HOLLAND, Mich. — A west Michigan high school basketball team mourning the death of a star player returned to the court last night, winning a state tournament game that turned into a tribute for the 16-year-old who collapsed after scoring a winning basket last week.
Fennville High was playing its first game just four days after star guard Wes Leonard died from a heart ailment. Unbeaten Fennville, one of the state’s highest-rated Class C teams, beat Lawrence High 65-54 in a district opener. The Blackhawks move to the second round with a 21-0 record.
Players from Lawrence and Fennville wore black T-shirts honoring Leonard during pregame warm-ups. Leonard’s name and number 35 were on the back.