Basketball game dedicated to teen victims of deadly road crash

HOUSTON - A massive charity event is scheduled for the families of the girls who were in that deadly crash while returning from spring break. The entire event was organized by students. 

"I know she wouldn't want me to be around here moping around," says Bellaire High School junior student Deon'ta Lagway. "I'm just trying to be as strong as I can." Lagway was left heartbroken after three girls died in a crash while returning from South Padre Island and the 18-year-old driver was seriously injured. He had been friends with and had a crush on 17-year-old Jade Robinson since they were in middle school. 

"Sweet person, bossy," explains Lagway. "She was just a good person, always happy."

The Bellaire junior went from grieving to appraoching fellow athletes, asking them to take part in a charity game. 

"The first game is Team Jade versus Team Brittanie and then Team Shelby versus Team Bri and the winner out of those games play each other in the championship game," adds Lagway.

Several students are helping pull off the event to raise money for the four families. 

"I know they're going through a lot," says Bellaire High School Junior Megan Evans. "We just want to help out taking care of all the bills and expenses they're facing at this difficult time." 

The game is also to remember the girls, Jade, her sister 19-year-old Brianna Robinson, 18-year-old Brittanie Johnson and 18-year-old Shelby Coleman, who survived. 

"It's helping me get pass the fact that Jade is gone," says Bellaire High volleyball coach Ap Clarke, who was Jade's coach. "It's helping me just know she's in a better place."   
 
"I am just so proud of them.  It helps them in the healing process.  It helps them focus on something positive," The 17-year-old was headed to college in Tennessee on a volleyball scholarship.

The charity game is Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. at Butler Stadium on Main Street. A dunk contest will follow. It costs $5 to get in. All of the money will be donated to the four families.  

Forty Texas basketball players will take to the court for what is much more than a game for so many. 

"It makes me feel way better because I know she's looking down at us smiling," says Lagway. "I know this this would make Jade happy and when she was happy, I was happy."