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SKHA basketball team place third in UNAHA tournament

By Alyssa Kelly

The SKHA's boys basketball team pose with their trophy. They placed third in the All-West Native American Basketball Classics Tournament. (courtesy photo)

DENVER — The annual United Native American Housing Authority (UNAHA) basketball tournament took place in Denver, Colorado, the weekend of April 20-22, 2007. The boys team representing the Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority (SKHA) took home the third place trophy in the Boys Silver Division for the first time since 1994. In 1995 girls teams placed third. The trophy now sits proudly on the front desk of the Housing building.

The UNAHA tournament, All-West Native American Basketball Classics, began in 1986 as a result of a heartbreaking rash of alcohol related deaths, some resulting in teen suicides. Although similar deaths take place on reservations all across the nation, it was pattern on rural reservations, particularly in the Western region. The purpose of creating the tournament was to give Native children hope, which reaches far beyond reservation life. “The tournament was designed to give the youth experience and opportunities in education, create awareness about the dangers of substance abuse, and to generate positive self-awareness. It also features educational and inspirational speakers from the Native American community, the sports world and other individuals who have a message four our youth. It’s an opportunity for youth who have never visited a major urban area to experience urban lifestyle and interact with the urban you participating in the activities,” say Carrie Irvine of SKHA.

For the 2007 tournament, Robert Gauthier, former executive director for the Salish and Kootenai housing, was one of many initial organizers for the tournament. Since then, SKHA has hosted an All Star team to participate in the tournament annually, consisting of Native high school students throughout the reservation from all tribes.

Creating the 2007 SKHA team was a two-day process. The boys’ coach was Clay Malatare, while the girls’ coach was Jamie Schall. Both teams underwent scrimmage games against the SKC boys and girls teams where they were each given the opportunity to show their skills as an athlete. All of the try-out players were anonymous with the use of numbers of identification rather than names. “Some people think the teams are already chosen ahead of time and that is not true. The ones’ that do get picked are the ones that shine as an athlete, regardless of who they are,” says Michelle Morigeau of SKHA. The end the decisions for the final cuts were in the hands of the SKC teams. The SKHA team also underwent drug testing following selection.

“It was a mix of emotion when the boys team won. At first they were bummed because they lost by one point, but then the excitement kicked in when they realized that they placed. After that, they were so proud that they carried their trophy around with them everywhere, even to dinner,” says Clay Malatare, the boys’ team coach.

Malatare has been coaching for the SKHA teams for the past two years following his five years experience coaching in Arlee. “Charmel Gillan was the one who offered the coaching position to me because she knew I really liked to coach,” he said.

“It’s tough (coaching the All Star team) because most of the players come from different schools and they’ve never played together before. As far as improvement, I would say it was important to get them to learn how to play with each other. When I’m teaching them, I talk to each of them individually and explain that aside from plays, it’s really important that they know how to run together. That’s what All Star games are all about is running,” says Clay.

The overall challenge the boys faced during the tournament was the speed of the rival teams. “It was really tough in the last quarter of our final game because of the speed of the other team. We were subbing in and out all the way through it. It was an accomplishment that the team only lost by one point,” Clay says.

Clay was offered a possible opportunity to choose a VIP for the tournament. “If I did get the opportunity, I would choose Billy Hitchcock because he played tough for us. He worked hard on rebounding and defense,” says Clay.

On a final note from Clay to his team, he offers the following: “I want to thank them for playing hard, doing as they were asked, and putting up with me. This was one of the best teams I’ve ever worked with and I’m proud of them. I think a lot of their success came from the fact that they put in hard work, everyone showed up for practice, and most importantly they were having fun.”

The girls’ team didn’t place in this years’ tournament, however no one can disregard the effort and hard work they put forth in not only making the team, but playing in the overall tournament. “Although the girls’ didn’t place, we had so much talent with that team. I think they really played a different type of ball (known as run-n-gun) as you see on most blacktops all across reservations,” says Michelle. “Most of the teams that played in the tournament were from Indian schools and they played together all year. The teams’ chosen for our team, only practiced together four weeks prior to the tournament. I would say considering those odds, the girls held their own quite well. This years’ girls were really serious ballers.”

Jamie Schall, the girls’ coach, was asked by housing to coach and she had prior experience with both Two Eagle and Ronan schools. On a final note of her team she says, “We went down to the tournament with strong talent from different towns. Each girl brought something different.”

Although the teams were given the chance to meet new people from other reservations, they also faced the opportunity of exposure. “There was a recruiter from Haskell speaking to a Northern Cheyenne player about going to school there,” recalls Michelle. Aside from Haskell, there have been several recruiters that attend the tournament in hopes of finding the next big thing in basketball for their college and in turn it gives the teams a chance to further their education.

Salish and Kootenai Housing Authority were grateful for all the support they received from the community and the people involved in the trip. However, it was Basil Tanner, a parent of one of the players as well as assistant coach to both teams, whose effort truly stood out. “Baz was an indispensable part of it all. We had a few injuries and he was right there with an ice pack. He also helped keep the teams’ moral up,” says Michelle.

“During the early years, one of the organizers of the event, Mark Ulmer, was killed in an accident. His parents established a scholarship in his name and presents scholarships to participating seniors who are in the tournament. This year six scholarships were given. Some of our participating seniors have received this scholarship in the past,” says Carrie.

“We look forward to great things from this team in the future,” says Michelle Morigeau on the team. As for what’s in store for next year, “One item discussed is a look at the scholarship for our seniors. We want them each to apply,” say Carrie Irvine.