Lehigh Senior HS (23‑5)
Lehigh Acres, Fla.
FHSAA Class 7A-Reg. 3 Quarterfinalist
Top Players
- 6-8 SR Timothy Thurman
- 5-11 JR Deo Downs
Lightning At A Glance
HEAD COACH: B.J. Edwards (239-691-2810) … EMAIL: bernarde@leeschools.net
The “local school” honored with an invitation to this year’s 16-team Traditional Bracket, head coach B.J. Edwards’ team will have its hands full in one of the deepest City of Palms fields in recent memory. But the Lightning does feature a pair of possible Div. I-level recruits in 5-11 JR Deo Downs (14.6 ppg, 4.9 apg, 4.2 rpg, 3.1 steals) and 6-8 SR Timothy Thurman (13.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.5 blocks). Downs exploded for a season-high 26 points in a resounding 72-45 blowout of Sarasota Riverview in the Class 7A-District 12 playoffs; Thurman has emerged as one of SW Florida’s top shot blockers, and had a 12/15 double-double in a win over Gateway Charter. Other contributors include 6-5 SR Malachii Russ (10.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and 6-1 SR David Swanson (4.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg). … Edwards (80-30 in four years at Lehigh) is a certified local legend who starred for the Lightning from 2010-14, leaving as his school’s all-time leading scorer and earning Florida 6A Player of the Year honors.