Maȟpíya Lúta, formerly known as Red Cloud, is drawing attention again this season with the success of their girls' basketball team. Not only are they undefeated at 11-0, and currently ranked No. 2 in the ‘A’ girls' media preps poll, but they’re also receiving first place votes. Some of the high points thus far for their 2024-25 campaign have been a Lakota Nation Invitational championship in December and then wins in January against the defending ‘A’ state champion Vermillion Tanagers and Spearfish, who a year ago placed seventh at the ‘AA’ state tournament.
And while the statewide attention on Maȟpíya Lúta has picked up this season, Matt Rama’s squad has been consistently solid in recent years. They qualified for state in 2020 (tournament was canceled with COVID) and then have been back to state as well in ’22, ’23, and ’24. They didn’t have a season in 2020-21, because of the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s decision to halt sports and activities for its schools during the pandemic.
“I think the thing that makes our program special is the kids. I think that we try to work hard and do the things that will make you be successful and that's a lot of work in the off-season, commitment to those kinds of things. I think that we have good chemistry,” told coach Rama. “I think the kids get along well. I really like how hard they work, and they work hard in school. They work hard in all aspects of their life, which I think makes it easier for them to bring that to the court. Just with that work ethic, I really enjoy coaching this group and so you know we're just going to keep grinding away here with a month or so left in the season.”
Championships aren’t won in January, they’re won in March, but most coaches will tell you the work you put in during the offseason, the energy you bring to practice every day, and the ability to take it one game at a time – those are qualities that help lead teams to success.
“We've had some injuries this year, so we've had nine kids that have played consistently on the floor. I think the kids that have played have put lots of work in to be where they're at right now. This kid used to be on C team, that kid use to be on C team, and it was like the majority the kids used to play C team,” Rama said. “So, for them to get from C team to starting on varsity to a team that's ranked second in the state, it’s great.”
The nine girls who play for Maȟpíya Lúta are Mya Mills, Ashlan Carlow-Blount, Sierra Black Bull, Josephine Haas, Dorthie Mesteth, Jodene Big Crow-Hunter, Janai Thunder Hawk, Abigail Haas, and Essence Tobacco. Even though their roles may differ, coach Rama mentioned how all play a pivotal part on the squad. He’s proud of the work each of them has put in to succeed in the program and play varsity minutes.
“What kind of work does that take? What kind of effort does that take? What kind of mentality does that take? Right? Because at some point they were one of the lower kids in our program and now they're, you know, in the rotation,” exclaimed Rama. “We play all nine kids a lot. I feel really proud of those nine that got themselves to be able to play at a high enough level that they get to enjoy the hard work, enjoy the honors that the hard work gives you.”
Basketball is THE sport on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, and there’s really no debate on that. The three Class A programs of Pine Ridge, Maȟpíya Lúta, and Lakota Tech have all seen success in the sport, which is pretty remarkable considering how close the three schools are to each other.
“The quality of basketball in these little eight miles is wonderful. [Laura Big Crow of Lakota Tech] just got her 200th win, you know, and I think that speaks a lot about the kids here and about basketball here, being able to produce high-quality teams,” explained Rama. “These kids do love it and it’s really a big thing.”
Another aspect that makes the sport a part of the lifestyle is the support that community members give the kids on regular basis. Basketball is truly a generational sport on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
“The love that people have to watch their children play basketball are in the memories that they made when they played themselves,” Rama told. “To be a part of that, and we know we have youth teams, and we’ve got teams going right now from third grade all the way up to the high school and so watching all their families and start living those dreams – that’s fun. You know that's a fun thing to be a part of and watching them grow over the years.”
This weekend Maȟpíya Lúta will play Belle Fourche, followed by week as they’ll travel to Pine Ridge on Tuesday to take on the Lady Thorpes. No matter what happens the rest of the way for Maȟpíya Lúta, there’s something special happening within the program. And while each game might have its own box score, storylines, and success stories, the main aspect is the love for the game of basketball, and the joys of playing the game together with your team.
