Eastern Michigan basketball player and fellow student killed in crash

First Posted: 1/25/2015

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. — An Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball player and another student were killed early Sunday when their car crossed the center line of a road and hit an oncoming vehicle, authorities say.

The collision happened about 1 a.m. in Ypsilanti Township, west of the school’s Ypsilanti campus, the Washtenaw County sheriff’s department said in a statement.

Shannise Heady, a 21-year-old junior forward for the Eagles, was driving when her car veered into the vehicle of a 22-year-old driver, who was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, the sheriff’s department said.

Heady, of Hazel Crest, Illinois, and her 23-year-old passenger, Jordan Hopkins, an Eastern Michigan senior from Dexter, died.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, the sheriff’s department said.

“This is a tragic loss,” said Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Jordan’s and Shannise’s families and friends at this difficult time.”

Heady transferred to the Eastern Michigan in January 2013 from Seton Hall University. She appeared in 22 games for the Eagles last season, averaging 5 points in 14.4 minutes.

In 17 games this season, she was averaging 23.2 minutes and 7.9 points.

“Obviously this is one of our toughest days as a program … as we mourn the loss of Shannise,” coach Tory Verdi said in a statement. “We are truly devastated. … Shannise was not only an inspiration to all of us, but she brought energy and liveliness to our team.”

Heidi Schlegel selected as candidate for CLASS Award

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State’s Heidi Schlegel (Wapakoneta) is one of 30 Division I women’s basketball players in the country who has been selected as a candidate for the 2014-15 Senior CLASS Award for excelling both on and off the court.

Schlegel is the only Horizon League women’s basketball player and one of four from Ohio on the list.

Schlegel is averaging 15.4 points and 9.6 rebounds in helping Youngstown State to a 14-3 record, which is its best start in 18 years. She recently surpassed 1,400 career points and 650 career rebounds.

Off the court, Schlegel graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education, and she is working toward a master’s degree in interdisciplinary communication.

The list of 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot.

Lima Senior to sell LCC game tickets on Tuesday

LIMA — Pre-sale tickets for Lima Senior boys basketball home game against Lima Central Catholic will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Lima Senior athletic office.

Student tickets are $4, adult tickets $6 and reserve tickets are $7. The game is Tuesday. The junior varsity tipoff is 6 p.m., with the varsity game following.

LCC girls move JV star to 5:15

LIMA — The Lima Central Catholic girls basketball game against Ada on Thursday at LCC has been moved to a 5:15 p.m. junior varsity start. The varsity game will immediately follow.

The game was moved up to help the boosters and workers set up for the LCC Thunderbird Wrestling Invite.