(This is the first in a series of previews on basketball teams that will be participating in the Lakota Nation Invitaitonal)

By Rich Winter

As the Todd County girls get ready for their season opener (Dec. 10 vs. Valentine, NE) they do so, not having played a competitive game in nearly two years. Falcon coach Bob Boyd said the first week of practice wasn't pretty as the girls and coaches attempted to get on the same page.

“The pandemic had a tremendous effect on our program and it feels like we are a year behind,” Boyd said. “Not having that year together has been crucial in our underdevelopment.”

Boyd noted he and assistant coach Patrick Johner spent that first week breaking down what the team is trying to do and going over fundamentals that haven't been developed in over a year.

Todd County will be led by seniors Alexis Walking Eagle, Kyleigh Patton and Wiconi Uses Arrow.

“Alexis and Kyleigh were major contributors to our team two years ago,” he said. “They both played at Marty so they do have more basketball experience.”

Senior Bretany White Hat tore her ACL during league play in Sioux Falls this summer. Boyd said White Hat was poised for an all-state season and hopes to have the forward available later in the season.

“Wiconi is back after playing in North Dakota,” he said. “She can shoot the ball and will help us tremendously.”

Junior Bailey White Hat played at Rapid City Central last year and Boyd has high-hopes for the 5-foot-11 forward.

“Bailey is poised to have a breakout season,” he said. “She is strong, fast and has a ton of athletic ability.”

Boyd noted juniors Mya Neck and Brooke Marshall (Bad Hand) both have the potential to be solid players.

“If we want to be competitive, we have to develop our team chemistry,” he said. “There is talent on this team, but it has to learn to play together.”

Not having played basketball for a few years translates to a bunch of promising prospects for the Lady Falcons.

“I really like my freshman Julise Shaw and Lesleen (Daye) Makes Room For Them,” he said. “Julise has a motor that won't quit and in the first week of practice she was all over the place.”

Boyd mentioned St. Francis Indian School transfer Pet'a Brave whom the Falcons are waiting to see when she becomes eligible.

The Falcons have a couple of strong sophomores in Aleadah Wilson and Ava Scmidt.

“We've seen such an improvement from Aleadah and Ava and these girls are going to be tough down the road,” he said.

Falcon family ready to heal

Falcon fans Kernit Grimshaw and Butch Artichoker

When Todd County tips off their season Dec. 10 the coaches, the players and the community are ready to get back to normalcy. Bob Boyd said having basketball in the school and in the community is needed.

The pandemic has been rough. I know it not only affected our school but our community. We lost some great people. I know our program is going to miss Kernit Grimshaw. Not only was he a strong support for me personally, but he meant so much to my players, current and former. It will be different when I look up during a time out huddle and I don't see Kernit standing over us with a camera in our faces. He was so instrumental in documenting my players' careers. I can't tell you enough how much Kernit meant to the youth of our community. He was not only my dad's best friend, but he was a strong support of me when I needed him to be. There hasn't been a day that has gone by that I haven't thought about Kernit since he left us. He will be missed by us all. We nearly lost another pillar of our community in Butch Artichoker. His support of TC/WR athletics is unmatched. I am so grateful that he survived COVID and will be there to support our girls spiritually and emotionally.

Bob Boyd, Todd County girls basketball coach