Page 24 - Florida Sentinel 3-3-17

Local Sports News
Belmont Heights Little Tampa Athlete Earns Norman Cohen League Players Award At University Of Toledo
Headed To College On Baseball Scholarships
DEHREON PRESSLEY ...headed to Bishop State
The managers and volunteers at Belmont Heights Little League are elated and proud of three of their players who will not only be graduating from high school, but who are headed to college on baseball scholar- ships.
Dehreon Pressley will be graduating from King High School in June and has accepted a scholarship to Bishop State in Alabama.
Pressley is a member of the House family and stated, “there was never a question of me play- ing baseball anywhere else but Belmont Heights.”
There has been a House in- volved in the Belmont Heights league from the beginning start- ing with his uncle, Joe House. “Marcus ‘Jabo’ Kirk (also a House) let me know from the start I would be playing baseball at BH LL until I aged out, then at some point I would return to pay it forward. More than any- thing I think I will miss my aunts Linda and Glo, because no matter where I am on the field I can hear them screaming my name.”
Freddie Drayton will also be attending Bishop State after graduation from Tampa Bay Tech HS. His parents, Freddie and Jessica Drayton say, “BH has a level of playing like no other. It’s rough and soft all in one.”
Freddie’s dad is a coach and his mom is the official scorebook keeper, so he knew he had to al- ways be on his best behavior on and off the field.
“Everyone at BH had a close connection with not only you as a player, but as a member of the BH family.”
Jaisen Randolph will also graduate from Tampa Bay Tech and is leaning towards following his BH teammates to Bishop State. He is the son of La- Tronda James.
“My mom has always been and
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, a Tampa native was presented the Norman Cohen Award for his per- formance both academically and in sports. The presenta- tion was made to Dedarello Blue, who is currently at- tending the University of Toledo.
The Norman Cohen Award was presented to Blue be- cause of his academic and athletic accomplishments. He plays defensive back on the football team.
FREDDIE DRAYTON Blue said of having been .....headed to Bishop State presented the award, “I de- served this award because I maintained my academics and performed great on the field. I am very grateful to have received this award and it has pushed me to work harder, be great, and stay
DEDARELLO BLUE Ms. Joy Tameka Beau-
ford. He has two brothers and two sisters. He is the grandson of James and Anna Beauford, Jr.
The young man attended the public schools of Hills- borough County. He contin- ued his education at
Dedarello Blue is shown on the Norman Cohen Award Plaque that was recently pre- sented to him.
Armwood High School, where he maintained a 3.3 grade point average.
While at Armwood, Blue played football and earned a full scholarship to the Uni- versity of Toledo. He is a member of Allen Temple A. M. E. Church.
humble.”
Blue is the son of
DeDarello Blue, Sr., and
JAISEN RANDOLPH ...undecided on college, Bishop State is at top of list
will always be my biggest fan and cheerleader. I love Belmont Heights, the crowd, the guys standing under the shed, and the little t-ball players running around. There is something magic about this place, and there is no place I would rather be, because this is a village.”
The trio say they will miss everything about Belmont Heights LL, from the opening day where the players are an- nounced; to the smell of the fried chicken wings and fries coming from the concession stand. And especially hearing Mr. Gambrell screaming, ‘[pull your pants up’ and ‘turn that hat around’; the parents coaching from the sidelines; Miss Sonja telling us ‘to act like you got some sense’; Char- lie Boy Shaw reveling the crowd and Katrina and Al House starting the Belmont Heights chant.
Dehreon concluded by say- ing he never thought about what he would miss about BH until asked. “I guess I took for granted the things that make up BH, but when I look back, I’m going to miss a lot. My wish is that this place has the great memories for others that I had here.”
All 3 players will be honored during Opening Ceremony on March 10th.
FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 13-A