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Perham returns to the court

By Star Tribune reports, 01/26/11, 8:30AM CST

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Yellowjackets plow through West Central Area in first game since teammate collapsed


The Perham squad wore "Gabbard" jerseys before Tuesday night's game against West Central Area. Photo submitted by John Starner


Perham's Zach Gabbard, right /Photo courtesy of the Aberdeen News

Perham returned to the court Tuesday night, playing for the first time since junior Zach Gabbard collapsed on the court in a game last week.

"Monday we met with parents and kids," Perham athletic director Fred Sailer said. "The kids said, 'We need to do this. We need a routine, we need exercise, and we need to do this for us and Zach.'"

His teammates honored him before the game. Mark Schumacher carried Gabbard's No. 3 jersey onto the court, and the jersey stayed on the bench for the duration of Perham's dominant 64-13 road victory over West Central Area.

"The fans couldn’t have been more gracious," Sailer said. "It was a very touching situation."

Gabbard, 17, collapsed Thursday evening while on the court during a game at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School in Glyndon. He underwent heart surgery at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D and was transferred to the University of Minnesota Medical Center to receive more specialized heart care, his family reported Sunday on his CaringBridge.org page.

Sailer said Wednesday morning he received word via Gabbard's family that Zach is still resting at the U of M Medical Center while doctors continue to monitor his vital organs.

"The doctors continue to be hopeful," Sailer said. "Part of what’s made it difficult is that we’re all used to immediate answers. And this could be a long time coming before we have results or better information."

A fund has been set up to defray the family's costs not covered by insurance. Checks can be made out to "The Zach Gabbard Fund" and mailed to United Community Bank, 155 2nd St. S.W., Perham, MN 56573.

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