(Photo courtesy of Kernit Grimshaw)

By Rich Winter

With no 2020 Lakota Nation Invitational, the 2021 version of this December classic is eagerly anticipated. Some changes this year as 24-teams will be involved. New teams this year are Rapid City Christian, Takini, Wakpala, Dupree, Tiospaye Topa, Lakota Tech and McLaughlin. 

President of the Lakota Nation Board of Directors, Chuck Wilson talked about opening day, Wednesday, Dec. 15. 

“The first day is going to match up teams for a rivalry game,” Wilson said. “Those matchups aren’t set yet and have to be mutually agreed upon, but I can tell you that Todd County and the Red Cloud boys will be playing on that first Wednesday.”

Wilson noted the ‘Rivalry Games’ schedule will be released at a later date. 

Of the 24 teams participating the schools have been split into three divisions: Oceti, Makosica and Paha Sapa. Thursday through Saturday will be played as normal bracket play, only with eight team brackets. 

Flandreau Indian was invited to participate but the school is not having in-person school this year and won’t be attending. Todd County junior varsity boys and girls have taken Flandreau Indian’s spot

Notes

 * The Divisions for pool play have been set. Those brackets have not been seeded but will be after this weekend's Fall Lakota Nation events

* In an initial bracket release teams were assigned playing sites. Those sites have not been determined. 

Lakota Nation Girls Division                                           

Oceti Sakowin                                                              

1 - Red Cloud            

2 - Lakota Tech                   

3 - White River                             

4 - Pine Ridge                                        

5 - Custer                     

6 - Cheyenne-Eagle Butte                                      

7 - Rapid City Christian                                 

8 - Crow Creek                                     

Makosica                                 

1 - Little Wound                      

2 - Todd County                             

3 - St. Francis                          

4 - McLaughlin                                                   

5 - Tiospa Zina                                               

6 - Lower Brule                                  

7 - Dupree                                           

8 - Omaha Nation                                              

Paha Sapa           

1 - Marty                                           

2 - Wakpala                              

3 - Crazy Horse                                          

4 - Oelrichs                                   

5 - Santee                                        

6 - Tiospaye Topa                                                          

7 - Takini         

8 - Todd County JV         

Lakota Nation Boys Division

Oceti Sakowin

1 - White River

2 - Lakota Tech

3 - Red Cloud

4 - Tiospa Zina

5 - Lower Brule

6 - Little Wound

7 - Cheyenne-Eagle Butte

8 - Rapid City Christian

Makosica

1 - Todd County

2 - Pine Ridge

3 - Crow Creek

4 - Custer

5 - McLaughlin

6 - St. Francis Indian

7 - Crazy Horse

8 - Omaha Nation

Paha Sapa

1 - Dupree

2 - Marty

3 - Oelrichs

4 - Santee

5 - Tiospa Topa

6 - Wakpala

7 - Takini

8 - Todd County JV