This summer was an incredible journey for our girls basketball program, filled with growth, determination and success on the court. Our teams proudly represented communities from San Felipe Pueblo, Laguna Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo, San Juan Pueblo, Sandia Pueblo, the Navajo Nation, the Yu’pik Nation, Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.
8th Grade Team NB3F Black
Our eighth grade girls worked hard from April through July, and it truly showed. Every tournament and every game they got better. You could see their confidence grow as they started applying things we worked on in practice: better ball movement, smarter defense, stronger communication and playing together as a team.
One of the highlights was taking second place at the Matador Tournament, a huge achievement for them. No matter what the scoreboard said, they never gave up and always competed with incredible effort.
We ended the season at the Piestewa Tournament, playing against other Native youth from all over the Southwest. The girls made it to bracket play and gave it everything they had. It was a tough battle, but they played with pride and represented their communities beautifully.
6th Grade Team
Our sixth grade girls, made up mostly of fifth graders, had a great summer season. Despite being younger than most of their opponents, they brought intensity and energy to every game.
They took first place in four tournaments, proving they could compete with and beat older teams. Their success led them to move up a division, where they faced seventh and eighth grade teams and continued to rise to the occasion. Their teamwork, growth and confidence made this group one to watch, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for them.
505 Thunder – Varsity Team
505 Thunder had a strong and competitive summer season, showcasing heart, hustle and growth every time they stepped on the court.
Their hard work led to several standout performances over the summer. They finished third at the NM Games, were runner-up at the Glenn Yellowcloud Memorial Tournament, and made strong showings at the 10th Annual Coronado Classic and the Last Chance Shootout. One of their most exciting moments came at the Salsa Slam, where they reached the Final Four, proving they could compete with some of the top competition in the region.
The team wrapped up their summer at the Native American Basketball Invitational in Phoenix, where they faced off against top Native teams from across the country. They finished third in pool play, advanced to bracket play, and competed with toughness, unity and pride through every game.
This summer has been full of growth, memories and moments we’ll never forget. Every player gave their all, and we’re so proud of the way they represented their families, their communities and themselves.
– Janee Bates, NB3FIT program coordinator and lead basketball coach
