SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. — It was a sea of orange at the Combs High School basketball game against Eastmark High School Tuesday night.
Fans packed into the gym in San Tan Valley wearing orange in honor of Preston Lord. The teen's favorite color has come to represent the movement to curb teen violence created in the wake of his death.
“This is our connection to Preston and we’re doing this for him so we can help mitigate any other kids that might fall into danger," said Hosea Graham, the basketball coach at Combs.
Three teens killed in one month
Nearly three months ago, Lord, a 16-year-old junior basketball player at Combs, was killed outside of a Halloween party in Queen Creek.
His stepmom spoke out just moments before Tuesday night's tipoff.
"Preston was a brilliant and kind soul whose life was taken in a horrendous act," said Melissa Ciconte, Lord's stepmom. "Please support The Lord family in bringing an end to these issues by talking to your children and bringing this message to your community."
Lord is not alone.
“She was a really bright kid. She worked really, really hard," said Vanessa Stephens, Hailey Stephens' mom.
Two other teens in the southeast Valley were killed in separate incidents not long after Lord.
Jamiere Jenkins, 17, was fatally shot in a San Tan Valley neighborhood near Gantzel and Ocotillo Roads on Nov. 28.
Hailey Stephens, 17, died in November after she was shot in the head at a house party in Casa Grande the weekend before Jenkins was killed.
“It can happen to the cheerleader. It can happen to the football player, the basketball player and we need to be aware. We need to make sure that we know who our children are with. If they have any weapons that we’re aware of that," Stephens said.
'Be Kind': Coach shares message to team amidst their grief
The teen violence has shaken the community to its core and has prompted residents to come together and demand justice and change.
One campaign called "Be An Upstander" encourages neighbors to be upstanding citizens rather than bystanders and to speak up if you have information about the teen attacks.
“I work here in San Tan Valley I live in Arizona City so I’ve covered that whole route in orange ribbons," said Lisa Gaylord.
Before the game, community members picked up signs and bracelets to raise awareness about the ongoing problem.
“It was just a no brainer to start making these and donate the money to the family," said Toni Pruette of Bead Happy Jewelry. "Seeing the orange everywhere, it’s great.”
Lord's teammates honored him throughout Tuesday night's game. They warmed up in orange "Upstander" t-shirts and keep a spot for Lord on their bench, draping his number five jersey over a chair before every game.
Their coach hopes the message he's instilled in his players extends to their communities.
“Be kind. If you demonstrate that and you go out and be kind then you are shedding that light. If we allow the darkness to take over our power, then we all will be lost," Graham said.
Combs won the game 65-56.
EAST VALLEY TEEN VIOLENCE
For months, 12News has been tracking a growing number of teen violence cases in the East Valley.