Hopi students interview coach
Hopi High radio students pose for pictures with Atlanta player Josh Smith, also known as Jay Smooth [courtesy photo]

By Stan Bindell
For the Independent

ATLANTA — Seven Hopi High radio students were able to get photographs with Atlanta Hawks Assistant Coach Alton Lister and Hawks player Josh Smith during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Hopi High radio students were in downtown Atlanta for the National Federation of Community Broadcasters Conference but jumped at the opportunity to attend the game and meet the coach and player.

The Hopi High radio students on the trip were Povi Lomayaoma, Jackie David, Fran Sisto, Joelle Mansfield, Johnetta Honie, Kelli Smiley and Paul Quamahongnewa.

Quamahongnewa is a junior who plans to major in sports broadcasting in college. He used the opportunity to interview Lister, a former star at Arizona State University in Tempe. He plans to post the interview on the public radio exchange, also known as prx.org

“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He seemed like he was in a hurry, but he was still cool, ” Quamahongnewa said about Lister.

Quamahongnewa, who plays basketball for the Hopi High Bruins, didn’t have a chance to interview Smith, also known as J Smooth. However, he enjoyed watching the other Hopi High radio students pose with him.

The Hopi High radio students couldn’t help but notice Lister’s size at 7-foot 2-inches. Quamahongnewa was the tallest of the Hopi High students at 6-feet.

“He was way taller than me,” Quamahongnewa laughed.
Quamahongnewa had previously been to see some of the Phoenix Suns games, but he thought it was cool to see an Eastern Conference game.

“There was a smaller crowd, but it was equally festive,” he said.

The arena played the YMCA song and everybody in the arena swayed to it including the Hopi High students.
Quamahongnewa said the Atlanta arena is much smaller than the Phoenix Suns arena.

“It looked like it was more the size of Chinle’s arena,” he said.

During Quamahongnewa’s interview with Lister, the assistant coach spoke about what the Atlanta team needs to work on this year and how they expect to make the playoffs. Lister also said the Hawks have improved since obtaining Henry Bibby in a trade. Quamahongnewa said watching the NBA game gives him hope for the future.

“I’d like to play on that court sometime. That’s my dream. The more I watched the more I wanted to play,” he said.
Quamahongnewa listened to Lister speak about his dream of becoming a head coach someday.

“I think he’s a good coach. He uses a lot of offenses and defenses,” he said about Lister.

Quamahongnewa said he would also like to coach either on the high school, college or professional level some day.
The Hawks won the game, but they also appeared to win the hearts of the Hopi High radio students.