Middle School Basketball Player Collapses at Practice, Later Dies

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Posted: 7:31 PM Oct 15, 2008
Last Updated: 10:05 AM Oct 16, 2008
Reporter: Daniel Kemp
Email Address: daniel.kemp@wbko.com

20 comments

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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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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: darius allen Location: bowling green ky on Jan 29, 2009 at 05:17 PM
i feel so sorry for thir loss of there 13 year old little boy r.i.p

Posted by: chris farmer Location: leitchfield, ky on Jan 10, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Keith Walker was one of my friends and it was very hard for me to get over this situation. I am sorry for keith's Family and friends. I hope everything goes good. by: Chris Farmer

Posted by: joanna sanders Location: edmonson county on Oct 30, 2008 at 09:59 AM
my prayer is with u

Posted by: SARAH Location: BEAVER DAM on Oct 22, 2008 at 02:11 PM
TO DOUGLAS: THIS IS MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAYERS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, IM PRETTY SURE THEY DO NOT TRAIN FOR STATE. THE FAMILY IS SUFFERING A TRAGIC LOSS BECAUSE OF A MEDICAL CONDITION HE HAD, NOT PRACTICE AND ALL YOU CAN SAY IS THAT IT IS THE COACHES FAULT. (AND SIR, IT COACH, NOT COUCH). MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY

Posted by: Aunt Julie Location: Bowling Green, KY. on Oct 21, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I am Keith's Aunt, his mother is my sister. Stephanie below is my daughter To clarify, Keith died of an enlarged heart and thickening of the heart lining. Keith was a angel and not only was a Christian inspiration in our lives but, also the lives of everyone he came in contact with. We are very grateful for the community out reach Grayson Co. expressed to our entire family. Keith touched so many with his warm smile and loving heart. This is a huge loss for our family and naturally an even greater loss for my sister, her husband and there daughter. I therefore, ask that when posting comments to this page or any other blog regarding Keith that you please be respectful and loving in your choice of words as Keith and his parents deserve only the best consideration. Keith accepted Christ into his life at age 11 and lived everyday thereafter as a Christian. He would encourage all to have a relationship with Christ so that all may have share with him the greatest gift of all, HEAVEN

Posted by: Stephanie Location: Bowling Green on Oct 19, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Keith is my cousin and I miss him so much and hate that this happened. Keith got really tall really fast, and the doctor's said that his heart didn't have time to catch up, and the physical exertion of basketball practice was too much for it,so if you have a child with a similar situation, get him/her an MRI on their heart before this happens to you. I miss him so much. He really was the perfect kid. Always happy and friendly and smiling, and I don't know why this had to happen to him. But thanks for all the well wishes. I'll pass it along to the rest of the family. --Keith I love you and miss you so much, and I'm sorry I was sick at your birthday party and didn't get to spend time with you. And I don't know why I didn't find out about the camping trip until after it was over, otherwise I would have gotten to see you then too. Anyway, I hope you're in a nicer place. I love you--

Posted by: Anna Location: Bowling Green on Oct 19, 2008 at 05:35 PM
To the Walker family, i'm so sorry to hear of your loss, I know this is a tragedy. I want you to know that I will keep in my prayers. God bless you.

Posted by: BLERTA Location: BOWLING GREEN, KY on Oct 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM
i am soo srry for yur lost.

Posted by: GCparent here Location: Caneyville on Oct 17, 2008 at 10:42 PM
OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THIS FAMILY NOT KNOWNING WHAT THEY ARE GOING THREW, TO SEND YOUR HEALTHY CHILD TO SCHOOL ONE DAY AND WATCH HIM BE ALL HAPPY ABOUT THE FIRST DAY OF BASKETBALL AND NOT HAVE THEM TO RETURN I CRY NOW AND LATER DUE TO I HAVE A SON THE SAME AGE AND SPENT TIME AROUND HIM . HE MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK ABOUT THINGS, NOW MY SON AND HIS FRIENDS WHEN I DROP THEM OFF AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THEY TELL ME THEY LOVE ME !!!! ITS SAD THAT THIS OPENS THE EYES OF A CHILD AND THEY ARE THINKING WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN , WE HAVE THE BEST COACHES HERE AND NO THEY WASNT WORKING THEM HARD , OUR TEACHERS AND COACHES AND PEOPLE HERE CARE AND LOVE THE KIDS

Posted by: LSM Location: Franklin on Oct 17, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I am so sorry for this family's loss. I cried just to think if it were one of my kids. The story said that he had just had a physical but heart problems can arrise at any time. I am considering having my healthy 14-year-old football player checked specifically for heart conditions. I don't know this family but I would do anything to bring this boy back.

Posted by: Debbie Location: Leitchfield on Oct 16, 2008 at 09:31 PM
God Bless The Walker Family! Please let everyone keep them in their prayers!

Posted by: Debbie Location: Leitchfield, Ky on Oct 16, 2008 at 09:27 PM
To Dougalas from glasgow.... How can you be so mean? How can you say something like that,knowing that the parents may read this? Luckly the parents are better people then you. They know that the coaches and teacher do love all the childern at our schools here in Grayson County. They know that they would not hurt any child intentionally. So please keep your hurtful comments to your self!!

Posted by: Penny Location: Breckinridge County on Oct 16, 2008 at 09:03 PM
My Heart goes out to the family and prayers also. This is the second incident in our state that a child dies of related sports. I hope and pray that we will not lose no more. And our schools take charge and look into the children's health records more thourghly before letting them practice out there and play. I am not blaming the coaches or schools and the parents. But our children are fragile and sometimes something is overlooked in the medical profession and no one realizes that. I am praying for a healing of comfort towards the family and the students in the Middle School that Keith didn't die in vain. He went with the Lord with something he most Loved and that is the love for Basketball and Pride in his heart for his school.

Posted by: anna Location: caneyville on Oct 16, 2008 at 06:05 PM
myprayarewithyou

Posted by: GCParent Location: Leitchfield, KY on Oct 16, 2008 at 01:54 PM
To Douglas from Glasgow...you obviously don't know the first thing about this incident so please keep your ignorant comments to yourself. The coaches at this school are absolutely wonderful individuals and are very experienced in their field. They have never worked the boys too hard and would never jeopardize the boys' health just to win a game. They love those kids and it's evident in the way they are trying to pull together as a "family" through this tragedy. Please refrain from any further comments when you obviously don't have a clue what you are talking about. It's an insult to our entire community to read things like this. We are in a grieving process. Don't make it any harder than it already is.

Posted by: Rodney Blunk Location: morgantown on Oct 16, 2008 at 01:48 PM
I think the reason people are killing them self is because they work hard,and when they get home every day to see that their stocks and retirement have fallen apart.Meanwhile t.v shows are giving away millions of dollars.

Posted by: Linds Location: Bowling Green on Oct 16, 2008 at 10:44 AM
My Prayers go out to this family. I am so sorry to hear about there lose, no words can express the pain they must feel.

Posted by: Douglas Location: Glasgow, KY on Oct 16, 2008 at 04:03 AM
I think the couch was to hard on those middle school children. All the couches want is to win because if they win and go to state the get more school funding.

Posted by: tresa Location: leitchfield on Oct 16, 2008 at 01:07 AM
our prayers go out to the walker family.

Posted by: Regina ruth Location: Philippines on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Im sorry to hear that.His to young to die.When i read that my heart is crying.I know he has lots of things to do at his age.Well pray for his soul.

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