A student suffered a serious medical emergency while trying out for the varsity basketball team, according to a letter sent to parents from the Locust Valley superintendent.

He is recovering at Glen Cove Hospital.

News 12 is told coaches rushed to him with a nearby AED, and the fire department was on the scene in about one minute.

The Locust Valley Fire Department tells News 12 when they got to the school the teenager was not breathing. They say after performing CPR and using an AED they felt a heartbeat and the teen started breathing again.

"During the intense physical activity, that's when they're more likely to have an event," said pediatrician Dr. John Zaso.

Dr. Zaso says unfortunately incidents like this can happen all too often with student-athletes.

He says it's important for students to get their heart checked before they compete.

"Many times, they'll do an EKG and an echocardiogram, which gives them a picture of the heart, so we know the anatomy is normal," said.

The Locust Valley superintendent says students receive AED and CPR training during physical education classes.

Dr. Zaso says AEDs can be lifesavers.

St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center in Roslyn conducts free cardiac screenings for student athletes grades nine through 12.