The Box Elder boys basketball team had a community dinner earlier this week to honor the back-to-back state champions. New Media Broadcasters went to the school’s cafeteria and interviewed three of the core senior four about their experiences. First, it was Tuarie Stiffarm-Rosette, who led the team in scoring with 26 points in the title game. He said he had to step up after not playing well in last year’s championship game against Manhattan Christian.
“Last year we played (Manhattan Christian), I didn’t play my greatest game,” Stiffarm-Rosette said. “I knew I had to step it up this time.”
“Something just felt different that game,” Stiffarm-Rosette continued. “I just felt ready to go. I wasn’t nervous or nothing. I just came out ready to play.”
“It just felt like anyone that was in front of me couldn’t stop me.”
Next, Tracen Jilot spoke to the depth that his team was able to have, especially coming back midseason due to an injury suffered during the football playoffs.
“I think it just shows a lot to how much depth we have from the team,” Jilot said. “They were able to win some games without me (and) win that football (state title) game without me.”
“I feel like that’s big for how the younger guys stepped up,” Jilot continued. “They got a lot of experience for next year, too.”
Finally, Alex Four Colors wrapped it up by saying what it meant to win another title and how it positively affects the Box Elder community with a role model attitude.
“I think it means a lot,” Four Colors said. “There’s a lot of emphasis on sports in the native community.”
“Everybody wants to be a baller. Everybody wants to play football,” Four Colors continued. “It just means a lot to everybody to be able to live their high school moments through us.”
“It’s pretty cool,” Four Colors said.
The full conversations with each Bears senior is on HiLineToday.com in the “Sports Podcasts” tab. The season never stops as Stiffarm-Rosette, Jilot, and Dreyden Anderson are all playing in this weekend’s Billings Hotel Senior Classic. More updates will follow on New Media Broadcasters when that tournament wraps up.
