Photo Courtesy of Ken Franks Jr.
The Maȟpíya Lúta A-Team basketball squad ended their season on a high note, capturing the Consolation Championship after a thrilling week of competition. Finishing with an impressive 9-4 record, the team showed growth, and determination throughout the season and especially in their final tournament.
The tournament began with a heartbreaking 38-39 loss to Pine Ridge in a nail-biter that sent Maȟpíya Lúta into the consolation bracket. But rather than backing down, the A-Team came back stronger.
Their first game in the consolation bracket was a dominant performance against Red Shirt, where the team cruised to a 53-16 victory. Seventh grader Kyren came up big in this match, recording his highest-scoring game of the season with 10 points.
Next, the team squared off against Batesland, earning a solid 44-26 win to advance to the consolation championship.
In the final game, Maȟpíya Lúta faced off against Crazy Horse in a hard-fought battle that saw the lead swing back and forth. The A-Team held their composure and sealed the win with a 47-44 final score, securing the title of Consolation Champions.
Throughout the tournament, Hunter emerged as the team’s top scorer, leading the offensive charge and providing consistent leadership on the court.
Coach Christi, who guided the team all season, was proud of her players’ growth and resilience. Under her leadership, the A-Team posted a strong 9-4 finish to the year, showing that the future of Maȟpíya Lúta basketball is bright.
“Wopila to all the players, families, and supporters who made this season possible,” said Coach Christi. “These young athletes represented Maȟpíya Lúta with pride.”