Tsha’hon’non’wen’dakwha’ News
by Shirley Hill
March 12, 2008
March 1st & 2nd marked the 3rd Annual Iroquois Legends 40+ All-Native Men’s Basketball Tournament held in Cattaraugus. The Saylor building was the host site for this tournament that was started to help promote health awareness in older athletes, as we all know diabetes is notorious in Indian Country. This year, they decided to add a Women’s division as well.
Three community members, Suezette Shenandoah, Dee Thompson and Shirley Hill teamed up with Tonawanda in the women’s division. Three games were played in all, (one team dropped out).
One team in particular were real competitive for even a men’s team to take on. They shot three pointers like they were Jason Kidd.
Speaking of three pointers, Dee took a shot from beyond the arc and registered a three pointer herself, and we all cheered her on with glee. In game #2, when we played Newtown, it was a thriller, a buzzer beater, fans were on the edge of their seats. They saw Newtown tie the game at 36-36 in regulation with 2.7 sec on the clock. The game went into a 3-minute overtime. They were already pooped, but with the hustle and defense of Suezette, and the excellent foul shooting from Shirley, they went on to prevail by a score of 38 – 42.
Next, on to the Championship where there was no contesting from our team, players were not feeling it like they did in game #2. They lost… by a lot. But…. there were a lot of laughs, a few bumps and bruises, and some fond memories that will never be forgotten. With all that said , they were crowned 2nd Place winners!
With this one tourney under their belt, the women are looking forward to putting together their own team and entering Tonawanda’s Women’s Basketball tourney at the end of the month.