Rez Ball (2024)

[bunniefuu]

All right. Here we go!

All right.

Let's go, boys! Let's go!

Come on, Nataanii! Defense!

- Hands up! Hands up!

- Let's go, Jimmy!

Get on him. All over him.

Come on. Move those feet.

Let's go, Nataanii!

Come on! D it up, D it up!

From the shadow of beautiful Shiprock

coming at you at 50,000 watts.

All right! Let's go!

Yeego, boys! Come on!

- We got a nail-biter, folks.

- Hands out!

Chuska High School's title hopes

rest on this final possession.

Yeego, Nataanii!

Mom, be quiet.

Don't talk to me like that.

He gets it from you.

- Drive it. I dare you.

- Put your hands out.

- Come on. Gotta get back on it.

- Nataanii with the defense.

Jimmy with the three!

You're done now.

Toast.

I gave you that one.

I gave you a chance

like one of those "Make a Wish" kids.

Man, always go hard.

Especially for a Make a Wish.

Make a Wish, Jimmy.

You are listening to

the Tso & Tso Morning Show on KTNN,

the voice of the Navajo Nation.

The Chuska Warriors ranked number two

in the preseason poll.

And I'm saying this is our year.

Our star player, Chuska's own,

the Braided Assassin,

Nataanii Jackson is back.

Don't let me cross here.

You wish you could stop this.

Jimmy who?

Even with Nataanii

sitting out his junior year

due to the tragic passing

of his mother and sister,

this season's expectations are sky-high.

That's right.

They start their season today

against district rivals

the Gallup Bengals.

Tonight's game is completely sold out.

The whole rez will be watching.

No pressure though.

Jimmy Holiday nearly led the state

in scoring last year,

but without Nataanii,

he couldn't get them into the playoffs.

Hey, man. Come on.

Let's go. Right here.

Come on. One more. Come on.

All right, bet, come on.

Live by the three, die by the three, son.

Yeah? How 'bout this from downtown?

Come on.

We definitely expected more

out of Coach Hobbs,

especially coming off

her successful WNBA career.

If the boys

don't qualify this year,

she won't be a player or a coach.

Her hometown hero status

won't save her from the aunties.

Game point.

Nataanii wins!

Man, I gave you that. One more.

Check up. Best two out of three.

-You not ready.

-Come on, let's go.

Man, you don't want this.

Hey!

Y'all better not miss that bus.

If you're late, Coach is gonna bench you.

Come on, get moving.

I'm not giving you another ride.

- Come on, let's go.

- Man, you lucky your dad saved you.

Dang!

Nataanii!

Bryson.

Warlance.

Sweaty.

-What's good, Miles?

-Same story, different day.

That "dang" story?

She was like,

"I'm Water Edge Clan."

So, then I was like,

"Dang, we're both cousins."

"We can't keep doing this."

Ah, that's bullshit

and you know it, Bryson.

Bro, why you always gotta lie?

Why you always gotta lie?

Let me tell you about this.

He found out they was related

and he still made out with her.

That's messed up.

Why you do that?

Nah. You know what they say, though.

Cousins are for practice.

Gotta get you a mature one.

- Bro.

- That's not a saying.

Yeah, it is.

Hey! Welcome back, Nataanii!

Yo, get them Bengals!

Tomorrow, man, I got you.

Best two out of three.

That's what you said last time.

Hey, Jimmy!

Good luck tonight! Text me!

Bruh. Do not go there.

Welcome all

to the Chuska season opener.

Tonight's game is in honor

of Lily and Nizhoni Jackson.

A memorial fund has been created

and all donations will go

to the Chuska Chapter House.

Our hearts go out to Nataanii and Ronald

and all families

that have been impacted by drunk driving.

Shot! Rebound!

Nice, nice, nice. Come on, Jimmy!

Boom!

As time winds down here in the fourth,

Chuska has literally given this game

back to Gallup here.

The Warriors holding onto

a slim one-point lead, 42 to 41.

Three-two, three-two.

-Nataanii, switch.

-Switch! Switch!

- Get down!

- Jackson with the block!

It's been Jackson and Holiday.

Those two are Batman and Robin.

They are the perfect duo,

like mutton stew and fry bread.

Like powdered sugar and fry bread.

Like diabetes and fry bread.

There you go. Good take.

Holiday with the steal!

All the Warriors have to do is

slow things down and run out the clock.

Jimmy. p*stol.

Coach Hobbs is refusing

to take her foot off the gas.

I do whatever whenever

Ain't no stopping my shine

Custom Chrome Hearts piece

I purchased without checking the price

I peep my bust down Breitling watch

When I want to know the time

These...like to talk a lot

But I don't pay no mind

Workin', workin', yeah I'm workin'...

Nataanii Jackson

for the NBA three.

Excellent ball movement from the Warriors.

Final seconds.

What the hell are you doing?

Get back on D.

Push it!

Gallup looking for

the three-and-foul.

- And it's no good!

- That was close.

The boys celebrated a little early

and they gave Gallup one last shot.

-That was dangerous.

-Line up.

Nataanii. Excellent game.

How did you feel out there tonight?

I mean, that was a good team effort,

you know?

Thirty-one points,

11 rebounds is a great start.

This first game back

must be tough for you.

How did it feel

without your mom and your sister there?

Nataanii?

Yeah, you know,

he misses them, of course,

but their presence was definitely felt.

His mom, his sis,

they were like our sixth man tonight.

Do you want to add anything else?

-No, we good. Just happy for the win.

-Thank you, guys.

Yeego! Warriors!

Yeego! Warriors!

Hey, we won, bro.

Turn that off.

I said turn that off!

-Like and follow me on Instagram.

-What the hell is this?

Celebrating, Coach.

Celebrating?

We were leading by 16 at halftime.

Coach, a win is a win.

Where's my cross-country runner?

Leland, what does your coach say

about finishing a race?

Uh, run through the finish line.

Run through the finish line.

You cannot let up, not even for a second.

Gallup isn't even ranked.

I guarantee you Santa Fe is

going to be excited to play us tomorrow.

Team...

what is our number one rule?

Rez ball wins championships.

Exactly. And what is rez ball?

Run fast, sh**t fast, we don't ever stop.

We run fast, we sh**t fast,

we don't ever stop!

Now, I don't know about you all,

but I'm here to win a championship.

Are you?

Damn, bro.

Coach is trippin'.

I don't know about y'all, but if we can't

celebrate here, I'm finna head up to Mesa.

Who's with me? Oh, you with me?

Yeah, what's good!

Yeah, dog, you with me? Okay...

Hey, you good?

Let's bounce.

And let's just say

Chuska's a long way from Los Angeles.

Players looking a little cocky

at the end of the game.

Does Coach Hobbs have a handle

on this team?

Is Hobbs really all-in?

What do you think, listeners?

You good?

That reporter, man.

You know, I, uh...

I meant what I said back there.

About your mom and your sis.

Bro, they were there tonight.

You know, my sis...

Man, she was just getting started.

I can't believe it's been a year.

All I have left of them are memories.

Like, on that parking lot over there.

That's where my mom taught me

how to ride a bike.

And on that hill over there?

That's where me and my sis

used to go sledding.

Man, you remember that.

And then we went down that...

That big old hill?

And your mom told you not to do it.

You did it anyway.

Yeah.

I remember that.

I mean, do you ever think about...

getting out?

From the rez? Of course, I do, man.

No.

Like, really getting out.

For good.

What you talking about, man?

Bro, I have an idea.

You want to play college ball.

And I want to play college ball.

Why don't we both get out of here,

and bring home this title?

But, um...

It's getting late and,

you know, we both got a game tomorrow,

so I'll see you in the morning.

I'll catch you.

Going to beat those Coyotes.

All right. Here we go!

All right.

Let's go, boys! Let's go!

Come on. Guard up!

Yeego, Nataanii! Yeego!

D up, D up.

Come on, put your hands out.

Come on, yaazh. You got this.

That's looking...

That's looking like...

First game of the season.

We won.

I'm going to need you to pick up

some extra shifts at work.

I already spoke to your boss.

She said you could do

an a.m. shift tomorrow.

You serious?

You know I got a game tomorrow, right?

What's more important?

Playing or having a roof over your head?

You know, most high schoolers,

they get to play sports

while their parents work.

But sure, I'll get you some beer money.

- There you go. Have a good day.

- Thank you.

You're late. Again.

Yeah, well, it won't happen again.

Mmm.

We don't do

basketball-star treatment here.

Hello, welcome to Blake's.

Can I get two sausage breakfast burritos?

Let me find someone

who could help you.

Two sausage breakfast burritos, right?

Yes, two.

And don't be stingy with the sausage.

Okay, sure.

We caught up with Mason Troy

of the Santa Fe Catholic Coyotes

before tonight's highly-anticipated game

against the Chuska Warriors.

The Coyotes' star returns

for his senior year

after leading the state

in scoring last season.

Tonight's game against

number-two-ranked Chuska

is seen as a potential

championship preview.

Our number one goal this whole year

has been a state championship

and that's what we're looking forward to.

The Coyotes currently hold

the number-one spot in the polls,

with their sights set

on a deep postseason run

-led by Coach...

-Mason Troy.

Yeah, he's a beast.

There's no way around it.

Nataanii's going to have

his hands full tonight.

Hi, Bryson!

Where you going?

Jimmy, you were sick last night.

Yeah, what's good.

Damn, that behind-the-back pass was tough.

I'm gonna try that

against Santa Fe tonight.

They're not stopping that shit.

What you think?

Your mom?

Crazy that she used to play with Coach.

Senior year, bro.

Think she'll come

to one of your games finally?

Yeah, right, man.

Faster.

Fast feet, fast feet. Come on.

Move the feet!

Get a body on someone. Come on.

- That's my baby mama.

- I can't hear you!

- Floor general. Takes after me.

- Darlene!

You sure it's not the other way around?

Bro, shut up.

Rebound, let's go.

Come on. Move, Trixie, move, move.

Ya'at'eeh

to all my relations out there.

You're listening to KTNN and it's time

for the Lotaburger Game of the Week.

We're ready to get down, nasty and dirty

with the number-one ranked

Santa Fe Catholic Coyotes.

That's right.

And we have quite the turnout here today.

There are some good-looking aunties

in the crowd tonight.

Yeah, it's nights like this

I wish we still had that kiss cam.

Shit. He better have

a really good excuse for being late.

Thirty minutes before tip-off.

Listen up. The people in this room are

the people who are playing tonight.

Nataanii's off the roster.

- Nataanii finna leave us out to dry?

- Did he really bail on us?

Leland, you're starting at two guard.

Miles, you take the three.

- What the hell?

- Jimmy, take Nataanii's spot.

Coach, you seen these guys?

Their water boy's bigger than Leland.

Nataanii's one guy.

There's still 11 more of us. Lock in.

We're gonna spread the floor

and we're gonna lure him out

to the perimeter.

Tyson, Warlance,

double-team Mason every chance you get.

Now, until we're told otherwise,

we're still the number-two team

in the state. Bring it in.

Let's go.

'Stoodis?

'Stoodis.

Come on, boys. Let's go!

I'm just noticing

Nataanii Jackson hasn't taken the floor.

No stated reason why,

but it looks like Coach Hobbs is going to

have to make a change in the lineup.

Guys! Bring it in!

This is a huge blow

to the Warriors.

Jimmy Holiday's

gonna have to step up his game.

Yeah, by about 30 points.

Here comes Daddy.

Go get 'em.

If we put some pressure on these guys,

they'll quit.

Bring us in, Tyson.

Warriors on three.

One, two, three!

Warriors!

Come on, you guys.

We're ready for tip-off.

Ball is in the air. Chuska wins the tip.

Ball, ball.

Quickly up the floor to Holiday.

He takes a three from the wing

and buries it!

We're only five seconds in

and this crowd is feeling it.

Go, get back! Get back.

Let's go, white chocolate.

You look like the guy that mows my lawn.

You guys related or something?

-b*tch, do something.

-Bet.

Mason Troy makes the move,

goes in.

Power move.

White men can jump.

You needed them screens?

-That one's for you.

-Do that without...

- Three-two, Chuska.

- Put a little pressure on the ball.

Robin stepping in for Batman.

Where's the defense?

-Yeah!

-Whose man is that?

How was he open?

Tryin' to score, yo. Come on.

Switch!

Twenty-three fires it,

three and hits it.

Santa Fe Catholic taking control

in this first quarter.

The Chuska boys

are looking frustrated

with the lack of communication on defense.

- We're on the same team, man.

- It's okay. We can come back.

-What's up?

-Drive it. I'll make you regret it.

Hey, Coach.

Our girl's team's got an opening

in case you're interested.

What are you doing out there?

Acting like pussies. Take it to Mason.

You want to guard the Sasquatch?

Do not give up baseline. Every time

you give up baseline, someone's cutting.

-Sit down.

-You keep doing that, I'm dead-ass.

-Cut right there.

-You try going down with your ass.

We still have half to go.

Keep clogging the lane.

Jimmy, Leland, Miles, keep firing away.

Has anyone heard from Nataanii?

Jimmy?

Martinez brings it up,

flips it to Badonie on the wing,

leaves it for Holiday.

Holiday drives to the rim, lays it up.

Rejected by Troy again.

Let's go, Big Mike!

They're running the score up

as high as they can

to absolutely demoralize the Warriors.

What are you doing?

You, bro? Run the play better.

By the way Chuska's playing,

it does seem to be working.

Hey, Seth, push it.

It's a bit surprising

that Santa Fe's

keeping their star player in the game.

Chuska trying to get some points to make

this respectable in the final moments.

What did I say?

32, blue. Technical foul.

He's disqualified from the game.

Mason just got ejected.

And Troy taunting the Chuska fans

on his way off the floor.

Let's go, Jimmy!

Good to see Holiday up and moving.

He'll head to the free-throw line.

Less than a second to go in the game.

Chuska down 108 to 35.

Delivers the first one.

It's up and good.

The Warriors are gonna have to do

some real soul-searching after this loss.

All right, guys,

let's line it up. Come on.

That's game, guys.

Gather up the team

and we'll meet in the locker room.

I don't know. Something feels off, bro.

No, for real, something feels off.

What's going on?

Go to the locker room.

Bro.

What's going on, Coach?

Please sit.

I need everyone's attention.

Boys...

our friend...

our brother...

our teammate, Nataanii...

is no longer with us.

What the hell you talking about?

Earlier today, we're being told that he...

He took his own life.

He took his own life.

Please.

No way.

I just saw him.

We were at the cistern.

Jimmy.

She doesn't know, does she?

I know how close you two were.

We're a team on and off court.

I'm here if you need to talk.

Jimmy...

It is with a heavy heart

that I have to announce the tragic loss

of star basketball player

for the Chuska Warriors,

Nataanii Jackson,

who has passed away at 18 years old.

He is preceded by his mother, Lily,

and sister, Nizhoni,

and survived by his father,

Ronald Jackson.

Unfortunately, this type of thing

happens all too often around here...

and it never gets any easier.

Our thoughts and prayers

go out to the family,

to the basketball team

and to the greater Chuska community.

I am being that traditional funeral

arrangements will begin this afternoon.

Greetings, relatives.

Nataanii's father Ronald

has gathered us here today.

These next four days are sacred.

We ask that the spirit

of this young man Nataanii

has a safe transition to the spirit world.

You will place his shoes in the casket.

Left shoe on the right...

right shoe on the left.

This is so the holy people will know

his spirit has passed.

This fire should be

kept burning for four nights.

Watch over it.

Make sure it doesn't burn out.

Mother Earth, we are placing your child

Nataanii back into you.

Take good care of him.

His spirit will be placed back peacefully.

What are you doing?

My son sh**t baskets all day.

It's the only way I can see him.

You could have at least

went to the funeral.

It's a shame what happened.

Sad.

I've been to too many funerals

over the years.

Too many relatives gone.

It's not like he's the only one.

It happens all over Indian country. It's...

It's like a spirit...

finds us.

That's the thing about Natives.

No matter how hard we try,

we always find a way to lose.

It's in our blood.

Jimmy.

Jimmy, wait.

Got those fries coming.

Have a good day.

I heard about your friend.

I'm so sorry.

Thanks.

It was really nice

how you all came together for Nataanii.

You know, we're a team, so...

Just try to be there for each other,

you know?

We're also a team here, you know?

If there's anything we can do to help...

Thanks, but...

this...

It's just a job.

Everyone in town comes here.

And I get to see them all

and check in on them.

There's a lot to like.

But, like...

You're not trying to do this forever,

are you?

Of course not.

I don't want to do this forever.

'Kay, 'cause, you know...

I would be a little worried if you were.

Hi, welcome to Blake's.

Benny. Coach Benny?

Hey, Heather.

What are you doing here?

I'm sorry about what happened

to your player.

Nataanii was a good kid.

Actually...

that's why I'm here.

I can use your help.

Maria will k*ll me.

Said I was gone too much.

She made me promise no more coaching.

Well, will she k*ll you when I pay you

triple what you're getting here?

I can't.

Well...

What these kids are

going through right now...

They could use you.

They might be stars on the court,

but they're still just kids.

All right, boys,

sweat lodge is all yours.

Gloria.

Ronald.

I'm sorry about Nataanii.

How's Jimmy doing?

Teenagers, you know how it goes.

What can I help you with?

I was just at the grocery store, and I...

I saw that you're hiring

a cleaning person.

We are.

We're actually hoping

to give it to a student,

help someone out, you know?

I can only work on the rez.

Because of the DUIs?

Yeah, don't tell Jimmy, I mean...

I've said some things,

I've done some things...

I don't feel good about, and...

Why don't you come to a meeting?

You know, the funeral was the easy part.

People there offering condolences.

Hard part was after.

Going home to an empty house.

Alone.

I guess what I'm saying is

they've been there for me.

I don't want to lose him.

Job's yours.

Okay, then.

Tomorrow morning, seven o'clock.

Who's this?

I'd hoped to come in today

and give you some kind of

inspirational speech

for our first practice back.

The truth is that...

there's not a lot I can say.

Losing Nataanii feels too raw

to try to handle with words.

On another note,

I'd like to introduce to you

our new assistant coach, Benny Begaye.

Believe it or not, I was a student myself.

Benny was my coach

and he took us to two state titles.

Boys...

No. Warriors.

We're gonna go back to the old ways.

I'm gonna ask you to circle up,

center court.

All right? Let's go.

Are you serious?

All right, Tyson, back in the day...

we relied on our traditions.

Some of you may feel uncertain...

about the future.

Some of you may have

unanswered questions.

Why things happen.

This is a good time to let it all go.

Ask for the strength...

to carry on...

despite our loss.

You all descend from warriors.

A true warrior is not afraid to grieve.

Good.

Think those good thoughts

for your brother Nataanii.

I'm not about to give up on the season.

Are you guys with me?

I ain't trying to call it quits, Coach.

I just wanna play.

Sko.

Same here, Coach.

Do you really think

we can win without him?

Only one way to find out...

Captain.

Line up.

Bro, is she serious?

Now, with Nataanii gone,

we've lost some height, but...

we're gonna do what we do best.

Rez ball.

We are incorporating

a shot clock to our game.

The objective is to sh**t the ball

within seven seconds or less,

and we'll wanna run teams into the ground.

We can't make up for Nataanii's height,

but if we push what we're capable of,

we can make up for it with speed.

Today's game will be simple.

Five-on-five, the first to 21 wins.

The girls will have the shot clock

to prove this concept.

Now, let's see if you guys

can keep up with them.

A Squad, let's go.

-She's serious.

-Bro, we're gonna destroy them.

- Hey.

- Match up, girls. Match up.

I'm all over you, mama's boy.

You know my mom. She's literally

watching our kid right now.

Somebody has to

while I take her sonny boy to school.

Yeah.

-You pack a lunch, b*tch?

-Shut up.

You ever heard of this thing

called deodorant?

- Seven, six, five, four...

- Ruckus.

Yo, man.

- Get back on.

- Thanks for the assist.

-Kiss my ass.

-Not until you wash it, stink-ass.

Concrete in your shoes?

Don't let her grab you like that.

Come on, man. God.

Acting like you never played before.

What the hell?

- Guard your man.

- Seven, six, five, four!

Nice! Move, move!

Hold it. Boom!

Seven, six, five...

-Hey, pretty boy.

-What's up? Bring it.

Four, three, two, one...

What the... Bro.

-Kobe.

-Yes. Nice, D.

Weak as hell, bro.

Get Bryson! Hey, Bryson!

Look for Tyson!

- Oh, my God.

- Sorry, babe.

- Four, three...

- Stop her, stop...

Hey, where's the defense?

- That's the second time, bro.

- Good.

Push it! Five, four, three...

What the... Are you serious?

Shut the hell up. You big ass dummy.

But I'm not the one

getting scored on.

Push! Bulldog!

-Talk, talk, talk.

-Trixie. Switch.

Good. Stop Bryson. Stop ball.

- b*llet.

- Hey, run! Hey, run!

- You happy now?

- Thank you. Yes.

- We got it. Come on!

- Ball.

- Let's go! Seven, six...

- Trixie!

- Easy money. Run!

- Get her.

- Four, three...

- How's she scoring on you?

Where is your head? That's the third time.

-Right here. Give it.

-You're tripping.

-Come on. Let's go.

-I'm tripping?

Point guard brings the ball.

If I say give me the ball,

give me the ball.

I'll give you my balls

and you can suck on 'em, b*tch.

Say, what?

The hell you talking about?

Jimmy, locker room.

- What the hell is you doing?

- I'm done with y'all. Y'all suck.

-Benny, cover me.

-Got it.

Hey... Vienna sausage, get in there.

Game point. Boys, 12, girls, 19.

-Go. Move.

-Lean. Lean in.

My bad.

- Seven, six...

- Damn, Ruckus!

- Knock it down.

- Five...

That's game.

Good job, ladies. Way to go. Way to go.

- Bro.

- All right, boys.

That's what playing

with a shot clock can do.

But you have to do it as a team.

You ever hear of a saying,

"A good player makes himself better,

but a great player makes others better"?

Yeah.

You know...

I was a sh**t just like you.

It got me all the way to the pros.

But...

there will be nights,

and I can guarantee you,

when your shot is not falling.

You know what I do when those nights come?

What?

I pass.

I rebound.

I set others up for success,

just like you and Nataanii did

for each other.

I know you're hurting.

But this team needs you.

Ten games into the season,

the Warriors are looking sluggish again.

Their losing streak is going to extend

to nine straight losses.

Forty high, forty high.

Thirteen screen, thirteen screen!

Come on! Coach calls the plays, dumbass.

I said thirteen screen.

Come on. Thirteen screen.

Here we go, bro!

Go!

Holiday trapped in the corner.

Tyson's open!

Pass the ball!

Forces up the three

and misfires again.

What're you doing?

You had three guys open.

-Why are you always in my face?

-What's up?

Hey!

-I had the shot.

-No, you did not.

-You were double-teamed.

-I had the shot!

Knock it off!

We're one-and-nine and we just lost

to a school with less than a 100 students.

Doesn't matter what we had.

We beat ourselves.

Now, shower and get on the bus.

Don't forget to smudge yourself off

before you leave.

I think Pine Hill put a gaashii

on this locker room.

I failed them.

I know people are saying

we need to make a change...

but there's something you have

most of these coaches don't.

You're from here, Heather.

You're Din.

You know what it's like

to come of age in this environment.

Yeah.

It's like you told me.

Those boys may be gods on the court...

but they're still just kids.

They need someone to guide them.

But you can't be one foot in

and one foot out.

Yeah.

You steal those groceries?

Sorry about the loss.

Nine in a row is rough.

Maybe Heather isn't

the right leader for the team.

At least she's trying.

Did she tell you

how wild she was in high school?

She used to get in fights

with her teammates.

All the boys she used to run around with.

Girls too.

Heather's out there

acting all high and mighty.

She's the exception.

She not the rule.

So, that's it?

You just... give up?

I don't go to your games

because I don't wanna see you fail.

Is that what you wanna hear?

Do you get...

that I'm not you?

I'm telling you this from experience.

Because the higher you go...

the greater the fall.

The sooner you realize that,

the better off you'll be.

I got practice.

Everyone on the bus!

You too, Jimmy!

All aboard.

That's it. There we go. Come on.

Where we going?

You're on a need-to-know basis,

and I know you don't need to know.

All right? Come on, I wanna be back.

They got bingo at the casino tonight.

Hey, Coach,

I can't get these new shoes dirty.

These are Jordan 13s.

What time we getting back?

I got to do this live stream.

Man, this freakin' sucks.

Why are we out here?

Girls team better not show up.

Team... say hello to my Grandma Velma.

Hey, Grandma Velma.

My parents used to

send me up here in the summers

to help my grandparents herd sheep.

There ain't no sheep now.

Damn, you figure that all by yourself?

Do you wanna go again?

I'm getting sick of your mouth.

- Big talk.

- I promise you.

-Touch me.

-You a big ol' dummy.

-Pretty boy.

-Do something.

The wind blew the gate

off of my sheep corral,

so all the sheep got out.

My granddaughter says you will fix it,

but the sheep are out there,

so you will bring them back in for me.

Says she lost her sheep, pretty boy.

And she wants you to go find them.

Not just him.

All of you.

I'm sorry, what?

Screw this.

Which way did they go?

They went that way,

probably toward the hills.

What, y'all need an invitation?

Let's go!

Kick the tires and light the fires.

I told you I got bingo tonight.

What the hell?

Where are the sheep?!

- Jimmy trying to act all tough.

- Way to go, Jimmy.

What kind of gate falls over?

-A shitty gate.

-Come on, T-Mobile.

Come on T-Mobile.

This sucks.

-It's all your fault.

-Shit, no reception.

I don't understand

what kind of practice this is.

-A shitty practice.

-Who's been to sheep camp?

-No!

-I ain't that rez.

Stop acting like

a bunch of city Indians. Tyson?

I only do cattle.

Should have gone to the other side

of the mesa.

This blows.

Hey. Sheep.

-Look over there. Over there.

-God.

They look delicious.

Hey, who's gonna be our sheepdog, though?

I got this.

-For real?

-Yeah.

Over there!

Over there!

Leland, don't let 'em get away!

Fold.

Call. Two pair.

All the aces.

Yaadilah!

That was my gas money.

Damn.

Man, props to the coyotes.

These guys are hard to catch.

I say we tell Grandma

the coyotes got them all.

Bro, if you ain't gonna help,

just go back.

We're trying to catch these guys and

you're standing around looking all dumb.

We have to make a corral.

You gonna buy us some fence?

Probably say you can put it up

all by yourself and shit too?

We have to make a human corral.

I, uh...

spent a summer at sheep camp.

Oh, Jimmy's all rez.

Probably washed his hair with yucca.

-Probably chops firewood all good.

-Probably lost his virginity to a sheep.

All sacred!

Shut up. Shut up.

Everybody, shut up, though.

The hell is a human corral, Jimmy?

Look, these are sheep.

We make a circle around the sheep,

but we leave an opening at the end.

We'll all start wide and close in unison,

funneling them right towards that opening.

Make them think that there's an exit

but just keep moving them back

towards that hogan.

Shit, bro,

this is better than anything we got.

Tell us what to do.

I think you should run point.

All right. Circle up. Tight.

Tight. Come on.

Hey. A Squad, you'll take the south end.

B Squad, take this north end.

I'm gonna call A Squad guys in Navajo.

Jimmy, call these B Squad guys

in English, all right?

- Let's get out of here.

- Cool.

'Stoodis.

'Stoodis.

- Miles, you're next to me, all right?

- Come on, go, Levi.

Hey, fan out, fan out.

Watch that side.

Here.

Over here.

Easy.

Hey, Ruckus, good.

Push, push, push.

B Squad, close in.

- A Squad!

- Make a tight circle!

This way.

The left. Left.

Move them to the other side.

Get that fat one moving.

Stop eating!

Shit. Is this is working?

Just get 'em to that hogan.

Yeah! Let's go!

Let's go! Come on! Whoo!

Get on!

Come on, right there. That's good.

Let's go.

Slide them feet.

Just like in practice, y'all.

A little more...

Kobe!

- Well, well.

- Don't break formation!

Right!

Go behind the tree, go behind.

They're circling. Go.

Almost there.

Hold it!

Miles!

No sheep left behind, y'all!

Come on, get him. Let's go.

Yes! Whoo!

Yeah! Let's go!

Let's go!

I need some Gatorade, Coach, damn.

Good stuff, guys.

Okay, my nephew...

My granddaughter...

I could have just sent my dogs out,

they would have

brought the sheep back in no time.

It would have taken 20 minutes.

Yeah, but isn't this more exciting?

That was a lot of fun.

Coyote was running

straight for the road.

And Dezbah's over here all trippin',

"Do not let that thing run in front of us!

I do not need that drama right now, Bry!"

I'm like, a coyote

running in front of you is bad luck.

But this was going like west to east.

Or was it east to west?

Anyway, whichever one, is...

Double bad luck...

Hey, Coach?

What if we do that in the game?

How do you mean?

Call the plays in Navajo.

That's interesting.

But how would you do that?

I don't know yet.

But I think it could work.

Show me.

God, grant me the serenity to accept

the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Thank you, each and every one,

for coming in tonight.

Okay, hold on.

You're not working today.

Do you remember when you said

all that stuff about how we're a team?

'Cause I got some plays

that I need to translate into Navajo.

Okay.

'Kay.

Let's step into my office.

Two Horns.

Oh.

I'm actually tutoring Navajo

to three kids right now,

but this is way more fun.

So I'm like, your best student

or something like that.

Well, considering

they're all in kindergarten,

you're the least bratty.

You wanna try?

Black.

- Oh, give me some. Yeah.

- Yeah.

So...

Los Lunas thinks

they're gonna walk all over us.

But the other day on that hill...

I saw a team.

But we're adding an extra wrinkle.

It's a long bus ride up to Los Lunas, so...

here's something

to think about on the way.

You're up, Captain.

Tonight we're going to

switch it up a bit

and we're going to call all the plays

in Navajo.

You mean like the code talkers?

Exactly.

Except no Nicolas Cage, eh?

Stupid.

How you gonna know what's going on?

You don't speak Navajo.

I said I wasn't fluent,

but doesn't mean I don't understand.

"Hot hand."

Code for "bulldog."

"Forty."

"p*stol."

- Check him out.

- Learning.

I want you to memorize

every single one of them

before we get to Los Lunas tonight.

All right?

-All right.

-Yes, Coach.

-Yes, ma'am.

-Okay.

Bus loads up in 10 minutes.

Nice work.

Who's been teaching you

Navajo, Jimmy?

Just learned.

It's the girl from Lotaburger!

It's Krista!

Look at him!

Jimmy's in love!

40... 40... 40

You're here.

Here we go.

Chuska and Los Lunas.

Seven, six, five, four, three...

- Quick strike from the Warriors.

- Nice.

Get back.

Hey, run it.

Here comes 10, guarded by Tom

on the wing, to 14.

Drives right side, cut off by Badonie.

And he steals it!

Seven, six, five, four, three...

- A two-handed smash.

- Nice!

Chuska is moving lightning-fast tonight.

Keep up!

- Third quarter, Warriors down 4.

- Let's go, boys!

Extra! Extra!

Badonie into the offense.

Passes to Holiday on the right.

Cut. Eight.

-That's the one for Tyson.

-He's open.

Holiday wraps a pass to the rim for...

a cutting Yazzie for the easy lay in.

You know you were

supposed to cut on that?

-I know.

-Bryson, Jimmy, what are you...

You're right. My bad.

-Come on, let's go.

-I got you.

Oh.

Okay.

Come on! Let's go!

Push it. Go, go!

Here's 10,

drives in from the left,

clutches, scoops, and scores.

Here's Holiday, takes a deep three

from the top. It dances home.

Warriors tale the lead by three.

Lock in! Focus! Watch for the switch!

Here's 14.

Shouts off on the right. Swings it to 10.

He's open on the left for a three.

It's good!

A clutch triple ties the game at 64.

Chuska still with a chance to win it.

-Bryson.

-Coach.

Hot Hand!

Hot Hand! Hot Hand!

Number 6!

Number 3! Number 3!

Number 13!

Let's go! Number 50!

Number 13, Number 13!

Let's go! Let's go! Number 7!

Behind-the-back pass to Holiday.

Jimmy takes the three for the win!

It's good! Warriors win it!

Holiday is your hero!

Chuska with their second win

of the season.

Ready? "Sheep camp" on me.

"Sheep camp" on three.

One, two, three! Sheep camp!

Five.

-Five.

-Yes.

You should know this.

Watch the ball! I'm left!

Take another shot

Put my Rollie to the ceilin'

Party every night

Like it's seven days a weekend

Never take no L

No, we stay undefeated

We stay undefeated

We stay undefeated, what a feelin'

This is Jimmy.

He's got 25 points and eight assists.

Never take no L

No, we stay undefeated

Bottles on bottles, we celebrate

Look where we at today

We on a roll. We on a roll, boys.

We love you, Jimmy!

- Jimmy, I wanna have your baby!

- Me too!

Hey, Coach!

Yeego!

Warriors!

Yeah!

g*dd*mn, I've been ballin' all season

Take another shot

Put my Rollie to the ceilin'...

Okay. If you're here for food,

line up over here

and if you're here for an autograph,

line up over here.

Jimmy will be happy to sign them.

We stay undefeated

We stay undefeated

1 Big Thing.

Tonight's 1 Big Thing brings you the story

about a team of Native American players

in New Mexico,

who play a unique brand of up-tempo

pass-first basketball known as "rez ball."

Early favorites for the state title,

they were hit by tragedy

when their star player,

Nataanii Jackson, took his own life.

They've overcome this

and now won 14 in a row.

It's not just that they're winning...

Bryson, that's you?

Do you know how to say "baseline"

or "screen" in Navajo? These kids do.

They're winning because of it.

Hey! It's Jimmy!

For many Native Americans,

basketball is a sole source of positivity

in communities with some of the highest

unemployment, alcoholism,

and, sadly, su1c1de in the country.

This team, though, has found strength

not from an outside source

but from their own rich culture.

It's put rival teams on their heels.

This team has incorporated

their Native language into the game

by calling out plays, sets,

jersey numbers in Navajo.

Their post-season quest begins this week

with the district championship,

which has been renamed

the Nataanii Jackson Memorial Game.

This isn't just basketball.

It's rez ball.

You guys did that.

Santa Fe Catholic,

dominant win over Los Lunas.

You guys are undefeated.

How you feeling about your title chances?

We're feeling pretty good right now.

The difficult thing is finding a team

that can challenge us.

Chuska High,

considered one of your closest rivals.

How you feeling about them

turning things around?

Chuska who?

Santa Fe Catholic, still undefeated.

Night, Ronald.

Did you walk here?

Yeah.

Come on.

It's not much, but it's yours.

Ronald, you don't have to do this.

Well...

see if it starts first,

before we start thanking each other.

Don't be driving off the rez

with that one now.

Hey, brother.

Tyson's lady got a keg.

-Serious?

-Yeah.

You know we got a game tomorrow, right?

Yeah, that's what the keg is for.

Doreen is sending you guys off

to districts in style.

Too much riding on this.

Bro, this is gonna be

a walk in the park. Sko.

Yeah, and your girlfriend's

gonna be there.

I don't want to chance it.

"I don't wanna chance it."

Bro, are you for real? You're dead-ass.

What a loser. All right.

It's your loss, titty baby.

You got a new ride?

Yeah.

Doing some work at Ronald's.

All right, for all our relatives

at home, thank you for tuning in.

This is a big game for Chuska today.

District championships on the line.

You know what this reminds me of

is districts in '98.

That's right.

I remember that well, brother.

There we were,

20,000 people in attendance.

We were down by two, 1.8 seconds to go.

I got that ball,

and I yelled out, "Hoka hey!"

What does that mean?

"Hoka hey."

It's just something cool

to yell out.

And I chucked it as far as I could go.

And that ball,

it flew in the air like that,

gracefully, in a sacred way.

Swish. District championship, son.

I remember that.

I remember like it was yesterday, boy.

Hopefully, our Chuska Warriors have

that same type of success here tonight,

because the last thing they would want

to do is lose at tonight's memorial game.

What the hell, Bryson?

Can't hang, bro.

That Fireball messed me up bad.

Dude, go chug some Gatorade.

Bro, don't say "chug," I'll puke.

Maybe you should chug some spoiled milk.

Ladies and gentlemen,

a moment of silence for our brother.

We honor him

by renaming the district championship

the Nataanii Jackson Memorial Game.

Warriors trying to make it

15 straight wins

and clinch the district title.

Hot Hand!

Six, five...

Bryson. What the hell, dude?

Holiday with the errant pass.

Come on, get back! Get back!

Gallup gets the turnover.

And Gallup will score.

What are you doing, dude?

-Get your head in the game.

-All right.

What are they doing? Set it up. Set it up.

Gallup takes a quick lead, 2-0.

Chuska down early.

Final possession,

Chuska down one with the ball.

Badonie's been struggling tonight

with just two points.

Go, Jimmy! Bring it down!

Holiday's carried the Warriors.

He has 26 of Chuska's 48.

Get it up!

Here comes Holiday

across mid-court.

Gallup is sending the double team.

Holiday looking for an out.

Jump pass to Badonie!

Bryson!

With time expiring,

Badonie goes up for the final shot.

Bryson!

Hoka hey!

It's short.

After winning 14 in a row, Chuska loses

to Gallup for the district championship.

And the first annual

Nataanii Jackson Memorial Game

goes to Gallup. Wow.

Chuska still moves onto State,

but they will be

at the bottom of the bracket.

Bro. Hey, man.

My kid's sleeping so whatever you're

about to say, I don't wanna hear it.

-We're in the playoffs, bro.

-And we busted our asses to get here.

We're in the playoffs.

You go on a winning streak

and you bail on us?

At least I showed up. That was his game.

Kiss my ass, you Nataanii wannabe.

Yeah? What? What'd you say?

-You heard me, b*tch.

-Don't you ever say his name.

What's up, bro?

Hey. Hey, what are you doing?

What the hell, Jimmy? Get off him.

-Get off me, dog.

-Done with you.

-Come here then!

-Get outta here, bro!

-Come on.

-I been waiting for this.

-That's some sucker shit.

-Go hide behind your girl, bro!

-What'd you say?

-Stop it! Stop!

Dude, that was all Jimmy.

He didn't do anything.

Are you for real?

You can't take him away.

He has practice in the morning.

They're in the playoffs.

You can come get him in the morning.

The morning?

Bro, I just said he has practice!

What are you looking at?

Go to bed!

Morning.

Hi, Coach. They're right over there.

We made 'em sit next to each other.

Teach them to fight each other again.

Sign here.

-Thanks.

-Mmm-hmm.

Did you get their autographs?

Yeah.

Your mom ever talk about her playing days?

Never.

You know she's the reason why

I got into college?

My mom?

Your mom...

she scored 62 points in a game.

Still a record, I think.

I thought you were

the golden child, though.

Hmm.

People have short memories.

Your mom had a full ride to ASU.

And the coach only knew who I was

because he was going to

all of Gloria's games.

He let me walk-on.

But I had to work my ass off.

So, what happened to my mom?

Can't say exactly.

Maybe it was the...

The pressure.

Maybe it was the shock

of leaving the reservation.

But...

if you ask me...

her heart wasn't in it.

Damn.

Yeah.

Hey.

The one thing I can tell you...

Nothing is set in stone.

Everyone thought Nataanii would be

the leader of this team, but...

you've risen to the challenge, Jimmy.

So, why don't we finish

what we set out to do?

-We can win this title.

-Yeah.

I'm with you, Coach.

'Stoodis.

Okay.

-Okay.

-Okay.

Thanks.

As the regular season comes

to a close, one thing is certain.

The Chuska Warriors are in the playoffs.

The question on everyone's mind is

which Chuska team

will show up for the State tournament.

The one that won 14 in a row

or the one that fell apart at districts.

What do you think, listeners?

Give us a ring.

There you go. Have a good one.

-Hi, welcome to Blake's.

-Sorry. Sorry. Do you mind if I just...

What are you doing here?

Aren't you supposed to be

on a bus to Albuquerque?

Yeah, but, um...

You helped me get this whole thing started

and I just really wanted to say...

thank you. This will get you into

any tournament game.

Hmm.

I guess I can handle watching

one boring game of basketball.

Listen, if this game is boring,

dinner's on me.

But even if it's not, would you, uh...

still like, wanna get dinner

with me or something?

Yeah.

-Okay.

-I'd love to.

-Okay. Sounds good. See you.

-Okay. See you.

Good luck.

Yeego! Warriors!

Gentlemen, welcome to the Pit.

18,000 seats. 16 teams.

Only one will be champion.

Hey, you good? 'Stoodis.

'Stoodis.

Hey, come on, lock in.

This atmosphere is electric.

Over 18,000 in attendance,

and it's not just Chuska.

Half the Navajo Nation is here to watch

and we are live

at the University of New Mexico in the Pit

for the New Mexico State Boys

Class 4A Basketball Championship.

Single elimination tournament.

Win or go home.

Difficult first matchup

against number three, St. Pius.

The pressure gets higher now.

They cannot afford

a repeat performance

from the District Championship.

Get on D!

Tom with the steal,

making his way down the court.

Push, push, push!

Number 3!

A little energy from the Warriors

looking more like

the winning-streak Warriors tonight.

They'll need that energy all night

and all tournament.

Oh, the touch-pass to Leland,

left-side three...

Knocks it down!

And a three for Badonie.

That's right. Call those

babysitters, extend those hotel rooms,

'cause we are staying in Albuquerque.

Baby back, ayy

Couple racks, ayy

Couple Grammys on him

Couple plaques, ayy

That's a fact, ayy

Throw it back, ayy

Throw it back, ayy

And the Warriors are

moving onto the semis.

And this one is for the champions

I ain't lost since I began, yeah

Funny how you said

It was the end, yeah

Then I went did it again, yeah

Chuska wins!

Chuska's gonna have a nice,

wet-hot date with Santa Fe Catholic

for the championship!

Warriors-Coyotes, baby. Let's go.

You are listening to KTNN 660 AM,

the voice of the Navajo Nation.

We're two hours from tip-off,

where there will be

more than 18,000 in attendance.

This State title game is sold out

and all of Chuska will be in the house.

Get off the road, lady!

assh*le.

License and registration.

Um...

Sorry, Officer.

My registration's at home.

Wait here.

Are you aware that you have

a warrant out for your arrest?

For what? I... I haven't done anything.

You have multiple DUIs in our database.

Please step out of the vehicle.

Ma'am.

Hey. Excuse me?

Um, can you turn on the radio?

660 AM.

My son's a player for Chuska. He's playing

right now for a State Championship.

I've never even heard of Chuska.

This is it, boys.

Santa Fe Catholic.

They beat us by 70 points last time.

They're undefeated.

But we are not that same team.

We have earned the right to be here.

And there is nothing

that would make me happier

than to knock them off their pedestal.

Now, I need you to do something for me.

You come from a line of warriors.

And when you hit that court tonight,

remember who you are.

I need you to remember for you, for me,

but most of all, for Nataanii.

Are you with me?

Yeah!

Are you with me?

Yeah!

-Who are we?

-Warriors!

Then let's go!

See that? Recruiters.

Could be here for Jimmy.

Hey, Jimmy.

What's up?

Here we are!

The Chuska Warriors versus

the Santa Fe Catholic Coyotes.

You know what to do.

Take it in. Yeah, there we go.

Good gaashii protection.

That's right. Gonna be gaashii-less.

This is for all the mutton

in the stew, for all the fry in the bread.

Coach, can you do us next?

Uh... Okay. Okay. Sure.

Yep. Yep, be blessed.

Okay, okay. Yeah. You're important too.

Red. White.

Here we go for the tip-off.

Coyote ball.

Seven, six, five, four, three, good.

Mason Troy

with the three right out the gate.

40! 40!

Forty!

What the hell? These crackers know Navajo?

You guys, talk on defense.

You gotta move your feet.

-Pick it up.

-Talk, talk, talk, white.

Switch.

Holiday drives to the basket...

and misses!

Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one...

Troy sh**t from deep...

And he buries it!

They're playing rez ball.

Hey, Coach.

We can play that game too.

Hands up, talk on defense.

Hot Hand! Hot Hand!

Hot hand.

No switch, no switch.

Hustle! Hustle!

Screen left.

Badonie drives...

Get that shit outta here.

And is rejected.

Defense! Make it count! That's it!

Time out!

Coyotes lead eight to nothing.

Santa Fe is playing

under the same rules as Chuska.

This looks a little bit

like cultural appropriation.

-Almost like a headdress at Coachella.

-Mmm-hmm.

Nice job, guys.

Coach, these guys took the Navajo

Rosetta Stone class or something.

You don't need it.

Call the rest of the game out in English.

They cannot keep up with you.

They wanna play our game?

Well, let's make them play our game.

Bring it in! Come on!

One, two, three. Warriors!

-Come on!

-Come on, y'all.

-Come on!

-You ain't shit without the gimmicks.

You gonna copy everything we do?

Pass to Jimmy!

Yes! Score!

Copy that! Copy that!

All right, Jimmy!

The Warriors

showing signs of life.

Go Coyotes!

Troy throws down a nasty dunk.

Holiday steps to his left and hits!

They're not going down without a fight.

Miles! Miles! Cut!

Up on the weak side.

Swing it!

Yeah!

Yeah, boy!

Chuska!

Defense, come on.

Go, go, go.

Chuska and Santa Fe

going at each other all night.

You the one with the Chuska kid?

Come with me.

Fourth quarter, folks.

It's time to put up or shut up.

Santa Fe Catholic just used

its final timeout.

Warriors holding onto

a two-point lead, 77-75.

-One, two, three!

-Warriors!

The warriors get a defensive stop

and they are champions.

Go, go, go. Let's go!

Miles!

Move it. Get Mason. Double team him.

Don't let him sh**t!

Shot!

Whoo! Let's go!

Santa Fe retakes the lead.

Time out. Time out.

Yeah!

Yeah! Come on,

let's bring it in. Bring it in.

-Come on, you guys. Bring it in.

-Hustle up.

Gotta get a stop.

They'll try to get Jimmy the ball.

Just stay with him.

-Do not let him sh**t.

-Yes, sir.

We're gonna triple stagger

for Jimmy, all right?

Jimmy, when you get the ball,

you knock it down.

You with me? We're almost there.

Come on!

-One, two, three.

-Win.

-Let's go!

-Bring it in!

-Warriors on three. One, two, three.

-Warriors!

Foul!

Give him some room.

I didn't touch him.

Flagrant foul, 32.

-Get him up.

-Three sh*ts.

Holiday's going to get checked

on the bench,

bleeding from a gash above his eye.

Jimmy Holiday is

going to the free-throw line.

- Medic.

- Are you okay?

They're sh**ting three free throws now.

You all right?

Jimmy, I take you out now,

you can't go back in.

-We gotta keep going.

-Yeah.

- I am not coming off.

- Let's go.

- Let's get it, boy.

- Come on, Jimmy.

-Come on, Jimmy!

-Come on, Jimmy!

Brother, you got this.

Chuska High is three sh*ts away

from the State Championship.

Let's go, Jimmy!

- Yeah!

- Tie game. Tie game.

Hey, two more. Let's go.

Come on, Jimmy!

Now, it all comes down to Jimmy Holiday

in these final two sh*ts.

Hey, lock in, lock in.

He just needs one to win it all.

That's the thing about Natives.

No matter how hard we try,

we always find a way to lose.

It's in our blood.

The higher you go, the greater the fall.

I just don't wanna see you get hurt.

Only one way to find out.

He makes it!

Yeah!

It was beautiful!

The pride of the Navajo Nation,

Jimmy Holiday!

Yeego!

Warriors!

-Yeego!

-Warriors!

Yeego! Warriors!

Yeego! Warriors!

Jimmy! Jimmy!

Come here.

Jimmy for the win!

We took out Santa Fe!

Check this shit out, baby!

Yeah!

Chuska number one!

Chuska!

Chuska, number one!

State champs.

Homeboy, you having fun?

Hey, freshman.

Okay, you becoming a man tonight.

This was Nataanii's spot.

It was our spot.

It's beautiful.

Yeah.

I guess it is.

Coach Hobbs.

Tuck Fisher, Alabama State.

I'd like to talk to you

about a coaching position.

This is Jack Hanson,

University of Virginia.

I'd love to chat about an opening

with our program. Call me back.

Hey, it's Alena.

Congrats on the big win.

Looks like the rez suits you.

One more season.

Okay.

That's not bad. Not bad.

What are you doing?

I was in jail.

Again?

Don't worry. It's stuff from the past.

Ronald bailed me out.

Is this what I think it is?

There's a dozen more inside.

It's a recruitment letter.

Um... I heard the game.

Not bad.

You got to work

on those free throws, though.

Show me what you got, champ.

'Stoodis.

Yeah.

Don't get a big head.

-You can't keep up with this.

-Yeah.

Yeah.

I'mma show you

why I'm the State Champion.

Gloria Holiday, 62 points in one game?

What you know

about the old school?

Yeah, this that new school.

They didn't teach you about that?

Let me see your defense...