The body of René Figueroa, 21, Panther Valley, was reportedly found at around 10:15 a.m. Sunday, two days after witnesses say he jumped from a boat into Lake Hauto. Figueroa’s body was found near the Third Beach area of the lake. That area is in Schuylkill County. The lake spans Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

No further information on the recovery effort was available as of press time.

Emergency responders, including dive teams from Lehighton and Ryan Township, and the Rush Township Volunteer Fire Company, searched the lake.

Figueroa’s family, including his cousin Arasellis Ortiz, Allentown, also searched but still have many questions as to what happened to her cousin.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is handling the investigation.

Figueroa was a Panther Valley basketball standout whose talent and character shone bright.

“To be honest it’s very hard to find words right now,” said Panther Valley basketball coach Pat Crampsie.

“We talk a lot about our Panther family, and our Panther family is really hurting right now. Not only was René the best boys basketball player our program has seen, he was also the most enthusiastic, passionate, charismatic kid we have had,” Crampsie said.

“He had an infectious smile that would light up a room. He had a flair for the game that would light up a gymnasium. Most of all, he was someone who loved our elementary kids and always made time for them. We loved him dearly and he is going to be terribly missed.”

Figueroa, who played varsity all four years from the 2015-16 season through the 2018-2019 season, set a high standard on the court.

As a senior, he was named the Times News Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

During that senior season, he averaged 24.65 points per game, which led the area and was the highest average in the area since 1994-95.

Figueroa also scored 47 points in a game on Jan. 22, 2019, which may have been the most points by a Panther Valley boy in a single game.

He was the all-time Panther Valley boys basketball scoring leader with 1,544 career points.

The Panther Valley Class of 2019 has also started a donation box for Figueroa’s family and to create a display of his athletic accomplishments at the high school. Donations can be given on CashApp or dropped off at the Batters Box in Summit Hill.