Amare Witham, a Glendale High School basketball star, dies

Witham was entering his junior year with the Falcons. He was one of the bright young stars in the southwest Missouri sports scene who held multiple Division I offers thanks to his uncanny scoring ability.

Glendale head coach Brian McTague confirmed Witham’s passing to the News-Leader, who said Springfield Public Schools was offering counseling services to the school and its athletes.

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McTague previously said Witham was the most confident athlete he had ever coached. The Falcons’ point guard carried himself in that way with unlimited range with his jump shot and how he interacted with his classmates in the hallway.

Witham averaged 24.4 points for the Falcons last season and excited crowds at Great Southern Bank Arena in both the Blue and Gold Tournament and the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions. He notably knocked down seven 3-pointers in a quarter en route to 37 points in a win over Strafford.