Kavneer Dhaliwal of the Osoyoos Rattlers leaps with the ball as the home team clobbered visiting Princeton 105-23 earlier this season. Last Wednesday, when the two teams were supposed to face each other again, Princeton couldn’t put together enough players and they forfeited the game. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Coach Casey Brouwer hopes people will pack the gym at Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS) on Feb. 23 to cheer on the Rattlers senior boys’ basketball team in a do-or-die game.
The game is a challenge by Central Okanagan to take the Rattlers’ spot in the upcoming valley playoffs.
“This will be a must-win game for us to move ahead,” said Brouwer. “This could also very well be the last time senior boys’ basketball have a home game.”
The last comment was made referring to the possible closure of OSS.
“I say we pack the house,” said Brouwer. “Have the community come out and show their support.”
The game starts at 6:30 p.m.
Despite a few losses, the senior boys Rattlers have had a strong season and have finished second in the South Okanagan for single-A schools.
The team suffered a loss to Keremeos on Feb. 3, which lowered them in the standings.
Last Wednesday, the Rattlers won a game against Princeton by forfeit – Princeton wasn’t able to put up a full team.
A win was almost certain in any case as the last time the two teams met, Osoyoos took the game 105-23.
The Rattlers are scheduled to play two exhibition games this week – one in Oliver on Wednesday, Feb. 17 and a home game on Friday against Summerland. Both games start at 6:30 p.m.
The Valleys are the Okanagan playoffs and they run from Feb. 25 to 27 and determine which four teams will go on to the provincials.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
