By Naji Tobias BIG CYPRESS — During one of the Tribe’s longest-running basketball tournaments, the spirit of the late Herman L. Osceola lived on from March 22-24. The Herman L. Osceola Tournament is in its 28th consecutive year at the Herman L. Osceola Gymnasium. The special basketball event began soon after the Tribal

BRIGHTON — Students of Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School gave it their all on March 15 as they competed in the schoolwide track-and-field meet held at the Ollie Jones Memorial Softball Park on the Brighton Reservation. Students participated in up to three events, vying for a first- or second-place finish that would

By Naji Tobias BIG CYPRESS — Ahfachkee School’s athletic program achieved several firsts during the Warriors’ second spring season. The Lady Warriors won their first-ever softball game on Feb. 13, a 21-20 win over St. John Neumann Catholic High School in the home opener. In addition, they defeated two opponents, Glades Day

By Naji Tobias BRIGHTON — Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School’s softball and baseball programs finished with amazing seasons. The Lady Seminoles’ softball team finished an undefeated season with an 11-0 final record, including a come-from-behind 19-8 win over Ahfachkee School in the season finale on April 3. In addition to beating Ahfachkee, the Lady

By Naji Tobias BIG CYPRESS — On March 24, Tribal senior Louise Billie’s family gathered at the Big Cypress Reservation’s Panther Camp in remembrance of her late husband, John Billie Sr. Family members and friends paid their respects to the honoree by participating in the 6th annual John Billie Sr. Horseshoe Tournament.

By Jo Jumper ORLANDO — This year’s 14-and-under Lady Seminoles traveling volleyball team is enjoying a successful season. At the following Orlando tournaments, the girls placed in the Gold Bracket: Jan. 28-29, third place out of 34 teams; March 10-11, fourth place out of 25 teams; and March 24-25, fourth place out of

DENVER — Following a third-place finish in Lakewood, Colo., at the Amerind All-West Native American Basketball Classic and a third-place finish in the 2011 Native American Youth Organization (NAYO) tournament, the J.U.S. (Just us Seminoles) 18 and under boys’ basketball team set out to Atmore, Ala., with a first-place NAYO

By Naji Tobias BIG CYPRESS — Four Tribal golfers earned a $1,000 scholarship check for their performance in the inaugural Rick Case High School Golf Challenge on March 30. On April 11, high school athletes Stevie Billie, Quenton Cypress, Taylor Pratt and Jonathan Robbins were recognized by Big Cypress Council Rep. Mondo

By Naji Tobias LAKELAND — The Hollywood Christian girls’ basketball team finished their 2012 season with an impressive overall record of 21-8. The Hollywood Eagles might have lost the Class 2A state championship game on Feb. 22, but they put up quite a fight. Just seconds away from the final buzzer, they were

By Judy Weeks BRIGHTON — The members of the Eastern Indian Rodeo Association (EIRA) paid tribute to the memory of Fred Smith by naming the annual Brighton Field Day Rodeo in his honor on Feb. 3-4 at the Fred Smith Memorial Arena. This first rodeo of the 2012 EIRA season saw a