Horror as Connors State College player Ethan Dietz dies from in-game head injury

Ethan Dietz, a sophomore basketball player at Connors State College in Oklahoma, died Tuesday from an injury suffered during a game Saturday, school officials said.

Dietz, a 6-foot-8 forward from Vilonia, Arkansas, was injured during the second half of the game against against Grayson College in Texas, the school said in a statement posted to its Facebook page.

A spokesperson for the junior college, Shannon Rigsby, said that initial reports indicate Dietz suffered some kind of head injury but that she didn't have any more information.

'We have requested the tape of the game to look into that,' Rigsby said. 

In a moving statement, the school said: 'The Cowboy family has suffered an unimaginable loss. Ethan exemplified what it means to be a Cowboy, to value hard work and being part of a team.

'While the team and the Cowboy community are processing our own grief, our hearts go out to his family and friends.'

'Ethan's loss reminds us all how precious life is and how much those around us impact our lives. As we move through this loss together as a community, let's be inspired by Ethan's spirit, friendship and love.' 

Several of the college's men's and women's basketball games were canceled following Dietz's death. 

Dietz was averaging 11 points and 9.4 rebounds through eight games this season.

A vigil in his honor is scheduled for next Monday at the college's campus in Warner, Oklahoma.