Wes Leonard,16,Star Fennville High School Athletic Hero,…Hit’s Winning O.T. Shot ,Then Shockingly Collapses And Dies On The Court!!!(VIDEO)
All American kid, 16 year-old High school athletic hero, Wes Leonard collapsed and died last night, right after making the game winning lay-up shot for his Fennville high school basketball game win against a very game opponent,Bridgman high school.(CNN)
(Wes Leonard personal Facebook page)
The final score in the overtime win was 57-55 ,thanks to Wes Leonard.(Source)
Tragically, during the ensuing celebration, Wes collapsed on the court in full cardiac arrest, and could not be revived.(Time)
He died at Holland Hospital an hour later, after having failed to regain consciousness.
Paramedics performed CPR on the 16-year-old before he was pronounced dead at the hospital,desperately trying to bring the teen back to life.(HuffPo)
It was not to be…(Source)
Wes Leonard’s last second heroics last night preserved a perfect 20-0 season for his Fennville high school basketball team.(NBC)
The varsity basketball players number was 35…and I expect that he will have his number retired, in honor of this fine young man.(Wes Leonard Facebook Page)
Wes was an all around athletic star,serving also as the quarterback of the Fennville High Blackhawks football team, and reportedly was as successful in his off field academics, which is admirable.
Fennville High posted the following statement on their Facebook page:
The loss of Wes Leonard is a tragedy that has shocked our entire community. We feel tremendous sorrow for the Leonard family and everyone else who knew and cared for Wes. All of our schools have grief counselors available for students. We appreciate the outpouring of assistance from our fellow Allegan County school districts, as well as the many other expressions of support we have received.
Dr. David A. Start, forensic pathologist in Kent County, Mich., ruled Wes Leonard’s cause of death to be cardiac arrest due to dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart), the pathology department at the hospital where the medical examiner works reports to the media.(Source-CBS)
Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems.(Wiki)
His family is saying that Wes had exhibited no health problems that could have indicated any sort of heart issues, and nothing ever was detected from his routine physical that are required for all high school athletes.
…In fact,Wes was quite the contrary of a person with a heart defect as he was the picture of health, and was a very physically fit, tough American teen!
This tragedy is compounded, because, reminiscent of the death of Pepperdine College Basketball player Hank Gathers in 1990, both players Wes and Hank, collapsed and died on the court, before a packed audience…(Death of Hank Gathers ‘Last Moments’ Video)
….including his mother,and many family and friends.(Source)
Similar cases like Wes, have happened before to high school basketball players.
In 2009,a deputy coroner in Kentucky says a teenager who collapsed while trying out for a high school basketball team died from a cardiac arrest. Waseeq Shahid ,15,had just begun practice when he collapsed.(Cardiac Screenings for Teen athletes!!!)
Fernville high is providing grief counselors to Wes Leonard’s fellow students, because many of them,including the entire community, is taking his passing, quite hard.
I send my condolences to all that knew him, and may he rest in peace.
As a mum my heart goes out to you all. I too lost my 17year old son from Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Phil had just finished playing the game he is so loved. He called out my name “mum” and died. I understand your pain and will pray for you all. Phil was never sick, a picture of health, 6ft,6 played like the wind and dreamt of the day he would play in America. May Wes and Phil play like the wind and live their dream and we too will one day be with them. Go play boys. We love you! Marian form Melbourne Australia
Marian - March 6, 2011 at 11:52 am |
Sorry to hear about your loss…
jerrybrice - March 7, 2011 at 12:14 am |
I am Waseeq’s dad and can understand what Wes/Hank/Phil’s family had gone through. It is really sad to see someone leaving that way, but it’s all God’s will and we need to be content on that.may God let them Rest In Peace and unite us hereafter – Aameen!
Shahid - October 20, 2017 at 12:15 am |