Dragons’ hoops player collapses at bench

By MICHAEL BOYD JR.

HERALD SPORTS EDITOR

PARK HILLS, Mo.  —  Reports from school officials per the player’s family states that Ste. Genevieve Dragons’ hoops standout Ricky Hunter will be released from the hospital sometime today (Sun.2.12.2023).

Hunter, the Dragons’ leading scorer and an all-conference player, collapsed in front of his team’s bench during a timeout Saturday night during the MAAA Conference tournament’s championship hoops game against Park Hills Central at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo. 

A large crowd was on hand, but the game was suspended.

Ste. Genevieve, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, was trailing top-seeded and state-ranked Central 33-17 with 3:45 remaining in the first half when Hunter went down.

Hunter regained consciousness after a few minutes and stood up with some help before leaving the Sechrest Fieldhouse via stretcher to an undisclosed nearby hospital.

The rest of the Dragons stood by in disbelief for several minutes while Hunters was being attended to and await medical personnel before returning to the locker room.

After Hunter left the arena, the team and game officials decided to suspend the game as the players “were not in the correct frame of mind to play,” said a somber Jeff Nix, tournament director and Ste. Genevieve R-II Schools Athletic Director.

Hunter somehow had just scored a heavily contested layup a minute earlier. After the Dragons’ next possession, Hunter started to return down the court on defense when he bent over near midcourt, but still standing. Central called timeout and all players went to their respective benches.

Hunter then collapsed. Several Ste. Genevieve administrators among others treated him quickly to regain consciousness. Then medical personnel arrived.

No word as to when, or if, or where, the game will be resumed. Ste. Genevieve was the tournament host this year.

For more, check out the Herald’s Feb. 15 printed edition.