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Updated: 10:05 AM Oct 16, 2008
Middle School Basketball Player Collapses at Practice, Later Dies
Tragedy strikes a middle school basketball team after a player dies during practice. It happened in Grayson County on Oct. 14th, where officials say 13-year-old Keith Walker was doing two-on-three drills when he collapsed.
Posted: 7:31 PM Oct 15, 2008Reporter: Daniel Kemp Email Address: daniel.kemp@wbko.com |
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Tragedy strikes a middle school basketball team after a player dies during practice.
It happened in Grayson County on Oct. 14th, where officials say 13-year-old Keith Walker was doing two-on-three drills when he collapsed.
Daniel Kemp talked with school officials about how the students and teachers are dealing with the loss.
It was only the first day of practice for the Grayson County Middle School team.
Tryouts were held just a day before.
"The coach told me the kid was just really excited about being on the team," assured Barry Anderson, superintendent of the Grayson County School District.
School officials say Keith Walker was one of those kids at Grayson County Middle who was as outgoing as any.
"I just keep hearing from the teachers what a likable kid Keith was--just really friendly, and had lots of friends," Anderson said.
Today the school grounds are quiet, as those friends and teachers try to have as much of a normal school day as they can, on a day so far from normal.
"Kids are trying to have school, teachers are trying to have class, but we know it's a different day there. It's just sad," Anderson added.
Preliminary autopsy results found Walker's death to be caused by sudden cardiac arrest.
But officials say, he had no history of health problems.
"Keith's medical records were up to date. He had a physical coming into middle school and nothing pointed to any abnormalities at all," Anderson continued.
Walker was immediately rushed to the Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center.
The hospital isn't even a mile away from the school, but the 7th grade Grayson County Cougar still couldn't be saved.
Now, the school superintendent says he speaks for everyone at the middle school, as he tries to finds the right words to express his sympathy.
"I'm so sorry for the students and the staff at Grayson County Middle School. It's just a tough thing for our school to deal with, and our hearts go out to the Walker family.
Superintendent Anderson says counselors have been made available to all students and staff.
Practice for the middle school basketball team has been canceled for the rest of the week.
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