Community Rallies Behind Mother Who Lost 'Gentle Giant' Son After Basketball Game

RED BANK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A community was coming together Tuesday to help a mother, whose son died after playing in a high school basketball scrimmage.

They came to pray and support the grieving mother of Albert Martin, a star on the Red Bank Regional High team. Martin suddenly collapsed on a court in New Jersey on Monday and later died at Riverview Hospital.

"He was sweet young man. He was a quiet child. He had a gentle disposition. He was tall and big, but I would consider him a gentle giant. That's who he was," Minister Sandra Davis told CBS 2's Christine Sloan.

Martin's mother, Tracy Dixon, was just too overwhelmed to talk Tuesday. Her friends said she is devastated over the loss of her 17-year-old son. She was at the game.

"She's grieving like any other mother and is in shock. It's still fresh for her, so now we are going pull together and be here for her and her family," said Tiffany Harris, Martin's teacher.

No one knows what caused Martin's death. Friends and family said he had no apparent health or heart problems. They just know his eyes rolled back and he fell.

"It was just so surreal, so surreal and, um … I just want to say special thanks out to principal who jumped out and helped to give CPR herself," Harris said.

Harris said she saw the tragedy unfold. She said students are being offered counseling.

"We had at least 50 children there last night and it's going to really ... and it's going to be a hardship on the children," Harris said.

For now the focus is on Martin's mother to make sure she knows the community will be there for her.

Friends also told CBS 2's Sloan that doctors at Riverview Hospital tried everything to try to save Martin.

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