A 14-year-old girl from Illinois has sadly passed away after suddenly collapsing on the basketball court during a game.
Amari Crite, a freshman at Momence High School, was participating in a junior varsity game against Tri-Point on Thursday when she suddenly collapsed.
Tragically, she did not survive.
The cause of Amari Crite’s death is currently being investigated and has not been released yet.
A girls high school basketball player reportedly collapsed and died this week in Illinois.
— “Sudden And Unexpected” (@toobaffled) January 28, 2024
According to multiple reports, 14-year-old Amari Crite died on Thursday after collapsing on the court while playing a home game at Momence High School.
The Daily Journal reports that… pic.twitter.com/uf7c45GJlS
New York Post reported:
An Illinois community is mourning the loss of a 14-year-old high school freshman who collapsed and died during a girls’ basketball game.
Amari Crite, a student at Momence High School, was participating in a junior varsity game against Tri-Point on Thursday when she collapsed on the court, the Daily Journal reported.
The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death remains under investigation.
Shannon Anderson, superintendent of the school district in Momence south of Chicago, released a statement Friday morning about the tragedy.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our 9th-grade students,” Anderson wrote.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.”
Momence Superintendent Shannon Anderson issued a statement Friday morning:
We are deeply saddened to confirm the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our 9th-grade students on January 25, 2024. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.
At this time, we are prioritizing the well-being of our students, staff, and the broader school community. Mental health and counseling support will be available in all buildings on January 26 and as needed in the coming days and weeks to assist those who may be grappling with the emotional impact of this tragedy. We are deeply thankful to neighboring Districts and the mental health and grief counseling providers in the Kankakee County area that have volunteered their services to assist our community during this time.
We understand the interest from the media in covering this story, and we appreciate your sensitivity in approaching this matter. However, we kindly request for the privacy and grieving process of the family and the school community during this difficult time.
Our primary focus right now is on supporting one another and providing the necessary resources for our community to cope with this loss. We ask for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Amari Crite’s family has created a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses.
Michelle Crite, the organizer, and a family member shared a heartfelt message:
As some if not all of you may know our precious baby girl passed away last night January 25 when she collapsed at her basketball game. We are asking for any and everyone to help us give her the proper home going she deserves. No amount to small no amount to big. And most of all we need prayer! Services will be shared when everything is arranged.
