Westminster Academy’s Barbar headlines scholar-athletes honored at Piccolo Awards
For a long time, Anthony Barbar knew about Brian Piccolo’s legacy.
The senior Westminster Academy quarterback left a lasting legacy at his school by finishing his career as one of the most prolific passers in Broward County history.
But Barbar said Piccolo’s story inspired him to want to do more than just break passing records.
On Thursday night, Barbar was honored to receive one of four scholarship awards presented to some of Broward County’s top scholar-athletes at the 49th annual Brian Piccolo Awards dinner, held at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel.
“The legacy that Brian Piccolo left behind was just different,” Barbar said. “The culture he presented to his teammates was something I always strived for…This is definitely a top-tier award.”
Barbar threw for over 8,000 yards in his career and, this past season, led Westminster Academy to the state championship game of the independent Sunshine State Athletic Conference final. It was the Lions’ first appearance in any state final since 1991.
Barbar, who also played soccer and tennis during his career, was a two-time first team All-State player and a first team All-Broward selection this past season. He maintained a 3.691 weighted GPA and is headed to Division-III
Wheaton College.
Wills Jr., a center, also wrestled during his career and maintained a 5.4 weighted GPA and scored a 1290 on the SAT.
Griffin, an offensive lineman, maintained a
4.40 weighted GPA, scored a 950 on the SAT and also played baseball during his career.
Solomon, a safety who also played baseball during his career, maintained a 4.59 weighted GPA, scored a 1020 on the SAT, and is headed to Columbia University. He was named to the BCAA All-Star game.
MORE AWARDS
University of South Florida football coach Alex Golesh was the event’s guest speaker.
In addition to the overall winners, several other awards were presented to student-athletes and distinguished individuals in the community.
Fort Lauderdale’s Luke Hamill was the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital U-18 Sports Medicine Offensive Player of the Year. Hamill, a tight end/long snapper, is headed to FSU, had a 5.09 unweighted GPA and scored a 1350 on the SAT.
Western’s Brendan Leal was the BSN Sports Defensive Player of the Year. Leal, a Wagner College signee, led his district in tackles and earned first team All-County honors.
South Broward’s Brandon Rabasco was the Cerra Enterprises Special Teams Player of the Year. Rabasco, a first team AllBroward selection, is headed to the University of Florida.
Former Miami Hurricanes stars Jerome and Stockar McDougle were presented with Distinguished Americans awards.
Hallandale High alum and former Gulfstream K8 Academy principal Carlton Campbell was honored with a Contribution to Amateur Athletics award. Hallandale renamed its football stadium in honor of Campbell, who was killed in a car crash last year.
Longtime Broward County official Tommy James was honored with the Brian Piccolo Chapter’s first ever Outstanding Football Award following a 52-year officiating career.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE HONOREES
American Heritage: Timothy BurroughsLove; Archbishop McCarthy: Amir Fairweather; Blanche Ely: Joshua Lloyd; Boyd Anderson: Ashton Perkins; Calvary Christian: Ralph Gilbert; Cardinal Gibbons: Antonio Lindsay Jr.; Chaminade: Bryce Stringer; Coconut Creek: Godson Sinelien; Cooper City: William Chartrand; Coral Glades: Keyshawn Sinfort; Coral Springs:
Osamudiame Salami; Coral Springs Charter: Jordan Woods; Cypress Bay: Samuel Miller; Deerfield Beach: Nathan McBridge; Dillard: Khamari Griffin; Everglades: Kenley Israel; Flanagan: Amir Collings; Fort Lauderdale: Luke Hamill; Hallandale: Justin Adam; Hollywood Hills: Dellroy Paul; McArthur: Jayvon Beliard; Miramar: Caleb Solomon; Monarch: Josh Doerfler; North Broward Prep: Eric Kontos; Northeast: Lubens Francois; Nova: Andito Wills Jr.; NSU University School: Ian Donahue; Pembroke Pines Charter: Michael Harbeck; Pine Crest: Nathaniel Correa; Piper: Josiah Gaynor; Plantation:
Kody Popowitz-Lane; Pompano Beach: Tanner Block; South Broward: Brandon Rabasco; South Plantation: Ivan Saintmelus; St. Thomas Aquinas: Francesco Machado-Pileggi; Stoneman Douglas: Jeremy Fishkin; Stranahan: Jovanny Alquisiras; Taravella: Christopher Cenoble; West Broward: Nicholas Vazquez; Westminster Academy: Anthony Barbar; Western: Brendan Leal.