Strawbridge makes SportsCenter, earns SWAC award
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WREX) — Former Rockford Lutheran star Kenny Strawbridge is off to a fast start at Alabama State. Monday night, Strawbridge landed on SportsCenter’s Top Plays when he corralled a blocked shot and hit a reverse layup at the buzzer to propel the Hornets to victory.
“Yeah, it was definitely crazy seeing I was on SportsCenter,” Strawbridge said. “I was talking to my mom last night and she was like, ‘What if you made it on SportsCenter?’ I was like that would be crazy. Ten minutes later one of the coaches sent it to the group chat that the last play made it to SportsCenter. I turned on the TV, waited for it to come on. It’s crazy going on ESPN and they’re saying my name and stuff like that.”
Strawbridge, who is in his first season at Alabama State after playing junior college ball last year, heard from a lot of people after Monday night’s heroics.
“My phone was buzzing, going off like crazy,” he said. “Everybody showing love back in Rockford and all the fans out here, coaches, teammates, it was definitely crazy.”
Strawbridge’s grandfather died in December, and Kenny thinks he may have helped that ball go through the hoop as it bounced around the rim.
“He said he wanted to come to a few games,” Strawbridge explains. “To make that shot is crazy. I know he wanted to come to a lot of games.”
Kenny’s grandfather would be extra proud as Strawbridge was also named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Impact Player of the Week for his performances. He finished Monday night’s game with 16 points and 14 rebounds, and averaged 9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game over the past week. He leads the team in both categories through 7 games to start the season.