Hewlett basketball hosts Rowyn Grace Classic in support of assistant coach Jonathon Welsh and his family

Hewlett boys basketball assistant coach Jonathon Welsh stood at a podium on the Bulldogs' home court on Saturday. On his right, lined up along the sideline, was the Hewlett varsity softball team he coaches standing alongside the boys basketball team. On his left stood his wife, Allyssa, as Welsh detailed the tragic circumstances that befell the family.

At the couple’s 20-week ultrasound, they were told that their baby, Rowyn Grace, had a kidney that was three times bigger than usual. The doctors were unsure why.

“If you’re a parent, you know the silence in the ultrasound room when the technician stops talking, it’s frightening,” Welsh told the crowd.

They learned Rowyn Grace was dealing with a pediatric kidney disease and a mutation of her COL4A1 gene, which impacts the strength of the blood vessels in the brain, eyes and kidneys. It’s a rare mutation that Welsh was told impacts fewer than 1,000 people in the world.

Now 2 years old, Rowyn Grace and her family have experienced more stress and fear than anyone should endure. On Saturday, the Hewlett community made sure the Welsh family wouldn’t harbor that weight on its own.

The first Rowyn Grace Classic saw Hewlett win, 77-59, over Long Beach in non-league boys basketball. It marked the third of four games — with boys and girls JV teams playing prior, and the girls varsity basketball team playing after — in an all-day fundraising attempt for The Michael Magro Foundation.

A Hicksville-based organization, The Michael Magro Foundation has supported the Welsh family and others who are battling cancer and other pediatric illnesses.

It’s important to take stock of what really matters.

Take some time to listen to assistant coach Jonathon Welsh as he spoke at the first Rowyn Grace Classic. Today, Hewlett came together for his family.

As Welsh told me/@NewsdayHSsports, “it takes a village.” pic.twitter.com/J1TnVIVHUd

— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) January 10, 2026

“It takes a village to go through something like this,” Welsh told Newsday. “Our daughters sit behind our bench at almost every single game; they run the bases during softball games. They love it, they love to see Dad working and my wife has been super supportive.”

The softball team, which sold concessions and raffle tickets, plans to host another fundraiser for Rowyn Grace on April 24 and April 25 at Farmingdale State.

“Obviously we care a lot about our coach, we care about his daughter, we care about the cause overall,” senior Miranda Ospina said. “It’s not something we felt obligated or forced to do. We just like to help.”

“We are all just really grateful to him as our coach,” junior Sarah Oliveros added.

Hewlett boys basketball coach Andrew DeBernardo has known Welsh for over two decades. Rowyn Grace and her sister, Rhyan Jay, even call DeBernardo, “Uncle DeBo.”

“It meant the world,” DeBernardo said. “It meant everything to me that we did this for them today.”

Senior Justin Ortiz knocked down five three-pointers in the first half — finishing with six as he pointed to his family and girlfriend in the stands each time — as both he and senior Maxon McKenniss posted 23 points apiece.

Ortiz also received the game ball from the team’s Dec. 26 win against the High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety when he recorded his 1,000th varsity point.

“It means everything in the world,” Ortiz said. “I worked my whole life for this. I told [DeBernardo] when I was young that I was going to play on this team, and having this to show for it is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.”

“Everything I’ve asked him to fix in the offseason over the four years I’ve had him, he’s fixed it,” DeBernardo said. “Free throws? Fixed it. Defense? He does it. Be a leader? He’s our leader, he finishes first or second in everything we do.”

McKenniss had 15 second-half points, including a three-pointer from the logo. Sophomore Gabe Bowery added 10 points and 13 rebounds as both he and senior Kobe Cox supplied seven offensive rebounds for Hewlett (9-2).

Andrew  McCartney had 20 points and Vance Kanganis added 17 points for Long Beach (5-5). Kanganis made five three-pointers.

But despite deep three-pointers and thrilling three-point plays, Saturday served as a reminder of what matters most.

“When one of ours is in trouble and battling, we’re going to battle with them,” Ortiz said. “It doesn’t matter what town, we’re all here for the same cause.”