LAGUNA-ACOMA - “This season started in the summer,” said Coach Randy Hunt regarding the basketball programs of Laguna-Acoma High School.

    For newcomers to Cibola County, Randy and his brother Emmett Hunt have coached the girls and boys, respectively, basketball programs where they grew up.

It can be argued that few coaches take their positions more seriously than the hometown Hunt brothers.

    From the art of Emmett's ability to encourage players to work harder to Randy's masterful smile and wisdom, the pair has watched their programs generate success.

    Now, the Hunts' basketball programs are on the brink of a new era.

    The programs were introduced to the University of New Mexico women's Coach Don Flanagan, through the Sports Academy of Laguna Development Corp.

    “We have an open door policy to watch (Lobo) basketball practices,” said Randy, “I can say I have the biggest respect for Don and we have become friends.”

    Hunt said that Flanagan's beginnings were small, starting early in his career with Window Rock, Ariz., and other small schools. “Out in the boonies” basketball was what the coach would start with. When the time was right to move on, the programs had flourished under his guidance.

Flanagan understands the limits of a small school and has imparted wisdom to the coaching staff of L-A.

    The off-season practices, hosted by the academy, were rejected by some of the coaching core, including Coach Hunt.

    “I was one of those coaches that didn't believe in it,” said Coach Randy Hunt, “I guess I was an old fashioned coach that thought the players would get hurt or burnt out, so far it hasn't happened. Knock on wood. ”

    While the players conditioned and learned techniques, the coaching core was doing more than rubbing elbows with the elite collegiate coaches during the summer months.

The coaches worked a few camps for high school athletes and observed college camps with up to the minute theologies in basketball philosophy and technique.

    An excessive amount of athletes showed for tryouts on the hardwood. Through a series of grueling tests and the sharp eyes of the staff, the maximum roster numbers were hammered out. Hunt said cuts to make the team haven't been made in years, but with generated interest from the academy, the programs numbers and energy have been boosted significantly.

    “Parents aren't waiting for the high school to get their kids involved in sports,” said Hunt. “We don't recruit, but we want to see our youth involve themselves with something positive.”

    Last week, none of the Hawks had energy or desire to get into trouble. The practices involved plenty of running, skipping and exhausting workouts to start the season. With technique training in the off-season and condition in the pre-season, the foundation of a quality basketball year has been laid in advance. Now the time for a live test has come.

    The Lady Hawks host their 3-A opponents, Miyamura. The Hawks travel to the Patriot home court, at the same time, 7 p.m. tonight.

    For a full break down of the evenings events, check Friday's Beacon.