Basketball legend, mentor mourned

Tributes have been scheduled for Alonzo Lewis, the basketball legend who was killed last week in a car accident. The former La Salle University standout and beloved coach at Chester High and Cheyney University had been crossing the street to a Catholic League girls' playoff doubleheader at Philadelphia University.

Lewis, who guided Chester High to two PIAA Class AAAA state championships during his coaching tenure there, will be honored Saturday at 1 p.m. at the school, according to a notice from Unionville High School, where his daughter is a basketball star. Another tribute is scheduled for March 12 at 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., West Chester.

During a decade in Chester, Lewis, 77, of Chadds Ford, compiled a 237-67 record and won six league championships. His Clippers took home state gold in the 1988-89 and 1993-94 seasons. Lewis also coached at the old Darby Township and Academy Park. His overall high school record was 433-146.

Lewis was a familiar sight at Unionville High's girls' basketball games, where Alison, the youngest of his two daughters, has been earning acclaim as a sophomore.