Daily Archives: August 25, 2022

BAHAMAS womens relay team of, from left to right, Printassia Johnson, Anthonique Strachan, Tynia Gaither and Devynne Charlton.

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), was extremely pleased with Team Bahamas performance at the NACAC Open Championships in Grand Bahama.

Among those highlighted was Grand Bahamas very own Tynia Gaither, who won the silver medal in the womens 200-metre final, clocking a time of 22.35 seconds.

And, Donald Thomas captured the bronze in the mens high jump. Also, the gold medal win by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who set a new NACAC record in the womens final of the 400m.

I am happy, I have seen improvements across the entire spectrum of our programme at every international event we have gone to and we have been increasing the medal count, Archer said on the final day of competition at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex on Sunday.

Today, we had Tynia, in addition to Donald Thomas - the ageless wonder - getting a bronze medal in the high jump. Then, we had Devynne Charlton placing second in the 100 metres hurdles and we also had the incredible Shaunae Miller-Uibo winning a gold medal, and then we came back with Tynia Gaither running a personal best of 22.35 and getting the silver medal - you couldnt ask for more than that with Team Bahamas.

I think the championships went pretty well when you look at the quality of performances and the quality of athletes that have participated at these games, he said. I dont know if we could have expected more.

GB is elated. This is really a stimulus for them in terms of track and field, but also an economic boom, Archer added. Archer stated that they are happy about having the event in Grand Bahama. I think by all accounts everybody seems very satisfied, he said.

The event attracted 400 athletes from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. He thanked Mike Sands, president of the NACAC, for bringing the event to the Bahamas, particularly Grand Bahama.

Sands took ill while attending the event and is under observation.

President Sands is convalescing. He is under observance, Archer said.

I have spoken with him. He is in great spirits, and he says he feels great.

Conditions were very hot over the three days of competition.

It was incredibly hot, and I think it took its toll on many athletes, Archer said. But, it cooled down on the final day of competition and you could not complain anymore about the heat.

When organising the schedule, he explained that the technical director would have considered the question of light conditions in time for the event.

And out of an abundance of caution, we decided in the event that lamps were not installed at the time of the event, then at least, we would have full daylight for the event.

Well, we got full light and a wonderful facility for nighttime competition. Unfortunately, it was too late to change the schedule, he stated.

Archer is confident that other events would be held in Grand Bahama.

He noted that whether government or privately funded, they will push and continue to market the Bahamas as a track and field and tourist destination. Our push and mandate is to create more content for track and field in the Bahamas, both in GB and NP, Archer said.

He thanked the entire organising committee for doing such a huge job in executing and pulling off the event and delivering a world-class competition.

I want to say a special thanks to Chevonia McBride and Perez Cooper who were co-chair persons for the event, and Norris Bain, deputy managing director, and others, including Deon Britton (hotel accommodations); Dr Cecil Thompson (transportation); Sophia Higgs (volunteer section); Laura Pratt Charlton, (competition manager) supported by her husband David Charlton (the competition director). General-Secretary Keith Joseph and Mabelene Miller CEO for BAAA (responsibility for accreditation), Archer summed up.

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BAAA president Archer pleased with Team Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

Four games, four blowout wins for the Kentucky Wildcats in the Bahamas. It started with a 52-point victory over the Dominican Republic Select National Team, followed by back-to-back 62-point wins over Tec de Monterrey and Carleton University, respectively. Then to close things out, a 24-point win over the Bahamas National Select Team, giving UK a 50-point average margin of victory on the week.

One week later, what did we learn about John Caliparis 2022-23 roster? What were the top takeaways from the teams foreign exhibition tour? KSR breaks it all down from top to bottom.

Replacing the likes of TyTy Washington, Kellan Grady and Davion Mintz, Kentucky needed to find immediate scoring production in the transfer portal this offseason. Illinois State transfer Antonio Reeves a 20 point-per-game scorer emerged as a clear option, but how would he adjust from the Missouri Valley to the SEC? Could he be relied on as a go-to scorer on the wing?

The 6-foot-6 guard out of Chicago put all of those worries to rest in his MVP performance in the Bahamas last week, finishing as the teams leading scorer at 17.0 points per game on 52.4% from the field, 51.9% from three and 100% from the line. Reeves was nothing short of sensational, breaking down defenders, knocking down shots and getting to the charity stripe (10-10 FT) with ease. Hes still coming along defensively, but in terms of scoring, you really couldnt ask for more in the Illinois State transfers debut as a Wildcat.

Happy to see Antonio do what we know hes capable of, for you all to finally get a chance to see it, Orlando Antigua said to close out the trip.

Some people are wired to score. Antonio Reeves is one of those people.

Playing behind Keion Brooks Jr. his first two years at Kentucky, Jacob Toppin showed flashes of brilliance, but never consistent stretches of real production. He was a gadget athlete capable of making a defensive stop or throwing down a big dunk, not a go-to contributor.

Thats no longer the case, as Toppin is now the top option at the starting four spot going into his senior season in Lexington. And in his first stint in an expanded role, he clearly looked the part, averaging 16.8 points on 56.5% shooting and 53.3% from three to go with 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.75 blocks per game. He did so averaging a team-leading 24.5 minutes per contest.

He found himself in a few hot streaks from three, but also knocked down pull-up jumpers inside the arc, scored on turnarounds and fadeaways out of the high post while also finishing strong around the basket. Thats on top of the freakish athletic plays he continues to convert how about that 360 slam in transition?

Im proud of him. He stepped up, made some plays, Antigua said of Toppin. The stuff hes worked on all spring and summer has translated to competitive games. Playing lower, playing through contact, playing through the first initial physical bump against the defense. Being able to make shots in transition when hes open, his post-up game, high post turnaround jump shots, all of the things hes been working on with his game.

To see him do it against other competition in a competitive atmosphere, thats what you want. Now hes got to continue working to get ready for the season.

The skill is finally catching up with the length and athleticism.

Is it possible for a Bob Cousy Award finalist to be underrated going into his senior season? That seems to be the case with Sahvir Wheeler, who quietly put together a terrific week in the Bahamas, averaging 14.5 points per game on 61.1% shooting and 93.3% from the line. He also had a 24-6 assist-to-turnover ratio, good for 6.1 assists and 1.5 turnovers per game, along with securing 1.75 steals per contest.

His 3-point shot didnt fall (0-9 on the week), but Wheeler missed just five shots inside the arc across four games, good for 81.5% from two. The veteran point guard struggled in game one (six points, 2-6 FG, four assists, two turnovers), but was nothing short of sensational in games two through four.

Hes very underrated. He is really a great passer and he is all about winning, KT Turner said of Wheeler. One thing he does as a point guard is he knows who is on and where to get them shots. Hell find you and he gets his teammates a lot of open shots.

He keeps up with the game, notices what happens. He knows whos hot but he also knows who has not had a shot in a while.

The 5-foot-9 point guard is who he is at this point and thats a good thing. At his best, hes an elite playmaker and crafty finisher with the ability to push the pace and be a disruptor defensively. As shooting improves around him the way it did in the Bahamas 38.1% from three on 26.3 attempts per game, including five scholarship players shooting at least 40% from deep the better he looks.

11.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 23.5 minutes per game for college basketballs reigning National Player of the Year. Oscar Tshiebwe was efficient as a scorer and free-throw shooter (55.6% FG, 75.0% FT), rebounded well and fought defensively. John Calipari praised his improvements with mobility and lateral quickness, working to become a more well-rounded and versatile player.

Even still, Tshiebwes on-court play was hardly discussed, with the spotlight shining brightest on his teammates in paradise. And thats the beauty of Kentuckys deep and talented roster, knowing you have a safety net anchoring the post, one capable of taking over games if necessary.

Everyone knows what Tshiebwe can do. This trip was about figuring out what the rest of the roster is capable of and establishing roles elsewhere. Mission accomplished on those fronts all while the 6-foot-9, 260-pound star is averaging a double-double.

Thats whats going to make us hard to deal with, Sahvir Wheeler told KSR. You watch film and youre thinking, Man, Jacob, Man, Chris (Livingston), Cason (Wallace), others. But youve got the National Player of the Year back. How are you going to guard him? Are you going to double him and let CJ (Fredrick) and everybody shoot? Or are you going to play him one-on-one? Come on, we saw that last year.

Its crazy and hes getting better.

A career 47% 3-point shooter, its no secret CJ Fredrick can let it fly from deep. Its his best trait, the greatest value he brings to the floor at the collegiate level.

But its not the only value he brings.

Fredrick opened his trip to the Bahamas with a zero-point, one-attempt performance, his first game action since his time at Iowa during the 2020-21 season. Just looking at the box score, youd assume it was nothing more than an opportunity to get back to game speed and dip his toes in the water of competitive basketball again. After watching film, though, John Calipari singled out Fredrick as one of the games top performers for everything he did outside of shooting and scoring. The redshirt senior even got his own individual highlight segment breaking down all of the ways he impacted the game.

I may be on your ass, and then next day, I was wrong. I watched the tape and you were right. You were better than I thought,' Calipari told the team in a private meeting. Well, CJ, I watched him I mean, come on.

We showed you guys the star and you could see it on film, Chin Coleman added. 6.7 (points allowed per 40 minutes). Theres a reason why he is what he is, and he guarded their best player.

He did good, Calipari said. His first time out, too. I said, Wow. He was hungry.

The film breakdown highlighted Fredricks emphasis on making the extra pass, taking care of the ball and being a disruptor on defense. Thats on top of being a coin-flip 3-point shooter.

There wasnt a bigger highlight-maker in the Bahamas than Daimion Collins, easily leading the team in posters per game including two non-human throwdowns to open the event.

Daimion Collins, phew. That boy is crazy, Oscar Tshiebwe told KSR. We see it in practice, that boy is working. Hes Superman, he flies. Every time I see him in the air, I just say, Go ahead man, Im not going up there. Youre too high.'

Overall, Collins averaged 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per contest, shooting 60.7% from the field and 85.7% from the line. Take away his five misses from three (0-5), he shot 74% from the field overall (17-23). He was efficient and scored in a variety of ways outside of dunks and easy lay-in opportunities though his presence as a serious lob threat and rim-runner was felt.

Maybe the most positive development? His ability to finish through contact, an area of his game he struggled with as a freshman due to his slight frame. Now listed at 6-foot-9, 210 pounds, hes visibly bulked up, and that translated to production on the floor in Kentuckys four-game exhibition tour. Now hes got two-plus months to add even more muscle before the real games begin.

Chris Livingston? 6-foot-6, 220 pounds. Cason Wallace? 6-foot-4, 193 pounds. Adou Thiero? 6-foot-6, 200 pounds.

This isnt your typical crop of college freshmen. These three are grown men and they may not be done growing.

Theyve got some size with them, Wheeler added. Cason is not a small dude. Hes 6-4, athletic, can jump and hes built. Chris has shoulders like Chin (Coleman). Hes got big shoulders, and for him to be able to move around and shoot like that, its crazy. And Adou, everyone says hes growing to me, he aint getting no taller (from where I stand) [laughs]. But hes stupid athletic, can jump off either leg and competes at a high level. Those dudes are fitting right in.

(The freshmen are) coming in ready to go, Tshiebwe told KSR. Like, they have no fear.

Wallace led the freshmen with 10.5 points per game, good for fifth on the team. He shot 48.6% from the field and 40% from three while adding 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals in 22.3 minutes per contest. Livingston was just shy of the double-digit mark, averaging 9.8 points on a terrific 65.2% shooting and 60% from three (6-10) to go with 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game. And then the big surprise, Thiero, who averaged 6.3 points on 58.8% shooting and 50% from three along with 3.0 rebounds, 1.75 assists, 1.75 steals and 1.25 blocks in 14.3 minutes per game.

Wallace and Livingston were seen as college-ready pieces when they signed with Kentucky, and they clearly looked the part in their unofficial debuts. Thiero was seen as the long-term, wait-and-see project when he joined the fold late. He, too, produced when his number was called.

Obviously we were excited about the impact that Adou had in the minutes that he played, Antigua said.

66 free throws drawn, 56 makes, good for a conversion rate of 84.8% on the week. Kentuckys primary backcourt pieces of Wheeler (14-15, 93.3%), Wallace (2-2, 100%), Reeves (10-10, 100%), Livingston (3-4, 75%), Fredrick (1-2, 50%) and Thiero (2-3, 67%) combined for 32-36 overall, good for 88.9%. No player missed more than two free throws the entire week, with Toppin (7-9, 77.8%) and Tshiebwe (6-8, 75%) each missing a pair.

It wasnt just a strong shooting week from the line, it was an extraordinary week across the board. The Wildcats not only drew fouls 16.5 free throws per game they knocked them down with efficiency.

Kentucky finished the 2021-22 season shooting 72.6% from the line, an average of 12.8 makes on 17.6 attempts per game. Of the players with at least one attempt from the line per contest, none shot above 78.3% on the year.

Only a four-game sample size, sure, but the Cats got the job done at the line.

John Calipari was blown away by Kentuckys event-opening win against the Dominican Republic National Select Team, singling out the teams ridiculous assist-to-turnover ratio in its first unofficial game as a unit.

That wasnt like a high school JV team, that was a mid-major team, Calipari told his team during film review. 28 assists, five turnovers woo-hoo. Its August 10, are you s****ing me?

The Wildcats ball security held strong the rest of the week, finishing with just 42 turnovers compared to 92 assists, good for a smooth 2.19 AST/TO as a team. Individually, no player averaged over 1.75 turnovers per contest, while five players averaged at least two assists per game. Antonio Reeves was the only scholarship player with a negative AST/TO on the week (six assists, seven turnovers).

Playmaking was strong, ball security was stronger.

29 blocks on the week, good for 7.25 per game. Toppin and Collins averaged two swats per contest, with Thiero adding five blocks overall, as well. Tshiebwe was only credited with one block in four games, but his physical presence inside was a factor, while Wallace and Livingston both made plays at the rim.

Overall, Kentuckys size and length overwhelmed the competition all week long, with teams second-guessing essentially every shot attempt around the rim. In transition, opponents could only pray Toppin wasnt trailing to pin their shot on the backboard. Collins had a few ridiculous swats on perimeter close-outs himself.

Oh yeah, and Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso previously high school basketballs top shot-blocker in 2023 just reclassified and enrolled at UK for the upcoming season. Hes now on campus and available to help if necessary.

Kentucky has the tools to be an elite defensive team this winter.

Excerpt from:

10 things we learned about Kentucky on the court in the Bahamas - KSR

ATHLETES work out at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex a day before the start of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships that is expected to feature more than 400 athletes from over 10 countries in the region, including the United States, Jamaica and Cuba.Photos: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunedia.net

Coach Lonnie Greene said although his first priority is on high hurdles national record holder Devynne Charlton, he is just delighted to be able to assist any Bahamian athlete who needs his help.

Greene, the head coach at the University of Kentucky, is in Grand Bahama for the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships that is featuring more than 400 athletes from over 10 countries in the region, including the United States, Jamaica and Cuba.

Although hes not a part of the Bahamian coaching staff, Greene said wherever there is a need for his service, he is willing to assist Team Bahamas 11 women and 17 men who will compete in the NACAC Championships that will be held in memory of the late former athlete/ coach/executive/administrator Anita Doherty from today through Sunday at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

After the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, we have to do everything we can as a nation to try and generate commerce, the interest of sports tourism, to help Grand Bahama get back to normal, Greene said.

I dont think people take into consideration what it takes to bounce back from a hurricane. It could be earthquakes, it could be a tornado, whatever. Bouncing back isnt easy and being able to generate heads in beds and getting dollars into local companies is vital.

So, when it was announced that NACAC would take the championships to Grand Bahama, Greene pegged it on his schedule for him and Charlton to attend. Charlton, a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky, opened the season by winning the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships, placed seventh at the World Championships in Birmingham, England after her national record of 12.40 in the semifinals before she picked up another silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Shes having a phenomenal year, Greene pointed out. At the end of the day, her performances have all been legal. People could question windy performances if they want to, but I always tell people, if the wind is at your back, you run faster, but the wheels still have to turn. A person could run fast and break the world record in windy conditions, but the wheel still has to turn for them to run that fast. Devynne has run 12.40s and I always thought she had that in her and possibly she can run 12.30s by the time we get to the Grand Prix Finals.

Greene, who first recruited Charlton to run for him as the head coach at Purdue University where she had a stellar collegiate career with the Boilermakers, said the goal is to get her to finish off the year strong, get some rest and do it all over again next year. But he said theres nothing like competing at home. The people in the stands will be cheering for her, he pointed out. Ninety percent of the crowd will be pulling for the 242. Its like Team USA. When they came out to the World Championships in Eugene, the crowd went crazy.

In this great nation of us called the Bahamas, were home in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The way they look at it, its the Bahamas versus the rest of the world. Thats how they will compete. Their national pride is going to come forth. Bahamians are proud people. They will be there to cheer on the Bahamians.

While the lineup is expected to be a pretty good one for the womens 100m hurdles, Greene said the goal is to get Charlton back on the podium and hopefully this time it will be on the top as the gold medallist.

Although he only had a short time, Greene said he was also glad to give some pointers to Shakeem Smith, who will be representing the Bahamas in the mens 400m hurdles at the championships.

Smith is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and is now venturing onto the pro circuit.

Read more from the original source:

Team Bahamas gets set to take on rest of world - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Owner of the New Duff Kendrick Delaney says that he hopes to make the popular Bahamian treat as well-known globally as the croissant and cinnamon roll, with the company having emerged as the winner of the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) National Finals.

Delaney gave a presentation on the company and its vision last Friday and on Tuesday was announced as the winner of the EWC National Finals. The companys pitch was to raise close to $750,000 to begin the process of preparing the New Duff for franchising, and complete two new stores in Nassau, one in Miami, and an overseas manufacturing plant. Delaney said the company is hoping to attract large-scale equity investors to help propel it to becoming a global brand.

Delaney will now move on to the EWC Global Finals where top entrepreneurs from some 200 countries around the world will compete. This year, the global finals are being held in November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Of course, we sell guava duff but what we are looking to really do is be an international billboard with food from The Bahamas, Delaney told Eyewitness News.

He added: I started out making guava duff really as a love letter to all the grandmothers out there because I had so many warm and nostalgic memories around guava duff.

The company has grown from a bicycle cart to a food trailer and a storefront bakery over the past few years.

Delaney said: Its incredible that we were chosen as the national winner for the EWC. We have grown a lot as a company as there is still so much more growth ahead for us. Our vision is to make guava duff an international dessert and for people to think about The Bahamas every time they indulge in this decadent treat.

Excerpt from:

GOING GLOBAL: The New Duff moves on to Entrepreneurship World Cup global finals - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Creating an innovative and modern agricultural sector and attracting investments to the agri-business sector will top discussions at the second CARICOM Agri-Investment Forum and Expo taking place in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, 18 21 August.

In the margins, there will be a meeting of the Lead Heads of the Caribbean community to discuss Haiti.

We are moving in the direction of forward-looking greenhouse technologies and climate-smart agriculture, with the built-in advantage of being sustainable and carbon negative, said Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.

Cooper will represent the prime minister and lead a delegation including H.E. Winston Pinnock, Bahamas Ambassador to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to the two-day conference under the theme, Transforming Agriculture through Innovation and Investment.

Our particular focus is on our islands of Andros, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Eleuthera where the bulk of arable land is available for agricultural development, said Cooper, who will also serve as acting Minister of Agriculture.

In underscoring the Governments intent to bolster food security, Cooper added that one of the goals is to develop a chemical-free $430 million AGRIHAVEN in Grand Bahama with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure to become a major wholesale food producer for the region.

Currently, The Bahamas imports over 90 percent of its food, which translates into approximately $1 billion in spending.

The CARICOM Agri-Investment Forum and Expo was established as a hub for Caribbean member states to network with stakeholders and investors. The inaugural expo took place in Guyana in May of this year. This second installment is focused on food and nutrition, agriculture, finance and marketing, trade and investment, and innovation and technology. The forum is strategically designed to facilitate CARICOM member states in achieving the 25 percent by 2025 vision of reducing regional food imports by increasing targeted investments in the agricultural sector regionally.

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Cooper leads delegation to CARICOM Agri-Investment Forum and Expo II - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The National Insurance Board (NIB) and Public Managers Union (PMU) signed off on a five-year industrial agreement yesterday which addressed issues such as promotions, salary increases, performance evaluation, and training.

Public Managers Union president F Cassandra Cartwright-Lewis said yesterday that it was a long, tumultuous and at times very daunting task to reach the finalization of the agreement.

We have come a long way, said Cartwright-Lewis.

I do hope that moving forward our industrial agreements will not take as long as it has and I do anticipate that in the future, all parties would recognize that without the employees of the National Insurance Board the Board is unable to provide the necessary services. It is important we ensure that people are properly compensated for the services that they provide, she added.

Cartwright-Lewis said that the union recognizes the challenges that the Board is confronted with. We must be mindful that in order for this to work there has to be a partnership as we look to improve the services of NIB and address other challenges NIB faces. It has to be a partnership with staff members, executives, and the Board.

NIB Chairman Philip McKenzie said: It is safe to say that neither party got all that they asked for but equally safe to say that the interests of the employees of the Board and the delivery of services to the public were paramount considerations to both sides.

Myles Laroda, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for NIB said that the agreement was a major feat considering that the initial process commenced in June of 2020 amidst challenges and the impact of a global pandemic.

Official negotiations commenced on January 18, 2021. The agreement is for five years commencing January 1st 2020 to December 31st 2024 and addresses some 14 financial articles, including promotions, salary increases, performance evaluations, training as well as health and safety.

Excerpt from:

AT LAST: NIB and Public Managers Union sign off on five year industrial agreement - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The process to kick-start the redevelopment of the North Eleuthera airport is expected to commence in the coming months, it was noted yesterday.

During an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) virtual procurement fair yesterday, Charlene Collie, project coordinator of the airport infrastructure program said: We have two processes upcoming in the next six months, with expected contract signature dates of August 2023 for an estimated budget of $35 million. Associated with the north Eleuthera international airport landside works we will be seeking prequalification of contractors. The scope of works includes the construction of a new air terminal building and combined services building with associated civil works.

Collie noted that also being advertised in the month of September is the airside works at the North Eleuthera Airport with an expected contract signing in September 2023. The part of the project has an estimated budget of $30 million and will include the construction of a new parallel runway, apron, and refurbishment of the existing runway to be used as a taxiway. We are excited about these upcoming processes as we look to begin work on the North Eleuthera airport.

Collie also noted that under the airport infrastructure program work is ongoing on the Exuma International Airport, with minor work being carried out at the Marsh Harbor and Treasure Cay airports.

Excerpt from:

North Eleuthera Airport redevelopment process to kick-start in the coming months - EyeWitness News