Issuu

SPORTS SECTION E

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

PRO PICKS WEEK 17 - Page 10

Jaguars and Agape Eagles secure Providence Holiday Classic titles By JONATHAN BURROWS Tribune Sports Reporter jburrows@tribunemedia.net

CHAMPIONS: The St George’s Jaguars senior boys, out of Freeport, celebrate their win at CI Gibson Gym last night. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr/Tribune Staff

THE Providence Storm Christmas Holiday Classic wrapped up its 23rd edition yesterday with its championship games held at the C.I. Gibson Gymnasium, closing out four days of competitive basketball that once again brought together junior and senior teams from across New Providence and the Family Islands. “It’s been 23 years we’ve been having this tournament and the object and the goal is to always make sure the young men are

busy during the holiday season and playing basketball for the second half of the season, in terms of their sharpness and the way they could play the game of basketball,” said tournament director and C.I. Gibson Rattlers’ head coach Kevin “KJ” Johnson. In the senior division, the St George’s Jaguars of Freeport delivered one of the tournament’s biggest games by completing a stunning upset over longtime champions and host team C.I. Gibson Rattlers. The Jaguars went down early trailing by 13 points at halftime and spent much of the game playing from behind as the Rattlers

controlled the tempo. With just over a minute remaining, the Rattlers still held a 54-48 advantage and appeared poised to close out another title run. However, two costly turnovers and two late fouls proved decisive. The Jaguars’ Mikhai Rolle capitalised at the free throw line to tie the game 55-55. With 10 seconds remaining, the Rattlers committed another foul that sent the Jaguars back to the line, where they converted one of two free throws to take a one-point lead. The Rattlers were unable to respond on the

CLASSIC - See Page B9

MINISTER BOWLEG OUTLINES PLANS FOR HIS MINISTRY FOR 2026 By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AS the biggest facilitator for sporting bodies in the country outside of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, Mario Bowleg said his Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will continue to make its impact on the landscape of sports in the country. Bowleg, the Member of Parliament for Garden Hills

MINISTER - See Page B9

Bridges and the Hornets take on ‘Buddy’ and the Warriors today By The Associated Press Golden State Warriors (17-16, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (11-21, 12th in the Eastern Conference) Charlotte, North Carolina; Wednesday, 1pm EST BOTTOM LINE: The Charlotte Hornets host the Golden State Warriors in non-conference play. The Hornets are 7-9 in home games. Charlotte ranks seventh in the Eastern Conference in rebounding averaging 44.7 rebounds. Moussa Diabate leads the Hornets with 8.1 boards. The Warriors have gone 7-12 away from home. Golden State is at the bottom of the Western Conference scoring 12.3 fast break points per game. The Hornets are shooting 45.4% from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point lower than the 46.4% the Warriors allow to opponents.

GAMETIME: Golden State Warriors’ Chavano “Buddy” Hield, right, fights for control of the ball with Brooklyn Nets’ Cam Thomas during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) The Warriors average 115.1 points per game, 3.4 fewer than the 118.5 the Hornets give up. TOP PERFORMERS: LaMelo Ball is shooting 39.9% and averaging 20.0 points for the Hornets.

Brandon Miller is averaging 31.0 points over the last 10 games. Jimmy Butler III is averaging 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Warriors. Stephen Curry is averaging 5.0 made

3-pointers over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 5-5, averaging 117.2 points, 45.4 rebounds, 28.3 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the

field. Their opponents have averaged 115.5 points per game. Warriors: 6-4, averaging 118.3 points, 45.6 rebounds, 28.6 assists, 9.5 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.3% from the

field. Their opponents have averaged 112.4 points. INJURIES: Hornets: Mason Plumlee: out (groin), Grant Williams: out (acl), Ryan Kalkbrenner: out (elbow), Kon Knueppel: out (ankle).

Balancing rest and routine: How athletes can recharge over the holidays without losing momentum By Dr Kent L Bazard Sports Medicine Physician THE holidays offer something that most athletes rarely get: a pause. A break in the schedule. A moment to breathe. But in the minds of many young athletes and their families, time off can feel like falling behind. The fear of losing fitness, missing progress, or returning “rusty” often overshadows what the body and mind truly need around this time of year — recovery. Rest is not wasting time. It’s part of the process. And for athletes of all levels, learning to balance rest with routine is a skill that can carry them far beyond their sport.

BAZARD The Value of Rest, Explained During training season, athletes are constantly breaking the body down to rebuild it stronger. That rebuilding, however, only happens with proper recovery. Joints, tendons, and

even the nervous system need time to reset — especially for youth athletes who are still growing and adapting. What often goes overlooked is the impact of chronic stress. School exams, emotional strain, lack of sleep, and tight schedules pile up over the year. A deload period, when planned correctly, helps prevent injuries, restore hormonal balance, and improve overall performance once training resumes. It’s not laziness — it’s strategy. Active Recovery That Feels Like a Gift Rest doesn’t have to mean total inactivity. The goal is to move, just without

COLUMN - See Page B9

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025, PAGE 11

THE first-ever National High School Baseball Championships is slated for January 2-4 at the new Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.

First-ever National High School Baseball Championships all set for this weekend THE first-ever National High School Baseball Championships, a landmark event for the growth of the sport at the secondary school level in The

Bahamas, has been officially launched. The three-day tournament is slated for January 2-4 at the Andre Rodgers Stadium and will bring together government

and private high schools from across New Providence, with the potential addition of a Family Islands representative still pending. Organisers confirmed that

the tournament will feature teams from Queen’s College, Anatol Rogers High School, St. Andrew’s School, C.V. Bethel Senior High, St. Augustine’s

College, C.R. Walker Senior High, Kingsway Academy, C.W. Saunders High School, St. John’s College, and C.I. Gibson Senior High.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

TODAY

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

UV INDEX TODAY

SUNDAY

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+ LOW

ORLANDO

High: 57° F/14° C Low: 42° F/6° C

TAMPA

Breezy in the morning; sunny

Mostly clear

High: 73°

Beautiful with plenty of sunshine

Pleasant with clouds and sunshine

Mostly sunny and pleasant

Mostly cloudy

Low: 64°

High: 71° Low: 64°

High: 73° Low: 67°

High: 73° Low: 68°

High: 76° Low: 70°

AccuWeather RealFeel

73° F

63° F

73°-63° F

75°-65° F

75°-66° F

75°-67° F

High: 58° F/14° C Low: 49° F/9° C

ABACO

High: 68° F/20° C Low: 60° F/16° C

10-20 knots

WEST PALM BEACH High: 64° F/18° C Low: 49° F/9° C

8-16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

FREEPORT

High: 65° F/18° C Low: 50° F/10° C

High: 68° F/20° C Low: 57° F/14° C

MIAMI

High: 65° F/18° C Low: 46° F/8° C

8-16 knots

NASSAU

High: 65° F/18° C Low: 60° F/16° C

3.1 2.3

11:03 a.m. -0.1 10:55 p.m. -0.7

ALMANAC

Thursday

5:29 a.m. 5:46 p.m.

3.2 2.3

12:02 p.m. -0.3 11:53 p.m. -0.8

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 77° F/25° C Low .................................................... 64° F/18° C Normal high ....................................... 78° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 66° F/19° C Last year’s high .................................. 81° F/27° C Last year’s low ................................... 68° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................ 49.76” Normal year to date ................................... 39.48”

Friday

6:25 a.m. 6:43 p.m.

3.4 2.4

12:58 p.m. -0.4 ---------

Saturday

7:19 a.m. 7:39 p.m.

3.4 2.5

12:50 a.m. -0.9 1:51 p.m. -0.6

Sunday

8:11 a.m. 8:33 p.m.

3.4 2.6

1:45 a.m. -0.8 2:41 p.m. -0.6

Monday

9:01 a.m. 9:26 p.m.

3.3 2.6

2:39 a.m. -0.7 3:30 p.m. -0.6

Tuesday

9:50 a.m. 10:18 p.m.

3.1 2.6

3:32 a.m. -0.5 4:18 p.m. -0.5

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 70° F/21° C

Low

Ht.(ft.)

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset

6:55 a.m. 5:31 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

2:40 p.m. 3:53 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Jan. 3

Jan. 10

Jan. 18

Jan. 25

CAT ISLAND

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 69° F/21° C

8-16 knots

10-20 knots

ANDROS

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

TIDES FOR NASSAU Ht.(ft.)

EXT.

High

KEY WEST

VERY HIGH

4:31 a.m. 4:46 p.m.

ELEUTHERA

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 64° F/18° C

HIGH

Today

The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature® is the only index that includes all the weather factors that play a role in how we perceive temperature, including the effects of wind, humidity, sunshine, precipitation, pressure, and elevation. Shown are the highest and lowest values for each day.

MODERATE

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Shown is the highest value of the day.

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 67° F/19° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

10-20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 76° F/24° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

8-16 knots

6-12 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 8-16 Knots WNW at 8-16 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots W at 7-14 Knots NNW at 7-14 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots NW at 10-20 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots NW at 6-12 Knots N at 7-14 Knots WNW at 8-16 Knots NNW at 8-16 Knots WSW at 7-14 Knots NNW at 6-12 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots NW at 6-12 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots N at 8-16 Knots NW at 10-20 Knots NW at 7-14 Knots

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

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

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 75° F 74° F 78° F 78° F 83° F 83° F 78° F 78° F 81° F 78° F 78° F 77° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F 81° F 81° F 78° F 78° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 79° F

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PAGE 10, Wednesday, December 31, 2025

THE TRIBUNE

Pro Picks: Bills will edge Eagles and 49ers will beat the Bears By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

TWELVE teams are in the NFL playoffs. Four more are battling for the final two spots. The Bears clinched the NFC North title when the Ravens beat the Packers 41-24 on Saturday night. Baltimore (8-8) stayed alive in the AFC playoff race with the victory. Earlier Saturday, the Texans secured a third straight playoff berth under coach DeMeco Ryans with a 20-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston's victory gave Denver the AFC West title and eliminated Indianapolis from the playoff race. Week 17's slate kicked off with a tripleheader on Christmas Day. The Lions were eliminated from the playoffs with a 23-10 loss to the Vikings. The Cowboys beat the Commanders 30-23 and the Broncos defeated the Chiefs 20-13 on Thursday night. The Eagles-Bills matchup on Sunday is a potential Super Bowl preview. Bears-49ers and Seahawks-Panthers could end up playing again in the playoffs. Pro Picks is off to a 3-2 start straight up and against the spread. ARIZONA (3-12) at CINCINNATI (5-10) Line: Bengals minus-7 1/2 The Cardinals could be headed toward a coaching change after Jonathan Gannon’s third straight losing season. The Bengals could be in a similar spot with coach Zac Taylor, and quarterback Joe Burrow hasn’t seemed happy in Cincinnati. BENGALS: 27-23 PITTSBURGH (9-6) at CLEVELAND (3-12) Line: Steelers minus-3 Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers could have clinched the AFC North by kickoff if the Ravens lose to the Packers on Saturday night. Myles Garrett is one sack away from breaking the single-season record of 22 1/2

BILLS quarterback Josh Allen (17) in action on Sunday, December 21. that is shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt. STEELERS: 23-17 NEW ORLEANS (5-10) at TENNESSEE (3-12) Line: Saints minus-1 1/2 The Saints are 4-3 with rookie QB Tyler Shough and aiming to finish strong in a weak division in which they’re 3-2. Rookie QB Cam Ward is coming off his best game and another win would hurt Tennessee’s draft positioning. SAINTS: 20-16 JACKSONVILLE (11-4) at INDIANAPOLIS (8-7) Line: Jaguars minus-6 The Jaguars clinch the AFC South if the Texans lose to the Chargers or with a win. They’re still in play for the No. 1 seed. Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL has been impressive, but the Colts are 0-2 and would be eliminated if Houston wins. COLTS: 24-23 TAMPA BAY (7-8) at MIAMI (6-9)

Line: Buccaneers minus-6 The Buccaneers have gone from 6-2 to possible elimination this week if they lose and the Panthers win. But Tampa Bay controls its future. Two wins and the Bucs are in. Quinn Ewers makes his second start for the Dolphins. He’s facing a shaky defence. BUCCANEERS: 26-23 NEW ENGLAND (12-3) at NEW YORK JETS (3-12) Line: Patriots minus-12 1/2 The Patriots are coming off an impressive win over the Ravens and still have a shot to secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The Jets are playing for the best draft pick, as usual this time of year. PATRIOTS: 30-13 SEATTLE (12-3) at CAROLINA (8-7) Line: Seahawks minus-7 Coming off a thrilling comeback win in overtime to take over first place in the NFC West, the

Seahawks need to win to stay on top and hold the No. 1 seed. They can finish as low as sixth in the NFC. The Panthers could clinch the NFC South with a win and a loss by the Buccaneers. But if Tampa Bay beats Miami, this game is meaningless for Carolina. The Panthers would still have to beat the Buccaneers next week. SEAHAWKS: 24-19 NEW YORK GIANTS (2-13) at LAS VEGAS (2-13) Line: Giants minus-2 1/2 This is the NFL’s version of a Toilet Bowl in fantasy football leagues. The winner is really a loser because they’ll lose the No. 1 overall pick. Jaxson Dart had a rough game against the Vikings. But he’s the Giants’ quarterback of the future. The Raiders need a franchise quarterback, so a loss would be beneficial. They should bench Ashton Jeanty — they won’t — to

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) improve the possibility of a loss. RAIDERS: 23-21 PHILADELPHIA (10-5) at BUFFALO (11-4) Line: Bills minus-1 The Eagles are almost locked into the No. 3 seed, though they can move up to No. 2 or drop to fourth. Jalen Hurts led them to a comeback win in overtime against Buffalo in 2023. Josh Allen and the Bills still have an outside chance to win the AFC East. BILLS: 26-24 CHICAGO (11-4) at SAN FRANCISCO (11-4) Line: 49ers minus-3 1/2 Caleb Williams and the Bears keep finding ways to win. They’re coming off a late comeback against the Packers. The 49ers, despite a depleted defence, can secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed with two wins. Christian McCaffrey is 151 yards receiving away from his second career 1,000/1,000 season. 49ERS: 26-24

LOS ANGELES RAMS (11-4) at ATLANTA (6-9) Line: Rams minus-8 Matthew Stafford and the Rams dropped from first in the NFC West to sixth in the conference with a loss to Seattle. They need to win out to have a shot to get back on top. Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson won’t make it easy for Los Angeles. RAMS: 30-20 ____ Last week: Straight up: 11-5. Against spread: 11-4-1. Overall: Straight up: 169-70-1. Against spread: 127-106-7. Prime time: Straight up: 30-22-1. Against spread: 24-29. Best Bet: Straight up: 11-5. Against spread: 8-7-1. Upset Special: Straight up: 12-4. Against spread: 12-4. • Pro Picks is a weekly column where AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games.

‘This is a humbling league and we got humbled tonight’ By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer

Robinson runs for 195 yards as Falcons recover to ATLANTA (AP) — A Los Angeles Rams team upset Rams 27-24 on 51-yard field goal by Gonzalez that spent most of the season competing for the best record in the NFL now is third in its division, saddled with a two-game losing streak and bound to open the playoffs on the road. “This is a humbling league and we got humbled tonight,” Rams coach Sean McVay said after a 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. Bijan Robinson rushed for 195 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown, and Zane Gonzalez kicked a 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining as the Falcons recovered after blowing two 21-point leads.

Robinson's 93-yard touchdown run was the longest in Atlanta history and Jessie Bates III scored on a 34-yard interception return. Bolstered by those big plays, the Falcons led 21-0 at halftime and 24-3 early in the second half. Matthew Stafford recovered from throwing three interceptions to help the Rams (11-5) pull even at 24. Stafford's 11-yard touchdown pass to Puka Nacua with 2:46 remaining tied the game. “I love the way that we found a way to get back in

the game, but we weren't able to close it out,” McVay said. The Falcons (7-9) extended their winning streak to three games as Robinson also set the team record for most scrimmage yards in a season. The Rams began the week leading the NFL in scoring and yards and were shut out in the first half. After trailing 21-0 at halftime, the Rams were kept out of the end zone until Stafford's 27-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Ferguson late in the third quarter. Los Angeles cut Atlanta's lead to 24-17 when Jarred Verse blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt by Gonzalez and returned the recovery 76 yards for a touchdown. It was the Rams' first blocked kick returned for a touchdown since 1986. Stafford's second interception, on a throw picked off by Atlanta rookie Xavier Watts, gave the Falcons the ball at their 7 in the second quarter. Robinson broke through the line and took off down the sideline, outrunning the Los Angeles defence for the NFL's longest run of the season. “He’s a special player,” Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “What he can do in both the run game and pass game is very unique.” Watts' second interception, the third thrown by Stafford, stopped the Rams on a fourth-down play from the Atlanta 27 with 9:04 remaining.

RAMS wide receiver Xavier Smith (19) celebrates a first down in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, December 9, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Falcons coach Raheem Morris credited cornerback A.J. Terrell and the defence for limiting Nacua to five catches for 47 yards. “I think the defensive staff did a great job again, limiting a great football player,” Morris said. Scrimmage yards record Robinson needed 151 rushing and receiving yards to break William Andrews’ team scrimmage yards record of 2,176 set in 1983. Robinson had five catches for 34 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown reception, to finish with 229 scrimmage yards in the game and 2,255 for the year. Sudden surge of interceptions Stafford, who earned his third Pro Bowl honour this season, began the week leading the NFL in touchdown passes and passing yards. He had thrown only five interceptions before his

turnover-plagued effort against the Falcons. Stafford completed 22 of 38 passes for 269 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a career-best 42 touchdown passes this season. It was his first three-interception game since Week 1 of 2022. “It boils down to execution every week, right?” Stafford said. “Either you execute and make the throws or you don’t. And I didn’t do that tonight, so it hurt us and we weren’t able to overcome it.” Credit to the blockers Robinson gave thanks to his line and wide receiver Drake London for the key blocks on his 93-yard scoring run. London had a downfield block on a defensive back to help clear Robinson's path. “It takes everybody for those kind of runs to happen,” Robinson said.

Rams starters will play McVay didn't hesitate when asked if his starters would rest in Sunday's final regular-season game against Arizona. “No, we're playing,” McVay said. “We were playing anyway. We need to play.” The Rams will open the playoffs on the road, an outcome that was set after NFC West rivals Seattle and San Francisco both won on Sunday. They entered the night as the No. 5 seed. Injury report Rams: WR Davante Adams (hamstring) and two starting offensive linemen __ RG Kevin Dotson (ankle) and LT Alaric Jackson (ankle) __ were held out. Adams participated in pregame drills. RB Blake Corum limped off with a right ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return. ... S Jaylen McCollough (hip) was questionable to return. ... CB Roger McCreary (hip) was active as he came off injured reserve. Falcons: DL Brandon Dorlus (left knee) needed help leaving the field in the third quarter and did not return. ... CB Mike Ford Jr. (ankle) was questionable. ... CB Mike Hughes missed his second consecutive game with an ankle sprain. ILB Josh Woods was inactive due to a personal matter. Up next Rams: The Rams will try to build on their 6-1 home record when they play the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday in their final regular-season game. Falcons: Atlanta closes its season at home on Sunday against New Orleans. The Falcons took a 24-10 win at New Orleans on November 23.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 31, 2025, PAGE 9

Balancing rest and routine: How athletes can recharge over the holidays without losing momentum COLUMN - from Page B12 the pressure of structured workouts. Going for a beach walk, playing recreational games with family, stretching before bed, or doing light mobility work in the morning are all great ways to keep the body limber and the mind engaged. This is also a perfect time to focus on areas that often get neglected — like core stability, breathing mechanics, and posture. Ten minutes a day can have a profound effect when intensity is low but consistency is high.

For athletes who’ve been nursing minor aches and pains, the break gives tissues a chance to fully heal. And in some cases, it’s a time to reassess underlying movement issues that might need to be addressed before serious training resumes in January. Smart Holiday Eating (Without Guilt) The holidays come with big meals and sweet treats. Johnny cake and Guava Duff! That’s part of the celebration — and for most athletes, it’s not a problem. The body is more resilient than we give it credit

for. One or two indulgent meals won’t undo months of progress, just like one salad won’t fix a poor diet. But this can be a time to practice mindful eating. Choosing whole foods when possible, hydrating properly, and avoiding long periods of grazing or overeating out of boredom goes a long way. Encourage balance — not restriction — especially for young athletes still forming a healthy relationship with food. Some athletes may benefit from adjusting portion sizes if their activity level drops. Others may find

themselves naturally hungrier as their body catches up on rest. Both responses are normal. The key is listening to the body’s cues, not external pressures. The Mental Reset: As Important as the Physical One Perhaps the most valuable part of the holidays is the emotional break it offers. Time spent with family, away from the field or gym, gives athletes a chance to

reconnect with who they are outside of their sport. This mental recovery is just as important as the physical. Burnout, anxiety, and motivation loss can creep in unnoticed during high-performance seasons. A few weeks of laughter, joy, and perspective can reignite an athlete’s drive heading into a new year. It’s also a perfect time to reflect. What went well this season? What needs improvement? What are the goals for 2026 — and what steps will it take to get there?

The Takeaway As the year winds down, the most successful athletes won’t be the ones who never took a break. They’ll be the ones who learned when to pause, how to recover, and why balance matters. The holiday season is not a threat to progress — it’s an opportunity to recharge and return stronger. So enjoy the meals, the laughter, and the freedom. And when January comes, the body and mind will be ready to chase greatness once again. Happy Holidays from the team at Empire Sports Medicine.

BOWLEG OUTLINES PLANS FOR YEAR 2026 MINISTER - from Page B12 and the Minister of Sports, said his triple departmental ministry has and will remain a stabiliser, providing financial and technical support to every local sporting body. Bowleg said as the Department of Sports looks ahead to 2026 and the implementation of several major sporting initiatives, it first extends sincere gratitude to all stakeholders in sport throughout The Bahamas. “From athletes, coaches, and technical officials to administrators, volunteers, parents, schools, clubs, federations, sponsors, corporate partners, supporters, and fans, the Department recognises and applauds the collective effort that continues to advance sports nationally,” Bowleg said. Looking back at 2025, Bowleg said his ministry has made tremendous strides in the following: • Athletes’ Pension Plan “In 2025, the Department successfully launched the Athletes’ Pension Plan, a landmark initiative designed to provide longterm financial security for national athletes,” he said. “Athletes from multiple sporting disciplines were selected and are actively contributing to the programme.” • National Insurance Contributions (NIC) “Building on this progress, the Department will introduce national insurance contributions for athletes in the upcoming year, further strengthening athlete welfare and longterm support systems,” Bowleg continued. • Community, Youth, and Family Island Development “The Department will increase its presence within communities and across the Family Islands, with a strong emphasis on youth development and grassroots sport,” Bowleg disclosed. • Island Games Development “The continuation and expansion of the Island Games will provide a structured pathway into the Bahamas Games, offering increased participation, talent identification, and competitive opportunities while fostering community pride and national unity,” he stated.

• Facility Restoration and Upgrades “Restoration and improvement of parks and playing fields will be prioritised to ensure safe, accessible, and quality spaces for training and competition,” Bowleg stressed. As the crossover from 2025 to 2026, Bowleg said his ministry will undergo a number of bold initiatives that will conclude the following: • Regional Track and Field Championships “One of the top initiatives for 2026 is the introduction of Regional Track and Field Championships, which will serve as qualifying meets for the National High School Track and Field Championships,” Bowleg disclosed. “This initiative is expected to raise competitive standards and strengthen athlete development nationwide. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.” • Education, Coaching, and Athlete Support Initiatives” The Department will expand education, training, and professional development across the country through the following initiatives for coaches and officials: • Coach and Official Development Programmes” Coaches enrolled in the newly launched coaches’ subvention programme will form the first cohort of this initiative,” Bowleg revealed. “The programme will establish a national development network to support coaches in their respective sports through education, mentorship, and certification opportunities.” • Coaches’ Subvention Programme “This programme will provide direct financial and developmental support to coaches, recognising their critical role in athlete development and long-term sporting success,” he said. There are a number of other initiatives that his ministry intends to pursue in 2026. They are as follows: • Athlete Mental Health and Wellness Programmes “We will be targeting programmes that will be introduced to support athletes’ mental well-being, resilience, and overall health, ensuring a holistic

approach to performance and personal development,” he said. • National Volunteer and Sports Leadership Programme “The Department aims to work closely with national federations and the Bahamas Olympic Committee to implement a structured volunteer programme providing educational opportunities for interested persons in various sports,” he stated. • Annual Sports Conferences and Workshops “These forums will provide ongoing education, knowledge sharing, and professional development opportunities for coaches, officials, administrators, and stakeholders,” he explained. • Athlete Life-Skills and Career Transition Programmes “Educational courses and support programmes will assist athletes in developing life skills, academic opportunities, and career pathways beyond competition,” he pointed out. • Digital Athlete Registration and Data Management System “A centralised digital system will be introduced to improve athlete tracking, registration, across all sporting disciplines,” Bowleg added. Women and Youth in Sport “A key priority moving forward is the expansion of women in sport initiatives, aimed at increasing female participation, leadership, coaching, and representation across all sporting disciplines,” Bowleg concluded. Through these initiatives, Bowleg said his ministry will continue to work closely with federations, schools, and communities to strengthen youth sport development, recognising that early engagement is critical to building a sustainable, competitive, and inclusive sporting future for The Bahamas. Bowleg, a banker by profession and a former outstanding high school basketball player and coach, who at one time headed the Bahamas Basketball Federation and served as the head coach for the men’s national team, wishes everybody a prosperous 2026 season.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Agape School Eagles junior boys and St George’s Jaguars senior boys celebrate last night after winning the Providence Storm Christmas Holiday Classic titles. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr/Tribune Staff

Jaguars and Agape Eagles win titles CLASSIC - from Page B12 ensuing possession and were forced to foul once more. St George’s sealed the game from the line to complete the upset victory 58-55 to claim the senior title. “I’ll say almost 20 years we’ve been in this tournament. We made the finals, I think, this is our second time and we’ve been fighting to get this and, you know, to God be the glory, great things he has done. These boys worked hard, coaching staff worked hard, and the results paid off tonight,” said head coach Darrell Donald. “Our staple is defence, it’s how we eat and we pride ourselves on playing strong hard defence, we condition our bodies for that. We run like a track team, so we knew that we could wear them down, especially playing a manto-man, and they started to get a little careless with the ball,” said Donald. “We’ve been fighting against C.I. Gibson for years and years and years and a lot of people don’t notice but, you know, to come in this tournament

and win this over a prideful team, very strong, prominent, dominant team, for us it says a lot,” said Donald. Mikhai Rolle was named the senior most valuable player with 19 points. In the junior division, the Agape School Eagles of Abaco reaffirmed their growing dominance, capturing their third consecutive championship. Agape’s run through the tournament was fuelled by a disciplined approach on both ends of the floor, with a heavy reliance on the three-point shot in halfcourt sets and constant pressure created by an aggressive full-court press. That combination consistently forced turnovers and allowed the Eagles to control tempo early in games. “It’s great. This is actually our third year in a row our junior boys are champs so it’s a good feeling, we’ve been working hard,” said Agape head coach Stephan Johnson. “I’ve been coming for 10 years now and the programme has really come a long way so I’m proud of the boys, we worked hard from October to now, and

we’re taking home the championship.” “We just came out and the boys wanted it. We knew they were gonna press, and we were gonna get some open threes, and we knocked them down,” said Johnson. Agape’s defensive pressure overwhelmed the Royals in the first quarter, limiting them to just a single point while building a 22-1 lead entering the second quarter. By halftime, Agape had extended the margin to 38-12, largely behind consistent perimeter shooting and quick transition opportunities created off steals. The Royals showed resilience in the second half, beginning to find a rhythm offensively and cutting into the deficit but, despite the push, Agape maintained its composure, responding with timely baskets to keep control of the game. The comeback effort ultimately fell short, with the Eagles securing a 56-47 victory to complete their three-peat. Asher Rolle of Agape was named the junior division most valuable player after finishing with 17 points in the final.

Arsenal stays top as Manchester City and Aston Villa apply the pressure By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Arsenal resisted a late fightback from Brighton on Saturday to keep hold of first place in the Premier League, but Manchester City and Aston Villa are in hot pursuit. It is a three-way fight at the top with just three points separating first and third in the standings. City briefly held top spot after a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest, but when Arsenal beat Brighton by the same score later in the day, it returned to the summit with a two-point advantage over Pep Guardiola's team. Villa is just a point further back in third after extending its remarkable winning run to 11 games in all competitions with a comeback 2-1 victory at Chelsea. Villa plays Arsenal

at the Emirates today and a win would see it move level on points with the leader at the turn of the year. Liverpool is up to fourth after its resurgence continued with a 2-1 win of its own against last-place Wolverhampton, which set a new Premier League record for the longest winless run from the start of a season. Arsenal pushed by Brighton Another own goal kept Arsenal at the top of the standings — but it required an outstanding save from David Raya to deny Brighton. Martin Odegaard gave Mikel Arteta's team a 14th-minute lead — and when Brighton's Georginio Rutter headed a wicked Declan Rice corner into his own net seven minutes into the second half, Arsenal was in control. But nerves began to spread around the Emirates when Diego Gomez

pulled a goal back against the run of play in the 64th. Yankuba Minteh then hit a shot that was destined for the top corner until Raya stretched an arm to push it away. “Their goal changed the momentum a little bit and they pressed us towards the end, but we got the three points and that’s all that matters,” Odegaard said. “Lots of positives and still some things we can improve, but overall a good game and another win.” Arsenal has become a set piece specialist, but in recent weeks it has benefited from a slew of own goals, with Rutter's the latest to prove decisive. It was the fourth time in as many games an opponent has scored an own goal against the league's frontrunner. Cherki delivers for City Rayan Cherki kept Manchester City's title challenge

powering on with a late winner at Forest. The France forward's 83rd minute strike secured victory at the City Ground to make it six league wins in a row for Guardiola's team. City is on an eight-game winning run in all. “Today is a big win,” Cherki told TNT Sports. “I’m proud of the team because this game is very complicated to win.” It was Cherki's second goal in three games and fifth overall. He also provided an assist with an intricate pass to Tijjani Reijnders to put City ahead three minutes into the second half. Omari Hutchinson equalised for relegation-fighting Forest, which was holding out for a crucial point until Cherki fired through a crowded box for the winner. Guardiola, who has won 12 league titles with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and

City, looks like a man who believes his team is ready to regain the crown it surrendered to Liverpool last season. He joined in the celebrations with the travelling fans after the final whistle — acting conductor as they celebrated wildly after another win. “When we won a lot of titles in Barcelona, Bayern Munich, here, you have a lot of games of this type,” he said. “The body language, how we celebrated, the connection with the fans is there." Liverpool wins again A fourth straight win for Liverpool and another sign that Florian Wirtz is finding his feet in England's top flight. Wirtz scored his first Premier League goal since joining the defending champion from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and it proved to be decisive against Wolves.

Wirtz doubled Liverpool's lead before halftime after Ryan Gravenberch had opened the scoring at Anfield, but Wolves halved the deficit through Santiago Bueno after the break. “I was confident that I will score one day, but of course I wanted to start earlier, scoring and assisting," Wirtz said. “It was like this and I have to accept it. I just know that it would come and I tried to keep going like that.” After seeing its title defence unravel between September and November, Liverpool is now on a seven-game unbeaten run. Wolves are on a very different run. After 18 rounds of the season the Midlands club has set a new low in the Premier League era — overtaking the record it shared with Sheffield United for the longest winless start to a campaign.