Tubby Smith recommends everyone get involved with your child's heart health and support the John Stewart Foundation
Saturday March 13, 1999 01:34 PM
COLUMBUS, Ind. (AP) -- An 18-year-old standout basketball player for Lawrence North High School died Friday after collapsing during a Class 4A regional game that was being played at Columbus North High School.
John Stewart, a 7-foot senior who had already signed to play with Kentucky next year, collapsed during the third quarter of Friday's game between No. 2 Lawrence North and No. 1 Bloomington South. He was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith learned of the news a half hour before the Wildcats' first round NCAA game against New Mexico State in New Orleans, but did not tell his players prior to tipoff. Asked about the subject after the game, a shaken and misty-eyed Smith said, "It's a great tragedy ... I just can't talk about it," before tailing off.
Standing in the hospital, a bleary eyed Lawrence North coach Jack Keefer talked about Stewart.
"John was the neatest young man I've ever coached," Keefer said. "This is probably the low point of my life."
Stewart started the second half by scoring 10 straight points. With about two minutes to play in the third quarter, he asked to be taken out of the game, saying he was having trouble breathing.
Nat Hill, a senior from Bloomington South, said that moments after Stewart came out of the game, he fell backwards in his seat on the bench.
Trainers rushed around him and the fans couldn't really tell what was going on, Hill said. Emergency personnel administered CPR on the court.
Stewart was put on a stretcher and taken to Columbus Regional Hospital. A spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed that Stewart had died and said that an autopsy would be performed Saturday at the Indiana University Medical Center.
The cause of death will not be released until after the autopsy, the spokeswoman said.
When Stewart arrived at the hospital, doctors tried for 90 minutes to revive him.
At about 9:30 p.m., the entire Lawrence North basketball team, some still in sweats, others wearing letter jackets, came out of a back corridor of the hospital into the lobby where a crowd of fans and parents had gathered.
The team formed a human chain, each holding the hand of the person behind him, as they walked through the lobby to the team bus. Some were crying, others just had blank stares, having just said goodbye to their dead teammate.
"This is a tough thing to tell kids," Keefer said. "They gotta wonder why. It's the whole gamut of emotions. It's totally devastating."
Scott Shadiow, a senior at Lawrence North, stood with friends in the Columbus North parking lot after the game.
"You hear about this happening to guys in college and the pros but you just don't think about it happening at a high school game," Shadiow said. "He was our age, I just can't believe something like this happened at our game."
When news that Stewart was dead reached the fans, many broke down and fell to the ground sobbing.
Bryan Sirbu, a Lawrence North senior, stood in the parking lot and cried.
"This was one of the leaders of our school and we really needed him," he said.
After Stewart collapsed, the teams went to their locker rooms. The game was halted for about 30 minutes.
Once Stewart was taken away, Lawrence North was given the option of suspending the game. An announcement was made over the loudspeaker that the players and coaches had voted to continue the game. Bloomington South went on to win in overtime, 55-50.
At Lawrence North in Indianapolis, a school crisis team was assembled Friday night. Duane Hodgin, assistant superintendent of Lawrence Township Schools, was at the school organizing counselors for the students.
"John was an outstanding young man," he said. "The first and most important thing is I send my deepest sympathy to his family. It's a terrible tragedy.
"John was a very positive role model since he's come here to Lawrence North for all the kids. Just a very fine young man. He'll be missed."
Smith had said, around the time of Stewart's signing, that he looked forward to Stewart contributing to the school's program.
"He comes from a quality high school at Lawrence North, and with his size and strength we hope he can be a force in the post for us in the future," Smith said.
Death of recruit brings empty feeling to Kentucky win
NEW ORLEANS (U-WIRE) -- What could be the beginning of another title run became overshadowed Friday night when UK players, fans and media learned that Cat signee John Stewart died on the court during a high school basketball game.
UK Head Coach Tubby Smith spoke warmly of Stewart as he fought back tears during his post-game news conference.
"He was a beautiful young man," Smith said. "He came from a great family and was so looking forward to being a part of the UK family, which he is. I felt a real emptiness when we went on the court."
Smith said he found out before the game that Stewart had passed away, but did not tell the team until after its 82-60 victory over New Mexico State in the NCAA Tournament's First Round. Smith said the team was taking the news hard.
"Most of them are certainly sad," Smith said. "You could hear them crying. Father Bradley offered up a prayer for his (Stewart's) family. Our hearts go out to his loved ones. All the guys already felt like he was part of the team."
Only seniors Wayne Turner and Scott Padgett came to the press conference, but spoke for them team about their feelings.
"We just heard right after the game," Padgett said. "It puts a lot of things into perspective, like how meaningles the game of basketball really is when you lose a friend and family member. Our hearts go out to John's family and friends."
Turner was even more subdued.
"I was just in shock," he said. "I can remember when we were all at coach's house and having a great time. I remember how much he like being around the guys and how much he fit in. I felt like I knew him for years and he was only here a weekend."
The Associated Press reported the details of Stewart's death. Reportedly, with about two minutes to play in the third quarter, Stewart, who had scored 10 straight points, asked to be taken out of the game, complaining of shortness of breath. Moments after coming out of the game, he collapsed on the bench.
Emergency personnel responded and administered CPR.
When Stewart arrived at the hospital, doctors tried for 90 minutes to revive him.
A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed that Stewart had died, but was unable to provide information on a cause of death.
After Stewart collapsed, the teams went to their locker rooms and the game was halted for about 30 minutes. Stewart's teammates and coaches at Lawrence North High School voted to continue the game, but lost in overtime.
Lawrence North Head Coach Jack Keefer spoke highly of Stewart as well.
"John was the neatest young man I've ever coached," Keefer said as he stood in the hospital. "This is probably the low point of my life."
The cause of death will be determined after an autopsy on Saturday at the Indiana University Medical Center.
The scene evoked memories of former Loyola-Maramount College star Hank Gathers, who collapsed and died on the court during a game nearly a decade ago.
Keefer said telling a team of high school kids is the hardest thing he'll ever do.
"This is a tough thing to tell kids," Keefer said. "They've got to wonder why. It's the whole gamut of emotions. It's totally devastating."
Smith struggled with the same task, then chastised the public and media for failing to realize that these guys are still high school and college kids.
"It puts coaching into prespective," Smith said. "Life is so fragile for these young men. People aren't sensitive enough for these young people on how vulnerable they are in all aspects of life."
Smith said he had spoken with Stewart's parents already.
"Life goes on," he said. "I've already talked to his parents and they know how much we think of him and them. They want us to really focus and do the best we can now."
Padgett said UK should be able to refocus for Sunday's second round matchup with Kansas.
"If anything, you know, it might push us even harder," Padgett said. "You only have so long on this planet. Every time you step on the court, it might be the last."
Stewart, a 7-footer, was considered a talented player, but a project, much like former UK player Nazr Mohammed. He was part of a highly touted recruiting class that also included Keith Bogans, Marquis Estill and Marvin Stone and was ranked along with Duke as the top class in the country for the early signing period.
