7th grade student dies after collapse

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A seventh grade student at Herbert Hoover Middle School died Wednesday after collapsing during basketball practice. Desha Sanders, 12, died at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. At this time the cause of death is unknown.

Statement from Superintendent Mark Mondanaro:
"We mourn the sudden death of Desha Sanders. She was a beloved and respected student at Hoover Middle. She will be mourned by many close friends and staff members. Desha was a leader on the Hoover Middle Girl's Basketball Team. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends."

A care center has been set up at the school where guidance counselors and school psychologists are offering grief counseling to any students or staff members in need.

News 4 has learned that Desha had a substantial role in the school play "Willy Wonka, Jr.," and that she played in the orchestra in addition to playing a lead role on the girl's modified basketball team at Hoover Middle School. 

Tonight's scheduled basketball game between Hoover Middle and Kenmore Middle School has been cancelled.

Grief counselors and school psychologists for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District have been working with staff members and students today at Hoover.

District spokesman Michael Haggerty told News 4 Senior Correspondent Rich Newberg, "It is a very somber mood.  Desha was well liked by the staff at Hoover and had many, many friends."

The mother of one of Desha's close friends said her daughter was devastated, "she couldn't even talk to me this morning when she called and told me that [Desha] had passed away."

The friend's mother remembered Desha as "friendly, outgoing, very athletic, very creative."

Rich Newberg will have more on this story tonight on News 4 and WIVB.com.