Last March when the clock ticked down on the Haines Glacier Bears’ come-from-behind regional tournament victory over Metlakatla, Kirby Faverty’s bright basketball future was suddenly clouded with uncertainty. He had just led his team to a second straight state tournament berth, but that tournament was cancelled and sports around the world ground to a halt. “I knew I was going to go to college for basketball, but I didn’t know if they were going to have a season or anything, so I just hoped and I just kept working.”
After graduation, Faverty had the option to play ball for Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, a two-year junior college that had been recruiting him since his junior year. But he held off on signing his letter of intent, in case a better offer emerged. Then, in August, fate played a hand with an assist from Haines School superintendent Roy Getchell. Getchell was dropping his daughter Dori off for her freshman year at Central Methodist University (CMU) in Fayette, Missouri. He found himself in conversation with the director of admissions, whose wife coaches Dori’s dance team.
Getchell recently recalled the conversation. “He said, ‘We really like Alaska kids, do you have any others?’ And I said, ‘I actually know a really good basketball player.’”
The CMU Running Eagles compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), an association of 250 small colleges and universities that has launched the careers of many legendary ballplayers including Willis Reed, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen. Some of the school’s affinity toward Alaskan student-athletes has to do with DaJonee Hale, who played for Houston High School in Wasilla before starring for the CMU women. Hale was voted the 2018 NAIA player of the year.
When Faverty got news of the opportunity, he was nervous at first. “This school (CMU) is a lot better and it could open more doors for me. I messaged the coach and he said, ‘I have a great spot for you.’ I immediately took it, I just went with my gut.”
That spot turned into a starting position for the Running Eagles freshman reserve squad. He and roommate Guy Timbrook have also been called upon to “play up” with the Varsity Reserve squad. After his first six games, Faverty’s team is undefeated.
His college career began Nov. 3 at home against Heart of America Conference rival Culver-Stockton College. Faverty won the opening tip and then went four for six from three-point range. He also finished with double-digit rebounds. So far, his best scoring performance was an 18-point game at home against William Penn University. Coach Brent Schuck has called upon Faverty to play every role on the offensive end from working the baseline to running point to posting up. He has started the fast break with rebounds and quick outlet passing and finished the break with a monster dunk. After scrambling on the floor for a loose ball against two opponents, Faverty grabbed a mop and mopped up the sweat off the hardwood so that play could safely resume. In other words, Faverty is being Faverty, much to the appreciation of his new hometown fans.
Faverty calls his roommate Timbrook a “great guy” and gives him credit for some of his progress as a rebounder and a shot blocker. “I have to thank my roommate, because he’s big into lifting so during pre-season we’d go and lift weights and I got a little more explosive.” He has been enjoying the intensity and the camaraderie of his team. “It really helps…we know each other really well since we always hang out together. We can really blend. We know when we’re boxing out, who’s doing what and what’s happening.”
He praises the high basketball I.Q. of Coach Schuck, a graduate student who has played professionally overseas. “He’s really smart. He’s a good coach.” In the interest of helping Faverty round out his game, “He’s been playing me at guard to get me to drive more, so I can practice that.”
CMU’s season resumes Jan. 15 with a home game versus conference rival Missouri Valley. During the following month the reserve squad has 17 games scheduled. Fans can live stream games by going to the CMU Running Eagles website. On the men’s basketball page click on “Reserve Men’s Basketball.” From there go to “Schedule/Results” and click on the video icon next to the game.
Faverty grew up playing ball in Yakutat and spent his summers shooting hoops on a home-made court at the end of Mud Bay Road in Haines as well as on the streets of his mother’s hometown of Ilo Ilo City in the Philippines. He played four years on the Glacier Bears varsity team, earning a starting role his junior year. Following the advice of the late coach Mark McNamara, he competed in an Anchorage-based summer tournament for the Bartlett High School team between his junior and senior years. After his senior year in Haines, he was voted First Team All-State. Now as he makes his way in the college game, he remembers how he got there. “I would like to thank everyone who supported me throughout my journey. Without them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today and for that I am very grateful.”