Haskell Basketball hosted the Ernie Stevens Jr. Classic, which honors the late Ernie Stevens Jr., chairman of the Indian Gaming Association. The classic was not kind to Haskell, as the Men’s and Women’s teams lost in non-dramatic fashion. Haskell retired Stevens Jr. 45 number during the halftime of the Women’s game with his family there.
Haskell men’s first game of the classic was against the Oklahoma City Stars, starting with an early down, 7-17. They would go on a run to tie up the game at 22-22 from a free throw by Chaske Jacobs. Ending up with the half up 30-29 from a Parker Baumann free throw, their second and last lead of the game.
Haskell would come out in the second half and go down ten within the first five minutes. They wouldn’t manage to claw out of the hole and, at one point, would be down 30 points before the end of the game. Haskell would lose 54-81 with a last-second Spirit Penn-Cook saving them from a 30-point loss, which leaves them still looking for their first win.
“We’re trying to build confidence, work on stuff we don’t get in regular games,” said Shun-Zi White Woman.
Haskell’s women’s team took to the Classic against the Mount Marty Lancers and had a competitive first quarter, which saw seven lead changes; the quarter ended with the last lead of the game at 16-15 by Jayla Flient responsible for two. The second quarter had a 4-27 run from the Lancers, putting Haskell down 22 before halftime.
By halftime, Ernie Stevens Jr. No. 45 retired, and Head Coach Matthew Downing brought Stevens Jr.’s family out to the court for the announcement.
Haskell would only see their deficit grow to 31 in the third quarter and barely fend off a 40-point loss in the fourth quarter. Haskell would lose 45-80, staving off a 40-point loss by not allowing the Lancers to score in the last four minutes. Haskell Women’ s Basketball will be in Coffin, seeking their first win of the new year against the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes on Nov. 11 at 6 pm.
The Haskell Men’s team finished the Classic with an exhibition game against the Livin the Dream Exhibition Team, part of the LTD Adult Basketball League. Livin’ the Dream had a familiar face in Jesse White as the CAC newcomer of the year for Haskell in 2025. Downing mentioned after the game that they are trying to get White back in a Haskell jersey, but they’re waiting on the NAIA’s decision.
White Woman discussed facing White and his name blowing up on social media.
“It’s different being on the other side of him, knowing he’s supposed to be on our side; I’m glad they’re in the process of getting him back out here.” White Woman said. “It’s the first time seeing my name blow up like that. I don’t really have any issues with it; I love seeing it everywhere.”
Haskell will be back at Coffin to face off against the Harris-Stowe State University Hornets on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.
| Haskell vs OKC | Men’s Stat Leaders | |||||
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks |
| Shun-ZiWhite Woman | 32 | 5 | ||||
| Parker Baumann | 15 | 2 | ||||
| Spirit Penn-Cook | 2 | |||||
| Preston Olney | 1 | |||||
| Haskell vs Mount Marty | Women’s Stat Leaders | |||||
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks |
| Jayla Flient | 31 | 8 | 1 | |||
| Eryn Roman Nose | 13 | |||||
| Morning Rain Honani | 4 | |||||
| Lilly Smith | 1 | |||||
