Chuck Hayes will play in benefit for former Modesto Christian teammate Jairol Red

The most popular player in program history understands the fanfare and excitement every time he walks into the gymnasium at Modesto Christian High.

The perception, Chuck Hayes says, is that he established a boys basketball program that has won a record 18 Sac-Joaquin Section titles, two CIF State championships and produced one NBA pro. Himself.

Hayes is humbled by the love, but he won't accept credit for creating this state power. That recognition is reserved for pioneering players like Jairol Red, who had a brief professional career overseas before returning home to raise a family.

Red guided the Crusaders to an undefeated season in 1997, a campaign punctuated with the program's first state title. Red was named the state's Division V player of the year.

"This whole program should thank Jairol," Hayes said during an interview at the 18th annual Holiday Hoop Classic in December. "Every kid that has played here, every kid that has had the opportunity to play on the big stage, should personally thank Jairol for starting this.

"It took a kid from the west side of Modesto to trust Bobby Cole and trust Gary Porter, to take a chance and come to this private school that nobody had heard of. He started something so crazy."

It's with a heavy heart that Hayes says it's time for the Modesto Christian community to thank Red, whose life is threatened by Stage IV cancer.

A benefit alumni game is set for Feb. 24 at Modesto Christian.

Many of the program's all-time greats have signed on to play, including Hayes, former boys coach Richard Midgley, current boys coach Brice Fantazia, David Paris, Bobby Cole, Clarence Denning, Brad Watkins, Joe Carter, Brian Donham, and Alden Wampler, among others.

The game will tip off at 7 p.m.

The school has planned several events around the game with hopes of inspiring donations and support for Red and his family. Modesto Magic and Slam-N-Jam will play mini-games from 4:30 to 7, and there will be a catered dinner for those who purchase a $50 ticket.

"He never had to fight alone on the basketball court, because he had his brothers," Hayes said. "Well, he won't have to fight this alone because he has the whole Modesto Christian community as family with him."

In May, Red was diagnosed with Leiomysosarcoma, an aggressive soft tissue cancer that has covered his liver, and spread into his small intestine and lungs.

"They say it's noncurative, which is very scary," his wife Kelly Red told The Bee in October. "The first few times we heard it, we broke down crying. Finally, I asked, 'What exactly do you mean by noncurative?' They said it means they just can't give someone a pill to get rid of cancer. They ca't prescribe chemo and you'll be cancer free. They're very careful of what they say because they don't want to be held accountable."

The Red family didn't return a message from The Bee.

News of his illness rocked the Modesto Christian and local basketball communities.

When Hayes returned to Modesto for the Holiday Hoop Classic, he was saddened by the toll cancer had taken on one of his childhood idols. By then, Red's weight loss was dramatic.

"I didn't want to believe it. I couldn't come to grips with it," Hayes said. "Jairol is 6-foot-5 with a muscular build, a great physique, in shape. You're not going to tell me that guy built like that, a specimen, is sick."

Hayes enrolled at Modesto Christian to be like Red. The two played one season together: Red as a senior, Hayes as a freshman. Every day, Hayes said Red went out of his way to pick him up for school.

"Moments like that, I didn't appreciate those moments back then," Hayes said. "I thought he was just looking out for me; being a good friend. It means a lot now. In hindsight, moments like that, he didn't have to do all of that. Through the kindness of his heart, the generosity of his heart, he wanted to."

In a show of appreciation, Hayes will play in the alumni game.

The former Houston Rocket, Sacramento King and Toronto Raptor forward warns his game has been in hiding for a reason. "They're not going to get much from me," he joked, "but I'll run up and down the floor." But he owes that much to Red, who joined Hayes and former coach Gary Porter at center court the night of the Holiday Hoop Classic semifinals.

"There was a reason why I came here and he was that reason," Hayes said. "I didn't come here to start my own thing; I didn't want to go against the grain. I wanted to be a part of something great. The people that want to give me the credit for starting this, I'm humbled and grateful, but when you mention MC, you have to mention Jairol, Brad Watkins, Clarence Denning, and those guys. There are so many more people who paved the way for me. People who set the bar. All I did was try to elevate that bar.

"This whole program should thank Jairol for his sacrifices and commitment to this community."

For more information on the alumni game or to make a donation or purchase tickets, please contact Gary Porter at (209) 613-4204 or Bobby Cole at (209) 985-0049.

This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 1:51 PM with the headline "Chuck Hayes will play in benefit for former Modesto Christian teammate Jairol Red."