by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Even though the pandemic has put a stop and hold on the world, there are college signings of national letter of intents occurring often. There are several senior basketball players from the basketball-rich state of Montana getting their pens ready to sign.
Sossity Spotted Wolf signed her national letter of intent to play basketball at United Tribes Technical College.
Sossity Spotted Wolf, 18, is from the Northern Cheyenne tribe. Her Indian name is Mokee meaning Little Women. Her parents are the late Terry SpottedWolf, Jr. and Keisha Howe. The family lives in Lame Deer, MT.
Sossity is a senior at Hardin High School. She has been to the state basketball tournament throughout high school. The teams were runner-up sophomore and junior years and co-state champions with Billings Central HS this past season due to the pandemic.
Sossity was named All-State Class B sophomore year and Class ‘A’ senior year. Sossity competed in cross-country, basketball and softball.
“I’m very blessed and happy that I have a chance to continue to play at the collegiate level,” said Sossity. “I’m happy to announce that I will be furthering my education and athletic career at United Tribes Technical College. The high, the lows and everything in between through the past four years have been a blessing and have made me into the person I am today. Thank you to both Colstrip HS and Hardin HS programs, and the AAU coaches that have believed in me.”
The United Tribes Technical College women’s basketball program is one of the nation’s top junior college programs. Head Coach Kelsey Peltier was named for the second straight season the NJCAA Region XIII Coach of the Year this past season. An enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Peltier played on the three-time state champion Bottineau HS (ND) basketball team. She also played DI basketball at North Dakota State University and D2 at the University of Mary.
“We are very pleased to add Sossity Spotted Wolf to the Thunderbird family,” said Coach Kelsey Peltier, UTTC women’s basketball head coach. “Our run-and-gun style of play will make Sossity’s transition an easy one since she plays a very similar style with Hardin and Coach Farmer. Not only is Sossity a great teammate and ball player, but she also handles business in the classroom. Gaining a well-rounded athlete like Sossity is always a plus for our program and for future recruits.”
“My grandparents were always tough on me with our Northern Cheyenne traditions and to respect others,” said Sossity. “I have the biggest heart for others, especially my teammates.”
“Kami Egan was someone that helped me first get into basketball,” said Sossity. ”She asked me to join a traveling basketball team when I was in grade school with her daughter. Once I got into high school she was still there helping and was also an assistant coach at Colstrip HS.”
“Roxie Wilson is the head coach for Colstrip HS,” said Sossity. “She helped shape me into the player I am today.”
“Cindy Farmer helped me adjust and also welcomed me into the Hardin Basketball program,” said Sossity. “She also shaped me into the person and player I am today. She was always supportive.”
“Sossity is the definition of an unselfish player, always putting the team first,” said Cindy Farmer, head girl’s varsity basketball coach at Hardin HS. “She has been committed to making herself and her teammates better at each and every practice and game. When Sossity was in the game I knew that the offense would be executed properly because of her discipline and ability to read the defense. She is a consistent, all-around player. From defending and rebounding to penetrating, dishing and finishing. She has an excellent shot and can pass with the best. She was selected All-state this year and our team was co-state champions for Class A.”
“Jonah Red Cherries pushed me in basketball but as soon as it ended, he continued to push me in softball as well,” said Sossity. “He helped me adjust more because he was a friendly face and we share a connection from the same hometown. He knew who my parents are, and he shared his childhood with my dad.”
“My family has been the biggest fans in my life,” said Sossity. “My mom has always been my biggest supporter in everything I do, and there has not been a sport or any activity she has not gone too. My older and younger brothers and I have participated in football, wrestling, and basketball while we were in grade school and in middle school. Playing those sports with them have taught me to be tough mentally and physically. They have played a major role in my life.”
“Going from a Class ‘B’ school and transferring to a Class ‘A’ school was a huge step and a challenge for me,” said Sossity. “It helped me grow has a person whether it was in the classroom or on the court. It was a great choice, and the Hardin HS faculty brought me in with open arms. During the summer I was able to play with Coach Farmer and the rest of the team. The past two years have been great experience during my high school career.”
Photo Credit: Tommy B. Robinson and Sossity Spotted Wolf Family
