The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN the lone game played in the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association last night, the defending champions kept pace in the standings and and are now just a game behind first place.

Sasha Ferguson scored a game high 19 points to lead the Bommer G Operators to a 73-46 win over the College of the Bahamas Lady Caribs at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

It was a nearly perfect shooting night for Ferguson, with just one miss at the free throw line. She shot 7-7 from the field, including 2-2 from three point range and also finished with four assists and three steals. Isis Wilson finished with 10 points, Malesha Peterson added eight, while Chrishanda Rahming chipped in with seven. Celeste Pyfrom led the Caribs with 14 points and seven rebounds while Brea Forbes, the league’s second leading scorer, was limited to 12 points.

The win gave the Operators sole possession of third place at 8-3. They stand a half game behind the Super Value Cybot Queens at 8-3 and one game behind the league leading Johnson Lady Truckers at 9-2.

The Operators put the game out of reach early on when they outscored the Caribs 22-7 in the first. They opened up shooting 62 per cent from the field, while defensively they held COB to just 20 per cent.

The Bommer G lead continued to grow in the second as they slowed the pace of the game from the opening quarter, but continued their efficient shooting.

After going 10-16 in the first, they went just 7-9 in the second quarter, but still managed to outscore the Caribs16-10.

The Operators took a 38-17 lead into the half and were never threatened the rest of the way.

The NPWBA and the Bahamas basketball community in general continues to mourn the loss of Career Builders Cheetahs’ guard Audrey Martin.

Martin, who suddenly passed away this weekend, was an integral part of the Cheetahs championship contending teams of the past few years and also made an impact on the local coaching scene with the CC Sweeting Cobras.

“The Bahamas Basketball Federation was saddened to have been informed of the passing of Audrey Martin. Her contribution to the game of basketball on and off the court could only be characterised as exceptional. Audrey gave of her time, talent and passion that resulted in the advanced development of basketball throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” the Bahamas Basketball Federation stated in a press release. “Audrey will remain in the hearts and minds of players, coaches, officials, and fans as a tenaciously skilful player who exhibited the true meaning of sportsmanship. Our condolence is extended to her family. She will be truly missed.”

From the league perspective, NPWBA president Simone Beneby also offered her condolences.

“On behalf of the executives, statisticians, referees, coaches, players and fans of the NPWBA, I extend condolences to the family of Audrey Martin as well as her team the Career Builders’ Cheetahs and her former team the Johnson’s Lady Truckers.

“The NPWBA pauses in memory of an energetic player, one whose explosive playing style made her a pleasure to watch,” she said. “Audrey was the same on and off the court, not afraid to speak her mind, however you were always guaranteed a laugh and that dynamic smile. We mourn the loss of a sister, friend, and elite player in female basketball.”