Stef’an Strawder Memorial Showcase reaches 10th year in Lehigh Acres

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK) — The sound of basketballs and squeaking sneakers filled the gym at Lehigh Senior High School on Sunday, one day after Southwest Florida marked 10 years since the Club Blu mass shooting.

The shooting outside the Fort Myers nightclub on July 25, 2016, killed 18-year-old Stef’an Strawder and 14-year-old Sean Archilles and injured 14 others.

On Sunday, middle and high school players competed beneath Strawder’s jersey during the 10th annual Stef’an Strawder Memorial Showcase.

Lee County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Sylvester Smalls says he created the showcase to bring college coaches to Fort Myers and give Strawder and other local players a chance to be seen.

“They didn’t like his size because he was 5’8, 5’9, and they go, ‘We thought he was a little taller,’” Smalls said. “I said, ‘He’s got the heart of a lion. Don’t worry about that.’”

Strawder was killed only weeks after competing in the original showcase. The event was later renamed in his memory and has continued bringing players and college coaches together each year.

Sean’s brother, Dsean Archilles, also competed in the showcase after the shooting. He said the event is part of a larger effort by both families to support the community through basketball showcases, toy drives, holiday food giveaways and other events.

“We could have all taken this and went a whole different direction,” Archilles said. “But I think this is a better way of helping the kids who come behind them. It’s definitely been a way better situation and a way better impact on our community.”

Strawder’s uncle, Keith White, said reaching the showcase’s 10th year carries special meaning for both families.

“It helps us with the closure of what we’re dealing with,” White said. “Every once in a while, you can hear those names, and you can put something positive to it. It shows how committed we were to those two people that we’re talking about, Sean and Stef’an.”

Smalls said former showcase participants have gone on to graduate from college, start families and establish careers. He estimates the event has helped hundreds of young athletes get into school.

“His legacy has put hundreds of kids in school, and it’s steadily continuing,” Smalls said. “He lives on, and so many good things have happened with his legacy, and we’re going to continue to go.”

Smalls said he plans to keep organizing the showcase for the rest of his life.