By Chad Courrier
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO — Alex Hanks said it was weird walking into Halenbeck Hall on Saturday, watching the team he has supported for years play against the team he will play for over the next four seasons.
Yet, even though Minnesota State lost to St. Cloud State in an exciting men’s basketball game, the St. Cloud Tech senior has not wavered in his optimism to play for the Mavericks next season.
“I had a few people sitting near me asking why I was cheering for Mankato,” Hanks said. “I don’t think they knew. I loved Mankato when I went down there (for a visit), and that’s where I want to be. I love the coaches, and I love coach (Matt) Margenthaler’s style.”
Hanks, a 6-foot-2 guard, was the Mavericks’ only recruit to sign during the fall period, and he’s been to Bresnan Arena a couple of times to watch his future teammates. On Saturday, he could imagine himself wearing the purple jersey in what used to be a friendly environment.
“That game could have gone either way,” he said. “The atmosphere was amazing, but when you play St. Cloud State at home, that’s what you expect. I could picture myself out there ... I’m so pumped up to get down there and start working out.”
Up until his junior year, it looked like Hanks would be playing college football, but he started catching the eyes of basketball coaches with a strong summer. He said that Minnesota State was the most diligent recruiter, not getting a lot of attention from St. Cloud State.
“I’ve always been basketball-first,” he said. “But football was definitely an option. After the summer, the offers started coming in (for basketball).”
This season, Hanks has averaged 19.0 points, shooting 49.3 percent, along with 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 steals, and Tech is 16-4. Tech coach Mike Trewick said that Hanks is usually assigned to cover the opponents’ best perimeter player, maybe even a post player.
“He sprained an ankle in the middle of the season, and he kept playing, maybe when he shouldn’t have,” Trewick said.
Hanks said he likes the up-tempo style of the Mavericks, attacking the basket on one end while protecting it on the other.
He doesn’t expect to redshirt, saying that Minnesota State coaches told him that he might be ready to contribute right away. The Mavericks will have Joe Drapcho and Taylor Morrow returning at that position, and Vermilion Community College guard Anthony Brant has committed to play here.
It doesn’t matter to Hanks, who’s ready to hit the court at Bresnan Arena or Halenbeck Hall.
“It would be a lot of fun coming back to St. Cloud to play,” he said.
Chad Courrier is a Free Press staff writer. To contact him, call 507-344-6353 or e-mail at ccourrier@mankatofreepress.com or check out his local sports blog at www.mankatofreepress.com.
