Decory, Laticia “DONI”

1989 Pine Ridge/1994 Utah State graduate.  One of best all-around athletes to come out of talent-rich Pine Ridge Reservation. A three-time all-state basketball player who won three State A shot put titles. Set the girls’ shot put all-time state record. A four-year starter, DeCory established herself as an all-around player on the basketball court from the start. As a freshman in 1985, she helped Pine Ridge beat Rapid City Stevens 53-51 with 25 points and 15 rebounds. The following year as a sophomore, Pine Ridge beat RCS 77-59 behind DeCory’s 45 points and 15 rebounds. She was a three-time Lakota Nation Invitational most valuable player as she helped her Thorpes win four LNI titles in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988. In 12 LNI games over four years, DeCory collected 278 points and 183 rebounds in helping Pine Ridge go 12-0. In 2017, DeCory was named to the 15-player all-time LNI team. Known, respected and double- and sometimes triple-teamed for her scoring, passing, rebounding and defense. Led Pine Ridge to 1987 and 1988 state tournaments. Injured in the fourth quarter and couldn’t continue as Pine Ridge lost 64-61 to Milbank in the 1988 State A Tournament semifinal. USA Today named DeCory as the state’s athlete of the year for girls in 1988-89. In 1989, she was named the first Coca-Cola Scholar for the state of South Dakota. Also played volleyball and was a cheerleader in high school. Also, an accomplished sprinter who qualified for the 200 meters at the state track meet. As a true freshman, Doni DeCory played in all 28 women’s basketball games for BYU in the 1989-90 season, and was considered her team’s best defender. Transferred and part of three Utah State conference-winning track teams. The Utah State track and field women won the 1993 Big West Conference (later the Western Athletic Conference) indoor and outdoor meets as well as the 1994 outdoor championship. At the 1994 conference outdoor championships, DeCory won the shot put for Utah State. She set conference and school shot put records. Won numerous academic awards at BYU and Utah State, and was the 1989 Pine Ridge High School valedictorian. Trained with the US Olympic track and field team as a heptathlete and contributed to the inaugural Indigenous nation handball development team. Inducted into prestigious North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame in 2024. Has a lifetime of serving as a role model and working with young people guiding them toward professional careers in a variety of fields.