Early Native American Teams

EARLY OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES BY NATIVE AMERICAN BASKETBALL TEAMS

South Dakota High School Boys Basketball Teams with Native American players created outstanding performances in State Basketball tournament competitions beginning in 1927. Below is a list of Native American teams as they progressed in the district, region, and state tournaments.

1927: Region II Championship: Lemmon 16, Wakpala 15

Dupree, McIntosh, McLaughlin were in District 6. Lemmon won the District 6 championship.

White River and Mission were in District 27.

1930: Wakpala, District 7 champions

1931: Wakpala, Region II champions; Wakpala played in the State Tournament in Mitchell. They lost to Waubay, 21-17 and Madison, 30-27. Jimmy Distribute was selected to All State team. The State Tournament was held at the Corn Palace in Mitchell.

1933: Flandreau Indian School, District 12 champion

Flandreau Indian School had been accepted as a member after a special membership vote.

Cheyenne School, and Sioux Falls Cathedral applied for admittance in 1935. Cheyenne was admitted. Sioux Falls Cathedral received a majority of votes but not the 60% majority vote needed to obtain admission.

1936: Flandreau Indian School played in “A” Tournament.

1936: Oglala Community School won “B” State Tournament. Oglala was the First Native American team to win a State Championship. They defeated Tyndall, Harrisburg, and Bridgewater to win the Championship.

1937: Rosebud won the District 28 “B” championship; Wanblee won the District 30 “B” championship.

1938: Rosebud won the District 28 “B” championship.

1939: Flandreau Indian School won the State “A” championship. Sidney Beane was the Flandreau Indian School coach.