* Prep athlete’s sudden death tugs at nation’s heartstrings* Michigan high school team plays on in memory of teammate
The idyllic sounding town of Fennville was little more than a spec on the map in southwest Michigan prior to Thursday, March 3. Since then, it has been in the thoughts of a sports nation after 16-year-old Wes Leonard collapsed and died of cardiac arrest just moments after making the game-winning layup in overtime, keeping his team undefeated for the season.
Following is how FOXSportsDetroit.com covered the story for its visitors in the days following the tragic event:
In the hours shortly after Leonard's death, FOX Sports Detroit on-air host/website columnist John Keating wrote that "life lessons should only happen when there is some life already lived."
Posted on the site was video from the game, including Leonard's winning basket (left), as well as photos from the startling aftermath.
Mike O'Hara relayed the account of a reporter who covered the game (plus video reactions from Leonard's coach and teammates).
O'Hara made the 200-mile trek across the state on Monday, March 7 to report how Fennville prepared to play on without its fallen star. A few hours later, he chronicled the team's emotional victory in the first round of the district playoffs (with photo gallery, right).
A day later, O'Hara wrote about Wes Leonard's funeral, and had this description of the young man: You may not have met Wes Leonard, but you knew him. You really did. He was the kind of kid who delivered your paper -- and always tucked it inside the door, on time. He shoveled snow to make spending money, but always did the lady’s porch next door for free.
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