Grant names its basketball court after Coach Howie Levine

Grant High in Van Nuys proclaimed Thursday as “Howie Levine Day.”

Its veteran basketball coach, entering his 30th season, showed up to the alumni game wearing his typical orange socks. At halftime, the principal presented him two viles of fake blood in the school colors of orange and brown.

Then, in a surprise to the coach, the school announced that its basketball court will now be known as “Howie Levine Court.”

Levine, who has been a longtime usher at Dodger Stadium and sings Frank Sinatra songs at nightclubs, had to wipe tears under his glasses. He’s a beloved teacher and coach. More than 25 alumni players showed up and offered him hugs.

There have been only two varsity basketball coaches since Grant opened in 1959 _ Bill McKee and Howie Levine. The gym is named after McKee. And now the court is named after Levine.

Asked before the game about his favorite memories, Levine couldn’t come up with any. He simply said he remembers “virtually every one” of his players and added, “I love every one of them.”

For the latest on high school sports, follow @LATSondheimer on Twitter