CHESHIRE, Conn. -- The lives and deaths of Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two teenage daughters have inspired many to keep the home invasion victims' memories alive through basketball.

Hawke-Petit, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and her two daughters set up funds to raise money for a cure.

Profile: July 2007 Cheshire Home Invasion

Two paroled burglars have been charged with killing Hawke-Petit and her daughters during an alleged home invasion in July. If convicted, the two men could face the death penalty.

Now, their organizations -- Michaela's Miracle and Hayley's Hope live on thanks to some Cheshire teens and dozens of games of hoops.

Megan Alexander was Hayley Petit's childhood friend after meeting in the third grade.

"My first thought about them is always the MS Society and all work they have done with that. And, of course, my second thought is basketball. Hayley Petit loved basketball; it was big part for their family life," she said.

Alexander wanted to combine the family's two loves and do something she knew they would be proud of. So, she enlisted three friends and her dream of the Petit Family Memorial Basketball Tournament became a reality.

"When a friend comes for help, you don't say no," a tournament participant said.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Erika Arias reported 37 teams of people ranging in ages from 8 to 65 converged at Cheshire High School on Saturday to make the memorial tournament a slam dunk.

"It's great cause for multiple sclerosis. I had great time. The organization was excellent, there were a lot of credit to kids who ran program," a tournament participant said.

"It gives us all a chance to come together and really bond as a community, which we definitely needed in a time like this," Alexander said.

Dr. William Petit Jr., the sole survivor of the incident, was on hand at the memorial tournament, watching from the courtside.

The Dunk It tournament raised just over $10,000 that will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Hayley's Hope and Michaela's Miracle MS Memorial funds.