Altork: Leah Strain’s shocking announcement

Just when I thought I’d seen it all.

I don’t have any clever lead-in for this (maybe because I’m still in shock), so I’m just going to type a sentence I know I never thought I’d type, and I’m pretty sure you never thought you’d see.

Leah Strain is giving up basketball.

To become a cheerleader.

(Ok. That’s a sentence and a prepositional phrase. Sue me.)

The Leader’s 2014 player of the year and maybe the most accomplished basketball player in the history of Randolph County is hanging up the high tops and trading them in for miniskirts and…whatever kind of shoes cheerleaders wear.

It obviously was not an easy decision for Woodland’s two-time all-state player and the second leading scorer in the history of girls high school basketball in Alabama.

“I knew it probably would not be a popular decision, and it’s something even I almost can’t believe I’m doing,” Leah said. “But I just love cheerleading. I always have. I mean, hitting a big shot or making a great pass – those things are great. But nothing beats the feeling of nailing that perfect roundoff-herkey combination on the sidelines.”

The decision makes things a little dicey in terms of her future college education. Strain signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for Jacksonville State prior to her senior season. Although she plans to cheer for the Gamecocks, she will have to give up the full ride that basketball afforded her.

She admits that forgoing that scholarship made the decision tough, but breaking the news to her father, Woodland head coach Larry Strain, was the toughest part of all.

“He wasn’t happy at first,” Leah said. 

“It was a little difficult for me to understand, simply because of all the time and effort that she put into basketball,” Larry Strain said. “And then to go through the recruiting process like she did – I’ll put it this way. [Giving up basketball] is not what I would have done. But in the end you just want your kids to be happy.”

Leah was a varsity football and boys basketball cheerleader for Woodland under her mother Robin for three years. After watching her brother Trae (football) and her sister Courtney (basketball) excel under her father’s areas of expertise, Leah felt like it was time to give equal time to her mother.

“My mom has put so much time and effort into supporting all three of us,” Leah said. “This is my way of showing my gratitude for everything she has done.”

Word is that Jacksonville State will hold onto Leah’s basketball scholarship for now, just in case she changes her mind.

Leah’s response to that? Don’t hold your breath.

“I really don’t think I’ll change my mind,” she said. “It’s kind of a relief actually. All of that pressure of winning and being the best at everything was starting to get to me.”

It’s a stunning turn of events any way you look at it.

So while you digest all of that I’ll just say one more thing.

None of what you just read is true.

Even though it’s a day late, I couldn’t resist.

April Fool’s.