SPORTS SECTION E
Monday, December 22, 2025
EAGLES - Page 6
National tennis champions By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net
TWO new national tennis champions were crowned over the weekend at the National Tennis Center as the Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals delivered highlevel competition from both the men’s and women’s divisions. In the men’s final, thirdranked Jerald Carroll captured the national title with a straight-sets victory over second-ranked Michael Major, winning 7-5, 6-0. “First two matches were pretty simple, I just came out, executed, played, and stayed solid. This last match
was a solid win. The first set was tough, 7-5, I mean, I had to save two set points, and it was a good battle. He is a great player, he played a great match, but I came out, I stayed solid, and I executed, followed the game plan, and I came out with the win, so...of course, lots of camaraderie there.” Carroll said his goal was to start strong after losing to Major at the last nationals, focusing on staying solid and not giving away free points. Despite finishing as runner-up, Major’s performance throughout the tournament earned him significant recognition. The men’s finalist will represent The Bahamas for the first
time at the Davis Cup next year, marking an important milestone in his tennis career and a step forward for the national programme. In the women’s division, second-ranked veteran tennis player Simone Pratt added another national title to her résumé with a 6-4, 6-3 win over 14-year-old Addison Munroe. “It feels great this year to be the national champion, I put in a lot of work preparing, and, you know, going out there and playing every match, best as I could,” said Pratt. “I tried to just take it one point at a time, try not to, you know, pull the trigger too fast, and try to play out the points a little bit more and hit with a little bit
more spin and, you know, play a little bit more strategic and smart.” Pratt also spoke to the pipeline of younger athletes competing in the tournament. “It's great to see the younger ones coming up, 'cause that's what it's about. I just say, let me go out there and try my best and do what I could do.” The final showcased the talent present, with Pratt relying on her composure and court awareness to manage key moments, while Munroe displayed maturity beyond her years. Runner-up Addison spoke about her performances in the finals. “I feel like I played great in all the matches, and I feel like
there are always things that I could work on and be better. And my mindset was mostly positive, but I think I could work more on my mental.” Munroe’s runner-up finish was one of the standout stories of the weekend. At just 14 years old, she has already established herself among the country’s top players. Her performance at the Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals confirmed her rapid development and growing confidence on the national stage. Munroe will also make her debut next year at the Billie Jean King Cup, representing The Bahamas for the first time in international team competition.
Perry Newton, president of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, praised both finals and highlighted the significance of the results for the sport locally. Newton also emphasized the importance of the upcoming international opportunities for the two runners-up. “Having Michael Major step into the Davis Cup and Addison Munroe into the Billie Jean King Cup is a major achievement,” he said. The Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals once again served as a key platform for showcasing the depth of tennis talent in The Bahamas. • SEE PHOTOS ON PAGE 8
Rookie ‘VJ’ scores 26 to help 76ers get 121-114 win over Mavs By AARON BRACY Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points, including seven during a key fourth-quarter stretch, and rookie Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe added 26 as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 121-114 on Saturday night. Dominick Barlow added 21 points for Philadelphia, which played without Joel Embiid (illness/right knee injury management) and Paul George (left knee injury management). Embiid missed his second consecutive game and 16th of the season. The 76ers have won six of eight. Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis each scored 24 points for Dallas. Flagg, who turns 19 on Sunday, began play second among NBA rookies in
both scoring (18.6 points per game) and rebounding (6.4 rpg). Edgecombe, selected two picks after Flagg in this year's draft, had 23 points and a highlight-reel dunk in Philadelphia’s 116-107 win over the Knicks in New York on Friday night. He entered third among rookies at 15.6 points per game. Flagg’s short jumper tied it at 104 with 8:56 remaining before Philadelphia took control behind Maxey and Edgecombe. Maxey scored seven points and Edgecombe the other four during an 11-0 run over the next 2:21, capped by Maxey's 3-pointer that put the Sixers ahead 115-104 with 6:30 to play. Maxey entered third in the league in scoring (31.4 ppg). Flagg drew “oohs” and “aahs” from the Philly
HANGTIME: Philadelphia 76ers guard Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, centre, holds the ball after dunking over New York Knicks guards Jalen Brunson, left, and Josh Hart, right, during the second half on Friday in New York. SEE STORY ON PAGE 5 (AP Photo/John Munson) crowd several times, including when he dribbled behind the back to set up a driving layup early in the third quarter and after a two-handed dunk along the baseline later in the period.
He also went coast-tocoast for an impressive layup late in the first half. Edgecombe was hot early in the game, scoring 14 points in eight first-quarter minutes.
Davis (illness) and Klay Thompson (left knee soreness) both played for the Mavericks despite being listed as probable and questionable, respectively, before the game. Thompson
had 10 points and Davis grabbed 14 rebounds. Up next Mavericks: Play at New Orleans tonight. 76ers: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night.