Jason Ferguson; High School Basketball Coach

Jason Ferguson, the head basketball coach at Costa Mesa High School, died Sunday after an inspiring, yearlong battle against a rare form of cancer. He was 24.

Ferguson, who had been stricken with a cancer known as Wilm’s tumor, was admitted Tuesday to Hoag Memorial Hospital with breathing problems. He died at 12:23 a.m. Sunday.

He had been in his second season as coach of the boys’ basketball team at Costa Mesa High. While battling cancer, he directed his team from a wheelchair.

His quiet courage and determination to battle the disease inspired students, faculty and others. Twice in the last year, friends had made funeral arrangements after doctors gave Ferguson less than a week to live.

Ferguson’s fiancee, Jana Horine, a preschool teacher in West Covina, recalled him Sunday as “a very sensitive person” who “tried to make everyone comfortable.” She added: “He didn’t want people to know how much pain he was in, even me.”

“He displayed tremendous courage, integrity and honesty,” said Jerry Howell, Costa Mesa’s athletic director. “He displayed the will to fight against any type of odds. I sure know I’m not that tough.”

Ferguson’s illness was diagnosed last January. It started in a kidney and spread to his lungs.

While battling the disease--typically found in children under 5--Ferguson lost more than 60 pounds. The spiraling cost of his treatment depleted his resources.

At games this year, Ferguson was unable to bellow instructions to his team. Instead, he would speak softly to Chris Freeman, the school’s junior varsity coach, who would then relay Ferguson’s instructions.

Coaches, school administrators and opposing players rallied around Ferguson. “He was such a tough guy,” said Laguna Beach Coach Bret Fleming, whose team raised $1,000 for Ferguson. “If you can’t learn from his situation, you’ve got blinders on.”

Ferguson is survived by his father, Marshall Ferguson; a sister, Aurian, and a brother, Marshall Jr.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Times staff writers Paul McLeod and Greg Miller contributed to this story.