The Fennville boys basketball team suffered an unbelievable tragedy last week when their star player, Wes Leonard, died from a heart attack minutes after hitting a game winning shot in overtime.
It was later found that the sixteen year old had an enlarged heart.
Now, the Fennville Blackhawks (20-0) have decided to play on despite their immense sadness.
From ESPN.com:
The Fennville team will play Monday night against Lawrence High in the Class C district playoffs. The game has been moved to Hope College in Holland.
The Sporting News says the game was moved from Lawrence High School to Hope College to accommodate an expected large crowd and large media presence.
The Lawrence High School coach spoke with ESPN about how he expects the Fennville boys team to play. From the Sporting News:
Lawrence coach Curt Meat told ESPN of Monday’s game, “Either they’re going to come out and break down and be terrible, and I’d hate to see that … or they’re going to come out and they’re going to have angels on their shoulders and really light it up.”
Drew Sharp has an opinion piece in today's Detroit Free Press. He quoted a statement from Fennville superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer talking about Lawrence High School decision to change the venue:
"They have been more than gracious and accommodating in making this decision. By doing so, they are relinquishing home-court advantage. We also recognize that Lawrence has been cast in an unenviable position and must feel as if the world will be rooting against them. Rather than focusing on the outcome of Monday's game, our joint goal is to make it a fitting tribute to the memory of Wes Leonard."
Wes Leonard’s funeral is scheduled for Tuesday morning at Holland's Christ Memorial Church.
Visitation is today from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Fennville United Methodist Church.
Here's a video from WMMT TV in Grand Rapids:
