Michigan high school basketball player dies after making winning shot

Wes Leonard of Fennville (Mich.) High sealed his team's undefeated season with a game-winning layup with 30 seconds remaining in overtime March 3. Then tragedy struck. After teammates and fans rushed the court to celebrate the victory, <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/03/michigan-high-school-player-dies-after-winning-shot.html">Leonard collapsed to the ground and later died</a>.<br> <br> Paramedics performed CPR on the 16-year-old junior, but he was pronounced dead at Holland Hospital, spokeswoman Deb Patterson said.<br> <br> Wes, who was also quarterback of the school's football team, had scored more than 1,000 points in his basketball career at Fennville. He was "by far the best player on that basketball team — outstanding athlete," said Bridgman (Mich.) Coach <a class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT005059" title="Mike Miller" href="/topic/sports/basketball/mike-miller-PESPT005059.topic">Mike Miller</a>.
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( Dennis Geppert / Associated Press )

Wes Leonard of Fennville (Mich.) High sealed his team's undefeated season with a game-winning layup with 30 seconds remaining in overtime March 3. Then tragedy struck. After teammates and fans rushed the court to celebrate the victory, Leonard collapsed to the ground and later died.

Paramedics performed CPR on the 16-year-old junior, but he was pronounced dead at Holland Hospital, spokeswoman Deb Patterson said.

Wes, who was also quarterback of the school's football team, had scored more than 1,000 points in his basketball career at Fennville. He was "by far the best player on that basketball team — outstanding athlete," said Bridgman (Mich.) Coach Mike Miller.

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