It's been a slow start to the new year for high school basketball with a lot of games in January cancelled because of ice and snow.

But things are about to heat up in Chilliwack, as the Sardis Falcons take up an age-old rivalry with their crosstown nemesis, the Chilliwack Storm.

The two senior boys teams face off in league play for the first time this season on Friday at 6 p.m. at Sardis secondary.

Both squads are gunning for a playoff spot in a highly competitive zone, and neither will be sorry to move up the rankings and the other's expense.

"We are fighting for a second place finish in league this year and beating Chilliwack will be a early good step in that direction," said Falcons coach Kyle Graves.

CSS coach Joe Mauro was equally clear about the strategic importance of the game.

"In our league every game is important," he said.

But there's more on the line that just points and standings, as Graves, a former Sardis player, well knows.

"Beating Chillwack is always fun," he said. "When it's Chilliwack versus Sardis

it's always going to be a physical, emotionally intense game."

Graves and Mauro are both predicting a close game right to the buzzer.

CSS will be looking to Grade 12 student Gary McCrea, a strong and physical power forward, to score.

"If we can hold him to around 15 points we will have a good chance of coming out on top in the game," said Graves.

But McCrea will get plenty of backup from the rest of the Storm starting five, Zach Fleming, Eric Neels, Brendan Janz and Mitch Wierks, according to Mauro.

The Falcons will be looking to their young guns, Grade 10s Hayden Lejeune and Eric Rogers, but Graves also expects players like Logan Rogers and Jason Kroeker to step up during Friday's game. "Our edge over Chilliwack is our depth and ability for other players to come up big on any given night," he said. "We have twice hit nine three pointers in a game and if we can get that type of shooting performance from several of our guard players we will be in a good spot." Correspondingly, Mauro said his team has an edge on the inside game.

Who will win? Neither coach would venture a guess.

"You will know when the buzzer sounds at the end," said Mauro. "It should be a close game."

cnaylor@chilliwacktimes.com