FENNVILLE, Mich.
A 16-year-old basketball player from western Michigan collapsed and died after delivering a game-winning shot to complete his high school team's perfect season, the Holland Sentinel reported Friday.
Wes Leonard was hurled into the air by teammates as fans rushed the court after he made the decisive basket in a 57-55 overtime win Thursday to complete Fenville's 20-0 season.
But he soon fell to the floor after a team huddle and was taken to Holland Hospital, where he died at 10:40 p.m. local time.
"All efforts were made after he arrived to help restart his heart, but unfortunately those efforts were not successful," hospital spokesman Tim Breed said.
He said that an autopsy was likely to be held to confirm the actual cause of death.
His tragic passing came only days after his coach Ryan Klingler praised Leonard, who recently passed 1,000 points for Fennville basketball, for his health and conditioning.
"That's what makes him a little different," he told the Sentinel on Tuesday. "He takes care of his body better than probably anybody I've ever coached. Spends a lot of time on his own in the weight room. He's a special kid."
Leonard also played quarterback for the high school football team.
A 16-year-old basketball player from western Michigan collapsed and died after delivering a game-winning shot to complete his high school team's perfect season, the Holland Sentinel reported Friday.
Wes Leonard was hurled into the air by teammates as fans rushed the court after he made the decisive basket in a 57-55 overtime win Thursday to complete Fenville's 20-0 season.
But he soon fell to the floor after a team huddle and was taken to Holland Hospital, where he died at 10:40 p.m. local time.
"All efforts were made after he arrived to help restart his heart, but unfortunately those efforts were not successful," hospital spokesman Tim Breed said.
He said that an autopsy was likely to be held to confirm the actual cause of death.
His tragic passing came only days after his coach Ryan Klingler praised Leonard, who recently passed 1,000 points for Fennville basketball, for his health and conditioning.
"That's what makes him a little different," he told the Sentinel on Tuesday. "He takes care of his body better than probably anybody I've ever coached. Spends a lot of time on his own in the weight room. He's a special kid."
Leonard also played quarterback for the high school football team.
