September 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\nThe Spurs had not been to the Hill Country as a team since preparing for Tim Duncan\u2019s rookie season in 1997 at Schreiner University in Kerrville.<\/p>\n
Known for its majestic scenery and outdoor activities, the Texas Hill Country is still trying to restore normality after losing so many friends and family, including more than two dozen children and counselors at Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp for girls that was among the first areas inundated.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really hard still to see it,\u201d said Constance Wirth, a 30-year Ingram resident who works at the KOA convenience store. \u201cEven with the cleanup, it doesn\u2019t even feel like it. There will be places where we\u2019ve grown up at that will never be what it was, even with all the cleanup possible. It\u2019s completely new terrain, just completely changed.\u201d<\/p>\n
San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson made sure his players fully grasped the upheaval.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been quite a difference in about the month since I\u2019ve been up here,\u201d Mitch Johnson said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s two months after the actual morning that this happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two buses carrying the Spurs team and staff drove along Texas State Highway 39 to see how much damage has yet to be cleared between Kerrville and Ingram.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s jaw-dropping to see the effect that has taken place,\u201d Keldon Johnson said.<\/p>\n
Mitch Johnson, entering his first season as head coach replacing Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich, said this was not about a sports team making a special appearance but rather neighbors asking if they can do anything more to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s important for all of us to be out here because this is part of our community,\u201d Mitch Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s not any different for the Spurs than for anybody hopefully that is part of the community and neighborhood. You see people that are a part of your city or your area in need, you want to be able to support them in any way you can.\u201d<\/p>\n
Still, Mitch Johnson knew Wembanyama\u2019s presence along with the entire Spurs roster would have a positive impact.<\/p>\n
The students were supposed to be in sixth and seventh periods but were instead ushered into the Warriors gymnasium with puzzled faces. The Spurs managed to keep their visit a surprise even with Wembanyama\u2019s overwhelming presence roaming around town.<\/p>\n
Wembanyama did not disappoint. He threw down multiple dunks, including going between his legs to set up a windmill dunk.<\/p>\n
His teammates were as happy to dunk through the thunderous cheers and stayed around to take pictures, sign autographs, shake hands, give hugs and laugh with students and staff members.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot because it shows that we\u2019re not just a small town,\u201d Ingram senior Christopher Alva said. \u201cOther people are coming out since the flood happened. It shows that they care for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what the Spurs were hoping to leave behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever they take from this, it means a lot to us,\u201d Keldon Johnson said. \u201cWe just want them to take something. No certain message except that we are family and we\u2019re all in this together.\u201d<\/p>\n
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