When a Teaneck High School basketball player fainted on the court and remained unresponsive, a Northern Highlands Regional High School athletic trainer and two parents from the stands jumped into action and saved his life.
They and their quick action were honored at the Feb. 9 Northern Highlands' school board meeting.
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Trainer Peter Koeniges, along with Steven Shamash and Fred Lim, dads in the stands who happen to be medical doctors, were presented with a resolution and plaques thanking them for their "decisive action, compassion, and professionalism in a moment when it mattered most."
"These three individuals worked together calmly, professionally and decisively to save this young boy’s life," said Board President Christine Ferrarie. "In a moment of crisis, they brought skill, composure and courage. We are profoundly grateful for your life-saving actions."
Koeniges was escorting an injured Northern Highlands player off the court near the end of the second quarter of the school's Pastamania game on the night of Jan. 27 when a Teaneck player collapsed unresponsive near the bench.
Koeniges grabbed the school's defibrillator and, with assistance from Shamash and Lim, who happened to be spectators in the stands, administered a shock to facilitate restoration of a normal heartbeat.
"It only took a couple of minutes, which is good," Koeniges said. "The longer it takes, the poorer the outcome."
The student was awake, alert and responsive when transported to Hackensack University Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.
"I extend my sincere gratitude to the Northern Highlands and Teaneck athletic staff, medical personnel, and first responders for their swift and coordinated response," said Teaneck School Superintendent Andre Spencer.
Northern Highlands serves high school students from Allendale, Upper Saddle River, Saddle River and Ho-Ho-Kus.
Shortly after the student's medical episode, Teaneck’s basketball programs showed their support for him by wearing custom T-shirts in his honor.
The boys and girls basketball teams wore the T-shirts at their Bergen County tournament games on Jan. 31 to recognize a boy who suffered a cardiac episode during the game.
While Teaneck has not specifically named the player, the shirts make it clear that it’s Tahsir Carter, a 6-foot-5 junior forward who wears No. 23 and whose varsity contributions had increased in recent weeks.
The front of the shirt reads, “MIRACLE IN MOTION,” and shows his likeness, last name and uniform number. The back of the shirt reads “ONE TEAM ONE HEART” and also shows the No. 23.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Two dads, trainer who saved NJ high school basketball player honored