Family over everything
Zavion and Zion Bellamy bring lessons learned from family to basketball court
By J.C. Barnett, Kokomo Lantern Sports Reporter
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Someone once said, “family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” Zavion and Zion Bellamy, two of Kokomo basketball’s shining stars, have understood this concept all their life. They have a very large, tight-knit family that has shown them how important it is to have each other’s back. Within that family are some hoopers, and fans have witnessed some of their cousins play for the Wildkats.
Trevion Guyton, Alston Andrews, Tyrone “Taco” Brown, Brevin Beard; any of those names ring a bell? They were excellent ball players in their day, contributing to Kokomo’s success. Zavion and Zion are a part of that bloodline, and now they are making a name for themselves as Wildkats.
When asked about what being a Wildkat meant to him, Zion expressed, “it kind of meant a lot really. I would go to the games to see my older cousins play. I thought that was cool and wanted to play on that court. I always wanted to get a banner and a ring.”
As Zion made that statement, I couldn’t help but think, just maybe he is on to something.
The two brothers are very close. I’m not sure you’ll find many cases where one brother’s name is as synonymous with the other as these two. However, once you get to know them, they are very much their own person in age, appearance, and personality. They are kind, pleasant, approachable, young men. Now, that is off the court. Don’t let that fool you when it comes to playing on the court.
Head Kokomo basketball coach John Peckinpaugh, when asked about the ‘Bellamy Bros,’ said, “First and foremost, their parents have done an amazing job raising them. Both very respectful.”
Although the two brothers are close, their personalities are unique, which makes them special. John added, “They both have an edge to them, very competitive.”
Evidence of that edgy, competitive spirit can be found in the fact that Zavion was in his first year at Kokomo as a starter last season. Zion is a freshman. However, they both played instrumental roles in helping the team achieve a Regional championship and make a valiant effort to win a Semi-State championship, just falling short.
Their father, Matthew Bennett, remembered the brothers’ early basketball years. “I remember putting them on a team and just watching them sit,” he said.
Their mother, Sonya Bellamy, commended their dad for the progress they have made.
“From kids all the way up to now, their father Matthew, and their uncle Julian [Bennett] always let them know what needed to be done,” she said. “Let them know where they were wrong. Told them what was good and what was right. Those two have been the main ones in their life that have been schooling them. And they listen!”
Zavion and Zion had a great Summer hoopin’, according to Coach Peckinpaugh.
“If they want to take that next step up and help us reach our goals for the year, I think the big thing is going to be consistency,” he said.
Something their dad mentioned about their work ethic gave me reason to believe they are covered on that front. Bennett stated, “It takes a lot of patience to get to the level that are playing at right now. A lot of patience. A lot of hard work, a lot of dedication.”
That mentality has served Zavion and Zion very well in their young playing careers. As the two continue to grow, all of the valuable lessons family have taught them and the support they’ve been shown most certainly will carry them through.
The expectation of the Bellamys is that there will be much success in the coming season.
“I believe we can achieve greater!,” said Zavion, meaning greater than the ‘21-‘22 season. “That wasn’t really as far as we could go.”
“Yeah, I feel like we can win state,” Zion chimed in.
Again, I couldn’t help but think, Zion may be on to something. No matter how the season goes this winter, whether in high moments or in low moments, all the Bellamy brothers have to do is look up to the southeast corner of Memorial Gym and be reminded of what’s most important: family.