04/25/24
March 04, 2011
Star Player Dies After Game-Winning Shot: On Thursday night, star athlete Wes Leonard of Fennville [Mich.] High School scored the game-winning lay up in overtime to give his team a 57-55 victory that clinched a perfect 20-0 season. Moments afterward, the 16-year-old collapsed on the court and lost consciousness. Leonard later died at a local hospital.
posted by rcade to basketball at 09:04 AM - 11 comments
When I read this line:
Leonard, the undefeated Blackhawks' star player, scored the game-winning layup in a 57-55 win over Bridgman in overtime at Fennville High School. He fell to the ground amid teammates and fans who stormed the court.
I was worried that it was the crush of players/fans that triggered the heart failure. However, it explains later in the article that he collapsed while standing on his own (after his teammates had lifted him in the air on their shoulders).
I'm sure we're going to find out he had an undetected heart abnormality that could have triggered the heart failure at any time. The stress + exertion were the final trigger.
posted by grum@work at 12:02 PM on March 04, 2011
I kind of hesitate to ask, but in the photo of him being lifted by a teammate, his hands are unusually red. Is that a signal that his heart was in trouble?
posted by cl at 01:28 PM on March 04, 2011
Just heartbreaking.
At our school, kids are only allowed to participate in sports if they have an annual physical and are approved by a physician. Even then, we've had some (non-fatal, thank goodness) health problems pop up when the kids were actively participating in their sport.
Man, his poor family. That poor team. Jeez.
posted by Joey Michaels at 01:58 PM on March 04, 2011
At our school, kids are only allowed to participate in sports if they have an annual physical and are approved by a physician. Even then, we've had some (non-fatal, thank goodness) health problems pop up when the kids were actively participating in their sport.
Same here in regards to physicals. Tragically, a few years back a wrestler collapsed and died during practice due to an issue with his heart.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:17 PM on March 04, 2011
.
The average physical would not detect the type of heart defects that normally cause fatal attacks in teenagers. One needs MRI/CAT scans to be 100% sure, most schools can not afford that.
Here in my area, athletes have the opportunity (note the key word is opportunity, it is not mandatory) to have a scan done that would most likely catch these defects. In fact, my son is signed up for the test in the morning.
posted by dviking at 03:02 PM on March 04, 2011
The average physical would not detect the type of heart defects that normally cause fatal attacks in teenagers. One needs MRI/CAT scans to be 100% sure, most schools can not afford that.
I wonder if establishing local funds to cover MRI/CAT scans for student athletes is something that boosters would get behind?
Granted, these are pretty rare events, but having an overall better picture of a young person's health is surely a positive thing even if all that discovered is that they're in perfect health.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:34 PM on March 04, 2011
Granted, these are pretty rare events, but having an overall better picture of a young person's health is surely a positive thing even if all that discovered is that they're in perfect health.
I agree. But more often than not this opinion get's me labeled as a socialist. One of many things that the U.S. get's wrong. And yes conservatives, I am aware of all the things that this country get's right. Maybe this isn't the place to get into a health care debate, but of all the things that our country puts a financial priority on, I wish the health of it's citizens was higher up on the list.
posted by THX-1138 at 04:26 PM on March 04, 2011
The average physical would not detect the type of heart defects that normally cause fatal attacks in teenagers. One needs MRI/CAT scans to be 100% sure, most schools can not afford that.
A working stress test will detect a lot of heart abnormalities. I had an athletic friend die at age 27 of a heart problem on a basketball court. He was in terrific shape. A doctor told me that the best chance of detection would have been one of those tests.
posted by rcade at 04:42 PM on March 04, 2011
I would suspect that a full working stress test would probably catch many of these, but keep in mind, this kid had put in many strenuous workouts. Either way, the full stress test is like the MRI/CAT scans, in that they are too expense for most schools to offer their athletes.
posted by dviking at 07:25 PM on March 04, 2011
According to AP's Tim Martin, Leonard's death happened as the team scrambled for a photo after having exchanged handshakes with their opponent. The death was being blamed on an enlarged heart. If someone with the necessary medical knowledge can explain how that condition might be detected, I'd appreciate it.
posted by Howard_T at 04:35 PM on March 05, 2011
I mean, honestly, could this story be any worse? Absolutely horrible. The fact a young kid dies is terrible enough, but in this scenario? Devastating for the family, the school, and everyone who knows this kid, not to mention the people at the game.