BayHawks draw crowd to Edgewood High School

Star Beacon - 11/7/2018

Nov. 07--ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP -- The atmosphere was electric on Tuesday evening as the Erie BayHawks made their annual pilgrimage to Edgewood High School.

Special Olympics athletes, Edgewood players and basketball fans all helped kick off the new basketball season that will also include the Edgewood boys team playing Conneaut in Erie. Fans that attended on Tuesday evening were charged $10, but also received a ticket to the high school game on Dec. 28 and a BayHawks game later that same night.

The BayHawks participate in the G League and won the Southeast Division last year, said team president Matt Bresee.

"The Ashtabula community is very important to us ... we want you to know Ashtabula Edgewood High School is part of the family," he said.

The team has competed in Erie for 11 years and had its best season ever last year, Bresee said.

The BayHawks are already off to a good start and are hoping to have Ashtabula County residents attend games this year.

"We have played two games this season and we won them both," Bresee said.

The BayHawks have been coming to Edgewood High School for several years for a practice and up close interaction with fans.

"This has been a great community for us," Bresee said.

Bresee said Edgewood High School Athletic Administrator Steve Kray helped make alterations to the event this year, which led to a nearly full gymnasium.

The Warriors girls team held an intra-squad scrimmage to kick off the evening, then the BayHawks each introduced themselves and started drills that included the Special Olympics players and young Warriors.

Edgewood senior Ricky Baldwin has been coming to the BayHawks event for years.

"I absolutely love it. It's really fun," he said.

After the BayHawks practice, the Warriors boys team had a chance to take the floor and greet the fans.

"It is good to get all the kids together ... It is good for them to see professional players," Edgewood girls basketball coach Randy Vencill said.

Edgewood boys basketball coach John Bowler and Conneaut boys basketball coach Tim Tallbacka are already looking forward to the game in Erie.

"It's going to be fun," Tallbacka said.

"Looking forward to it," Bowler said.

Bowler said the Edgewood boys team was having fun on Tuesday evening as well.

"They get a chance to go on the court with the BayHawks," he said.

Kray said people interested in purchasing tickets for the Dec. 28 games can contact the athletic department at Edgewood and Conneaut high schools.

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