The newly crowned 4A state basketball champions from Lake Highland Prep have one cool customer at point guard. Junior Jordan Lewis scored 47 points in two games at the finals in Lakeland, and has been named the BHSN Athlete of the Week
It’s not everyday you get design jewelry as a high school student, but members of the Lake Highland Prep girls basketball team put their stamp on state championship rings this week.
“It’s really cool because you get to design it the way you want to, you get to put whatever you want to on it," explains Lewis. "You start from scratch and put whatever you want on it. It’s kind of cool to get to design your ring."
The Highlanders won the 2nd state title in school history last week, beating Dunbar in the 4A final live on on BHSN. After senior Destinee Walker forced overtime with a late three., Jordan Lewis put the team on her shoulders, leading LHP to the 68-62 win.
“She kept calm, you saw a complete difference in the other team," saysHighlanders head coach Al Honor. "The way they handled things down the stretch. She was the exact opposite, she was poised, and in the moment. And to knock down those 9 of those 11 free throws in overtime, and just knocking them down, it’s just a beautiful thing. She scored all of our points in the overtime, after Destinee brought us back with that 3 point shot”
“I knew if the team gave us a chance after Destinee hit the three to force overtime, we weren’t going to let it get close again," says Lewis. "I wasn’t going to let free throws have us lose the game because that’s happened before, and it’s always upsetting to have free throws lose a game for you. I knew if I made all the free throws, we’d be ok in overtime and lock up on defense”
In addition to designing those championship rings, the Highlanders will hang a banner next fall, further cementing Jordan’s legacy at Lake Highland Prep. She’s a high division one recruit, getting multiple offers including a recent one from Clemson Univeristty. The good news for coach Honor: she’s just a junior, and will be back next season.
“It’s great to have Jordan for another year, she’s really what you want as a coach. She’s a kid that can just take reigns, goes out there and lead the team, that’s what I’m going to be expecting of her next year.”
Another title is the goal, but Lewis isn’t looking that far ahead…at least right now.
“We just won last week so, so I’m still kind of soaking in, but it’s not really pressure, but everyone plays hard and knows our team goals at the beginning of the year, I feel we can achieve it.”