Albuquerque, N.M., April 10, 2008 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds have partnered up with Acoma Business Enterprise to present the First Annual Acoma Sky City Native American All-Star Game on Saturday, April 12 at Tingley Coliseum. The games will take place before the final Thunderbirds home game and will showcase some of the best Native American high school basketball players from the state of New Mexico for both boys and girls.
“The Thunderbirds organization is truly honored to host the Acoma Sky City Native American All-Star Game,” said Chris Holland, Chief Operating Officer for the Thunderbirds. “This event has afforded us the opportunity to touch so many of our surrounding communities across the state.”
All players participating are underclassmen nominated by their respective athletic directors and head coaches for being outstanding competitors and meeting specific requirements in the classroom. Coaches were chosen on a voluntary basis.
Rosters were separated with height of athlete and classification of school in mind. Thirteen different schools will be represented by 36 athletes; some schools will feature more than one participant. Players will keep their Nike uniforms and the Most Valuable Player from each game will receive a brand new pair of Nike shoes.
The focus of the day will be celebrating the Native American heritage with pre-game, halftime, and post-game events planned such as color guard, dancers, and a dinner party for the players and coaches.
“The boy’s and girl’s who are participating have excelled not only on the court, but in the classroom and we look forward to showcasing their talent,” said Holland. “Acoma Business Enterprises shared our enthusiasm for this game and has been a tremendous partner.”
The girl’s game will begin at 1:00 pm followed by the boy’s game at 3:30 pm. The Tingley box office opens at 12:30 pm; tickets are $5 for general admission and will be good for all three games.
Albuquerque plays its last regular season home game, April 12th against the Colorado 14ers. Game time is set for 7:00 pm, from Tingley Coliseum. Saturday’s game will be “Fan Appreciation Night”, in which the first 1,000 fans will receive a giveaway item. Also, Baillio’s Appliance and Electronics will have a register to win 37” Flat Screen TV.
| SKY CITY THUNDER ROSTER - BOYS |
| # |
Name / Grade |
School / Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
| 00 |
Fredrico Jumbo / Junior |
Navajo Prep 2A |
5’11 |
F |
| 11 |
Jeremiah Jodie / Junior |
Crownpoint 3A |
5’7 |
G |
| 12 |
Calven Morgan / Junior |
Crownpoint 3A |
5’8 |
G |
| 13 |
Byron Abeyta / Junior |
Santa Fe Indian 3A |
5’11 |
F |
| 20 |
Timothy Chee / Sophomore |
Navajo Pine 2A |
5’9 |
G |
| 21 |
Jordan Naranjo / Junior |
Santa Fe Indian 3A |
5’8 |
G |
| 22 |
Andrew Martinez / Sophomore |
Pojoaque 3A |
5’8 |
G |
| 23 |
Damien Charley / Sophomore |
Kirtland Central 4A |
6’1 |
F |
| 32 |
Kyle Clark / Sophomore |
Navajo Pine 2A |
6’2 |
F |
| 33 |
Alfonso Hubbard / Junior |
Gallup 5A |
6’3 |
F |
Head Coach: Ernie Rodriguez - Santa Fe Indian 3A
| SKY CITY LIGHTNING ROSTER - BOYS |
| # |
Name / Grade |
School / Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
| 00 |
Mark Tenorio / Junior |
Manzano 5A |
6’5 |
F |
| 11 |
Todd Mariano / Junior |
Grants 4A |
5’7 |
G |
| 12 |
CJ Douma / Freshman |
Laguna Acoma 3A |
5’9 |
F |
| 13 |
Devon Lapahie / Junior |
Shiprock 4A |
5’8 |
G |
| 21 |
Emilio Torivio / Sophomore |
Laguna Acoma 3A |
5’7 |
G |
| 22 |
Kellen Quintana / Junior |
Bernalillo 4A |
5’8 |
G |
| 23 |
Sean Henry / Junior |
Wingate 3A |
5’11 |
F |
| 32 |
Ryan Rockwell / Junior |
Shiprock 4A |
6’2 |
F |
| 33 |
Wauseka Becenti / Junior |
Wingate 3A |
6’0 |
F |
Head Coach:Elvin Keeswood - Shiprock 4A
| SKY CITY THUNDER ROSTER - GIRLS |
| # |
Name / Grade |
School / Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
| 0 |
Etheleen Goombi / Junior |
Laguna Acoma 3A |
5’5 |
G |
| 1 |
Fatima Pino / Junior |
Bernalillo 4A |
5’5 |
G |
| 3 |
Alyssa McCully / Junior |
Bernalillo 4A |
5’4 |
G |
| 10 |
Kimberly Lee / Junior |
Wingate 3A |
5’5 |
G |
| 21 |
Kristen Nez Tsosie / Sophomore |
Navajo Pine 2A |
5’8 |
F |
| 22 |
Dominique Baca / Sophomore |
Pojoaque 3A |
5’10 |
F |
| 23 |
Sage Natonabah / Junior |
Gallup 5A |
5’10 |
F |
| 32 |
Chenoa Yazzie / Junior |
Navajo Pine 2A |
5’10 |
F |
Head Coach: Janet Murrietta - Navajo Pine
| SKY CITY LIGHTNING ROSTER - GIRLS |
| # |
Name / Grade |
School / Class |
Ht. |
Pos. |
| 1 |
Brittany Charles / Junior |
Crownpoint 3A |
5’4 |
G |
| 3 |
Tenisha Royston / Junior |
Navajo Prep 2A |
5’6 |
G |
| 10 |
Jenine Coriz / Freshman |
Santa Fe Indian 3A |
5’4 |
G |
| 13 |
Nicole Crisp / Junior |
Navajo Prep 2A |
5’7 |
G |
| 20 |
Ramona Ramone / Junior |
Crownpoint 3A |
5’7 |
F |
| 21 |
Mishauna Todacheene / Sophomore |
Shiprock 4A |
5’7 |
G |
| 22 |
Charmayne Bellamy / Junior |
Shiprock 4A |
5’7 |
G |
| 23 |
April Johnston / Junior |
Santa Fe Indian 3A |
5’11 |
F |
| 32 |
Mariah Elote / Junior |
Santa Fe Indian 3A |
5’10 |
F |
Head Coach: Rainy Crisp - Navajo Prep 2A
