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Nolan Cooney was back to playing sports three days after receiving his last chemotherapy treatment. It was his plan all along. The then-high school junior knew the state semifinal basketball game would be on March 7, and he set a goal of playing that day.
At the Community College of Rhode Island’s Vincent A. Cullen Field House, Nolan tapped the scorer’s table and walked onto the court. Peers — and rival fans — chanted his name, waving towels and cheering.