Brenden Crowe is all smiles holding the Talon Harris Courage Award given to him in 2014 by the Soddy-Daisy Kids Club.Twelve-year-old Brenden Crowe loves to play video games and wear his Spider-Man T-shirt and hat, but perhaps the Hixson Middle School student's favorite thing to do is cheer on his big brother.
Knowing his little brother's love for watching him play, Hixson High senior Christian Crowe uses basketball to glorify God and play for Brenden.
While restricted mostly to his "awesome" motorized wheelchair, Brenden had the best seat in the house this season to watch his brother in the No. 3 Wildcats jersey shine.
Born with an incurable illness called Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder preventing the body from producing the protein dystrophin, Brenden nevertheless is Christian's "go-to guy" and "biggest fan" who helps kick him into gear with a positive attitude and wide smile. Brenden sat next to the team bench at all home games.
"If I mess up I always look at Brenden," Christian said. "He always reminds me there is hope in life, even when it seems like there isn't much. I glance over him during games and he's all focused on me. He is my inspiration."
With a love for superheroes, Brenden counts his older brother among them.
Even though opposing teams often tried to double-team Christian, realizing he was Hixson's biggest threat on the hardwood, the 6-foot-2 sharp-shooter and lane attacker still had his way quite frequently. That was particularly true in a three-game stretch from Jan. 14 to 17.
Christian scored 25 and 23 points against 20-win teams Boyd Buchanan and Howard, who pride themselves on defense. The performance of his lifetime came when he dropped 36 points (with 3-pointers) to help defeat Ooltewah, 60-50, on the Wildcats' home court.
"He does look like a hero to me out on the court," Brenden said. "Watching my brother play basketball makes me happy. I am proud of my brother, and I love him."
Setting a career high in points was an amazing moment, but Christian's favorite memory was when his brother joined him on the court against Soddy-Daisy and assisted him on a layup in a junior varsity game. Brenden was the first recipient of the Talon Harris Courage Award through the Soddy-Daisy Kids Club in 2014.
Christian scored a total of 94 points in his final week of varsity action, as a season-ending injury against Red Bank occurred Jan. 18. In 18 games he averaged 20.6 points, shot 82 percent on free throws and hit at least one 3-pointer in every contest. He was selected to the All-District 6-AA squad by coaches Monday.
Despite being sidelined, he has helped in practices as he has ambitions to help make a young Hixson squad better for years to come.
"Brenden always shows me there is a reason to be good, and he has helped me through my injury," Christian said. "He brought me up in my faith. He enjoys every day and never complains. It is always important to value your health and your relationship with God and family."
Fittingly, one of Brenden's first-ever words was "ball." His favorite NBA player is Stephen Curry, but his overall favorite is Christian.
Unlike most brothers, the Crowe boys hardly ever bicker. Instead, they spend life loving one another and enjoying the world together.
The two smile when remembering their boat trips when Brenden could jump off the front of the boat, while each looks forward to many more trips to Disney World. Brenden also can't wait to be in the front seat of their next helicopter ride together.
A loving community has embraced the two boys, which has included opposing coaches, players, churches and even a local video game store that knows the family all by name. A donor even bought the Crowes a minivan to help Brenden travel around.
The Crowe family say they have become closer to each other and to God thanks to a young boy who keeps them laughing and cheers them up with his smile.
Prayers are sent every day to find a cure for Duchenne MD. Donations to try to help the cause can be made at https://www.mda.org/get-involved. The genetic disease affects one in every 4,000 boys.
With a personality that pulls people to him, Brenden's courage and thankfulness inspire others.
"He is the toughest little guy I have ever seen," said mother Heather Crowe. "When something gets taken away, he finds out another way to do it. He is our hero. God gave us such a blessing when he gave us Brenden."
"My boys have helped me build my faith, patience and relationship with Christ," father Steven Crowe said. "I love that Christian plays basketball, but the sport compared to Christ is irrelevant. Christian plays for that young man (Brenden) and God."
Christian dreams of going on to play college basketball close to home.
"My family is amazing," he said. "They have all taught me and raised me to make the right decisions when I am older. I am always going to be here for my little brother, too. We go hand-in-hand together."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.