If you’re not already rooting for the Fennville High Blackhawks in the Michigan Class C state championship basketball tournament, you need to hop on the bandwagon immediately.
Last Thursday, the Blackhawks star guard and quarterback of the football team, Wes Leonard, collapsed and died from cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart after hitting the game-winning shot to cap his team’s undefeated season.
Monday, the Blackhawks played their first game since Leonard’s death, sending just four players out for the opening tip in what was an emotionally charged day for everyone in attendance. Fennville rallied in the second half to win, improving to 21-0 and advancing to the second round of the tournament.
How can you not root for these guys? This is a team that you simply have to love, this is like “Brian’s Song” and “Hoosiers” rolled into one, this is the epitome of why we love sports so very much. After Monday’s win, Blackhawk players cried and hugged each other while the crowd of over 3,500 gave them a standing ovation.
Only time can heal Fennville’s wounds left by the void of their passed superstar, but boy, a state title sure would help to expedite the grieving process.
Black and orange all the way.
