This year’s stickball champions, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
Tvshka Homma shines in stickball tourney
By Charles Clark
Choctaw Nation
Tvshka Homma, Okla. - Home field favorite Tvshka Homma made it all the way to the semi finals in the 2015 Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma’s Labor Day Festival Stickball Tournament. The End.
By all accounts the Oklahoma team performed valiantly and boosted enthusiasm for the sport after a long, bruising weekend in the heat and games that lasted past midnight for the seven teams in the tourney bracket.
On Sunday, Sept. 6, shortly after 10 p.m., warm-ups began as the grandstands and sidelines populated with fans for the championship game between two teams from Mississippi, MBCI and Beaver Dam.
The field, big enough for a college football game, was brightened by moonlight and stadium lighting.
War hoops and drumbeats from nearly 100 players on the field recalled an ancient time.
“They are psyching themselves up,” said announcer Olin Williams. Williams was sharing the booth with Folsom White, who resides a half-mile from the playing field. “First place is on the line. In the next hour the championship will be decided for the world’s best stickball team.”
At 10:35 p.m., the players slapped sticks and the contest was under way.
Less than 10 minutes into the game and MBCI had three points on the scoreboard, thanks to Bill Farmer, Milton Robinson, and Chad Johnson.
The top of a pole was smacked again, this time by MBCI’s Jimmy Fargo. Then, Trey Lilly, 5-0, MBCI.
An injury brought a medic onto the field with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. Within seconds play resumed. Josh Thomas made it 6-0, MBCI’s favor as the players headed to the sides.
The fast-paced first quarter ended at 10:54 p.m., a lop-sided score.
“MBCI came to play,” said an announcer wryly.
As the second quarter launched, it was clear Team Beaver Dam knew it couldn’t hold back. For more than five minutes, Beaver Dam managed to keep control of the ball and had it flying by and bouncing off the post, but could not connect with the top three feet of sky blue paint.
“They got their horn in the game now,” came over the speaker.
At 11:11 p.m., the second quarter ended scoreless. The red jerseys of Beaver Dam players were soaked with sweat, as were the camo-shirts of MBCI. But, Beaver Dam knew its game was amped up, and they were clearly anxious for the second half. MBCI felt a chink in their armor.
Shouts of “Keep it up” and “Stay hungry” came from pacing MBCI players.
The teams switched ends and the third quarter began with a ball toss that went the length of the field. The clatter of sticks from a knot of at least 40 players sent the ball shooting straight up, where it was picked up by a player and sent to the other end of the field. The back-and-forth by runners at full-speed was on.
Just over 10 minutes into the quarter, Beaver Dam’s Daniel Bell hit the top of the post, for what would be the team’s only point. Before the quarter was up, Bell was tossed from the game, a little too much enthusiasm shown on his part, for a flying tackle, sticks in hand.
The rest of the game was all MBCI. Final score, 9-1.
MBCI played it tough at both ends of the field, as they say.
“It’s been a good night and a good tournament,” said an announcer.
“This is the best stickball you’ll ever see,” said the other.
And some of the best sportsmanship, you’ll ever see.
Tvshka Homma presented the winning trophy. The hometown favorites mingled with the two finalists under the lights at mid-field as families and fans came out to congratulate all. Hugs, backslapping and handshakes, and plenty of laughter flowed with the sweat.
Since it was not written down and never stated over the speakers, this sports writer had to ask, “What does MBCI stand for?”
One player in a camo jersey said, with a tone that asked about my planet of origin, “Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.” He was kind enough not to add, “Duh.”
But a teammate popped up behind him with, “Mostly Broke Choctaw Indians!”
More laughs. That, and the giant trophy will help make the ride back to Mississippi seem a little shorter.