Community Mourns High School Basketball Star
HOLLAND (WWJ) - A blue sky was the backdrop for a sad morning in Holland, where hundreds gathered at Christ Memorial Church for the funeral of a high school basketball star who died last week after making a game-winning shot.
The 16-year old Wes Leonard was eulogized as an outstanding well-rounded young man.
"Wesley loved playing basketball with his friends and hanging out with them at the beach, at school and at their homes. You would never see him playing a video game, but instead find him swimming and running and being active with his buds," said Rev. Gary Peterson.
Rev. Peterson said Wes was extremely close with his family.
"The entire family embraced Wes' passion for sports, and spent a lot of seat time watching him play -- his trips to Nationals in Ohio; his AAU team, the West Michigan Lakers from Holland; and the Fennville Blackhawks," he said.
It was also mentioned that Wes was a tremendous football quarterback who set two Michigan state records -- seven touchdowns in one game, six of them coming in one half; and twenty-nine touchdown in one season.
Since last week, Peterson, who is pastor of Fennville United Methodist Church, said many students have told him about Wes' love for Jesus.
"Wes walked the talk. ... He was a man of action. He stood behind those words," Peterson said.
Jim Leonard said his nephew was "larger than life."
"I never used or understood that cliché until the last four days," the uncle said.
Other schools shared in Fennville's grief. A bus carrying more than 70 students from the Gobles and Bloomingdale districts arrived at the funeral.
Classes were canceled in the Fennville district.
"We just didn't want anyone to feel conflicted about whether they should be at school or here," Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer said. "We just felt it was important to be able to show our caring and concern for the family."
Leonard was a star guard on the Fennville High basketball team. Last Thursday, he made the game-winning basket in overtime on his home court against Bridgman to cap an undefeated regular season at 20-0. Teams shook hands after the game and Leonard was lifted off the floor in celebration, a wide grin on his face.
Seconds later, he fell to the court. Leonard was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy by the Ottawa County medical examiner showed he died of cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart.
Monday night, the Blackhawks won their first game in the state basketball tournament. Students, who decided to play the game on the urging of Wes' parents, said it was an emotional night for everyone.
"It was bittersweet. You'll never get another guy like Wes. (We've) suffered a great loss. But, you gotta do what you've gotta do," one team member said.
Head coach Ryan Klinger praised the poise of his team and the family of Wes Leonard.
"They've showed me that you can rise up. And, I mean my gosh, the strength that they showed and the Leonards showed for being here tonight, it just blows my mind," Klinger said.
Fennville's next game is Wednesday night.
