From 2010-2014, BJ Edwards was one of the best high school basketball players, not only in Southwest Florida, but the entire Sunshine State. In his senior season, Edwards earned 6A Player of the Year and Third Team All-State honors, while leading Lehigh boys basketball to the regional finals.
“Lehigh is a part of me," Edwards said. "It’s made me who I am.”
“It took a group of selfless individuals," Edwards continued. "It was just extremely exciting times. I don’t take it for granted at all.”
BJ finished his playing career as the Lightning's all-time leading scorer — a record that still stands today. For all of his success, Edwards is a member of the Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. He is about to be inducted with the Class of 2025.
However, Edwards' legacy at Lehigh Senior High School is not done yet.
“This is where I graduated from. It’s just fun," Edwards said. "I had to come back.”
After a couple of years coaching girls basketball at South Fort Myers, Edwards returned to his alma mater. BJ is now in his third season as Lehigh boys basketball's head coach.
“I love this," Edwards said. "I love coaching. I love leading these young men. It’s been fun, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”
Each year he's been at Lehigh, the Lightning have improved. From 16 wins in his first season, to 18 last year, and now his team has already eclipsed the 20-win mark with more contests on the horizon. Lehigh is 20-3 so far and ranked fifth in Southwest Florida.
“Any of my teammates could go," senior guard Justin Gallop said. "It could be any of their nights. I feel like why we’re so good is because we’re so unselfish.”
That team-first mentality is even embroidered on their jerseys. The Lightning's team motto this year is "Just Us" — a saying they live by every say at practice and in their games.
“It doesn’t matter what your parents say, it doesn’t matter what the fans say, it doesn’t matter what anybody else says," senior center Fritz Odige said. "Nobody knows what happens in this facility when nobody is there, only just us. That’s why it’s such a big meaning to us.”
Now, the Lightning are bringing that focus into the playoffs. They are poised to win their district and get back to the state tournament for the first time in five years.
“We’re trying to get a banner up there and be remembered," Gallop said while pointing to a wall of banners in the Lehigh gymnasium. One of those banners commemorates Edwards's elite eight run in 2014.
Lehigh begins the playoffs against Riverview Sarasota in the district tournament next week.