By Rachel Kalina
All along the court, No. 34 was ubiquitous, and could be seen on red, orange, purple and blue shirts. About 30 teenagers, mostly college freshmen or recent high school graduates, wore the number in honor of a young woman who once wore it during her own high school basketball games. Chaneé Brown, the true No. 34, wasn't at the competition, however. The Baldwin High School senior died in April in an accident on the Southern State Parkway. A car carrying four Baldwin High students overturned, injuring three of its occupants. Brown, who was not wearing a seat belt, was killed.
The competition last Saturday at Roosevelt's Centennial Park - the Chaneé Monique Brown Memorial Basketball Classic - was held to raise money for a scholarships in the 18-year-old's name.
"She wanted to be an FBI agent," said Chaneé's aunt, Chandra Brown. "We are trying to capture her two loves in one: basketball and criminal justice. Because she was such a great person, I really want her to be remembered through the things she loved to do."
At Chaneé's funeral, donations went to the Chaneé Monique Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund. Enough money was raised for two scholarships for students who plan to study criminal justice in college. One is a Hempstead High School student, and the other is a close friend of Brown's, Sharae Michael, a 2006 graduate of Baldwin High School.
"We played basketball together for two years," Michael said. "She kept our team intact. I think it's very good to raise money for the scholarship."
Michael, who will attend St. John's University and study criminal justice and business management, noted that Brown was the captain of the Baldwin High girls' basketball team. She said Brown was also an influence in her decision to study criminal justice.
"The person might die, but the dream lives on," said Hezekiah Brown, Chaneé's grandfather. "I think the real reason behind this is that Chaneé was so intense in terms of being an FBI agent. She had done a lot of work and preparation. We decided we would do something to make sure many other people would be able to carry on this dream of working in criminal justice."
It was Hezekiah who came up with the idea to create scholarships in his granddaughter's name.
Last Saturday's three-on-three basketball tournament featured prize medals and trophies for winning teams, refreshments and T-shirts with Brown's name and number on them. Participants were asked to sign up in teams of four for either a $50 or $100 fee, depending on their ages, and T-shirts were being sold to spectators for $10 apiece. Early in the day, Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Brown family.
According to Brown's high school basketball coach, Sherman Davis, the competition embodied much of what Brown valued in life. "Chaneé was the type of person who brought people together," Davis said, "and today is a tribute to what she was all about. She was everybody's friend."
Brown's father, Rodney, agreed that the event was a good first effort in trying to keep his daughter's spirit alive. "Eventually we want to establish a leadership foundation focused on core values that Chaneé thought were important, like compassion, diversity, honesty, integrity and social responsibility," he said.
Although Saturday's weather report promised rain and skies were overcast, the rain held off as music and thudding basketballs filled the court. Rodney Brown said he was thankful for any turnout, especially because of the weather. None of the players seemed to mind, and were too busy breaking sweats to sense any chill.
"I came to support the cause," said Nick Thomas, who was dressed in a purple number 34 shirt. "Chaneé and I were good friends, and I just wanted to show my appreciation for her."
Brown's Baldwin High School teammates enjoyed the activity as well. "This is a really nice way to remember her," said Jana Hampton. "She loved playing and watching basketball." Hampton said that Brown would watch games to improve her own skills.
Hampton's younger sister, Alexandra, was also involved in the day's games. "I think it's a good thing to do for Chaneé, since it was her year to go to college," seventh-grader Alexandra Hampton said.
The Brown family plans to hold two scholarship events each year, with the next one scheduled for April 28, 2007 at the Sterling in Bethpage.
"I just hope that people participated with the same thought that we have in mind," Hezekiah Brown said of the tournament. "We just want to have some funds available to keep her dreams alive and help other kids who want to be in criminal justice."
Judging from the large turnout and the reactions of Brown's friends, Hezekiah's hopes were met, a sentiment that was shared by Brown's close friend and teammate, Morgan Taylor. "I think she would have really appreciated everyone coming to play today to honor her," Taylor said.
Comments about this story? RKalina@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
