer. CARDINALS 7, NATIONALS 6 WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Adams homered twice against his former team, Marcell Ozuna tied his career high with four hits and St. Louis held off Washington. One night after bashing five homers against Washington, St. Louis settled for three in the rubber game of the series as Yairo Munoz had a solo shot in the sixth. Miles Mikolas (14-4) worked 6 2/3 innings and was charged with four runs on 12 hits. Carlos Martinez worked the final two innings for his first save since 2014, getting three straight outs in the ninth after the first two batters reached. Bryce Harper had three hits for Washington on a day when general manager Mike Rizzo responded that he hasn’t considered any other scenario when asked if manager Dave Martinez will return in 2019. Tanner Roark (8-15) gave up six runs on 10 hits over five innings. MARINERS 5, ORIOLES 2 SEATTLE (AP) — Nelson Cruz and Denard Span hit back-to-back home runs, and Seattle overcame sloppy infield defense to beat Baltimore. Despite winning a home series for the first time since July 22, the Mariners failed to gain ground on Oakland in the AL wild-card race. They still trail by 5½ games with 22 remaining. Mike Leake (9-9) gave up two unearned runs in six innings to earn his first victory since June 23. Edwin Diaz locked down his major league-leading 53rd save, tied for fifth-most in one season. Andrew Cashner (4-14) gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings. TIGERS 10, WHITE SOX 2 CHICAGO (AP) — Ronny Rodriguez hit a two-run homer and Jeimer Candelario, Mikie Mahtook and JaCoby Jones each added a solo shot, powering

Detroit to a rout of Chicago and prized pitching prospect Michael Kopech. The game was delayed twice by rain for a total of 61 minutes. Nicholas Castellanos went 3 for 4 with a walk and an RBI, and Victor Martinez had a two-run single as the Tigers pounded out 16 hits and won for the eighth time in nine games at Guaranteed Rate Field. Jordan Zimmermann (7-6) allowed just two hits in five shutout innings and returned following both delays. Kopech (1-1) was tagged for seven runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. He served up all four Detroit homers as his ERA jumped from 0.82 to 5.02. He had allowed just one run over 11 innings in his first three starts in the majors, including two cut short by rain delays. BLUE JAYS 10, RAYS 3 TORONTO (AP) — Aledmys Diaz hit a three-run homer in a sevenrun first inning, Aaron Sanchez won for the first time in three months and Toronto beat Tampa Bay to prevent a three-game sweep. Billy McKinney added a solo homer as Toronto had 16 hits and improved to 3-9 against the Rays this season. Tampa Bay’s fourgame winning streak was snapped. Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier hit two solo home runs for his third career multihomer game.

He also did it against the Blue Jays on Aug. 23, 2017. Sanchez (4-5) permitted three runs and six hits over six innings, including both of Kiermaier’s homers, to win for the first time since June 3 at Detroit. He matched a season high with eight strikeouts. MARLINS 2, PHILLIES 1 MIAMI (AP) — Sandy Alcantara pitched shutout ball into the eighth inning in his second career start, Austin Dean drove in a pair of runs and Miami beat Philadelphia. Alcantara (2-0) allowed three hits, walked two and struck out six. Drew Steckenrider allowed a walk and a single with one out in the ninth, but finished off his fourth save with a pair of strikeouts. Nick Pivetta (7-11) was the loser. The Phillies have lost four of five. They remained three games behind Atlanta in the NL East race. PIRATES 3, REDS 2 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jameson Taillon pitched five effective innings and helped send Homer Bailey to yet another loss in Pittsburgh’s victory over Cincinnati. Taillon (12-9) allowed only one run as he scattered eight hits and walked none to help the Pirates sweep the three-game series. Felipe Vazquez survived a shaky ninth inning, allowing Dilson Herrera’s pinch-hit RBI double with none out, before earning his 30th save.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 7, 2018, PAGE 5

Eagles stop Ryan to Jones again, beat Falcons 18-12 By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Matt Ryan to Julio Jones failed again. Jay Ajayi had a pair of touchdown runs, Nick Foles caught another pass to jump-start a sputtering offense and the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles needed another defensive stand to open the season with an 18-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons last night. A sloppy, mistake-filled game that featured 26 penalties came down to Ryan throwing an incomplete pass to Jones in the left corner of the end zone on the final play from Philadelphia’s 5. Jones couldn’t come down with Ryan’s pass from the 2 in the right corner of the end zone in Atlanta’s 15-10 loss in the divisional round in January. A weather delay pushed the kickoff back 45 minutes, forcing fans to wait for the unveiling of the “world champions” banner following the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory. Wearing his gold Hall of Fame jacket, former safety Brian Dawkins riled up the sellout crowd with owner Jeffrey Lurie by his side and led a chorus of “Fly Eagles Fly.” The defense fed off that energy with a strong goalline stand on the opening series, stopping the Falcons three times at the 1. They did it again at the end. After Ajayi’s 11-yard TD run and 2-point conversion gave the Eagles a lead with 2:25 left, Ryan led the Falcons down the field. He completed a 36-yard pass to Jones and connected with him again for 18 yards on third-and-17.

TIGER WOODS, RORY MCILROY OFF TO TORRID START AT ARONIMINK By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

PHILADELPHIA Eagles’ Jay Ajayi scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half last night. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) The Falcons had a first down at the 10 but Ryan threw four straight incomplete passes. But a penalty on Jordan Hicks gave them one more chance and the Eagles held again. Needing a spark on offense, Eagles coach Doug Pederson resorted to the “Philly Special” play that helped the Eagles beat the New England Patriots 41-33 in the Super Bowl. This time, Foles caught a 15-yard pass from Nelson Agholor to extend a drive that ended with Ajayi scoring a go-ahead 1-yard TD run in the third quarter. Foles, the Super Bowl MVP still filling in for Carson Wentz, played it safe and the offense was conservative until Pederson turned to his favorite play on third-and-5 midway through the third

quarter. Corey Clement took a toss and flipped to Agholor, who threw it to Foles running open down the right side for a gain to the Falcons 26. Foles hit Zach Ertz for 18 yards on third-and-6 and Ajayi ran in a few plays later to put Philadelphia up 10-6. Against New England, tight end Trey Burton took a flip from Clement on a reverse and threw a 1-yard TD pass to Foles to give the Eagles a 10-point halftime lead. Philadelphia’s defense overcame a pair of blunders to temporarily preserve the lead. Tre Sullivan kicked a loose ball on a punt and the Falcons recovered the fumble at the Eagles 32. A sack by Fletcher Cox on third down was negated by Derek Barnett’s offside

penalty to keep the drive going. But Rasul Douglas intercepted Ryan’s pass at the 4. Deion Jones then intercepted Foles’ pass that bounced out of Dallas Goedert’s hands and returned it 20 yards to Philadelphia’s 27, setting up Tevin Coleman’s 9-yard TD run that gave the Falcons a 12-10 lead in the fourth quarter. Matt Bryant hit the right post on the extra point. On a hot, muggy night, it looked more like an August preseason game than a playoff rematch. Both teams looked rusty after many starters didn’t play much in preseason. It didn’t compare to the action in Kansas City’s 42-27 victory at New England in the 2017 NFL opener.

Bryant kicked field goals of 52 and 21 yards in the first quarter. ANTHEM Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and defensive end Michael Bennett were on the sideline when the national anthem was played. Jenkins raised his fist during “The Star-Spangled Banner” last year and in the first preseason game. He stayed in the tunnel for the last three weeks. Bennett mostly stayed off the field in the preseason. He wandered behind teammates near the bench and adjusted his equipment this time. UP NEXT Falcons: Host the Carolina Panthers on September 16. Eagles: Visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 16.

NADAL VS DEL POTRO, DJOKOVIC VS NISHIKORI IN US OPEN SEMIS By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Sports Writer NEW YORK (AP) — When Rafael Nadal finally finished a nearly five-hour climb into the US Open semi-finals, he thought backward as much as ahead. His victory over Dominic Thiem reminded him of Wimbledon, where he outlasted Juan Martin del Potro in five sets in the quarter-finals before Novak Djokovic edged him in a 10-8 fifth set in the next round. “When you win or when you lose like this,” Nadal said, “you come back home with the feeling that you did all the things that you can do.” Now, Nadal might have to face those same two players again to defend his title in Flushing Meadows. The top-ranked Spaniard plays third-seeded del Potro, and No. 6 seed Djokovic meets No. 21 Kei Nishikori in today’s other semifinal. All four players have reached the US Open final — only Nishikori hasn’t won it — to make this the first Grand Slam final four since the 2012 Australian Open in which all four players were past finalists. Djokovic, bidding for his second straight major title, would seem to have the easier road to the final. He is 14-2 against Nishikori, including a victory in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. He has won the last 13 meetings, such a run of dominance that the Japan native didn’t recall that he beat Djokovic in Flushing Meadows in the 2014 semi-finals, adding that maybe he should rewatch the match. “Yeah, for sure it’s going to give me good confidence,” Nishikori said, “even though I (don’t) remember.” Nadal would figure to have a tougher time in his fourth meeting with del Potro in the last five Grand Slam tournaments. The two that preceded the Wimbledon classic were easier victories, a semi-final rout en route to the French Open title and a four-set victory in last year’s US Open semi-finals, when Nadal dominated the last three sets. But del Potro was on fumes by then after winning his own memorable five-setter against Thiem in the fourth round and

JUAN Martin del Potro, of Argentina, celebrates after defeating John Isner. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

RAFAEL NADAL, of Spain, returns a shot to Dominic Thiem, of Austria, during the quarterfinals of the US Open tennis on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

KEI NISHIKORI, of Japan, celebrates after defeating Marin Cilic Wednesday. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC, of Serbia, celebrates after defeating John Millman, of Australia, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

beating Roger Federer in the quarter-finals. And while he still had the devastating forehand that’s been one of tennis’ signature shots and carried him to the 2009 title, repeated wrist injuries had made him one dimensional on the backhand side. Now, the Argentine has regained strength there, allowing him to change it up from slice to power. “I feel that this tournament, Juan Martin is hitting a little bit bigger off his backhand. That can help him,” 2014 US Open

champion Marin Cilic said after Nishikori beat him yesterday. “In the other case, Rafa had a tougher draw to go through the semis. But, you know, he’s got two days now to recover, so he’s going to be fresh. I don’t know. I would give slight advantage to Rafa, but I feel it’s going to be a great match.” Nadal leads the series 11-5, though del Potro routed him in straight sets in the 2009 semi-finals. Both Nadal and Djokovic are in position for a two-slam season and a chance to inch closer to Federer’s

men’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles. Nadal has 17, including three at the US Open, and Djokovic could tie Pete Sampras for third all-time with 14 if he wins his third in Flushing Meadows. This one, given the added difficulty created by unusually high heat and humidity, would certainly be meaningful. “From my experience, and I can only talk about myself,” Djokovic said, “this has been definitely the toughest US Open in the last, you know, 10 years that I have played in in terms of conditions.”

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — With the glare of a scorching sun in his eyes, Tiger Woods couldn’t believe what he saw. He finally missed a green on his 14th hole. “Is that long?” he said to his caddie. “I thought it was perfect.” Everything else felt that way Thursday in the BMW Championship, where Woods had his lowest score in an opening round in nearly 20 years and his best score on the PGA Tour since his last victory more than five years ago. With a bogey on his penultimate hole, he had an 8-under 62 at Aronimink. And all that got him was a share of the lead with Rory McIlroy. “Just the way it goes,” Woods said with a smile, caring more about a complete round of golf and a strong performance with his old putter than whether he was leading after one round in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Aronimink was never easier, not with temperatures in the upper 90s and feeling even hotter. Not on a course with generous fairways and greens so soft that Woods hit a 3-iron from 242 yards that landed 8 feet in front of the hole and stopped 5 feet away next to the pin. Woods hit nothing longer than a 9-iron into the par 4s. McIlroy relied heavily on his wedge game to make a strong bid at 59, only to make consecutive bogeys late in his round and having to settle for a 62. Through all the sweat, through all the birdies, they managed to give Philadelphia fans a reason to cheer for golf in the hours before the Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the NFL season Thursday night against Atlanta. “It was one of those days where it was out there,” McIlroy said. And it was a Thursday, finally, that included Woods in the mix. He had failed to break par in the opening round at 10 of his last 11 tournaments. “Got off to a better start than I have most of the season. And as of right now,” he said, pausing to smile, “I’m one back. Just the way it goes.” He had just signed his card and saw that McIlroy was at 9 under, and by the time he stepped out from the hot sun and suggested another ice bath might be in order, McIlroy had dropped two shots before finishing with a two-putt birdie. It was the lowest score for Woods since he shot 61 in the second round of the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational, which he won by seven shots for his 79th title on the PGA Tour and 90th worldwide. It remains his last victory. And it was his best opening round since a 61 in the 1999 Byron Nelson Classic on a similar kind of day. Woods shot 29 on the front nine that day at Cottonwood Valley and it wasn’t even the best score in his group (Paul Goydos shot 28). Woods wound up with a one-shot lead that day and tied for seventh. Woods returned to the same putter he has used to win 13 of his 14 majors — his third different putter in as many weeks — and saw some familiar results. He opened with a 20-foot birdie putt at No. 10, shot 29 on the back nine, and then rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 1 to reach 7 under through 10 holes. He didn’t make many more, but he had chances. His only bogey came at the par-3 eighth, by far the most difficult pin on the course. Woods was between clubs, went with a soft 4-iron and yanked it into the rough. He pitched to 18 feet, a good shot up a ridge and onto a green that sloped away from him. The putt caught the lip.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 7, 2018, PAGE 7

College football teams get creative to reward big plays By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer COLLEGE football sidelines across the country are featuring everything from wrestling-style robes to boxing gloves as teams conjure up creative ways to reward big plays. It’s not a new phenomenon, but schools are jumping into the arena and trying to mimic the success Miami had last season with its turnover chain. Miami started handing out a gaudy gold chain to players who forced turnovers last year. The chain became an indelible image of the 2017 season as Miami won its first 10 games and reached the Orange Bowl while producing 31 takeaways, matching the thirdhighest total in the nation. “At Miami, they’re rocking that chain, you see somebody on their team swinging that chain around and it does nothing but bring great vibes to the sideline,” Boise State cornerback Tyler Horton said. “That’s what college football is about, having your brothers all by you and finding ways to really spark up the evening with something big like a turnover.” Horton scored twice on fumble returns Saturday in No. 20 Boise

State’s season-opening 56-20 victory over Troy. Those takeaways enabled him to take a seat on the Broncos’ “turnover throne,” a chair Boise State put on its sideline this season. Boise State introduced the throne to defensive players in a meeting before the Troy game. “You had everybody barking, hollering, everyone saying, ‘I want to be the first one on the throne,’” Horton said. Several FBS programmes that responded to an Associated Press survey say they are using sideline props this season. Since the 2015 season, Alabama has rewarded takeaways by handing players a “ball-out belt” made in the style of a boxer’s championship belt. Colorado State and Ohio are among the teams that have since added their own belts to reward turnovers. Memphis introduced its own turnover belt last season but took things to another level this year by adding a turnover robe. T.J. Porter was the first to model the robe after scoring on an interception return in Memphis’ 66-14 blowout of Mercer. “I felt like I looked good, like a new-school Ric Flair,” Porter said,

referring to the retired pro wrestler and Memphis native. The belts aren’t restricted to players who force turnovers. Mississippi receivers coach Jacob Peeler brought an “NWO belt” to his wideouts last year, a nod to professional wrestling’s New World Order as well as the receiving corps’ “Nasty Wideouts” nickname. Receivers often hold the belt after scoring touchdowns. “Coach Peeler brought it with him and said he wanted our mentality to be nasty,” Ole Miss receiver DK Metcalf said. “It speaks for itself. It’s fun to show it off on the sideline.” Louisville is rewarding players on both sides of the ball for big plays this season while honouring their city’s most famous athlete. Players who score touchdowns get to try on boxing gloves signed by Muhammad Ali. Cardinals forcing turnovers get to wear a belt that features Ali’s picture. The gloves were donated from Ali’s collection after radio host John Ramsey, a friend of the boxer, contacted Ali’s widow. The belt was donated by the World Boxing Council. Tulane also is saluting its city’s heritage by distributing giant

Mardi Gras-style beads to players who force turnovers. Air Force introduced its own turnover chain this year that includes the Falcons’ lightning bolt logo. One of the most unusual sideline celebrations takes place at Temple. The Owls have a dry erase board on its sideline in which players can sign their name after they force a turnover. Temple coach Geoff Collins said he began the tradition 14 years ago as a Western Carolina assistant and has continued it everywhere he’s coached since. “It’s kind of evolved to now they write their Twitter handle (on the board) so they get more followers,” Collins said. Temple added a wrinkle to its celebration routine last year. Now players who force turnovers can hand the ball to any coach or staffer, who immediately must do 10 pushups. The use of sideline props also can backfire, something Tennessee learned last year. Tennessee introduced a turnover trash can in its 2017 season opener, allowing players to dunk the football in a receptacle after forcing a turnover. The trash can was mocked on social media when

IN this file photo, Miami defensive back Jaquan Johnson (4) wears the turnover chain after making an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame. (AP) shots of a staffer holding it aloft appeared on camera repeatedly during Tennessee’s season-opening victory over Georgia Tech last year . Trash-can sightings were almost as rare as victories for the rest of Tennessee’s 4-8 season. That hasn’t stopped programmes from using similar props. UTSA and Liberty both have “turnover buckets” for dunking purposes after forcing turnovers, something both teams started last season. Players say the sideline stunts bring more joy to the game.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 74° F/23° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

A passing afternoon shower or two

A shower early, then a thunderstorm

A couple of thunderstorms around

Nice with times of sun and clouds

Sun through high clouds

Mostly sunny and nice

High: 88°

Low: 77°

High: 89° Low: 78°

High: 89° Low: 76°

AccuWeather RealFeel

99° F

86° F

98°-87° F

101°-87° F

98°-86° F

99°-85° F

High: 89° F/32° C Low: 75° F/24° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

almanac

ABACO

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

6-12 knots

WEST PALM BEACH High: 87° F/31° C Low: 76° F/24° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

FREEPORT

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 75° F/24° C

MIAMI

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 75° F/24° C

6-12 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 86° F/30° C Low .................................................... 73° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 88° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 75° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 92° F/34° C Last year’s low ................................... 79° F/26° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.40” Year to date ............................................... 38.90” Normal year to date ................................... 25.91”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

KEY WEST

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

4-8 knots

4-8 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

6:06 a.m. 6:39 p.m.

3.1 3.8

Saturday

7:03 a.m. 7:33 p.m.

3.3 3.8

1:05 a.m. 1:16 p.m.

Sunday

7:57 a.m. 8:23 p.m.

3.5 3.8

1:55 a.m. 0.0 2:11 p.m. -0.1

Monday

8:48 a.m. 9:13 p.m.

3.7 3.8

2:44 a.m. -0.1 3:04 p.m. -0.1

Tuesday

9:38 a.m. 10:01 p.m.

3.7 3.6

3:31 a.m. -0.1 3:55 p.m. 0.0

Wednesday 10:28 a.m. 10:48 p.m.

3.6 3.4

4:17 a.m. 4:46 p.m.

0.0 0.2

Thursday

3.5 3.1

5:04 a.m. 5:38 p.m.

0.1 0.4

11:17 a.m. 11:37 p.m.

12:10 a.m. 0.5 12:18 p.m. 0.1 0.2 0.0

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:53 a.m. 7:23 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

4:25 a.m. 6:02 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Sep. 9

Sep. 16

Sep. 24

Oct. 2

CAT ISLAND

uV inDex toDay

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map H

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

4-8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 87° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

4-8 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS SE at 6-12 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots SW at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots S at 3-6 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots SSW at 3-6 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots E at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots S at 4-8 Knots

WAVES 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-6 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 80° F 80° F 82° F 82° F 84° F 83° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 80° F 80° F

Covering The Bahamas for over 40 years. NEW PROVIDENCE | GRAND BAHAMA | ABACO | ELEUTHERA | EXUMA

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(BAHAMAS) LIMITED. INSURANCE BROKERS & AGENTS

HOME INSURANCE

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PAGE 8, Friday, September 7, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

MINI-CAMP: The Houston Rockets have returned to the Bahamas and the Baha Mar resort for another mini-camp as they prepare for the upcoming 2018-19 National Basketball Association campaign. The Rockets players organised their second consecutive offseason trip to New Providence (Nassau) and hosted a series of workouts this week at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. A press conference was held yesterday in the Convention Centre at Baha Mar. Shown (l-r) are Keith Jones, Senior VP of Basketball Operations for the Houston Rockets, Graeme Davis, president of Baha Mar, All-star point guard Chris Paul, Jeff Rodgers, senior manager in the Bahamas Tourist Office and All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Houston Rockets return to the Bahamas for mini-camp FROM PAGE 1 “This partnership has become somewhat of a family. “We appreciate being able to come out here, have a good time and work so we can be ready for this grind of a season.”

The Rockets finished last season 65-17 and were the top overall seed in the Western Conference. They advanced to the Conference Finals where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in seven games. This offseason, the team re-signed Paul, Gerald Green and Clint Capela.

They also added several new additions to the roster, including Michael CarterWilliams, James Ennis, Marquese Chriss, Brandon Knight and most notably, 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony. “I want to thank the Bahamas for allowing us to come down here to use

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these facilities and to the Baha Mar, our stay was nothing less than phenomenal,” Anthony said. “People have showed us respect and great hospitality. This is a place where I can see our families coming here and spending time. I just want to say thank you on behalf of the entire Rockets organisation.” Following the Bahamas trip, the Rockets will prepare for training camp and their preseason schedule which begins on Tuesday October 2. The regular season tips off on Wednesday October 17. “On behalf of the Houston Rockets’ players and staff, we had a great week during the mini-camp. Guys worked hard, they had fun, the experience we had here was amazing,” said Keith Jones, Rockets senior vice president of operations. “The National Sports Authority was wonderful with the gym, met our every need and we look forward to doing this every year, getting a little sun and getting a little work in at the same time.” Graeme Davis, president at Baha Mar, said the partnership with the Rockets ties into the investment Baha Mar has made in the sport of basketball at both the local and international levels. “I want to welcome the Rockets back here to the Bahamas. I know last year was a devastating time in Houston around this same time but we’re just thrilled the team was able to come back to the Bahamas this year to enjoy some great weather and some incredible hospitality here at Baha Mar,” he said. “From our perspective it’s so important to keep supporting basketball here in the Bahamas as well and we certainly have a close relationship with the game here with the Bahamas’ national team. “It is also a thrill to be able to welcome the Rockets. They continue to be a great partner, along

with Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and we look forward to this in many

years to come to have them here for rest, relaxation and, of course, some practice.”