Big Game Will Go On After Player's Death

FENNVILLE (WWJ) - The basketball team at Fennville High School in southwest Michigan will be back on the court Monday night, days after a star player collapsed and died after making a game-winning shot.

The funeral for 16-year old Wes Leonard is scheduled for Tuesday.

School superientendent Dirk Weeldreyer said playing in the tournament game was a difficult decision for the team.

"The first practice that they held on Saturday, I know, was very, very emotional for them. But, as they went thruogh that practice, they really got to a point where they felt they could go ahead with the game and they felt that that would be what Wes would want from them," he said.

"We're trying to approach tonight's game as a tribute to Wes, and really, in some ways, the outcome of the game is gonna be secondary.  We just want a good, hard-fought, competitive game," Weeldreyer said.

Weeldreyer said he wanted to thank the community for their  fantastic support" during a difficult time.

School will be cancelled, Tuesday, to allow students and teachers to attend the boy's funeral.  Doctors said the teen died as the result of a congenital heart condition.