by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
“I have seen a lot of athletes throw away their legacy so I want to work hard in all aspects to keep everyone proud,” said Isaac Bell.
Isaac Bell is an enrolled member of the Gros Ventre tribe and is also Crow and his dad grew up in Hardin, MT.
“My mother’s name is Joan LaTray, my fathers name is Stewart Wade Bell, my step-dad’s name is Feliciano Lopez Holguin Jr.,” said Isaac. “I have a brother, Ethan Bell.”
“I play college basketball at the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana,” said Issac. “This will be my second year. I played varsity in high school all four years, I broke a few school records scoring 1494 points, dishing out 499 assists, and I scored 51 points in a game my junior year against Harlem HS. I also grabbed 800+ rebounds over my career and made all state three years along with all conference four years. I helped lead Chinook High School to back-to-back conference championships my junior and senior year, three divisional tournament appearances along with a championship my senior year, and I helped lead our team to our first state appearance since 1986 when they won it.”
“My high school coach Mike Seymour had a big influence on me,” said Issac. “Some people and parents can’t handle the brutal reality of getting better so that has definitely conditioned me for this sport because it’s one of the hardest due to consistency on both ends.”
“I coached Isaac Bell four years of high school, two years of junior high, and his sixth grade year as well,” said Mike Seymour, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Chinook High School. “Isaac is not a vocal leader but his play and willingness to do whatever the team needed and his actions on the court was his strength in leadership. His junior year, 2017-18, Isaac set the Chinook High School record for most points scored with 51 vs. Harlem at home. He had eight – three pointers in the first half and things just seemed to be flowing for him on that night. We didn’t realize he had scored that many points until after the game. We finished the season 22-3 and lost out at the Divisional Tournament in the consolation game.”
“Going into his senior year we visited about how he was going to be drawing more attention, teams were going to be focusing on him offensively, and how he may have to be more of a facilitator for his teammates in order for the team to be even more successful. We finished his senior season 25-2, with our two losses coming at the State Tournament to Arlee and Fairview. This was the first time that Chinook High School had made it to the state tournament in boys’ basketball since Chinook was State “B” Champions in 1985-86. I feel that Isaac’s acceptance of his role displayed great team first attitude and his leadership helped to carry us to a very successful season,” added Mike.
The holistic concept of wellness is based on physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. A balance among the four components needs to be developed to be able to perform at an optimum capacity on and off the court.
“I do a lot of conditioning because you will be surprised what you are capable of,” said Isaac. “Your arms won’t be as tired, your legs won’t be as tired, and most importantly late in the game your IQ won’t fade away because your in your element while everyone else is huffing and puffing. I can see things before it happens most of the time so if I get bigger stronger and faster I would have a bright future.”
“I’m a humble guy unless I get in my own head,” said Isaac. “My competitive nature takes over and I could end up chirping at people most of the time and it’s all love but most of the time I’m in a nice flow state.”
Isaac has advice for up and coming student athletes to play college basketball. “Please, please, please work hard for yourself and others on and off the court, nothing comes easy so put yourself through it and use the negatives as a positive after the storm passes,” said Isaac.
Photo Credit: University of Providence Athletics
