James Hill

Anchor/MMJ

Award winning journalist James Hill is the ABC7 Sports Anchor/MMJ. He joined ABC 7 in March 2022 as Weekend Evening News Anchor. James is nationally known for his work as the first ever Weekend Sports Anchor & Digital Sports Editor for The Black News Channel Network. James brings in over twenty years of experience as a sports and news journalist. James has worked in several media markets in Florida, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, and California as a Sports Anchor and News Anchor/Reporter.

James grew up in Portland, Oregon where he developed his love for sports while playing little league baseball, collecting trading cards, and attending several basketball camps. At age 19 Hill made history becoming the first voice of the Portland Trailblazers Hotline covering the NBA. In addition to his love of news and sports, James enjoys current events, museums, reading, seafood dining, traveling, playing golf, and collecting sports memorabilia. In fact, during his days as a ball boy for the Portland Trailblazers James collected 180 pairs of NBA players game worn shoes, and countless autographs.

James received his BA degree in Radio-TV-Film (Broadcast) from California State University, Northridge. Hill earned a Master of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).

James received a certificate of appreciation from Sarasota County for his commitment to keeping the community informed during Hurricane Ian. James received MLK Media excellence Award for covering the Newtown Community from the Sarasota Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration Committee.

James Hill is honored to cover your local sports here on the Suncoast.

Sports

Booker Football players enjoy Walk of Champions before heading to FHSAA State Semifinal Game

Updated: Dec. 1, 2023 at 4:14 PM EST

By James Hill

The Booker Tornadoes Varsity Football team will always remember their walk of champions.

Sports

Venice Varsity Football working to reach FHSAA State Championship for the third year in a row

Updated: Nov. 30, 2023 at 6:41 PM EST

By James Hill

The Venice Indians are currently on a twelve-game winning streak and are very focused on winning their second state football championship in three seasons.

As Seen On 7

Booker HS football season was a success.

Booker HS Football Practicing on Thanksgiving for regional finals game

Updated: Nov. 23, 2023 at 9:15 PM EST

By James Hill

The 2023 season for the Booker High School Varsity football team is a success.

Sports

Hailey Howard and her father Kenny Howard are two generations of Sarasota High School Sailors...

Haley Howard taking her softball talents from Sarasota High School to Tennessee State University

Updated: Nov. 21, 2023 at 8:34 PM EST

By James Hill

Haley Howard is a two-sport athlete known on the Suncoast for hitting softballs out of the park and making good grades.

Sports

Booker High School football practice inside their campus gymnasium due to rainy days

Booker High School Varsity Football team still in search of first ever FHSAA State Championship

Updated: Nov. 16, 2023 at 10:08 PM EST

By James Hill

The Booker High School Tornadoes are led by second year head coach Scottie Littles.

Athlete of the Week

Jadyn Glasser making the grades and making the plays for Venice Varsity Football

Updated: Nov. 14, 2023 at 8:59 PM EST

By James Hill

Jadyn Glasser is making a name for himself as one of the best quarterbacks across the state of Florida.

Sports

Venice HS Varsity Football ready to make another FHSAA State Championship title run

Updated: Nov. 9, 2023 at 9:15 PM EST

By James Hill

The Venice High School Varsity Football team are 8-2 and ready to test their game against the best teams in the state of Florida on the road to another championship.

Sports

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School NLI Signing Day

Cardinal Mooney hosts signing day for student-athletes

Updated: Nov. 8, 2023 at 9:15 PM EST

By James Hill

This is the day all their hard work in the classroom and on the field solidifies their college game plan.

Sports

Legendary Riverview High School Rams football coach John Sprague returns to the Ram Bowl for...

Longtime Riverview High School Football Coach honored for his legacy with football field named in his honor

Updated: Nov. 1, 2023 at 9:30 PM EDT

By James Hill

Coach John Sprague was honored recently during a football game formally known as the Turkey Bowl.

Sports

Zeshon Casimir making name for himself and grades for his education at Cardinal Mooney

Updated: Oct. 31, 2023 at 9:10 PM EDT

By James Hill

Zeshon Casimir is a Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School senior and Cardinal Mooney Cougars football player.

Sports

Manatee High School Varsity Football team still working to finish strong

Updated: Oct. 27, 2023 at 3:50 PM EDT

By James Hill

Manatee High School senior quarterback Andrew Heidelberg and the Hurricanes began the season powered by six wins in a row.

Sports

Coach John Peacock leading Venice Varsity Football on another state title run

Updated: Oct. 23, 2023 at 10:14 PM EDT

By James Hill

Three-time FHSSA state championship winning John Peacock tells ABC7′S Sports Anchor James Hill his team must remain focused on practices, executing plays during games and winning.

Sports

The Venice High School Varsity volleyball team is defending class 7A Florida state champions.

Venice volleyball team wins district championship advancing to the next round

Updated: Oct. 20, 2023 at 11:29 AM EDT

By James Hill

The Venice High School Varsity volleyball team is defending class 7A Florida state champions.

Sports

Bradenton Christian School Head Football Coach Nate Strawderman, Jaden Baker and Colton...

Bradenton Christian Panthers are a football team to watch

Updated: Oct. 18, 2023 at 9:24 PM EDT

By James Hill

The Bradenton Christian School’s varsity football team is winning many games 7-1 so far this season.

Athlete of the Week

Tyreek’e Robinson working out the Manatee High School lineman during practice.

Tyreek’e Robinson is tackling grades and making classroom plays

Updated: Oct. 17, 2023 at 4:53 PM EDT

By James Hill

Tyreek’e Robinson is a senior lineman earning an above 4.0 grade point average.

Top Story

Malachi Wideman and his grandmother Ms. Patricia Wideman taking picture as they reminisce....

Sarasota football player goes pro

Updated: Oct. 12, 2023 at 10:47 PM EDT

By James Hill

Malachi Wideman grew up in the Newtown Community of Sarasota playing basketball in his neighborhood park every day.

Sports

Braden River HS Varsity Football Coach Curt Bradley talks to a student-athlete.

Coach Curt Bradley preparing his players for the game of life

Updated: Oct. 11, 2023 at 10:31 PM EDT

By James Hill

Curt Bradley is currently in his 12th season as the Head Varsity Football Coach at Braden River High School.

Sports

Braxton Thomas during Riverview HS football practice huddle wearing gold practice jersey

Braxton Thomas making an impact in the classroom and on the football field

Updated: Oct. 10, 2023 at 8:57 PM EDT

By James Hill

Braxton Thomas is a senior at Riverview High School where he focuses on getting good grades and working on his football skills.

Sports

Brandon Carnes USA Track and Field World Champion

Bradenton man making history as member of USA Men’s Track 4X100 Team

Updated: Oct. 9, 2023 at 8:19 PM EDT

By James Hill

Brandon Carnes tells ABC7 Sports Anchor James Hill he is very humbled and proud to make history for everyone who helped him along his journey.

Sports

Florida Boxing Hall of Famer, David Jaco, enjoying retirement on the Suncoast

Updated: Oct. 5, 2023 at 9:45 PM EDT

By James Hill

Jaco says he’s proud of his professional boxing career where he threw punches from 1991 through 1994.

Sports

Retired NBA player, Marcus Liberty, now lives with his family on the Suncoast

Updated: Oct. 5, 2023 at 9:30 AM EDT

By James Hill

Marcus Liberty tells ABC7 Sports Anchor James Hill he worked extremely hard on perfecting his basketball skills against some of the best players in the mid-west in his youthful days.

Sports

Booker High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Ronnie Littles talks with...

Booker High School sophomore Kevontay Hugan makes varsity football team

Updated: Oct. 3, 2023 at 9:35 PM EDT

By James Hill

Kevontay Hugan is a sophomore at Booker High School and also a varsity football player.

Sports

From heart transplant survivor to gold medalist

Updated: Oct. 2, 2023 at 9:53 PM EDT

By James Hill

Glenn “Geronimo” Newman says after he retired from a pro ski career, he suffered a medical emergency and lived to tell the tale.

News

The Bradenton Marauders baseball park in Bradenton, Florida.

Bradenton Marauders invites season ticket holders to the diamond

Updated: Oct. 1, 2023 at 12:09 AM EDT

By James Hill

The team has played games in Bradenton since 2010

Local News

Sarasota High School's first year Varsity Head Football Coach Josh Phillips talking football...

New Sarasota High School football coach building team into winners

Updated: Sep. 28, 2023 at 9:46 PM EDT

By James Hill

Josh Phillips is in his first year as the new head football coach of the Sarasota High School Sailors.

Sports

Former Suncoast high school football player loses battle with cancer

Updated: Sep. 27, 2023 at 10:03 PM EDT

By James Hill

Local teen, Beau Christensen passed away this weekend after a two-year battle against brain cancer.

Sports

Coach Brett Timmons full circle from Seminoles state champion in 1993 & 1994 to SEHS Head...

Brett Timmons’ football journey comes full circle

Updated: Sep. 21, 2023 at 9:00 PM EDT

By James Hill

Brett Timmons is part of Southeast High School Football championship history.

Sports

The Tampa Bay Rays celebrate 25 years of work by Dan Russo who runs the scoreboard at...

Suncoast man keeps score for Tampa Bay Rays games for 25 years

Updated: Sep. 20, 2023 at 10:07 PM EDT

By James Hill

Dan Russo has worked Tampa Bay Rays baseball games as the scoreboard operator since 1998.

Sports

Sarasota native Ryan Bolduc enjoys playing USF Bulls Football at Raymond James Stadium.

From Cardinal Mooney HS to playing under the lights at Raymond James Stadium

Updated: Sep. 18, 2023 at 9:35 AM EDT

By James Hill

Ryan Bolduc tells ABC7′s James Hill his journey from Cardinal Mooney to the University of South Florida is a dream come true.

Sports

Harold Wilen Sarasota Boxing Club Hall of Fame Trainer helping Boxers of all ages.

37-year-old Suncoast boxer getting ready for fight in Orlando

Updated: Sep. 14, 2023 at 2:30 PM EDT

By James Hill

Brandon Hott is a 37-year-old boxer who works out with Boxing Hall of Fame trainer Harold Wilen at the Sarasota Boxing Club.

Sports

Manatee High School football coached by a national champion and former NFL Buccaneer

Updated: Sep. 10, 2023 at 9:50 PM EDT

By ABC7 Staff and James Hill

Coach Green and his Manatee Hurricanes return to action Friday, September 15th, on the road at Braden River High School.

Local News

Sarasota Boxing Club fighters Sonny Duverson and Jessin Williams sparring to improve boxing...

Sarasota Boxing Club knocking out bad habits for local youths

Updated: Sep. 6, 2023 at 8:11 PM EDT

By James Hill

Local boxers tell ABC7′s James Hill how Mr. Wilen and his boxing programs from the Rosemary District to the current site in Sarasota off of US. 301 have been good at keeping fighters on the straight and narrow.

Sports

From ticket sales to general manager: Craig Warzecha with the Bradenton Marauders

Updated: Sep. 3, 2023 at 9:34 PM EDT

By ABC7 Staff and James Hill

His journey to become the GM of a baseball team began as a fan growing up in New Jersey.

Local News

Out of Door Academy student kicking his way to college

Updated: Aug. 25, 2023 at 1:31 PM EDT

By James Hill

Mika Levy is a senior kicker attending the Our of Door Academy here on the Suncoast. He’s the team captain, a 4.2 GPA student, as well as a left foot kicker on the Thunder varsity football team. He’s also a student of the kicking game.

Sports

Longtime Suncoast area high school coach, Bob Smithers

The growth of Smithers family coaching tree on the Suncoast

Updated: Aug. 18, 2023 at 9:07 PM EDT

By James Hill

The Smithers coaching legacy on the Suncoast starts with Bob Smithers 40 years ago.

Sports

A Suncoast family’s coaching legacy continues

Updated: Aug. 18, 2023 at 8:34 PM EDT

By James Hill

Joshua Smithers, the head football coach at Riverview High School in Sarasota, says at an early age he knew he wanted to pursue a coaching career.

Sports

Hurricanes football team receives community support going into 2023 FHSAA season

Updated: Aug. 13, 2023 at 9:08 PM EDT

By James Hill and ABC7 Staff

Manatee High opens up pre-season action on Friday, August 18th at a home game against IMG academy. Kick off starts at 7:30 p.m.

Sports

Charles Lester III is taking his talents to Venice HS for his senior year transferring in from Riverview

Updated: Aug. 11, 2023 at 12:38 PM EDT

By James Hill

Charles Lester III has been playing football since he was four years old. Since then he’s been able to earn five star status as a highly coveted high school football phenom out of Sarasota’s Newtown community.

Local

NPHS host alumni basketball game in honor of former coach

Updated: Aug. 2, 2023 at 11:08 PM EDT

By ABC7 Staff and James Hill

Notable alumni of North Port High School came together for a second straight year to shoot hoops and pay homage to one of their former teachers/coaches.

Sports

The ABC 7 Sports Desk introduces Athlete of the Week

Updated: Aug. 2, 2023 at 12:00 AM EDT

By Xavier McKnight and James Hill

The ABC7 Sports Athlete of the Week is a highly coveted accomplishment that sports anchors, James Hill and Xavier McKnight will bestow on quality student-athletes from around the Suncoast.

Local News