Growing up at Maȟpíya Lúta, junior Braylon Little has been surrounded by inspiring leaders like Tamatane I’atala, Amery Brave Heart, and Coach Christian McGhee. These mentors instilled in him a commitment to excellence on the court and in the classroom. Now, as a fourth-year player and starting point guard, Braylon is stepping into a leadership role, guiding the Maȟpíya Lúta to a strong season.
On Tuesday night, Maȟpíya Lúta secured an impressive 85-63 win over the Lakota Tech Tatanka, marking their fourth straight home victory and improving their record to 5-4. The team’s discipline and preparation fueled the win, which Braylon attributes to their turnaround after a challenging Lakota Nation Invitational in December.
“Our recent success can be attributed to the hard work and discipline we’ve put into practice and preparation,” Braylon shared. “After a tough LNI, the team really began to come together. Everyone has stayed focused, taking advice, and applying it to the court. These past few games have been great for us, as we’re beginning to see our potential as a team.”
Braylon’s role as point guard is critical to the Maȟpíya Lútas’ success. Averaging 4 assists and 2 steals per game, he leads by example, distributing the ball and creating opportunities for his teammates. “As the point guard, I know Coach McGhee trusts me to get the ball where it needs to be,” he said. “Defensively, I’m driven by the team’s success, knowing that I can help my teammates score by being disruptive and setting them up for easy baskets. This mindset pushes me to play harder.”
Looking ahead, Braylon is determined to elevate his game while helping Maȟpíya Lúta grow as a unit. “I’m focused on improving my leadership skills and decision-making on the court,” he explained. “As a team, we’re building strong communication and just having fun with the game. With our recent success, we’re starting to see our potential as a team, but we’re not satisfied yet. We’ll continue working hard and pushing towards our goals of making a run at the state tournament in March.”
With Braylon’s leadership and the team’s determination, Maȟpíya Lúta is poised for an exciting season, making Maȟpíya Lúta proud with their effort and teamwork.