By Jarrod Prugar

For the Mirror

LORETTO — Not even Mother Nature could get in Saint Francis’ way of hosting a watch party for the March Madness Selection Show Sunday afternoon.

She did her best as an early afternoon storm caused a tree to fall down near the entrance to campus blocking that entirely as well as closed Syberton Road leading to Loretto due to debris from the storm.

Oh, and there was no power at DeGol Arena outside of lights running on a generator, and a lone internet cable that allowed the Red Flash to hold the event in front of hundreds of their families and fans.

“It tells a lot about Saint Francis, but it tells a lot about the surrounding community, how much passion there is for Saint Francis basketball,” Red Flash coach Rob Krimmel said. “For people that remember not just the (19)91 team, but there are people that remember the golden era, the 50s, 60s and 70s so for us to celebrate with them was a very special moment, and the support from the community was greatly appreciated.”

Fans were treated to free T-shirts, food and the Sound Storm pep band blasting its tunes as it has for the entirety of the season.

It all led to the moment when Saint Francis found out its opponent, Alabama State, and that the Red Flash will be heading to the First Four in Dayton to do so.

“I think this is the first time it finally hit me we’re in the tournament because you have an end point, that this is our next challenge, and we can get to work and start to prepare for that game,” Krimmel said. “The last couple of days have been a little bit of a whirlwind, but now that we know who we’re playing, when we’re playing, and where we’re playing, we can get ready for the greatest tournament in the world.”

While the reality of the moment has finally set in, the excitement has not worn off for Krimmel, the community or his players.

“This is what dreams are made of,” guard Riley Parker said. “Nothing was given. Everything was earned. I’m just so grateful and just ready to go. To be honest, I can’t wait to get to that first game against Alabama State. Hopefully get a win.”

Alabama State won the Southwest Athletic Conference championship game over Jackson State on Saturday and are led by a trio of guards in CJ Hines, TJ Madlock and Amarr Knox, who are atop the team’s statistical categories. Hines leads the way with 14.4 points per game with Knox second on the team with 14.3 per game and Knox leading the team in rebounding as a guard.

A win would mark the first in program history in only the second trip by the program, the first 34 years ago, which resulted in a 93-80 loss to Arizona in March of 1991.

Getting back to the tournament was a team goal. But now that goal has been achieved, it’s on to bigger goals, like winning that first tournament game.

“If we can make a big run into this tournament, we know our lives can change,” Parker said. “Just keep doing what we’re doing, but doing to the best of our ability. Every single game is just going to be a little bit harder, a little bit harder, more pressure, just keep driving and stacking wins.”

Tip-off from Dayton is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday night and can be seen on TRUTV.