Neuqua's Hughes forced to sidelines

McKenzie Hughes' latest setback in a life-long bout with heart problems has forced her to give up basketball.

The Neuqua Valley junior turned in her jersey Monday after an episode during Saturday's game with Waubonsie Valley.

In October, Hughes was cleared to play with limitations after an ablasion was performed to correct a heart abnormality. It was the third procedure Hughes had undergone since the seventh grade. Nine days ago Hughes started feeling dizzy and light-headed at home. After feeling faint in school the next day Hughes was taken to doctors who found her vitals - heart rate and blood pressure - alarmingly low.

She was out of school the rest of the week, and iron pills worked her vitals back near normal.

After missing a game against Resurrection last Thursday, Hughes was cleared to play Saturday. She played for two minutes against Waubonsie, but felt dizzy and went back to the bench. She returned later, but after another brief spell fell to her knees, her legs numb. Oxygen was not getting to the brain and her vitals were again very low.

"The doctors told her today 'you're done,'" said McKenzie's mom Shannon Hughes.

Hughes is to visit the Midwest Heart Group today for further evaluation.

"She hasn't stopped crying," Shannon Hughes said. "She can't understand why no doctors can fix this. Someday she will realize that there are more important things in life than basketball. But it is very hard right now."