Click here for the complete 2012-13 All-RMAC men's basketball team.
 
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Fort Lewis College center Alex Herrera was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the year, RMAC Assistant Commissioner Eric Danner announced today.
 
Herrera also received first team All-RMAC honors. Skyhawks Marcus Ayala and Nick Tomsick were named to the All-RMAC second team.
 
A 6-foot-10, 235-lb. sophomore from Ignacio High School in Ignacio, Colo., Herrera leads the RMAC in blocked shots (73) while collecting a school-record four RMAC/Baden Player of the Week awards in a single season — two each for offense and defense. His 73 blocked shots are third most in a single season in school history and are just 10 away from the record. He twice blocked eight shots in a single game in 2012-13 — tied for second most in the FLC record books.
 
“It's a tremendous team honor for Alex,” said 17th-year FLC head coach Bob Hofman. “He's worked extremely hard for any individual accomplishments he gets. It's a nice reflection on our whole team. The way Alex has worked this past year makes us extremely proud of his achievements.”
 
Although he's played less than two seasons in a Skyhawk uniform, Herrera already ranks fifth in school history in career blocked shots (99). His 73 blocked shots thus far in 2012-13 ranks third in the FLC record books, trailing just Brice Searles (83, 1984-85) and FLC Athletic Hall of Famer Steve Schutz (74, 1996-97).
 
In his first season as a full-time starter, Herrera leads the RMAC in blocks (73) and field goal shooting (62.3 percent). He also ranks among RMAC leaders in defensive rebounds (third, 147), total rebounds (fourth, 217), rebounds per game (fourth, 8.7), offensive rebounds (fifth, 70), field goals (sixth, 144), free throws (seventh, 102), points per game (ninth, 15.6) and points (14th, 390).
 
Herrera becomes the first player in school history to be honored as the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year. FLC Athletic Hall of Famer Joel Tribelhorn was chosen as the overall RMAC Player of the Year in 1986-87, while two players — DeAndre Lansdowne in 2008-09 and Ryan Johnson in 2007-08 — were tabbed as RMAC West Division Defensive Players of the Year.
 
Ayala, a 5-foot-11 senior guard from Maryvale High School in Avondale, Ariz., was previously named the RMAC/Baden Offensive Player of the Week on Dec. 18, 2012. He scored a career-high 25 points to lead FLC to its first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked opponent when the Skyhawks knocked off Metro State 61-54 on Feb. 22.
 
“Marcus has been such a great clutch player all year long for us,” said Hofman. “He's extremely deserving of any individual recognition he gets, especially when you consider the fact that he so unselfishly came off the bench the entire season.”
 
Ayala ranks among RMAC leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio (eighth, 1.7), three-point shooting (ninth, 40.5 percent), steals (12th, 1.4 spg), assists (16th, 2.4 apg), free throw shooting (16th, 79.5 percent), scoring (19th, 13.8 ppg) and field goal shooting (20th, 46.4 percent).
 
Tomsick, a 6-foot-1, 185-lb. junior guard from Broomfield High School in Broomfield, Colo., hit buzzer-beating three-pointers three times this season to either win in regulation or force overtime — games that were ultimately wins over Dixie State, Colorado State-Pueblo and Black Hills State.
 
"Nick has been a great addition to our team this year,” said Hofman. “He's made so many clutch shots for us. It's good for him to receive recognition for his accomplishments.”
 
Tomsick ranks among RMAC leaders in free throw shooting (second, 87.6 percent), scoring (17th, 14.2 ppg) and three-point shooting (21st, 37.7 percent).
 
Fort Lewis College will host first round games in the RMAC Shootout women's and men's basketball championships tonight in Whalen Gymnasium.
 
The women's game pits the fourth-seeded Skyhawks (17-9 overall, 16-6 in RMAC games) against fifth-seeded Colorado State-Pueblo (18-8, 15-7) at 5:30 p.m.
 
Following that game, the third-seeded Fort Lewis men's team (19-6, 16-6) — ranked No. 17 in the last week's NCAA Division II poll — hosts sixth-seeded Colorado Mines (15-11, 12-10) at 7:30 p.m.
 
Because these are RMAC playoff games, all fans — including FLC students, faculty, staff, retirees, Athletic Hall of Famers and season-pass holders — are required to purchase tickets. Admission for the doubleheader costs $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens (ages 65+) and students (age 13 through college) and $3 for children (ages 6-12). Admission is free for children ages 5 and younger.