Update: Autopsy determines Fennville star athlete Wes Leonard died from heart attack

Fennville's undefeated boys basketball season took a tragic turn Thursday night when standout player Wes Leonard (High School Sports Network bio.) collapsed on the court moments after leading the Blackhawks to a 57-55 overtime win against Bridgman at home.

The 16-year-old junior was rushed by ambulance to Holland Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The cause of death is unknown, according to hospital officials.

“The information that we have is that he made the game-winning basket, and that there were a number of players and fans out on the court, and Wes just collapsed,” said Deb Patterson, Holland Hospital’s patient care coordinator. “Wes arrived at 9:20 and paramedics were performing CPR on him. He was pronounced dead at 10:40.

“I don’t have any information at this point regarding an autopsy. That will be up to the medical examiner.”

Wes Leonard 7 Gallery: Wes Leonard

Thursday’s game was the regular-season finale for the Blackhawks, who are 20-0. Fennville, ranked No. 6 in Class C, is scheduled to begin district play Monday at Lawrence.

Leonard, who scored more than 1,000 career points in basketball, starred on Fennville’s football team as well. Leonard earned all-state honorable mention recognition this past fall after quarterbacking the Blackhawks to the second round of the Division 6 state playoffs. He threw seven touchdown passes in a game against Bloomingdale in October.

The news stunned Bangor basketball coach Rocky Johnson, whose team played Fennville three times this season.

“It’s hard to stomach,” Johnson said. “We are all hurting now.

“My son and Wes played AAU in different programs, but we saw each other all summer, all spring, and he’s the kind of kid that I would make sure to say hi to him and he would go out of his way to say hi to me. He always had something good to say, all positives.”

RELATED CONTENT

• Autopsy determines Fennville star athlete Wes Leonard died from heart attack

• Links Roundup: Fennville Public Schools cancel events in wake of Wes Leonard's sudden death

• Fennville basketball star Wes Leonard dies day before anniversary of Hank Gathers collapse, death on court

• Wes Leonard's death draws reaction from around the world

• Wes Leonard's teammates mourn Fennville star athlete, say undefeated season 'doesn't matter' anymore

• Talented athlete Wes Leonard was 'Fennville' to many in community

• Wes Leonard to be honored by entire conference during postseason play

• Wes Leonard was battling illness, played through it before Thursday death

• Study finds student athlete sudden cardiac deaths like Fennville star Wes Leonard are as rare as deaths from lightning

• Fennville superintendent calls Wes Leonard 'quintessential All-American kid'

• Fennville basketball star Wes Leonard's death brings back memories of Holland player Taylor DeRoo's heart attack, survival

• Athlete deaths like Fennville star Wes Leonard not unprecedented in Michigan high school basketball

• Complete coverage

WOODTV video highlights included Leonard's winning shot.

Fennville teen hits winning shot, dies: woodtv.com