The Nixyaawii Nation basketball team poses with their trophy after winning the Elite Fort Hall All-Indian 18 and Under Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Sunday, April 24 in Fort Hall, Idaho. Left to right: Lamar Fairley, Rico McKay, Jayhlen Yeahquo, Joshua Barkley, Justin Queaphama, Coach John Barkley, Quincy George, CJ Medellin.

(John Barkley coached the Nixyaawii Nation basketball team to a title at a recent tournament. The following is a retelling of the events in his own words.)

Nixyaawii Nation of Mission are champions of the Elite Fort Hall (Idaho) All-Indian 18 and Under Boys Basketball Tournament held over the weekend, beating out 12 other teams from reservations throughout the mid-west.

Led by Most Valuable Player Lamar Fairleys 44 points, Nation upended a talented Browning, Mont., team from the Blackfeet Indian reservation 97-93, atoning for an earlier 31-point loss to Browning.

Lamar stepped up another level, showing his leadership ability with our young team to score 26 of our 33 points in the third quarter and give us a lead we never relinquished.

Nation started the tournament, which draws some of the elite Indian players and teams from reservations throughout the mid-west, beating St. Stephens, Wyo., 81-68.

Wyoming Gatorade Player of Year, Jay Brown, scored 33 points for the Wind River reservation team.

Fairleys 18 points and Josh Barkleys 17 led Nation scorers in the win.

But a Browning buzzsaw stifled Nation in the next game 81-50, sending Nixyaawii to the back door in the double elimination tournament.

We had a terrible game missing shots, defensive lapses, and playing to their tempo. But the boys never hung their heads, knowing that we were much better than we showed.

Nation went on to top Fort Belknap, Mont., 68-38 and Shoshone-Bannock, Idaho, 69-39, led by Josh Barkleys 16 and 19 points.

On the final day Saturday, Nation needed to win three games to reach the finale.

They upended a tough Wind River reservation team 78-71 by a balanced scoring effort with Fairleys 22 points, Barkleys 14, Jayhlen Yeahquos 14 and Quincy Georges 13 points.

Nixyaawii then faced the local favorite Red Challenge, a mix of all-stars from Fort Hall and northern Nevada, and won 83-78. Fairleys 30 points led all scorers.

Next was Lakota Pride of Kyle, S.D., from the Pine Ridge reservation. Nixyaawii Nation won 85-80 led by Yeahquos 20 points and Georges 18 to advance to the title game and a rematch with Browning.

These games werent easy by any means. Were playing against some of the most talented Native players and I had five sophomores, a junior and a senior.

Going into the championship game, Nixyaawii came determined to play to their ability. A back-and-forth battled ensued, with both teams racing up and down the court in a man-to-man defensive setting.

We played pretty even, playing at their preferred speed, and were down 46-39 at halftime. Most of their buckets came in the form of lay-ins because they were such a quick team.

In the second half Nixyaawii switched to a 1-3-1 zone to keep Browning players from penetrating their defense, challenging them to shoot from outside. They set up a deliberate half-court offense to change the tempo.

Then Fairley took over.

He went on a scoring binge with 26 points that included six three pointers, a couple from NBA range. Brownings man-to-man defense could not stop him as Nixyaawii set up screens and stepped up with key steals and stops at the other end.

Nixyaawii outscored their opponent 33-24 in the third quarter to take a 72-70 lead into the fourth quarter, winning the final frame 25-23 led by Barkleys nine points.

The champions made 14 of 15 free throws in the fourth, shooting 22 of 29 for the game. Fairleys 44 points and Barkleys 18 points led Nixyaawii.

We redeemed ourselves from that earlier loss and the intensity of both teams was incredible. These boys showed extreme discipline and poise no matter what happened.

Browning would score a three, looking like theyre ready to make a run, but wed respond right back with our own three, or come up with a key steal and then have them foul us.

Nixyaawii Nation won a custom eagle head trophy and embroidered championship jackets. Fairly was awarded an embroidered leather-sleeve MVP jacket. CJ Medellin was named to the all-star team.

Team members included Fairley, Barkley, George, Yeahquo, Medellin, Rico McKay and Justin Quehapahma.

Yeahquo and Quehapahma are from Warm Springs tribes and were filling in for Nixyaawii Nation seniors that were unable to make the trip.