With the help of quality coaches and local sponsors, an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball program is taking steps to develop players in the local area.
The Montezuma Storm began two years ago at the behest of Montezuma-Cortez High School principal Jason Wayman, a 1998 graduate of M-CHS who exceled in basketball, football and track.
According to Wayman, the goal of the Montezuma Storm program was to help a group of Cortez Middle School basketball players develop fundamental skills that would allow them to excel at the high school level.
During its inaugural season last year, the Storm competed at tournaments in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. The Storm struggled and won only four of its 36 games.
The Storm is off to a better start this season, amassing a 12-12 record.
In addition to hosting an 18-team tournament in Cortez in January, the Storm has traveled to Albuquerque, Phoenix, Montezuma Creek, Moab, and Denver.
“We’ve played a lot of good teams and we have some really good team unity now that we’re in our second year,” said Wayman. “When these kids come to the high school, they’ll have over 100 games of AAU experience.”
Storm coaches are currently running the same offensive and defensive systems that are run by M-CHS head coach Michael Hall at the high school level and Wayman is hopeful that his players’ familiarity with the system will pay off.
“When these kids get to the high school, (Hall) will be sharpening the blade rather than trying to create it,” said Wayman. “We preach sound defense, and we try to play ball control offense.”
As for the Storm’s future, Wayman said that he is hopeful that the program will continue to grow and add more teams. Plans are currently in the works to form multiple girls’ teams and more boys’ teams.
“We’re trying to get some other grade levels going in order to keep feeing the high school,” said Wayman. “We’re trying to get some coaches for some of the younger kids. Hopefully we can find coaches and parents who are willing to help out.”
More than 16 local businesses have pledged support to the Storm thus far. Wayman emphasized that without such sponsorships, forming a cost-effective AAU program is nearly impossible.
“I would like to extend a big thank you to our sponsors,” said Wayman. “Without their help, what we’re doing would not be possible.”