Sylvie Sparks

1 week ago | winknews.com | Sylvie Sparks

Nine remarkable athletes, coaches and administrators were inducted into the Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame on Thursday night, celebrating their outstanding contributions to sports in the area. Markihe Anderson, a Dunbar High alum, was recognized for earning letters in four sports and winning two national championships with the Florida Gators football team. Bernard Edwards Jr., Lehigh basketball’s all-time leading scorer, now coaches boys’ basketball at his alma mater.

2 weeks ago | winknews.com | Sylvie Sparks

The Jamaica Bay Bocce Club has done it again, clinching back-to-back championships in the Southwest Florida Bocce League. For this group of passionate players, it’s not just about the scoreboard, but about the love of the game. “During the season, we play six days a week, so these courts take a beating,” Jamaica Bay Bocce Club co-captain Tom Bomentre said. You know what they say, practice makes perfect. It has certainly paid off for the six members of this club.

2 weeks ago | winknews.com | Sylvie Sparks

The smell of peanuts, cracker jack and of course ballpark hot dogs filled the concourse at Hammond Stadium for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels home opener against the Tampa Tarpons. Despite the rainy Tuesday evening, fans both old and new enjoyed an evening at the ballpark. “I was sick so much I didn’t realize this was opening night and I was so happy that my wife got the tickets to come down here,” Mighty Mussels’ fan Roy Becker said.

2 weeks ago | winknews.com | Sylvie Sparks

Peyton Carr is living his childhood dream right in his own backyard. The Fort Myers High alum is stepping onto the professional baseball field with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the team he grew up cheering for. From watching in the stands to playing in the infield, Carr’s baseball journey has come full circle. “It’s a blessing by God’s grace and mercy. I grew up coming to games here so it’s just such a blessing to look up to those guys growing up and now being in that spot,” said Carr.

2 weeks ago | winknews.com | Sylvie Sparks

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has named former Iowa assistant coach, Raina Harmon, its new women’s basketball head coach. Harmon, who spent the last eight years as an assistant coach at Iowa, brings a wealth of experience and success to Southwest Florida. Her tenure in Iowa included conference championships, NCAA tournament berths and working with WNBA draft picks, achievements that FGCU is familiar with.