Post by Okwes on Jul 10, 2006 16:08:15 GMT -5
NABI draws nations best, including Four Corners
By Jason Groves The Daily Times
www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_4012164
<http://www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_4012164>
In its five years of existence, the Native American
Basketball Invitational has attracted the country's
top Native American players.
Several clubs from the Four Corners will be competing
in this year's showcase in Phoenix July 9-15.
"We are just looking forward to competing against
Native American teams that are very skilled and
talented," Navajo Prep girls coach Rainy Crisp said.
"This is one of the main summer tournaments that
people on the reservation look forward to because the
competition level is so high."
There are 32 boys teams and 32 girls teams that will
compete. Pool play runs Monday through Wednesday,
followed by tournament games Thursday through
Saturday's Final Four. The tournament has garnered the
support from the Phoenix professional sports
franchises throughout the years and the Phoenix
Mercury of the WNBA will honor the Final Four teams at
halftime of Friday night's game. Championship games
will be played at the U.S. Airways Center, home of the
Mercury and the Phoenix Suns.
Crisp's Lady Eagles are one of four local girls teams.
"Some of my girls have played at it on different teams
but not as the Lady Eagles," said Crisp, who is
coaching at NABI for the first time.
The other three local teams are Shiprock's Lady
Chieftains, Kirtland Central's Lady Broncos and the
Northern Natives, a local team that includes
Farmington players Amber Doughty and Sable Slowman.
Two boys teams from Shiprock, the Shiprock Boyz and
the Northern Navajos, will compete in the boys
tournament.
Navajo Prep lost in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A
state tournament last season. Crisp says she is using
NABI to get ready for next year � her third as a head
coach.
"I have 12 girls, all from Navajo Prep," Crisp said.
"I really just wanted to form one Navajo Prep team to
get ready for the upcoming season.
"This year, we are really looking forward to it. I
believe some of our girls can play at the college
level so this will be their chance to prove they are
able to compete at the next level."
In the girls tournament alone, there are teams from
Oklahoma, South Dakota, North Dakota, Florida and
Montana, with clubs from north of the border also
registered, drawing college coaches and scouts to
Phoenix.
"It's a pretty big deal for the native kids," said
Mike Christie, who coaches Kirtland Central during the
high school season. "Teams come from all over the
country."
The Lady Broncos have compiled a 32-3 record over the
course of the summer. Their three losses have been to
Sandia, Mayfield and Clovis � three of the teams in
the Final Four of last season's Class 5A Final Four.
"It's a big event for Native Americans, not just
Navajos, but all tribes in general," Christie said.
"Talent wise, it's the best Native American talent in
the country."
By Jason Groves The Daily Times
www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_4012164
<http://www.daily-times.com/sports/ci_4012164>
In its five years of existence, the Native American
Basketball Invitational has attracted the country's
top Native American players.
Several clubs from the Four Corners will be competing
in this year's showcase in Phoenix July 9-15.
"We are just looking forward to competing against
Native American teams that are very skilled and
talented," Navajo Prep girls coach Rainy Crisp said.
"This is one of the main summer tournaments that
people on the reservation look forward to because the
competition level is so high."
There are 32 boys teams and 32 girls teams that will
compete. Pool play runs Monday through Wednesday,
followed by tournament games Thursday through
Saturday's Final Four. The tournament has garnered the
support from the Phoenix professional sports
franchises throughout the years and the Phoenix
Mercury of the WNBA will honor the Final Four teams at
halftime of Friday night's game. Championship games
will be played at the U.S. Airways Center, home of the
Mercury and the Phoenix Suns.
Crisp's Lady Eagles are one of four local girls teams.
"Some of my girls have played at it on different teams
but not as the Lady Eagles," said Crisp, who is
coaching at NABI for the first time.
The other three local teams are Shiprock's Lady
Chieftains, Kirtland Central's Lady Broncos and the
Northern Natives, a local team that includes
Farmington players Amber Doughty and Sable Slowman.
Two boys teams from Shiprock, the Shiprock Boyz and
the Northern Navajos, will compete in the boys
tournament.
Navajo Prep lost in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A
state tournament last season. Crisp says she is using
NABI to get ready for next year � her third as a head
coach.
"I have 12 girls, all from Navajo Prep," Crisp said.
"I really just wanted to form one Navajo Prep team to
get ready for the upcoming season.
"This year, we are really looking forward to it. I
believe some of our girls can play at the college
level so this will be their chance to prove they are
able to compete at the next level."
In the girls tournament alone, there are teams from
Oklahoma, South Dakota, North Dakota, Florida and
Montana, with clubs from north of the border also
registered, drawing college coaches and scouts to
Phoenix.
"It's a pretty big deal for the native kids," said
Mike Christie, who coaches Kirtland Central during the
high school season. "Teams come from all over the
country."
The Lady Broncos have compiled a 32-3 record over the
course of the summer. Their three losses have been to
Sandia, Mayfield and Clovis � three of the teams in
the Final Four of last season's Class 5A Final Four.
"It's a big event for Native Americans, not just
Navajos, but all tribes in general," Christie said.
"Talent wise, it's the best Native American talent in
the country."