Congratulations to the Miami Central Rockets, 2012 Boys Football Class 6A State Champions, after a decisive 37-14 victory over Gainesville High School yesterday in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Shout out also to The Booker T. Washington Tornadoes, Class 4A Champions who defeated Jacksonville Bolles High School 35-7 on December 8 at the Citrus Bowl.

The community is proud of the student-athletes and coaches of both of these schools and all of the schools that participated in the play-offs this year.

 

 

Photo:  William “DC” Clark

 

Thus far Miami Central, Miami Jackson and Booker T. Washington are still in the running for the state football championship in their respective Classes. Booker T. Washington is already in the Class 4A championship match up against Jacksonville Bolles this Saturday, December 8, 2012 at The Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Class 5A Miami Jackson, meets Immokalee High this Friday, December 7, 2012 at Traz Powell Stadium. If the Generals are victorious, they will meet the winner of the Tallahassee Godby and Tampa Robinson match up. The Class 5A finals are Friday, December 14 at the Citrus Bowl.

After last week’s easy win over Palm Bay, Miami Central travels for what is expected to be a tough game against Naples. If they win, they will play the winner of the Navarre and Gainesville match up. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, December 15, 2012, at the Citrus Bowl. 

It would be great if these three Miami teams can make it all the way and win State Championships. Regardless the outcome, the community is proud of what they have already accomplished.

As a side note, check out the photo below from DC Clark’s Facebook page. The folks at the host hotel for Miami Central alumni in Orlando are already cheering the Miami Central Rockets on to victory. Clearly a wise business move, it shows just how much our money is appreciated and why the Miami Central Alumni Association focuses on economic empowerment and economic equity.

 

 

We’ll touch on the economy in our local community more in later posts. Just recognize our power and our potential if we use it strategically in our local communities.

 

MIAMI GARDENS — Florida Memorial University’s (FMU) Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kenneth Marshall has been selected by his peers as The Sun Conference nominee for the 2012-2013 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Coach of Character Award.

 

Marshall started his 35-year FMU coaching career during the 1978-1979 women’s basketball campaign. He assumed head coach duties after taking over a team that was winless at that point. Within two seasons, the Lady Lions placed second in the conference title games.

He accumulated 471 victories, the fourth-most among active NAIA Division II coaches, and led his teams to three conference titles, the most recent victory coming during the 2011 campaign. Robert Smith, FMU athletic director, said he was not surprised by the coach’s nomination.

“Coach Marshall has demonstrated a strong desire to work with, teach and mold young athletes to become productive citizens of our community,” Smith said. “There have been hundreds of graduates from his teams that have gone on to complete graduate school or pursue professional careers in medicine, law enforcement and education.” 

Marshall graduated from Fort Valley State University in 1974 with a degree in  Physical Education. After graduation he served as a firefighter with the Miami-Dade County Fire Department. After 28 years of service he retired at the rank of lieutenant. He and his wife Helen have six children. 

According to Latara King, a current assistant coach and one of his former players, Marshall has more children than that. “He has been a coach, mentor, confidant and truly a father figure,” added King, who nominated her mentor for the award. “He is a man of integrity and character both on and off the court. His coaching techniques help you understand the game and also prepare you for a successful life after college.

 

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Gary Orlando Forbes was born February 25, 1985 in Colón, Panama. He is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. When he was a child, his mother brought him with her when she moved to Brooklyn, NY. After high school at Benjamin Banneker Academy, the 6 ft 7 in, 220 lb. small forward initially played college basketball at the University of Virginia, then transferred to the University of Massachusetts following his sophomore season at Virginia.

With the fall football season quickly approaching, Florida A&M University announces an enhanced football experience and halftime entertainment for fans of FAMU football. This 2012 football season takes on a special meaning as the university celebrates 125 years of excellence.

Much of South Florida is talking about the arrest of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson, formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, on domestic violence charges. It seems Johnson and wife Evelyn Lozada become embroiled in an argument Saturday night when she found a receipt for condoms in the trunk of their car.

Tonight is Game 5 of the NBA Finals and the last in the series that the Miami HEAT will play in the AAA. Of course Miami Heat fans want a win and championship TONIGHT. Each of the games in this series against the Oklahoma Thunder have been thrilling, cardiac arrest inducing battles. We are witnessing probably the best professional basketball playing around in a long time.

A couple of questions for you readers. First of all, do you think the HEAT will win tonight? And second, if they do, how will you celebrate?

Here's a reminder of the HEAT's Game 4 win on Tuesday:

 

 

 

While Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is two games away from winning another NBA championship and should be totally focused on winning Game 4 against the Oklahoma Thunder tonight, he will, no doubt be thinking of the latest drama in the nasty child custody battle with ex-wife, Siohvaughn Funches-Wade. 

It seems the former Mrs. Wade attempted to prevent their children from leaving with Wade's sister last Saturday so the children could spend Father's Day with the Miami Heat superstar. Funches-Wade was subsequently arrested on charges of attempted child abduction, unlawful visitation interference and resisting arrest.

It's painfully clear that Funches-Wade is in emotional distress over the dissolution of her marriage to Dwyane Wade. His highly-publicized relationship with actress Gabrielle Union and unfavorable comparisons of Funches-Wade to her are understandably devastating also.

If Funches-Wade has friends and family that love her, it's time for some serious intervention. No matter what has happened between the adults in this relationship breakup, the children must be spared from such negative behavior. One can only wonder how the Wades nasty divorce has affected their young sons. There are some things that even Dwyane Wade's money and celebrity can't erase. 

No matter who you are and your station in life, never ever say anything negative to your child or in the presence of your child about the other parent. There is nothing to be gained from such actions other than emotional distress for the child and what responsible, loving parent wants to contribute to that? 

My Open Message to Siohvaughn:

Please, Siohvaughn, we acknowledge and understand your feelings of rejection, betrayal and loss. You devoted many years of your young life to Dwyane and can't change what has already happened. Moving forward, carve out your own life and be the awesome woman you are. As difficult as it is, ignore the media and people who attempt use your custody and divorce issues to make fun of you, degrade you or break you down. Please do it for yourself and your children. You don't know me from a can of paint but I sincerely wish for you Peace and abundant blessings. 

 

Photo: Celebrity Gossip

 

Congratulations to The Miami HEAT, NBA 2012 Eastern Conference Champions after a 101-88 victory over the Boston Celtics. Game 7 was truly a battle until about the fourth quarter when it appeared the Boston Celtics just ran out of energy. 

It was sad to see it go down as it did but it’s a competition and one team has to lose so the other can win. I’ve always admired Doc Rivers, he’s a great coach and a class act. He demonstrated that throughout the series and especially when fielding questions after such an emotional loss. 

The Miami Heat now move on to meet the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. The team will be away for the first two games and then come back to the AAA on Sunday, June 17, 2012. 

The Thunder is a strong team with youth in its favor. They will be more rested than the Heat after only going six games to win their conference and also have home court advantage. We’ve seen the Miami Heat battle back from the downside of momentum so Let’s Go, HEAT!

 

 

LeBron James was a one-man wrecking crew Thursday night as the Miami Heat spanked the Boston Celtics 98 - 79 to tie the NBA Eastern Conference play-off series 3 up and bring the decision-making Game 7 to the Triple A Saturday night.

 

The Heat were down 3-2 going into the game Thursday night at the TD Garden. It was straight up “win or go home” and they were having none of that. From the beginning to the end, the Heat were in control. While James clearly dominated the game, it was still a team effort. 

Anyhoo, the Heat are back in it and one more win from the NBA Finals. Go HEAT! Can you feel the Heat down in your soul?….