Prep Player Dies of Enlarged Heart
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OAKLAND — Weston Hatch, a basketball star at Fremont School in Oakland who collapsed and died during a scrimmage, suffered an enlarged heart, according to the Alameda County Coroner’s office.
The condition, known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, happens when the heart muscle gets so big that the vessels are unable to supply enough blood to the heart and heart muscles, said coroner’s spokesman Lt. Duane Gull.
Hatch, a senior, had just scored on a dunk in Wednesday’s game and was heading to the other end of the court when he fell face first on to the court. A school nurse attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation before paramedics rushed Hatch to Highland Hospital.
He was pronounced dead on arrival.
The high school campus was closed Thursday morning as students mourned the death.
Hatch, a 6-foot-6 center, was a first team All-Oakland Athletic League player who averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds a game.
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