by By Dan Ninham
Many colleges didn’t have a season last season due to the pandemic. Thus, graduating seniors the year before had to wait a year before they could attend college and participate in athletics.
Oneida/Oglala tribal member Malia Jacobs recently committed to Bacone College in Muscogee, OK. It is about 880 miles southwest of Oneida, WI.
“Having my basketball career put on hold due to the pandemic was the worst possible thing that has happened,” said Malia. “Going a year without playing competitively was hard. At a point I doubted if I wanted to pursue my basketball dream of playing at the next level. Then Coach Tera Cuny-Baker reached out to me. She is wanting to turn around the Bacone College women’s basketball team around this year and I gladly wanted to be a part of it. I was also thankful that she wanted me to be part of it.”
“I’ll never forget the time I had being a Lady Thunder-hawk,” said Malia. “I’m lucky enough to be a part of such a great team. We didn’t get the ending we wanted my senior year but during my three years at Oneida, we accomplished more than I thought we would. We won two back to back conference titles, had a perfect season in 2019-20, won regionals, and became the first team for Oneida to make it to the sectional finals.”
“I have some personal accomplishments. I became a vocal leader. In a way I was like the floor manager always telling people where they need to be and always talking on defense,” added Malia.
“While I believe being vocal is my best accomplishment, I have been blessed to receive other accomplishments,” said Malia. “My sophomore year I made honorable mention for the M&O Conference, junior year awarded honorable mention for M&O conference, MVP for the basketball team, and was once ranked fourth in the state for assists until I was out for the season due to an ankle injury. Lastly, my senior year I made the second team for the M&O conference.”
Malia was featured during her senior season in ndnsports.com: http://www.ndnsports.com/malia-jacobs-oneida-oglala-born-leader-of-the-oneida-nation-hs-wi-lady-thunderhawks/
“I am so proud of Malia,” said Lee Laster, Oneida Nation Lady Thunderhawks head basketball coach. “To have a year off unplanned due to COVID-19 and no college sports taking place she could have easily chose not to pursue her dream but that’s just not the person Malia is. She is a leader, has an amazing work ethic and discipline and is passionate about the game of basketball.”
“I am looking forward to Malia starting her new journey, playing at an elite level and getting out of Wisconsin to live her life for the next four years. She has the mindset and all the tools needed to succeed not only on the court but also in her everyday life,” added Lee.
“Malia’s leadership attributes start with how she engages others to contribute to the success of the team,” said Artley Skenandore, ONHS Athletic Director and 9-12 Principal. “Malia’s core strength is her dedication in the classroom and in the gym, hard work creates success and opportunities of a lifetime.”
“Enjoy every moment of the journey,” said AD Artley Skenandore.
Photo Credit: Kelly Jo Johnson
