Dalton Walker: Red Lake Nation rallies for boys basketball players

In Minnesota, most aspiring athletes look for hockey ice time during the subzero months. But Red Lakers? We search for basketball court space, which can be a struggle to find.

Basketball is more than a game for many at Red Lake. It's a cherished outlet. It's a part of reservation life the entire year. Young boys and girls start playing at an early age and work hard to be part of the basketball tradition.

It's the same way across much of Indian Country. Basketball is in our blood. It just is!

In Minnesota, especially northern Minnesota, people spend their winters counting down to sunny days spent at the beach or on the lake. Red Lakers count down the winter days in anticipation of high-school basketball playoffs.

And Red Lake basketball fans are extremely loyal. They travel well and often through dangerous weather in support of the Warriors.