by By Dan Ninham, contributing writer
Ahdiayh Chee is enrolled Navajo but also identifies with Omaha and Santee Sioux. She will be a senior at Dobson High School in Arizona this school year. Her primary sport is basketball but she also played softball and volleyball and plans to do flag football this senior year.
In the 2020-21 season she made Second Team All Conference, and in the 2021-22 season she was named East Valley Region Offensive Player of the Year. During the 2022-23 seasons she was again named the East Valley Region OPY and also was recognized as First Team All Arizona. She also scored her 1,000th career point during the playoffs.
Chee’s indigenous core values defines how she practices and competes. She said, “I don’t take anything for granted, my grandmothers and mom always tell me to be thankful for everything that crosses my path. To remain humble and pray every day. They teach me to be kind, giving and grateful.”
“I have always known the odds of native players playing at a high level is very difficult. There is a big stigma against Native players not being tall, not being strong, not being fast but I have been taught to remain strong through all the difficulties in life to prove people wrong and to be a role model for all the younger generations that they too can dream big,” added Chee.
Chee is always working at getting to be at a high performance level.
“My main focus to ensure I train smart,” said Chee. “This means taking care of my body, eating better, resting properly and training hard every session. I am working on all my weaknesses so I can improve my game at every level. Right now I am preparing for different college camps to areas I would like to attend.”
Monique Bribescas is the director of Moballin Training and she’s Chee’s trainer. She played basketball at New Mexico State University and was recognized in the Hall of Fame at Desert Vista High School (AZ) for the most assists.
“Coach Mo was the person I first started training with when I began sixth grade,” said Chee. “I didn’t play basketball until I met her. She taught me the game and how to apply myself to every aspect of the game. She’s constantly pushing me and letting me know what I need to work on.”
“She’s been a big supporter in my life and someone I look up to. She’s owns the gym ‘The Lab’ and runs small side businesses, she’s a boss of her own and one day I want the same. She’s helped me learn how to become a referee and what it takes to own your own business,” added Chee.
“Anytime I need extra work or to get some shots in or even someone to tell me truth to the game or life I can always reach out to her for anything,” said Chee. “She’s become family.”
Henry Bribescas is the Dobson High School varsity girls’ basketball coach. He talked about one of his star athletes: “Ahdiayh is such a leader on and off the court. Ahdiayh takes care of business in the classroom and has the highest GPA on the team and on the court she leads the team in many statistical categories. She is dependable and trustworthy. As head coach, I know my players are all good to go at all times with Ahdiayh as their leader.”
Photo: Ephraim Sloan
