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SPORTS SECTION E

HALL OF FAME

Induction, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

BAAAs boss Carey ‘disappointed’ over BOC elections By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net s one of the premier sporting bodies in the country, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ president Rosamunde Carey said she was disappointed that no one from the sport was elected to the Bahamas Olympic Committee. Nominated by the BAAAs, Carey ran for one of the vice president positions, while IAAF councilwoman Pauline Davis was nominated for assistant secretary general. Immediate past BAAAs president Mike Sands was nominated for the post of president by the Bahamas Aquatic Federation, but he nor Carey or Davis got elected at the elections held last week at the Paul Farquharson Auditorium at the Royal Bahamas Police

Force headquarters. including this year “I wasn’t disappointed when Steven Garabout not getting in. I diner made his was disappointed in the breakthrough, along fact that no one from with Meagan Moss and track and field was on Doneisha Anderson, the board,” Carey said. two of our rising young “Track and field is stars who will be prethe biggest sporting paring for Carifta next body in the Commonyear,” she said. wealth of the Bahamas “So we have plans in terms of sports. It in place, we have prois the most successful gress. We don’t see that CAREY sport. We are an organin the other organisaisation that get athletes tions that had persons on the podium at any major elected to the BOC board. We championships or games. So it are not bashing any of them, but was disappointed in that aspect.” when you look at track and field, In giving her views on the elec- we are moving forward into the tions, Carey also touched on right direction.” a number of issues, including Carey said that’s one of the the upcoming season, the Car- reasons why the BAAA was disifta Games, an athletes’ doping appointed in the outcome of the scandal, the Steven Gardiner election, along with sports like investigation and the BAAAs swimming and soccer, which also election of officers next Novem- didn’t have any members on the ber. “We have had our success, new board, headed by Rommel

Knowles. During the elections, Knowles moved up from the secretary general position to beat Sands 15-8 to replace Wellington Miller, who withdrew from seeking a third term in office as president due to the change in their constitution. While the BAAAs indicated that it was disappointed in the outcome, Sands has expressed regret that he didn’t get the support of the BAAAs in his bid to become the new president. But Carey said she heard the remarks, but wanted to point out that the BAAAs only has one vote and he lost 15-8, so he it would be best for him to find why the others didn’t vote for him. “Rommel won 15-8. That’s seven federations,” she insisted. “We support our own. It’s unfortunate that he wants to beat up on the federation, but the point is, seven other federations didn’t vote for him.”

Athletes’ Positive Drug Testing Prior to going to the IAAF World Championships in London, England in August, the BAAAs got the news that one of its athletes tested positive for a banned substance from the IAAF World Relays here in April. However, Carey said there is no further development because the athlete in question has made an appeal to the IAAF. “The due process is underway,” she stated. “The IAAF have to complete their investigation before they can determine what will happen.” Until the investigation is completed, Carey said the athlete’s name would remain anonymous. Gardiner to go to Tribunal The BAAAs has decided to convene a tribunal to determine

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Sydney, Afrika stay alive in Goombay Splash Bowl By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net TWO of the three Bahamians in action in the main draw of the International Tennis Federation’s 2017 Goombay Splash Bowl stayed alive yesterday at the National Tennis Centre. On the second day of the intense competition, both Sydney Clarke and Afrika Smith survived, but Donte Armbrister got eliminated. Armbrister, the No.8 seed in the boys’ under-18 singles, lost a hard fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 decision to Andy Zhu of Canada. One other seeded player advanced on the boys’ side as No.4 Joachim Schaefer of Norway won 6-0, 6-1 over Diego Amilibia from Spain. In two other matches on the boys’ side, American Jake Krug pulled off a 5-7, 6-4, 6-0 win over Callum Theaker of the Cayman Islands and Joshua Cadiz Ramcharitar of Canada won 7-5, 6-3 over American Niklas Von Hellens. On the girls’ side, Clarke, the fifth seed, pulled off a 6-0, 6-2 win over Canadian Shirley Liang, while Smith, the No.5 seed, knocked off Patricia Molina from Spain 6-3, 6-4. Top seed Imani Graham of the United States won 6-1, 6-1 over Mandisa Walle from Curacao and No.7 seed Charlotte Russell of Great Britain won 7-6 (2), 6-4 over Genevieve Quenville from Canada. Doubles also got started yesterday, but only two teams featuring Bahamians advanced.

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AFRIKA SMITH (left) and Donte Armbrister in action during the main draw of the International Tennis Federation’s Goombay Splash Bowl at the National Tennis Centre yesterday. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS BEGINS, BAHAMAS BOWL IN DECEMBER STARTING this week at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island and finishing December 22 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, the Bahamas will be the site of two major college sports events that bring thousands of visitors to the Bahamas and millions more viewers on ESPN television platforms around the world. The seventh-annual Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis will be played November 22-24 in the Imperial Arena at Atlantis. The 2017 field includes 2016 NCAA national champion Villanova along with Arizona, North Carolina State, Purdue, Tennessee, WKU, SMU and Northern Iowa. ESPN will show all 12 games from the 2017 tournament as the sole broadcaster on its various channels and online platforms. ESPN began televising select games, including the championship game, from the Battle in 2014, and 2017 is the first year that every Battle game will be shown on an ESPN platform. The 4th-annual Bahamas Bowl December 22 will feature teams soon to be announced from Conference USA and MidAmerican Conference. As with the previous three editions, the Bahamas Bowl will be televised by ESPN at 12:30pm ET. The Bahamas Bowl game broadcast has brought the highest TV ratings of any sporting event held in the Bahamas.

Fierce competition in Kid’s Athletics Club’s cross country By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH the cross country season now in full swing, the Kid’s Athletics Club returned to the Bahamas Hotrod Association’s racing facility to stage their event on Saturday. Despite the inclement weather that left the course a little under water, the competition was fiercely contested as the various clubs split up the victories in the various age groups. “The competition was awesome. We had a really good turnout,” said Sherry Francis, head coach of Kid’s Athletics. “We had almost 300 kids from the kids that supported it. “I noticed that the kids competition has improved since the last time we had one about a month ago, so I think we will have some very good performances during the track season next year.”

Francis said although they had some problems with the water on the course, she said it didn’t matter because they competed in a very safe environment. Stephen Murray of the Striders assisted his sister in organising the event. He said the whole purpose is to try and improve the distance running to the standard that it was when they were competing. “Hurry Murray is doing the distance. Ashland (Murray, their older brother) is doing the distance with his kids,” Stephen Murray said. “But it ain’t easy because the kids today don’t want to put in the time doing morning and afternoon sessions.” But he said the course, which was 200 metres long, worked out very well for the competitors, including the under-six division that just ran one lap covering 400 metres. They increased the mileage with each age group finishing with the open one-mile or four

NATHAN DUNCAN with his award. Photo: Nathan Duncan Sr

laps. “It’s better because they are always in sight and we could be cheering them on and encourage them,” he added. “So it was more interacting rather than just sending them out to do a mile or 800m and you can’t see them until they are finishing.” Caria Murphy of Hurry Murray carted off the title in the girls’ under-8 division with Alena Pinder of Kid’s Athletics second and Takashi Seymour of the Road Runners coming in third. Cordell Munroe of Kid’s Athletics was the winner of the under-8 boys’ division. Taven St Louis of the T-Bird was second and Cameron Hendfield of Kid’s Athletics got third. “The competition was good. I come first and I lap somebody,” a seven-year-old grade two student at Temple Christian. “I felt good. I was the star for my school.” Azaria Marshall of X-Tream won the girls’ under-10 division.

J’Kaiyah Rolle of the Road Runners was second and Britisha Kemp of Hurry Murray came third. Huyler Lully of the $-D Stallions won the boys under10 division. Hurry Murray teammates Godfrey Brown and Gabrielle Johnson got second and third respectively. Deandra Sears of Hurry Murray won the girls’ under-12 division. Her teammate Stacyann Humes was second and Nya Wright of Kid’s Athletics was third. Christopher Humes led a 1-2-3 sweep for Hurry Murray in the boys under-12 division. Raymond Winder was second and Breck Kemp came in third. Nathan Duncan Jr, representing the T-Bird Flyers, was the winner of the boys under-14 division. Christopher Santus of 4-D Stallions got second place over his

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PAGE 2, Wednesday, November 22, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

GOVERNOR General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling (seated centre) is photographed with honourees and stakeholders during a courtesy call for the National Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class of 2017 at Government House on Friday. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture hosted its 2017 class of induction into the National Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held at Government House on Friday night. The induction was done by Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling. Inducted were the late Lady Edith Turnquest, ‘Ageless QWonder’ Leo Rolle, Mike Sands, Patricia Elaine Thompson, Godfrey Eneas, Fletcher J Lewis and Rudy Levarity.

2017 CLASS INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL HALL OF FAME

GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling (seated centre) is photographed with honourees and stakeholders Friday during the induction ceremony. Also pictured seated (from left) are Sir Orville Turnquest (receiving for his late wife Lady Edith Turnquest), Minister Pintard, Director of Sports Timothy Munnings and newly elected Bahamas Olympic Committee President Rommel “Fish” Knowles. Standing (from left) are Pastor Emeritus of East Street Gospel Chapel Pastor Tom Roberts, Chief Sports Recreation Officer Kevin Colebrooke and honourees Leo Rolle, Michael “Mike” Sands, Patricia Elaine Thompson, Godfrey Eneas, Fletcher J Lewis Jr and Rudy Levarity.

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard speaks during the induction ceremony. Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS

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Wednesday, November 22, 2017, PAGE 3

Wilson named Defensive Player of the Year for 2nd straight year FOR the second year in a row, Bahamian Brandon Wilson has been named the Defensive Player of the Year for the Holland Hurricanes Football Club. Wilson was one of nine players named to the league’s all-star team, with two of them also taking major awards. While Wilson was named Defensive Lineman of the Year, Brennan Davis was named Special Teams Player of the Year. Head Coach Ross Young said the inclusion of so many Hurricanes on the all-star team is indicative of how many talented players the ‘Canes have, and is confident that the team will excel next season. “These nine players exemplify what we aspire to as a team, and we are proud that they have earned the distinction of being on the league’s all-star team,” Young said.

“We had a lot of new players on the team this year, so they needed some time to get used to each other. By the end of the season, the team was really starting to find its rhythm. “The players will be working hard over the next few months to prepare for spring training. The coaches are very proud of the team, and appreciate the work that all our players put in these past season.” In addition to being named Defensive Lineman of the Year, Brandon Wilson made the defensive line on the all-star team along with Josh Feaster. Also named in the defensive line up were linebacker Toriano Curtis and defensive backs Mackenzie Campbell and Tristen Hull. Brennan Davis was named to the offensive lineup as kicker, while Cole Brydges and Tayler Majuary were named as receivers.

SPORTS NOTES CITY BOWLING LEAGUE

BRANDON Wilson was one of nine players named to the Atlantic Football League’s All-Star team.

FIERCE COMPETITION IN KID’S ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY FROM PAGE 1 teammate Takal Davis. “It wasn’t really any competition. It was easy,” said Duncan, a 13-year-old SC McPherson ninth grader who ran away from the field. “The race wasn’t hard. It was easy for me. I just try to run for time.” Rowlia Joseph was the winner of the girls’ under16 division. Her Road Runners teammate Nicole Smith came in second and Davia Wright of Another Level was third. “It was easy because I ran the same thing last year and I was keeping my pace

and breathing easy to stay in front,” said Joseph, a 14-year-old 10th grader at CV Bethel. “It felt good. I ran the second course last year when I got sick. I just trained harder and I was more determined to come out and win this year.” Anthon Pratt led a 1-2-3 sweep for the Road Runners in the boys under-16 division. Jackson Ozias was second and Cephas Whylly got third. “I learn how to run it. I got out faster,” said Pratt, a 15-year-old Queen’s College 10th grader. “I got second the last time I did

this course, so I wanted to win. I’m glad that I did.” Alison Taylor of the Sunburners won the girls’ open division. Her teammate Gabriele Gibson was second and Alicia Clarke of the Striders was third. “This was my second time doing this. It was pretty good,” said Taylor, an 11th grader at Kingsway Academy. “I just wanted to control my breathing, keep up and have a strong finish. “The competition was pretty good, but I finished pretty good. I had a good race.” Mookie Rolle of the T-Bird Flyers won the boys’ open division. His

teammates Devonta Newbold and Charles Butler came in second and third respectively. “This was my second cross country for the year. In the Silver Lightning cross country, it was difficult and I actually didn’t finish,” said Rolle, an 18-year-old 12th grader at Queen’s College. “So what I did, I trained harder in the morning and go back to speed work out in the afternoon. “This was just a mile, so I knew I had put in the work every day, so it just came easy for me. I just thank God for giving me the opportunity to complete this one. I’m looking

forward to the Bay Street mile next week. I want to win that too.” Up next is the Bay Street Mile that will be held on Saturday, starting from the Straw Market on Bay Street and ending up at the National Beach Soccer facility near the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. Following that, the Thelma Gibson cross country championship will return to the Bahamas Hotrod facilities on Saturday, December 2 and on Saturday, December 9, X-Treme Athletics will hold their cross country championship at Goodman’s Bay, starting at 9am.

Sydney, Afrika stay alive in the ITF Goombay Splash Bowl FROM PAGE 1 On the boys’ side, Jacobi Bain, teaming up with Christopher Heck from Canada won 6-4, 6-2 over the Bahamian duo of Donte Armbrister and O’Neil Mortimer, while Kofi Bowe and his American partner Philip Katta were ousted by American duo of Connor and Jake Krug 6-1, 6-1. Bain and Heck will now play the No.2 seeded team of Joshua Lapadat and Ilva Tiraspolsky from Canada in the second round today. The top seeded team is Americans Andrew Dale and Alexander Kiefer. In the girls’ doubles, Bahamians Sydney Clarke and Elena Mackey pulled off a 6-3, 6-2 win over the Canadian team of Shirley Liang and Simran Ravichandran. Clarke and Mackey will play the team of Fernanda Cobo of Mexico and Hina Nishida from Japan in the second round today. The top seeded team is Imani Graham and Madison Kim of the USA, who will play Anya King of the USA and Mandisa Walle. Also today in singles, Jacobi Bain, the last Bahamian standing, will face No.1 seed Alexander Kiefer from the USA.

And on the girls’ side, the six Bahamians still alive will be in action. Hannah-Joy Simms will meet top seed Imani Graham; No.8 seed Sierra Donaldson will face Yao Chewn from China; Isabel Donaldson will take on Dagmar Zdrubeecka from the Czech Republic; No.4 seed Sydney Clarke challenges American Grace O’Donnell; Elana Mackey will battle Genevieve Quenville from Canada and No.5 seed Afrika Smith squares off with Kristina Tiraspolsky from Canada. The tournament also features a under-14 Circuit of COTECC. Today at 4pm, it will be an allBahamian showdown as Michael Major tangles with Dentry Mortimer Jr in the boys’ final and Kaylee Kanuka and Perjae Major are matched up in the girls’ final. The girls’ consolation final will be played between Kinza Johnson and Jordan Munroe, while Clint Newry and Jeffery Thompson will compete in the boys’ consolation final. And in the finals of doubles, Johnson and Kanuka will pair up against Major and Sierra Rodgers in the girls’ encounter, while Major and Newry will face Bahamian Vontenken Rolle and Virgile Homere of Haiti.

RICHIE Pyfrom of Telco Enterprises was red hot in the City Bowling League on Monday night at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre. Pyfrom mowed down the pins for an outstanding 699 high three game set and just missing the exclusive 700 Club by one pin. His teammate David Slatter was the runner-up with another huge set of 670. Godfrey Forbes of TK Falcons, Raymond Adderley of Carib Construction & Phillip Grease Bethel of Giga Tech all had a 248 high game for the evening. Tara Johnson of the E & U Watercoolers was the ladies’ MVP with a 529 high three game set. Tara Culmer of the Island Game Strokers followed with a 523 second high set. Kayla Nixon of CDM Knights struck for the high game of 215 with Marina McClain of Carib Construction downing the pins for the second high game of 198. The team scores for the evening were: E&U Watercoolers 1.5, BEC Shockers 1.5; Telco Enterprises 3, Carib Construction 0; CDM Knights 2, Island Game STrokers 1; Checker’s Café 3, Fresh Blend 0; The Avengers 2, Ten Back Strikers 1; Bahamasair Flyers 2, Giga Tech 1. ARCHERY BEGINNERS’ SHOOTOUT DID you know that we have a beginner shooting class for both adults and youth? If you’re a beginner you can still shoot fairly well at a close distance of 10 yards, which is a stone’s throw away from your current position. Early registration ends December 31, 2018. BASEBALL JBLN OPENING THE Junior Baseball League of Nassau opened the 2018 preseason over the weekend at the St Andrew’s Field of Dreams. The league is now into its 29th season of youth baseball and softball with 37 teams and 480 boys and girls participating. Preseason play will continue through December 17 with the opening of the 2018 season on January 13, 2018.

JACOBI BAIN in action during the main draw of the International Tennis Federation’s Goombay Splash Bowl at the National Tennis Centre yesterday. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

BAAAs boss Carey ‘disappointed’ over BOC elections FROM PAGE 1 what happened at the IAAF World Championships in London where Steven Gardiner declined to run in the heats of the men’s 4 x 400 metre relay - two days after he won his silver medal in the men’s 400m - as requested by head coach Dianne Johnson. According to Carey, they commissioned the tribunal in the first week of October. Attorney Malcolm Adderley is in charge of the body. Members include Dr Julian Stuart, Dr Timothy Barrett and Rubyann Nottage. “We have given them the guidelines and some deadlines, but we understand that they are still waiting to interview some people, including Steven Gardiner,” Carey said. From 2017-18 After enjoying what she called 2017 a “wonderful year” in which the BAAAs did a lot of things, Carey said they are eager looking forward to 2018. “2018 is going to be a great year for us,” she projected. While there are a number of cross country championships being staged now, Carey said the

first official track meet will be the Odd Distance Meet on Saturday, December 9 at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The first major international meet will be the IAAF World Indoor Championships March 2-4 in Birmingham, Great Britain. That will be followed by the Carifta Games here March 30 to April 2 and Commonwealth Games, spearheaded by the BOC, April 8-15 in the Gold Coast, Australia. “We have a whole lot of athletes who are saying they want to compete, but before we send any athletes, we have told them that they will have to show their fitness,” Carey stated. “It’s a long time from August to March, so they have to show fitness by running in at least two indoor meets before we can ratify you.” As for the Commonwealth Games, Carey said there is a stipulation for the athletes as well. “We will have trials for the Commonwealth Games,” she revealed. “It will be the same time that we have the Carifta trials. So it’s not going to be a walk on the team for our athletes. “Since this is going to be their first major

outdoor meet, we are having the trials so that we, along with the BOC, can take a look at the athletes before they travel to the games. So if you want to compete at the Commonwealth Games, you will have to come home for the trials.” The Carifta and Commonwealth Games trials are set for March 16-17 at the stadium. Carifta Games The top regional junior track and field meet, first hosted here in 1976 and last staged here in 2013, will be back in the Bahamas for the eighth time (1978, 1981, 1984, 1992 and 2002), will be dubbed the Flow Carifta 2018 in honour of the late Dr Bernard Nottage. On Thursday, March 29, the LOC will hold a Carifta Gala Ball at the Hilton Hotel in honour of Dr Nottage, a former president of the BAAA, who also played an active role in NACAC. “We just signed the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with NACAC, who owns Carifta, officially giving us permission to host the games,” she revealed. “We want to thank the Government of the Bahamas for

their support. We have gotten the support of the Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis. We met with him and he is very enthusiastic about what we are doing. He’s given the government’s approval to host the games.” The Local Organising Committee (LOC), headed by Carey, will have to come up with some $1.7 million to successfully host the games. She indicated that most of the persons who worked with the World Relays would be back to offer their services for the games. The Games Village has been designed as Melia where the hotel is expected to accommodate athletes and officials from at least 26 countries from the NACAC and Caricom, some of whom are still trying to recover from the devastation left behind by the hurricane. The BAAA will wait on the recommendations from the Bahamas Track and Field Coaches Association, headed by Shaun Miller, before a decision is made on the coaching staff for Team Bahamas. Hike in Fee for Stadium Carey said it has been brought to her attention that the National

Sports Authority has increased the fees for clubs and organisations to use the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium for the staging of their meets. “We’re going to make a concerted effort to have a conversation with the new chairman Vaughn Roberts (of the NSA),” she said. “I know several of the clubs have approached me because it’s ludicrous what they want to charge the clubs to host their meets. “The old stadium compared to the new stadium is just about the same in terms of the fee structure and we don’t think it’s fair. If we don’t have these meets by the clubs, the kids won’t get the meets to keep them sharp for the season ahead of them.” Election of Officers As mandated by their constitution, the BAAA will go to the polls in Saturday, November 17, 2018 to elect its new slate of officers for the next four years. “Everybody is gearing up because elections is in the air,” Carey pointed out. On whether or not she will be seeking another term, Carey said she’s still “deliberating.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 22, 2017, PAGE 5

Quarterback for reeling Dolphins uncertain against New England By STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer

DOLPHINS QB Jay Cutler (6) takes his time to get up after he was sacked in the first half on Sunday. Miami Dolphins offensive guard Jesse Davis (77) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Ryan Russell (95) stand over Cutler. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

DAVIE, Florida (AP) — Double-negative answers to quarterback questions are rarely a good sign, and that’s all Adam Gase could offer. Jay Cutler’s availability Sunday for the Miami Dolphins at New England is uncertain because he’s in the concussion protocol, but if healthy, he’s still the starter. “There’s no reason for me to say he’s not,” Gase said. A tepid endorsement is understandable, giving the direction of the Dolphins (4-6), who have lost four games in a row. Cutler threw three interceptions in Sunday’s home loss against Tampa Bay before he left at halftime because of his injury.

Matt Moore threw for 282 yards and a score in the second half. But Moore’s claim for No. 1 consideration was undercut when he started for an injured Cutler three weeks ago at Baltimore and Miami lost 40-0. The QB issue might be moot this week. Gase said he had no idea whether Cutler is likely to receive medical clearance. Whoever starts against the Patriots, the Dolphins will be the weekend’s biggest underdogs as they try to end a streak of eight consecutive losses at New England by a combined score of 255-109. “We can’t worry about who we’re playing,” Gase said. “We’ve got to worry about getting ourselves better.” The Dolphins faced the Bucs without linebacker Rey Maualuga, waived

Saturday hours after his arrest on a misdemeanour battery charge. Undrafted rookie Chase Allen started for Maualuga and didn’t have a tackle. “Right now we’re playing the guys that are available,” Gase said. The Dolphins had five turnovers and are a minus-9 in turnover differential this season, tied for third worst in the NFL. They also committed 17 penalties, one shy of the franchise record. “We had a ridiculous amount of lost yardage,” Gase said. One bit of good news: The Dolphins no longer rank last in scoring. They climbed ahead of winless Cleveland into 31st place at 15.7 points per game. But with two games looming against the Patriots in a 16-day span, and December games at Buffalo and at Kansas City,

UNSELFISH EAGLES PUT TEAM GOALS FIRST By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Alshon Jeffery used to be the top receiver in Chicago. Jay Ajayi was the main running back in Miami. LeGarrette Blount led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season in New England. Now the trio are just part of the offence instead of the focal point. The Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) have the best record in the NFL thanks to a group of players who put team goals ahead of personal goals. “Winning is contagious and the guys feed off that, and it doesn’t really matter who makes the play,” coach Doug Pederson said. “The bottom line is to win the game. The guys want to win and it doesn’t matter who is hot in the game. They have bought in 100 percent and they prepare that way, and they’re all making plays and all contributing.” None of Philadelphia’s receivers has a 100-yard game this season, and the only 100yard rushing performance came from Blount in Week 4. They don’t care about the numbers. Four offensive players scored TDs in a 37-9 rout at Dallas on Sunday night, including Kenjon Barner. He’s the fourth running back behind Ajayi, Blount and rookie Corey Clement, who is tied with Jeffery and Zach Ertz for most TDs on the team with six. “Everybody has their role,” said Clement, an undrafted

PHILADELPHIA Eagles running back Jay Ajayi (36) leads Dallas Cowboys’ Xavier Woods (25) and Byron Jones (31) on a long run as Ajayi carries the ball in the second half on Sunday. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth) free agent from Wisconsin. “We’re not selfish out there. To have four guys in the rotation, it means a lot because defenses really can’t keep up with the style of running that we have.” Ajayi has 168 yards rushing on only 15 carries in two games since the Eagles acquired him from the Dolphins. He averaged 20 rushes per game in Miami but was getting only 3.4 yards per carry. He’s thriving behind Philadelphia’s offensive line. “It’s definitely not what I’m used to, but at the same time it’s exciting to see all of us make plays,” Ajayi said. “For me whenever the number is called, just make your plays count and take advantage of

your opportunities. We all have our certain plays in the game plan. It comes down to making big plays when you can. I’ve been fortunate enough to get good blocking and hit the holes when I see them.” Jeffery had gaudy stats with the Bears in 2013-14 and got paid to be that guy in Philly. But Carson Wentz has spread the ball to several capable receivers, including Ertz, Torrey Smith, Nelson Agholor, Mack Hollins and Trey Burton. “Anybody every week can step up and just be that guy, and the way we can just be flexible and spread the ball around is what makes us hard to defend,” Wentz said.

the path to .500 — much less the playoffs — appears daunting. “It’ll be a test, for sure,” Moore said. “There is no magic potion. You need to come to work, get better, learn the scheme, execute the scheme and move forward, and that’s it. That’s the only thing we can do. I’ve got faith that these guys will do that.” With six games left, the Dolphins have already matched last year’s regular-season loss total, and they’re on the verge of their longest losing streak since 2011. If the season can be salvaged, Sunday’s game would be a good place to start. “The math starts leaning away from you,” defensive end Cameron Wake said. “If our ultimate goal is to be champions and do things in the postseason, then obviously it’s more and more urgent.”

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Wednesday, November 22, 2017, PAGE 7

REAL MADRID, BESIKTAS ADVANCE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE By DANIELLA MATAR Associated Press DEFENDING champion Real Madrid advanced again to the Champions League knockout stages after beating APOEL 6-0 and Tottenham piled the misery on Borussia Dortmund 2-1 yesterday. Besiktas also progressed, drawing with Porto 1-1 to reach the last 16 for the first time. Also in Group G, last season’s semifinalist, Monaco, crashed out after losing to Leipzig 4-1. Liverpool looked set to join the list of last 16 teams as it led Sevilla 3-0 at halftime but the Spanish side pulled off a remarkable comeback to draw 3-3. Napoli beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 and both sides will have to wait until the final matchday to see which one joins Group F winner Manchester City in the next round. • A look at the games: GROUP E Guido Pizarro’s stoppage-time equaliser for

Sevilla means Liverpool will have to wait two more weeks to see if it can return to the knockout stages after an eight-year absence. Roberto Firmino scored twice for Liverpool and set up Sadio Mane’s goal in the first half-hour. But the hosts rallied with a pair by Wissam Ben Yedder in the second half, and Pizarro’s late equaliser off a corner kick. Liverpool can’t afford to lose to Spartak Moscow at Anfield next month. Spartak, held by last-place Maribor to 1-1, leads Spartak by only three points. Sevilla plays its final game at already eliminated Maribor.

Napoli will qualify for the round of 16, courtesy of a better head-to-head record over Shakhtar, if it wins at Feyenoord in the final round and Shakhtar loses to City. GROUP G Leipzig capitalised on a comedy of errors in a firsthalf horror show to send Monaco crashing out of the Champions League. The visiting German side led 2-0 after just nine minutes, with Monaco’s Jemerson at fault in both goals. The Brazilian defender beat his own ‘keeper with an own goal and set up Leipzig’s second with a feeble pass from the back that Kevin Kampl pounced on to set up Timo Werner. Monaco captain Radamel Falcao conceded a penalty that Werner converted for 3-0 after 31 minutes. Falcao made amends with a headed goal in the closing minutes of the half but Naby Keita restored Leipzig’s three-goal advantage moments later.

REAL Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his team’s 6th goal in the Champions League Group H soccer match against APOEL Nicosia at GSP stadium in Nicosia yesterday. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

GROUP F Lorenzo Insigne showed again what Italy missed in its World Cup playoff as he scored a stunning goal to help Napoli keep alive its chances of qualifying for the knockout stages. Insigne ran down the left before cutting inside and curling into the top right corner from 30 yards

in the 56th minute. Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura, who was fired last week, was roundly criticised after using Insigne for just 15 minutes of the two-leg playoff against Sweden — and out of position. Italy lost 1-0 and failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time

in 60 years. Piotr Zielinski and Dries Mertens netted late as Napoli moved within three points of second-place Shakhtar. Manchester City secured top spot by beating Feyenoord 1-0, thanks to Raheem Sterling’s late winner.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny

Partly cloudy

Variably cloudy with a few showers

A couple of showers and a t‑storm

Partly sunny with a shower or two

Partly sunny with a passing shower

High: 85°

Low: 71°

High: 85° Low: 71°

High: 84° Low: 72°

High: 82° Low: 67°

AccuWeather RealFeel

95° F

77° F

96°-78° F

95°-77° F

92°-74° F

86°-66° F

ORLANDO

TAMPA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 67° F/19° 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: 79° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

4‑8 knots

WEST PALM BEACH High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

4‑8 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

FREEPORT

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 67° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 71° F/22° C

4‑8 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 86° F/30° C Low .................................................... 69° F/21° C Normal high ....................................... 81° F/27° C Normal low ........................................ 69° F/21° C Last year’s high ................................. 79° F/26° C Last year’s low ................................... 67° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday .................................. trace Year to date ............................................... 34.98” Normal year to date ................................... 37.63”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 71° F/22° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

KEY WEST

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

4‑8 knots

ANDROS

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

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

9:57 a.m. 10:19 p.m.

2.9 2.2

3:37 a.m. 4:28 p.m.

0.3 0.4

Thursday

10:38 a.m. 11:03 p.m.

2.8 2.2

4:18 a.m. 5:11 p.m.

0.5 0.5

Friday

11:22 a.m. 11:52 p.m.

2.7 2.2

5:02 a.m. 5:56 p.m.

0.7 0.6

Saturday

12:10 p.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.6 ‑‑‑‑‑

5:51 a.m. 6:44 p.m.

0.8 0.6

Sunday

12:45 a.m. 1:01 p.m.

2.2 2.6

6:47 a.m. 7:34 p.m.

0.8 0.6

Monday

1:42 a.m. 1:56 p.m.

2.3 2.5

7:48 a.m. 8:25 p.m.

0.8 0.4

Tuesday

2:38 a.m. 2:52 p.m.

2.5 2.6

8:49 a.m. 9:16 p.m.

0.7 0.2

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:32 a.m. 5:20 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

9:48 a.m. 8:51 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Nov. 26

Dec. 3

Dec. 10

Dec. 18

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

insurance management tracking map

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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

CAT ISLAND

GROUP H Karim Benzema scored twice in the first half and Cristiano Ronaldo added two goals in the second as Real Madrid thrashed Cypriot team APOEL. Luka Modric and Nacho Fernandez also scored for the defending champions, who have made it past the group stage for 22 straight seasons. The result eliminated Borussia Dortmund, which lost to Tottenham 2-1 in Germany. Harry Kane and Son Heung-min cancelled out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s strike for Dortmund to ensure already-qualified Tottenham wrapped up the group win.

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 64° F/18° C

Leipzig and Porto are level on points, with the German side leading on head-to-head. Besiktas travels to Leipzig on December 6, and Porto hosts Monaco. Besiktas became the first Turkish team ever to top its group after Talisca’s 41stminute equaliser cancelled out Felipe’s opener.

4‑8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

Shown is today’s H weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

4‑8 knots

3‑6 knots

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

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS NW at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots NE at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots WNW at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots NE at 4‑8 Knots NNW at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots N at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots N at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SW at 3‑6 Knots NE at 4‑8 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots NE at 4‑8 Knots S at 6‑12 Knots ENE at 4‑8 Knots N at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots NE at 4‑8 Knots NW at 4‑8 Knots ESE at 4‑8 Knots

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

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 79° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 83° F 83° F 81° F 81° F

PAGE 8, Wednesday, November 22, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Miami gets bump to No. 2 behind Alabama in playoff rankings By RALPH D. RUSSO Associated Press MIAMI made a small but potentially significant move up to No. 2 behind Alabama in the College Football Playoff rankings last night, with Clemson slipping one spot to three and Oklahoma holding at four. Wisconsin and Auburn remained next up behind the top four in a week when the top half of the selection committee’s rankings were mostly unchanged. Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Southern California followed in the same order as they did last week. Over the next two weeks, every team in the top nine will play another team ranked in the committee’s top 25, including four games matching top playoff contenders. The Crimson Tide will play at Auburn on Saturday to decide a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship on December 2. The winner plays Georgia. The Atlantic Coast Conference championship will match Clemson and Miami on December 2, and Wisconsin and Ohio State play in the Big Ten championship. Miami’s move comes after rallying to beat Virginia last Saturday. Committee chairman Kirby Hocutt said Miami is showing characteristics of a championship team. “When you get down the way Miami did to Virginia two times, once in each half, and you have the poise and the ability to come back and win in a convincing manner, that is special,” said Hocutt, the Texas Tech athletic director. The Hurricanes (10-0) play at Pitt Friday and now seem better positioned to get into the playoff even with a loss to

MIAMI head coach Mark Richt walks off the field after Saturday’s NCAA college football game against Virginia in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami won 44-28. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Clemson, depending on how things play out in other conferences. Central Florida came in at No. 15 and Memphis is 20th, the highest ranked teams from outside the Power Five. The American Athletic Conference rivals could meet in the league title game in two weeks if UCF beats USF on Black Friday, setting up a game that would likely send the winner into a New Year’s Six bowl. HOW DOES THIS PLAY OUT? On championship Saturday, the selection committee gathers at the Dallas-area resort hotel where it holds its weekly meeting to watch games together. When the games are done, Hocutt and his

crew of 12 experts dig into the results and put together their final, and only truly meaningful, top 25. Will it be a late night at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine or will the committee members be able to uncork a bottle of wine during the second half of the ACC title game? A lot depends on Alabama. The Crimson Tide could essentially eliminate two other playoff contenders in Auburn and Georgia. The Tigers have no shot if they don’t win the Iron Bowl and the SEC title. Georgia at 11-2 with a loss in the conference title game could still have a flicker of hope to be the second SEC team in the playoff, but would need a lot of help. At 13-0, the Crimson Tide would be

seeded No. 1 and heading to New Orleans to play in the Sugar Bowl semi-final. Easy. If Alabama loses the Iron Bowl or wins that and loses the SEC championship game, it means the committee will likely be ordering up a couple extra pots of coffee instead of a nice pinot noir. The SEC champion is pretty much a lock to get in. But what to do with Alabama at 11-1 or 12-1? The Crimson Tide has been the most dominant team all season, rarely challenged on the field. Nick Saban’s Tide, loaded with five-star recruits and future high draft picks, will always pass the eye test. Alabama’s best wins now are against LSU and Mississippi State, both 8-3.

Alabama is the only team to make the playoff all three seasons. Is the committee prepared to leave the Tide out? The next team that can help clear things up for the committee is Wisconsin. The committee is not thrilled with the Badgers’ schedule, but Wisconsin can get a marquee victory in the Big Ten title game — as long as Ohio State takes care of Michigan on Saturday. At 13-0 and with a conference championship, the committee can replace the ACC championship loser with Wisconsin in the top four. Wisconsin can also eliminate Ohio State and its 31-point loss to Iowa. A Wisconsin loss to Ohio State — or Oklahoma losing to TCU in the Big 12 title game — opens to the

COBURN, KENDRICKS CAPTURE USA TRACK AND FIELD’S TOP AWARDS INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — World champions Emma Coburn and Sam Kendricks were voted USA Track and Field’s top athletes for 2017. Coburn captured the steeplechase title at the London world championships in August. Kendricks finished the season undefeated in the pole vault, picking up a world title along the way. The winners were determined by a media and fan vote. They will be honoured at a banquet on December 2 in Columbus, Ohio. Coburn of Crested Butte, Colorado, led a 1-2 finish in London. She took over the lead on the final water jump and held off teammate Courtney Frerichs. It marked the first time Americans have finished 1-2 in a steeplechase at the worlds or the Olympics. Kendricks of Oxford, Mississippi, finished 17-0. He also serves as a reserve in the US Army. door to consideration of two-loss teams that could bring Notre Dame and USC back into the discussion. The committee could be weighing two-loss conference champions against one-loss teams with no titles. Last year Ohio State was the latter and got in on the strength of three victories against top-10 teams. No contender can match that without winning its conference this season, which could make the decision much tougher this time.