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The Marion C. Early boy’s basketball team is dominating in Class 2 this season, and they’re doing so while honoring a teammate.
When you walk into Marion C. Early’s gym you’ll see a banner in the lobby, “I just look at it and just go through some of the memories that we have in the gym,” said Panther junior Isaac Francka.
There’s another banner courtside, “Most of the time I come in the gym that’s the first thing I look at,” Isaac added.
Jacob Bumgarner, also known by his childhood nickname ‘Fred,’ began not feeling well in early May of 2021.
“Been telling me for weeks that he’d had headaches, and I knew he’d been kind of off,” senior Chance Hampton said.
After taking Jacob to the hospital, the doctors discovered a brain tumor. “He had a mixed germ cell tumor on his pineal gland which is right in the middle of your brain,” said Jacob’s mom Ginger Bumgarner.
Jacob started undergoing treatments, such as Chemotherapy and had a few surgeries. “Making strides, just really improving, and then one morning we walked into his room and the right side of his head was very swollen,” Ginger Bumgarner said.
Jacob’s condition had gotten worse, and he died on July 1st at the age of 16.
“He loved life. He loved to be with his friends, and he loved to be on the go and hang out,” said Jacob’s dad Jeff Bumgarner.
“He was very funny, very mouthy, talked all the time, but just fun,” said Jacob’s mom.
That infectious personality is no longer there physically, but Jacob’s energy remains on the Panthers bench. “He was always the one that was most excited on the bench,” Chance said.
Jacob still has a spot on the bench, where his #4 jersey sits. A number that is now worn by Chance Hampton.
“Chance and Jacob are cousins, but they were also together every day,” Ginger Bumgarner added.
“It feels good and at the same time it’s just a little bit of emotion because I’d rather have him wear it than me. It’s the least I can do to honor him,” Chance added.
Growing up Chance and Jacob’s bond was strengthened by their shared love for basketball. “Basketball definitely has meant a lot more to me this season than it did in past seasons. He was my favorite person, I loved being around him and I love his family. He’s my brother and he was my best friend,” said Chance.
The Panthers are dedicating this season to Jacob and don’t have to look far to see their friend cheering them on.
“I love looking over at the #4 jersey or looking up at the banner during games to know he’s still there,” Chance said.
“I love the banners. The first time I saw them it was gut wrenching to say the least, not in a bad way. Grief is a very interesting animal of how you can have grief and celebration in the same places,” said Ginger Bumgarner.
