Benita Appel
Boca Hoops Season
Dear Hoopster,
Your team was named after Benita Appel, who was an outstanding volunteer of the Boca Hoops Program. Benita was an outstanding coach in the early years of Boca Hoops. She coached the boys, back then was a very rare circumstance of a woman coaching in the boys division. She was an outstanding coach. She later became a division representative overseeing 0very 30 coaches and 240 players. Because of Benita’s hard work and dedication to Boca Hoops, she was appointed to the Boca Hoops Board of Directors. She is also a member of the Boca Hoops Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, Benita passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. Her legacy to Boca Hoops was her unselfish volunteerism to the program. To remember Benita Appel and her dedication to the children of the Boca Raton metropolitan area, the Boca Hoops Family decided that every Boca Hoops’ season, a team in the Instructional Division would be dedicated to her and would be named, Benita’s Ballers.
Benita’s Baller is a part of a very cherished Boca Hoops’ tradition.
Jody Forstot, Director
Mike Doyle, Executive Athletic Director
Shanni’s Tigers
Dear Hoopster,
Your team, Shanni’s Tigers, has a very special meaning for Boca Hoops. Back in the late 1990s, Shanni Levin was a force to be reckoned with on the court! Throughout her years in Boca Hoops, she was the leading point-scorer in just about every game she played. But her teammates didn’t just respect her skill – she was well-loved for her humility and sense of humor, too. She put in hours each day working on her footwork, accuracy, strength, and speed. But she would tell you that none of it mattered unless you were having fun. After Boca Hoops, she played on her varsity team at St Andrews High School, then went on to a basketball scholarship for college, and even moved to Israel to play in a professional league!! Off the court, Shanni became a graphic designer and author – she even wrote and published two children’s books! And she was a caring aunt to her brother’s children and a loyal friend.
But when Shanni was in her mid-30s, she learned she had cancer. She fought it with all her grit and all that medicine could muster, but the cancer was extremely aggressive. Over the course of less than two years, the cancer won out, and in December 2021, Shanni passed away, just days before her 37th birthday.
To remember Shanni Levin and her love for basketball, we, the Boca Hoops family, decided that one team would be dedicated to her memory. We hope you will play with tenacity and pride as you wear your Shanni’s Tigers uniform – but most of all, that you have FUN. Shanni would have it no other way.
Jody Forstot, Director
Mike Doyle, Executive Athletic Director
Broderick’s Boys
Your team, Broderick’s Boys, has a very special meaning for Boca Hoops. Back in 1994, we had a very dedicated volunteer named David Broderick. Without a child in the program, Mr. Broderick helped with other volunteers to refurbish the Boca Raton Elementary School gymnasium and volunteered to coach one of our Boca Hoops’ under 11 boys teams. Unfortunately, an unforeseen tragedy occurred. Mr. Broderick was killed in an auto accident. He left behind two sons, David Jr. and Craig, and his wife Cindy. David Jr. has played 8 years of Boca Hoops and also played high school varsity basketball at the North Broward Prep School. Craig also played 8 years of Boca Hoops and volunteered in the program. Mrs. Broderick is not only a volunteer to Boca Hoops but was one of the past Boca Hoops board of directors.
To remember David Broderick and his dedication to the children of Boca Hoops, we, the Boca Hoops Family, decided that every Boca Hoops’ season, one team of the Under 11 boys division would be dedicated to his memory, and would be named Broderick’s Boys. You hoopsters on Broderick’s Boys are now a part of a very cherished Boca Hoops’ tradition. We hope you will carry on Mr. Broderick’s values of hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Azmattackers
Dear Hoopster,
Your team, the Azmattackers, has a very special meaning for Boca Hoops. Dr. Michael Falkowitz was an original Boca Hoops sponsor back in 1989, an “Original 34”. He has sponsored every year ever since. Besides sponsoring, he volunteered every season to do player physical exams at Boca Hoops registration. He was never too busy to be at registration from his medical practice. Dr. Falkowitz’s three boys, Adam, Oren, and Max are all Boca Hoops Alumni.
Unfortunately, Dr. Falkowitz passed away this past year. His passing has been a great loss to the Boca Hoops Family, and the Boca Raton medical community. With his wishes, the Falkowitz boys established a Falkowitz Foundation to donate money to Boca Hoops, in his memory.
To remember Dr. Falkowitz and his dedication to support Boca Hoops, we the Boca Hoops Family, decided that ever Boca Hoops’ season, one team would be dedicated to his memory, and would be named the Azmattackers. You hoopsters on the Azmattackers are now a part of a very cherished Boca Hoops’ tradition. We hope you will carry on what Dr. Falkowitz believed in: enjoy the game of basketball and most of all have FUN!
Kim’s Angels
Dear Hoopster,
Your team was named after Kim Strobis, who was an outstanding volunteer of the Boca Hoops Program. Kim was in charge of “Concessions” back in the early years of Boca Hoops. Back then, Boca Hoops had concession stands at all our gyms (Boca Middle, Boca Elementary, Omni Middle, Advent Lutheran School). Weeknights and every Saturday, Kim would travel from school to school overseeing the concessions, a major undertaking and great dedication to the program, raising funds for the program. Because of Kim’s hard work and dedication to Boca Hoops, she was appointed to the Boca Hoops Board of Directors.
Unfortunately, Kim passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Her legacy to Boca Hoops was her unselfish volunteerism to the program. To remember Kim Strobis and her dedication to the children of the Boca Raton metropolitan area, the Boca Hoops Family decided that every Boca Hoops’ season, a team in the Girls Division would be dedicated to her and would be named, Kim’s Angels.
Kim’s Angels is a part of a very cherished Boca Hoops’ tradition.
Fiorini’s Fastbreakers
Dear Hoopster,
Your team, Fiorini’s Fastbreakers, has a very special meaning for Boca Hoops. Mr. Angelo Fiorini was an original Boca Hoops coach back in 1989. His passion was to teach the fundamental skills of basketball to all the players he came in contact with. Besides coaching, he was the head of all the Boca Hoops Coaches. He made sure that all Boca Hoops Coaches made the game of basketball FUN!
Unfortunately, Mr. Fiorini passed away. His passing has been a great loss to the Boca Hoops Family.
To remember Angelo Fiorini and his dedication to the children of Boca Hoops, we, the Boca Hoops Family, decided that every Boca Hoops’ season, one team of the Instructional Division would be dedicated to his memory, and would be named Fiorini’s Fastbreakers. You hoopsters on the Fiorini’s Fastbreakers are now a part of a very cherished Boca Hoops’ tradition. We hope you will carry on Mr. Fiorini’s wish that you learn the fundamentals of the game of basketball and most of all have FUN!
Max’s Avengers
On July 23, 2018, Max Brown passed away in a tragic accident at the age of 19.
Max Brown was seen as a superhero to many people. He wore his heart on his sleeve at all times. It was something he prided himself on. He cared for anyone and everyone. Max was a lover and not a fighter, always looking to make the right choices for not only himself but his friends and family too. He was truly the most selfless individual as he put everyone else first and always made sure that everyone he came in contact with had a smile on their face.
Max was the captain of the Spanish River Varsity basketball team in his senior year. Never once did he complain about minutes, argue with a referee, or badmouth any opponents. Max constantly was seen building his teammates up, displaying extremely high sportsmanship and character both on and off the court. He wore number 22, hence the 22 on each jersey of your team.
Max started playing basketball competitively at the age of 7, right here in Boca Hoops. Max was a joy to coach and a pleasure to play with. He was the perfect role model for his teammates and always made his coach’s job so much easier. Max won the Mufson award in Boca Hoops several times, displaying his great sportsmanship and perfect attitude not only to the game of basketball but life too.
Max was a brother, a son, a grandson, a boyfriend, a teammate, a friend, and truly an amazing person. In his honor, “Max’s Avengers” is named after Max’s favorite movie, The Avengers.
Max’s Legacy will live on forever in Boca Hoops through this extremely special team.
Mullin’s Hoopsters
Dear Hoopster,
Your team was named after Bob Mullin who was an original founder of Boca Hoops back in 1989. Bob teamed up with Jody Forstot and Mike Doyle to launch the Boca Raton’s youth basketball program.
To remember Bob Mullin and his dedication to the children of Boca Raton metropolitan area, the Boca Hoops Family decided that every Boca Hoops’ season, a team of the Under 9 Boys Division would be dedicated to him and would be named Mullin’s Hoopsters. The Mullin’s Hoopsters is a part of a very cherished Boca Hoops’ tradition. Boca Hoops is committed to Bob Mullin’s wish that all Hoopsters enjoy playing the “great” game of basketball!
James’ Warriors
Dear Hoopster,
Your team, James’ Warriors, has a very special meaning for Boca Hoops. The Warriors is a Boca Hoops Team named for James Mitchell, who was a Hoopster and unfortunately passed away unexpectedly during the 2006 Boca Hoops Season. To honor and remember James, Boca Hoops, and the Mitchell Family established James’ Warriors as a permanent team in the Under 13 Boys Division of Boca Hoops.
Enclosed is a letter, written to you from his family about James. You Hoopsters on the James’ Warriors are now a part of a much-cherished Boca Hoops tradition. We hope you will carry on James’ values of hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
James Mitchell
March 23, 1993 – August 17, 2006
James attacked life, whatever shape it came in. Passion poured from every nerve ending he possessed. It was as if he knew, even as a little boy, that life itself was a magical, miraculous, extraordinary gift, and he could not waste one moment on anything less than celebration. He laughed intensely and cheered for others at the top of his lungs. He played hard, studied with diligence, and captured the meaning of why God had left him on earth, running to the finish line, fully spent, every ounce given to the grand cause of bringing glory to the Father, who had on more occasions than he could possibly know, spared his life for some great task ahead.
He was packed tight with potential and bubbled over with enthusiasm, diligence, and zeal. He poured it all out on Scripture memorizing, writing stories, drawing sketches, painting watercolors, and reading biographies of great men and women of faith. He was all about whistling in the shower, singing with gusto, winning computer games, dribbling down the court, making three-point shots, cheering his teammates, squeezing his sister, tackling his cousins in football, smashing the ping-pong ball to his dad, riding a bike, jumping on the trampoline, working with his math tutor, munching popcorn in front of a televised sports event, playing with babies, teaching kids Bible verses and meticulously completing his chores. He lived life large, lived life well, flew down the track, won the race, arrived there first, went in ahead…far too soon it seemed.
He simply took his bumps with style, never drew attention to himself, never realized it was a big deal that his heart was not his own. He made it his own. He had more heart than most people ever dream of having. It pumped love, passion, joy, and gentleness into every moment he lived. He came to demonstrate that regardless of the bruises, the challenges, the hurdles, a person should run fast, grin cheerfully, play intensely, give all, reserve nothing for tomorrow, encourage everyone in one’s path, look out for the weak, turn life into a fast-paced joy ride, and give love extravagantly everywhere you happen to go.
He never looked back; he never had to. He had no regrets. He had spent every moment of life bringing joy and pleasure simply with his exuberant presence, brilliant smile, tender voice, and boundless, limitless energy.
BILL MITCHELL
Brian’s Gators
GETTING TO KNOW BRIAN COHEN
Brian Cohen was a typical kid, just like you! He loved to get together with his friends and have fun…and he loved sports!!
Brian was born and raised in Boca Raton. He attended Boca Raton Academy (now Pinecrest), then went to Spanish River High School. After graduation from Spanish River, he attended the University of Florida, where he was a loyal Gator.
Brian LOVED sports…all of them….T-Ball, baseball, flag tag, football, soccer…and most of all, basketball. When Boca Hoops was founded in 1989, Brian was 11 years old. He played on Boca Hoops teams every year until high school. He even went to Boca Hoops summer camp. His favorite team was “Air Boca,” named after Michael Jordan (“Air Jordan”). Tall and thin, Brian ran all over the court and even scored some 3-pointers! Win or lose, he loved his Boca Hoops games and always had fun playing — and always wore his famous big smile. He was truly a winner!
Brian received his Masters Degree at UF and moved to Atlanta for his job. He was very proud to be a Gator alum and wore his Gator shirt all the time! He would drive all over to meet his friends and watch the Gators play. In Atlanta, he met his wife, Stacy, and they had two boys, Blake and Drew. He was always outside with them, hitting and catching balls or shooting “Fisher-Price Hoops!” He wanted his boys to love sports as much as he did.
Brian died in December 2015, at the age of 37, after a long fight with cancer. His boys were 6 and 4 years old at the time. They are now getting involved in Recreational Sports in Atlanta and have played T-ball, baseball, and soccer so far.
Brian would be so pleased to know about this special team, “Brian’s Gators,” named in his honor. What an awesome tribute! His message to you would be to learn the game, have good sportsmanship, set your goals, play hard, always do your best…KEEP SMILING…AND HAVE FUN!
GO “BRIAN’S GATORS” !!!!!