Thursday night at Indian Lake Elementary was about far more than basketball — it was a celebration of a life, a show of love, and a community coming together to help one of its own.
Students, teachers, families, and neighbors gathered to honor Shawn Humphrey, the 11-year-old sixth grader whose sudden death over the weekend has left a hole in the hearts of classmates and the local community.
Many in attendance wore white memorial T-shirts, each bearing Shawn’s name on the front, “Humphrey” on the back, and the number seven on the sleeve — a simple but powerful show of support for his family and friends.
The idea for the tribute began when a friend, Reed Cascioli, suggested the coaches organize a special event in Shawn’s memory.
What started as a small gesture quickly grew into a community-wide outpouring of love.
Hundreds filled the gymnasium, cheering for the sixth-grade basketball teams as they played in Shawn’s honor.
The event was brought to life by Washington Township Police Chief and fifth-grade basketball coach Michael Thompson, sixth-grade coach and Logan County Sheriff’s Deputy Jake Boyd, and Tara Casioli, Reed’s mother and a local pastor, whose tireless efforts helped ensure the evening reflected the spirit and heart of the community.
Before the game began, Boyd spoke to the students in the crowd, saying,
“Support matters. It’s checking on a friend. It’s listening, instead of judging. If you’re struggling, please tell someone, a friend, a teacher, a coach…anyone. You deserve support, and your life maters more than you might realize. Let’s be kind. Let’s look out for each other, and sometimes one conversation, one moment of support, can change everything.”
After the start of the game, Thompson said:
Local organizations also stepped forward to support the family.
The Washington Township Police Officers Association pledged ten dollars for each student wearing a memorial T-shirt, with matching donations from Boaters Helping Boaters and The Abigail Dague Scholarship Fund, up to $500.
Additional contributions came from Dance Werk Fitness with Debbie and Indian Lake Brewing Company.
In total, the fundraiser has raised nearly $5,000, with donations still pouring in, a tangible reminder that Shawn’s memory continues to inspire kindness, generosity, and love throughout the Indian Lake community.
Thompson added Friday morning:
“I’d just like to express my appreciation to the community for coming together. I encourage everyone to have the heart that 6th grader Reed Cascioli has. Find a way to love and encourage one another. We never know what people are going through. A small act of kindness could make a difference in someone’s life.”
