Stratford High School Names Local Basketball Patriarch Head Coach of Lady Spartans

The Stratford High School Lady Spartans are under new leadership. The school has named MNPS alumnus Desmond Cambridge Sr. as the new head coach of the girls’ basketball team.

With more than 20 years of coaching experience at both the school and club levels, Cambridge has a proven record of developing disciplined, skilled basketball players. He emphasizes excellence both on and off the court, ensuring student-athletes perform competitively while maintaining strong academic standards.

Cambridge has also coached the Finest Basketball Club AAU program, competing successfully at both regional and national levels. His leadership and commitment to player development have resulted in sustained success across multiple programs.

"The appointment of Coach Desmond Cambridge marks a new era of dominance for Lady Spartan Basketball,” said Dr. Michael Pratt, executive principal of Stratford STEM Magnet High School. “He is firmly committed to mentoring student-athletes, cultivating leadership, and outworking everyone to reach our goal of winning a state championship."

A graduate of Whites Creek High School and Alabama A&M University, Cambridge was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023. He still holds the NCAA Division I men’s season record for most steals per game, set in 2002. Coach Cambridge is a proud father of seven children: Jalon, Desmond Jr., Jordyn, Devan, Kennedy, Jaloni, and Jasiah.