Category: News

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

In the world of high school sports, true dominance is rare. Maintaining a season-long undefeated streak? Even rarer. But this ‘24-25 school year, the Marysville Pilchuck wrestling squad didn’t just aim for success, they aimed to rewrite the history books. 

Culminating with a dominant 62-15 match victory over archrival Marysville Getchell, the Tomahawks did just that. They finished the regular season with an unblemished 17-0 record and, in doing so, cemented themselves in school history as the most formidable team to ever step onto the mat.

From the very first match versus Shorewood, when they dominated 67-12, it was clear that this team was something special. They opened the season with a statement victory, setting the tone for what would become a relentless march toward perfection. Match after match, they took down all opponents, including incredible shutouts over Archbishop Murphy, 84-0, and Kamik, 81-0. Over and over again, the M.P. boys outworked and outlasted every competitor who dared to stand in their way. With a combination of lightning-fast takedowns, relentless chain wrestling, and impeccable mat awareness, they dictated the pace in every dual meet.

Tomahawks head coach Marcus Haughian has been leading M.P.’s program for six years and knew early on that this squad had the makings of something historic. “A lot of these kids I’ve coached since they were wrestling in youth program. I knew we really had the makings of something great when many of them decided to come to M.P. and continue wrestling together,” he said in the immediate aftermath of the Berry Bowl victory. “It feels amazing. I’ve seen first-hand how much time, dedication, and hard work this team has put in day in and day out. They deserve all the accolades for coming together as a real team and accomplishing something historic.”

Among his coaching staff are two Tulalip tribal members, Tony Hatch and Sam Davis, who, as history would have it, coached Marcus when he was an M.P. wrestler years ago. Coach Marcus couldn’t praise their efforts and guidance enough as being instrumental to the program. “Tony meant so much to me when I was a high schooler. I still call him coach even though we are colleagues now. And having Sam as a lead youth wrestling coach be here and offer his insights from coaching several of our wrestlers since they were just little kids in invaluable. We have a bunch of tribal kids in this program. They are some of the toughest kids I know. Being able to further develop the connection between Tulalip and Marysville through our wrestling program is something we, as a coaching staff, are proud of.”

While wrestling is the ultimate individual sport, this Tomahawks team thrived on unity. Each wrestler contributed, but a few standouts rose to the occasion time and time again. Senior captain Danny Vergara dominated his 175-pound weight class with a series of flawless headlocks, fireman’s carries, and picture-perfect double-leg takedowns, securing crucial victories in high-pressure situations.

“For me, being a captain is all about showing everyone that’s younger how to practice the right way, how to work hard, and how to practice good sportsmanship regardless if you win or lose,” shared Danny. “This team know how to work hard. We sweat our butts off, literally, to maintain our wrestling weight and practice every day to make each other better. It’s all that hard work that drives us to be perfect.”    

Meanwhile, 120-pound phenom Garrett Turner has stunned the competition with explosive ankle picks, powerful tilts, and relentless riding time, proving that the future is just as bright as the present. In fact, it’s widely assumed by his coaches that Garrett (33 wins) will break former M.P. icon Drew Hatch’s all-time wins record (42 wins) either this post season or early next year.

“The wins have been great, but for me the real highlights of this season have come in practice,” shared Garrett. “Our biggest and best competition is in this locker room because we know what’s on the line for us. Our practices have been full of blood, sweat and tears, and maybe a curb stomp or two, but that’s because iron sharpens iron and we’re always grinding to get better.”

One of the most thrilling moments of the season came when 106-pounder Javohn Henry executed a textbook cradle in the final seconds of a match that seemed up for grabs. The Tulalip senior secured a dramatic fall that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Proving this team isn’t solely relying on talent, they have the grit to persevere and overcome as well.

“Most people have no idea how much discipline it takes for us to maintain our weight through an entire season. Every pound matters for us and you can miss weight just by weighing in a couple ounces heavy,” explained Javohn who in also known as the heart and soul of Tulalip Heritage’s defensive unit on the football field. He seamlessly transitioned from his bulkier safety/linebacker build to a lean, mean 106-pounder on the wrestling mat. 

“Playing football for Tulalip and now wrestling for Marysville, it’s cool to see all the community and support who follow just sports in general. Of course, it helps when the teams are good, but I know for me I feed off that positive energy,” continued the dual sport 17-year-old. “I’m proud to be adding to this history of Tulalip tribal members who showcase their athletic talents as Tomahawks. We got a bunch of Tulalip representation on this team and now we’re a part of the greatest team in Marysville Pilchuck history. How great is that? It’s a legacy to proud of. That’s for sure.” 

Seasons come and go, but undefeated records are forever. With the regular season over, the focus now shifts to the postseason where several Tomahawks intend to become State champs. Given what they’ve managed to accomplish to this point, there’s no telling just how much more history they are going to make.

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Tulalip vs. Lummi. Hawks vs. Blackhawks. Round 3. For the Northwest 1B District championship.

First, a quick refresher. Round 1 went to Tulalip at home, 68-63, in a thrilling game that saw the Hawks overcome a 15 point 4^th quarter deficit. Round 2 went to Lummi at their place, 74-79, in another instant classic. In that game, Heritage jumped out a 13 point lead in the 2^nd quarter, then trailed by 17 points to start the 4^th, before falling just short of pulling off another comeback.

Both early rounds went to the home team. Both also featured a Tulalip team digging themselves into double-digit deficits in the 4^th quarter before going into high gear and producing incredible scoring barrages. But now, we’re in the championship rounds. What would round 3 have in store?

In front of an estimated 500 excited basketball fans filling a jampacked Lummi gymnasium, chants of “Tulalip power!” rang out early as the Hawks found themselves down 0-5 ninety seconds in. Trailing 0-7, Amare Hatch splashed a 3-pointer to put Tulalip on the board, 3-7. 

After the offense was slow to produce, trailing 3-12, Heritage’s defense stepped up and forced four Lummi turnovers. Those defensive gems jump started the Hawks offense with high-speed transition buckets. With that infusion of easy buckets, Tulalip took a 15-14 lead into the 2^nd quarter.

A figurative lid on the bucket resulted in the boys unable to knock down a 3-pointer after getting several quality looks and being unable to convert. Six minutes into the 2^nd quarter, Tulalip had yet to score and trailed 17-24. Davien Parks finally broke the seal with a nifty elbow runner with ninety seconds to go until halftime. Lummi immediately responded with back-to-back buckets of their own. Another Heritage 3-point attempt clanged off the rim as the halftime buzzer sounded. Tulalip trailed 19-29 midway through.

On their second possession of the 3^rd quarter, guard J.J. Gray pushed the tempo and found forward Davien in the corner who quickly shot and splashed a much-needed 3-pointer. Five minutes later, Lummi called a timeout to get their players a breather while leading 38-27. 

All the missed 3-pointers from Tulalip allowed Lummi to settle into a 2-3 zone defense, which basically begged the Tulalip boys to keep shooting from outside. With the offense still struggling, it was again the defense the made for a highlight. J.J. managed to steal the in-bounds pass and took it coast to coast for a layup to cut the deficit to 10 points, 32-42.

Entering the 4^th quarter down by 10 points marks the third straight game vs Lummi where our boys trailed by double-digits and looked to make an epic comeback over the game’s final eight minutes.

The fighting spirit took hold early in the 4^th as freshman Peyton Hatch showed his touch with a beautiful up and under reverse layup, followed by his brother Amare converting an and-1 on the very next possession. With the brothers cutting the deficit in half in mere seconds, 39-44, the crowd was electric and chants of “Defense!” roared from fans who did their best to fire up the Hawks. After forward Ziggy Miles cleaned up a miss with a well-timed offensive rebound and put back layup, he tightened the game at 41-44 with only four minutes left to play. 

Unfortunately, that aforementioned lid on the bucket continued to stymy Tulalip who kept shooting away from deep and just couldn’t buy one when it mattered most. The game was all but over with 11 seconds to go when a 3-pointer by J.J. finally found nothing by nylon. His bucket made the final score 48-52. The 48 points marks a season-low in scoring for Heritage.

With the loss, Tulalip can still take solace in a 2^nd place finish at Districts and an automatic advancement to the Tri-District tournament. Early odds makers predict Tulalip and Lummi will meet again at Tri-Districts. Round 4?! Get your popcorn ready.

Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

There was popcorn. There was Coca-Cola. There was Sprite. And of course, there was some Pepsi, also fondly known as ‘bepsi’ on reservations all throughout the nation. The salty snack and sugary beverages provided an opportunity for the Tulalip Police Department to connect with the future of the Tribe on the evening of January 29, at this year’s first Pop with a Cop gathering.

Nearly 20 local youth participated in the event at the Teen Center, which made for some fun and unforgettable interactions with Tulalip’s finest. Following a motivational speech by Sergeant Jira, the kids got to play some one-on-one against him, as he was the only one to step up to protect the rep of TPD. While a handful of kids faced off with Jira on the court, the remaining kids excitedly cheered on their friends from the sidelines while also taking the chance to ask the other officers about their day-to-day duties as a tribal police officers. 

As the laughter and playful smack talk ensued, TPD Officer and Tribal member, Alyshia Ramon dished out bags of freshly popped popcorn as well as activity bags to the kiddos. Taking a moment to speak with Tulalip News, Alyshia shared, “We teamed up with the Tulalip Education department and what we wanted to do was have some fun interaction with the kids and have some positive engagement with them. Sergeant Jira rounded up the kids today and talked to them about excelling in sports and getting good grades at the same time, so they can be really productive and successful when they go to college. And we just wanted to let them know that we are here to support them and that we want to be here with them.” 

Alyshia stressed that they felt it was important to reiterate to the teens that they are here to serve and protect them. Which is something that tends to get lost in today’s political climate, as the women and men in blue are often times painted in a negative light. 

Said Alyshia, “When you see all the stuff that’s happening on the news today, we thought it was really important for the kids to know that we are here for them. We want to support them and hopefully inspire them to take up a career in law enforcement. Because to me, this is the best job in the world – ever. It’s the only place where you’re going to learn three types of law; federal law, state law, and tribal law. And at the same time, engage with your community.” 

She continued, “When they see someone who comes from the same community, grew up in the same neighborhoods, knowing my path doesn’t look any different from theirs, that we can choose the choices we make, they can do whatever they want in life. And that’s what I hope to inspire these kids to do – one, use your voice, and two, they can do anything and be whoever they want to be. And whatever they choose, they got us behind them to support them 100%.” 

It can often be challenging to get teens to speak on feelings and about how they are affected in a positive manner during certain events. That could be said about the three teens who we caught up with, following the Pop with a Cop event. Actions and expressions often speak louder than words, and for Enrique Shrock, Hailey Craig, and Emma Barnes, the big smiles and hearty laughter were very telling. 

After catching his breath following an intense battle with Jira, Enrique exclaimed, “Yeah, I had fun. Today, I played one-on-one with a cop, and I was shooting threes to try to win a prize. I think this was important so we could make new friends.” 

Once Hailey and Emma got their picture with two officers, they gave quick statements before returning to their conversations with the policemen. 

Hailey stated simply, “It was awesome and a lot of fun!” 

Emma echoed, “Today was amazing. All the officers are really nice and they’re fun too. And they have cool haircuts!” 

Although the event’s duration was only a brief hourlong, it is safe to say the youth had a blast at Pop with a Cop. Alyshia shared that there will be two more gatherings at the Teen Center on February 12 and 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30. She also mentioned that she is in talks with the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club to create a similar event to help build and foster relationships with the younger kiddos as well.

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

For the uninformed, Archbishop Murphy girls basketball is one of the best programs going right now. They are currently 17-1 and ranked #18 in the State of Washington. Their only loss was a 54-58 nail biter to the #11 ranked Lynden Christian. 

Carving out a role for herself on Archbishop’s varsity team is 15-year-old Tulalip tribal member Kyla Fryberg. She’s normally a featurette on the junior varsity team, but because of her prowess as a defensive stopper and someone who can knock down the corner 3-ball, Archbishop head coach Ebany Herd has promoted Kyla into the big league rotation. 

During a recent matchup with Arlington High School, Kyla received playing time in the 2nd half and, in doing so, shared the court with fellow Tulalip tribal member Kierra Reese who balls for Arlington. It may be the first time ever two Tulalips shared the court while playing for the Archbishop Wildcats and Arlington Eagles. If not the first time, it’s definitely one of the only times, making it a noteworthy story in the long lineage of Tulalip hoopers. 

Following the matchup, Kyla was gracious enough to sit down with Tulalip News for a quick Q&A. 

Q: How excited are to be getting Varsity run in your sophomore season? 

A: “It’s an amazing opportunity. Playing on both JV and Varsity is letting me get to know so many of my teammates and to develop new skills. My time practicing and playing with Varsity is really making me better. I’m having fun.” 

Q: What is your role when playing with the Varsity team? 

A: “My role, specifically, is to bring energy and be a defensive threat. I’m comfortable picking up full court and using my speed [and agility] to stay with the player I’m guarding.” 

Q: There was a lot of community support in the gym. Do you get nervous playing in front of so many friends and family? 

A: “No, not really. When I’m playing, I don’t really pay attention to who’s watching or what’s happening off the court.” 

Q: Last question. If you could have the game of any basketball player, NBA or WNBA, who would it be? 

A: “LaMelo Ball. He just doesn’t care about what anyone says or is doing to try to stop him. He knows that he’s the best player on the court and doesn’t bother with all the stuff that doesn’t matter. Two years from now, I hope be leading Archbishop to a deep playoff run and be balllin’ like LaMelo.”

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The Marysville Getchell High School gymnasium was nearly filled to capacity for Friday night hoops on January 24. The pep band and full cheer squad added to the ambiance, as well as dozens of students who donned their MGHS green and white colors, showcasing school spirit while they cheered on their team. 

The band played tunes such as The Final Countdown, We Will Rock You, and the Time Warp to help amp up the players on the floor while they hit a few warmup shots. And though some of the players were all business, with their game faces on, most couldn’t help but hide the smiles from their faces as they took in the moment.

This is the very first year that Getchell implemented a new extracurricular activities program known as Unified Sports. This program promotes inclusion by bringing students with and without special needs together on the same floor as teammates, helping build friendships and providing students with intellectual disabilities the chance to experience the excitement of high school sports. Something that they are often excluded from. 

As the opening buzzer sounded, the players hit the court to take on their opponents hailing from Burlington-Edison High. Just a few possessions into the game, Tulalip tribal member Xavier Jones got the ball on a fast break. As he hit the jets and drove the ball down the court, zigzagging between the opposing team members, he spotted fellow Tribal member, Sean “Optimus” Mace ahead of the pack near the low block and immediately passed him the rock. 

Optimus let one player zoom by and shook off another with a pump fake before going up strong and putting two points on the board for the home team. When his shot went through the net, the entire place erupted. And on his way back on defense he hit Xavier with the famous basketball nod and point of acknowledgment for the assist before blowing multiple kisses to the fans in attendance. 

Unified Sports was developed by the Special Olympics and is consistently growing across the nation with nearly 9,000 schools participating in the program today. MGHS is the first Unified Sports Champion School in the Marysville School District. And though she is quick to give credit to school faculty and leadership who supported her effort, the program was ultimately brought to the school by MGHS Special Education Native Liaison and Tulalip tribal member, Amy Sheldon. 

Amy shared, “A few years ago, I actually got invited to watch a Unified Champion Sports Game at Arlington High School and I was moved to tears to see how amazing it was and to see everyone playing together. I knew this was something I wanted to create for our school. We’re the only Unified Champion School in the district. We’re trying to make it grow and bring it to other schools like MP, but it’s a lot of buy in and a lot of work. It wasn’t easy. Without my friends, coworkers, our Native American Friends Club that shows up and helps us out, I wouldn’t have been able to do it by myself.”

Members of the MGHS Native American Friends Club were both in the stands supporting the team and also on the court, helping facilitate the game by distributing the ball to their teammates, ensuring that each person got the chance to score some points and show off their skills. What makes this story even more heartwarming is the fact that both the MGHS boys and girls varsity teams had games the very same night in Stanwood, which means everybody in attendance chose to show up for the Unified Sports team and root them on during their second game of the season. 

The unified team has numerous players on the roster, so much so that there were enough participants for three different rotations, all of whom wore the biggest grins as they made their way up and down the floor throughout the evening. The game was split into two 14-minutes halves and helped raise funds for the program by taking in donations for admission. 

Altogether, there were four representatives of Tulalip on the court, including Xavier, Optimus, and Leah Stacy, along with Sammy Reyes who is a partner of a tribal member. As the final seconds of the game ticked down, MGHS was down just a few points. The team collectively made sure the final possession went to the namesake of the local non-profit Leah’s Dream. And just before the closing buzzer sounded, Leah scored a layup to bring the game to an end. Leah jumped up and down in triumph after getting her bucket and was quickly joined by her entire team in her excitement. 

No one was more excited for her than her grandpa, Ray Sheldon Jr., who was watching from the bleachers and threw his arms in the air when she hit her shot. Said Ray, “That was really fun! I enjoyed that a lot. She’s getting better and we can see the progression. Every week she’s gaining more confidence. I think that’s what we’re trying to do here, build confidence in these kids so that they can do many, many good things in life. My grandson Sammy was able to play a little bit too. And this is a great way for them all to get some physical activity out of it. It’s exciting to see all these kids – to be able to play where they usually wouldn’t have the opportunity to play. It’s good that they all get this experience and learn how to work together.”

Following the game, Tulalip News caught up with Xavier Jones. Xavier expressed, “I had a lot of fun. We just learned how to play basketball and even though this is new, we all try our best. My favorite part is just playing more basketball with everyone and being the best player I can be.”

Amy shared that the team is currently in the process of getting in contact with other schools with a Unified Sports program and scheduling more games this season. They are also gearing up for soccer this Spring, something that all the kids are looking forward to.

“They’re amazing kids,” Amy stated. “This is important because it promotes inclusion and acceptance. We’re just starting off small and doing the best we can. I’ve always wanted this inclusion, and to see this happen is like the biggest blessing. For all the funding, I’m working on grants through the Special Olympics and Tulalip Special Olympics to help build unity. This is our first season and it’s so great to see how happy this makes people – the students, administrators, families. And I’m so proud that there are so many Tulalip students on the team, it’s amazing!”

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

To fully appreciate the depths Mikail Montez has dug to maximize her lifetime of muscle memory meticulously tuned for the game of basketball and to capitalize on every second of collegiate court time, you have to know her journey. You have to know how opportunity can present itself in the face of unprecedented global upheaval, only to be struck down with devastating injury, and then present itself again in the form of a geoduck. Why a geoduck? Because they dig deep, of course. 

Let us begin. It’s early 2019 and 18-year-old Mikail is not just a three-sport athlete and leading scorer for her high school basketball team, but she’s also the reigning Marysville Getchell senior class president. Her future is boundless. She’s full of anticipation and excitement to begin her next stage of student-athlete life at Arizona State University. 

Then 2020 happens. A global pandemic sends us spiraling into social isolation, full on lockdowns in parts of the country, and a genuine fear of what could be next. Mikail is not immune from any of these 1,500 miles away from her reservation while still adjusting to life as a college freshman. So she makes the logical decision to return home.

“COVID happened during my winter quarter at Arizona State. After discussion with my parents, we agreed it was best for me to come back home,” recalled Mikail. “Eventually, all the fear and unknown started to fadeaway and the coach at Everett Community College reached out to me. Because of the pandemic and athletes returning home, they had lost like half their team and needed players. I jumped at the opportunity.

“Everett was a great experience. I was there for three years, but that first year, 2021, was probably the most memorable because it was a COVID season. The scheduling and whole dynamic about it was weird, but as a collective we came together for the love of the game and our love for each other. With everything happening in the world at that time and so many hurting from losing loved ones, that 2021 team found sanctuary on the basketball court. We were all we had. We went through a pandemic together and somehow managed to win our league championship.”

In 2022, Mikail’s on-court production reaches new heights as she begins to unlock all facets of her game. Now a fixture of Everett C.C.’s basketball program, she’s featured on both sides of the ball as both a bucket getter and lockdown defender. She starts in all 23 games that year, averages a double-double, and is awarded Everett’s Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Year.

Expectations are through the roof as the 2023 season is about to begin. When, suddenly, tragedy strikes. 

“We’re up in Skagit playing in a tournament. I’m embracing being an upper classman now and a true leader of the team. I was ballin’…the game had slowed down for me, I was seeing the game in a whole new way, and just felt like I could get us 20 points every night. Then pop!” described the Tulalip hooper like only a hooper can. That pop was the sound of her Achilles tendon tearing. “I was going for a rebound when it happened and knew instantly what it was. I was absolutely heartbroken.”

Heartbroken, yes. Spirit broken, no. Having the game you love literally ripped from you is a career ender for many an athlete. Not this one. Mikail went through a grueling nine months of physical therapy. The then-21-year-old powered through a rigorous schedule of seemingly unless stretching, workouts, and more stretching necessary to render her Achilles to pre-injury form with one thought in mind – “I was determined to get back to that place of playing the best ball of my career. I knew my playing days weren’t over. My mantra for that time was Progress matters, not Pace.”

As her fortune would have it, the coaching staff of Evergreen State College had scouted Mikail during her peak at Everett C.C. and were well aware of the all-around skill set she possessed. It was a skill set they were willing to set aside a spot for on their women’s basketball team in the hopes she’d make a full recovery and continue her collegiate career in Olympia. 

“Full transparency, I reached out to other colleges, too, seeing what my options were. I knew I could finish my degree anywhere, but I wanted to prove I could still hoop while doing it. Of all the colleges I reached out to, only Evergreen got back to me,” admitted Mikail. “I took that as a sign and opted to play where I was wanted for a coaching staff who knew what I was capable of.”

She returned to the court during Evergreen’s 2023-2024 season where she saw action in 20 games, including one start. With her minutes limited and role relegated to a bench player as she learned a new system, she averaged just shy of 3 points and 3 rebounds a game. A far cry from the double-double machine she was at Marysville Getchell High School and Everett Community College. 

This is where the geoduck comes into play. For the uninformed, the geoduck (pronounced gooey-duck) is the world’s largest burrowing clam, has an average lifespan of 140 years, is most commonly found in Coast Salish waters, and is Evergreen College’s official mascot. Oh, and the word geoduck comes from the English language’s attempt to pronounce γʷιδəθ, which is Lushootseed for “dig deep”. Because that’s what geoduck do, they dig deep. 

Mikail embraced the geoduck as her defacto spirit animal for the 2024-2025 season and, in doing so, summons every ounce of strength in her five-foot-eleven-inch frame to dig deep every game, every quarter, and every minute she gets on the hardwood. She’s a fifth-year college senior set to graduate in June with her Bachelor’s Degree. There is no next season.

Digging deep, the Evergreen forward/center has regained her status as full-time starter and perennial bucket getter. She’s rebounded from last year’s statistically down season by averaging nearly 10 points and 5 rebounds per game. Most importantly, her body is healed completely from the Achilles injury, which has allowed her to regain her confidence to battle with other bigs in the post. Something the Evergreen coaching staff were quick to implement into their offensive game plan.

“Mikail is dedicated to her craft in a way that coaches of any level would love to have an opportunity to coach,” explained Evergreen College head coach Derrick Pringle. “She’s methodical, hardworking, and, best of all, she loves the game. We offer optional Saturday practices and she’s always there, busting her butt for two hours and going home soaking wet with a smile on her face.

“When I first got here, I thought she was a wing player. But I learned quick after she told me ‘Coach, I can play the wing, but I like to bang a little bit’. Mikail’s ability to score inside from the post and outside with her 3-point touch is what makes her different as a player. Everyone wants to shoot the 3 ball and, if you look around, almost everyone does these days. But not everyone can score in the post. In fact, it’s probably the rarest of skills these days for a player to possess the patience, footwork, and physicality necessary to score so effortlessly in the post like she does.”

Her full arsenal of back-to-the-basket moves and sweet shooting touch were on full display in a mid-January matchup with the College of Idaho. A back and forth game full of all the excitement one could ask for from a basketball game, Mikail was a fixture of reliability for her fellow Evergreen teammates. In the game’s most pressure-filled moments, Mikail stayed cool, calm, and confident in her ability to score on one end and come up with a defensive stop on the other. 

In a thrilling 55-52 victory, Mikail amassed a stat line of 21-points (a season high), 8 rebounds (a season high), and 3 assists. She shot 9-13 from the field and was 2-3 on 3-pointers. “That stats are cool, but even better is the win,” said Mikail post-victory. “I felt like I was my best self out there tonight. Having the trust of teammates and coaches to have the ball in my hands with the game on the line is every basketball player dream. I’ve visualized and practiced those moments thousands of times…what I’d do to get to my spots, my footwork, my form on the shots.”

In her final season as a collegiate athlete, the now 23-year-old has regained her final form as a basketball player that the Achilles injury attempted to take from her. She’s also found the home away from home community at Evergreen College that COVID once denied her from finding at Arizona State. It’s because of those challenges and setbacks that her family so eagerly make the drive from Tulalip to the Olympia-based campus to watch their favorite baller get buckets.

“It’s great to see a tribal kid flourish off the reservation while doing her thing on the Division III level. Mikail is proud of her roots and always putting on for Tulalip wherever she goes,” shared Nathan Williams, one of Mikail’s older brothers, who regularly attends games with his 2-year-old son Winter. “Legacy and tradition are the most important things to our family, which is why it’s a priority to have my son here so he can experience the environment while his aunt is on the court getting buckets.

“The confidence in her skill is what sets her apart,” he added. “She put in a lot of time, countless early mornings and late nights, to reach that level of confidence. Plus, she had three older brothers who played and a former pro player in our household that was able to show her elite level footwork and shooting form. Mikail took the skill and athleticism our family is known for and carved out her own basketball journey. Among us siblings, she took her love for the game the furthest. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Mikail’s journey in basketball is more than just personal triumph. Her journey is one of balancing cultural heritage, academics, and athletics that all Tulalip youth should hear about or read about. Because her story is their story. To learn from, to be inspired by, and to serve as a reminder, whenever needed, that there are going to be times when the odds are long and the whole world seems like its against you. In order to persevere, you gotta dig deep.