The Miami Lakes Optimist Club completed its 40th basketball season last month, and commemorated the occasion by recognizing NBA and NFL players who played recreation sports at the club, and coaches and volunteers for making the program a success.
The organization also thanked their sponsors for helping to keep the program running for four decades.
The Optimist Club recognized NBA players Adonis Haslem of the Miami Heat and Steve Blake of the Detroit Pistons, and Samurai Rolle, who played basketball but starred in football at Florida State University and as a member of the Tennessee Titans.
The Optimist program has always been considered a recreational league where volunteers and coaches teach the skills through practices with the club’s goals to improve the player skills and have fun.
“We have grown from an outdoor league to one using the gymnasiums at Barbara Goleman High and Hialeah Gardens High schools,” said longtime Optimist Club member Jim Hamilton. “With a special thank you to Goleman’s principal Joaquin Hernandez, and Carlos Ochoa, the athletic director at Hialeah Gardens High in working with our Optimist Club to provide their facilities which allows the children in our community an opportunity to play in a summer basketball league.”
Hamilton also thanked the many coaches who volunteer their time to teach the kids the skills necessary to play basketball.
The Optimist Club said the program would not be possible without the sponsors who donate their money to bring the program to Miami Lakes:
Bronco League (ages 11-12)
1. Pistons, Javier Serrano
2. Spurs, Mario Pinera and Ricardo Garcia, sponsor M.O.P. Auto Parts.
3. Thunder, Grace Herba
4. Warriors, Adrain Isalque
5. Heat, Robert Cedeno
Pony League (ages 13-14)
1. Warriors, Eddie Odio and Steben Pla
2. Thunder, Jessie Urbaez and Kathy Moura
3. Pistons, Brian Vivo, sponsor Truth Kingdom Consulting.
4. Heat, Stuart Bodin and John Slater
5. Spurs, Marion Echeverri
6. Knicks, Alex Anthony, sponsor Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Colt League (ages 15-18)
1. Raptors, David de la Paz
2. Knicks, Oscar Ferreira
3. Pistons, David Gomont, sponsor Fence Masters.
4. Celtics, Andres Altamiranda, sponsor Teksystems, Inc.
5. Lakers, Michael Molina
6. Cavaliers, Donovan and Dominic White
7. Warriors, Maurice Blanco
8. Heat, Luis Reyes
9. Thunder, Nick Arias
The Optimist Club also gave a special thanks to the volunteers who supervised the teams, serving on the basketball committee. Mustang, Grace Herba; Bronco, Jessie Urbaez; Pony, Stephanny Rugama; and Colt, Frank Marrero.