by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
The road map from Cuba, NM is 1,453 miles to International Falls, MN. This is the distance that Alyssa Herrera travels to attend community college. People travel near and far to pursue great opportunities to grow as students and athletes. Why did she go? She was asked by the head basketball coach to be a part of the community college and the team.
Alyssa Herrera, 18, is half African-American, Navajo, and Pueblo of San Felipe and Sagebrush Clan. Her parents are Valine Valencia and Derrick Herrera and they live in Cuba, New Mexico.
Alyssa is a freshman basketball player at Rainy River Community College at the north central-most community in International Falls, Minnesota. It is on the border of Canada. The city is called ‘the icebox of the nation’ and for reasons why for five to six months of the year.
“I accomplished many things including being selected MCAC Northern Division Player, along with being named 2019-20 First Team All State, MCAC Northern All-Division, and 2019-20 NJCAA All-Region XIII,” Alyssa.
Alyssa had the accomplishments of a superstar coming out of high school. She was a three-year starter and two-time team captain. She won numerous all-tournament awards. Alyssa was a First Team All-District, Navajo Times All-Star, North/South All-Star, and Cuba HS Athlete of the Year.
“Respect and my family have defined who I am as a student-athlete,” said Alyssa. “Respecting those who are always there for me to teach me things the right way. My family plays a central role. Having them behind me every step of the way for me to pursue my dreams, and to further my education, helps boosts my confidence.”
“Coach Dieter Humbert was my first year college coach,” said Alyssa. “Throughout the season, he saw so much more in me than what I was putting out there, not only on the court but in classes as well. In one game he saw that I wasn’t playing my game. So after the game he talked to me and told me I know the Alyssa who has the ability to put everything in her out on that court. From there he pushed me and motivated me everyday at practice along with my teammates. He gave me the opportunity to succeed and believe in myself.”
“Playing at Rainy River has taught me so many things especially how to think of myself not only as a athlete but as a student. Coach Dieter has taught me the way of always being positive,” added Alyssa.
Dieter Humbert is the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Rainy River Community College in International Falls, Minnesota. He said: “I recruited Alyssa Herrera from Cuba, New Mexico. I was in search of players and I found her on a recruiting website. Alyssa was driven up to Rainy River Community College last fall to begin her college experience by her parents. Yes, it is about 24 hours in a vehicle. Alyssa seemed a little overwhelmed at first. I was concerned about her being homesick the first month she was here as she looked kind of down and wanting to return home. I knew her parents told her that she had to give it at least a semester before any changes could be made so I did everything I could to be like a father figure to her.”
“Alyssa was very quiet in the beginning and her body language was her way of communicating. I could always tell if she was enjoying herself or if she wasn’t by her body emotions. I visited her and asked why she wanted to limit herself as a person, student and athlete. Alyssa said she didn’t understand the question. I basically told her that she had a closed spirit. I said that we are here to help you learn and grow and to become the very best version of yourself as a person, student and athlete. To do that you have to have an open mind and be willing to make positive changes that may be difficult at first but will help increase you to become more fulfilled,” added Coach Dieter.
“Alyssa, to my surprise, said she would embrace my recommendations and be more open to growth from coaching, team activities and having fun,” said Coach Dieter. “It was like seeing a bud begin to blossom into a flower. Alyssa began to flourish. Alyssa excelled in her academics, basketball and relationships. Alyssa held down a high GPA, was extremely effective on the basketball court and could be seen smiling and laughing with friends more than ever before. It was truly rewarding to witness.”
“By the end of the basketball season Alyssa helped lead her team to a MCAC Northern Division Championship and a high ranking nationally,” said Coach Dieter. “Alyssa had become the number one freshman in the MCAC Northern Division, finished First Team All MCAC Northern Division, First Team All MCAC Conference and All NJCAA Region 13B. These accomplishments are amazing for any player particularly a freshman.”
“Alyssa has been selected as captain for the Rainy River Community College team for 2020/21 and has high expectations for herself and next years team. It has been a great reward seeing Alyssa embrace this new opportunity here at Rainy River Community College and maximize the benefits. She has already brought great honor to her family, high school and community! I see a very bright future for Alyssa in terms of her education, relationships, basketball and her career. Alyssa is an inspiration to all that know her. I am confident that Alyssa will continue on in life and be a tremendous blessing to our society because she is goal oriented, dedicated, thoughtful, kind, funny, sensitive, disciplined and committed to excellence! Alyssa is simply that good!” added Coach Dieter.
“Coach Gilbert Dominguez was my high school varsity basketball coach and helped me grow over the years,” said Alyssa. “He encouraged me to take his conditioning class to stay well-conditioned for the season. He had me do speed ladder drills to help with my footwork, and had me in the weight room to get stronger to prevent getting any injuries while playing the game that I love.”
“Alyssa is a very dominant player and she has a take the bull by the horns attitude,” said Gilbert Dominguez, head girls’ basketball coach at Cuba HS (NM). “When she first started for me her first year she was a starter and was the only sophomore starting.
She was nervous in the beginning but as the year went on she was able to gain confidence. With this confidence she began to expand her playing potential. She had a good 3pt shot but was hesitant to shoot at times. That year she hit a shot at the buzzer to give us a win in the Striking Eagle tournament.”
“As a junior she got into the role early and was a captain. She accepted the role as a leader. She was always there for her teammates when they would miss a shot or make a mistake. She was there to encourage them to keep playing. Alyssa helped take the team to the state playoffs and had our season come to an end with a one point loss in OT,” added Coach Gilbert.
“In the off season going into her senior year she put a lot of extra time in the gym working on her 3pt shot,” said Coach Gilbert. “She also started getting in the weight room and still holds several records including the squat, deadlift, and bench press.”
“Her senior many teams played a box-and-one defense on her to get the ball out of her hands,” said Coach Gilbert. “In almost all cases she was able to beat the defender and still get to the basket. She also added depth to her 3pt shot which for some teams she was still impossible to guard.”
“Alyssa was like having another coach on the floor and was able to communicate the plays in loud gyms,” said Coach Gilbert. “She was able to adjust and make decisions on the floor allowing us not to have to call a timeout so she could fix it on the floor.”
“Alyssa never had any discipline problems on or off the floor,” said Coach Gilbert. “Off the floor she was a very good student graduating with above a 3.0 GPA.”
“Derrick Herrera is my father and he was my coach off the court,” said Alyssa. “He helped me throughout the years of my basketball career. He believed in and supported me in every accomplishment that I was aiming for. He was at every game of mine, he would yell from the stands if I did something wrong or if I didn’t hustle up and down the court.”
“My dad took me to some of my practices and even would correct me from my mistakes. After my games, he would sit down with me at home and watch my film and show me all the mistakes I made and what I need to do to fix them. He would even use one of my brothers’ as an opponent for an example and demonstrate to me the correct way. He would have me go outside to work on drills with my older brother and sisters. Until this day my father has been and will always be my number one fan,” added Alyssa.
“As a young girl growing up Alyssa had her mind set on a few goals she put aside,” said dad Derrick Herrera. “She focused on being a student-athlete, she worked hard in her studies and when she would come home she did the same household duties with school work.”
“Alyssa was bullied as a young girl and it never seemed to get her down,” said Derrick. “It only made her who she is today. It didn’t get in her way of doing what she loves and being part of a team whether it was cross-country, volleyball, basketball or track and field. She worked hard at what she wanted to accomplish.”
“People doubted her after she graduated high school saying she wouldn’t go far or succeed,” said Derrick. “In her Senior Night Letter she stated she wanted to attend college and continue to play basketball at a collegiate level so as of today she’s proved all her hard work has paid off as a freshman at RRCC. She managed to maintain good grades and getting on the Deans List. Alyssa helps others in need whether it be school work, buying groceries for someone or helping with whatever little money she can help with.”
“On the court she has great leadership,” said Derrick. “She clears her mind of any distractions and stays focused on the game being played. She is a quick learner, does her part in getting the team to get that win. If one of her teammates is hurt and unable to play she steps up her game not to take the spot but to show she has what it is to have leadership and a responsibility to her team.”
“I am proud to call Alyssa my daughter,” said dad Derrick Herrera.
Photo Credit: Molly Nelson of Rainy River CC
Alyssa was a student in my high school English class at Cuba high. She worked hard in all assignments. She carried a high grade throughout.
I am a basketball coach n so enjoyed watching her play. Her brothers played for me and could tell they all came from a closer knit family that
love the game!.. Alyssa played addy home against her brothers n they all got better! Alyssa is our hero and several little kids idolize her
I am a very proud grandma ! I glad to hear what my granddaughter has accomplish..Good job babe