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ITEM: RECOGNITION OF EMERALD COVE MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP BOYS’ BASKETBALL TEAM
REQUEST: Recognition of the Emerald Cove Middle School Championship Boys’ Basketball Team.
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EXPLANATION: On March 13th, the Emerald Cove Middle School Boys Basketball team defeated Roosevelt Middle School 48 to 36, finishing a perfect 14 and 0 season and bringing home the programs first-ever Palm Beach County Middle School Championship. Leading that team is championship head coach, Christina “Ti” Hayden. In just six (6) seasons, Coach Hayden has built Emerald Cove into one of the most respected basketball programs in South Florida. Coach Hayden has turned down several coaching offers - middle school, high school, college, and travel/club - to stay at Emerald Cove and coach/mentor youth.
According to Yetta Greene, who recently retired after more than 40 years as District Athletic Director, Coach Hayden is the first female head coach of a boys’ basketball team to ever win a Palm Beach County title. The team beat the two-time defending county champions in the quarterfinals by 31 points, won the semi-finals in overtime, and won the championship.
This team of extremely coachable young men supported each other and represented their school and community with great pride, incredible sportsmanship, and outstanding character, along with their amazing coach.
2026 Emerald Cove Basketball Roster:
Jordan Nelson
Johanne Ncube
EJ Berette
Gabe Michael Paul
Alexander Marx
Troy Bermudez
Chad Simpson
Donovan Bolden
Cameron Reynolds
Dusty Parfitt
Aaron Thomas
Maksum Lepenshki
Kameron Hartwig
Marcelo DeLeslie
Head Coach - Christina “Ti” Hayden
Principal - Dr. Eugenia Feaman
Athletic Director - Brian Tilley
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: NO QUASI-JUDICIAL:
FIRST READING: SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: N/A
FISCAL IMPACT: None
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Protecting our Investment
RECOMMENDATION: Recognition of the Emerald Cove Middle School Championship Boys’ Basketball Team.