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Miami Heat/Miami Herald honorees

Olivia Duff, KJ Farfan, Noah Nesenman and Alejandro Quevedo are the first honorees of the 2012-13 academic and sportsmanship program, conducted by the The Miami Herald and two-time NBA champion Miami Heat in conjunction with Gatorade.

These standout student athletes were honored on the AmericanAirlines Arena court before the Heat/Toronto Raptors game. Each received two game tickets, a Heat goody bag and a certificate. They were congratulated by Miami Heat players Shane Battier and Rashard Lewis and Heat player development coach/advanced scout Octavio De La Grana.

The honorees compete in youth basketball for their school and/or league and/or travel team.

• Olivia Duff (7th grade, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School).

Moving from Colorado to South Florida in the summer, Olivia is already a credit to her new school. She not only plays basketball for her school but also volleyball.

Off the court, Olivia is in the Accelerated Reader Program, and she is the top reader in her school, already reading 2-million words through January in the 2012-13 school term. An Honor Roll student, she is a member of the Junior Honor Society, Chess Club and Glee Club.

• KJ Farfan (2nd grade, Calusa Prep School/Florida Lions).

KJ began playing ball when he was 3. He’s excelled at each level, even competing against older kids. He is one of the top players in the country for his age (7), earning national notariety. Off the court, he consistently gets Straight A’s, making the Principal’s List and Honor Roll each semister.

KJ knows school comes first, playing basketball is a privilege and respecting others is important. People enjoy being around him, marveling at his skills and his demeanor.

• Noah Nesenman (7th grade, Vineland K-8 Center/Dave & Mary Alper JCC/Kendall Boys & Girls Club/Temple Beth Am of Kendall/Suniland Park/South Miami Basketball League).

In just his third year of basketball, Noah’s been very active, playing in several leagues and for his school. He is very dedicated to the sport, praciticing a lot and and gearing for travel basketball. He loves the game, playing and watching. Off the court, he is quite successful in advanced classes as reflected by his grades.

• Alejandro Quevedo (5th grade, Epiphany Catholic School/Kendall Boys & Girls Club).

Another standout student athlete, Alejandro plays basketball at the Kendall Boys & Girls Club in the winter and spring leagues. He also plays flag football at Suniland Park.

Off the court, he made Straight A’s, earning First Honors, a solid accomplishment at his school. A good, respectful kid, he has fun playing basketball.

• Video highlights of the ceremony via the Jim Varsallone (the jimmyv3 channel) on YouTube:.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3gHmNyBA98

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je9n_hHWUOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFmYcrqHzl8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3iZ-vZZX9A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6w8yyutfPQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lriU1BLdP4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuipZof9FME

Barry basketball

The Barry University men’s basketball program hosts its annual alumni game on Feb. 15 at the Health & Sports Center on campus in Miami Shores.

The Buccaneers alum will compete in the Red and Black game of former players and are invited to attend Barry’s game against Eckerd College 7:30 p.m. the next day. More than 75 former players have been invited to men’s basketball alumni weekend.