The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
HOOPS 4 HOPE A HIT
Pays tribute to late student, raises money for charity
Two teams got together for a game of hoops March 21 to raise money for a good cause and commemorate a Riverside High School student whose life was cut tragically short in a car wreck last June.
Dubbed Hoops 4 Hope, the event played out inside Riverside High School’s Field House on the school’s Painesville Township campus, where a team made up of school district faculty and staff took on a group of area public safety first responders.
This sixth-annual event differed from those in years past in that it’s usually two teams made up of Riverside School District employees playing each other and proceeds from the $3 donation at the door, raffle-ticket sales and concession-stand profits going to a local charity.
Organizers switched it up this year, however, explained event
coordinator Stacey Lucas, who teaches English and advises student council at Riverside High School.
“This year, we decided to do a few things differently. We are playing the game in memory of Josh Evans (a Riverside student) who was killed in a car accident over the summer,” Lucas wrote in a March 20 email exchange. “We also decided to ask Lake County first responders to join us by forming a team. We thought this would be a way to bring in even more of our community. We also wanted to show our support of the Evans family and honor Josh.”
The game was preceded by a moment of silence led by a group of Josh’s family and friends in honor of the 16-year-old Leroy resident, who was killed in a multivehicle crash in Jefferson Township on June 30.
Lucas said that, in honor of Josh’s interest in drag racing (he was an avid competitor who raced in the junior division at Thompson Raceway Park) the proceeds from the March 21 event will be donated to Doug Herbert’s BRAKES defensive driving program.
Lucas made it clear that Josh’s death was not dragracing related, nor his fault, but that donating to the charity established by Herbert, who himself lost two sons in a 2008 motorvehicle crash, seemed an appropriate way to help memorialize him.
As the game played out March 21, it seemed clear everyone in attendance
was having a good time and Josh’s family made it clear they were touched by the district’s gesture.
“I think it’s awesome that the school would do this,” said Tammy EvansWotring, Josh’s mom, adding that it meant a great deal to all of her family who were in attendance, including Josh’ twin brother, Justin. His stepfather agreed. “I think it’s a great gesture. I never would’ve thought they would’ve done
this,” said Troy Wotring.
The event’s organizers and participants seemed happy to take part and help honor Josh’s memory along with the hundreds in attendance.
“This is always a good community event,” said Riverside Local Schools’ Director of Marketing and Communications Nick Carrabine, who was part of Riverside’s team March 21. “It’s a good opportunity to raise money in a fun way in memory of one of our students
who tragically lost his life way too early.”
First responders team member Corey Svagerko, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy who works as the Riverside School District’s school resource officer, said he was honored that the event’s organizers opted to include a public safety professionals’ team this year.
“It’s nice that they asked me to put together a first responders’ team this year. I think it involves more of the community that way,” he said during halftime, adding that, despite the fact that “we’re losing bad,” his crew was having fun. “I know my team’s enjoying it.”
He said that just being there was an award in itself.
“I love being with the community and doing things with the community,” he said. “It makes you feel good inside.”
He was apparently right about more of the community being involved this year, as Lucas confirmed it was the biggest crowd Hoops 4 Hope has seen yet.
“This is more than we had last year. So, yes, I’m definitely happy with the turnout,” she said. “People seem to be having fun. It’s a really good time.”
And, although it’s been a trying eight months for Josh’s family, his stepdad said the effort this school district made to honor Josh’s memory means an awful lot.
“It really is just such a nice thing,” he said, adding his family’s thanks. “I’d like to thank all the first responders and staff for putting this on — all the volunteers and everyone who put it all together.”