SCIT Parks & Recreation Youth Basketball Practice Schedules (download.pdf)
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is hosting their Tribal Youth Basketball Tournament starting on Saturday, April 14-15 in Baraga, MI. (click to view event flyer)
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Indians is having their annual Inter-Tribal Basketball Tournament at the Strongheart Center in Peshawbetown on Saturday, April 21st (please click on event flyers for details).
Inter-Tribal Tournament News
Female Native Athletes try out in Record Numbers
Due to a spectacular showing of Tribal athletes at last night's tryout, the SCIT Eagles will be fielding a record five team in the upcoming Inter-Tribal basketball tournaments.
"When I was in high school, I was the only Native to play basketball in school. Now we have over 36 girls in the traveling team. Our Tribe didn't have the basketball program through Parks & Recreation like we do now," former Tribal athlete and current girls basketball Coach Consuelo Gonzales explains. "I was glowing with excitement to see so many girls try out for the traveling team. We had over 20 girls try out for one division. This is awesome to see this kind of interest in our Native sports and I know there will be many people looking forward to seeing our young ones play."
SCIT Parks & Recreation Youth Facilities assistant and coach of Team Black Lady Eagles had similar praise.
"Last night's turnout for the girls basketball teams was amazing. I have never seen so many Native girls in our area show such interest in the sport. I am very proud of the courage they showed along with the hard work they put in to make the teams," Coach Betsey Alonzo said. "It was quite a sight to see our girls left everything on the court; they gave it their all and showed a lot of heart. I wish them my best hats off to them and congratulations to those who made the teams you deserve it!"
