50th Anniversary Of Hallandale High School's First Girls Basketball Team & The 1st Girls Florida State Championship Team Of Broward County

The parade that has been dubbed the "family reunion" of Hallandale Beach has returned with the Hallandale Beach Community Civic and Cultural Association, Inc. lead by President Reginald Smith, Sr., partnered with The Legacy Collective of Hallandale Beach and the City of Hallandale Beach. I want to thank our Staff and First Responders, as well as the combined dedication and hard work of all residents including Parade Coordinator Qunea Gordon. The HBCCA's Executive Board: Murvin Wright (Vice President), Schatzi Wright (Financial Secretary-Vendor Coordinator), Sandra Oestricher (Treasurer-Vendor Coordinator), Natalie Wiggins (Member-Entertainment Coordinator), Dexter Lovett (Member-Logistics). The Legacy Collective: Reverend Dr. Anthony Sanders, Qunea Gordon, Katrice Johnson (Parade Assistant) & Robert Greene (Parade Assistant). Congratulations to the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Recipient Reverend Dr. Anthony A. Sanders and Grand Marshall Eric S. George of the Eric S. George Funeral Home and Eric S. George Event Center. As Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the beacon of unity in our nation. This collaborative effort, the first of its kind, would not have been possible without the diligence of all partners coming together. It was a reminder for our nation to unite as one and live in peace.

This past Wednesday, a dream and vision of mine came true, to right something that just did not sit right with me. About a year ago, I found out that Hallandale High School Girls’ first Basketball Team won the state finals. Not only were they the first team at our school, but they were also part of the group of teams playing basketball as part of high school sports. Not only did they start training without a high school, but they were also training before the school opened at Lainer James. They also were all African American teams.

Historically, many people are unaware that in the 1970’s, South Florida schools were finally being desegregated. Yes, people like to think that that was simply a long time ago but actually as a reference of time that is within our lifetime. I have heard stories of individuals my age about the struggles and what they had to go through being African Americans and even walking to school.

At that time Hallandale did not have a high school. There were two other high schools, MacArthur and South Broward High School. 50 years ago, Hallandale High School was built. Also, during that time, the school board decided to sanction girls’ basketball as a sport. Obviously, the authorities during that period were not fans of introducing women let alone girls to the sport of basketball. Who knew that they would make history. They were part of the original trailblazers. Who knew then that we would see in our lifetime the start of the WNBA?

When hearing this story, it was disheartening to think that nothing was done for these girls. So, I invited them to City Hall for a proclamation last February. While it made their day to finally be officially recognized by the City of Hallandale Beach, I felt more needed to be done. Their story needed to be shared and recognized for future generations.

Over the past year, I have put together an event in collaboration with Hallandale High School's Principal Paula Peters, School Board Member Maura Bulman, and alumni of HHS, a special ring ceremony in their honor.

It was amazing to host every single team member. Congratulations to the 1976-1977 Hallandale High School’s Girl's Basketball Champions for being the first Hallandale High School’s Girl's Basketball Team & the first Girl's Florida State Championship Team of Broward County; Coach Mary Ellen (Fiske) Reilly, #3 Captain Rosalyn “Ros” Stubbins, #14 Team Co- Captain Janis “JD” Drummonds, #10 Qunea Gordon, #15 Debra Shannon, #20 Darlene Brown who was unable attend and represented by Leslie Bell, #23 Mattie Crawford/Lenhardt, #5 Kay Wambley, #13 Patrice Thomas, #21 Dina Cooper, #24 Pat White, #4 Pat Rivers, sadly # 12 The Late Diane McKay and the team statistician Ida Mae Smith. Without the team's statistician keeping the history alive through record keeping would not have had their scores.

I want to personally thank friend and player Debra Shannon, Qunea Gordon, Pastor Dr. Anthony Sanders, Eve Paul and the coaches that work. never quitting to make sure that this happened!

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like, Follow! And share!