SPOKANE — If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The women’s basketball team from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) put that adage to work when it created this year’s team for the Battle of the Nations tournament in Spokane.
There were a couple of roster changes from last year, but the core group of players returned, and the team won its second consecutive championship with a 58-51 win over Navajo Nation on April 12.
“Back-to-back championships reflect not only athletic excellence, but the strength of community, shared experience, and cultural pride that defines the CTUIR women’s team,” said Shoni Schimmel, a former college and WNBA star. “With deep respect for the game and those who uphold it, we recognize that success comes from consistency, community, and accountability. Growing up together has shaped our connection on the court, and it takes that collective spirit to compete at the highest level. We are grateful for the support, the competition, and the opportunity to continue building a lasting legacy.”
Facing some of the best tribal teams from across the county, the Umatilla team battled for three days before earning the title.
Kendall Wallace, a 5-foot-5 sophomore guard at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, was a big weapon for Umatilla. She was named tournament MVP.
The honor comes as no surprise. Wallace ranked second in the Cascade Collegiate Conference in 3-pointers made with 73 and averaged 10.5 points per game. The Warriors played in the NAIA championship game, losing to Bethel (Tenn.) 78-70.
The title came with a buffalo skull and a cash prize, and each team member will receive a custom Battle of the Nations Pendleton jacket.
The team, coached by Ceci Moses, had a plethora of talent, led by Schimmel, who played college ball at Louisville and was a first-round WNBA draft pick in 2014 by the Atlanta Dream. She also played for the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces, and was the MVP of the 2014 All-Star Game.
Watchman was a standout at Nixyaawii, graduating in 2009. She was the first four-year varsity player on the girls’ team and the first player at the school to eclipse 1,000 points.
Team Umatilla included Mariah Watchman, Shoni Schimmel, Jude Schimmel, Milan Schimmel, Sophie Bronson, Kendall Wallace, Rosebud Guthrie, Skylin Parrish, Mary Stewart and Ella Stewart.
“Playing in — and winning — back-to-back Battles has made those weekends some of the best basketball moments of my life and I know there’s more ahead,” Guthrie said. “Talent alone is great, but when you combine skill with heart, unity, and true teamwork, that’s something special — and rare. CTUIR has that. I’m beyond proud of everyone on these teams over the last two years. It’s been a true blessing, and our hearts are full being able to represent our tribe in such a positive way.”
The team expresses its sincere gratitude to Nixyáawii Community Financial Services (NCFS) and the Board of Trustees (BOT) for their support.
