Bryson athlete in hospital

Bryson and Newcastle players will get together tonight to honor a Bryson athlete in Cook’s Children’s Hospital.

Morgan Larance, 14, plays volleyball and basketball at the school and was scheduled to play softball and track. Larance began feeling ill about three weeks ago with what was thought to be flu-like symptoms and after two trips to the hospital, doctors believe she is suffering from acute necrotizing encephalitis of childhood. Only 150 cases have been reported in the world, most of them in Japan.The form of encephalitis means the immune system is attacking her brain and not the virus iteself.

The disease appears to be in the brain stem and spinal cord, which is even more rare. Larance, who formerly lived in Newcastle, is at Cook’s and is responding to hand squeezes and opening her eyes when asked to, according to her mother Jennifer Kimbro.

Bryson Athletic Director Jason Briles stated via e-mail a prayer is scheduled before tonight’s girls game with Newcastle. A silent auction will be going on at Lions club pancake supper before tonight’s games and the auction will be moved to the gym to continue until the boys game ends.  There will also be a live auction on a few items during halftime of the boys game.

Proceeds will go toward Larance and her family.