by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Cameron McCormick, 36, is from the Crow Nation and the Greasy Mouth Clan. His Indian name is “the one they like to see.” He is a twin and his sister died young from cancer in 1985. He was born, raised and lives in Hardin, Montana. Cameron played high school basketball at Hardin and Lodge Grass.
“Cameron is my eldest son and was a twin,” said mom Alma McCormick. “His twin sister, Camie, passed away from neuroblastoma cancer at a very young age in 1985. I have witnessed the powerful bonding and divine connection between a set of twins. I strongly believe because of what my son has experienced at an early age, he is exceptional in all areas of his life especially spiritually. He has stated that everything he does here on earth, he does for his twin sister because she never had the chance to.”
“Cameron has been a very good role model for his younger brother and sister,” said Alma. “Due to his strong faith and close relationship with God, Cameron has maintained a life of sobriety. He acquired a love for the game of basketball in grade school and it just grew stronger as he got older. I distinctly recall when he was in fifth grade and it was before his first game, he said to me, “You should watch me play mom I’m really good!” And he was right! He played with such aggression, confidence, and determination. I experienced much joy the first time I say him play!”
“Before I knew it, he became a dominating point guard in middle school and continued to define his skills when he began playing at the high school level. He had great jumping ability and could easily dunk the basketball. He can still dunk the ball! I remember during the summer months he spent long hours at the outdoor basketball courts just shooting and scrimmaging full court with his friends. He was consistent and diligent in his daily workouts that included running several miles and performing strenuous workouts. I believe it was at this time that Cameron learned the importance of working hard and getting in the best of shape possible if you want to excel at the game of basketball,” added Alma.
“Cameron’s faith and determination played a key role for him when he left home to attend college and also play some college basketball,” said Alma. “He received a Bachelor’s of Elementary Education from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This degree allowed him the opportunity to work with young people here on the Crow reservation as well as other reservations in the state of Montana. Soon he was not only teaching but coaching basketball at the grade school level.”
“Cameron’s leadership path began in his positions as a head coach several years now for girl’s high school varsity basketball,” said Alma. “As a head coach, he has developed training and conditioning programs at each school emphasizing the importance of personal sacrifice, dedication, and commitment. He has set team rules with consequences if broken. I have witnessed him investing long hours preparing practice drills and offensive/defensive strategies. His devotion to prepare his team for the upcoming season begins on June 1st. Cameron generously pays out of his pocket for tournament games during the summer. He also pays for all expenses to take his players several times to participate in team camps such as Oregon State and Gonzaga University.”
“I believe for most of these young women attending team camp out of state is a once in a life time experience,” said Alma. “He will go above and beyond to best prepare his team for the season.”
“I personally support my son by serving as a chaperone during the summer activities,” said Alma. “During the season, I provide pre-game and post-game prayers and pep talks with the players in the locker room. When I share with the girls, I hope to instill faith and vision. I also want them to know the power of our words. I feel extremely blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to impart into the lives of young women and develop a lasting rapport with each of them.”
“Cameron’s passion to work with young people in the classroom and on the basketball court goes much deeper than education or winning a game,” said Alma. “He has been able to use the game of basketball and all it entails to illustrate life and impart good seeds into the hearts of young people.”
“Cameron’s successes in his coaching career did not come easily. He paid a price enduring challenges and much adversity. He still maintained good character and has been a role model displaying that despite adversity you can persevere and overcome to achieve a positive outcome,” added Alma.
“Cameron’s ultimate desire is to make a difference in the life of a young person,” said Alma.
“In 2003 I remember going with my cousin Allen Knows His Gun, my first-cousin Tommy McCormick, and cousin Mike Chavez, who played for the Montana Grizzlies, to a springtime tournament in the state of Washington, the Yakima Nation Invitation Basketball Tournament,” said Cameron. “I won both their slam-dunk and three-point contests.”
Cameron bounced around playing or trying to play at the college level. He made the team as a walk-on in the beginning of the 2004-05 season at NAIA Rocky Mountain College but quit before the first practice. In 2006 he made the team at Haskell Indian Nations University and played “for a few minutes here and there,” he said.
In 2007 he attended Little Big Horn College, played basketball, and eventually earned an Associate of Arts degree in 2008.
“As a college basketball player for Little Big Horn College, I was named to the Region IX Academic All-Conference Team in 2007,” said Cameron.
In 2011, he received his Bachelor’s degree. Soon after he began his coaching with junior high school basketball in Wyola, MT.
“I ventured to the Rocky Boy Reservation in 2016 where I was head girls’ basketball coach, second grade teacher and librarian for two years,” said Cameron. “I lived in Busby, MT for one year and I was the Northern Cheyenne head girls’ basketball coach and second grade teacher. The Lady Eagles made Southern C Divisional for the first time in nine years.”
“In 2016-17, I coached my first high school basketball team with the Rocky Boy HS varsity girls,” said Cameron. “In the Northern B Divisional Consolation game, the winner advanced to State, and we had a three-point lead with about two minutes to go. However, we ended up turning the ball over, failing to get two defensive stops and to score a basket as time ran out. We watched Wolf Point HS celebrate jubilantly as they would go on to nearly take third in the State B tournament in Billings, MT.”
“In 2018, Rocky Boy allowed me a second season with all of the same girls except two, Rosie Parker, probably my best player, and Shania Patacsil, the other senior,” said Cameron. “This time not only did we go to State but here is how we did it. We beat Fairfield, the defending state champions, 57-37, for the 2018 District 1B tournament championship.”
“Two of my players, Sean Henry and Adrienne Gopher, both are now mothers, were named All-State. Then we defeated Poplar, 71-70, in overtime in the Northern B Divisional semi-final game. Poplar’s star center 6’2” Imani Bighorn would later be named MVP of the 2019 State B champion Wolf Point girls. But in 2018 we defeated those Wolf Point girls 76-52 and became the Northern B Divisional champions,” added Cameron.
“In 2018, our Rocky Boy girls’ team won their first Northern B Divisional Tournament in school history,” said Cameron. “Further we played in Rocky Boys’ first State B Girls tournament ever.”
“In 2019 I coached the varsity girl’s basketball team for the Class C Northern Cheyenne Tribal School (NCTS),” said Cameron. “I barely had enough girls for a squad and in our first game we suited up just five players. My main players included a couple of freshmen.”
“NCTS had not done so, according to my knowledge, since 2010. But we beat Jordan in a loser-out game in the 2019 District 4C tournament, a game in which Jordan shot a total of fifty free throw attempts,” added Cameron.
“Here in 2020, Lodge Grass HS allowed me to coach their girls,” said Cameron. “The Lodge Grass HS girls had not made it out of Districts since 2011.”
“We were able to defeat St. Labre HS, a team of Priscilla Flatmouth, Madison Bighorn, and Teegan Ewing, all of whom as sophomores had played in the 2018 State B tournament in Missoula, as well as some other players. Beating St. Labre 46-42, Jordan Jefferson and Diamond Amyotte made some big shots for us. Diamond hit a three-pointer after scoring a layup in traffic that put us up 45-40 with just around one minute and forty-five seconds to go.”
“Beating St. Labre HS qualified us for the Southern B Divisional tournament for the first time in nine years,” said Cameron.
“I thank the Lord that I was a part of this,” said Cameron. “I remember the only returning varsity players who saw a lot of action the previous season were Shantell PrettyOnTop and Jordan Jefferson. But this season Jordan was named All-State and I cannot remember the last time that a Lodge Grass HS girl received such recognition. I was happy for her.”
“In the end it was truly a team effort though,” said Cameron. “LaRae Wallace played ferocious defense against bigger opponents. Ruby Crazy Mule, who had never played a minute of varsity, played the much-needed center position for us. My mother coined a phrase that Rocky Boy girls heard as well as Northern Cheyenne and this season Lodge Grass. She said, “Together our Exploits will Amaze Many forming the acronym TEAM. It is always a team effort as far as I am concerned.”
“My core values include faith in God, prayer, and respect for self and others,” said Cameron. “I believe this has been the strength of every team that I have coached here in Montana. I have seen us overcome racism and even brokenness as far as our home lives.
“An acronym ‘Together our Exploits will Amaze Many’ or ‘TEAM’, was coined by Alma McCormick,” said Cameron. “The lesson in it is that regardless of the inadequacies, real or perceived, of any of the players, or myself as coach, if we all come together into unity then we will accomplish our dream. And along the way people will simply be amazed.”
“The encouragement was that ‘God has placed you in this position, therefore you walk in peace and in victory today and everyday.’ As a head coach I have felt immense pressure, even hatred at times, to win but also envy from others. Not to mention those who seem to desire playing time for their child in spite of the success of the team. No offense to any parents intended but in these situations I have found strength from the aforementioned statement and made difficult decisions before, during and after games. I feel like sometimes they were the difference in our wins and losses and even in the character building of my players that, to me, is paramount.”
“My mother Alma McCormick, Executive Director of Messengers For Health, positively influenced me,” said Cameron. “She is the consummate female in inspiration, knowledge and mental fortitude, especially for me coaching girls and there is no one else like her.”
Cameron said: “Jan Mitchell, Personnel Director of Rocky Boys Schools, is the epitome of the manner in which a parent ought to support their child’s coach. She showed me respect and support for all to see, especially her daughter, and as a result we made Rocky Boy school history by winning the Montana girls basketball’s Northern B Divisional tournament.”
“Former coach Gordon Real Bird, Sr. was a positive influence,” said Cameron.
“His simple tactics changed me as a player, his training opened my eyes and his philosophy of the fundamentals of basketball have revolutionized my approach to the game.”
“To be successful personally means to have spent yourself attempting to fulfill God’s purpose for creating you,” said Cameron. “To be successful professionally means to be accountable first to God then to your supervisor or supervisors. I believe this should be the foundation for each and every individual. Advice I would give to student athletes and coaches to be successful include pray, and read the Bible and books pertaining to your sport, and work hard especially when you do not feel like it.”
“Coach Cameron is dedicated when it comes to coaching,” said former player Jordan Jefferson. “He spends all his time and money on summer tournaments to prepare his team for fall sports. He’s a God-fearing man and loves to pray. He actively participates with us during practice, whether it’s running or drills.”
“He always keeps that communication looks out for us on and off the court making sure we make good decisions,” added Jordan.
“On his knees with coach of life lessons: This would allude to the praying I have done in recent years both off the court and even during games,” said Cameron. “Further, my posture on the sideline during games has been that of kneeling down rather than being seated or simply standing.”
“To prepare for the future of my athletics programming during the pandemic, honestly, I have been praying,” said Cameron. “In addition to that I am hoping to have finished reading some of the coaching books that I have begun as well as study and learn some more set offenses so that I can readily implement them at once.”
Photo Credit: Victor Flores and 406mtsports.com
