Riverside Indian School cheering section supports teams during state tournament

A cheering section known as the War Party provided organized support for the Riverside Indian School Braves during the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association state basketball tournament in March 2026, according to reporting by ICT.

About 50 Riverside students filled a corner section of the bleachers during recent regional championship games, coordinating cheers for the boys and girls teams as they advanced to the state tournament. Sandra Harris Tate, Sac and Fox and Ponca, has led the War Party for more than 20 years and said the group brings “spirit and energy” to the teams and school community. Norman Tippeconnie, a Comanche citizen who has served as the boys basketball coach for 23 years and as the school’s athletic director, said the cheering section helps connect students from many Native communities. Both Riverside teams reached the state tournament for the first time in school history but were eliminated in early rounds.