On night his dad was being recognized for cancer fight, Cam Brown set a Beech Grove record
Beech Grove senior Cam Brown had a game to remember Saturday night and his school-record nine 3-pointers in an 89-38 win over Monrovia was just part of the reason.
Brown made all of those 3-pointers in the first half, right after his father, Ryan Brown, was honored on Beech Grove’s “Coaches vs. Cancer” night by Angela English, the widow of former Beech Grove coach Matt English. English died from brain cancer in December of 2018, but his memory lives on with the Matt English Foundation, which raises money through an annual golf outing and provides scholarships to graduating seniors who exhibit “We Before Me” principles and supports families facing a cancer diagnosis.
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Brown was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008. The cancer returned and Brown underwent surgery several months ago, but a scan in December showed the tumor was back and is classified as Grade 3. He is now facing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for the next several months.
“It was tough hearing that he had successful surgery and it’s all coming back again,” Cam Brown said.
Cam, a 6-5 senior, said he was inspired to have a strong performance in his dad’s honor. “I’m pretty sure my teammates knew in the locker room that I was going to have a hot hand,” Brown said. “I could feel it in my body.”
Brown took that feeling to the court, breaking the record in just one half. He scored 32 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the 3-point line, breaking the record of eight 3s set by his former coach, Mike Renfro. Beech Grove athletic director Garret Daniel called it “one of the top sporting moments to witness in my life.”
Brown was hanging out at senior teammate Rylan Horen’s house after the game Saturday night when he received a text from his dad. It read: “You are my hero.”
“It made me super happy because I did it for him,” Brown said. “I could see he was proud. Now I’ll be able to look at the record board and know that I did it on a special night.”
Career coaching milestones
Cathedral coach Jason Delaney reached the 300-win mark for his career Saturday as the Irish knocked off Floyd Central, 77-63. Delaney is a three-time state champion, winning Class 4A titles at Cathedral (2022) and Tech (2014) and a Class A championship at Waldron (2004). He also coached at Southport, Anderson Highland and Washington.
There are several other coaches nearing milestones or recently reaching milestones this season:
Mark James, Perry Meridian: James, in his 40th season overall, is two wins from 600. Perry Meridian is 3-8 going into next week’s Marion County tournament.
Brian Barber, Danville: Barber reached 450 wins for his career earlier this season. Barber, in his 24th season at Danville and 27th overall, now has 455 overall wins. Danville is 7-6.
Kerry Brown, Connersville: Brown reached the 300-win milestone in Connersville’s 54-48 overtime win over New Castle Saturday.
There are several more closing in on 300, including Greenwood’s Joe Bradburn (297), Hamilton Heights’ Chad Ballenger (292) and Eastern Hancock’s Aaron Spaulding (289).
Other news and notes
I spoke with Indiana High School Athletic Association commissioner Paul Neidig this week about the Tech-Shortridge girls basketball fight that happened Dec. 27 at Broad Ripple, where there were punches thrown before the game was called off in the third quarter. Both teams have since resumed their seasons. Neidig said IHSAA assistant commissioner Janie Ulmer worked with the two schools and was pleased with how both schools handled the incident. “We have been working with administrators at both schools and believe that appropriate disciplinary action and proactive measures to correct unacceptable behavior are underway.” … I really enjoyed talking to Plainfield’s student managers for a story earlier this week. If you have other story ideas on behind-the-scenes athletes or people involved in high school athletics, please let me know. … The Marion County tournament gets started this week. I’ll have more preview coverage coming Tuesday. Can anyone beat Ben Davis?
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IHSAA basketball: Cam Brown hits 9 3s, sets Beech Grove record
