The defensive dominance of Fort Lewis College’s Alex Herrera hasn’t been matched in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in the last two seasons.
Herrera, a 6-9 junior center from Ignacio, earned his second consecutive RMAC Defensive Player of the Year award Tuesday, an award he defended just as he was predicted to do so in the preseason poll.
“It is a complete honor, especially with (Brandon) Jefferson being the player he is in this league,” said Herrera, who referenced the RMAC Player of the Year from Metro State. “He had a chance to sweep player of the year and defensive player of the year, so to be recognized is huge.”
Herrera, who graduated from Ignacio High School in 2010, led the conference in blocked shots with 92, an average of 3.5 per game. That was 1.6 blocked shots per game better than second place Trevor Wages from Colorado School of Mines. His 92 blocked shots already are an FLC single-season record. He surpassed his own school record set during his sophomore season.
“I set out at the beginning of the year wanting to break the record again, and I did,” Herrera said. “It is nice to have that. My senior year is a long ways away, but I am looking to keep improving continuously and never be satisfied with what I’ve already done.”
Herrera ranks second in the RMAC with nine rebounds per game. He has been an all-around defensive force while also ranking second in the conference in shooting percentage at 58.8 percent and fourth in points per game with 19. Growing up playing for the Ignacio Bobcats, Herrera admitted he never imagined the accolades he would receive in college.
“To be honest, I never really thought this could happen. It just shows you never know what can happen whenever you just work your hardest,” he said.
Also recognized Tuesday was FLC senior guard Nick Tomsick, who was named to the first-team along with Herrera.
Tomsick, a 6-1 guard from Broomfield, is finishing his second season with the Skyhawks after playing for North Platte Community College. He was named to the All-Conference second-team last season.
“This is definitely something I was looking forward to being able to get this year after getting second-team last year. It makes the senior season extra special, and it gives you satisfaction going out on a good note,” Tomsick said. “It helps having someone like (Herrera) to help everyone out. I’m happy for him, as well.”
Tomsick is third in the RMAC with 20 points per game. He is fifth in the conference in 3-point shots made with 65 while making 42.8 percent of his 3-point attempts, good for 10th in the league.
“The 3-point shooting helped, but the biggest thing was not being so one-dimensional. If you look where my shots come from, not even half of them come from 3,” Tomsick said. “Defensively, I think I am a lot better, as well, and I create more for other guys this year.
“I just really heave to thank my coaches for all their support and for helping me become a better player.”
FLC head coach Bob Hofman was happy to see both players honored for their outstanding seasons. He said both players have improved tremendously during their time at FLC, and he called Herrera the most improved player from his freshman to junior seasons he has ever coached in 40 years.
“Alex and Nick are both special players. We are happy to have them, and we hope their individual success will carry on to more team success,” Hofman said. “Both are great leaders, and I am very appreciative to have been able to coach them the last couple of years.”
Jefferson, Metro State’s senior guard, was named the RMAC men’s basketball Player of the Year. He led the league in 3-point field goal percentage and 3-point field goals per game. He was second in the conference in scoring at 21.1 points per game.
The Freshman of the Year award went to Gokul Natesan of Colorado School of Mines. He was third in the league in steals, averaging two per game.
Metro State’s Derrick Clark earned the RMAC Coach of the Year. He led the No. 1-ranked Roadrunners to a 25-1 overall record and an unbeaten 22-0 conference record in his fourth season coaching the team.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
