by Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
In a recent home boys basketball game at Warroad HS in the far reaches of north central Minnesota there was a point guard leader that made his teammates better.
The point guard had the confidence and support that encouraged winning ways to continue as the team headed to the post season section tournament.
Doot Boucha is an enrolled member of the Couchiching First Nation in Ontario. His Indian name is Giizhibabines and clan is Awaasii.
“I am a freshman at Warroad High School,” said Doot Boucha. “The varsity sports I’m in are basketball and track and I also played JV football this year.”
As a freshman varsity athlete Doot has just begun to make things happen on the court, field and track.
“My accomplishments so far would be last year in eighth grade I made it to varsity track sections for the mile, and starting varsity this year for basketball.”
Indigenous athletes represent more than themselves when they wear the team colors and uniforms on game day.
“It makes me proud to be following in the footsteps of indigenous athletes before me from Warroad,” said Doot.
Freshman varsity athletes grow their leadership skills within the team.
“So far the most rewarding moments have been, seeing how being in the gym during the offseason pay off and hanging out with my team.”
Doot knows the equation of purposeful work + in and off season training = in season success.
“I have a lot of work ahead of me to become the best player I can be,” said Doot.
“I work out in the offseason in the weight room and gym most days. I really need to work at driving to the basket and continue to learn the game,” added Doot.
Doot also has words of wisdom for those younger and aspiring future athletes that follow him: “Put in the work and keep shooting.”
