Local Community Grieves Loss Of Coen Brown

Coen Brown, an All-State basketball player and 2022 graduate of Sacred Heart High School, died Wednesday in St. Louis at Barnes-Jewish Hospital after bravely fighting cancer. Brown was 19 years old.

Brown, known affectionately by many as “CoCo,” received a cancer diagnosis last July shortly before he was scheduled to begin attending 212 Sports Academy in Sarasota, Fl on a full-ride athletic scholarship.

His diagnosis brought a united effort from Central Missourians to help the family with meals, money, and assistance related to Brown’s oncology treatments against Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT).

Nikki Brown, Coen’s mother, was effusive in her thanks to all who have aided the Brown family, especially those who were former opponents of Coen in the Kaysinger Conference.

Matt Brown, Coen’s father and head coach of the State Fair Community College Men’s basketball team, has also spoken appreciatively of those who have assisted the Brown family.

Matt and Nikki Brown are parents to seven children, Ally and Gabe are Coen's elder brother and sister. Coen's younger siblings are Cade, Conner, Molly and Raleigh.

The Sacred Heart Gremlin baseball team, which included many of Coen Brown’s schoolmates and former basketball teammates, joined hands along with other members of the community at Sacred Heart School on Wednesday afternoon to pray for Brown and his family and friends.

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Gremlin players wore t-shirts with Brown’s basketball jersey number 12 to honor him both before leaving Sedalia on Wednesday and immediately preceding the start of their State Tournament quarterfinal game against Community High School in Laddonia, Mo. A moment of silence before the start of the baseball game was also held for Brown.

On Thursday, Sacred Heart recognized Brown at their Mass that concluded the school year.

A public memorial service is planned in the area and an update will be provided once the location, day and time is finalized.

Those wishing to aid the family can contribute to their Venmo account @teamcoco-12 .

-- Submitted by Kevin Lujin