Without Wes, Fennville tops Lawrence

HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) - Just three days after Fennville standout Wes Leonard died after hitting a game-winning shot in overtime -- lifting his team to a perfect 20-0 season -- his fellow Blackhawks had to play without him; but managed to top Lawrence in a district opener for an exciting yet emotional victory.

The game tipped at 7 p.m. Monday, with a final score of 65-54.

"I know (Wes) was watching down on us," said Ryan Klingler, the Fennville coach. "This is a game he'd like to watch. His eyes were upon us, and Lawrence as well. That's a battle he would have loved to fight, as well."

An autopsy by the Ottawa County medical examiner showed the 16-year-old died Thursday of cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart.

Leonard's parents attended the game and received hugs and a standing ovation before tipoff. The superintendents for both schools spoke to the crowd, thanking the fans for their support. Everyone stopped for a moment of silence before play got underway.

"And we know that Wes is here with us, too," Lawrence Superintendent John Overley said.

Fennville schools superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer told the crowd that the community had gone from the "highest of highs to the lowest of lows" in the span of a few minutes last Thursday.

"Since that time our community has been on a journey through shock, grief and sorrow," he said. "But this gathering tonight, we hope, is one more step in the healing process. Tonight, we seek to honor Wes' memory by participating in a game he loved. ... We're glad that we can be here as one extended family to experience it together, and we know that Wes is here with us, too."

The teams also heard from Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo, who spoke at a dinner, and former NBA star Bo Kimble. He was a teammate to Loyola Marymount’s Hank Gathers, who died 21 years ago of cardiac arrest due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during a game. Kimble made the drive from Philadelphia for the game.

The MHSAA received a record number of credential requests, and 24 Hour News 8 learned the game was sold out around 4 p.m. The matchup was set to be held at Lawrence -- about an hour south of Fennville -- but it was moved to Hope College's DeVos Fieldhouse after the story surrounding Leonard's death received national attention and extensive community interest.

DeVos seats 3,500. Players from both high school teams wore warm-up shirts paying tribute to Leonard. The teen's friends could barely hold back tears as they reflected on the gravity of the moment. Leonard was also the quarterback of the school's varsity football team.

"He was the best person I ever met," said Sierra Rodriguez, one of Leonard's former classmates. "To the community, this means everything. It's more than what we would expect."

Fennville scored the first basket, and the crowd erupted in cheers -- a pattern that continued for the remainder of the game.

"(This) means a lot to the community," said Seth Rogers, another of Leonard's former classmates. "(It) brings us together as a family.

"It's a hard time for us all. We just hope for the best. But no matter win or lose, it's going to be a good outcome."

After the outpouring of support shown at DeVos Fieldhouse, it seemed as if the decision to play on was indeed the correct one -- all for Leonard, who was 16.

"He touched a lot of lives -- yes -- it's all for him," Rogers said.

The Blackhawks move to the second round with a 21-0 record.

"That's their strength," Klingler said of his team. "The strength they've pulled from Wes. That's nothing I did. You can rise up. My gosh, the strength that they showed just blows my mind. That exemplifies Wes Leonard."

Their next game is set for Wednesday vs. Bangor. Fennville is one of the highest-ranked teams in Class C.

Watch the videos, at left, for more.

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Leonard's funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Memorial Church in Holland.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.