It sounded like a Cinderella story come true. A high school basketball team with a 19-0 record going into the final game of the season. They were behind but manage to make it into overtime and at the last second of overtime their star player hits a winning shot. The gym erupts in celebration.
But this celebration was cut short as the player, 16 year old Wes Leonard, suddenly collapsed to the floor with cardiac arrest. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The cause of this sudden death remains unclear at this point, an autopsy is pending and until we hear otherwise I am not going to speculate on any illicit cause to this tragedy.
However it is known that sudden cardiac death can strike a seemingly healthy young athlete. It is rare but even one 16 year old dying like that is one too many.
The linked article provides some information on the syndrome and if any TMV readers have friends or family members who are young athletes I would urge them to review the list. Better to end 19-1 (or even 1-19) and have the team standing together at graduation that to have them gather before a casket.