Local News
Los Angeles Lakers Conclude Summer League with Thrilling Win over Clippers
D’Moi Hodge Dominates with Impressive 23-Point Performance
In an exhilarating finish to the NBA Summer League, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a hard-fought victory against their city rivals, the LA Clippers, with a thrilling 104-103 victory. While the Lakers celebrated their triumph, it was British Virgin Islander D’Moi Hodge who stole the spotlight, showcasing his exceptional skills and contributing a remarkable 23 points to the Lakers’ winning effort.
After a season that fell short of reaching the postseason, the Lakers were determined to end their summer schedule on a high note.
The Lakers were missing their top player, Max Christie, who was sidelined after the first three games. Additionally, first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino was unable to play due to a minor groin issue. With key players absent, the Lakers had to rely on other sources of offense.
Despite the challenges, the Lakers started strong with Colin Castleton making an impact in the paint and Cole Swider knocking down shots from beyond the arc. However, the Clippers responded with their own offensive firepower, led by first-round pick Kobe Brown.
As the first quarter came to a close, the Clippers held a 28-22 lead, taking advantage of some turnovers from the Lakers. However, the Lakers regrouped and came out with renewed energy in the second quarter. LJ Figueroa spearheaded a 7-0 run, propelling the Lakers into the lead. Swider continued his hot shooting, while Brown, unfortunately, rolled his ankle and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
With D’Moi Hodge sinking a late three-pointer, the Lakers entered halftime with a slim 48-47 advantage. Swider carried his shooting prowess into the third quarter, even converting a four-point play. However, Xavier Moon’s deep shooting helped the Clippers regain the lead.
Heading into the final quarter, the Lakers found themselves trailing 79-74. But Hodge quickly led a 5-0 run to tie the game, and Figueroa’s highlight-worthy dunk put the Lakers back on top at 87-85.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with Hodge continuing to shine for the Lakers. With just a minute left on the clock, the Clippers had a chance to take the lead, but a crucial turnover sealed their fate. Figueroa capitalized on the opportunity, making a layup to go up by three points.
Despite some missed free throws by Figueroa in the closing moments, Matt Morgan’s late triple with 0.4 seconds left wasn’t enough for the Clippers. Swider was fouled on the subsequent inbounds pass and made the free throw, securing the Lakers’ one-point victory.
Hodge emerged as the leading scorer for the Lakers, contributing an impressive 23 points, along with five rebounds, three assists, five steals, and a block. He showcased his shooting prowess by sinking seven three-pointers. Swider also made a significant impact with five triples of his own, finishing with 21 points. Figueroa added 23 points to the Lakers’ total, while Castleton recorded an impressive double-double with 13 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and a block.
With the Summer League now concluded, the Lakers will reflect on their performances and look ahead to the upcoming season. D’Moi Hodge’s standout performance in this final game serves as a promising sign for the Lakers and offers a glimpse into his potential impact as the team moves forward.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has launched an investigation following an armed robbery at a popular bar in the Sea Cows Bay area late Monday night.
According to police, a group of armed individuals entered the establishment on the night of May 12, demanding valuables from patrons and staff. While no injuries were reported, the incident has raised concerns about safety in the usually tranquil community.
Officers responded to the scene and are actively working to identify those involved. The RVIPF has confirmed that investigators are maintaining close contact with key witnesses and gathering critical information as the inquiry continues.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the robbery or who has relevant information to come forward. Tips can be provided confidentially to the Intelligence Unit at 368-9339, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS) or from overseas at (284) 800-8477.
As Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week kicks off from May 12 to 16, health officials in the Virgin Islands are calling on residents to take proactive steps to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Acting Deputy Chief Environmental Health Officer Shamelle Thomas said this year’s campaign, themed “Small Bite, Big Threat – Stop Disease Transmission, Start Source Reduction,” aims to empower communities to combat the spread of illnesses like dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
“The message is clear,” Thomas emphasized. “While the mosquito may be small, its bite carries a serious threat to public health.”
Officials are urging residents to eliminate standing water around their homes, a critical breeding ground for mosquitoes. “Source reduction is the most effective way to prevent outbreaks and protect our communities,” Thomas added, noting that even small amounts of water can become mosquito nurseries.
However, inconsistent community participation has been a persistent challenge. “People are not maintaining their properties or properly managing stored water, partly due to the intermittent water supply,” Thomas said. “We want to remind the community that vector control is not solely the government’s responsibility, but a shared community effort.”
To mark the week, the Environmental Health Division will host a series of public outreach activities, including an art and poetry competition for students, school visits, and an expo aimed at encouraging behavior change.
Residents are also encouraged to inspect and clean water containers weekly, properly dispose of waste that can collect water, use screens on windows and doors, and wear protective clothing or mosquito repellents when necessary.
Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week serves as a critical reminder of the connection between mosquitoes and the potentially severe illnesses they transmit, underscoring the importance of community action in reducing these risks.
Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has credited the British Virgin Islands’ commitment to sweeping governance reforms for avoiding direct rule by the United Kingdom, a critical moment in the Territory’s political history.
Speaking in the House of Assembly, Premier Wheatley highlighted the dedication of public officers who were instrumental in implementing the necessary reforms to preserve local self-governance.
“The period challenged us as British Virgin Islanders to the core and forced us to confront some harsh realities of our governance deficiencies,” Wheatley said. “We had to make the choices necessary to uphold the values imparted to us by our fore parents. We had to defend who we are as a people and protect our future aspirations.”
The reform process, initiated in response to the 2022 British Virgin Islands Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report, required the establishment of new structures, processes, and procedures to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust. Despite these challenges, Wheatley praised the resilience of public officers who managed both the reforms and their regular duties under demanding conditions.
“Our public officers developed and implemented the structures, processes, and procedures necessary for the reforms while simultaneously managing daily operations,” he said. “This was especially challenging given the systemic conditions highlighted in the COI Report.”
The Government’s recently submitted Self-Assessment Report to the UK is a critical component in determining whether the Order in Council to partially suspend the British Virgin Islands Constitution will be lifted.
Wheatley expressed optimism that the Territory is now on a path toward greater self-governance, supported by a newly approved Governance Reform Transition Plan, which outlines the next steps in the ongoing transformation.
“Today is a day we should all applaud,” Wheatley said. “It symbolizes our collective resilience and commitment to the ideals that make us British Virgin Islanders and commits us to the pursuit of self-determination.”
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