Little Singer Community School basketball team Kylie Begay, Sierra Singer, Shay Singer, Jaci Singer-Gonnie, Kristen Wagner, Anysa Tso and Vaniqa Dixon took home a 19-0 win over Sonoran Trails Jr. High School during the Big School Jr. High Basketball State Championship. Submitted photo

BIRDSPRINGS, AZ — The Birdsprings Little Singer Community School basketball team captured the Big School Jr. High Basketball State Championship 19-0, against Sonoran Trails Jr. High School Feb. 13 in Phoenix.

With an enrollment of 60 students, the Birdsprings school was very excited to show off its talent.

Kylie Begay, a seventh grader, broke a state record with 37 points — the most points ever recorded for a player and 10 three’s in the semifinals and was awarded MVP of the state tournament. With their sixth man Jaci Singer-Gonnie, who is the team’s smallest player and is in the sixth grade, this was considered the Navajo version of Hoosiers. The team also captured championships in Tsaile, Arizona, runner-up in Monument Valley and a championship finish at the 2017 Four Corners basketball tournament at the Wildcat Den in Chinle.

Melvin Tsosie coached the team this season and provided motivation and helped take a small school back to back championships games.

Tsosie said the Lady Colts have worked hard all season long and players are highly involved in academics, cross -country, volleyball and flag football, they sometimes participate in two sports in one day.

The NABI foundation complemented them on social media and said they were a team with a high basketball IQ. Teachers, support staff and coaches were highly supportive and played a big role in taking the team the playoffs this season.

Harry Singer, Byrde Nez and Chum Benally sponsored the team and Bobby Gonnie served as the team’s waterboy.