Amari Crite: Illinois girl, 14, who was 'full of life' tragically dies after collapsing during basketball game

MOMENCE, ILLINOIS: A 14-year-old girl from Illinois, Amari Crite, died suddenly during a junior varsity basketball game on Thursday, January 25.

The Momence High School freshman collapsed on the court and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The cause of death is still under investigation by the coroner’s office.

Family and friends remember Amari as a joyful and obedient girl

Amari’s family and friends are grieving the loss of their “precious baby girl” who was full of life and laughter.

Her mother, Michelle Crite, posted a picture of her daughter with the caption, “My Baby.” Her father, Anthony W Crite Sr, also shared videos and photos of Amari on social media.

In one of them, Amari makes silly faces as her father asks her to say something. She replies “Olla” while smiling.

In another post, he wrote, “So this young man was turned down by his valentine so his mom told him to ask the prettiest girl on the volleyball team! He chose Amari.”

A friend of Amari, Mary Williams, described how Amari taught her a life lesson. She said Amari was always one of the first to run and get in line when the bell rang at a summer camp.

However, one day, “most of the campers continued playing and didn’t come to line up” despite being called. “Not caring about doing the right thing, they selfishly continued doing what they wanted to," she recalled.

"After waiting patiently for quite a few minutes, Amari, who hardly ever raised her voice, yelled out to them: ‘JUST OBEY ALREADY!! IT’S NOT THAT HARD!!,’” she continued.

Williams further added, “Ever since that day, whenever I am faced with a choice to obey God, or to selfishly go my own way and do what I want to do, I hear Amari’s voice in my head: ‘JUST OBEY ALREADY!! IT’S NOT THAT HARD!!.’”

School and community offer support and condolences to Amari Crite's family 

The school district and the local authorities expressed their sorrow and sympathy for Amari’s family and friends.

Shannon Anderson, the superintendent of the school district in Momence, south of Chicago, released a statement on Friday morning, January 26, accordion to the New York Post.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the heartbreaking news of the passing of one of our 9th-grade students,” he wrote, adding “Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.”

He also said that mental-health counselors would be available “to assist those who may be grappling with the emotional impact of this tragedy.”

He thanked the neighboring districts and the mental health and grief counseling providers in the Kankakee County area for volunteering their services.

The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office also shared its condolences on Facebook. “The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office stands with the Momence School District during this difficult time. Friends, family and classmates are all in our prayers,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help with the funeral expenses of Amari Crite

A GoFundMe page created by Amari’s family has raised more than $47,000 as of Monday morning, January 29. The family is asking for donations to help them give Amari the proper homegoing she deserves.

“As some if not all of you may know our precious baby girl passed away last night January 25 when she collapsed at her basketball game,” Michelle Crite wrote on the fundraiser. 

She added, “We are asking for any and everyone to help us give her the proper homegoing she deserves.”