Oscar Waugh remembered by school after 18-month cancer battle

Oscar Waugh will be part of the East Wiltshire Warriors basketball team forever.

On Thursday night, in front of his family and friends, Oscar's jersey was retired. The 15-year-old died this summer after an 18-month battle with cancer.

Trevor Waugh remembers his son as someone who never gave up, an attitude he applied to every sport he played — and his fight against cancer.

"Oscar was a beautiful son. He was a wonderful brother. He was a straight-A student and a gifted athlete and we are just super honoured the school and the team are retiring his jersey," Waugh said.

"We see the jersey not only as a symbol of his athletic ability and his work ethic and what he meant to the team, but also a testament to his resilience and courage in the face of some very great adversity."

There was a moment of silence ahead of the Warriors' home opener and Waugh's jersey, No. 5, was unveiled with the help of his mother, father, sister and his younger brother who plays on the team.

"It's amazing. We have had such great support all through Oscar's illness and afterwards from the community. The school has been amazing, friends and family," Waugh said.

Waugh said he hopes the jersey will serve as an inspiration for students and athletes at the school.

"My son is actually on the team, Harry, so we will definitely be back until he leaves East Wiltshire ... But knowing the jersey is here, and it serving as an inspiration for future generations of kids that can draw some strength from the example he set, will be very special."

Waugh said he remembers his son as a lover of all sports.

"He would walk around the house twirling a ball on his finger constantly," he said. "I have very, very fond memories of him playing not just basketball, but many sports."

Waugh said Thursday night brought mixed emotions, but he reminded himself the jersey retirement is a celebration of his son's life.

"He was a tremendous guy, all the way around. And we miss him dearly."

Oscar's mother, Catherine Hill Waugh, was too emotional to do an interview, but provided a statement in an email.