Sports
Chiefs fall to Grace Lutheran ending district playoffs run
Sho-Ban Chiefs player Sky Cree Medicine blocks the ball on defense against the Royals in
the Rocky Mountain Conference district tourney February 17.
By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — The Sho-Ban Chiefs lost to the Grace Lutheran Royals 72 to 57 in the Rocky Mountain Conference District playoffs February 17 ending their chance to qualify for the State 1A tournament.
Sho-Ban Coach Pam Coby said she’s proud of them, as they were forcing their shots in the game. “We went out with what we worked on the last two days, but it just didn’t fall in place for us. I should have pressed them sooner.” “My younger players went out and played good defense and played hard. As a team, we played hard.”
She said it was a good season, “We got a lot of games in — we all made memories together.”
Kezo Coby shoots against Grace Lutheran.
The Royals set the pace early, leading 20 to 16 at the end of the first quarter and extending the margin to 35 to 32 by halftime. Grace Lutheran continued its scoring surge in the third quarter, building a 58 to 41 advantage before closing out the contest with a 72 to 57 final score.
Kezo Coby led the Chiefs in scoring with 16 points. Sky Cree Medicine and Kyson Brunette each with 11 points. Maddox Edmo-McArthur finished with 9 points, AJ Graves 8 points, and Jaydon Crow 2 points.
Terran Goodrider, George Tindore, Cotee Coby, Treyston Cerino and JJ Whiteman didn’t score.
Native players Jakobi Bailey & Osei Burns honored at Broncos senior night
Blackfoot Broncos Native basketball player Jakobi Bailey with his father at senior night on
February 11.
By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
BLACKFOOT — The Blackfoot Broncos boys basketball team played the Pocatello Thunder at home and hosted their Senior night where they honored eight seniors on February 11.
Blackfoot senior Osei Burns with family.
A close game after the first — the Broncos were up by one point 17 to 16, but in the end the Broncos fell to the Thunder 62 to 53.
Among the eight seniors is #13 Osei Burns, Sho-Ban, he was honored along with his parents. Burns also plays baseball, he likes to hang out with family and friends and anything outdoors. His future goal is to live the dream.
#15 Jakobi Bailey, Sho-Ban, was also honored along with his father.
Each player received a framed warm up jersey that also had a team photo and Broncos logo in the frame.
Has Beens, Yellowhorse win 30 & Over All-Indian Basketball championships
Women’s 30 & Over champions: Has Beens.
By JOSEPH WADSWORTH
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Fort Hall Recreation 30 and Over All-Indian Basketball Championships went to Has Beens of Nevada for women’s; men’s championship went to Yellowhorse of Idaho. Teams played in the tournament on February 13 and 14.
Second place for women’s was GT, Ariz, third place Frybread Riot, Mont. Fourth place was Wild Horse of Idaho. Men’s second place was Ft. Kick of Mont., third place Bombers Wash. and fourth place Ninja, Ariz.
Men’s 30 & Over champions: Yellowhorse.
All Stars for Women’s: Cerissa Honena, Christen Lopez, Mykala King, Shania Harry, Cheryl Polacek, J-Shon Shaw. Best Sportsmanship Rainee Odun, MVP was Nicole Wells.
All Stars for Men’s: Magic Smith, Darren Six, Jeremy Foundagun, Colt Laststar, Jermaine Aguilar, Ray Thompson. Best Sportsmanship DJ Lazy Boy, MVP Tony Louie.
MVPs, from left: Nicole Wells from women's team Has Beens and Tony Louie from men's
team Yellowhorse.
Fort Hall Recreation Manager Juan Rodriguez said it is the third year running over 13 tournaments and it is the first tournament where the Shoshone-Bannock Casino and Hotel has sponsored a portion of the awards. It allows Recreation to put more money into making the championship jackets and awards. “We also had our first time giving out a sportsmanship award, trying to improve that area. He said the referees determined the sportsmanship and not having any technical fouls. “”Just someone who is a good team player,” he said.
Rodriguez said they started to create a strong partnership with TA Sports based out of Nevada and they’re tribally owned — one of the things he wanted to do as a Rec manager was to focus on tribal member business, “so we’ve gone away from some of our local vendors.” TA Sports does tournaments throughout the country — it has saved them about 50% of our award revenue.
He said the 30 and Over All Indian Tournament has been great and he thanks his staff that helped for the team effort by everyone.
