SOUTH WINDSOR - Students at South Windsor's Timothy Edwards Middle School are mourning the death of an eighth-grader who collapsed and died last night while playing basketball.

Kenny Offiaeli was a playing in a game in Windsor when the tragedy occurred, school officials said.

"The middle school is a somber place this morning," said Superintendent Robert E. Kozaczka. "I didn't know the young man, but as I walked around the building this morning [he was described as] very likable, always smiling and part of a close-knit group of friends."

The school's crisis team assembled at 5 a.m. today to prepare to help students deal with the tragedy. As eighth-graders arrived for school, they were directed to the cafeteria, "where teachers and administrators would inform students who didn't already know about the tragedy and help them to deal with it," Kozaczka said.

Social workers from throughout the district were at the school to offer assistance to students and many students needed some time alone or an opportunity to talk with a counselor, Kozaczka said.