Midland Lee Basketball Player Who Died at Practice Presumably Identified

MIDLAND, TX-- The Midland Lee girls basketball player who collapsed at practice and later died on Wednesday has been presumably identified according to a report from the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

The Reporter-Telegram presumed the Lee High School senior to be Essence Glover, 18, after receiving a death notice from Avalos-Sanchez & Thomas Funeral Home on Thursday saying she had passed away. Funeral arrangements are pending according to the notice.

Midland ISD's Executive Director of Communications Lacy Sperry told the Reporter-Telegram they did not have "the authority to release information to the media or the community at-large that is considered a student record without parental consent,” and could not release the student's name according to their interpretation of the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).

However, organizations with ties to Lee High School took to social media and informally identified Glover as the deceased.

“Prayers for peace and healing for all of Essence’s friends, family, teachers, coaches and teammates," said the Lee Volleyball Booster Club on Twitter. "You are not alone.”

After the Reporter-Telegram confirmed the name of the deceased, they reached back out to Midland ISD asking for a reflection on Glover.

"We are so saddened by this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and our Lee High School community,” Lee High School Principal Stan VanHooze wrote to the Reporter-Telegram. “She was such a remarkable young lady that will be remembered for her smile and infectious personality. Each and every one of our students have a gift, and her gift was lighting up the campus with laughter and making everyone's day a little brighter. She was such a great example of a well-rounded, exceptional person that has made a significant impact on our students and staff at Lee."

Due to Glover's death, the school has opted to move their homecoming festivities from this week to the week of Oct. 26 when Lee hosts Amarillo Tascosa, according to Sperry.

Midland ISD turned down a chance to comment on the investigation into Glover's death.