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On Saturday, Oct. 23 Barrow High School athletes and Coach JeremyArnhart put on a Basketball Clinic at Barrow High School. This clinic was away for local athletes to gain mentorship experiencethrough Challenge Life.It was also a time for athletes to give back to the community.Youth basketball programs have been a strong tradition in Barrow formany years. This can be attributed to the hard work and dedication of manycommunity members.The camps focus was to teach the basic fundamentals of basketball.The day started off with Coach Arnhart talking about the fundamentals ofthe game. He talked about the expectations, on and off the court that play-ers must possess to be successful. The camp was broken down into severaldifferent sections: Introduction, Warm-up, Individual Stations, Scrimmages,and the Free throw contest. There were several Barrow High Schoolathletes that made the camp an overwhelming success. Each athlete wasresponsible for an individual station. The athlete and the stations included:Tyler Adams – shooting, Colin Long and Xavier Edwards – handling theball / dribbling, Lynette Hepa – passing, Victor Unutoa – post offense & de-fense, Eddie Benson – speed & agility, and BA Aiken – on the ball defense.The event ended with a free throw contest and 5 on 5 games.Special thanks to North Slope Borough School District and Challenge Life.

View the PDF file with more pictures and details by clicking on the link below:

BBclinic_2010

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Challenge Life – Kotzebue from Kathy Carlisle on Vimeo.

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August 15, 2010

Ruth Nash Receives Additional College Funding

Last spring, Ruth Nash took a trip to visit colleges and play basketball in front of coaches in the Pacific Northwest. The trip, organized
by Challenge Life and sponsored by ASRC, the North Slope Borough’s Healthy Communities Program, ERA and GCI led to a scholarship
offer and the opportunity to attend Grays Harbor Community College in Aberdeen, Washington.

The past four months, Ruth fine tuned her basketball skills, prepared for the academic challenges of higher education and worked a full time job to supplement her scholarship. There was only one more hurdle to clear, funding for her trip from Point Hope to Seattle. Ruth earned the final piece of funding with her dedication to the task ahead. She
was awarded a Challenge Life “Education Opportunity Scholarship” that will cover the cost of her flight from Point Hope to Seattle. In response to her
many thank you calls, Coach Sokaitis simply said, “do well in the classroom, get 15 a night on the basketball court and make us proud.” Ruth’s
response, “no problem.”

We are all proud of Ruth Lily Kaikpuk Nash, she is an example of keeping your eye on the goal despite setbacks and a role model for the next generation.

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July 21, 2010

Challenge Life Summer Camps Heat Up The Slope!

The Challenge Life staff led by Amy Sokaitis (Yale Assistant Basketball Coach), John Dozier (Veteran Collegiate and AAU Coach), Sam Sokaitis (Master Guitar Instructor) and Lloyd Pikok (Challenge Life Coach in Training) brought summer fun to three Slope villages over the past two weeks. The staff ran programs for boys and girls of all ages in their effort to promote healthy activities in the communities. When it was all done, the participants played basketball, touch football, raced bicycles, played Native kickball and tried to master the hula hoop.

Challenge Life is hoping to make this summer program an annual event that brings a variety of activities, focuses on leadership and utilizes local residents as activity directors. Challenge Life is also hoping to add the “Young Hunter’s Program” (that is currently being developed) and a Cultural Awareness Program to the 2011 schedule. The staff at Challenge Life is convinced that a major key to the academic and athletic success of students in the winter is a fun filled activity schedule in the summer.

Summer Fun Winners

Okay, everyone that participated was a winner but the staff wanted to highlight a few individuals:

Anaktuvik Pass   July 14 – 16

1. Basketball Shooting Contest Winner.                Violet Kakinya
2. Winning Touchdown Pass.                              Brandon Tagarook
3. Winning Kick (Native Kickball).                        Jonathan Rulland

Atqasuk   July 19 – 20

1. Knock out basketball for the youth division.       Bernice Kagak and Edward Aiken
2. Winning Touchdown Pass.                              Arthur Bordeaux
3. Shooting Contest.                                        McCord Ahkivgak
4. Knock out basketball for the older division.        Max Bodfish

Point Lay   July 19 – 20

1. Bike Contest Winner                                      Theodore Henry
2. Hula Hoop Champion                                      Justina Tracey
3. Jump Rope Champion                                     Mary Kate Curtis
4. Basketball Shooting Champion                         Mary Kate Curtis

Where Next?

July 21 – 23        Wainwright
July 26 – 28        Kaktovik
July 27 – 29        Point Hope
July 28 – 30        Nuiqsut
Aug  2 – 3          Barrow

Final Notes!

I have the opportunity to bring a young lady to the Slope to introduce the game of lacrosse. Lacrosse is a game invented by Native Americans in upstate New York. Today, those same six nations have their own national team. Melissa Whitehead a former collegiate player at Division I Delaware University is available to spend the time and introduce this wonderful and competitive physical activity. Let me know what you think, lacrosse is fast moving, fun and very cost effective. I think our Slope students would love it.

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Download the flyer here:  Alaska Peak Teamcamp flyer 2010

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NOTE:

It’s A Challenge Life Summer!

Mike and I wanted to take a quick moment to remind everyone of some of the exciting activities
we have in store for this summer. I am sure we will add to the list and honor as many requests
as possible but for now, here it is:

Barrow Advanced Basketball Camp

This past April, Coach Sokaitis took a group of men and women high school basketball players to compete against
college athletes in Oregon and Washington. The trip demonstrated that many of the athletes from the Slope
could compete at the next level if they enhanced their skill level and became bigger, faster and stronger athletes.
Challenge Life will be offering an advanced camp for high school players who would like to, one day, compete at
the collegiate level. The camp will take place at Barrow High School at the following times and dates:

Barrow Basketball Camp for Junior High School Players

Challenge Life will offer a basketball camp for Junior High School boys and girls that would like to raise
their level of play. The camp will focus on:

One on one skills.
Position play to include the post play, point guard play and wing play.
Transition basketball – offense and defense.
Team and individual defense.
Shooting.
Rebounding.
Ball handling.
Passing.
There will also be games and contests.

Challenge Life will run a basketball camp for elementary students in Barrow this August.

Music Camp in Barrow

Challenge Life will be holding a music camp in Barrow under the direction of Matt Lewis and
Cameron Levanger. The dynamic duo will focus on voice, guitar and music production.

Barrow 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Lace em up! Old and young, short and tall, get a couple of friends to join you for two exciting nights
of three on three basketball competition. Details will be posted around town or contact Noe in the
Borough Building.

Mike Needs Some Company!

On Saturday May 22 at 10:00am, Mike is going for a run. I know, you think we lost it but bear with me.
Would you like to get in shape, lose a few pounds or develop a more effiecient heart? Well, as the Chinese
say, “a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step.” The first step on the Slope begins when Mike
takes a two mile jog starting a Barrow High School. Join Mike in a fun run and receive a “First Step” tee
shirt and workout plan. The rest is up to you!

Position Play Camp in Anchorage

Many of the top players in the state will gather at Luman Christi High School in Anchorage for this
high level, competitive position play camp. Slope residents who wish to attend will not be charged a
camp fee but must contact Coach Sokaitis by May 15th. A brochure will be emailed on request.

Girl’s Team Camp in Wasilla

Join many of the top high school teams in Alaska as they compete in the State’s number one team
camp. Slope teams are admitted tuition free, compliments of Challenge Life. Contact Coach Sokaitis
for further information.

The State 3 on 3 Tournament

Come and compete against the State’s best on June 20th in Fairbanks. A variety of divisions offer the opportunity
for all to stake a claim as Alaska’s top 3 on 3 hoop team. It not just basketball, however, as numerous events
are running to celebrate the sommer solstice, including, foot races, live music, parades and baseball. Contact
Mike at hajduke@mac.com or call 907 322-0626 for further information.

Point Hope Athletes to Visit Colorado

The Point Hope men’s and women’s cross country teams are selling baked goods and saving their bread (oops,
I mean money) for an exciting week long trip to Colorado. Coach Sokaitis will be hosting the teams as they take
advantage of 8,000 feet in altitude to train alongside of some of the nation’s elite runners. The team will also
tour the rockies, whitewater raft, hike, bike and visit some of the colleges in the area.

Next report will have a listing of Slope athletes on their way to study and play college basketball next year.

Heck, we haven’t even started on August.

See you soon,

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Congrats To Our Regional Winners!

Let’s begin with a big round of applause for the six slope teams heading off to Anchorage to participate
in the 2010 State Basketball Tournament. The Barrow boys and girls, the Point Hope boys and girls, the
Wainwright girls and the Anaktuvuk Pass boys will all be making a bid to bring a state title home to their
communities. I hope to see everyone in Anchorage next week and I can’t wait for the excitement of “March
Madness – Alaska Style.”

March Madness Is More Than Hoops

The past two weeks, not everyone was involved in basketball on the regional level. While the 1A regional tournament
was played out in Point Lay, “Challenge Life” continued to provide excitement in the communities. Sam Sokaitis, spent a
weekend in Atqasuk teaching guitar and providing a basketball experience for the grade school boys and girls and then
headed out to Kaktovik. At Barter Island, Sam provided classroom music demonstrations, gave lessons after school and
played basketball with all grade levels. “Challenge Life” felt it was important, with so many students away at the tournaments,
to provide some educational and healthy opportunities for those left behind.

Mentors To Join Coach Sokaitis In Anchorage

In the continuing effort to develop coaches and mentors from each community, Coach Sokaitis will have Lloyd Pikok and
Christian “Coot” Young of Point Lay join him in Anchorage for job shadowing and training throughout the state tournament.

“Challenge Life” Summer Programs Offer World Class Experience

“Challenge Life” is initiating a series of academic and athletic opportunities for Arctic Slope residents that should prove
a giant step in keeping young adults involved in positive summer fun. One example, currently being developed by Leonard
Barger of Point Hope and the “Challenge Life” staff, is to bring the Point Hope boys and girls cross-country team to Gunnison,
Colorado for a week of training. Gunnison, summer home of Coach Sokaitis, is the training ground of many of the world’s
elite runners. Located at an elevation of almost 8,000 feet and surrounded by mountains, the local college (Western
State College) has won numerous national championships. The Point Hope students would have the opportunity to train
with world class athletes and meet the legendary running coach, Duane Vandenbush. There will also be time set aside for
white water rafting, biking and hiking.

That’s all for now, see you in Anchorage!

Al & Mike

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As tournament time approaches, the difference between winning and losing and advancing to the State Tournament, is often a result of handling close games, dealing with adversity and the ability to execute in a charged atmosphere. Here are a few thoughts that may make a difference as you prepare for the Regional playoffs.

Late Game Preparation

1. Take a few minutes every day to work on late game situations. Do not assume your players will know what to do. I try to address the following:

1. Know how to deny a star player from receiving the ball in a key possession.
2. Know how to foul so it is not flagrant and gives you an opportunity for a steal.
3. Signal a foul without alerting the other team.
4. With a three point lead and less than 10 seconds to go, your players should know if you want to foul or take a chance and defend against the three.
5. When you are behind late, get the ball to the basket. It will usually result in a high percentage shot or a foul that stops the clock and allows you to pressure.
6. Know how to intentionally miss a free throw and secure the rebound.
7. Practice plays for late in the game when you have to go the length of the court, inbound from the sides or inbound from under the hoop.
8. When you have the last possession, do you call a timeout or signal a play or shot you want.
9. On a late game shot by your opponent, do you want to send everyone to the boards for a rebound or leak a player down the court?
10. Do players understand the term, “time and score?”
11. Do your players understand how to play “keep a way” to keep from being fouled.

You can certainly add more situations but I believe that the basics I have addressed will give your team a sense of confidence in their ability to hold the lead or come from behind.

Adversity

1. The ability to deal with adversity and turn adversity into a positive may make all the difference in a big game. Calling a timeout after losing your point guard to fouls and confidently saying to a backup, “Johnny/Mary it’s your game now, just like practice. Dominate on defense and be hard with the ball. Let’s go put this away.”

1. Place the backup or another player in a position of responsibility during practice in anticipation of losing a key player. Create different situations until the backup has success and leave him/her with that success in mind.
2. Practice a couple of days with music blaring in the gym and coach from the sidelines just like it is a real game.
3. Practice without allowing your star to shoot outside of five feet or only after a steal or an offensive rebound.

Preparation

I like to have a few execution keys (you don’t want to give them too much) and really focus on our preparation of those keys.

1. Defense
   1. How to handle the dribble over (pick and roll).
   2. How to fight through screens.
   3. When to double down in the post.
   4. How to trap without the foul.
2. Offense
   1. Make a fake to make a pass.
   2. Turning their pressure into our attack.
   3. Late game IQ.

I hope this helps and good luck to everyone!

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Congratulations to the Atuqtuaq Family, our 2010 Champions!

(Above)He got the most points for creativity with his hairstyle!

(Above)Edith Nageak was our tourney MVP.  She cheered the loudest on day 1 and played the hardest on day 2!!

(Below) Harold did a great job of taking advantage of being the tallest player in the tournament, and the Aalaak team played hard all weekend!

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