by From the BISKNIK tribal newspaper
For the second year, countless numbers of Native American family, friends and avid basketball fans will gather in Durant to witness a show case of hardwood skill and aerial talent of over 600 Native American student athletes during the 9th Annual Madness in March All-Indian High school basketball tournament on March 21-25, taking place at both Bloomer Sullivan gym and arena on Southeastern’s campus and Durant High school gym. Highlighting this year’s event is NBA legend Darryl Dawkins and former NFL linebacker Kenyatta Wright. Both have made commitments to participate in the inaugural coaches/celebrity basketball game.
“Teams travel from as far as Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to Salt River Pima, Ariz., to Choctaw, Miss., to Sioux City, Iowa, and all the way from Okeechobee, Fla., to stake claim to being the best Native American High school team in the nation,” said Victor Bear, 4LO TG vice-chairman.
“With the talent level and competition increasing yearly, teams are traveling to Oklahoma to test the strength of their programs within their respected states, vying for the right to be crowned as the tribe with the best basketball talent.” The Choctaw nation has once again extended its hospitality by hosting this year’s event. “On behalf of Chief Greg pyle, Assistant Chief Gary Batton and the great Choctaw nation, we welcome the teams and look forward to hosting the 4 Love of the Game high school basketball tournament here in Durant, land of the Choctaw nation,” said sue Folsom, Executive Director of Cultural services. “ I would like to commend the excellent work that the organizers, Dave pascale and Victor Bear, who have put together a great program to showcase these outstanding native athletes from around the states. this is a great tournament you don’t want to miss, come out and support our native athletes.”
This event isn’t all about basketball. The tournament will officially kick off with a College Prep Day, which is geared toward informing student-athletes about financial aid and the rigors of college life.
Over 300 students attended last year’s event. “Our main goal has always been for our kids to know the importance of a college education,” said Bear. “Receiving a degree and going back to your respected community and making a difference in the life of someone else is the success story we want to hear.”
Following the College Prep Day, all teams will begin pool play on Thursday morning and will end on Friday afternoon. Teams will play three pool games, vying for the top seeds in the single elimination tournament that be-gins on Saturday morning. All teams will be seeded into the tournament.“It’s not too often you get this many great athletes from so many different states and tribes coming together to compete in one place, and we’re glad we are able to host this event in Choctaw country,” said Brad Clay, Youth Events Coordinator. “It allows us to share our Choctaw culture and facilities with other tribes and also brings revenue tothe city of Durant. We hope the tournament continues to get bigger and better each year.”
The highlight of the week, as it is every year, will be the All-Star Jam. The All-Star Jam will feature a coaches/celebrity game, three-point contest, slam dunk contest and fan appreciation events. Also, the Dash 4 Cash challenge will be held during the night for fans in attendance. Saturday morning will begin play of the single-elimination tournament, College-March-Madness style. The winner goes on, the loser goes home and prepares for next year. Sunday morning will bring about the Final Four and Championship games.
“It is always a great tournament with tal-ented Native American athletes from all over the United States,” said Kevin Gwin, Director, Choctaw Nation Youth Activities. “If you have not had the opportunity to attend this tournament in the past, I suggest you come and watch to see the talent these teams bring to the court.”Pascale has extended an invitation to all Native American High School and Junior High students to come out and compete in what is becoming the largest Native American High School basketball tournament in the nation.
“There will be teams from many different tribes and states travel -ling to Oklahoma, and it’s a great opportunity for Native American athletes to compete against each other and share history and culture,” he said. “We’d like to thank the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the city of Durant for their hospitality in hosting this event, and we look for it to continue to grow each and every year,” said Pascale.
To enter a team or for more informa-tion on the tournament, contact 4 Love of the Game at 918-759-0880 or visit www.4loveofthegame.org
(Story from the BISKINIK publication, the official news of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the original story is in the March 2012 publication and can be read here:
http://www.choctawnation.com/news-room/biskinik-newspaper-archive/)
