How high school players honored late Kobe Bryant
MIDWEST CITY –Before De montreal Crutchfield put his sneakers on and laced them up, he pulled out a marker and began writing.
On one shoe, he scrawled 1978-2020.
On the other, 2006-2020.
The years represented the lives of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, two of the nine people who died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday morning.
So before Crutchfield took the basketball court Tuesday in Del City High's showdown against Midwest City, the senior wrote those dates on the back of his shoes. Even t hough he had a game to play — Del City beat Midwest City 61-59 — he wanted to remember his idol, his favorite player growing up.
“I did it for Kobe ,” Crutchfield said. “He did so much for me. I want to play for him.”
Crutchfield was one of dozens of Oklahoma high school basketball players who took the court Tuesday for the first time since Sunday's tragedy. He was also one of dozens who did something in remembrance of the late NBA legend and future Hall of Famer.
Players wrote v ario us saying son their sneakers and posted on social media about the impact Kobe had on their lives. Fans who packed Midwest City' s gym donned Bryant's Lakers jersey, some wearing his No. 8 and others No. 24.
It was the same scene across the metro and state. Purple and gold jerseys, hats and shirts packed gyms instead of the home or away team colors. The mood was somber, even 48 hours after the crash, as people came to terms with what occurred.
Del City coach Lenny Hatchett said he gathered his squad Monday during practice so they could reflect on Bryant's death and cope as a team.
“I think this is what Kobe would've wanted us to continue doing,” Hatchett said. “I think a lot of these kids needed to play in this game today to get their mind off of it.”
Class 5A top- ranked Del City (14-1) held off a late Class 6 A No .5 Midwest City rally to win. Crutchfield, who scored 11 points, was one of five Eagles to score in double figures.
Midwest City' s Christian Cook led all players with 14 points.
Kobe's legacy is sure to continue, not only in the NBA but also at the high school level. Most coaches watched him through his prime. The current high schoolers caught the end of his career but were able to see his affect on the game.
For Crutch field and many others, he was more than a Laker. He was an idol.
That's why it's important to carry on his legacy.
“We talk to our guys often about opportunities,” Hatchett said. “I told them if what happened Sunday didn' t wake them up, they were from a different planet. It's just a tragedy.”