Pineewaus Summer League: Competition, Community Involvement and Keeping Active

Thirty-six teams participated in seven different divisions from the ages of 7 all the way to 55. Players from Lapwai, Kamiah, and throughout the Lewis-Clark Valley came to play basketball games during the evenings at the Pineewaus Community Center in Lapwai, ID. Each team paid an entry fee and played a minimum of 5-6 games throughout the league with the opportunity for a few more once playoffs began.

Competition was extraordinary in the adult divisions as players had the opportunity to
compete against future college players and recently graduated college players as well.
Games began each night with the youngest divisions of 3/4th grade coed and 5/6th grade coed.

Some great battles took place in the 3/4th division with the Royals winning in a close game against Harmabes, MVP of division- Slade Sheldon. Ice Spice Elite took the 5/6th division MVP- Tathen Yearout.

Between 6 and 7pm, the divisions of 7/8th Coed and Women 30 & Over division took place. The 7/8th Grade Division was our largest division with 9 teams from Lapwai, Kamiah, and Lewiston/Clarkston. CDUB went undefeated and won the championship, MVP- Ryker Samuels. The Women 30+ division finished with Sayaqic going undefeated and winning the championship, MVP- Sierra Higheagle.

Between 8 and 10pm our last three divisions played. Men’s B had close games every night and the team who ended up on top was Rez Guys beating Power House a few points in the final game, MVP- Tyus Spencer.

The Women’s Division had some great games and Wagon Burners came out as champions,
MVP- Sierra Higheagle. The last division of the night had some major talent on the court. The
men’s A division were high-flying and long-ranging as dunks and threes were as common as a simple lay-in. There was one team who went undefeated throughout the season but three of those games were wins within 1-3 points, so it was not easy dubs. Impressive ball movement and 3-point swishes helped this team stay ahead but hustle plays and defensive stops won DaBoyz the championship, MVP- Brian Strom.

Several Play in Your Moccasins Staff volunteered hours of their time to coordinate the league
for the youth and adults of the local communities. Lapwai Kineeq players and coaches jumped at the opportunity to form teams for the summer to continue to work on their basketball skills and keep in shape. Northwest Indian College supported two health and fitness interns who committed to working 200 hours to assist in a successful community-led activity. The two interns Quenten Kipp and Champ Powaukee helped do books, clock, ref, and set up/clean up each night as well as surveyed participants to assist in future activities.

In a post league survey, 82% of respondents disclosed that they exercised more due to Pineewaus Summer League. Health Benefits was a top reason for participating in this year’s SL as well as the fun and recreation of it. A few quotes included, “Was so glad my daughter could hang out with her friends”, “I loved staying physically active”, “The competition was my favorite part”, and “The community support and involvement was a highlight of the summer I enjoyed.”

Community involvement was best displayed by our 15 youth who took advantage of
fundraising opportunities during the evenings with dinner/dessert concessions providing
attendees with a healthy meal option each night. Emaqis QeciYewYew (Big Thanks) to each of
the youth and their families that cooked up, to the refs who ran from 6-8 games per night, to
all the volunteers, and to the summer interns. Also, Big Thanks to the Nez Perce Tribe Local Education Fund and Enterprise Office Promotions Funds for assisting with costs.

This article was written by ANGELA PICARD.

All views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the author are solely that of the author and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of the Nez Perce Tribe or its Communications Department.