Lakota Classic Embodies Culture, Tradition
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2210 W. Pentagon Place • Sioux Falls, SD 57107 (605) 467-3010 • www.sdbbhof.com 2016 Spring Newsletter Lakota Classic Embodies Culture, Tradition hirty-nine years of compe- titive basketball, and of Tenduring fellowship and goodwill, has characterized the Lakota Nation Invitational. What began as an eight-team tournament at Pine Ridge has evolved into a 32-team event of wide-ranging cultural significance. While basketball remains a focal point, LNI week also includes such other meaningful activities as a powwow, educational workshops, cheerleading competitions, a knowledge bowl, an art show and a Lakota language bowl. The tournament began in 1977 with the Red Cloud Crusaders winning the first championship. Roman Hawran Lacho Photo Two years later the LNI was moved The majesty of the 2015 Grand Entry during the 39th annual LNI. Game photo Page 12. to Rapid City. Since then it has been held at the Rushmore Plaza selections have been Zach Finley Civic Center and each year draws In this Issue: of St. Thomas More, T.J. McCauley thousands of people who make an of Little Wound and Lower Brule, important contribution to Rapid Sturgis Star Shines .....2-3 Ted Standing Soldier of Little City’s economy. Wound and brothers Derek and Class of 2016 .....................5 The 39th annual tournament, Paige Paulsen of Custer. coordinated by founder and Ipswich Ruled ’52 .......6-8 A girls division was added in director Bryan Brewer, was played 1983. Pine Ridge stalwart Lolly Dec. 16-19, 2015. A highlight, as it is Salute to Champs ...........9 Steele led the Thorpes to the each year, was the solemn Grand inaugural championship and was Entry ceremony. champion in 2015, defeated White named MVP. Little Wound emerged as the River 74-41. Leading the way was Among the other girls MVPs girls champion. The boys title was 6-foot-7 David Wingett with 26 have been SuAnne Big Crow of claimed by Winnebago, Neb. points. White River was paced by Pine Ridge, Sunni Busch of Todd Cammi Bear Killer scored 19 Dru Espinoza with 12. Little Wound County, Doni DeCory of Pine points to lead Little Wound past won the third-place game over Ridge, Ruth Dreamer of Pine Ridge Todd County 62-50 in the girls Pine Ridge. and Dana Richards of Red Cloud. finals. It was the first LNI Many standouts have earned The upcoming LNI on Dec. 14-17, championship for the Lady Most Valuable Player awards in the 2016, will mark the milestone 40th Mustangs since 1984. Stevie Lone LNI. Among them was former anniversary of a tournament that Dog paced the Lady Falcons with White River star Louie Krogman, has grown from a modest 17 points. Pine Ridge took third who totaled 3,521 career points for beginning into an event whose place and White River was fourth. the Tigers to rank as the state’s all- importance is embraced by In the boys finals Winnebago, time record holder. thousands and admired by an the Nebraska Class C1 state Some of the other boys MVP entire state. 2016 Spring Newsletter • Page 2 Sturgis Star Continues to Shine in Europe By Greg Hansen screamed at me and I shot back, ‘What? You want me to just watch Basketball success arrived early the other girl score a layup?’ He for Megan Mahoney. It has been her subbed me so fast and chewed my loyal companion ever since. butt. He put me in my place. We Mahoney was a rarity among laugh about it now.” players in South Dakota. Her talent HOF: What do you recall about was so unique she was named all- Sturgis’ two state title games? state five times in the state’s big- Mahoney: “Roosevelt Roosevelt. school class. We just never could get them. Through a stellar career at Every game was a battle and they Sturgis Brown High School, four had great teams. I'm over it now, seasons at Kansas State University, but for a few years that was a major and 12 years as a professional disappointment: Never beating player, Mahoney has exemplified Roosevelt.” the qualities of a team-first athlete HOF: How did playing at Sturgis, who places winning above personal and against South Dakota glory. competition, prepare you for major During the past season Mahoney college and professional starred for ESBVA Metropole Lille, basketball? a team in France that was runner- Mahoney: “I had a great coach in up in the 2016 EuroCup. Mike Friedel. I had raw talent, but Mahoney scored 2,066 points at he helped shape me into the player Sturgis before graduating in 2001 I am. He helped instill a sense of as the state’s Miss Basketball. She team and hard work. I think was Class AA second team all-state basketball in South Dakota was as an eighth-grader and then made KSU Photo about that blue-collar attitude of first team all-state the next four Sturgis product Megan Mahoney was a stalwart working hard and being tough.” seasons. She led the Scoopers to on Kansas State University teams that went 26- HOF: How did you choose 8, 29-5, 25-6 and 24-8. the title game of the state Kansas State? tournaments in both 1998 and 1999 that 1996 season and how were you Mahoney: “Since I was probably where they fell to Roosevelt. able to compete at such a high level a freshman, I thought I had my Kansas State went 104-27 with at such a young age? mind made up to play at Colorado Mahoney and reached the NCAA Mahoney: “Well, at first, I was a State. I had been there for camps Tournament each year. She started little worried because I heard talk and I loved the team, coach, city, every game. Mahoney was a 6-foot about how the upper-classmen school ... everything. And I wanted guard/forward who made all-Big 12 wouldn't be happy about a little to follow in the footsteps of my Conference and totaled 1,307 points. eighth-grader taking a spot. I was idol, Becky Hammon. So, I was She graduated as the Wildcats all- and am a competitor, and I just honored by offers from other time assists leader with 589. wanted to win and do what I could schools, but I didn't give them Connecticut selected Mahoney to help the team. I think once they much consideration. But, Kansas in the 2005 WNBA Draft. She spent saw I could hold my own, my age State stayed with me. Assistant two seasons with the Sun and has wasn't much of an issue. coach Kamie Ethridge finally said, played 10 years in Europe. The “One memory that stays with me ‘Megan, is the door closed all the South Dakota High School was playing Stevens. They had Erin way on us? Or is it open even a Basketball Hall of Fame asked her Erickson, a very good 6-3 senior. crack? Because if it’s open even a about her career. Coach (Mike) Friedel told me to crack, we're coming to get you and Hall Of Fame: It is incredibly rare stick with her. But another girl have you come for a visit.’ for an eighth-grader to make all- drove, and I rotated to help, and “I went on a visit and loved the state. What are your memories of she passed to Erin for a layup. Fry place and team. Nicole Ohlde (my 2016 Spring Newsletter • Page 3 Sturgis Star Continues to Shine in Europe roommate for three years at K- HOF: How would you describe HOF: What are some highlights State and still a good friend) was the experience of playing in the of your career in Europe? my host during my visit. I felt at WNBA? Mahoney: “In Taranto we won home and that I would fit in great. Mahoney: “It was an honor and three championships. Also, last year After that trip, I changed my mind blessing. Apart from the Olympics, with ESBVA we won the 2015 and never looked back.” it’s the highest level you can reach, EuroCup against a team from HOF: You started on four 20-win and I was fortunate to be a part of Belgium. It’s a two-game series and teams at KSU. Which do you it. Although I am so grateful for the we lost the first at home by four consider the best? opportunity, for me it wasn't the points. The second game was in Mahoney: “We made it the best experience. I found it to be Belgium in front of 6,000 of their farthest in the NCAA Tournament quite political and very much about fans. It was loud and raucous. But my freshman year. But I think our individuals. I came from K-State we beat them by 20 to take the best team was my junior year which was a family environment championship.” (2004). We were Big 12 co-champs and all about team. Things in the HOF: What has it meant to come and spent most of the year in the WNBA seemed selfish and cliquey, home during summers and help Top 10. But we underachieved in each man out for himself. I'm young players in camps in the Black the tourney and got knocked out thankful for the opportunity, and Hills? by Notre Dame in the second I'm sure everyone who has played Mahoney: “It feels great to come round. Very disappointing. But I in the league wouldn't say the back to my roots and try to give had the opportunity to play with same, but that was my experience.” something back.