‘This is really special’ Ex-Saint star Justin Hardy, battling cancer, savors a special night in St. Charles

ST. CHARLES – An ESPN camera crew followed Justin Hardy’s every move.

Teachers, friends, family and fans packed the stands. Just like they had four years ago to see an unmissable talent dominate on the basketball court.

On Feb. 8, an event far bigger than a basketball game took place.

Hardy was home.

The Washington (Missouri) University graduate, who is battling stage 4 stomach cancer, competing through ongoing treatments and somehow dropping 28 points in a game days before his Hoops for Hope event, was surrounded by a standing ovation as St. Charles East left the court for warmups.

Just moments earlier, Hardy took in a prepared video highlight montage of some of the finest moments of his career. They included two buzzer-beaters against St. Charles North while at St. Charles East and dunks and 3-pointers as a Division III basketball player.

“I have the tough task to introduce a guy who doesn’t need an introduction,” Saints coach Pat Woods proclaimed before a vivacious applause.

Hardy then grabbed the microphone, slightly twirling around to admire and soak in the hundreds who were there to support one of their very own.

“Man, I’ve got a lot of special nights in this gym. Two special ones, game-winners against St. Charles North, will always stick with me,” Hardy said with a smile. “A regional title [and] cutting down our nets at home. All of those.

“I don’t think any of those nights are going to match up to what tonight means to me. This is really special of what you guys being there to support me and what we’re doing tonight,” Hardy continued.

Basketball, as Hardy said, is just “special.”

“Never really faced a time, adversity, in my life,” Hardy said. “Basketball kind of brought it all [together]: Learning to play through tough times, play through nicks and nacks and injuries and maybe fighting through not be the being the best player on the court…that was kind of the adversity I faced and it prepped me for kind of what I’m going through now.”

“…The relationships I’ve gotten from it,” Hardy continued. “Two of the most influential people supporting me right now are two of my basketball coaches: Coach Woods has done a lot for me recently, as I’ve been going through this. Secondly, [Wash-U] coach [Pat] Juckem, my college coach.”

Juckem, from the stands pointed right back at him and smiled.

“Grab the things you do in your life, just love it and dive into it fully ‚” Hardy said. “You’ll get those relationships back out of it. I’ve seen St. Charles come together for some pretty tough times before. We always rally behind whatever it is.”

“It’s awesome to see you guys rally behind me tonight…the letters you have sent me, text messages, the old people emailing, that’s cool, too,” which drew laughter. “The support has been unwavering and it’s what’s gotten me through the past 10 months. I’m going to thank you in advance for the support I know you’re going to give me for the next 10 months: next, two, five, 10 years to come.”

Dozens of current St. Charles East students stood directly across from him. Many wore black shirts that said: “You are Stronger, #HardyStrong.

Upon tipoff, Hardy served as an honorary coach alongside Woods on the bench he had sat on. The Saints fell to Geneva 59–56. At halftime, Hardy was presented with a plaque as the newest member of the St. Charles East athletics Hall of Fame.

Hardy was also treated to an honorary dance routine from the St. Charles East drill team. During timeouts, video messages from college coaches and others were displayed to the crowd.

The GoFundMe campaign organized by Woods, which is scheduled to help towards Hardy’s medical bills, has eclipsed $51,000 in approximately two weeks.

St. Charles East is also expected to present a scholarship to a graduating senior that encapsulates the “grit, determination and will that Justin has clearly demonstrated through these difficult times.”

Before speaking with media prior to tipoff. Juckem proclaimed he “would not miss this for the world.”

“I have run out of words to describe what Justin Hardy is doing,” Juckem said. “Every day – [one could use the word] ‘inspired’ – I think he inspires everyone he comes in contact with. The consistent thing with Justin is: He’s always been about others. He’s a servant [leader].”

“I think one of the hard things for him while battling this is: so many people want to help him now in managing and balancing that,” Juckem continued. “He’s given so much to so many – and he continues to. I’ve got the blessings of living it every day and having him with with us; seeing how he’s impacting us, not only on the floor but even more off the floor and the human side.”

“I think there’s nobody out there that can do what he’s doing. That tells a lot about Justin Hardy,” Juckem concluded.

Several minutes after the game was over, Hardy posed for a picture with his college teammates; that same, familiar smile flashed like it did four years earlier when he spoke to the Chronicle following is second viral buzzer-beater.

His family stood nearby as the gym began to empty out.

Though, the echoes of “Hardy Strong” ringing around the gym arguably won’t ever leave.