Sports

Lady Chiefs defeat Grace Lutheran Royals at home game

Bailey Jackson on offense with the ball against Grace Lutheran.

By JOSEPH WADSWORTH
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Sho-Ban Lady Chiefs defeated Grace Lutheran Royals 50 to 34 Thursday, November 20 at the Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School Blaine Dixey Gymnasium.

Head Coach of the Lady Chiefs Char Perdash said after the game “I think tonight the girls worked hard for their win, these girls have a lot of good basketball IQ.” She said the Lady Chiefs were in control of the ball and did need to slow down on the court but still followed through on plays on both offense and defense.

Lady Chief Ebonee Whiteman with the ball.

Scores for Sho-Ban: Lala Preacher 15 points, Karlissa Cerino 10 points, Ebonee Whiteman 9 points, Kiana Edmo 7 points, Kielee Brunette 6 points and Bailey Jackson 3 points. No score: Lilly, Jasette Tindore, Annika and Cia.

Scores for Grace Lutheran: Olivia Bloxham 19 points, Sarah L. 6 points, Giana M. 5 points, Kate F. 4 points. No score: Jessica G., Mya A., Rebekah M., Adriana P., Justine G.,

Next game for the Lady Chiefs is in Bancroft, Idaho at North Gem High School on December 9, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Perdash & Fullmer lead Lady Chiefs for 2025-26 season

From left, Sho-Ban Lady Chief Head Coach Char Perdash and Assistant Coach Chloe Fullmer.

By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Sho-Ban Lady Chiefs Head Basketball Coach Char Perdash shared a status update on the team’s progress as the season continues, outlining current strengths, areas of improvement, and goals for competition and player development.

Perdash said the team has demonstrated strong chemistry on the court, showing unselfish play and balanced scoring. Players have relied on collaboration and court awareness, moving the ball well rather than focusing on individual offense.

While teamwork remains a key strength, players identify physical conditioning as a challenge, noting fatigue during games. A boys’ coach has been brought in to support running and conditioning drills, and the team has begun working to increase endurance. Technical skills in passing accuracy, inside shooting, and rebounding fundamentals are also part of the ongoing improvement plan. Defensively, the team is focusing on positioning and understanding how to adapt to different opponents.

Perdash outlined season expectations that include strengthening player bonds while working toward a competitive goal of reaching districts and advancing to state. The coaching staff is also focusing on long-term development by teaching players accountability, punctuality, and teamwork skills that extend beyond athletics.

To support individual players, the coaching staff meets one-on-one with athletes who are new to the sport or experiencing difficulties, working to understand attendance barriers and providing mentorship. Assistant coach Chloe Fullmer assists with pairing players to mentors they feel more comfortable learning from.

Cultural identity remains part of the team’s foundation, with the program incorporating tribal values and circle symbolism that connects the basketball court to cultural teachings. Plans are underway to request honor songs at home games.

The team continues to emphasize a positive environment within the gym while acknowledging community support. Coaches are committed to setting an example through their public conduct, including on social media, and to protecting players from outside negativity.

Upcoming action items for the program include continuing intensive conditioning, strengthening defensive strategies during practice, arranging honor songs for home games, and increasing parent communication to address attendance concerns.

Chloe Fullmer
Sho-Ban Lady Chiefs Assistant Coach Chloe Fullmer is stepping into her first season with the team, bringing both basketball experience and a community-centered approach to the program.

Fullmer, who previously played for Mackay High School and competed against the Lady Chiefs during her playing years, joined the team to share her knowledge of the game and remain active in the community as a stay-at-home parent.

In her role as assistant varsity and junior varsity coach, Fullmer focuses on providing individual feedback during practices, helping players correct mistakes and refine technique. She supports drill execution, translating head coach strategies into steps players can apply on the court. During games, Fullmer manages substitutions and offers one-on-one coaching while the head coach directs overall play.

Fullmer specializes in defensive strategy, particularly post defense, with a goal of building a team presence that opposing programs must prepare for strong defensive pressure. She works to ensure players don not take shortcuts during practice, pushing them to reach individual goals while offering support during challenging days.

According to Fullmer, the Lady Chiefs show natural abilities in cutting, spacing, and motion offense without relying on set plays. The team has also demonstrated strong sportsmanship, which she views as a foundation for continuous improvement. Current goals for the season include reducing turnovers seen in recent games and increasing defensive intensity to transition more quickly between plays.

Fullmer believes the Lady Chiefs have the capability to contend for a district title if their effort remains consistent. She also emphasized the role of community attendance, noting the player performance strengthens when the gym is full and supporters are present.

Coaching has also supported Fullmer’s personal growth, as working with teenagers helps her develop skills she applies as a parent.

Action items moving forward include continued turnover reduction in practices, maintaining defensive focus, expanding motion offense, and encouraging community members to support the team through attendance at games.

 

Jr. Lady Chiefs A & B teams defeat North Gem Cowboys

Jr. Lady Chiefs A team offensive players make their way down court.

By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
BANCROFT — The Sho-Ban Junior Lady Chiefs A and B teams played away November 24 against the North Gem Cowboys.

The Junior Lady Chiefs B team won their game 30-0. The Junior Lady Chiefs A team went on to defeat the North Gem Cowboys 32-17.

Jr. Lady Chief B team’s Tsi Anivel BadHawk on defense at the North Gem game on
November 24.

The high scorer of the A team game was Kaylana Edmo with 16 points.

 

Native cowboy Trevin Fox reflects on rodeo career after competing at INFR

Sho-Ban tribal member Trevin Fox (right) competes in steer wrestling at INFR in October. (Submitted photo)

By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Shoshone-Bannock cowboy Trevin Fox recently competed in his fourth Indian National Finals Rodeo.
He grew up on the foothills of Ross Fork district but now resides in the Gibson District just above the Fort Hall River Bottoms.

Trevin grew up in the sport of rodeo, he recalls starting his rodeo career at the age of eight roping here in Fort Hall, at the Legends kid junior rodeo. He has advanced his rodeo career from junior rodeos to amateur rodeos, Indian rodeos, college rodeos and is now a pro rodeo circuit cowboy.

Fox started his Indian National Finals qualifications with his brothers in the Junior Breakaway roping, and now competes in the steer wrestling event, in which he recently qualified and competed in the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) in Las Vegas. This year’s INFR was held October 14-18. Fox had the gold buckle and world title in his vision.

“I’ve qualified to the INFR four times now. Would have been five qualifications, but one of those years, a steer put its horn through my hand during a practice run right before the Indian finals.”

His goals were to win the INFR World Championship title, qualify for the Montana Pro Rodeo circuit finals rodeo, and get his two young horses broke and prepared to start their rodeo competition careers. He currently competes on his eight-year-old horse Jolene, he trained, and she is a Playgun bred mare.

Trevin Fox at Pendleton Roundup in Oregon. (Submitted photo)

Trevin bought his PRCA permit right out of high school in 2014, then purchased his pro rodeo card in 2017. This season Fox mainly rodeoed in Montana’s pro rodeo circuit hitting over 30 rodeos over the summer. Fox said, “by constantly wanting to improve in my sport, I believe success is inevitable with that mindset.”

When Trevin is not rodeoing, he is a self-employed horse farrier and part time rancher. He enjoys playing his guitar to what he says, “a good ole country tune.” Fishing, hunting and ranching is also a big part of his life.

His future goals are to perfect his craft, work on his steer wrestling skills, horsemanship and his younger horses. His ultimate goal is to compete in the steer wrestling event at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Until then Fox will work towards competing in a circuit finals pro rodeo, Indian Finals rodeo and maybe a Canadian Finals rodeo next year.

Fox described this year’s Finals rodeo as, “kind of a struggle.” He ended up busting his ribs and tore a muscle in his leg in the third go round of the INFR. He came into the championship round in fifth place for the gold buckle and world championship title. Competing in the final round banged up, he didn’t draw a steer that he wanted in order to be fast — he ended up missing his steer because of his injuries that would have helped to move him up in the aggregate position. After the INFR concluded Fox ended up eighth in the aggregate competition for the season’s year end finals.

Fox highs of his season were winning his hometown Fort Hall Legends Rodeo, Glasgow Montana’s Pro rodeo and competing at the Pendleton Roundup rodeo in Pendleton, Oregon.

His lows were getting hurt at the INFR, especially when all he wanted to do is compete the best he could at his highest level and his body wouldn’t let him.

Trevin Fox during the INFR. (Submitted photo)

Some of Trevin’s accolades are being the 2015 INFR Tour Champion, a four-time INFR qualifier, a two-time Collegiate Finals Rodeo qualifier and many various rodeo wins.

He would like to thank all his friends, family and community for all their support, kind words and advice and general interest in his rodeo career. Fox said, “I hope through all of my rodeo endeavors that people understand you can do whatever you put your mind to.”

 

Sho-Ban Jr. Lady Chiefs fall to Grace Lutheran

Sho-Ban Junior High Lady Chief Kirstyn Farmer (right) passes the ball in the game against Grace Lutheran on November 18.

By LIZZIE BOYD
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — The Sho-Ban Lady Chiefs junior high girls’ basketball team faced off with the Grace Lutheran Royals November 18 where they lost 31 to 5.

Jr. Lady Chief Kaylana Edmo drives the ball down court.

The team is coached by Joyce Graves. There are nine players, Ayralya Martinez, Arianna Pebeahsy, Kaleena Edmo, TsiAnivei BadHawk, Kirstyn Farmer, Arora Timbana, Acacia Mendez, Talyia Ish and Kaylana Edmo.

 

Local students play Hawthorne Hawks 7th grade basketball

Native girls playing on the Hawthorne Middle School seventh grade team, from left: Auvrielle Martin, Eliseahna Evening, Ahnaleia Redfox, Te’Lah Pahvitse-Martinez, Chloe Thomas, and Hawthorne Hawks
Team Manager, Aaron Martin Jr. Players not pictured are Lyncia Denny-Jay, Lucie Piper and Austyn RunningHorse. (Submitted photo)