BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

When Reginald Burke, Sr. (pictured, right), moved to Tampa, he took stock of his new surroundings. And, one of the first things he discovered was, that there was not much attention focused on young African American students wishing to play basketball.

“I was shocked. The kids are not getting the looks they should from scouts and we have some very talented kids in Hillsborough County. I noticed there were no gyms in certain areas where the kids could practice and many of the parents can’t afford to pay recreation fees. I felt there were a lot of things that could be changed,” Burke said.

He met Armwood High School Coach Benjamin Bromley (pictured, left), and the two set about creating an atmosphere to encourage youngsters interested in the sport.

That was the beginning of the Bay Area Hurricanes. Formed in 2006, Bromley is the Head Coach and Burke is an Assistant Coach. The goal of the organization is to produce student athletes to play on a college level.

“We are very concerned why this county is looked over for its basketball talent. We currently have 6 All-County or All-Conference players that have also produced in the classroom. These students are from various high schools and have no other help besides the AAU Coaches and a few high school coaches to help get them to college on scholarships,” Bromley said.

Burke, who has prior experience with the AAU for the D. C. Ballers team, is a native of Buffalo, New York. He said that while they have found some sponsors in the community, (such as the owner of Beef O’Brady’s in Seffner) the organization is largely non-funded. They hold  fundraisers to help supply the needs of the team.

The Bay Area Hurricanes are currently working with high school boys, ages 14-17. They are currently working on a 13-year-old and under group, as well as an 11-year-old and under group.

Burke stated that they hope to have a girls’ league in the future, but it’s difficult to find girl leagues.

“I’m not focused on basketball. I’m focused on life experience. I want them to enjoy college, get a degree, and then if everything falls into place that’s great.”

The Bay Area Hurricanes currently have 6 seniors who are eligible for college. Those seniors are: Chris Smith, Matt Dennis, Ryan Bethony, Jamal Evans, Zak Bradley, and Reggie Burke, Jr.

Last week, Reggie Burke, Jr., became the first Strawberry Crest High School basketball player to sign a national letter of intent with the College of Coastal Georgia, in Brunswick, Georgia.