Newport Boy Dies After Collapsing at Basketball Practice

A 15-year-old sophomore at Rogers High School has died after collapsing at basketball practice in the school gymnasium Tuesday morning.

Newport Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain said in an interview that grief counselors were at the school today and will be available tomorrow from 9 a.m. until noon.

Jermain said the boy, who has not been identified, collapsed shortly after the practice started at around 11:15 a.m. and the coach and assistant coach immediately began to apply CPR and called 911.

Emergency responders arrived moments later and rushed the boy to Newport Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

“It’s a terrible tragedy,” Jermain said. “We extend our condolences and prayers to the the family at this time.”