SKC teams win national titles

Zach Urness

Leader Staff

RAPID CITY, S.D —With their third National Tribal Championship in a row, the SKC men’s basketball team has become a legitimate basketball dynasty, and the women’s team, who won their first title since 2001, isn’t too far behind.

Both teams roared into Rapid City, S.D. last weekend for the AIHEC (American Indian Higher Education Consortium) National Basketball Championships. The SKC basketball program has taken major steps forward this season, winning national and local tournaments, as well as playing their longest regular season schedule in school history.

And all the work has apparently paid off, as the men claimed their third consecutive title with a 98-89 victory over Northwest Indian College from Bellingham, Wash., putting the finishing touches on a season that saw them win their final 22 games.

The women took home their championship with a 76-69 win over Oglala Lakota College from Pine Ridge, S.D.

“We did what we had to do to win,” said men’s head basketball coach Zachary Camel. “As the defending champions we got everybody’s best shot, but we played hard and advanced and with our experience we were able to get it done.”

The men’s championship game came against a familiar opponent in Northwest Indian College, a team they only beat by one point, 63-62, in pool play. In the championship game the score stayed close, but thanks to their experience and dynamic scoring ability, the Bison were able to hold on for the win.

Four players reached double figures against Northwest, including tournament MVP Delbert Trombley who led the team with 27 points.

Howard Walker, a tournament all-star, hit 23 points, and Ed Running Rabbit, who was also a tourney all-star added 19 points. Justin Tonasket had 12 points, Andy Zimmer had eight and Pius Takes Horse had seven.

“They really sacrificed and put in the work,” said Camel of his team. “They shared the ball and played like champions.”

In the semi final the Bison took on Blackfeet Community College and were able to come away with a 100-82 victory. Walker led the team with 27 points in the semi-final and was followed by 20 points from both Trombley and Takes Horse. Tonasket had 16 points and Running Rabbit had 13.

The women had a slightly tougher rode to the championship game after losing once in pool play and taking the #2 seed into the single elimination round. But the Lady Bison were able to get revenge in the hard-fought championship against Oglala Lakota College, the team that beat them in pool play. After a back-and-forth affair, SKC was able to come out on top, thanks in large part to tournament MVP Bobbi Woodworth, who led all scorers with 26 points.

“We played really well together,” said women’s head coach Juan Perez. “We knew it was going to be a tough game after losing to them the first time. But we didn’t get down on each other and kept working hard.”

Angie Redstar added 14 points against Oglala and Geneviere Cochran scored 10.

The Lady Bison also had a tough game in the semi finals, where they inched out a victory over Little Bighorn College, 82-73. Woodworth led the team with 25 points and was followed by all-tournament selections Rikki Ollinger, who had 13, and Carla McLean, who scored 12. Angie Redstar had 10 points as did Phyllis Kipp.

The dual championships seem appropriately timed, as the SKC Health and Education will be opened next year, flush with a brand-spanking new gym for SKC home games-not to mention nice place to prominently display their growing collections of AIHEC championships trophies.

“Four in a row next year,” said Camel on the possibility of winning another championship. “We have a good thing going here, but, as always, it all comes down to the players.”