Rez Ball (2024) Movie Script
1
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. Pistol.
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, shoot fast, we don't ever stop.
We run fast, we shoot 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?
-Bitch, 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 shoots 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 kill me.
Said I was gone too much.
She made me promise no more coaching.
Well, will she kill 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 shoot 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, bitch?
-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.
- Bullet.
- 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, bitch.
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 shooter 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."
"Pistol."
- 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!
Goddamn, 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, suicide 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, bitch.
-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!
Asshole.
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 shoots 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 shoot!
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 shoot.
-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 shots.
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 shooting 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 shots 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 shots.
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...
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. Pistol.
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, shoot fast, we don't ever stop.
We run fast, we shoot 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?
-Bitch, 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 shoots 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 kill me.
Said I was gone too much.
She made me promise no more coaching.
Well, will she kill 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 shoot 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, bitch?
-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.
- Bullet.
- 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, bitch.
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 shooter 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."
"Pistol."
- 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!
Goddamn, 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, suicide 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, bitch.
-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!
Asshole.
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 shoots 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 shoot!
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 shoot.
-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 shots.
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 shooting 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 shots 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 shots.
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...