Lehigh boys basketball honors slain teammate with big win

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. The Lehigh Senior High School boys basketball team had never made it to the state tournament before Friday night.

But after Stef’an Strawder, who was one of their best players, was killed in the Club Blu shooting, the team dedicated itself to securing a spot in the tournament in Strawder’s honor with a 61-59 win over Largo High School in the Class 7A regional final.

“When he passed I went to his mom and dad and I promised them that we were going to play this year for him, and that we were going to deliver him a ring.” said head coach Greg Coleman. “We’re going to do everything that we can to deliver that ring.”

Friday’s win guaranteed the Lighting a ticket into the Final Four and a trip to Lakeland, where they’ll face Orlando’s Edgewater High School in the semifinals Thursday at 5 p.m.