Kobe Bryant, a graduate of Lower Merion High School and one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the NBA, died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26, 2020 along with his daughter, Gianna, and seven other people.

According to local historian Chuck Langerman, the Cheltenham High School boys’ basketball team never played against Bryant, but members of the Lady Panthers basketball team saw the Black Mamba play at Villanova University after the girls won their first District title.

On Friday, March 1, 1996, Brandi Butler, Lynn Carroll, and Stacey Smalls combined for 50 points to give the Lady Panthers a 64-55 victory over Downingtown High for the first District One girls’ basketball title in school history.

In the boys’ District One championship game that night at Villanova, Bryant scored 34 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, blocked 9 shots, and dealt six assists in Lower Merion’s 60-53 come-from-behind win over Chester.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.