ONTARIO — Dribble, dribble, bounce, bounce, swish.
That was the sound Cameron Friend loved to create with his basketball. It was his dream to display that skillset at Ontario High School. Unfortunately, the 14-year-old died on March 25 due to complications from a bone marrow transplant, before he could realize that dream.
On Sunday afternoon, nearly 1,000 people from the Ontario community gathered at the high school gymnasium to honor his memory in an emotional, moving, and even funny memorial service sprinkled with tears and laughter.
“We’ve talked about this and we all agree, it was Cameron’s greatest dream to play in this gymnasium for all of you,” said Todd Friend, Cameron’s father.
He was unable to fulfill that dream. So, to remedy that scenario, his casket was given a standing ovation as he left Balogh Court for the final time.
Dribble, dribble, bounce, bounce, swish.
His family and friends knew those sounds so well, and described them and other memories in detail during the two-hour program.
Friends recounted his competitive zeal and boundless energy. Family members noted his relentless nature and an ornery streak that made him an unforgettable character to all who knew him.
His father told how as an elementary student Cameron walked unannounced into the principal’s office and noted that he was assigned to the wrong teacher for the next school term. The original name was crossed out, and he was reassigned to the teacher of his choice.
Another incident occurred when Cameron brought his air soft gun to school to show his friend, and how his father rushed to the building to retrieve it.
There were numerous memories shared of shopping trips, games and gatherings, trash talk and fun, lots of fun.
Dribble, dribble, bounce, bounce, swish.
Cameron attended Kyrie Irving’s basketball camp and was chosen from among 400 students to spotlight his 3-point shooting form. He was a huge sports fan who loved the Buckeyes, Cavaliers, Browns and Indians.
His father said Cameron idolized his older brother Conner and relentlessly teased but was fiercely protective of his younger sister Alaina.
“He loved his mother so much, he was a momma’s boy through and through,” Todd Friend said.
The entire community was galvanized in the #Camstrong movement after he was diagnosed on Sept. 23, 2015. He beat back two bouts with cancer before the bone marrow procedure.
“If you would’ve asked me two years ago who my idol was, I don’t know what I would’ve said, maybe Paul McCartney because I liked the Beatles,” Todd Friend said with his voice cracking. “But if you asked me today there would be no doubt, it’s Cameron.”
