Wes Leonard

Coach: No one knew Wes Leonard had heart trouble

Stunned fans look on as trainers and coaches try to revive Fennville High School basketball player Wes Leonard. The 16-year-old collapsed Th night after making the game-winning lay-up in overtime against Bridgman. Wes arrived at the Holland Hospital about 9:20 p.m. in cardiac arrest, and doctors were unable to the restart his heart, a hospital spokesman said. He was pronounced dead about 10:40 p.m.

He collapsed, astonishingly, amid a moment of small-town bliss. Amid the bedlam following his game-winning shot, 16-year-old Wes Leonard's heart stopped, and rescuers could not get it to beat again.

The incident brings renewed focus on the safety of high school athletes -- whether students are adequately screened for cardiac problems, and the importance of proper medical equipment and people trained to use it in emergencies.

Wes' death also underscored the difficult nature of heart conditions that often strike fatally, with no warning. A medical examiner ruled the cause of death was cardiac arrest, brought on by dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition medical experts say is difficult to detect and often goes unnoticed.

Fennville varsity coach Ryan Klingler said no one had an inkling Wes' heart was sick.
When death seems to make no sense

West Michigan high school basketball star Wes Leonard died of cardiac arrest from a heart condition he and his family may not have known he had, a medical examiner ruled Friday.

His death raised fresh urgency to concerns about cardiac dangers that often go undetected in otherwise healthy, even elite young athletes.

Dr. David Start, a forensic pathologist and chief medical examiner for Ottawa County, announced that Wes' collapse and heart stoppage was brought on by dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that enlarges and weakens a heart's muscles, impeding its ability to pump blood.

Medical experts say the condition often goes undetected until a fatal attack.

The 16-year-old collapsed on the basketball court at Fennville High School on Thursday night soon after he scored an overtime lay-up that clinched a 57-55 win over Bridgman -- and a perfect season for the Holland-area school.

School officials said the player was tended to first by a parent EMT who happened to be at the game, and then by emergency personnel who arrived by ambulance.

Wes arrived at Holland Hospital about 9:20 p.m. in cardiac arrest, and doctors were unable to restart his heart, hospital spokesman Tim Breed said Friday. He was pronounced dead about 10:40 p.m.