Contributed photo
Faith Lutheran senior Graydon Lemke, center, walks up the court during a game against Sunrise Mountain. Lemke, who led the Crusaders in scoring at 17 points per game this season and was the team captain, is a finalist for a national honor being announced today.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024 | 2 a.m.
Graydon Lemke manned his station at the homeless shelter for a community service project not knowing what to expect.
As the line of needy Las Vegans were served a meal, Lemke started to realize how fortunate he was. The Faith Lutheran Middle/High School senior never worried about where his next meal would come from or where he’d be sleeping at night.
“I am blessed to be in the position I am at,” said Lemke, a forward on the Crusaders’ basketball team. “They all have it harder than me, so it was really good to give back.”
It’s not that Lemke hasn’t had to overcome adversity.
His father, Mike Lemke, died in June of 2022. Around the same time, his mother, Stacia, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
That’s a lot for a teenager to digest. But Graydon Lemke said he had his Faith Lutheran teammates to fall back on, using practices and games as a welcome diversion. At the same time, he’s become one of the Crusaders’ best players and helped them capture the league championship this season.
Lemke’s efforts are being noticed.
He’s one of five finalists for the 2024 Naismith High School Basketball Courage Award, which is awarded to the high school athlete who demonstrates courage to make their team, school and community a better place, officials said in a news release. The winner will be announced today.
Lemke stresses it’s not an individual award, saying “so many people have supported me. I’m doing this not only for them, but for me.”
Lemke was forced to mature faster than most teens and has a refreshing outlook on the world. Each day is a blessing, he says, and each day is an opportunity to serve.
He’s active with the Young Men’s Service League, a group that allows mothers and their teenage sons to volunteer together during four years of high school. They’ve done service projects like serving the needy and working with individuals with special needs.
Being a leader comes easy for Lemke, who said his mentality is like that of his dad in many ways — especially a strong desire to help others.
“Every year, we’re moved by the stories of these young basketball players from across the country, whose bravery and leadership inspire us all,” Eric Oberman, president of the Atlanta Tipoff Club, administrator of the Naismith Awards, said in a statement.
The 6-foot-11 Lemke led the Crusaders in scoring at 17 points per game this season. He was also the team captain.
The highlight of his prep career came last month when the Crusaders beat Sunrise Mountain and Cimarron-Memorial in the playoffs, marking a tremendous turnaround for a program that struggled the past two seasons. The season ended with a loss to Somerset Losee in overtime — and one game short of the Class 4A state tournament.
He’s hoping to play in college like his older brother, Coleman Lemke, who is part of the program at the University of Portland. The brothers were supposed to be teammates in 2020-21 at Faith Lutheran, but the season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He instead got to play three seasons with his Faith Lutheran brothers, whom he’s long considered family. He says being courageous is easiest with their backing.
“Courage is being able to overcome obstacles and being able to overcome difficult things in your path,” he said. “We did that together. I have a great support system to lean on. My teammates were part of them. I see them as family.”
The award comes with a $4,000 prize — $2,000 for the recipient and $2,000 for their basketball program.
