On Tuesday morning, Grand Bahama lost the philanthropic Sir Jack Hayward. That night, friends and family members said their "farewells" to Tony "Solo" Newton. Sir Jack and Newton walked different pathways but both made valuable contributions to sports development in The Bahamas.
Newton at the time of his passing, had been out of the national sporting limelight for many decades, but he was part of an important chapter in basketball. He was a star shooting guard/small forward on the Comoco Vikings senior basketball squad that took the nation by storm during the Bahamas Amateur Basketball Association's (BABA) 1968-1969 season.
BABA is now the Bahamas Basketball Federation (BBF) and the general scene is far removed from the years when Newton was in his prime and the Vikings reigned supreme over the nation's basketball fraternity. That was the period when the gyms in New Providence would be filled to capacity for basketball games. It was also one of the exceptional moments in time.
Traditionally during that era, the St. Bernard's/Kentucky Colonels, Old Oak/Beck's Cougars, Pinder's Barber Shop and a few other veteran franchises dominated competition in the capital island where BABA was based. Under the upstart and new-vision coach Gladstone "Moon" McPhee, the junior Comoco Vikings had won the championship the pervious year.
It was anticipated that Comoco on the senior scene would be competitive but there were no expectations of the dominance that would take place. Under Coach McPhee, something new and very different unfolded. He put together a squad that from the very outset refused to be intimidated.
Along with Newton, the names were Bruce "Dick Brown" Russell, Tyrone "Acre" Strachan, Patrick "Peco" Johnson, Rudy Cooper, Roosevelt "Dog" Turner, Anthony
Balfour, Ormand Russell, Keith "Five" Albury, Philip "Gilly" Huyler, Robert "Skinner" Albury, Joseph "Wally Joe", Rodney Rolle and Robert Johnson.
The haven for the team was the homestead of Trixy Hanna on the corner of Mount Royal Avenue and Hampton Street in the very heart of "The Valley". Her daughters Bernadette and Paula were staunch supporters and the mascot was Stephen "Slalene" Alleyne. The team was the pride and joy of "The Valley". Coach McPhee had crafted a masterpiece of youthful basketball skill and determination.
They would not be denied no matter the opposing squads. Strachan was cold-blooded. His jump shot was deadly and no Bahamian who ever lived, had a quicker release, in my view. Cooper anchored the backcourt from the point guard position, "Dick Brown" Russell was the strong forward and Peco Johnson managed the pivot surprisingly well. With Newton that was the starting five.
It was a compact unit, intent, like its coach in establishing a reputation for quality basketball play. Notable in that group of course, was Newton. He was a safe, reliable shot. When he came off the pick set most often by "Dick Brown" Russell, it was up in a flash and more often than not the ball touched only the net.
He created his own shots also. Newton had that "quick step and rise" for the jump shot. His even-tempered nature transferred easily to the court, demonstrated by his constant poise and readiness whenever the coach called his number. To a great degree, Newton's character was captivated by his teammates. Under pressure, they responded best and provided Coach McPhee with perhaps the smoothest stretch on his long journey of mentoring basketball players.
Newton was part of the "Golden Era of Basketball" in The Bahamas. It is quite special to be able to take readers on a walk down memory lane as I pay tribute to an unsung but true basketball talent. Now, many more Bahamians know about the talented basketball player they called "Solo."
Rest in peace my friend!
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)
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