Midnight Hoops 3-on-3 brings out kids and parents

By Lailani Upham

A sunset blankets the crowd while Tribal Wave closes out the evening activities with amazing stunts. (Lailani Upham photo)

PABLO — The sixth annual Tribal Health 3-on-3 Midnight Hoops Family Night included much more than basketball – activities from crafts to dodge ball to mingling with Monte, University of Montana’s mascot brought kids and parents together for an evening of fun at Two Eagle River School last Thursday.

Over 400 people circulated in and out of the TERS building and parking lot for several activities with kids of all ages to do, according to Tribal Health Educator and Tribal Fitness Manager Margene Asay.

University of Montana’s Monte mingles and offers a high five to young man, Kesean Burke. (Lailani Upham photo)

CSKT tribal member and local deejay Leslie Caye and his son kept the atmosphere hopping and alive.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters craft table was a huge hit where kids made colorful jewelry and accessories.

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Circle of Trust Suicide Prevention sponsored a free-throw contest and prizes for various contests. Water bottles, ball bags, basketballs and other prizes were donated through Circle of Trust.

CSKT Tobacco Prevention supplied first place basketball tourney prizes such as: hoodies and swim passes to the local water park in Missoula. Second prize awards, Nike basketballs were provided through the CSKT Diabetes Prevention Program.

Esperandza Orozco of Pikuni Thunder makes a strong effort to drive the ball to the hoop while Arlee Heat Carly Hergett readily tries to block her attempt. (Lailani Upham photo)

CSKT Tribal Health arranged a healthy snack from Subway sandwiches for students and families after a couple hours of vigorous exercise and Big Sky sunshine.

Salish Kootenai College Fitness program provided Summer Youth Employment staff to keep the younger kids busy in the gym with a handful of native games, dodge ball, tug-o-war and other running activities.

The collaboration didn’t stop there - Mission Valley Aquatics offered kids fun and educational stuff on water fitness.

The Montana Department of Transportation SOAR program edified families to stay safe on the roads with “buckle up” messages and free booster seats.

Boys line up continuously at the free throw contest in between tournament games in hopes of bringing home a prize. (Lailani Upham photo)

The co-ed basketball tournament winners for the fifth and sixth grade division were: Desert Horse Elite, first place; second place, One and Only; and third spot went to Arlee Team Heat.

Winners in the seventh and eighth grade division: first place, Desert Horse Stars; second place, Midnight Stars; and third, Chief Maidens.

“We had eight teams register in each division with four players per team. It was a coed function; some of the teams had a hard time finding girls. It was the first time we did straight coed, it was something different for a change up,” Asay stated.

Although plenty of activities were offered including Tribal Waves performing tough guy demonstrations that kept the kids and adults in awe with brick breaking and telephone book rip ups, Asay says more activities are in the works for future events.

(L to R) Ezra Two Teeth eyes her red bead before stringing it through a colorful necklace piece, while Zailey Hewankorn gets a little help from an older relative, Thaiden Mullen at the Big Brother Big Sister craft table. (Lailani Upham photo)

Asay said Tribal Health brought nurses on site with a station to fix up the kids booboos. It was a very popular station, according to Asay. “We had a lot of scrapes and a few cuts. Thanks to Cindy and Christie, they were great.”

First place for seventh and eighth grade Desert Horse Stars team members were: Alicia Camel, Lee Camel, Tanner Wilson, and J’Von Johnson.

Other first place team members for fifth and sixth grade Desert Horse Elite were: Louetta Conko-Camel, Anthony Camel, Sydni Rogers and Lane Johnson.

Parents come out to support their teams during the sixth annual 3-on-3 Midnight Hoops Family Night at TERS parking lot last week. (Lailani Upham photo)

Second place for seventh and eighth grade Midnight Stars were: Stephen Walks Over Ice, Shayln Walks Over Ice, Bill Adams.

Second place team members for fifth and sixth grade One and Only were: Kordell Walker, Asa Askan, Micah Askan and Macao Jackson.

Third place for seventh and eighth grade Chief and Maidens were: Jerimiah North Piegan, Tiffany Tallwhiteman, Alex Dennis and Maleik Genzel.

Third place for fifth and sixth grade Arlee Team Heat were: Cody Tanner, Elaine Wall, Emily Fiddler, and Karolyna Old Person.