Recently, a 16-year-old student at a KIPP school in Gaston, North Carolina died without warning while playing basketball. The teen died at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina (NC). The boy was transported to Halifax Regional after suffering a “medical emergency” on the basketball court.
According to David Kizziah, senior pastor at Lake Gaston Baptist Church in Littleton, North Carolina confirmed that the basketball playing accident happened on church grounds. Kizziah made a news release that said: “We at Lake Gaston Baptist Church would like to express our deepest sorrow over the tragic and, from our human perspective, untimely death of Javaris Brinkley. The fact that the tragedy occurred on our campus makes us feel it even more acutely.”
The 16 yr old was a student at KIPP Gaston College Preparatory. School and school officials have reported that there will be grief counselors available at the school. Our hearts go out to the family of this young boy taken away from them so suddenly. It is especially sad to see the passing of your son or daughter. It just isn’t right.
Although the accident is still under investigation, it appears that this young boy’s condition degraded quickly. If I were his father or mother I would want to know who if any adults were supervising these young kids at the time of his death. In many cases safe sports play and proper supervision go a long way to keep a game of basketball from getting out of hand. Consideration should always be taken when playing too hard, or knowing when to make that the decision for a child so they can rest.