by KIM HILSENBECK
Bobby Limon’s story has inspired John Ayala, a volunteer event coordinator with the Austin Wildcats Basketball, Inc., to start the Hays Heart Classic Basketball Tournament.
Ayala said he hopes to raise about $10,000 to pay for HCM screenings for about 300 Hays CISD athletes in June. If the tournament achieves those goals, Ayala believes it could be an annual event benefitting Hays CISD students.
Ayala also confirmed tournament sponsorship from Kevin Durant All Pro Camps Austin, founded by the former Texas Longhorn All-American and two-time NBA All-Star, as well as Seton Medical Center Hays.
Ayala said many private insurance companies cover HCM screening for athletes; it involves an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a sonogram. According to Ayala, the tournament proceeds will benefit young athletes from Hays CISD with no health insurance who want the screening.
The May 5 tournament is a regional qualifier for PrimeTime Sports; first and second-place winners will qualify for the PrimeTime Nationals which is an NCAA Certified/AAU sanctioned event. Ayala said he hopes the event will be NCAA Certified in the future.
The Hays Heart Classic will have about 80 teams from around Texas.
“We will bring in about 1,000 visitors to watch the tournament,” said Ayala. “That will get the word out about HCM screenings to even more families.”
Bobby said he is looking forward to the tournament and hopes people come out to support the event.
“If we can get kids to get screened, and we save even one life,” said Limon, “it’s worth it.”
If you go
What: Hays Heart Classic Basketball Tournament
When: Saturday, May 5
Where: Gyms at Hays High School, Lehman High School, Dahlstrom Middle School, Wallace Middle School and Chapa Middle School (check website for game times)
Cost: $10 for adults; under 16 free
Cost to compete: $210 per team to enter the tournament (register by April 27)
Website: www.haysheartclassic.org
