SPORTS SECTION E
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
NFL WEEK 16 - Page 3
Golden Girl: ‘Make sure you take care of your grades’ By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
NOW that she’s back home, “Golden Girl” Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie said she wants to do whatever she can to help with the continued growth and development of track and field in the country. After serving for the past few years as an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky, Ferguson-McKenzie is working with the Red-Line Athletics Track Club as an assistant coach. She got her first opportunity to see the local athletes in action as they competed in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance Track and Field Meet at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Saturday. Ferguson-McKenzie,
one of the county's top female sprinters and a member of the 4 x 100m relay team that won both the World Championships and Olympic Games in 1999 in Seville, Spain and Sydney, Australia in 2000, said she was impressed with what she saw. "It's always exciting. It's the future of The Bahamas, the future of track and field, and I saw a lot of talent here," Ferguson-McKenzie said. "Kudos to all of the coaches who put in the work for the kids. Keep developing them. "To the athletes, just keep being disciplined, being committed and just showing up and compete and make sure you take care of your grades because you never know where you will end up." As a former deputy head girl at St Andrew's,
Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie says she wants to contribute to growth and development of track and field in The Bahamas
FERGUSON-MCKENZIE
Ferguson-McKenzie went on to compete for the University of Georgia on an athletic scholarship. She said it was her stickability and commitment and dedication to the sport that she eventually got into coaching at the University of Houston where she worked with Grand Bahamian sprinter Brianna Bethel. While college is a lot different from high school, Ferguson-McKenzie said her goal is to ensure that the local athletes are not burnt out before they get the opportunity to compete at the collegiate and hopefully the professional circuit.
"I just want to show them how to have fun, take the time to show up and learn and progress, knowing that they will not always win, but we want to see their progression year after year as they get better and better," Ferguson-McKenzie stressed. "We want to get them qualified for CARIFTA and hopefully get some scholarships to university or college. That is the ultimate goal. So we want to be able to instil in them the values that they can learn from track and field and they take it for life." And as a contributor to the success of The Bahamas’ greatest relay
teams, partnering with Savetheda Fynes, Chandra Sturrup, Pauline Davis and Eldece Clarke, Ferguson-McKenzie said she longs for the day when The Bahamas can return to its prominence as a relay powerhouse in the world. With The Bahamas scheduled to host the return of the World Relays in 2028, which serves as a prelude to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, Ferguson-McKenzie feels hat between now and then, The Bahamas will have a golden opportunity to assemble competitive teams in both the men and women divisions as they did in the past.
Setting the pace
BAAA Odd Distance Meet takes the spotlight By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AS expected, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance Meet on Saturday at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium provided a foretaste of what's to come in 2026. Derryus Rolle had one of the noteworthy performances on the field in the under-15 boys’ division. The reigning double national champion opened up with a pair of personal best performances, winning the discus with 32.05 metres and the shot put with 8.80m. His Triple Threat teammate Morgan Sands was second in the discus (20.06m) and shot put (8.23m). "I felt I could have done better, but I was very happy with my performances," said Rolle, a 13-year-old ninth grader at Queen's College who, at 6-feet, 2-inches, is also a pretty good baseball pitcher. "I improved in my events, but this season, I expect to win again because I have very good training (from
coach Khyle Higgs) and my parents (MP for South Beach Bacchus Rolle and UB athletic director Kimberley Rolle) put a lot of money and energy into me, so I expect some good results." On the track, there were quite a number of impressive performances as well. Tahje Johnson of RedLine Athletics pulled off the win in the under-20 boys' 1,000 metres in two minutes and 52.64 seconds. But the 17-year-old home schooled student admitted that it wasn't easy. "It was good to get out there to run again. I just have to work on my race plan," Johnson said. "I could have executed the race better. But I'm glad that I won." Kyden Thurston, a 16-year-old 12th grader at Charles W Saunders, got the double win for the T-Bird Flyers in the under-17 boys’ 600m in 1:24.34 and the 1,000m in 2:39.70. But he too admitted that if he's going to get another return trip on the CARIFTA will have to step it up. Last year he was fourth in the 1,500m and fifth in the 3,000m.
TRACK AND FIELD: Athletes compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance (Track and Field) Meet on Saturday at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Photos: Kermit Taylor/Bahamas Athletics "I'm not too concerned about who is in the race and how fast they are running. My focus is on my times," said Thurston, who had to hold off a late surge by Cordell Munroe of Team Velocity and Andrew Seymour of Fast Forward in both events. Aiden Russell, a 14-yearold ninth grader at Queen's
College, made it look so easy in taking the under25 boys' 500m in 1:08.97 over his Fast forward team-mate Deuel Williams (1:12.04) and the 1,000m in 2:46.45 over Odin Mozie, unattached, who trailed in 2:58.41. "I'm proud, but I felt I could have gone faster," said Russell, who felt the
lactic-acid kicking in. "I want to make the CARIFTA, so I'm training as hard as I can." And Jade Knowles, representing Dtsp Wolfpack, ran a combined 1,000m with the under-15 and under-20 girls and pulled off a comefrom-behind win in 3:22.13. "I just went out there to perform to my level of
excellence and did what my coach taught me," said Knowles, a 16-year-old 12th grader at Queen's College. "I really want to make the CARIFTA team and lower my 800m time to about 2:14 and my 400m time to about 57 seconds. If I can do that, I know I can make the team." • SEE PAGES 4 & 5
PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 23, 2025
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Local Sports Calendar
CARIFTA CHARTER WITH the 2026 CARIFTA Games all set for Grenada over the Easter holiday weekend, persons are being encouraged to secure their seats on the Bahamasair-chartered flight. The charter will depart Nassau on Thursday, April 2 and return on Tuesday, April 7. The airfare is $1,099 per passenger. A non-refundable deposit of $200 per passenger is required. However, it can be transferred. Cash or direct deposits can be made at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) under the account name: Bah Association of (business checking account). Transit No.95165/ Account No.1011089.
Interested persons can contact Laura Pratt-Charlton at 357-3109 or Laketah Charlton at 468-5592 or email baaafriendsandfamily@gmail.com for more information. STAR PERFORMERS MEET THE Star Trackers Track Club is scheduled to hold its 23rd edition of the Star Performers Track and Field Classic on Saturday, January 24, from 9am to 6pm at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event, sponsored Baker Concrete International Division Greyco Limited, will be open to competitors in all age groups to the open
divisions for boys and girls and men and women. Interested persons can contact Laura Pratt-Charlton at 357-3109 for more information. RED-LINE SONJA KNOWLES TRACK CLASSIC RED-LINE Athletics, “Where Champions are Made,” will hold its sixth annual Sonja Knowles Track Classic over the weekend of January 31 and February 1. The event will take place at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium on January 31 from 11am to 6pm and Sunday, March 1 from 1-6 pm. Competition will be held in the various age groups from under-7 to masters.
Interested persons are urged to contact club founder and head coach Tito Moss at 425-4262 for more information. LEGENDS TRACK INVITE THE Legends Track and Field’s Devynne Charlton Invitational is scheduled for Saturday, February 7 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The meet, to be held in honour of world indoor 60m hurdles record holder and two-time champion Devynne Charlton, will have her younger sister Anthaya Charlton as one of the special guests. Powered by Speed Capital, it will feature athletes competing from the ages of seven to the open categories for boys and girls.
T-BIRD FLYERS THE T-Bird Flyers will hold its 2026 Track Classic, held in memory of the late Gregory Clarke, on Friday, January 9, starting at 6pm and Saturday, January 10 at noon at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Interested persons are urged to contact Foster Dorsett at 427-3883 for more details. ROAD RACE MACEDONIA AS a part of its 60th anniversary, Macedonia Baptist Church will hold a Family Fun Run/Walk race that is open to the general public on January 24. The dual event is scheduled to start at 6am at the church on Bernard Road, Fox Hill. The categories
include male and female 15-and-under, 20-and-under, 40-and-under, 60-and-under and over-60 with awards presented to the first three finishers. FLYERS TRACK CLASSIC THE 2026 Flyers Track Classic is scheduled for the weekend of January 9-10. The event is being held in memory of the late Gregory Clarke. The meet will run from 6pm on January 9 and close out on January 10 from noon. The registration fee is $22 per athlete. Trophies will be presented to the winners for all firstplace finishers. Medals will go to second and third place. There will also be divisional team winners and the male and female MVP winners.
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Tuesday, December 23, 2025, PAGE 3
DK Metcalf suspended two games following altercation with fan By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — The NFL has suspended Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf for two games following an in-game altercation between Metcalf and a fan during the team’s victory over Detroit. The league ruled that Metcalf’s actions violated league policy, which specifies that “players may not enter the stands or otherwise confront fans at any time on game day and… if a player makes unnecessary physical contact with a fan in any way that constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct or presents crowd-control issues and/or risk of injury, he will be held accountable.” Metcalf will be eligible to return to the Steelers’ active roster on Monday, January 5, following the team’s games in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns and Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. Under the collective bargaining agreement, Metcalf
may appeal the suspension. A prompt hearing will be held by the commissioner or his designee. CBS-TV cameras caught Metcalf and Ryan Kennedy, a Lions fan wearing a blue wig and a blue and black shirt that aligned with Detroit’s colours, having an exchange along the rail in the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 victory. Kennedy leaned over the railing during the exchange, and the blue wig fell forward to cover his face. The interaction ended with Metcalf reaching toward Kelly's head with his right arm, though he didn’t appear to make much, if any, contact. Metcalf remained in the game, finishing with four catches for 42 yards. He was unavailable to reporters afterward and did not appear at his locker on Monday during the club’s 45-minute media availability. Metcalf has regularly spoken on Wednesdays during the season. Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said Sunday that he
“heard about” the exchange but didn’t see it and at that point hadn’t had an opportunity to discuss it with Metcalf. Former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco said during a podcast he co-hosts with Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe that Metcalf told him the fan used a racial slur and disparaged Metcalf’s mother. A statement released to The Associated Press on Kennedy's behalf by a Michigan law firm on Monday said Kennedy “categorically denies” using a slur or any other derogatory statement during the exchange. The statement released by Shawn Head and Sean Murphy of Head Murphy Law Firm called the allegations “completely false.” “At no point before, during or after the incident did Mr. Kennedy use racial slurs or hate speech of any kind,” the statement read. “The claims suggesting otherwise are untrue and not supported by
STEELERS’ DK Metcalf walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) video evidence, eyewitness accounts or any contemporaneous reporting.” The statement said Kennedy would have no further comment because “this matter will now likely be the subject of formal legal proceedings.” The statement added that Kennedy, who told The Detroit Free Press he is from Pinckney, Michigan, about an hour west of Ford Field, has been subjected to “harassment, threats and messages advocating violence” in the aftermath. Kennedy told
the newspaper that Metcalf ripped his shirt during the incident. Kennedy also told the Free Press that he was calling Metcalf by his given name, DeKaylin. The incident is hardly the first between a professional athlete and a fan during a live sporting event. The exchange between Metcalf and the fan came five months after Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana was suspended and fined by Major League Baseball following a confrontation with a fan at a
game between the Pirates and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, which is a block down from Ford Field. The most notorious incident between players and fans came in 2004 when several members of the Indiana Pacers — including guard Ron Artest (now known as Metta World Peace) — fought fans inside the now-demolished Palace in a game between the Pacers and the Detroit Pistons in what is known universally as “The Malice at the Palace.”
Tua Tagovailoa could be the NFL’s next quarterback reclamation project By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer TUA Tagovailoa could be the NFL’s next quarterback reclamation project. Now that he’s been benched by the Dolphins, Tagovailoa’s future in Miami is uncertain. The Dolphins (6-8) will take a look at rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers over the final three games. They haven’t won a playoff game since January 2001, the longest drought in the NFL. The 27-year-old Tagovailoa hasn’t lived up to the $212.4 million, fouryear contract extension he signed after leading the NFL with 4,624 yards passing in 2023 and guiding the Dolphins to 11 wins and a playoff berth. Trading Tagovailoa will be difficult because of his contract. He’s due $54 million guaranteed next season. If the Dolphins somehow found a trade partner before March 13, they would incur a dead cap hit of $45.2 million. A trade after March 13 would result in a $60.2 million dead cap charge. Releasing Tagovailoa before that date means the Dolphins would owe him $54 million in 2026 and would absorb $99.2 million in dead salary cap charges. That would be the largest in
DOLPHINS quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) NFL history. Denver took an $85 million cap hit after releasing Russell Wilson in 2024 and spread the charges over two seasons. Releasing Tagovailoa with a post-June 1 designation would allow the Dolphins to spread those cap hits over two seasons with $67.4 million allocated to the 2026 cap and the remaining $31.8 million in 2027. A release would seem to be the most likely outcome. The Broncos overcame
that cap hit from Wilson’s release, made the playoffs last season and currently have the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Dolphins could get creative by adding draft picks to entice a team to make a trade. That would require finding a team that has cap space to take on Tagovailoa’s large contract. Of course, Miami could choose to keep Tagovailoa as a backup like Atlanta did with Kirk Cousins this season. The expectation is
Tagovailoa will be wearing a new uniform next year. He’s only 27, has made a Pro Bowl and posted a passer rating above 100 in each of his three previous seasons before tossing a league-leading 15 interceptions this season. Tagovailoa also has a history of concussions so that could be a deterrent. Several quarterbacks who were first-round picks have revived their careers after getting a fresh start with a new team. The list includes
Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff and Sam Darnold. • Here are five potential landing spots for Tagovailoa in 2026: New York Jets They’ve never defeated Tagovailoa, going 0-7 against Miami when he starts. The Jets need a franchise quarterback and will likely draft one in the first round. But Tagovailoa could be an inexpensive bridge quarterback with low-risk, high-reward potential. If he’s released,
the Jets could sign him for the veteran minimum while the Dolphins pay him $50 million-plus to go away. Cleveland Browns They’re in the same position as the Jets but also have two rookie quarterbacks they’ve tried out this season. Third-round pick Dillon Gabriel was 1-5 in six starts. Fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders is 1-3 going into his fifth start this week. Las Vegas Raiders They need a franchise quarterback and have been a franchise that isn’t afraid to take risks. Tagovailoa plays better in a warmer climate so that’s a fit. The Raiders will also likely draft a quarterback in the first round. Pittsburgh Steelers They took a chance on Wilson last year and have Aaron Rodgers this season. He’s 42 and could retire. Even if he returns for a season, the Steelers need a quarterback for the future. Tagovailoa could learn plenty from watching Rodgers for a season. Arizona Cardinals Kyler Murray’s contract will be tough to trade unless maybe they swap him for Tagovailoa. Murray will be entering the third season of a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension, averaging $46.1 million per year. He’s due $36.8 million guaranteed next year.
Maye leads Patriots to 28-24 win over Ravens that clinches playoff spot By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer BALTIMORE (AP) — Hopefully the rest of the NFL enjoyed the respite. The New England Patriots are back in the playoffs — with an unflappable quarterback and a coach who is thirsty for more. Sound familiar? Drake Maye guided New England to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, rallying his team from an 11-point deficit to a 28-24 victory over Baltimore on Sunday night that clinched a postseason spot for the Patriots and dealt a devastating blow to the Ravens' playoff hopes. “We're going to try to win the division. We're going to focus on that,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said. “I'm excited. All the credit to the players. When we win, it's because of them.” Seven years after Tom Brady and Bill Belichick
won their final Super Bowl together in New England — and four years after Belichick reached the playoffs with Mac Jones at quarterback — the Patriots return to the postseason in Maye's second year behind centre. Maye certainly didn't hurt his MVP case Sunday, throwing for a careerbest 380 yards and two touchdowns. Down 24-13, Maye connected on a 37-yard scoring strike to Kyle Williams, and a two-point conversion pass to Rhamondre Stevenson made it a three-point game with 9:01 to play. After New England forced a punt, the Patriots drove 89 yards for the winning touchdown. Baltimore's pass rush, which was nonexistent earlier in the game, was much better toward the end, but Maye showed why he and his team are in first place in the AFC East. New England remains a game ahead
of second-place Buffalo despite losing to the Bills last week. “It was kind of a wake-up call last week — we got a chance to win the game with a game-winning drive, and this week it was like, man, let's not have that feeling two weeks in a row," Maye said. “It was kind of the elephant in the room.” Maye went 12 of 14 for 139 yards in the final quarter, although the winning touchdown came on one of New England's few productive running plays, a 21-yard dash by Stevenson with 2:07 left. The Ravens, who lost Lamar Jackson to a back injury in the second quarter, turned the ball over on their final drive on a fumble by Zay Flowers. Baltimore (7-8) is now two games behind AFC North-leading Pittsburgh with two to play. To win the division, the Ravens would
need to win at Green Bay and Pittsburgh and have the Steelers lose to lowly Cleveland in Week 17. “Tough loss," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “We didn’t do the winning things we need to do. We made some mistakes that cost us.” The Steelers beat Detroit earlier in the day. The dramatic ending of that game came after many fans had already entered the stadium in Baltimore, and Steelers-Lions was shown on the big screen. Pittsburgh's win put immense pressure on the Ravens, and things went from bad to worse when New England took a 10-7 lead and then Jackson left late in the second quarter with yet another injury. Tyler Huntley — who led Baltimore to a huge win in Week 8 over Chicago when Jackson was out with a hamstring problem — helped the Ravens rally. Flowers
scored on an 18-yard end around to give the Ravens a 17-13 lead in the third quarter. Baltimore then snuffed out a fake punt near midfield and went ahead by 11 on Henry's 2-yard run with 12:50 left in the fourth. But that was the last time Henry touched the ball — another baffling set of decisions in another fourth-quarter collapse by a Baltimore team that's had plenty of those in recent years. The Ravens took a 7-0 lead on a 21-yard run by Henry — just their third first-quarter touchdown in nine home games this season. After Maye was intercepted, Baltimore's offence was rolling before Henry fumbled. New England tied it on a 1-yard pass from Maye to Hunter Henry. It was 10-all at halftime. The Patriots lost Rookie of the Year candidate Tre'Veyon Henderson
when the running back left with a head injury in the second quarter. Another night-mare The Ravens entered the season 22-3 under Harbaugh in prime time games at home, but they've gone 0-3 this season, losing to Detroit, Cincinnati and now New England. In fact, Baltimore went 3-6 on its home schedule, the worst mark in franchise history. The Patriots, meanwhile, improved to 7-0 on the road in Vrabel's first season at the helm. Injuries Patriots: DT Joshua Farmer injured his hamstring, CB Charles Woods hurt an ankle, WR DeMario Douglas injured a hamstring and DL Khyiris Tonga hurt a foot. Ravens: G Andrew Vorhees injured a foot. Up next Patriots: At the New York Jets next Sunday. Ravens: At Green Bay on Saturday night.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 23, 2025
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Setting the pace: BAAA Odd
CRUISE CONTROL: Athletes compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance (Track and Field) Meet on Saturday at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Photos: Kermit Taylor/Bahamas Athletics
• Highlights of the divisional outstanding performances are as follows: Under-7 girls Kids Athletics got a 1-2 punch from Imari Collie and Lundy Davies. While Collie won the 60m in 12.02, Davies trailed in 12.81. Davies got the edge in the 150m in 32.26 with Collie as the runner up in 35.91. Under-7 boys Kids Athletics got another 1-2 feat from Luke Spence and Brenton Taylor. Spence doubled up in the 60m in 9.68 and the 150m in 25.61. Taylor was second twice in the 60m (10.08) and 150m (27.44).
Under-9 girls Summer Strachan got a double dose of victory for Speed Kids in the 80m in 12.08 and the 150m in 23.82. Cymphony Greenslade of Red-Line Athletics was second in the 80m (12.43) and Daejah Farrington of Speed Kids was second in the 105m (24.41). Under-9 boys Speed 365 got a lot of speed from Jadon White as he doubled up in the 80m in 11.82 and the 150m in 22.00. Jason Stubbs of Kids Athletics was the 80m runner-up (11.91) and Leslie Munnings also of Kids Athletics
got the second spot in the 150m (22.19). Under-11 girls Red-Line Athletics’ Jazmyn Demeritte was too fast to contend with as she took the 80m (11.14 ) over her team-mate Bereeya Rolle (11.99). Demeritte also ran away with the 150m (21.64) with Tomiah Pierre of Unique Athletics finishing second (22.74). Under-11 boys Aidan Saunders also came out strong for RedLine Athletics with his double in the 80m (10.56) and the 150m (20.42). Speed 365’s Andre Ferguson got
second in both events in 11.13 and 21.20 respectively. Under-13 girls Red-Line Athletics got a 1-2 punch from Catalyn Cai-Lily (10.74) and Peyton Moss (10.97) in the 80m, but Unique Athletics’ Tamaz Davis got the 150m (19.32) with Kian Duncombe of Bahamas Speed Dynamics second (19.53). Duncombe took the 300m (43.49) with Davis second (44.24). Under-13 boys Aiden Aranha of Speed 365 won the 80m (10.63) over Frankie Wright of St Francis/Joseph (11.18). But it was Red-Line Athletics’
Caden Stevens who stole the show, winning the 150m (18.35) over Da’vion Marcene of Upward Performance (18.96). Stevens also won the 300m (40.18) with Marcene second (42.80). Under-15 girls Three different winners emerged as Tarae Forbes of Upward Performance led the way in the 150m (18.17) over Aniah Chales of Bahamas Speed (18.36). Brianna Bootle of Red-Line Athletics took the 300m (41.07) over McKenzie Henield of Bahamas Speed (41.59). Also, Victoria Sandi-Aguilar of Unique
Athletics won the 500m (1:23.83) with teammate Paris Curits second (1:25.99) and Elexia Strachan of Team Velocity won the 1,000m (3:22.87) with Shimoi Bain of Unique Athletics second (4:18.38). Under-15 boys Shia Pratt of Bahamas Speed won the 150m (16.36) with his team-mate Tristan Lockhart second (16.58). Lockhart took the 300m (35.71) with teammate Justin Shepherd second (35.72). • CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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Tuesday, December 23, 2025, PAGE 5
Distance Meet takes spotlight
FAST TRACK: Athletes compete during the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance (Track and Field) Meet Saturday at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. Photos: Kermit Taylor/Bahamas Athletics
• FROM PAGE 4 Fast Forward would not be out-done as Ayden Russell won the 500m (1:08.97) with team-mate Deuel Williams second (1:12.04). Russell also took the 1,000m (2:46.45) over unattached Odin Mozie (2:58.41). Under-17 girls Deryn Rodgers was a star for Star Elite, winning the 150m (18.01) over CARIFTA bronze medallist Brion Ward (18.21) of DTSP Wolfpack’s. Rodgers also won the 300m (40.32) with Ward second (40.52). CARIFTA hurdles champion Syrmiah Crawley of
Red-Line Athletics was the winner of the 600m (1:42.66) with Ramonica Miller of Unique Athletics second (1:43.34). Under-17 boys Aiden Musgrove led a 1-2 sweep for Bahamas Speed in the 150m (15.94) with CARIFTA champion Jahcario Wilson second (16.12). Jonathan Higgs of Bahamas Speed won the 300m (34.03) with Barry Miller of Team Velocity second (34.38). CARIFTA silver medallist Obadiah Cherizar soared 1.95m to win the high jump for the T-Bird Flyers. Kaiden Kemp of CH Reeves won the discus
(43.95m) ahead of his team-mate David Douglas (41.55m). Under-20 girls CARIFTA individual and relay medallist Darvinique Dean was head of the class for Red-Line Athletics, winning the 150m (17.98) over Dream Watkins of Upward Performance (18.23). Dean also took the 300m (39.03) with team-mate Yulanis Akompi second (42.97). Alexis Roberts kept the winning streak going for Red-Line in the 600m (1:42.22) with Akompi second (1:42.79) and Deborah Cassy of T-Bird won the 1,000m (3:41.87).
Jumpers Inc’s Zanta Ferguson (10.55m) out-distanced team-mate Synia Lockhart (9.74m) in the triple jump; Blue Chip Athletics’ Ahnae Smith won both the shot put (10.42m) and discus (38.60m) with team-mate Malia Strachan second in both events (9.68m) and (33.07m) respectively. Under-20 boys Fast Forward’s Everette Fraser surged fast ahead of the field in the 150m (15.92) with Shamaro Armbrister of Team Velocity second (16.38). Zion Shepherd, unattached, took the 300m (33.52) with Emmanuel
Adams of T-Bird second (34.56). Davon Davis of Leap of Faith cleared 6.54m in the long jump over Jumpers Inc’s Joshua Wilson (5.78m). Ethan North of Air Assaults tossed the javelin (55.05m) and Treyvon Simms of Blue Chips Athletics won the discus (37.55m). Open Women Jayna Wells of Upward Performance was the only performer, winning the 150m (22.59). Open Men Quick Step Athletics’ Donavan Jackson Jr had a quick step to win the 60m (7.02) with Justin Mazella,
unattached, second (7.18). And Canadian collegian Luca Nicoetti, training here with team-mate Peter Tilusnord during the Christmas break, got a double in the 150m (15.98) and the 300m (34.09). While Mazella was second in the 150m (16.93), Tilusnord was runner-up in the 300m i(35.55). Note: The meet was a time trial with several heats and some of the times posted were hand-timed as officials had to delay the start of the track events due to a malfunction of the automatic timing system that was eventually sorted out.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 23, 2025
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BULLS forward Isaac Okoro shoots during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Atlanta.
Bulls edge Hawks 152-150 in NBA’s highest-scoring game this season By The Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Matas Buzelis scored 28 points to lead nine Chicago players in double figures and the Bulls outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 152-150 on Sunday in the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season. Chicago set season highs for points in a first half and game and held on in the closing seconds in the first of two straight games in Atlanta. The teams will meet again tonight. The Bulls topped their previous high for points in a first half in taking an 83-73 halftime lead. They scored 72 first-half points in a 128122 loss at Cleveland on November 8. The Bulls also set a season scoring high for a game, topping their total in a 150-147 loss at Utah on November 16. Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 36 points, and Trae Young had a season-high 35. The Hawks have lost three straight and seven of nine to fall back to .500 at 15-15. Johnson’s 3-pointer with five seconds remaining gave the Bulls a 151-150 lead. Buzelis made one of two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining before Young missed a last-second jumper. KINGS 125, ROCKETS 124 (Overtime) SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — Dennis Schroder made a 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting Sacramento to a victory over Houston. Schroder finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists off the bench to help the Kings rally after trailing by five in the final two minutes of regulation. DeMar DeRozan had 27 points and nine assists, and Russell Westbrook added 21 points and 13 rebounds to help the Kings end a fivegame skid. Keegan Murray
scored 26 points while Maxime Raynaud had 12 points and 14 rebounds. Schroder’s game-winner came eight seconds after Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. made one of three free throws. Smith scored 18 points for the Rockets but had his string of four consecutive double-doubles ended. Alperen Sengun had 28 points and six rebounds, Kevin Durant added 24 points and 10 rebounds but missed a jumper at the overtime buzzer. Sacramento forced overtime after a late surge in the fourth quarter. After Durant’s two free throws gave the Rockets a 112-107 lead with 2:16 remaining, DeRozan scored on a dunk and Westbrook made a corner 3-pointer to tie it. There were multiple lead changes in overtime, and Westbrook missed a go-ahead 3-pointer with 30 seconds left to play. The Rockets grabbed the rebound and went ahead 124-122 on Smith’s free throws before DeRozan drove the lane then dished to Schroder wide open in the left corner. NETS 96, RAPTORS 81 NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Porter Jr. scored 24 points, Noah Clowney added 19 and Brooklyn beat Toronto. Rookie Egor Demin had 16 points and Nic Claxton finished with 12 for the Nets, who led by 15 points in the third quarter, fell behind early in the fourth and then surged ahead again. Brandon Ingram finished with 19 points and Immanuel Quickley added 17 points and 10 assists for the Raptors, who have lost six of their last nine games after starting the season 15-7. Brooklyn outscored Toronto 29-16 in the fourth quarter. The Nets allowed
TIMBERWOLVES guard Terrence Shannon Jr. (1), back, celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) their lowest point total of the season. KNICKS 132, HEAT 125 NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 47 points and New York overcame Karl-Anthony Towns’ quiet night to beat Miami. While Towns had just two points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, Mikal Bridges scored 24 points on 6-of7
3-point shooting, Josh Hart added 13 points and 10 rebounds and OG Anunoby scored all 18 of his points all in the second half. The Knicks improved to 20-8 overall and 14-2 at home. Kel’el Ware had 28 points and 19 rebounds for Miami. The Heat have lost seven of eight to fall to 15-14. With Towns held scoreless over the first 25:02,
and posting his fewest points since joining the Knicks, Brunson, Bridges and Anunoby picked up the slack, especially in the second half. SPURS 124, WIZARDS 113 WASHINGTON (AP) — De’Aaron Fox scored 27 points and sank five 3-pointers to help San Antonio ease to a victory over Washington.
(AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Luke Kornet had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Stephon Castle added 18 points and 11 assists as the Spurs won their sixth in seven games and second in four days against Washington. Victor Wembanyama had 14 points and 12 rebounds in under 22 minutes as he continued his bench role for San Antonio since his return from a calf strain. Bub Carrington scored 21 points for the Wizards, who rested starters Alex Sarr (adductor) and Khris Middleton (knee) after they both played in Saturday’s 130-122 win at Memphis. Tre Johnson scored 19 points and Tristan Vukcevic had 18 for Washington, which returned from a three-game road trip with two wins but has lost four straight at home. TIMBERWOLVES 103, BUCKS 100 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 24 points despite a poor night shooting and Minnesota rode timely 3-pointers from Donte DiVincenzo and Terrence Shannon Jr. to a victory over Milwaukee. Two days after closing out defending champion Oklahoma City in its third loss of the season, Edwards went 7 for 24 from the field and 2 for 11 from 3-point range, leading six Wolves in double figures. DiVincenzo made 4 of 8 3-point attempts for 18 points, and Rudy Gobert had 11 points and 18 rebounds, becoming the 45th NBA player with 10,000 rebounds. Edwards’ driving layup with 21 seconds left gave Minnesota a 103-97 lead and sealed the Wolves’ ninth win in their past 11 games. Kevin Porter Jr. finished an assist short of a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and four steals in the Bucks’ third straight loss. Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins added 16 points apiece.
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Tuesday, December 23, 2025, PAGE 7
Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals
Simone Pratt and Jerald Carroll emerge as national tennis champions
ON THE REPLAY: Two new national tennis champions were crowned over the weekend at the National Tennis Center as the Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals delivered high-level competition from both the men’s and women’s divisions. In the men’s final, third-ranked Jerald Carroll captured the national title with a straight-sets victory over second-ranked Michael Major, winning 7-5, 6-0. 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. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr/Tribune Staff
PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 23, 2025
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