Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
OAKESDALE - One historic rivalry was skipped this basketball season because of a pandemic and graduations.
The short season is without Oakesdale playing Garfield-Palouse.
The original schedule for 2020-21 boys basketball had Garfield-Palouse vs. Oakesdale the first night.
In the end, the game was not on the final list – ending a distinct rivalry at the top of the Southeast 1B League over the past three years.
"That's a $100,000 question for all of us," said Garfield-Palouse Coach Steve Swinney. "Why we're not playing. I don't really have an answer for that. It would've been fun. I think it would've been another battle."
When Whitman County went to Phase Two in April, basketball games were not allowed so athletic directors looked to schedule teams in Phase Three. Then they sought to play Phase Two county teams outside Whitman County. Then the phases changed again.
"By the time we could be playing each other, our schedules were full," said Ken Lindgren, Oakesdale athletic director.
The season would have to end before Memorial Day weekend; a previous decision by leaders of the "Wheat Division" of the new Southeast 1B league.
Lindgren explained the reason as traditional graduation events take.
"Some kids are excited to play, some kids say why? What are we playing for?" said Lindgren. "It's been the worst year of my (athletic director) career, our illustrious governor and the decisions he makes. I hate politics because it screwed the kids."
If Garfield-Palouse Athletic Director Scott Thompson called and said they want to play it won't happen.
"He's already got a game," Lindgren said. "I'd also say, Scott, I just played Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday."
And so it goes in 2021.
Lindgren was on the phone again last Friday after Oakesdale's game that night at Valley Christian was canceled because there were not enough referees.
More calls and texts went out and the word that came back from Odessa was no. They've got 13 COVID cases connected to the team and are going on hiatus.
And so it went.
It concludes with no Oakesdale versus Garfield-Palouse for 2020-21.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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