United Tribes off to solid start with conference counters right out of the chute

Dave Selvig, Bismarck Tribune

November 10, 2021

Dave Selvig, Bismarck Tribune

There was no messing around this season for Mon-Dak Conference basketball teams.

Last weekend's Buster Gilliss Tip-Off Tournament in New Town, named after the recently retired Bismarck State College athletic director, represented the season- and conference-opening games for most teams in the Mon-Dak Conference.

Four of the eight teams emerged with winning records, including United Tribes Technical College, which lost only to preseason favorite Dawson Community College in a close one to start the weekend. The Thunderbirds followed with decisive wins over Miles Community College and BSC by a combined 46 points.

Typically, games in the season-opening tournament in New Town do not count in the conference standings. This season they did, making the 2-1 start all the more promising for the Thunderbirds.

"It was an encouraging way to start the year," United Tribes head coach Pete Conway said. "We opened against probably the favorite in our conference, Dawson. We dug a 16- or 17-point hole, but battled back to take the lead in the second half. We had a chance to get within four with three minutes left, but had a pass deflect of the referee, otherwise we probably had a layup. Just kind of a bad bounce there.

"We come out the next day with an 8 a.m. start and jumped out on Miles 16-0. I thought that showed some toughness, so overall, it was a good start for us in a lot of ways."

In their four games, three wins, United Tribes is scoring plenty of points, but how they're doing it is the key. The Thunderbirds are averaging nearly 26 assists per game so far.

"We've shared the ball really well. The guys have a good spirit about them," Conway said. "The guys on the bench have brought really positive energy and that kind of gives everyone a little extra boost."

Conway has used the same starting five in both games – guards Famous Lefthand, Sylvester Union and Dakari Middleton, with forwards Tahj Two Bulls and Luke Wells Jr. – but the bench has provided plenty of scoring punch as well. Ten players are averaging four points or more.

Lefthand, a freshman from Crow Agency, Mont., is averaging 17.3 points on 51 percent shooting to lead the way. Lefthand features a strong overall game, capable of scoring in the mid-range or going inside.

"He's a pretty versatile kid," Conway said. "He's got a nice mid-range game. He can put the ball on the floor and get his shot off. He's strong and capable of going in the paint and scoring."

Lefthand also can rebound (7.5 rpg) and distribute (3.8 apg).

Middleton and Two Bulls are averaging just over 11 points per game. Middleton is dishing out a team-best 5.3 assists.

"DK (Middleton) is a great rebounder and defender and he can score the ball, too," Conway said.

Two Bulls comes out of the strong Sioux Falls Washington program.

"He's a really good athlete. He has the capability to be a good defender and he has better perimeter skills than you might think," Conway said.

Wells Jr., one of a handful of returners off last season's team, is averaging 8.3 points and seven boards.

The bench looks pretty long.

Steven Fisher Jr., one of just three sophomores on the roster, is averaging nearly 10 points per game. Same for Jordan Lebeau, a 2021 Century High grad, who started his college career off with a bang, going 8-for-11 on 3-pointers in New Town.

"He's a really heady basketball player," Conway said of the 6-foot-4 Lebeau. "He's a really intelligent defender. He knows how to defend in the post. He knows the difference between a good shot and a bad shot. He's got good basketball IQ."

Of concern for Conway is rebounding. The Thunderbirds don't have great size.

"We talk about team rebounding. We're undersized. We're going to need everybody to pitch in," he said. "We were able to compete on the boards, but we did give up some offensive rebounds. It's something we're going to have to stay on top of."

They've got a big-time rebounder on the bench, however, he's out of eligibility.

Rob McClain Jr., an All-American for United Tribes during the 2018-19 season, has returned as an assistant coach after playing the past two seasons at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, where he graduated last spring.

"Its really nice to have him back in the program. He's a great role model and somebody that did everything right when he was here," Conway said. "He's got a great basketball mind. He's really intelligent and he's a very good communicator. We're definitely happy to have him back."