Illinoisans are grieving the loss of a freshman high school student, age 14, who passed away during a girls’ basketball game.
According to the Daily Journal, Momence High School student Amari Crite passed out on the floor on Thursday during a junior varsity game versus Tri-Point.
According to the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office, the cause of death is still under investigation.
The superintendent of the Momence, Illinois, school system, Shannon Anderson, discussed the incident early on Friday morning. Momence is located south of Chicago.

Anderson added, “We are deeply saddened to confirm the devastating news that one of our ninth-grade students has passed away.”
“We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the friends and family who have lost a loved one.”
He said that mental health experts will be on hand to assist anyone struggling to cope with the psychological fallout from this catastrophe.
“We are deeply grateful to these groups,” Anderson stated, adding that “we are grateful to the mental health and grief counselors in Kankakee County who have volunteered their time to help our community during this difficult time.”
He said, “At this time, helping each other and providing our community with the resources it needs to deal with this loss is our main goal.”

Additionally, the local sheriff’s office extended their sympathies.
“The Momence School District and the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office are standing together during this difficult time.” “Friends, family, and classmates are all in our thoughts and prayers,” they posted on Facebook.
A GoFundMe campaign created by Amari’s family had raised over $47,000 as of Monday morning.
The family posted on Facebook, saying, “As some, but not all of you may know, our sweet baby girl died last night, January 25, when she passed out at her basketball game.” Whoever you are, do assist us in giving her the farewell she deserves.

“As a former coach who saw a player pass out on the court (luckily she was okay), I will never forget how scared that made me and the other players,” wrote one of the donors.
“Seeing a player leave in an ambulance or, worse, a hearse is something you will never forget.” “My family and I are praying for her family, coach, teammates, and school districts,” the individual said.