Men's Basketball Winter League up and Running

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (SCIT) Parks & Recreation Men's Basketball six team Winter League is now up and running literally. There were plenty of fast breaks and slam dunks to highlight the first week of action for the six teams.

"With the success we had with the four teams that completed in our 1st Christmas tournament, the Parks & Rec staff welcomed an expanded version of competition for the community," Youth Facilities Coordinator Kevin Ricketts explains. "Over the years, the Tribal community has embraced many sports and we have always seen support on the court and in the stands for our basketball athletes."

Youth Facilities Assistant Lucas Sprague is serving as coordinator for the Sunday evening men's league that will compete at the Eagles Nest Tribal Gym with a rotation of three games with tip off scheduled for 6 p.m. "We had a great turnout for our Jan. 15 games and we only expect that driving momentum will continue," Sprague said. "Our department plans on doing weekly league updates on the Parks & Rec website and we are planning a double elimination seeded tournament on March 3 to award a league trophy and MVP."

In the first night of league hoops, Team Owl bested Team Eagles 85-49 with Chase Owl scoring 21 points. The second game featured Team Chippewa Lanes taking a 67-46 win over Team Playmakers. Point guard Bear Raphael led Team Chippewa Lanes with a game high 24 points. In the nightcap, Team Hawks flew over Team Free Agents 81-60 with a stellar league high performance by Alphonso "Fonzie" Jones.

Remaining Sunday night Men's Basketball Winter League dates are slated for Jan. 22, Jan. 29, Feb 12, Feb. 19 and Feb. 26 with the league tournament at the Eagles Nest on March 3.

"Like many other activities hosted through our department, we welcome participation of families and community members to come out and support these exceptional athletes," Parks & Recreation Director Ronnie Ekdahl exclaimed. "There's a certain excitement when the Eagles Nest bleachers are filled to capacity and that energy spills onto the floor and makes for some great basketball competition."