Athletes honoured

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

For four graduating Strathmore Spartans athletes – Josh Lawal, Riley Johnson, Marvin Agboro and Matt Edwards – to get the chance to be recognized in front of their peers on Seniors Night prior to a game earlier this month is something they will cherish beyond their high school years.
“To be honest I thought it was pretty amazing,” said Johnson. “I know last year we didn’t do anything huge like that. We really didn’t get the chance to. To be shown off as a senior, like a player that’s been there a while. I thought was really cool.”
Johnson moved to Strathmore when he was seven years old and it was then he incorporated sports into his life; playing competitively when he attended Crowther Memorial Junior High School where he participated in rugby and basketball.
Upon arrival at Strathmore High School he also got involved in rugby, football, cross country and track and field.
“I think it’s great, we have some great athletic programs here,” said Johnson. “I think it’s great to represent the school doing what I love.”
He said he likes the competitiveness amongst the school sports and the most important thing to him has been the team bonding where he has made great friendships.
If nothing else, Johnson wanted to give it his all at zones this past weekend in Cochrane in hopes of coming back with the banner.
For Agboro it was nice to get honoured as a senior, and to play sports at the school for three years was another way of challenging himself other than in the classroom.
He said there is not much difference playing at a senior level other than wanting to set an example for the younger players.
“It’s the same thing for all of our coaches, like Riley said, it’s just hard work,” said Agboro.
He is hoping to play football somewhere after post secondary.
Lawal, who moved to Strathmore from Nigeria five years ago, had never touched a basketball and only started playing when he arrived in town. He gave credit to his coaches for helping him along in the sport.
“It was pretty rewarding to get recognized in front of our home crowd,” said Lawal. “It’s pretty nice to be recognized as a Strathmore Spartan. It’s rewarding of all the work you put in throughout the entire season.”
He recalled when he first started at Strathmore High School in Grade 10 he had Kent Smith for a coach, who had a different approach to the game, and said that between him and current coach Kyle Larson, they were able to shape the team to what it is now.
Matt Edwards came to SHS from Three Hills this year because there was more to offer academically and athletically and said it’s been a great run with having a great group of guys around him.
He added that basketball has been a big part of his life and he’d be blessed to have his dedication show through with this team in winning a championship after experiencing provincial with the volleyball team.
Head coach Kyle Larson said all four players are super kids who work hard, compete hard and have a good friendship off the court.
“They’ve worked at their game,” said Larson. “Matt is the only one I didn’t watch for three years, but Matt came to us with a real good skill set and him and Josh have absolutely pushed each other to be better every practice every game. Right now in the boys program, we’re competing in everything; it’s been exciting around here. They’re up and down the floor, they play quick basketball and it’s exciting to watch and it’s been a lot of fun.”