Varsity Indian diagnosed with possible career ending heart disease

Randrick Caruthers, a point guard for the Kennett Indians, collapsed on the court during a game on Saturday, Dec. 28. He was later diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyapathy (HCM) which could end his basketball career. File photo by Mike Buhler [Click to enlarge]

During the tournament, Kennett was playing a consolation game against the Malden Green Waves when sophomore point guard Randrick Caruthers, 15, collapsed on the court.

Caruthers, who moved to Kennett with his family in 2006, was rushed to the hospital in Dexter, Mo., where, following an electrocardiogram (EKG), he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The EKG showed that Caruthers had an irregular heartbeat and an enlarged heart.

HCM is a complex cardiac disease marked by the thickening of the heart muscle. This thickening occurs for no apparent clinical cause. The disease does not affect everyone the same way, with varying degrees of muscular wall thickening and a variety of symptoms, including shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, chest pressure or pain, and fainting. In some cases, HCM can also cause sudden cardiac death.

After some follow-up tests earlier this week, it has been confirmed that Caruthers does have HCM. At the moment, he is in no physical pain.

Caruthers' mother, Staci Coleman, said he will undergo a 12 lead EKG and a genetic test next week. The EKG will show the severity of the disease, which doctors will then use to develop a treatment plan.

"We will know in three months if his career has ended," Coleman said. "This season has ended."

It is possible, according to Coleman, that the disease may run in the family as Caruthers had a distant relative who collapsed on the court approximately 5 years ago. The relative was never revived. Coleman also said that her mother's side of the family has had heart problems.

Caruthers, who has been playing basketball since he was 5-years-old, had dreams of playing basketball for the Tar Heels in North Carolina.

"There's no other sport for him," Coleman said. "He's devoted to basketball."

The incident occurred approximately three minutes into the game. Jarvis Finley had just scored a three-pointer and the players were coming down the court.

"I thought he was having a seizure," Coleman said. "He's never had one before, but I've witnessed other people having them."

The Indians chose to forfeit the game, electing not to continue due to concern for their teammate.

"On behalf of the Caruthers and Coleman family, I would like to thank each and everyone for their thoughts and prayers during a very difficult time," Coleman said. "In December 2006, my family adopted a family in Kennett that is incredible. I would like to extend my gratitude to Kennett Public Schools, staff and classmates; my co-workers; Chris Sledge, surrounding towns; family; and friends for their amazing support.

"I can't describe the feeling that I felt, walking out of the hospital unsure of the outcome to many open arms. At that moment, I felt as if I was born and raised in Missouri. [HCM] is thought to cause one out of every three cases of sudden death among athletes but I can say with tears of joy in my eyes, that by the grace of God and your prayers, HCM didn't claim Randrick's life.

"This is a life changing experience for Randrick because he loved and played the game of basketball since he was 5-years-old. We hope that you will continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers."

Coleman also said that Coach Jim Vaughan and the staff of Kennett Schools never left their side while Caruthers was in the hospital.

Caruthers has said that he has every intention to sit on the bench 'with the boys' until the season is over.