Never Forgotten Game honors legacy of Wes Leonard, especially to those of us who knew him
FENNVILLE - It has been 13 years since Wes Leonard left us.
Every year since, the Fennville basketball team has hosted a Never Forgotten Game to honor his memory and raise money and awareness for the Wes Leonard Heart Team.
The game has an astounding impact on the community and schools around the state that receive automated external defibrillators from the team.
It has an astounding impact on those on the court and in the stands as well.
Even 13 years later, nearly everyone in attendance has some sort of tie to Leonard, whether they saw him play, coached him, knew a member of his family, or even had a member of their family watch him play.
That includes reporters - especially this one.
It has been 13 years since I have watched Wes Leonard play.
Simply because of our game rotation, I was not covering the game where he hit the game-winning shot to ensure a 20-0 perfect regular season, only to collapse on the court afterward. He died at Holland Hospital of cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart.
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I covered the previous game when the Blackhawks moved to 19-0. Then returned to the Sentinel office only to be stunned, like everyone was when they heard.
This is someone I covered enough to realize how special he was, both as a player and a person.
I can still see his jumpshot. I can still see his superb drive to the basket.
But 13 years later, I can still vividly see his legacy.
I have had the privilege to cover the Never Forgotten Games every year with one exception since.
The games have produced incredible emotional moments with elite rivalry games with Saugatuck, last second-shots and more.
I will never forget Leonard's brother Mitchell getting a win in the game as a senior then erupting with emotion.
I will never forget their mother Jocelyn proudly directing the choir singing the anthem.
I will never forget how special the Fennville-Saugatuck rivalry has become.
And like anyone who knew him, I will never forget Wes Leonard the player, the person, the final "Wes-ley Leo-nard" chant at the end of each game reminding us all of his legacy.
That is what the Never Forgotten Games are all about.
Wes Leonard Heart Team
The Wes Leonard Heart Team was started to honor Leonard's legacy but also try to make sure the same tragedy didn't occur at other schools.
The team raises money and awareness for heart issues and automated external defibrillators in schools.
With the 22 donated on Friday, the team has donated more than 550 AEDs to schools throughout Michigan.
Two athletes have been saved in the past year in Michigan because of AEDs and the knowledge of how they work, according to the Heart Team.
"In Fennville, Saugatuck and Holland, for them to know the name and what he represented and what the Heart Team does in his honor - if the kids today can understand that, that is the legacy we want," Former Fennville coach and Wes Leonard Heart Team member Ryan Klingler said. "Not only is his name being remembered, but it correlates with saving a life. That is why the legacy will live on."
Boys game
In the boys game, Saugatuck used strong second-half defense to beat Fennville 41-28.
Aidan Swingle hit back-to-back baskets to put the Blackhawks up 15-10 after the first quarter and 24-21 at halftime.
Late in the third quarter, Saugatuck took advantage of a couple of turnovers and scored two quick baskets before Elijah Janowiak hit a 3-pointer to push the lead to 34-26 after three quarters.
Saugatuck held Fennville to just two points in the third and seven in the second half.
Russell Vande Poel led a balanced Saugatuck with nine points.
Swingle led Fennville with 17 points.
Girls game
In the girls game, Saugatuck led 19-2 after one quarter and never trailed, winning 67-22.
Brook Simpson led the Trailblazers with 26 points. Kennedy Gustafson had 16 and Mylah Simpson added nine.
Lila Rosema led Fennville with eight points and Ceeley Howard had six.
What they're saying
"It is a huge night for the community to rally around the cause. I talked to them about having the privilege of coaching Wes (eighth grade) and going into the game as an underdog how he didn't except that. And you saw our fight, and that was coming from a different place. We need to continue that all year and emulate what Wes stood for." - Fennville coach Albert Lombard
"As long as I am involved and a link, I feel like it is my obligation to share this with the team. Before every game we watch the (ESPN documentary) about him and the wonderful things he has done. Our kids understand it, but we let them know that Fennville chose us and it is an honor to play for him." - Saugatuck girls coach Kevin Tringali
"My perspective has changed on this game as a parent now. We watched the video and it gets me every time. The new wrinkle is being that father now and understanding a little more about what that loss meant to the Leonards. As for the game, we know we are going to get their best. As it has evolved, the legacy he continues to leave lives on and there are not a lot of people we say about in this world, and that is special." - Saugatuck coach Brian Ward
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Never Forgotten Game still honors incredible legacy of Wes Leonard
