Two hometown boys are returning to where it all started, and they’re bringing four college basketball teams with them.
Fort Lewis College will tip off the men’s basketball season with a tournament Friday and Saturday. But the Skyhawk Classic won’t be held inside FLC’s Whalen Gymnasium. Instead, the Skyhawks are bringing the action to the SunUte Community Center in nearby Ignacio, home of FLC star senior center Alex Herrera and junior forward Ryan Brooks.
“It’s going to be a crazy experience. It hasn’t really hit me completely, yet, but once we get there, it’s going to be great,” Herrera said of the tournament following an alumni game Oct. 18.
Outside of boxing, it is one of the biggest sporting events to be held in the town of 710 people. It’s something Brooks and Herrera said they never imagined growing up and playing for the Ignacio High School Bobcats.
“Coming from a small town and being able to come back to host a college tournament in your home town, it’s going to be a cool experience,” Herrera said. “Never would’ve thought of it.”
What will make Friday’s game all the more special for the Ignacio crowd is their chance to watch Herrera, a second-team All-American, make FLC history. With 207 career blocked shots, Herrera, the two time reigning Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and preseason favorite to win a third consecutive award, is one shy of tying and two blocks away from setting the new career blocks record. That mark is held by Rich Hillyer at 208, and it has stood since 1989.
“If it does happen in Ignacio, it will be great,” Herrera said of the prospect of passing Hillyer. “However, I would much rather come out with two wins.”
FLC head coach Bob Hofman said the idea to have a tournament in Ignacio first started last spring when he was talking with IHS head coach Chris Valdez.
“The fact that Ignacio has been really supportive of us for the last five years, and the fact they’ve been so successful with their basketball programs at the younger and older levels, I thought it was a good idea,” Hofman said. “It should be a wonderful event for us and our team.”
Added to the fan experience will be the chance to watch four quality teams. St. Mary’s University from San Antonio, Texas, earned 21 votes in the preseason coaches poll and would be ranked No. 32, if the poll extended past 25. The Rattlers also are ranked No. 5 in the South Central Region, the same region the Skyhawks compete in. Texas Permian-Basin is another promising South Central Region team, and Western N.M., who the Skyhawks will not face, is one of FLC’s conference foes.
Herrera said he hopes to get a bit of revenge against St. Mary’s, too, as the Rattlers beat the Skyhawks 62-50 in 2013 in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs in Denver.
“The game Friday against St. Mary’s is really big. Both games are big for our region,” Hofman said. “St. Mary’s has eight, top-end seniors back. St. Mary’s and Texas Permian-Basin will be two of the better teams we play all year.”
Hofman is excited to open the regular season in Ignacio, because he knows the fans won’t disappoint.
“Anybody who tries to go to a playoff game in Ignacio knows they better get there three hours ahead of time, or they won’t get a seat,” Hofman said. “It shows how great Ignacio fans are and how much they support basketball, and I hope they support our tournament the same way. We hope we can do this every year.
“We also want Durango fans to travel for this game, as well. The casino hotel is hosting the teams, and it would be great if Durango fans came out and spent a night here. It is a great opportunity for them to come over, spend a night at a gorgeous hotel and check it out. Whether you’re bowling or gambling, there is a lot of fun to be had between games.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
If You Go
WHO: Fort Lewis, St. Mary’s, Texas Permian-Basin and Western New Mexico
WHAT: men’s college basketball tournament
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.
Where: SunUte Community Center, 390 Mouache Drive, Ignacio
Cost: $25 per night for both games; individual game tickets available at the door
