When Andy Loar sees his grandson Aiden on the basketball court, he also sees his daughter, Brandi.
“She was such an athlete,” Loar said. “She was the same height that he was. That same competitive spirit, too. Watching him out there is the same as watching her.”
Aiden Lynch is also a champion, as are his teammates. They made it happen for reasons far beyond basketball.
Lynch’s mother Brandi passed away in August of last year. Several weeks later, when he arrived to meet with his basketball coaches and teammates with the 9-10 year old Mimosa Ballers, they let him know they would be playing for something more. The team dedicated this season to his mother’s memory.
To hear anyone speak of Brandi Lynch, she would have been proud of any result her son and his teammates produced – she was the biggest fan of Aiden and the Ballers alike. But the team went above and beyond, winning the league championship. Aiden, the team’s center, scored eight points in the victory.
“It was our reason to play,” said Ballers coach Clinton Peralta. “My son got emotional when he first heard about it. Aiden’s a quiet guy, but you could tell (the team’s support) meant a lot to him.”
Peralta pointed to the table of young, boisterous basketball players having fun together.
“With athletics, you don’t remember the games – this is what you remember. These nights, the times you had with them. These kids are going to remember this … maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet, but down the line. They’re going to remember pulling together for Aiden, that ‘we did that for Aiden’s mom,’” Peralta said.
Brandi was a constant presence of support at her son’s practices and games. Sports were a tremendous bond the two shared.
“They had a special relationship,” said Nicole Fernandez, whose son has played alongside Aiden on teams since they were 5. “She was always there, hollering, supporting him and the team. She was a great mother. And for him to have that support was amazing … (after her passing) I don’t know how he was able to push through, but he did. And he had his team’s support and our support. Coaches, parents, we all consider ourselves a family.”
Fernandez and Brandi became good friends through their sons over the years. “Every practice, every game, she made sure to be there if there was any way she could be,” said Fernandez. “I think Aiden knew his mom would want him to do his best. She was his biggest fan and no matter what, good or bad, she was cheering. And he heard her out there every single game.”
Aiden’s father Joseph said the gesture meant a great deal to their family.
““They dedicated the season to her, and I think he wanted to really give his all to honor her,” said Joseph. “And everything kind of aligned and worked out. I know it meant a lot to him for his team to rally
around him.”
Ballers coach Kerry Cranford said Aiden indeed played inspired ball.
“He was our big man, our center, and he towers above everyone,” said Cranford. “He was our third leading scorer, a ton of rebounds and put backs … he played his heart out. I was am proud of him. He worked hard. And, you know, he kept a smile on his face. He was pushing through so much … I think he really just wanted to make his mom proud.”
Loar said he coached his daughter when she was a young athlete, and that watching Aiden is like reliving that once again.
“She played everything. Softball, basketball, track and field … I coached her and it was something she and I shared. And seeing Aiden, he does so well at it, it’s like living it all over again with her.
“It was really good to see him with his teammates, they helped him get through all of this. And I think he was a big inspiration to them as well.”
