Strawberry Mansion loses coach, then game to Franklin

Many hours later, Stan Laws' head was still spinning. And, judging by his text messages, his players' spirits were broken.

"This tore those kids apart," he said. "One kid sent me a text saying he 'doesn't want to live anymore.' "

Strawberry Mansion, which entered 23-0, yesterday fell to visiting Ben Franklin, 63-60, in a Public League round-of-16 playoff that was also a Class AA semifinal. Laws, a volunteer coach who this season has been the Knights' boss everywhere but on paper, said he was prevented from guiding his team by the principal, Lois Powell Mondesire.

Laws said he and the players met with Powell Mondesire at midday, at which time she presented them with shooting shirts she said she'd purchased.

"I don't know what happened to her," Laws said. "She went on a binge about how she wasn't being appreciated enough. That I wasn't thankful. I didn't want to hear that. I've been working with these kids for 6 years. And haven't taken a dime. I coach them from my heart. She was reaming me out about nothing.

"The shooting shirt she gave me was draped over my shoulder. I calmly put it back in the box . . . She winds up telling me I can't coach the team against Franklin."

A message left for Gerald Hendricks, Mansion's longtime coach and still the team's on-paper boss, was not returned. He has acted for most of the season as Laws' righthand man and was on the bench yesterday.

The mailbox of a number listed for Powell Mondesire was full, and would not accept messages.

Laws said he was first led to believe by Powell Mondesire that he could at least attend yesterday's game. Later, others told him to stay away.

"I respected that decision," he said. 'I didn't cause a scene."

For Franklin, Jeff Giddings (four treys for the game) scored 12 of his 20 points in a 26-19 fourth quarter. Mansion star Devonté "DJ" Newbill finished with 21 points.

Mansion's season is not over. The Knights will later meet Prep Charter in a consolation game for the Pub's third AA spot in the state playoffs.

"I don't know my status going forward," Laws said. "I know these kids are hurting. I coached them in the summer. Have always been with them. They're together because of me. Before the principal said I could run the team this year, they were all ready to transfer."

Robert Coleman, the PL's sports czar, said news of a rift between Laws and Powell Mondesire "definitely surprises" him.

He added, "Earlier this season, she spoke very highly of him." *