WCDS Inducts Three Basketball Alumni into Athletic Hall of Fame

Westchester Country Day School inducted three basketball standouts into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Jan. 6.

Deuce Bello, class of 2011, Steve Grimm, class of 1980, and Robert East, class of 1975, joined a growing honor roll of individuals who have made significant contributions to athletic excellence at Westchester. Joined by family, friends, former teammates, and coaches, the three inductees were recognized at a ceremony during the school’s Homecoming events.

The Westchester Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes members of the school community who have distinguished themselves in Wildcat athletics, demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and character, and established high standards of excellence in athletic achievement. Nominations are solicited from Westchester alumni and selections are determined by a committee of alumni, faculty and staff.

"Westchester has been fortunate enough to graduate several of the Triad's greatest athletes, who have left our halls and gone on to make amazing accomplishments in their respective sports and lives, and we are thrilled to recognize three of them this year,” said Adam Schwartz, director of athletics. “Robert, Steve and Deuce were incredible student-athletes during their time on campus. We are so honored to be inducting these deserving basketball players into the Class of 2023 Westchester Athletic Hall of Fame."

Deuce Bello '11 - Basketball

As a member of the Westchester Varsity Basketball team, Bello was a four-year letterwinner playing for Coach Pat Kahny from 2008-2011. He was a member of the 2011 State Championship team. His teams were also Regular Season Conference Champions and Conference Tournament Champions in 2009, 2010 and 2011. His many awards and honors as a Wildcat included Team Most Valuable Player in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association All-State Player in 2009, 2010 and 2011; All-Conference Player in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; and Conference Player of the Year in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Following his graduation from Westchester, Bello played college basketball at Baylor University in 2011-2012, the University of Missouri in 2013-2014 and East Tennessee State University in 2015-2016. His professional basketball career has included playing for Randers Cimbria (Basketligaen League - Denmark) in 2016, 2017 and 2018, AL Ahly (FIBA African League - Egyptian) in 2018 and 2019, and AS Sale (FIBA African League - Moroccan) in 2019 and 2020.

Bello lives in Houston, Texas, with his family and works as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry and a software developer in the information technology sector.

Steve Grimm ’80 - Basketball

Grimm was a leader for the Westchester basketball team. He was named First Team All-Conference in 1979 and 1980. In addition, he was First Team All-District and an honorable mention for the All-State team those same years. He received the Wildcat Award in 1979 and was named Most Valuable Player in 1980. He broke the school’s scoring record twice, once in 1979 (40 points) and again in 1980 (45 points) during his last home game. During the 1979 state playoffs, he and his Wildcat team knocked out the No. 1 team in the state after receiving an at-large bid.

After Westchester, Grimm played four years of college tennis at Greensboro College, where he played No. 1 for two years and won a conference championship in singles and doubles. He and his team also won the only men’s tennis team championship in the college’s history. In 2008, he was inducted into the Greensboro College Hall of Fame and gave the acceptance speech on behalf of the team at the ceremony.

Grimm spent the first seven years following college working in human resources. Thereafter, he went into the financial planning business, working primarily with Lincoln Financial Securities and Pilot Financial Advisors. He is currently semi-retired and living in Todd, NC.

Robert East ’75 - Basketball 

Robert East, a Varsity Basketball team member from 1972-1975, was a standout player from among the school’s earliest teams. A dedicated athlete who was a leader on and off the court, East’s basketball career highlights include leading Westchester to a 1972 victory over Forsyth Country Day School with 22 points. In 1973, the Boys Varsity Basketball team closed its regular season with a 12-0 conference record. In 1974, East received the Wildcat Award for his good sportsmanship and team leadership.

After his years at Westchester, East attended Catawba College. He went on to work in the automotive supply industry as an operations manager. He was in a terrible accident and died in October 2000. East has a son, John Robert East II, who lives in Ohio and a 3-year-old grandson, John Robert Michael East III (also goes by Robert). His mother, Jan East Glover, of High Point, will accept the award on his behalf.