“Cheyenne had a lot of friends in the basketball world. Basketball was definitely her first love, and she had a great career. She has the highest scoring record in Parshall girls’ basketball history, and she helped the Parshall girls to the only state tournament in the girl’s team history. She played with her cousins at Parshall, and her Uncle Mervin was her coach when they went to state. It was a history-making team a few years back. She played college ball at Williston State and played all over in the independent tournaments. We tried to make as many of her tournaments as we could, but we couldn’t make them all – like the time she went and played in a tournament in Hawaii. We felt the best way we could honor her is doing something she loved. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this tournament here would be so big. We are going to do three more tournaments as memorials,” said Pat Packineau, who explained how the family is going to continue the legacy that his daughter built. Both Pat and Rhonda Packineau feel that they were presented a gift from God with Cheyenne’s birth.   

Pat Packineau emphasized that the importance of the sponsors and volunteers was critical to the success that the tournament. He credited several people and organizations and said there was an incredible amount of support in various ways. Packineau noted in particular Northeast Segment (Parshall) Fitness and Recreation Specialist Mel Four Bear was a key part of the tournament success. He emphasized that his family will never forget the outpouring of support from so many and every sponsor and volunteer is appreciated by the Cheyenne Packineau family.

As her father noted, Cheyenne played high school, college and independent basketball in her career. Wendi Wells, who manages and plays on one of the women’s teams (All Nations) that participated in the tournament remembers Cheyenne fondly – both as a player and a person.

“Cheyenne used to play on our amateur team in Minot and she was an amazing athlete. So extraordinarily strong and she was just as strong in her spirit off the court. She loved to laugh a lot and see others laugh. She was a smart player and could figure out a play instantly. As far as this tournament, I was happy to see her memory honored and you don’t see many memorial tournaments like this that are so special and so well-managed,” stated Wells.

Mervin Packineau relied many times on the talents of his niece as a coach because of her savvy and skill she possessed. Being the only girls’ team coach to ever make it to state from Parshall High School, there are special memories for him, and he is happy that he was a part of Cheyenne’s life in basketball and coach. Mervin Packineau shared the same love for the game with his niece and forged a close bond with Cheyenne. 

The basketball teams, fans and her family all watched a video near the end of the tournament together that showcased just some of her highlights of her career on the court. It was an emotional time that brought the spirit of Cheyenne Packineau into the entire event center.

Rhonda Packineau was embraced by relatives as she watched the video on the big screen at the Four Bears Event Center that was put together by Eric Severance. The video clips displayed some of the highlights of Cheyenne from the regional championship and the state tournament games the Lady Braves played in that historic year.

“Eric took such care and did such an amazing job” stated Rhonda Packineau, who played basketball in Halliday and at Bismarck State College. “Many of her friends and teammates have shared some experiences they remember about Cheyenne. We would like to thank all of the people who helped make this tournament possible. Cheyenne was a beautiful person loved dearly by her family and friends and most importantly, her son, Kasten.”

Cheyenne Packineau also wanted to play a role in the health of people. She was a person who was compassionate, so she chose a field of study that would allow her to make a difference. She was studying nursing and that was a goal she would have certainly reached and excelled at – given her determination and love for life.

Every team was given the chance to play the game they love through the memorial tournament and the spirit of Cheyenne Packineau that her family felt so much during each game that was played in the honor of a young woman missed by her loved ones.