Maxwell Holden, the 3-year-old son of Ranney School head basketball coach Tahj Holden, lost his battle with pediatric neuroblastoma, his father announced on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

Holden, diagnosed two years ago, provided inspiration for the 2018-19 Ranney team that became the first Shore Conference team to win the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title, while drawing support from throughout the high school basketball community around the state.

In his Twitter post, Tahj Holden said: “It is with great sadness that we tell you that our Max passed away last night while we were right by his side holding his hands. He was an incredible soul that had an incredible impact on not just our family, but anyone that met him. We appreciate every prayer, positive thought, etc, that you have sent our families way through this fight, we wish that they worked out for Max. We wished there was a miracle for him.

“I know many will ask, “what do you need?’ or “is there anything I can do for you guys?” Right now, we just need some space. Thank you all.”

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It was on Jan. 31, 2019, during halftime of a Ranney basketball game against Roselle Catholic at Brookdale Community College in Middletown, that Max Holden received a standing ovation when his father carried him to midcourt. Wearing a red cape, Max was presented with the National Guard Hero of the Game Award.

Tahj Holden, who starred at Red Bank Regional High School, before playing on Maryland's 2002 national championship team, has been the head coach at Ranney for five seasons.

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There has been an outpouring of support for Holden and his family since Max was diagnosed with cancer, including a GoFundMe drive that raised more than $181,000 to help with the cost of his medical care.

Max Holden was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in March of 2018, during Ranney's NJSIAA Tournament run, after the Panthers won the program's first-ever Shore Conference Tournament title. Ranney players wore yellow t-shirts with the slogan "Max Strong" on them during pregame warmups, reaching the Non-Public B final before losing to Rosell Catholic.

Holden and his wife, Carrie, have a 5-year-old son, Cole.

Stephen Edelson is a USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey sports columnist who has been covering athletics in the state and at the Jersey Shore for nearly 35 years. Contact him at: @SteveEdelsonAPP; sedelson@gannettnj.com