 Want fries with that All-America?
Written by: By Joel Priest
2/5/2010
Bobcat on Mickey D’s uber-list
By Joel Priest
As if he wasn’t super-sized enough in the eyes of his low-post opponents, Ignacio senior Alex Herrera now might have a chance to prove it to the rest of the nation.
And though the odds are still long to make it to the showcase affair next month, the Bobcat center can add another prime honor to what’s already been a special season: McDonald’s All-America Nominee.
Just like the commercial jingle says, he’s lovin’ it.
“It’s really cool,” he said between classes Wednesday, “but it shocked me when I found out.”
Herrera, signed to Fort Lewis College, was one of 44 preps from Colorado to be so recognized, with only five coming from Classes 2A and 1A. In that group are some familiar names, including Holyoke’s Kyle Carper—whom IHS faced in last season’s Final Four—and Colorado Springs School’s DeLovell Earls, the state tournament MVP for the 2A champion Kodiaks.
“That’s great for him. During my coaching tenure here,” said IHS head coach Chris Valdez, “we’ve only had one other and that was Andre Mattox. And we found out only when we got a certificate mailed to the high school, that had his name on it with ‘McDonald’s All-America Nominee’ right there.”
Limon’s Matt Brown, the Denver Post Gold Helmet Award winner following football season, completes the 2A selections, and Jimmy McGrath of Otis is the lone 1A representative. The Bulldogs were the Post’s preseason #1 for CHSAA’s smallest classification, and are currently undefeated.
Regionally, 3A Pagosa Springs’ Taylor Shaffer—brother of IHS assistant coach Jordan—was also a nominee for the event, to be held March 31 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Around February 15 the final 20 players will be announced by the selection committee, chaired by retired coaching legend Morgan Wootten (1,274-192 at DeMatha Catholic HS, Hyattsville, MD).
Helped by Herrera’s 18-11-10 (points-rebounds-blocks) line, Ignacio ousted Ridgway from Colorado Preps’ 1A top ten, 62-41 last Saturday, and improved to 10-2 overall and 7-0 in the San Juan Basin League. And they maintained their #4 rank [CP, 2/1 poll], behind only—in reverse order—Holyoke, Meeker, and CSS. The Post had IHS at #5 in its most recent [1/28] release, while RHS had somehow shot up to fifth in its 1A rankings—prior to hosting the ’Cats.
Possibly the last true SJBL test visits IHS Gymnasium tomorrow, in the form of Ouray. Ignacio tripped the Trojans 47-40 back on December 19. Action, with boys’ JV leading things off, is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m. IHS’ snowed-out Jan. 23 date at Nucla has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9, with their Jan. 22 homer against Norwood now targeted for Feb. 16.
“It should be a good game,” said Herrera, currently averaging 13.5 ppg, “but hopefully we play better than last time.” Which for Herrera may even be difficult—matched against OHS’ Chris Blansett, Herrera still put forth an 18-15-7 effort in the House of Troy. Shooters Pedro Vigil (IHS) and Kenneth Wilson (OHS) will also warrant fans’ attention, as both were somewhat subdued in the first encounter.
“We want to win it all, the kids all work hard,” Valdez said. “Trying to reach our ultimate goal
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