Fondly remembered
MSD group invited on court, meet players
Heat honors Douglas victim Alex Schachter.
The Miami Heat honored Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victim Alex Schachter, his family and his Parkland basketball team at Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards.
The group was invited on the court at AmericanAirlines Arena before the game, where the Parkland team had its own warmup, taking shots where one of 14-year-old Alex’s favorite Heat players from his favorite school, University of Connecticut great Ray Allen, hit one of the most historic shots in franchise history.
There were 18 members of the group of about a dozen boys, along with coaches and parents, and the joy on the young players’ faces was balanced by moments of poignant reflection.
Alex’s brother, Ryan, 17, wore a big smile and his brother’s blue No. 5 Parkland Basketball Club jersey during the warmup.
“It’s emotional,” he said, acknowledging that sadness wasn’t something anyone would associate with Alex. “He was just always smiling, always happy.”
Looking on, Alex and Ryan’s father, Max Schachter, took pride in what he has in Ryan’s poise and thoughtfulness and what he’s lost, listing Alex’s gifts as a musician, a poet and a son.
“He was a great little boy,” Schachter said. “And he idolized his big brother.”
In a private gathering, a Miami Heat representative presented each Parkland player with a Heat jersey personalized with their names, including Ryan’s No. 5 with Schachter on the back.
They also were given a black, molded-rubber replica of the NBA championship trophy, which was signed by each member of the Heat. The trophy was similar to one that Heat coach Eric Spoelstra had given to his team before the 2012 NBA playoffs, which the team signed as part of a pact to play together until they won the championship.
Heat star Josh Richardson took a picture with the Schachters and the trophy.
Alex’s team in the Parkland Basketball Club league is making its way through the playoffs toward a championship trophy that best friend and teammate Brett Lickerman, in his eulogy for Alex, promised the team would win in his memory. The team’s next game is today, with the championship game on March 18.
For information on the Alex Schachter Scholarship Foundation, visit GoFundMe.com/ LifeIsLikeARollercoaster.