GREAT FALLS — Montana’s basketball community and tribal nations are mourning the loss of Spike Bighorn, a trailblazing athlete, referee and respected leader who passed away Sunday in Oklahoma City, OK. He was 65.

Bighorn, a Brockton High School star who scored more than 1,700 points in just 78 career games, went on to become one of the first Native American referees to officiate an MHSA state tournament in Montana. His pioneering role opened doors for many of Native officials who followed.

“I always looked up to Spike,” said longtime official Pat Armstrong, who now works championship games himself. “He was one of the reasons why I aspired to be an official. Just the impact he had on Native American officials was big.”

HEAR ABOUT BIGHORN'S LEGACY Trailblazing official and tribal leader

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