The small town of Momence, Illinois, is grappling with the sudden death of a 14-year-old high school freshman who tragically collapsed during a girls’ basketball game. Amari Crite, a student at Momence High School, was playing in a junior varsity match against Tri-Point when she unexpectedly fell on the court. The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office is currently investigating the cause of her death.
The school district superintendent, Shannon Anderson, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident. He confirmed the devastating news of the ninth-grade student’s passing and extended his condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.
In response to the tragedy, the school district is providing mental health counselors to help those struggling with the emotional aftermath. Anderson expressed gratitude to neighboring districts and mental health and grief counseling providers in the Kankakee County area for volunteering their services to assist the community during this difficult time.
Anderson emphasized that the school district’s primary focus is to support each other and provide necessary resources for the community to cope with the loss. The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office also expressed its condolences and solidarity with the Momence School District, assuring that friends, family, and classmates are in their prayers.
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page was set up by Amari’s family, which had raised over $47,000 by Monday morning. The family expressed their grief over the loss of their “precious baby girl” and appealed for support to give her the proper send-off she deserves.
One of the donors, a former coach who had experienced a similar incident, shared his empathy and support. He recalled the fear he felt when one of his players collapsed on the court and the lasting impact it had on him and the other players. He, along with his family, offered prayers for Amari’s family, coach, teammates, and school districts.