4 Photos
Erin Bock Abran's plaque. COURTESY EAST HAMPTON ATHLETICS
Charles Earl Hopson's plaque. COURTESY EAST HAMPTON ATHLETICS
Kim Valverde's plaque. COURTESY EAST HAMPTON ATHLETICS
The 1954-54 boys basketball team's plaque. COURTESY EAST HAMPTON ATHLETICS
The time has finally come for the next set of Bonac athletes to take their spots in the East Hampton Athletic Hall of Fame.
Officially announced in June, the four inductees this year include three individuals — Erin Bock Abran, Charles Earl Hopson and Kim Valverde — and the 1953-54 boys basketball team.
With both Charles Earl Hopson, who is being inducted for his basketball prowess, and the 1953-54 boys basketball team being inducted, East Hampton Athletic Director Kathy Masterson thought it would be a good idea to change the induction ceremony from its usual date and time, which is typically the weekend of homecoming in October, to instead coincide with the upcoming Kendall Madison Basketball Tournament, which is next Friday and Saturday, December 8-9. With the blessing of the Hall of Fame Committee, the change was made, and Masterson said the ceremony in future years could again be slated for homecoming weekend, or it could be on a different date, depending on the class and who is being inducted.
The Hall of Fame ceremony is expected to be held on Saturday, December 9, in the high school auditorium at 10:30 a.m. Immediately following the ceremony, the East Hampton boys basketball team will play in the Kendall Madison Tournament at noon.
Erin Bock Abran
A 2001 graduate, Bock Abran was a three-sport athlete, having played basketball, field hockey and softball. But as it states on her plaque, softball was her passion. She played third base and was a consistent hitter at the plate for the Bonackers. She received Suffolk County Rookie of the Year honors in 1998, was named All-County in 2000 and 2001, and was All-Conference all four years on varsity. A two-time captain, Bock Abran helped lead the 2001 team to the state finals, while overcoming a serious knee injury.
Bock Abran also loved playing field hockey. She was captain of the 2000 team, earned All-County accolades in 1999 and 2000 and was named MVP her senior year. It was her senior year that Bock Abran brought home numerous awards, all listed on her plaque. Upon graduating from East Hampton, Bock Abran played softball for one year at Elon University before transferring to SUNY Cortland, where she finished out her collegiate career. She continued to play third base for several championship teams, making two appearances in the Division III World Series and earned All-Tournament honors.
Bock Abran eventually returned to East Hampton to become an elementary school teacher in 2006. She’s spent several years as an assistant varsity softball coach and continues to be an active member in the community as an East Hampton Little League coach, as well as coaching for other local youth organizations.
Charles Earl Hopson
Hopson was a three-sport athlete who excelled in all three sports: basketball, football and track. In 1994, he was an All-County wide receiver for the Bonackers, who finished as Suffolk County finalists to Comsewogue. In 1995, Hopson earned All-County honors in the long jump, where he finished fourth in the county.
But it was on the basketball court that Hopson really excelled. He earned All-State, All-County and All-Conference honors from 1993-1995. He led League VII in scoring his senior year and finished his career with over 900 points.
After attending Southern Connecticut State University for a year, Hopson returned home, where he began a career in law enforcement and recently retired as a highly decorated officer from the East Hampton Town Police Department.
Kim Valverde-Solis
A five-year varsity volleyball player, Kim Valverde-Solis earned Rookie of the Year, All-League, All-Tournament, All-County, and Defensive Player of the Year honors throughout her career. In her senior year, Valverde-Solis was named to the 25 Dig Club and was All-American Honorable Mention, and along with her teammates, competed for a Long Island Championship in 2009.
At Hillsborough Community College, she helped the school go 41-5 and to a third-place finish in the NJCAA Division I National Championships. Valverde-Solis then transferred to the University of Tampa, where her team won a Division II National Championship in 2014 and were runner ups in 2016.
The 1953-54 Boys Basketball Team
The 1953-54 Bonackers finished their season 16-2 and Suffolk County Class A Champions. They were coached by Carl Johansen and Coach Kiernan. The team included Donald Bovie, George Cafiso, James Clark, James McMullan, John Tilley, David Webb and Robert Yardley.
