This winter, high school gymnasiums all across Montana will light up with the sound of pep bands and cheering crowds. Add the smell of fresh popcorn, some school spirit and the anticipation of a hometown victory, and it is easy to see why high school basketball is such a popular sport.
Played during the coldest months of the year, high school hoops is an important opportunity for a community to coalesce in support of the local teams. Of course, high school basketball has always been big on the Crow Reservation. Hardin, Lodge Grass, and Plenty Coups have all featured state championship teams and many outstanding athletes over the years.
But for those with connections to Crow Country who are out the area due to school, military, or other obligations, a check-up on the only website dedicated exclusively to Crow-related news stories does not produce anything in the way of information concerning local high school athletics. It's unfortunate, considering the technology available and the intended format of CrowNews.net as a user-fueled news site with an in-depth focus on the news and events of interest to Crow people.
In addition to no recent coverage of high school sports, the Little Big Horn College men’s and women’s basketball teams haven’t been featured in any stories yet. In fact, there haven’t even been any college scores or standings reported.
A number of Crow athletes have also played or are playing college football and basketball (along with other sports) off reservation. Brian Vallie is an All-Mountain West track athlete at New Mexico. Jess Bends is in his second year playing basketball at NJCAA Bismarck State. Two of the best Rocky Mountain College women’s basketball players are Crow (Tana Stewart and Molly Schenderline). In the last few years, Tuff Harris, Buddy Windy Boy, Tommy Whiteman, Cory Ladson, and Pat Alden have all had success at the college level. And in recent years there has been a rise in the number of Crow college football players scattered throughout local NAIA programs.
CrowNews.net should be on the forefront of covering these types of athletes as well as the local high schools featuring Crow athletes.
Ideally, CrowNews.net could have high school and college video highlights, audio and written interviews with coaches and players, photo albums, up-to-date scores and standings, feature stories, and perhaps even live audio play-by-play of high school rivalry games and tournaments (maybe have a “game of the week”).
Most athletes work very hard to be competitive (particularly at the college level) and deserve acknowledgment of their achievements. Historically, young Crow athletes were amongst the best in Montana. Since CrowNews.net is viewable by the entire world, let’s show everyone what our teams and athletes are capable of doing these days.
Fans should take the initiative to provide for expanded media coverage on CrowNews.net by submitting scores, standings, videos, photos, stories, or anything else of newsworthy interest. CrowNews.net should be "the site" for updated information on Crow teams and athletes and you the fans can team up to easily make that happen.
As is the case for every team at the beginning of a new season, the possibilities are nearly endless.
