Lewis happy to be back home at Strath Haven

MIDDLETOWN — Alisha Lewis has spent her entire childhood living in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District.

Until this year, the new senior guard at Strath Haven hasn’t been home too often.

She was a starting player as eighth grader for Ursuline Academy in Delaware where she won three state championships. As a sophomore she earned Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters Association Player of the Year honors as the top player in the state.

After her sophomore year, she lived with a host family in New York and attended Long Island Lutheran High School (LuHi). Away from home Lewis made a name for herself and caught the attention of several Division I coaches. In November, she signed her National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Georgia Tech next week.

One of the top point guard recruits in the nation – ranked No. 34 by ESPN.com – decided it was in her best interest to stay home in Wallingford for her senior year and attend Strath Haven, where she could reunite with her lifelong friends.

Her family filed the necessary transfer documents and Lewis was permitted to play her senior season on a Strath Haven team that doesn’t quite have the reputation of an Ursuline or LuHi. Lewis says she doesn’t mind that she is the proverbial big fish in a small pond.

“I love being at home and surrounded by people I grew up with,” Lewis said after helping Strath Haven to a season-opening victory over Strath Haven, 50-39, at the Penncrest Tip-Off.

“We lived in Wallingford since she’s been in first grade and we’re happy that she’s back,” said Lewis’ mother, Lisa. “She’s competed a lot in travel ball and she’s worked really hard to get where she is, so it’s nice to have her back home with family and friends. It’s nice to get that last year back at home before she goes away.”

Lewis’ talents are making an immediate impact on the Panthers, who won only three games last winter. With her in the lineup the Panthers are clearly a much-improved team, as evidenced by their one-sided win against Sun Valley.

“I just want to be a leader for everyone and (step) up to help the team as best as I can,” she said. “I know I have to prepare for college because I know I’ll have to fulfill that role when I get there.”

Lewis did not make the Panthers’ game on opening night about herself. She mainly stayed out of the spotlight. Instead, her main priority was to

distribute the ball and provide open looks for her teammates. That’s not a surprise as Lewis has been an unselfish player throughout her high school years. When she won Delaware Player of the Year, she averaged just 10.7 points per game. Friday night, she made a pair of 3-pointers and finished with 10 points. Power forward Faith Raymond led all Panthers with 12 points.

Lewis’ mere presence on the team has given the Panthers a boost and a belief that they can compete in the Central League.

“We have some good returning players and, obviously, with Alisha joining us that is a big addition. Everyone has been having a positive outlook,” Strath Haven coach Allison Price said. “I think the positive attitude is encouraging to everyone on the floor, so that automatically makes everyone feel comfortable. Having a couple of weeks of playing together, they’re all getting used to each other. Her knowledge is definitely a strength.”

Lewis cut her teeth playing AAU ball for two of the premier travel organizations in the state, the Comets and Philadelphia Belles.

Now Lewis gets to compete against some of the top players in Delco and the Philadelphia area. She is familiar with many of them, too. When she was younger, she was a teammate of Garnet Valley seniors Emily McAteer and Brianne Borcky on the Comets.

Any school would love to have her, but Lewis is thrilled to be at Strath Haven. She is where she feels she belongs, she is home.

The Panthers sure are glad to have her.

“I think after a couple of weeks of playing together, we started to jell and we will continue to get better,” Lewis said. “It’s a great environment to play in and I’m happy to be here.”

Abby Seasock of Sun Valley led all scorers with 18 points. She drilled five 3-point baskets.