Mich. team opens with tribute to dead player, win

[December 08, 2011]  FENNVILLE, Mich. (AP) -- A Michigan high school basketball team is off to an emotional start in the team's first home game since a star player collapsed and died after hitting a game-winning shot.

Fennville's boys basketball team beat Lawton 51-43 Tuesday night in its home opener. Last March, during the team's last game at the gym, Wes Leonard's shot extended the team's record to 20-0. He collapsed and later died, and a medical examiner determined the 16-year-old had sudden cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart.

Fennville coach Ryan Klingler gave a short but emotional tribute on Leonard to the fans before Tuesday night's introduction of the lineups. Klinger said: "We carry on with Wes in our hearts."

Leonard's 14-year-old brother Mitchell came off the bench to play against Lawton.

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It was no ordinary start to the season for Fennville's boys basketball team.

Blackhawk fans came to the gym Tuesday night to watch Fennville tip off the season and play the emotional first home game since the loss of Wes Leonard on the same basketball floor last March.

The 16-year-old collapsed and died after making the game-winning shot and extending the team's record to 20-0. A medical examiner determined Leonard had sudden cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart.

Fennville coach Ryan Klingler gave a short but emotional tribute on Leonard to the fans before Tuesday night's introduction of the lineups.

"We carry on with Wes in our hearts," Klingler said, his voice quivering as he held back tears. "As Wes himself said, 'Keep working, You can only get better and never get down on yourself.'"

"We play knowing Wes is with us and watching us," said Klingler, whose players linked arms as he spoke.

Leonard's 14-year-old brother Mitchell is a freshman guard on the varsity. He came off the bench Tuesday night to play in the game against Lawton.

"There's a lot of emotion," said Maria Flores, whose son Xavier plays on the varsity team. "It just feels empty. It doesn't feel right. But this night had to happen. It's different. It's something we have to do."

Flores was among the fans wearing large buttons with a picture of Leonard and the words "Just One More Game."

The school has planned a Jan. 6 game against Saugatuck. Red "Never Forgotten" T-shirts in honor of Leonard will be sold, with all proceeds going to the Wes Leonard Heart Team.

Leonard is to be inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies on Feb. 10.

[Associated Press]

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