Senior night is always a special celebration for players and their families. But, after losing the first home game in more than two years last week and finding themselves in a dead heat with Colorado Mines at the top of the league standings, the four Fort Lewis College men’s basketball seniors know they can’t get caught up in the limelight in a must win game against Adams State.
Joshua Blaylock, Ross Buchman, Kain Lucero and Will Morse will possibly be playing their last games at Whalen Gymnasium Tuesday. If Colorado Mines and Fort Lewis (22-4, 17-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) win out and share the league title, the Orediggers will host the RMAC Shootout, and fans will have seen the last of this great group on their home court.
“Senior night is always night where you do some reflecting more than any other night,” Fort Lewis head coach Bob Pietrack said. “Just like our offense, it starts with four-year Skyhawk Will Morse, who has had an incredible career here. Ross Buchman is like coaching a wild bull. His energy is contagious and we’ve enjoyed the ride. Kain Lucero is one of the best teammates a player could ever ask for. And then, there’s Josh.”
Blaylock’s 35-point effort in the 94-82 overtime loss to Colorado Mines Friday was one of his best games to date.
“Every night that I get the opportunity to play basketball means a lot to me, but senior night will be extra special,” Blaylock said. “My mom made the long drive to be here and I might start crying out there, I don’t know. I’ll be ready to play, though, that’s for sure.”
The senior guard leads the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in scoring with 19.7 points per game and he’s proven time and again that he can single-handedly will this team to victory.
“It’s really been a pleasure watching him blossom,” Pietrack said. “He’s a Division-II All-American, National Player of the Year candidate and an even better young man. He’ll go down as an all-time great at Fort Lewis.”
Blaylock and company survived a late comeback by Adams State (12-14, 9-11 RMAC) in the first meeting of the season all the way back on Dec. 13. Fort Lewis won that game 95-91, but allowed 58 second half points to the Grizzlies. Blaylock and Rasmus Bach led FLC with 26 points in the first meeting.
“I think both teams are different, Pietrack said. “They have a very good point guard and some bigs that gave us some trouble. It’s a good collective group and a rivalry tone so it’ll be fun.”
The Adams State point guard Pietrack praises is Brandon Sly. Sly’s 16.2 points per game average is 11th in the league and he’s fourth in assists with 4.4 per game. Brandon Pasker led the Grizzlies with 17 points in the last meeting with Fort Lewis, while Sly and Shane Johnson each had 14. The Grizzlies offense is fourth in the league at 79.7 points per game.
Fort Lewis just watched its 30-game home winning streak get snapped, and the Skyhawks have been itching to get back on the floor to start the next streak.
If they can win this week against Adams State and Westminster, the worst Fort Lewis can do is tie for the regular season league championship. If Colorado Mines loses to either UC-Colorado Springs or Metro State this weekend, FLC can win it outright.
“This game still means a lot so I can’t get caught up in the emotions,” Buchman said. “A lot of seniors don’t have anything to play for I feel fortunate to be able to finish my career having something to play for.”
Before they hit the hardwood, however, the Skyhawks will honor their seniors during pregame introductions for Tuesday’s game.
“This has been a special place for me ever since I came on campus the first time,” Morse said. “I came here with one group and I’ll leave with another, but the whole time we’ve had great guys and some really good teams.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
