Bloomingdale/FishHawk
39
July 2021
Volume 20,
Issue 7
Ph: 657-2418
SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 20
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
BULLSEYE: BLOOMINGDALE BASEBALL TEAM HITS THE MARK, WINS FIRST STATE TITLE
By Nick Nahas
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
By Tatiana Ortiz
James Bradley Hulett II playing basketball.
Beard Mobb Florida and Just 1 Person Can are teaming up to produce a free event in the FishHawk community on Saturday, October 9 at 12 Noon. Art Monkey Emporium will be hosting Beards & Bands for Bradley, which will benefit the BH3 Foundation. Back in December of 2019, James Bradley Hulett II tragically lost his life at the age of 15. The purpose of the James Bradley Hulett II Youth Basketball Discretionary Fund is to help provide financial support for youth basketball players, teams and organizations within the Tampa area. Brad Hulett explained more on how the BH3 Foundation will benefit from the proceeds of this event. “With the BH3 Foundation, we also go to underserved apartment complex communities in Tampa and surrounding areas to hand out basketballs, footballs and such for the kids,” Brad said. In regards to how the event came into fruition, the founder and president of the nonprofit Just 1 Person Can, Christine Allegretti, reached out to the Hulett family to see how her organization could assist with keeping Bradley’s memory alive. Beard Mobb Florida wanted to help as well. During the event, a farmers’ market will occur. Currently, 30 vendors will be participating. It costs $25 to become a vendor. A bearding competition will also take place; the entry fee will be $15 and there will be at least 10 categories, and prizes will be
awarded. At 1:30 p.m., the bands Hollywood, Kamenar and Red Stump will be performing. In addition, 50 percent of the fees collected will go back to the BH3 Foundation. Allegretti mentioned what this event still needs: “We are in search of musicians, raffle items, silent auction items, sponsors and more.” She added, “The sponsorship comes in four levels, ranging from $150 to $1,000.” A sports equipment drive will also take place. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped football, basketball and so forth to this event. A couple weeks prior, a kickball tournament will occur. For questions, visit https://www. facebook.com/Just1can, https://www. facebook.com/BMFLC or https://www. facebook.com/events/267813094914786, or send a Facebook message or email Christine at just1personcan@gmail.com. To donate, visit https://bh3fund.org.
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dale (24-6) had a string of close wins leading up to the state final. They had a 7-4 comeback victory against Gaither High School after trailing 4-1 early on, defeated Mitchell High School 2-1 and finished off Gulf Coast High School 4-3 to claim their first regional title since 2014. The Bulls used stellar The Bloomingdale Bulls Varsity Baseball defense, great team won their first state championship. base running “This team didn’t need coaches to keep them focused, the team encouraged each other,” and timesaid Coach Wilson. ly hitting to beat Dwyer The Bloomingdale High School baseHigh School ball program made history, winning to reach their its first state title. The Bulls defeated first state Fleming Island High School 5-1 in the game FHSAA Class 6A State Championship Gabe Garrett ended his senior year title on May 22 at Hammond Stadium in Fort by coming through for the team since the team came up a little when the pressure was on. Myers. bit short against “I instantly felt a rush of South Dade High School in adrenaline as soon as he hit the 2014 state championship the fly ball my way, and once it game. was in my glove, I just thought, Fourteen-year Head Coach ‘We did it,’” said senior outKris Wilken said that he had fielder Marlon Bowen, who his most complete team this took home MVP honors with season in all facets of the his 4-for-5 weekend. “It was game, including pitching, defense, base runonly excitement going through my head.” Bowen, who was arguably the heart and ning and hitting. The 2021 Bulls had more soul of the Bulls, was in the middle of the wins (24) than any other team led by Wilkorder, hitting fourth with a .382 batting av- en. He said that his team’s mental tougherage and a team high 25 runs batted in. It ness is what made the difference. “You can have teams like that that are was Bowen’s first season as a starting varsity player after sitting behind star slugging very complete; if they are not mentally outfielder Dominic Gonnella. He started the tough and have the heart, it really doesn’t season hitting at the bottom of the order matter,” he said. “When we got to the playbefore later breaking through in a big way. offs, we were very complete, but so were all He had the key hit against Fleming Island the teams we played. These kids just wantwith a triple over the left fielder’s head, ed it more, and nothing was going to get in driving in two runs and extending the Bull’s their way.” The Bulls got a boost from an unlikely lead to 4-0 in the third inning. After beating St. Petersburg High School source—junior relief pitcher Chase Chap3-2 in the district championship, BloomingArticle continued on page 9
BEARDS & BANDS FOR BRADLEY EVENT WILL SUPPORT THE BH3 FOUNDATION
21 & Change is an all-volunteer Florida nonprofit organization that believes in the value of all human lives and that all should have the opportunity to discover their full potential. The organization recently held its Champions for Change Challenge this past May. This is an annual, multidimensional event that promotes inclusion and ability for the differently abled in our community. If you would like to learn more about the Riverview-based 21 & Change nonprofit, you can visit its website at www.21andchange.org or call Bodor at 910-273-7049. Read full article on page 21.
7/31/2021
7/31/2021