What rules supreme on the basketball court, experience or youth?
If you were hoping for an answer during the FH Collins Warriors Alumni Tournament on Saturday, you’ll have to find another way to settle the debate.
Four men’s and four women’s teams participated in the tourney at their former school.
The teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions were split between those who graduated in the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s. They were joined in the round-robin tournament by the current Warriors senior teams.
In the women’s contest, the ‘80s and the present Warriors both finished the tournament with 2-1 records.
However, since the current senior team defeated the ‘80s 58-38, they were given the title.
“The women commented on how well the (senior team) was shooting and passing, and how unselfish they were,” said Ann Jirousek, coach for the senior girls Warriors team.
“We had very few fouls against any of the teams. Most of our games were fast paced and the most fouls we gave up were eight in one game.
“The women really liked playing against the girls. They have a lot of patience for a young team and that’s what a lot of the women commented on.”
For the men’s tournament, experience proved the deciding factor.
In a matchup between two undefeated teams, the ‘90s took the title with an 86-64 win over the 2000s.
“I think we played well as a team,” said ‘90s player Karl Gruber. “We have some good basketball players that came through FH Collins in the ‘90s, so that helped.”
Although both teams were undefeated going into the game, the men’s ‘90s team actually had a closer contest playing against the current senior team, narrowly edging out an 89-84 win.
“We definitely had a size advantage against the high school team,” said Gruber. “We have some fairly tall guys—and bigger. They were quicker though. But we had the experience.”
Organizers invited every former FH Collins student who played for the Warriors in their senior year. The only player not from FH Collins was Jirousek, but as the current senior girls’ team coach and the organizer she allowed herself to play for the women’s ‘90s team.
“The reason I played for the ‘90s was because some of the women who usually play for them just had babies or are going to have babies in the next month and a half,” said Jirousek.
“I coached everybody on the 2000 team. Yesterday was a good day because my high school girls played the 2000 team, so everybody on the court, I coached.”
The tournament has been held annually since 2004, with the men’s half beginning just last year.
“The men, when they found out we were doing it, they wanted a tournament as well,” said Jirousek. “It was pretty easy to follow through this year.
“I think the alumni tournament is really great for the current team and us old guys—coming in, having some fun and maybe teaching the young guys some of our tricks,” said Gruber.
Every game of the tournament was videotaped and organizers are hoping to put together a highlight/blooper reel.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com