The Fennville Blackhawks will, as scheduled, compete in a Michigan High School Athletic Association basketball tournament starting Monday, despite the death of one of their players on Thursday, The Grand Rapids Press reported.
Sixteen-year-old Wes Leonard collapsed and died of an enlarged heart after hitting a game-winning shot to complete his high school team's perfect season.
Leonard was hurled into the air by teammates as fans rushed the court after he made the decisive layup in a 57-55 overtime win over Bridgman to complete Fennville's 20-0 season.
But he soon fell to the floor after a team huddle and was rushed to Holland Hospital, where he died at 10:40pm Thursday local time.
According to Dr. David A Start, the forensic pathologist and medical examiner of Ottawa County, the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to dilated cardiomyopathy -- an enlarged heart. An autopsy Friday found Leonard had the condition for years without knowing it.
Fennville's first game since the incident will take place Monday at Hope College, after the venue was changed from Lawrence High School to accommodate the expected large crowd and media contingent.
Leonard also played quarterback for the high school football team, leading the squad to the Southwestern Athletic Conference North Division championship this season.
He is the second Fennville athlete to die in the past 14 months. Wrestler Nathaniel Hernandez, 14, passed away in January of last year after suffering a seizure at his house following a match.
Fennville is a small town located in southwest Michigan, about 50 miles (80km) from Grand Rapids.
Leonard's funeral will be held Tuesday morning at Christ Memorial Church in nearby Holland, Mich.
