Superintendent’s Chat

Richard McClements, Shonto Preparatory School

I just love watching Navajo basketball. I am so impressed by the quality of play I see by our varsity boys and girls teams. Previously, I had been superintendent in much larger schools that participated at the 4A and 5A levels. Here in Arizona, that would mean Page, Flagstaff, and many Phoenix teams. I can’t imagine any of my former “white” teams beating our Shonto High teams. Our Navajo teams are simply much faster, play much more aggressive defense, pass the ball around better, and are better athletes. I might add that even the Page team, which is currently ranked second in the state, has two Navajo starters, and seven of the twelve on the team are Native American.

Back East, especially in cities, students have all kinds of leagues at the elementary level to learn to play competitive basketball. It is no secret that black basketball players dominate the teams in most urban schools. They just seem to have great coordination and a natural gift for the sport. Many of the Phoenix teams have black basketball players, yet I understand that our Navajos more than hold their own against them. Several weeks ago I visited the Grand Canyon. The first person to photograph the Grand Canyon in 1869 was John Wesley Powell, for whom Lake Powell is named. He admired the various Native American tribes in the area and spoke several of their languages. I found it interesting that he was quoted 135 years ago as saying this about the Navajo, “The Navajo are a stately and athletic people.”

Navajo basketball is a source of pride throughout the Reservation. When it is time for the State tournament, I know that it does not matter where the team is from. Navajos will flock to the games to root on their kinsman. I also understand, that I will have to arrange for a snow day. Since we have already used one and only had one in the calendar, if a Navajo team is in the finals, it will be a half day on February 27^th.