Midnight Hoopz in Arlee a success

ARLEE — Three-on-three basketball was the game and Arlee was the place for fifth through ninth graders to show their stuff on the blacktop well into the night at the Midnight Hoopz basketball tournament.

According to Margene Asay of the Tribal Health Department for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Midnight Hoopz tourney first christened the Pow Wow Grounds Ball Courts three years ago after the courts were built in memory of Thomas Lyle who died in an automobile accident in 2006.

A wider range of sponsors participated in this year’s tournament than in past years.

Previously, CSKT’s Tribal Health and Tobacco Prevention and Diabetes Programs hosted the event. Now CSKT’s Fitness Centers, Truancy Prevention and Suicide Prevention Programs all lend a hand, CSKT Tobacco Prevention Specialist Cristen Morigeau said.

Teams were charged $40 to register and were provided tourney T-shirts by the sponsors. This year, participants also received goody bags full of information on exercise, diabetes prevention and healthy snacks. Participants who completed a scavenger hunt through the booths set up by sponsors were also entered into a raffle where they could win Nike athletic bags.

CSKT’s transportation department supplied water and the Tobacco Prevention Program provided glow stick necklaces and bracelets once it got dark.

“It kind of adds to the effect of Midnight Hoopz,” Morigeau said. “It makes it more fun for the kids.”

Morigeau said the purpose of the tournament is to educate and promote a healthy lifestyle among the community’s children.

“It’s to encourage kids to be healthy and be active,” she said. “It’s more of a family activity.”

Families turned out in good numbers to watch their loved ones face off against competitors their own age.

As in most sports, the best of the players were rewarded handsomely for their skills.

In each of four divisions, players on the first place teams won hooded sweatshirts, while players on the second place teams won passes good for a day at the Splash Montana water park or the Current Athletic Club in Missoula. Third place finishers received Nike basketballs.

It was a successful night without any rain after 7 p.m., Morigeau said.

“We had a good tournament this year. We’re learning as we go and things went smoother this year than in past years,” she said. “I think it was awesome other organizations jumped in and helped. A lot of people are starting to catch on with the yearly event.”

Results

Fifth/Sixth-grade co-ed

1) A-Town; Morgan Malatare, Calvin Hendren, Peyton Lefthand, Dennis Fisher

2) Arlee Hoops Squad; Patrick BigSam, Autumn Moran, Isaac Desjarlais, Haley Wilson

3) Arlee Storm; Morgan Malatare, Tyra Chiefstick, Shelby Shourds, Cassidy Wonderlick

Seventh/Eighth-grade boys

1) Mission; Jarred Brown, Katrina Stevens, Adam Mahseelah, Stewart Grant

2) Pikuni; Clarence McNabb, Joeral Tatsey, Chance No Runner, Riley Heavy Runner

3) Fantastic Four; Isaiah Adams, Blayten Matt, T.J. Haynes, Aaron Fisher

Ninth-grade girls

1) Ballin’ Brats; Kristyn Adams, Cheyenne Eagle Feathers, Tayla Desjarlais, Brook Carlson

2) Bring It; FeQuoia King, Amanda Bear Medicine, Hydee Wilson, Maliah Hamel

3) Looney Tunes; Jathanna Burns, Sci’Anne Belanger, Selah Waldron, Angel Malatare

Ninth-grade co-ed

1) Triple Threat; Whit Malatare, Cole Noble, Mahalia Hendren, Clay Malatare

2) Two Babes and Two Studs; Kristyn Adams, Cheyenne Eagle Feathers, Logan Boushie, Poncho Torres

3) Team Obama; Casey Bolman, Artie Mendoza, Desiraey Bolman, Daryl Conko-Camel