Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

March 8, 2003 - Issue 82

Sho-Ban Chiefs: District Champions

by Evelyn Small - Sho-Ban News

FIRTH — The Sho-Ban Chiefs achieved their goal of again winning the 1A Rocky Mountain Conference 5/6 District championship Tuesday night as they defeated the Mackay Miners 72 to 70 at Firth High School.

The next goal is to return to state and play as a different team. “This was our goal and that was to repeat winning the district title,” said Chiefs Coach Merle Smith.

The Firth High School gymnasium seen a record number of Chiefs fans to witness the championship game against Mackay Miners.

With one second left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Mackay Miner T.J.Parek attempted to shoot from two thirds of the court to win the game but the ball bounced off the rim when the buzzer sounded ending the game.

The crowd went wild. The boys were presented their medals and local drummers sang an honor song as the team cut down the nets.

After the game, a caravanof about 50 cars followed the team back to the Trading Post for a rally.

“We didn’t fold,” said Sho-Ban Coach Merle Smith.

The first quarter the Chiefs sunk 18 points to the Miners 23.

Miners player Justin Gillish contributed with 9 points, assistance came from Ryan Donahue with six points, one free throw point from Chance Pehrson, four points from T.J. Parek, a three pointer from Royce Nelson and two points from Wrangler Williams.

For Sho-Ban, Kyle Burnett with seven points first quarter, Skyler Dixey with six points, and Alex Graves three points from free throws and Leland Wadsworth with two points.

The first quarter ended with the Chiefs trailing by five points.

In the second quarter the Miners pumped in 15 points and the Chiefs scored 21 points with half time score Chiefs 39 to Miners 38 points.

In the third quarter, the Miners added 13 points, and the Chiefs had 10 points. Fourth quarter saw both teams hitting the boards to add in more points. Chiefs were avoiding the fouls but Mackay Miners continued the aggressiveness with four big men fouling out.

The Chiefs made a good show hitting at the free throw line seven out of eight shots.

The Chiefs experience showed this night, “we had good free throws tonight and this is the teams first experience with the crowd,” said Smith.

The coach commended Dixey who took on the leadership role and also by posting up.

“He usually gets double teamed,” continued Smith. “We were in foul trouble and we we’re able to go through our bench. We knew if we stayed close we could get them in the third and fourth quarter.”

Kyle Burnett was the high scorer for Sho-Ban with 28 points including three-three-point goals and four personal fouls. Skyler Dixey had 18 points hitting five free throws out of eight, and four personal fouls.

Alex Graves had 14 points total and four personal fouls. Marvis Ariwite with five points and received five fouls taking him out of the game at the top of the quarter.

Wadsworth had four points and one foul, and Colton Teton had three points and two fouls.

The Chiefs will now compete at the State level with their first game scheduled for Wednesday, March 5th at Vallivue or Caldwell High School.

“You’ll see a different team at state, and their starting to realize what it’s like to win,” said Smith.

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