The Kenwood Academy Broncos hired Romey Bracey as their new head baseball coach for the 2019-2020 season.
Bracey, a former graduate of Mt. Carmel High School and Southern University, was hired in the Fall of 2019, and will take over the coaching position left vacant by former Broncos baseball coach Christopher Green. Green was the father of former Kenwood graduate and star baseball player Brandon Green, who led the Jackie Robinson West baseball team to the 2014 Little League World Series.
Bracey said, in spite of losing Green, he has inherited an impressive roster. The roster will include top players Zamarion Hatcher and Trey Walker playing the outfield, and pitcher Brendan Bradford, as the team’s No. 1 starter.
Hatcher, a junior, who will attend the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship in the Fall of 2021, is known as a good hitter and a very good all-around baseball player. His coach said he can hit for both power and for average. He is also poised to patrol both the right and centerfield area for the Broncos during the 2020 season.
“He currently has a scholarship offer to the University of Michigan,” said Bracey, about coaching a top young slugger in Hatcher. “He has a great work ethic.”
In addition to Hatcher’s next level potential, Bracey also heaped praises on his senior center fielder Trey Walker. Bracey said Walker is known for having great speed, quality defense, and being a great contact hitter. Bracey said when it comes to Walker’s intangibles off the field, he also has a very strong work ethic.
Bracey said Bradford and his mid-80’s fastball, will hope to carry the Broncos to their first ever city title in school history.
Throughout the city, Bracey is known as an intelligent baseball mind for his successful work as a head coach with the White Sox Ace Academy program for inner city youth from 2011-present, and the former sophomore head baseball coach for Mt. Carmel from 2017-2019.
According to coach Bracey, all Chicago Public School sports activities have been suspended until Monday, April 12, 2020. Bracey said the cancellation was necessary.
“It’s extremely unfortunate,” said coach Bracey. “But you have to take the necessaryprecautionary steps to mke sure everyone is safe.”
The announcement came after the Illinois High School Association(IHSA) announced on Thursday, March 12, that all remaining winter State Series postseason tournaments, which include Boys Basketball, Scholastic Bowl, Drama & Group Interpretation, Music Organization, Debate and Journalism, have been canceled due to concerns of the spread of the coronavirus.
Bracey and the Broncos were set to face-off against the Carver High School Challengers last Monday, March 16, but due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the event was cancelled.
Bracey said in spite of the season being canceled, he is looking forward to establishing his own culture and working with the Broncos baseball team.
“I will like to think that I have my own style,” said Bracey, about bringing his own style and philosophy of coaching to the Kenwood Academy baseball program. “I’m [more of] a baseball historian, based on the guys I came underneath.”
Joseph Phillips is the Sports Editor for the Chicago Crusader Newspaper. He is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 17 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q&A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected].
Joseph Phillips is the Sports Editor for the Chicago Crusader Newspaper. He is a Chicago native, who has been a sports writer for over 17 years. He also hosts the SC Media News and Sports Network Q&A radio show on WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago.
